Characters
Plot Events
Themes and Issues
Settings
Quotes/Details
100

This character is Mia’s best friend, who lives in the motel and faces deportation.

Who is Lupe?

100

This law in the book affects the rights of immigrants and sparks protests.

What is Proposition 187?

100

This theme shows how Mia fights for what she believes is right.

What is social justice / standing up for others?

100

The name of the motel Mia’s family lives in.

What is the Calivista Motel?

100

Mia loves to do this activity, which helps her speak up.

What is writing (especially writing letters and essays)?

200

This is the name of Mia’s cousin who comes from China.

Who is Shen?

200

What name does Mia come up with for the club she forms at school?

What is Kids for Kids?

200

Mia’s family faces challenges because they are part of this group.

What is immigrants / immigrant community?

200

The U.S. state where the story takes place.

What is California?

200

Lupe’s dream is to become one of these.

What is an engineer?

300

He is Lupe’s father and is at risk of being deported.

Who is Mr. Garcia? 

300

Mia writes letters to do this in support of immigrant families.

What is help stop deportations or support immigrants' rights?

300

This is the main type of discrimination Mia and her friends face.

What is racism / anti-immigrant prejudice?

300

Mia’s school is the setting for this big event.

What is the walkout / protest?

300

This is how Mia helps her classmates understand immigrants' struggles.

What is by telling stories / writing essays / sharing personal experiences?

400

She is Mia’s hardworking and supportive mother.

Who is Mrs. Tang?

400

The students at Mia’s school do this to stand up against Proposition 187.

What is organize a walkout / protest?

400

A big theme is about chasing this kind of dream.

What is the American Dream?

400

This place is where Mia’s family hopes to find a better future.

What is America?

400

What is the event that Principal Evans organizes to bring people together?

What is a cookout?

500

This character’s views on immigration force Mia to confront difficult questions about fairness and friendship.

Who is Jason Yao?


500

Mia and her friends collect these to help the community.

What are signatures (for a petition)?

500

Mia learns the importance of using her __________ to help others.

What is voice / writing?

500

The story takes place during this decade.

What is the 1990s?

500

Mia compares Proposition 187 to this type of natural disaster in her school speech, saying it could “rip families apart.”

What is an earthquake?

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