Ari's World
Who is Ari's best friend?
Dante
What does Dante teach Ari how to do?
Swim
Name ONE theme in the book.
Identity, Relationships, Coming of Age...
Name ONE repeating symbol in the book.
Rain, birds, the truck, dreams, Legs the dog...
Which war did Ari's dad fight in?
The Vietnam War
How does Ari feel about most boys his age?
He thinks they're annoying.
Where does Dante move during the school year?
Chicago
How does Dante feel about being Mexican American?
He doesn't feel a strong connection to that part of himself and that bothers him.
True of False: The bird that gets shot with a BB gun is a pigeon.
False! It was a sparrow.
What does Dante's mom do for work?
She's a therapist
Where does Ari work?
The Charcoaler
Dante draws a picture that reminds him of Ari. What is it a picture of?
An empty chair.
Compare Dante's relationship with his dad to Ari's relationship with his dad.
Dante and his dad are close, and open with each other. Ari and his dad don't talk very much and when they do they rarely share their feelings.
What does rain symbolize in the book?
Change!
Who shows up at Ari's house randomly and asks him to do drugs with him?
Charlie Escobedo
Why isn't Ari close with his sisters?
They're much older than him and they make it a big deal.
He doesn't like them because he thinks they're entitled.
How does Ari feel about being an "almost man"?
He misses being a boy.
How does Dante feel about shoes and why?
He doesn't like them because his mom makes him wear them and he doesn't like to be told what to do.
What's the name of the girl who kissed Ari on New Year's Eve?
Ileana
What does Ari call his mom, as a joke, when she's being controlling?
A fascist.
Dante is worried about coming out to his parents. How does he think they'll react?
He's worried that they'll hate him.
Which of the following aspects of identity are explored most in the book: (pick 3)
Religion, ethnicity, race, place of birth, age, sexuality, gender, political views, class, language
Ethnicity, sexuality, and gender
What do Ari's bad dreams tell us about how he's feeling?
They tell us which relationships and experiences he's stressed about or processing.
What are Ari's twin sisters' names?
Sylvia and Cecilia