We are Big Time
Where did Aliya and her family move to and from?
What is the name of the nursing home that Alex volunteers at?
Shady Glen
What is Sue’s main reason for initially agreeing to participate in her family’s plan for her quinceañera, even though she does not feel connected to the tradition?
Sue agrees primarily to please her mother and grandmother, who see the quinceañera as an important cultural milestone, even though Sue feels uncertain about her cultural identity and personal interests.
What family responsibility does Freddie have that makes the curse especially stressful for him?
Freddie feels responsible for helping his family financially and emotionally, especially because his mother works hard to support them, which makes the idea of a family curse even more overwhelming
What can Manifestors do that makes them dangerous and powerful?
Bring their imagination to life.
What is the Peace Academy's team motto?
"More than the score"
What had Josey not done for five years before meeting Alex?
Talk
Which two extracurricular interests most clearly show that Sue’s priorities conflict with the expectations placed on her quinceañera?
Sue’s passion for art and her commitment to cross-country running conflict with the time, money, and attention required to plan and perform a traditional quinceañera.
Name one of three events convince Freddie that the family curse may be real rather than just a superstition?
Food truck problems: When Freddie helps with his family’s Filipino food truck, things frequently go wrong—missed opportunities, equipment issues, or poor timing—especially when Freddie feels pressured to make things perfect.
School and personal setbacks: Freddie experiences failures or near-misses connected to decisions he makes while trying to avoid bad luck, which only seem to make outcomes worse.
Pattern recognition: What convinces Freddie most is not one incident, but the pattern—every time he worries about the curse or tries to outsmart it, something goes wrong soon after.
What happens that forces Nic to go on the run?
Her father is arrested for using forbidden Manifestor magic.
Name one subject in which Aliya's grades drop.
Biology or English
What is the major event in Alex’s life that leads to his being assigned to volunteer (instead of being sent to juvenile detention)?
Alex, after being bullied and told he was “nothing,” snaps and commits a violent act. His social worker pulls strings to have him volunteer at the nursing home rather than be sent to juvenile detention.
By the end of the novel, what compromise does Sue reach regarding her quinceañera, and what does it represent?
Sue embraces a version of the quinceañera that reflects both her cultural heritage and her individuality, representing her acceptance of a blended identity rather than choosing tradition or independence exclusively.
What type of business does Freddie’s family run that he believes is affected by the family curse?
A Filipino food truck.
What creature accompanies Nic and her friends as a protector and ally?
A gargoyle.
This book is inspired by the true story of what team?
Salam School's girls' varsity high school basketball team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Name both friend who support Sue by encouraging her to be honest about her feelings toward the quinceañera?
Amelia and Dani (or Daniela)
What change in Freddie’s behavior helps lessen the “curse”?
Asking for help and letting go of control.
What organization enforces magical law and hunts Manifestors?
The Unfathomables / magical authorities.
Mecca is significant to Aliya's father for two reasons. What are they?
Mecca is in the direction in which Muslims pray
AND
In a family story, Aliya's father thought Mecca was MECCA - Milwaukee Exposition and Convention Center.
What happens that causes Josey to finally speak again after years of silence?
Josey breaks his silence when Alex opens up to him about his own guilt and pain. Their emotional connection allows Josey to find his voice and share his story for the first time in years.
What specific concern does Sue have about the financial cost of the quinceañera, and how does it affect her feelings about the event?
Sue worries that the quinceañera is expensive and places a financial burden on her family, which makes her feel guilty and uncomfortable accepting a celebration she is unsure she wants.
What is Freddie's mom's hair color?
Black
Who is this book dedicated to?
The book is dedicated to Black girls—especially those who have been told they are “too much.”