Las Papas
Why did Esperanza want to work so badly?
Pay for her mama, bring Abuelita from Mexico
Why was Miguel so excited after talking to the railroad?
He got a job.
Why did Esperanza feel bad about working when the strike began?
Lots of families were starving and wanting better conditions, other people were working for pennies
Why was Isabel praying so frequently?
She wanted to be chosen for the Queen of May at school
On Chapter 2: Las Uvas
What did Esperanza’s papa do for her birthday every year?
Sang the birthday song out the window, gave her a porcelain doll
What were the people who were going to strike threatening to do to the people who kept working?
Hurt them
After Ramona had been in the hospital, why wasn’t Esperanza able to visit her?
She caught pneumonia
Why did Esperanza not tell the police about Marta hiding in the shed?
She didn’t want to take her away from her mother
What nice things were going to be at the camp for the Oklahoma people?
hot water, swimming pool, inside toilets
On chapter 5, Las Guayabas
What did Carmen mean when she said, “I am poor, but I am rich?”
she has no money, but is rich with family and other things that are important to her
What trial did the valley symbolize Esperanza was in?
The valley of her mama being sick
Why was it hard for Esperanza to want to give Marta and her mother a ride?
Marta had been rude to her
Why were their armed guards protecting the workers?
The strikers were throwing rocks at them, threatening them, yelling at them
What did Esperanza do to comfort Isabel for not being chosen the Queen of May?
Gave her the doll her father gave her for her birthday
On chapter 4: Los Higos
Why would Esperanza’s mother consider going to the United States?
So she wouldn’t have to marry Tio Luis, so Esperanza wouldn’t have to go away to school
Why did Abuelita and Esperanza knit their hairs into the blanket?
It symbolized their love and good wishes
What did Hortensia do to help Esperanza’s hands feel better?
Rubbed an avocado mixture on them.
Why did police and immigration officers put those striking onto a bus?
To deport them to Mexico, they’re causing problems for the government
What happened to Miguel at work and why was he all muddy?
He lost his job at the railroad to men from Oklahoma and dug ditches
On chapter 6: Los Melones
Who made it possible for Esperanza and her mother to come to the United States?
Juan and Josephina
On Christmas Day, what did Esperanza tell her mom before she left?
“Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. I will be la patrona for the family now.”
What were some things Esperanza was missing about her mother?
Laughter, hands knitting, walking into a room graceful and regal
What else did the strikers do to try to slow down the workers or hurt them?
Put snakes, a rat, razor blades, and shards of glass in the crates of asparagus
Why did white Americans treat Mexicans differently?
They think they’re uneducated, good for only manual labor, dirty, poor, unskilled
Ch. 8: Las Almendras
Why was it important for Esperanza to go to the jamaica?
To face everybody after she was so embarrassed in front of them.