vocabulary
metaohor
a figure of speech that suggests how two seemingly dissimilar things are alike
What is Tet?
Its the New Year for Vietnam
Why does Ha eat slowly?
ha is trying to enjoy the last crumbs she has.
Describe what the family’s sponsor looks like.
He had a black cowboy hat, tan cowboy boots, cigar smoking, and golden hair.
What does the family learn in the letter from Father’s brother?
They don’t learn anything from Father’s brother's letter.
idle
not active or busy
How did the papaya tree begin to grow?
She did not grow the tree intentionally because she was eating a papaya and she threw the seed in the ground.
What does Ha draw? Why?
she is drawing pictures of food because she’s very hungry. There’s not much to eat on the boat
What is the mother's message at their family meeting?
Mother said that you should wish for nothing not a future not your father until you learn English.
What happened to Mrs. Washington’s son?
Mrs. Washington had a son that died in Saigon at age 20.
fleeing
running away, usually from danger
What happened to Ha’s father?
Ha’s father got taken prisoner when he was serving the navy. He is missing
What do the people do at the camp?
The camp workers teach the kid English in the morning and afternoon. In the evening the kids watch movies and go swimming. Brother Quang translated the movies in English.
How does the family feel about the chicken?
Ha’s family does not like the american chicken because it is not freshly killed.
What rumor does Ha hear?
The rumors were that Pink boys cousin would beat up Ha after school.
poetry
a piece of work written in verse; a collation of poems
what does Ha want the most for her birthday?
she wants her father to come back because she wants her mother to be happy
Why does mother want to sell her amethyst ring?
Ha’s mother wants to sell the ring that father gave her because she wants to buy needles, thread, fabric, and sandals.
What does Ha see out the window?
Ha see’s houses and cement sidewalks. Ha does not see any car’s or people.
What does Ha do when Pink Boy runs at her?
Ha prepares herself to hit him.
imitation
not real but meant to resemble the real thing
What is the family taking with them?
The family mostly takes clothing, food, toothbrush, toothpaste, and one special thing of their choice because they're leaving for America.
What does Brother Khoi have? Why would he keep this thing?
Brother Kohi has a bead chicken and he wanted to keep it because he works hard to get a chicken.
How does the butcher treat Ha and her mother in the poem?
The butcher treats ha’s mother like she's not there.
What plans do Ha’s brothers have for the future?
Brother Quang wants to be an engineer, Brother Vu Lee wants to be a cook, and brother Khoi wants to be a vet