Characters
The main character of the story who wants to go to a school dance and loves gymnastics
Who is Maya
"Stunned" means...
To be shocked or surprised
"I hope Nurzhan inflicted a hard punch."
To apply or to give something
He was like a great bear in his leather jacket
What is "simile?"
Nurzhan gets into a fight at school and Maya defends him, but misses her gymnastics meet. She also gets caught playing with Daniel Klein by her father.
What is "rising action?"
How does Maya's family come to America through a dating magazine?
He is Maya's chaperone
Who is Nurzhan?
"Scuffle" means...
What can we guess from the following sentence: "Nurzhans eyes became wide as he listened to my translation."
He was surprised or amazed by what Maya was saying.
I watched the fish swim back and forth, back and forth...
What is "repetition?"
Nurzhan agrees to talk to Mama and Papa so they will let Maya go to the dance.
What is "climax?"
Why do Papa and Mama get upset that Maya was in Daniel Kleins arms?
In Kazahk culture, girls and boys should not be holding each other so young, and to them, it is wrong and inappropriate. It brings shame to them.
Who is Daniel Klein?
"Whimper" means...
A soft cry or faint noise made out of fear
Maya changes from a slightly selfish outlook to more selfless by the end of the story. This shows Maya as what kind of character?
I couldn't imagine little Nurzhan convincing Papa, who is a boulder.
What is a "metaphor?"
Maya thanks Nurzhan for helping her and hopes he'll do this again for her next dance.
What is "Resolution?"
What is Nurzhan and Maya's relationship like?
They both care for one another and look out for each other.
Maya's best friend
Who is Shannon Lui
A "dispatcher" is...
Someone who sends out something or someone...
Maya knew that Nurzhan fought with Ossie Nishizono without being told. What does that imply?
That Nurzhan and Ossie Nishizono have a history or feud.
"Why would we?"
What is "alliteration?"
Maya goes to the dance as long as Nurzhan is her chaperone and keeps an eye on her, though he really doesn't.
What is "falling action?"
How does Maya's mother giving Maya the bracelet show a change in her character?
It shows Maya's mother is starting to loosen up and let go of some of her traditional values that restricted Maya.
The one who was teasing Nurzhan
Who is Ossie Nishizono
"Nyet" means...
"No" in Russian
In the below passage, what are the two comparisons being made, and what do they reveal?
"But gradually, as in the way winter becomes spring, there was a slight thaw each day. Perhaps it was because we were stranded on a little Kazhak island in the middle of a great American sea, but whatever the reason, we could not allow our winter to go on any longer."
The families bitterness is being compared to winter. Their calming down is like winter becoming spring.
Maya claims that it's likely because they are a Kazhak island in American sea water, which is revealing how isolated and alone they are. This emphasizes how much they need each other.
They always say no. They will never say yes.
What is "hyperbole."
Maya and her family are immigrants who came here from a different country and they feel very isolated and alone. Because of this Maya's parents probably won't sign a permission slip she wants them to so she can go to a dance.
What is "exposition?"
The fundamental theme of the story is:
There is always hope. You must never give up on it.