Drawing Conclusions
Why do you think the sisters decide to take the dead man back to Mexico themselves instead of telling an adult?
They are afraid no one will believe them or help, and they feel responsible for the body since they found it.
Happening at a bad or inconvenient time
What problem do the girls face when they first find the body in the river?
Deciding what to do and whether to tell someone or handle it themselves.
What choice does Odilia make that affects the whole group?
She decides they should take the body to Mexico.
What surprising thing happens when the sisters cross the border?
They aren't stopped and begin to see the journey as more than just physical.
What can we guess about Odilia's role in the family based on her actions?
She acts as the leader or caretaker, showing maturity and responsibility.
What does imperative mean? Use it in sentence.
absolutely necessary or very important
How do the girls avoid getting caught by the Border Patrol?
They hide and use clever thinking to stay out of sight.
Why does Juanita often act before thinking? What effect does it have on the group?
She’s impulsive, which sometimes puts them in danger but also leads to new solutions.
What twist involves the dead man's identity?
He has a deeper connection to the girls' journey than they first thought.
What does the girls' reaction to the Border Patrol tell us about their fears or experiences?
They are scared and distrustful of authority, likely due to past experiences or stories.
What does incoherent mean? Use it in a sentence
Not clear or logical; hard to understand
What solution does Odilia find to deal with La Llorona's presence?
She listens to her story and shows empathy, which helps them move forward.
What is the Garza sisters' motto, and what does it reveal about their bond?
"Cinco Hermanitas, together forever!" This motto emphasizes the strong theme of family, sisterhood, and loyalty that drives their journey.
What is unexpected about the encounter with La Llorona?
She helps them instead of harming them.
What does the presence of supernatural creatures suggest about the tone or genre of the story?
The story includes magical realism and blends reality with fantasy.
What does insolent mean? Use it in a sentence
Rude or disrespectful in speech or behavior
How do the girls resolve the problem of having no food or money on their journey?
They rely on each other, receive help from strangers, and make sacrifices.
What does Odilia do at the store after seeing the newspaper article about their disappearance, and what character trait does this reveal? Why?
She buys all the newspapers to prevent others, including potentially her mother, from reading about them and worrying. This highlights her desire to protect her family and manage the situation on her own terms.
Early in the novel, La Llorona (the weeping woman of folklore) is expected to be a frightening villain who might harm the children. What is the reality of her role in the story?
La Llorona is actually a spiritual guide and protective figure who helps Odilia and her sisters on their journey, offering them magical items and cryptic, but useful, advice.
Based on the way the girls treat each other, what conclusion can you draw about their family dynamic?
They argue but ultimately care deeply for each other and work together.
Feeling angry or upset because something seems unfair
How did the Odilia figure out Cecilia was a witch?
La Llorona appears to Odilia in a vision or dream and reveals Cecilia's true nature. She explains that Cecilia is an ancient witch who is drugging them with the sweets and a "sugar sedative" in the hopes that they will stay with her forever
She buys all the newspapers to prevent others, including potentially her mother, from reading about them and worrying. This highlights her desire to protect her family and manage the situation on her own terms.
She holds La Llorona's hand, despite her initial fear and the warnings from folklore. This act allows her to receive guidance and the magical earrings that help her on her quest.
What does the mariposa (butterfly) represent ?
mariposas (butterflies) symbolize transformation, hope, resilience, the souls of ancestors, and the power of female solidarity