Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Book 1, Prologue-Chapter 5

Reading Check

1. Where is El Otro Lado?

2. Who is The Man Behind the Glass?

3. What measures do Grandmother Evila and Tía Emperatriz take to rid Reyna and her siblings of head lice?

4. What news from the United States causes the Grande children, especially Mago, to despair?

5. Why does María Félix, Elida’s mother, come back to Mexico?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Reyna both resent and idealize her father?

2. Describe Evila, the Grande Children’s paternal grandmother.

Paired Resource

“Immigrant Perspectives: The American Dream”

• In this 2-minute video, immigrants from various countries discuss the American dream, what inspired them to pursue it, and what they feel about the results of their pursuit.
• What aspects of the American Dream do Reyna’s parents imagine will improve their quality of life if they make it to El Otro Lado? Compare their imaginings with those expressed in this video. How is the book’s theme of Intersection of Memory and Imagination at play in this video?

Book 1, Chapters 6-10

Reading Check

1. Name two reasons Evila has told Reyna to fear becoming evil in Chapter 6.