Why do you think the author chose to tell this novel from Victor’s perspective? How would the novel be different if it were told from the perspective of Miguel, or Rico, or Julio? 

Discuss Victor and Rico’s relationships with their parents. How are their families similar? How are they different? How do you think these similarities and differences contribute to the boys’ different approaches to life? 

Victor is forced to make many difficult decisions throughout the book. How does his family serve as a touchstone to help him make these decisions?