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

Pages 5-32

Reading Check

1. Why does Miguel keep a journal?

2. What is Diego’s talent?

Short Answer

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

1.     Describe Miguel’s relationship with his mother.

2.     What is Miguel’s attitude toward the group home?

Pages 33-53

Reading Check

1. What does Miguel tell the residents his crime was, and what name does this earn him?

2. According to Miguel, how are Mong and Miguel similar?

3. Who is Miguel’s new roommate?

Short Answer

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

1. What does Miguel decide to do after his initial phone call home to his mother, and why?

2. What is Miguel’s response to Jaden’s questions? Why does he respond this way?

Pages 54-64

Reading Check

1. How does Miguel respond when Mong asks Miguel why he reads?

2. What offer does Mong make Miguel after waking him from sleep?

Short Answer

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

1. How is Rondell characterized by Miguel?

2. Why is Mong’s offer tempting to Miguel?

Paired Resources

(Content warning: Paired Resources for this Teaching Unit address works of literature that contain mature content.