- Mia and her parents are new to the United States. How does her view of America change throughout our story?
- Mr. Yao tells Mia to look out for “bad guys”. How did he determine if someone was “bad,” and what do you think of this?
- Why do you think Mia’s mother was trying to protect Mia by telling the principal they just moved from China?
- How does Mia treat her responsibilities at the motel? Do you think that is too much responsibility for one kid?
- Why do you think Mia is afraid to tell the other kids in her school she lives in a motel? Have you ever made up a story about yourself and why?
- When Mia’s mom says, “We’re immigrants. Our lives are never fair,” what does she mean by that?
- Lupe describes the “two roller coasters in America” to Mia. What do the rollercoasters represent? Can you think of examples?
- How do stereotypes harm different people in our story?
- How does Mia stand up to the many injustices she witnesses throughout the novel?
- Our story ends with Mia and the others jumping into the pool. What do you think this symbolizes for them?
