How does a family leave “tent city?” How does Mother ensure this happens for her family? Reread the last stanza on page 108. What does this reveal about Mother? “Alabama” – page 109 Who sponsors the family? What influences the sponsor’s decision? Part III - Alabama “Pack and Unpack” – page 115 1. How does the cowboy’s wife feel about Ha and her family coming to live with them? Cite direct evidence that supports your thinking. 2. How does Ha’s mother feel about their new living situation? Cite direct evidence then analyze the evidence. “American Chicken” – page 119 1. How does Ha’s family feel about the chicken dinner? Why do you think they feel this way? 4. What assumption does Ha make the “cowboy”? Why might she think this? “Out the Too-High Window” – page 122 Based on Ha’s description, what is the mood/atmosphere of their new neighborhood? Cite direct evidence to support your thinking. “American Address” – page 124 What amazes Mother the American government? What angers Quang about the same? Explain Mother’s response to him. “Letter Home” – page 127 Explain the contradiction in the last stanza of the poem. “Neigh Not Hee” – page 131 1. Explain what Ha when she talks about pity. 2. Identify, identify and analyze TWO EXAMPLES of FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE from this section. “The Outside” – page 136 What is significant about the one word mother says? “Sadder Laugh” – page 139 Identify, explain and analyze the figurative language in the following example: “I wake up with dragonflies zipping through my gut.” Identify, explain and analyze the figurative language in the following example: “It helps that the morning air glides cool like a constant washcloth against my face.” “Rainbow” – page 143 Why is the poem titled “Rainbow?” Be specific. “Black and White and Yellow and Red” – page 143 Why does Ha think they (at school) are making fun of the Vietnamese flag? Refer to p. 85 and 144. “Loud Outside” – page 14 Describe the difficulties of Ha’s first day at school. Cite direct evidence to support your thinking. Explain and analyze after each piece of evidence. “I won’t let them see me run” (147). What are the circumstances of this quote? What does this reveal about Ha? “Quiet Inside”- page 149
Explain the contrast in the behavior of Ha’s brothers when they are at home. “Fly Kick”- page 151-153 On page 153, Brother Vu tells Ha, “I’ll teach you defense.” How is this different than teaching her how to fight? What does this reveal about Vu’s character? “Chin Nod” – page 154 Why does Ha feel as if she is floating? “Feel Dumb” – page 156 “So this is what dumb feels like” (157). What does Ha mean by this? Why is she so furious? “Wishes” – page 158 Reread the poem “Wishes” on p. 158. Explain which wish is the most significant. Support your thinking with evidence. “Hiding” – page 160 Explain what Ha means when she says, “I’m practicing to be seen.” “Neighbors” – page 162 Make an inference. Why Brother Quang refuse to translate the note? Explain the contrast and contradiction occurs on page 165. “New Word a Day” – page 166 Identify and explain the figurative language used in stanza three. “More is Not Better” – page 168 What does Ha mean when she says, “I understand and wish I could go back to not understanding?” page 168 Cite evidence. “HA LE LU DA” – page 169 Why are Ha’s neighbors more likely to “Act like neighbors if we agree to something at Del Ray Southern Baptist Church?” What do you learn about the cowboy’s wife in HA LE LU DA? “Can’t Help” – page 173 What is the tone of the poem? Provide direct evidence from the text. Explain the poem’s title. “Spelling Rules” – page 177 In the poem “Cowboy’s replace the word breathing in the second stanza with a word that will keep the meaning of the sentence the same. Identify the idiom in Cowboy’s Gifts. “Someone Knows” – 180 In the poem, “Someone Knows” 181, what can you infer about Miss Washington when Ha says, “I’m still translating when her eyes get red?” “Most Relieved Day” – page 183 Explain the title of the poem. Identify and analyze the contrast and contradiction found in this poem. “Smart Again” – page 187