I love this book and am so glad that I was in charge of the discussion for this month. I read the book in an hour and so pleased with Lynn Joseph’s work. The book was short, but the story flowed so well. I really identified with the main character and felt all the emotions that she felt. I hope everyone else gained as much from this book as I did and enjoys talking about this one as well. So here goes:
Questions:
1.Can you relate to the characters and their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
2.How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?
3.Did you feel that the book fulfilled your expectations? Were you disappointed?
4.What are some of the book's themes? How important were they?
5.Did the book end the way you expected?
Answers:
1.I relate to Ana Rosa so well, a girl feeling like she is striving to be someone and is being held back. I think everyone has felt that feeling at some point in his or her life.
2.I am so glad Melissa suggested Hispanic heritage month books, this is a sweet story and I think I will continue to look for other books by her in the future.
3.I was a little disappointed how short it was, but it was an easy read. I thought the ending was sad, but glad she chose to overcome her grief and write.
4.I think one of the themes is perseverance. The whole family has to overcome different aspects, from the drinking father, Ana Rosa’s other father, her learning to dance, the selling of the land, etc. I could go on and on, everyone dug a little deeper and ended up being better for it.
5.No, I was surprised her brother died. I didn’t see the government coming to take their land; I did think that there would be an uprising…but not his death. I am glad she decided to write his story. I was so impressed with her vision for future and her brother’s future; I hated to have it end so suddenly.
Ok, so if anyone else has any other questions or comments feel free and let the discussions begin....
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7 comments:
I will be posting my answers after work today. Thanks for leading the discussion, Kyla!
1. I could definitly relate to Ana Rosa and Mami. Mami reminds me of my own mother in that she does what she has to do nomatter what the cards are that are dealt to her, minus the whole cheating on my dad thing, she never did that.
2. I have enjoyed reading hispanic authors the past two months, but I don't know that I am going to search out more books by hispanic authors. It's just that I prefer other genres.
3. I think I wanted to know more about Ana rosa when she grew up, but once I understood that she was writing to let people know about her brother, I got over that.
4. I agree with Kyla on the theme of perseverance. Everyone in the family had to develop that trait, even Papi when he learned that Ana Rosa wasn't his biological child.
5. The book did not end the way I expected it to. I really didn't want Guarino to die. He was my favorite character. He seemed so real and focused and that he would bring a better future to his family in a different way than what happened. And I was so sad for Ana Rosa b/c she loved him so much.
Answer #1
Can I relate to Ana Rosa? To a certain extent, yes - being innocent and young with big dreams and thinking your family and friends are all there is to the world, not knowing anyone could mean you harm or invade your home. But my childhood innocence wasn't taken away so abruptly.
Answer 2- (sorry to answer separately, but I didn't think I'd have time for doing it all at once).
When i was 12, my mom befriended a recent immigrant from Cuba. My mom told us all about how awful her life had been under the dictatorship in Cuba and what people were willing to do to escape. Ever since then, I've been drawn to literature that gives me more insight to how normal people (specifically women) fight to preserve their families, quality of life and freedom - all things I couldn't bear to be without. So yes, this book continues my interest to read more.
I can relate to Ana Rosa in that I have felt that absolute support and love from my own family. There have been many times where they have encouraged me and seen in me greatness that I was not able to see. I loved how each person in their own way helped Ana Rosa to learn to fly. They saw greatness in her and allowed her the opportunity to find it in herself.
I appreciate the opportunity to read such beautiful stories of courage and perseverence. I am also grateful to the opportunity to open my eyes to other genres.
I really enjoyed the language in this book. It was a quick read, but I felt that there was not anything lacking in character development or relationship development. I loved the relationships with Mami, Papi and Guario. I loved how she developed Ana Rosa's respect for her Papi and how he grew throughout the story and gained confidence and courage. I loved the faith and love that Guarino had for Ana. Their relationship calls to remembrance the scripture "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, John 15: 13." I also really enjoyed the friendship and love that Ana shared with her Mami. Moms definately are the ones who can clearly see the possiblities and the dangers in our futures and though they may caution us to be careful, they still see the need to encouage us to reach our divine potential. They just do so with a lot of prayers whispered under their breath.
There were quite a few themes. One that stood out to me was doing what you know is right no matter what the cost. Ana did so when she told her brother about the notebook and Guarino did so when he gave his life to save his sister and their neighborhood. Even the Mami did so when she told Papi the truth about the man in white. I think through those examples there is a great lesson on integrity. I felt that the story shared with us the possibility of moving beyond the limitations we set for ourselves and realizing our potential. I loved that her Papi came out of his drunken stupor and found purpose and success. Ana did so as well. She let go of the guilt in the end and realized her gift and the need to use that gift to carry on her brother's story and to realize the potenial he saw in her.
In a way, I kindof expected the ending. Only because of the last book. In the Time of the Butterflies. I knew that there was a chance that someone would die, just because the government wouldn't tolerate those who stood up to them. I think the ending gave purpose to Guarino's life in that he opened up the future for all those left behind. I really enjoyed the book. Thanks for picking such a great one!
Answer #3
Yes, I agree with Kyla. I wanted it to be a little longer, but the length still told the story. I've glad she got her type writer
Answer #4
yes, perseverance was definitely a theme. Persevering through love, hostility, poverty, etc...
Answer #5
No, not at all. I was surprised that they were able to keep their homes! And I was still surprised with the brother died, even though the author had set it up for that.
(I'm a little sick - hence my short answers. I really did enjoy this book. Thanks Kyla!)
1. I felt that I was able to relate with Ana Rosa, mostly because the book was written in such a way that I felt like I was stepping into her heart every time I read it. I especially loved this, because I was only able to pick up the book during the ten minutes my kids were in the bath each night, and when I picked I began to read, it was like I had never set it down.
2. I love experiencing new people and places, and this book really did that for me.
3. I had no idea what it was about, and so I had no expectations. I was very happy with it though, and felt better for having read it.
4. I felt that loyalty was a strong theme - loyalty to family and comunity. For example, even when everyone discovers that Papi isn't Ana Rosa's real father, they not only support her, but Ana Rosa lets her Papui know that she loves him - he is the one who will always be her father, regardless of blood. Guario is a huge example of loyalty in the book, having knowingly sacrificed his future to support his family.
5. Sadly, yes. Characters like Guario always seem to be too good for this world, and I was so afraid he would die. I was heartbroken when it happened, especially for Ana Rosa, who would obviously feel it was her fault. I was very happy with how the author brought things together in the end though - with Papi stepping up, and Ana having closure.
All in all, I was very pleased with this book. Great choice!
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