Taking Sides

Lincoln’s mother is relatively absent from the novel’s events. What is the effect of this? What does her absence contribute to the novel’s meaning?

Choose a character from the text and write an internal monologue that could be running through that character’s head during a particular scene. Then, write 2-3 paragraphs about what context clues in the text support the monologue you have written.

Why might Soto have chosen basketball as the sport through which to explore Lincoln’s character arc?

Discuss whether Flaco is a symbol or a character. Does the way you interpret him impact how you understand his narrative role?

Soto chose to use both Spanish and English throughout the text. How does this facilitate the novel’s exploration of identity?

Gary Soto is a highly decorated poet in addition to being a young adult author. Using your knowledge of poetry, write an essay describing three ways this book’s prose could be called “poetic.”

What narrative role does Lincoln’s developing romance with Monica serve?

Identify three instances of foreshadowing and discuss their significance in light of later events.