Rounds 1-3

Round 1:

A. From the website on Bodega Dreams, read the interview with the author Ernesto Quinonez.

B. Puerto Rican Obituary questions.

List two things that are implied by the poem?
How could this be related to Bodega’s Dreams?
How do you feel about what the author is saying?

C. The first chapter of a novel usually introduces the setting and important characters.

· Write a short description of the setting, including where and when this book takes place.
· Write a short description of the important characters introduced (Sapo and Chino).
· Compare and contrast Chino’s and Sapo’s view of the neighborhood. How are they different? How are they the same?


D. Paraphrase the first chapter, condensing it into two or three paragraphs.

Round 2:

A. There is a big jump from youth to college. Why do you think the author skipped so much?

B. What does Willie Bodega represent to Chino? How is this related to the idea of reinvention that is prevalent throughout the chapter? Look at the last line of Round 2.

C. On page 18 the narrator says, “Like with Sapo growing up, I needed Blanca with me so I could feel valuable. No, I didn’t want to mess that up.” (18).What does Chino mean by valuable? Is this selfish?

Round 3:

A. In this round, Sapo set up a meeting with Willie and Chino; Paraphrase Chino’s first impression of Willie (pages 23- 26).

B. What good things has Willie done for the niegborhood? Find two examples from the text, giving the page numbers.

C. How does Chino feel as he leaves the meeting with Willie?