IMPORTANT: Comprehension questions will be in chronological order as you read through the story. Page numbers are approximate, and will vary with different editions of the book.
Section 1: Chapters 1-3
Vocabulary
- gulp: to swallow quickly
- secure: to feel safe and sound
- jut: to stick up or out
- eager: enthusiastic for something
- shrill: having a sharp, high sound
- ebb: to flow away from the shore
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- “…You’re going to make me late,” she gulped down her coffee, even though it burned her tongue. (Ch. 1, pg. 2)
- If only she could sit there all morning hugging her father, who always made her feel safe and secure. (Ch. 1, pg. 3)
- In her rush to keep up with her brother, Maria Isabel did not see a section of sidewalk that was jutting up because of a tree root. (Ch. 1, pg. 4)
- She loved the sea and had always dreamed of seeing a real dolphin, so she opened the book eagerly. (Ch. 2, pg. 9)
- But it wasn’t her teacher’s shrill voice that shook her out of her day-dreams but the silence that had followed in its wake. (Ch. 2, pg. 12)
- It reminded Maria Isabel of her grandmother Chabela’s rocking chair, the one her grandmother would rock her to sleep in, of the ebb and flow of the waves in front of her grandfather Antonio’s house. (Ch. 3, pg. 14)
Vocabulary Sentences
- Wesley was eager for the camping trip with his Boy Scout troop to begin.
- The seagulls made a shrill sound when the dog chased them off the beach.
- After hours in a small row boat, Jenna felt secure standing on dry land.
- The mountains seemed to jut out of the vast desert scenery.
- The ebb and flow of the ocean tide is very calming.
- Jack had to gulp down his chocolate milk so he wouldn’t be late for practice.
Comprehension Questions
- Maria Isabel’s mother says to her, “May God be with you,” when she leaves for school. (Ch. 1, pg. 3)
- Aunt Aurea made Maria Isabel’s favorite yellow dress. (Ch. 1, pg. 6)
- The teacher decides to call her Mary since there are already two Marias in the class. (Ch. 2, pg. 8)
- Maria Isabel started school in Puerto Rico. (Ch. 3, pg. 13)
- Marta Perez is the name of the girl who takes Maria Isabel by the hand. (Ch. 3, pg. 14)
- Maria Isabel wishes her teacher would stop calling her Mary. (Ch. 3, pg. 17)
Section 2: Chapters 4-5
Vocabulary
- librarian: a person in charge of the library
- pilgrims: newcomers to a place
- annoy: to bother
- pendant: a hanging ornament
- soot: fine black dust
- glare: to stare in an angry way
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- The librarian was sitting at her desk behind some piles of books.(Ch. 4, pg. 19)
- The teacher asked if anyone knew who the Pilgrims were. (Ch. 4, pg. 20)
- The next day, she had trouble eating her breakfast again, and Antonia was annoyed with her. (Ch. 4, pg. 22
- First, it had been pendant with the image of the Virgin Mary, a baptism present from her godmother. (Ch. 4, pg. 25)
- When she looked out, she saw that the morning’s bright, clean snow had been shoveled and trampled, and was now covered with soot and grime. (Ch. 5, pg. 30)
- She glared at Maria Isabel and said, “When I ask you something, you have to answer, Mary.” (Ch. 4, pg. 32)
Vocabulary Sentences
- The large steam ship carried many Irish pilgrims to New York City.
- The diamond pendant sparkled on the Queen’s neck.
- The mean dog would glare at the mailman if he forgot to bring a treat.
- Mrs. Smith, the librarian has a really fun story time every Saturday morning.
- The neighborhood dogs annoy me when they bark all the time.
- Cities were covered in dirty soot all through the industrial revolution.
Comprehension Questions
- Marta Perez takes Maria to the library during lunch. (Ch. 4, pg. 19)
- Maria Isabel is worried that the kids think she is dumb because she didn’t answer the teacher’s question. (Ch. 4, pg. 22)
- The family moves to the apartment because Mr. Salazar has a new job taking care of apartment buildings. (Ch. 4, pg. 23)
- Antonio is happy to live in the apartment because he can have his own room. (Ch. 4, pg. 24)
- Maria Isabel makes salad, rice, beans, and meat for dinner. (Ch. 4, pg.26)
- The students are going to stage the play called Amahl and the Night Visitors. (Ch. 5, pg. 29)
- Maria Isabel is reading the book called Charlotte’s Web. (Ch. 5, pg. 30)
Section 3: Chapters 6-7
Vocabulary
- barrette: a clasp for holding hair
- magazine: a monthly publication
- wreath: a circle shaped decoration
- menorah: a holder for nine candles
- rehearsal: a practice time
- shy: timid
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- Then she brushed Maria Isabel’s hair back and pinned it with a flowered barrette. (Ch. 6, pgs. 33-34)
- Carmen went back into her room to get some magazines. (Ch. 6, pg. 34)
- The class was making wreaths and lanterns. (Ch. 7, pg. 38)
- The class also talked about the Jewish feast of Hanukkah that celebrates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem, and about the special meaning of the nine candles of the Hanukkah menorah. (Ch. 7, pg. 38)
- They spent rehearsal time reading comics or whispering to each other. (Ch. 7, pg. 32)
Vocabulary Sentences
- Avery always looks forward to receiving his LEGO magazine in the mail.
- The actors have to go to rehearsal every night leading up to the play.
- The Johnson’s front door has a festive Christmas wreath on it.
- My sister loves to wear a sparkly barrette in her hair and dance around the house.
- Every Hanukkah our family lights the menorah and sings songs together.
- Helen feels very shy when she meets new people.
Comprehension Questions
- The Salazars visit their old neighborhood on Thanksgiving Day. (Ch. 6, pg. 32)
- Maria Isabel’s friend Virginia wasn’t there when she went to visit. (Ch. 6, pg. 33)
- Carmen wants to make Maria Isabel prettier with makeup as soon as she meets her. (Ch. 6, pg. 33)
- Carmen wants to be a makeup artist for movie stars when she grows up. (Ch. 6, pg. 34)
- Maria Isabel does not tell Clara about her new school and her teacher who seems angry with her. (Ch. 6, pg. 36)
- Suni Paz teaches the class to sing the song, “The Candles of Hannukah.” (Ch. 7, pg. 39)
- Maria Isabel daydreams about becoming a famous singer. (Ch. 7, pg. 42)
Section 4: Chapters 8-10
Vocabulary
- pajamas: clothes for sleeping in
- drizzle: very light rain
- manger: a feed box for horses or cattle
- pageant: a public performance of a historical event
- volunteer: to freely offer to do something
- essay: a short piece of writing on a particular subject
Vocabulary Usage in the Book
- She put on her pajamas and got into bed. (Ch. 8, pg. 44)
- But shortly after she got to school, it started to drizzle. (Ch. 9, pg. 47)
- They volunteered to help carry the manger and the shepherds baskets on and offstage. (Ch. 9, pgs. 47-48)
- They volunteered to help carry the manger and the shepherds baskets on and offstage. (Ch. 9, pgs. 47-48)
- “…I’d like you all to take out some paper and write an essay titled ‘My Greatest Wish.’” (Ch. 9, pg. 48)
Vocabulary Sentences
- Everyone should learn to write a great essay.
- Everyone gets to play a part in this year’s Christmas pageant.
- I forgot to bring my pajamas to the sleep-over, so I had to sleep in my clothes.
- Even though it was barely a drizzle, it was still too wet to go out and play.
- The volunteer workers built an entire house in one day.
- The farm worker put enough hay in the manger to last all night.
Comprehension Questions
- Maria Isabel’s father is most looking forward to hearing her sing. (Ch. 8, pg. 43)
- Maria goes to her room, puts on her pajamas, and goes to bed after helping with the dishes. (Ch. 8, pg. 44)
- The teacher asks the students to write an essay titled “My Greatest Wish.” (Ch. 9, pg. 48)
- Maria Isabel’s first wish is to make a snowman. (Ch. 9, pg. 48)
- Maria Isabel’s third wish is that her teacher would call her Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez. (Ch. 9, pgs. 50-51)
- Maria Isabel says if she’s called by her real name, then she can listen better in class and have a part in the play. (Ch. 9, pg. 51)
- The teacher asks Maria Isabel to lead the song about the Hanukkah candles. (Ch. 10, pg. 54)