The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez

The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriguez 1. Throughout this book, Sonia is struggling to figure out her real identity, and where she fits in the world. Can you relate to Sonia’s struggle to reconcile her own personal identity with her responsibilities with her family? Explain.

2. How did you feel about the portrayal of Sonia’s relationships with her parents and with her grandmother?

3. Sonia feels like an “outsider” in both U.S. and Mexico, why is that? (pgs. 151/152)

4. What does Sonia come to realize about herself and her culture as a result of spending time with family in Mexico? (pg. 192)

5. Does Sonia adore her culture? Why or why not. What does she hate about her culture? What do you adore the most about your culture and why?

6. How did you feel about the portrayal of Sonia’s uncle (Drunkle)? What did you think about Sonia’s responses to him and what do you think it says about her character?

7. What did you think of Sonia’s proclamation, “How come when a person tries to do good so many people try to bring them down? Even in my own familia. One thing was segura, though, if I had been a boy, it would have been different. (pg 70). Do you agree? Why or why not?

8. What did you think of Sonia’s relationship with Maria (her prima)? What did you think of the transformation from strangers to “sisters” as Sonia comes to refer to Maria as towards the end of her Mexico trip? (pg. 190)

9. Why is Sonia so determined to complete her homework assignments, despite her many absences (pg. 73) and flunking tests?

10. What kind of support if any does she receive from teachers or other school staff? (pg. 127, pg. 273) What other obstacles stand in her way? How does she overcome them?

11. Sonia’s best friend Tee-Ay was unable to maintain their friendship at one point, why? (205, 206)

12. Describe Sonia’s relationship she has with her Dad.

13. What did you think of Sonia’s secret relationship with Geraldo? Could you ever fall in love with someone if your family didn’t approve?

14. On page 81, Sonia states that her dad (mi papi) “gets labels put on him by United States society, but [she] doesn’t see how he is any different from the Pilgrims [she] studied in history class.” What do you think of this comparison?

15. On page 84, Sonia’s dad returns the extra change he received from the ice cream. What did you think of that honesty? What did you think of his proclamation, “do not stoop to that level…”?”

16. On page 87, Tia Luna and Sonia’s mom discuss sending Sonia to Mexico to be with her Abuelita. What did you think of their reasoning that she must “learn the ways of the old county”? 17. On page 187, Sonia refers to the women waiting for wire transfers from the US as, “tall, short, fat, skinny, they all looked different, yet they all looked the same, as though poverty had created the same kind of wrinkles for each one of them.” What did you think of this statement?

18. On page 191, Maria stated, “people think death divides, but it reunites too.” What do you think of that statement?

19. Did you agree with the ending? What did you think of Sonia’s dad and his reaction? Explain.

20. When Sonia left Mexico, she had an urge to stay but Maria was very clear that she needed to return to El Norte. On page 196, Sonia’s Abuelita states, “Listen to your heart, tortuguita. It’s not the turtle’s shell that protects it. It’s the turtle’s wisdom.” What do you think of this?