Cemetery Boys

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What are some strategies for countering exclusion? What strides have social institutions (such as education or the workplace) made in recent times toward inclusivity, and what continuing improvements and progress should be prioritized?   

Teaching Suggestion: It may be helpful to introduce the topic through a discussion of the school’s own inclusivity policies; alternatively, students might investigate the novel itself as an example of inclusivity, as it is the first work featuring a trans character to appear on The New York Times’s bestseller list. As a concept, inclusivity involves understanding and communicating with appropriate and specific terminology; as such, for this novel study, it may be beneficial for the class to review or discuss terms that may be new to some students, such as “deadnaming,” “gender dysphoria,” and others.

• These points from the Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning offer ideas on “Inclusive Classroom Climate” and may provide teachers with points, language, and information for leading discussion on inclusivity. Students might discuss the examples given and think critically about classroom environments they have observed.
• “Moving Beyond Allyship” from Forbes offers ideas on furthering inclusive practices in the workplace, with a focus on continuing education of employees.

Differentiation Suggestion: Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, students might prefer to answer the question and respond to the ideas in the resources individually and independently.

2. What connotations are often connected to the word “witchcraft”? Note as many different representations of this word as you can.

Teaching Suggestion: The main character of the novel, Yadriel, is part of a brujx (Spanish for “witchcraft”) community. Students may bring a wide variety of reactions to this question depending on their background, religious affiliation and involvement, and media interests. Students may benefit from pre-reading contextual discussion of the stereotypes that are associated with witchcraft and the cultural practices of other parts of the world.

• This article offers an explanation of brujería and how it has been modernized by young people today.
• This student opinion piece from the student news site of DePaul University discusses how parts of brujería, Santería, and other practices are inherent to some cultures.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

How would you react if your parents/family members disagreed with something important to you? Would you follow their lead, try to prove them wrong, or something else?

Teaching Suggestion: Yadriel’s family does not accept his identity as a transgender boy, and he works hard to prove them wrong. Consider providing examples to students that include both major disagreements (e.g., gender, religion, life partners) and more minor disagreements (e.g., curfew, clothing) to highlight differences in reactions.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who might benefit from or prefer a less personal approach due to sensitive circumstances might frame the question through a fictional character. What choices does that character make when faced with disagreements? How does it work out for them?