Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Part 1

Reading Check

1. What two holidays does Têt represent?

2. What fruit is Kim Hà trying to grow?

3. How many siblings does Hà have?

4. What choice item does Hà decide to bring with her when the family leaves?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. To what extent does the family know about what happened to Father?

2. What do Hà’s birthday wishes tell readers about what is important to her?

Paired Resource

“A Traveller’s Guide to Têt Holiday”

• This article details different aspects of the Têt holiday in modern times for those who may be traveling to Vietnam during the celebration.
• This resource connects to the theme of Growth and Change Marked by Endings and Beginnings.
• How are the celebrations of Têt similar to the ways your family celebrates the New Year? How do the descriptions of Têt in modern times compare to novel’s descriptions of the holiday?

Part 2

Reading Check

1. What sauce does Brother Vũ finally get to make all the food more edible?

2. What does Hà call their sponsor?

3. What job is Brother Quang training to do?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What causes the refugees to finally start sharing the food they brought?

2. How do families get to leave the refugee camp in Florida?

Paired Resource

“Western (Narrative Genre)”

• This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica discusses the popular genre of westerns in American culture. It includes background information, famous last lines, and videos and photos from the time period and genre.
• This resource connects to the theme of Acceptance Despite Differences.
• This form of media is the family’s first introduction to “America.” What might they assume about the country they have just entered?

“Bruce Lee”

• The Bruce Lee Family Company is founded on the principles and teachings of martial artist Bruce Lee. This page provides a short and long bio of Lee, as well as details about his work, teachings, and principles.
• This resource connects to the theme of Family Love and Support Promoting Resilience and Growth.
• What can we learn about Brother Vũ based on his dedication to Bruce Lee?

Part 3, “Late August”-“September”

Reading Check

1. What sound does Hà focus on when first learning English?

2. Who offers to tutor the children?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What is the major difference between the “cowboy” and his wife?

2. What can you infer based on how Hà describes her school bully?

3. Why does the family’s sponsor (the cowboy) suggest that they get baptized?

Paired Resource

“The Evolution of Terms for English Learners”

• This article from EdWeek discusses the different terms that have been used to describe students who are learning English. It takes a historical as well as sociological approach to the topic.
• This resource connects to the theme of Acceptance Despite Differences.
• Hà focuses a lot on language. Why is the language people use to describe others important?

Part 3, “October”-“December”

Reading Check

1. What food is used to insult Hà’s facial features?

2. What subject does Hà best her bully in?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Hà meet Pam and Steven?

2. What does the cowboy do to help Hà when he hears about her school bully?

3. Why is it particularly satisfying that Hà insults her bully by calling him “du du face”?

Part 4

Reading Check

1. What gift does Pam give Hà?

2. Which career wish of Mother’s (engineer, doctor, poet, lawyer) do the children actually fulfill?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Mother decide that Father is officially gone?

2. What is wrong about the outfit Hà wears to school after Christmas break?

Recommended Next Reads

Refugee by Alan Gratz

• In this novel, readers follow three children in their own refugee crises: a Jewish boy running from Nazi Germany, a Cuban girl escaping riots, and a Syrian boy fleeing war.
• A shared theme is Growth and Change Marked by Endings and Beginnings.
• Refugee on SuperSummary

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

• Fabiola and her mother are trying to come to the US from Haiti to live with her aunt and cousins. When her mother is detained by immigration, Fabiola must rely on her very different cousins to help her navigate her new life in America.
• A shared theme is Family Love and Support Promoting Resilience and Growth.
• Shared topics include immigration, learning American customs, bullying, and family.
• American Street on SuperSummary