Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. When Josef leaves Germany for Cuba, he is on the cusp of an important social marker in his life: becoming an adult.

• Why is Josef’s transition to manhood important for him and his family?
• Find three examples where Josef makes decisions for himself or his family that he believes are important for adulthood.
• What is the ultimate example of Josef’s desire to become an adult?

2. Throughout Isabel’s journey, we learn about clave, a special rhythm in Cuban music that Isabel is worried she will never hear, especially if she leaves her home of Cuba for the U.S.

• Why is clave important for the Cuban people?
• Find three examples in the novel where either Isabel or her companions discuss the importance of clave.
• Does Isabel manage to hear clave in the novel? If so, when does she manage to hear it? What does this mean for the concept of clave and its relation to homeland?

3.