The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora - Activity/Discussion Ideas

What does the word epic mean?

Read aloud “Note to Self." Predict: What did Arturo do? What might have been his “epic fail”?

“But love, like the sun that it is, sets afire and melts everything.” - Jose Marti

• What does this quote mean?

• Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Pair readings with Jose Marti poetry

Re-read p. 18-19. Draw what you think the inside of La Cocina de la Isla looks like.

“Everything about La Cocina came back to family….When they came here they felt like family too.” (p. 20) What does family “feel” like? What “feels like family” in your life? Why?

Explore these significant quotes:

• “Men of action—above all, those whose actions are guided by love—live forever.”

• "Community is family—family is community."

Abuela seems to be admired by many. What are her characteristics? Can you think of anyone who reminds you of Abuela in your life?

Anticipation guide before reading

Find examples of gentrification in our community. Define that term.

Think of something that’s happening in your own community and create a protest sign to advocate for yourself, your class, your school, or whoever! On the back of the sign, explain the history of the situation and propose an idea for how to fix it.

Morning Meeting Journal Entries:

• Define the word Epic. What is usually defined as “epic”? What would be an “epic fail” to you?

• Food is important in the novel. What foods are important to your family/community?

• Have you ever failed at something? What did you learn, how did you grow?

• Who makes up your community?

• Arturo has a special relationship with his Abuela. Think of an adult you have a special relationship with. What makes it unique/special?

• Arturo’s abuelo leaves him letters. Write a letter to your own future relatives—tell about a time when you made a difference in the world and give your future relative wisdom about how they could be a changemaker.

• Arturo faces many obstacles in the book. How do you think he handles them? Would you have responded in the same way? Why?Whynot?

• What do you think Abuela’s floribunda bush symbolizes?

• Arturo musters up the courage to tell Carmen how he feels and to speak out about the proposed development. When the family faces a huge blow and all feels lost, Arturo finds encouragement in his Abuelo’s words: “A VECES LO TIENES QUE ESCRIBIR / SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO WRITE IT DOWN.” Do you agree?