La Linea

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

Chapters 1-12

Reading Check

1. What material item does Miguel want for his birthday?

2. What type of person does Don Clemente respect?

3. According to his reasoning in Chapter 6, why does Miguel think he belongs across la línea?

4. What are Mamá and Papá’s dreams for Elena and Miguel?

5. What do Chuy and Lalo give Miguel as going-away presents?

6. Why is Abuelita’s gift to Miguel particularly special?

Short Answer

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

1. Describe the morning of Miguel’s 15th birthday. What surprise does he receive?

2. How has Miguel’s love of soccer changed over time?

3. Describe Miguel’s relationship with Elena. What is Miguel dreading to tell her? What is her response?

4. Summarize Miguel’s conversation with Don Clemente. What surprising information does he learn?

5. Describe Miguel’s going-away party. What type of stories do the party guests tell? What is the purpose of these stories?

6. Which type of people does Miguel observe on the bus? How does the situation in Chapter 12 affect the different passengers?

Paired Resource

“La Llorona”

• The Library of Congress’s 2021 post highlights the history of this folklore, along with an audio recording of the story of La Llorona and a transcription in English.
• The story’s themes connect to the novel’s theme of ¡Sí, se puede! Grit Overcomes Adversity.
• Based on the above resource as well as the novel, how does the La Llorona story affect Miguel’s desire to cross the border?

Chapters 13-25

Reading Check

1. What is the most important thing a person should have at the border?

2. Who provided Elena with special aid to cross the border?

3. What happens to Elena and Miguel’s cash?

4. Which words does Javi suggest Elena should write on her chest?

5. What disturbing newspaper headline do Elena and Miguel see in Chapter 24?

Short Answer

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

1. Summarize Javi’s plan. How does his scheme help the passengers on the bus?

2. Describe the town that Elena and Miguel spend the night in. What do they eventually decide to do?

3. Why do Elena and Miguel decide to make a phone call at the end of Chapter 17? What shocking information do they learn?

4. What is the mata gente? Describe who uses the mata gente.

5. What is the disagreement between Elena and Miguel in Chapter 22? What is the decided outcome?

6. Who is El Plomero? How does he support Elena, Javi, and Miguel in their journey to the border?

Paired Resource

“Through the Brush: A Migrant Teen Mom's Journey Across the US-Mexico Border”

• Reuter’s 2021 article highlights the journeys of many underage Latin Americans across the US border.
• The content of this article offers a connection to the themes of Family Is Everything, Coming of Age: Crossing Lines, and ¡Sí, se puede! Grit Overcomes Adversity.
• Compare and contrast Miguel’s narrative in the novel to Mayra’s story in the above resource.

“Aboard ‘The Beast’: Migrants’ Daring Train Ride Through Mexico – In Pictures”

• The Guardian’s 2017 article shares pictures of “La Bestia,” the train that migrants ride to reach the US-Mexico border (similar to the novel’s mata gente).
• The content and images offer a connection to the themes of Family Is Everything, Coming of Age: Crossing Lines, and ¡Sí, se puede! Grit Overcomes Adversity.
• Based on the above resource as well as the novel, what are some of the challenges that people face as they ride the trains north to the US-Mexico border?

“Ally or Exploiter? The Smuggler-Migrant Relationship Is a Complex One”

• A 2020 article from the Migration Policy Institute argues that human smugglers can be positive and negative influences on different migrants.
• The content of this article offers a connection to the theme of ¡Sí, se puede! Grit Overcomes Adversity.
• Based on the above resource as well as the novel, are the coyotes allies or exploiters to Elena and Miguel?

Chapter 26-Epilogue

Reading Check

1. What does Miguel daydream about as he walks?

2. What news does Moisés share with Javi?

3. Whom does Javi declare is the leader of their group?

4. What do Elena and Miguel discover happened to them while they slept in Chapter 30?

5. How do Elena and Miguel pass the time as they walk?

Short Answer

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

1. Describe what happens to Moisés in Chapter 27. What item does he give to the group?

2. Summarize the group’s journey in Chapter 28. What are some of the obstacles that they experience?

3. What grim discovery does the group make in Chapter 29? What do they decide to do as a result of the discovery?

4. Summarize the events listed in the Epilogue.

Recommended Next Reads 

Tortilla Curtain by TC Boyle

• This 1995 novel explores racial profiling and discrimination of Mexican migrant workers in Los Angeles, California.
• Shared themes include Family Is Everything and ¡Sí, se puede! Grit Overcomes Adversity.
• Shared topics include crossing the border and the American Dream.
• Tortilla Curtain on SuperSummary

Refugee by Alan Gratz

• This 2017 novel follows three refugee children in history as they flee their homelands to find a better life elsewhere.
• Shared themes include Family Is Everything, Coming of Age: Crossing Lines, and ¡Sí, se puede! Grit Overcomes Adversity.
• Shared topics include dangerous journeys, crossing the border, and coming-of-age.
• Refugee on SuperSummary