Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. How does Manny's identity change throughout the book? And what factors contribute to his sense of self?
  2. Picture this: What if this book had a different narrator? How would the tale be different if Nardo told the story? Or Manny's dad?
  3. How does knowing this book is inspired by true stories affect how you read it?
  4. What does this book have to say about gender? How are women and men characterized differently? And what similarities do they have throughout the book?
  5. How do characters deal with the past? Are memories a hindrance to the future? Or are they a good thing?
  6. Overall, what is this book's take on race? Is race an important part of identity development? How so?