How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
We spent that night underneath the eucalyptus trees. We gathered leaves from the trees, which smelled like sweet gum, and piled them to lie on. Roberto and I slept between Papá and Mamá. (1.24)
Francisco's family is close-knit. They've just arrived in California, only to find that they can't get work just yet. Now they're worried, and all they can do is wait. But all this stress can't tear this family apart—just take a look at how they're all sleeping together in their homemade beds. It's pretty sweet.
Quote #2
"Sí, Papá," I answered timidly. I was hurt and confused. Seeking comfort, I walked over to Roberto and whispered to him, "Someday, I will get to go pick cotton with you, Papá, and Mamá. Then I won't be left alone." Roberto put his arm around me and nodded his head. (2.12)
Oh boy, Francisco is in trouble. Instead of babysitting his little brother, Francisco wanted to prove that he could pick cotton too—but when his parents get mad, Francisco feels seriously down in the dumps. It stinks to disappoint your parents, and now Francisco knows just what that feels like. Hey, at least he's got his big bro to make him feel better. Looks like sibling and parent relationships can be pretty different in this book.
Quote #3
When the baby was finally born, Roberto, Trampita, and I were excited to see him, especially because we had worked so hard to get things ready for him. Papá and Mamá named him Juan Manuel, but we all called him Torito, or little bull, because he weighed ten pounds at birth. […] Whenever I changed his diaper, I made him laugh by tickling his stomach. (4.10)
Francisco is getting to be a great older brother. When his little brother Torito is born, he's helpful as can be, right down to changing his diapers. Now we'd call that dedication. What do you think about Francisco's attitude toward his growing family? It sounds to us like he's super excited to get a new sibling—and he doesn't even complain here about all the work.
Quote #4
Her eyes were full of tears. Papá, who was sitting next to her on the mattress, lifted its corner and pulled out from underneath the white embroidered handkerchief. He tenderly handed it to Mamá, saying, "Feliz Navidad, vieja." (6.17)
Francisco's parents have a super strong relationship, and though they go through plenty of tough times together, no matter what they stick by each other. So when Papá gives his wife a sweet gift for Christmas, it's just another sign of how extremely supportive this couple is. They might be short on cash, but not on love for each other. Aw…
Quote #5
El Perico immediately threw a tantrum and began shrieking, louder than ever. The noise struck my father like lightning. He had been in a terrible mood the last few days because he was not sure where we would work, now that the grape season was almost over. Covering his ears with his hands, he bolted to the corner of the garage, grabbed the broom, and swung with all his might at my friend, who was perched on the wire. Red, green, and yellow feathers scattered everywhere. El Perico hit the dirt floor like a wet rag. Instantly Roberto, Mamá, and I started wailing. (7.5)
Sometimes family members do things we don't like, which Francisco learns the hard way. When the family parrot throws a huge fit, Papá gets super heated. And that means bye-bye Mr. Parrot. In his defense, though, Papá has his reasons for being on edge. He's trying to keep all his kiddos fed, and work is scarce so he's scared about what's coming in the future. Looks like each of Francisco's family members have different things to be upset about these days.
Quote #6
They each took a row. I went ahead about a quarter of the way into Papá's row. I took my hands out of my pockets and started picking and piling the cotton in the furrow. Within seconds my toes were numb and I could hardly move my fingers. My hands were turning red and purple. I kept blowing on them, trying to keep warm. […] I could not go on. Frustrated and disappointed, I walked over to Papá. He straightened up and looked down at me. His eyes were red and watery from the cold. Before I said anything, he looked at Roberto, who bravely kept on picking, and told me to go over to the fire. I knew then I had not yet earned my own cotton sack. (8.33)
When it comes to cotton picking, his mom, dad, and big bro are all pretty great and get their own cotton sacks, but poor Francisco hasn't earned his own sack yet. And when he fails to pick enough cotton on a freezing cold day, it looks like he hasn't won dad's approval either. This family may know how to stick together, but that doesn't mean there's not a little competition mixed in with all the love.
Quote #7
Since I could not sleep, I decided to get up and join Papá and Roberto at breakfast. I sat at the table across from Roberto, but I kept my head down. I did not want to look up and face him. I knew he was sad. He was not going to school today. […]
When Papá and Roberto left for work, I felt relief. (9.24-25)
Roberto and Francisco are great buddies, but they have their differences too. And one of the main differences is that Francisco gets to go to school during cotton season and Roberto doesn't. Can you tell how guilty Francisco feels here? With all his head hanging, we're thinking he feels badly about getting an opportunity his brother has to miss out on. What do you think makes Francisco feel so bad here?
Quote #8
Papá pushed me along, handing me several handfuls of strawberries he picked from my row. With his help, I got through that long day. (10.60)
Francisco is having a rough day—his new pal Gabriel has just been fired, and Carlos has been a huge jerk when it comes to playing kick-the-can. But with his dad's help, our main chap gets through this tough time. Sure, he and his old man may not see eye to eye on everything, but this is one sweet moment where they work together to get the job done.
Quote #9
"So you see, mi'jito, Rorra is more important than the pennies. Don't be so hard on your little sister."
Mamá's story calmed me down a little, but I was still angry at Rorra. I took a deep breath and went back inside to our room. (11.56-57)
When Francisco's little sis takes his two favorite pennies to buy gumballs, he is angry as all get-out—and that anger doesn't subside all at once. His mom tells him a sweet story about how his sis is more important than pennies—and he probably knows this is true—but that doesn't mean he's going to feel all lovey dovey for Rorra right away.
Quote #10
I glanced at Papá and Mamá. They were beaming. "You got a job!" I cried out.
"Yes. Mr. Sims offered me the janitorial job at Main Street School," he answered, grinning from ear to ear.
[…]
Being careful with his back, Papá stood up slowly and hugged her gently. He then turned to Roberto and said, "Education pays off, mi'jo. I am proud of you."
[…]
After supper, I sat at the table to do my homework. I was so excited about Roberto's new job that it was difficult to focus. (12.74-79)
Everyone is stoked when Roberto gets a new job. This lets us know that the whole family is invested in each other—they all want Roberto to succeed, and Roberto knows that his success sure will help out his family.