The Tequila Worm

Saint Luke’s is, as Sophia says, another world. Describe in detail the differences Sofia encounters during her first week there and beyond. What is her life like at Saint Luke’s, compared to her life in the barrio and at her old school? As you consider the differences, reflect on the following:

• What conflicts do the differences create in Sofia?
• Are these conflicts resolved by the end of the book? If so, how?
• What does Sofia learn about herself and her culture?

Teaching Suggestion: It might be helpful to supply students with a Venn diagram to help show the relationship between Sophia’s life at Saint Luke’s and her life back home. During this exercise, students can work in pairs to find textual support.

Differentiation Suggestion: English learners, students with dyslexia, and those with attentional or executive function differences might find sorting through the entire text daunting. You might help these students pinpoint the most relevant scenes to limit the amount they need to review or allow students additional time to gather evidence.