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In the Shade of the Nispero Tree by Carmen Bernier-Grand

Summary

Living in Puerto Rico, Teresa's mother is obsessed with getting Tere accepted by the upper class society of their community. When she is sent to an exclusive school, Tere starts to mimick her mother's own prejudices and making judgements over others, depending on their background and skin complexion. How will Tere come to accept other's differences and really know what matters in life?

186 pages, 4th grade and up

Summary

Spoiler alert! Some of the questions contain key elements of the plot. Do not read if you don't want to know what happens!

What does Mama want Tere to be around high-society people? What are her hopes for Tere?
Why doesn't Mama like Ana? What does Tere like about her?
Abuelita tells Tere that, "you're skinnier. I'm telling you, being skinny is a sign of poverty." What does she mean by that? Is that true today? How are Abuelita's feelings different from how society views being thin today?
Has Tere's family always been poor? How does their past influence their hope for the future?
How does Tere's father feel about her mother's ambition?
How is having Marisol for a friend different than having Ana as a friend?
If you were Tere, would you have switched schools? Why or why not?
What situation causes Tere to leave her school? Is she a coward for not telling the truth about what happened in her class?
Papi tells Tere that feelings of prejudice are learned. How does that happen? What ways in life have you seen that happen?
How is Mama able to come to terms with her situation in life? Do you feel hope for Tere and her family at the end of the book?
What does the title mean to you?

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