MY FAVORITE

CHAPERONE
THINK ABOUT IT QUESTIONS
Page by page
Page 3
Reread lines 1–14 to analyze what this
first paragraph reveals about the narrator.
What can you infer about the narrator?
The narrator is a student who wants to be able to
go to a school dance but thinks it is unlikely she
can get permission. The use of the word nyet and
the reference to life in America suggest that the
narrator may be an immigrant to the United
States.
Page 4
What details explain how an international
dating magazine brought the narrator’s
family to America?

Aunt Madina met her American husband and moved after

placing her picture in a dating magazine. “Things got very
hard” in Kazakhstan. The narrator’s parents “lost their
teaching jobs” and had to sell family possessions to
survive. Aunt Madina asked the narrator’s family to join her
in America and they agreed.
Page 5

Reread lines 68–78 to identify

the story’s conflict.
The conflict is the narrator’s desire to
go to the Spring Fling, though she is
sure her parents will not give their
permission for her to do so.
Page 6
Reread lines 111–125 to find the words
and phrases that reveal Maya’s reaction
to being called to the office.
What does the way she speaks to Mr.
Walsh reveal about her feelings?
Maya’s “voice came out as a whisper.” She
says she “felt such terror” that she “could
barely speak.” Her strong reaction suggests
that she has a great fear of the consequences
if she causes trouble.
Page 7
Reread lines 140–149 to identify the
comparisons that help you imagine the
scene as Maya arrives at the office.
What is the effect of the author’s
comparisons?
The author says that Maya’s mind “was empty, like a
dry riverbed where there is only cracked, baked
earth and nothing lives.” Maya moves “like a person
made from wood, a puppet.” The comparison
creates a feeling of stiffness, or a lack of life. It
reinforces that Maya is terrified in this situation.
Page 8
Reread lines 163–180 to identify why Maya has
become involved in the events surrounding her
brother’s suspension from school.
What does her involvement suggest about her
role in the family?
Maya has become involved because school
officials want her to help locate her parents; she
has been asked to act as their translator. Maya’s
involvement suggests that she is often placed in
situations “at the store, at the doctor” where she
must be adult-like as she speaks for her parents.
Page 9
Reread lines 231–246 to find out what led
to Nurzhan’s fight.
What does the conversation reveal about
Nurzhan?
Mr. Zabornik says, “That kid . . . was teasing Nurzhan
something fierce. Telling him he could never be a real
American, making fun of the way he talked.” The
conversation shows the challenges Nurzhan is facing
as an immigrant in America and implies that he has put
up with a lot before losing his temper.
Page 10

What does the phrase “this was no

scuffle” suggests about the fight?

Since scuffle usually describes a

minor disturbance or fight, the
phrase suggests that the fight was
fairly serious and could have led to
injuries.
Page 11
Papa says very little, but Maya’s
translation tells readers what he is like.
What does her translation suggest about
Papa?
Maya’s translation suggests that Papa can be
volatile or quick to anger. Her translation minimizes
the seriousness of the fight: “involved in quite a
nasty fight” vs. “in a little fight;” “The other boy . . .
needed two stitches” vs. “The other boy . . . was a
little hurt.”
Page 12

Why does Maya believe her

actions are justified?
While Maya admits that her actions were
“sort of like telling lies,” she justifies
them by saying that “some lies are okay.”
She says that she was “scared to death
of what Papa might have done.”a
Page 13
What is Maya’s role in Nurzhan’s life?
Maya is responsible for taking care of her brother.
With both parents working, she takes on the role of
an adult in his life: “Take off your jacket and hang it
up,” “Do your work.” The dialogue also shows that
while she was protective of him during the crisis in
the principal’s office, she now wants him to realize
that she missed an important event because of him:
“I missed the gymnastics meet because of you!”
Page 14

Identify the difference in customs

between Kazakhstan and America
that causes a problem.
“In Kazakhstan, if someone
insults you, they have insulted
everyone in the family. And
everyone must respond.”
Page 15
In what ways is Maya like a typical
middle school student? In what ways
is she different?
Maya enjoys sports and is interested in clothes and in
boys like many middle school girls; her excitement
about gymnastics practice and the new team
leotards allows her to forget her troubles for a while.
She seems a bit more shy or uncomfortable around
boys than most middle school girls.
Page 16
Identify the comparisons that show Maya’s
view of the situation after her father arrives.
What is the effect of the author’s
comparisons?
The author says that “Papa stood like a huge bull in his
dark leather jacket,” Maya was “whimpering and
trembling inside like a dog caught stealing a chicken,”
and Papa’s silence filled the cab “like a dark cloud.”
The comparisons emphasize Papa’s strength and
power, while showing how defenseless Maya feels.
Page 17

What does Maya’s parents’ reaction

suggest about Maya’s chance of
being allowed to go to the dance?
Maya’s parents blame each other: Papa says, “Is this how
you raise your daughter! Is this what you teach her?”
Mama says, “Who let her stay after school? Who gives
permission for all these things? . . . If you left it to me, she
would come home every day.” Since they see nonschool
activities as a problem, it seems unlikely that they will
sign the permission slip for Maya to go to the dance.
18
What does Mama mean when she
says, “You have brought shame to
your father and to this family”?

Mama’s comment suggests it is

embarrassing to her parents for Maya to
interact with a boy in any way, but especially
if she is in physical contact with him.
19
What does Nurzhan do, and what
does it reveal about him?
Nurzhan is attempting to ease things for Maya
and help his mother understand that Maya’s
actions have a different meaning in America
than they would have at home. Nurzhan’s
intervention reveals that he cares about his
family and feels a bond with Maya because
they both are having trouble adjusting to their
new home.
20
Identify the ways in which Maya’s life
changes as a result of Mama’s injury.
How does Mama’s injury both simplify and
complicate Maya’s life?
“It was decided that I’d take Mama’s jobs for her,” “I
wouldn’t go to gymnastics practice,” “as soon as I got
home I had to make dinner for everyone,” “Each day I
got more tired.” While Maya is too busy to do the one
thing she enjoys—gymnastics—she is also so focused
on the tasks she must do that it is easy for her to avoid
getting into trouble with her parents.
21
Identify what Mama says to stick up
for Maya and Maya’s reaction to it.
What is the impact of Mama’s
statement on Maya?
Mama says, “Maya is doing the
best she can. It is not easy. . . .
She is just a young girl.” Maya is
both shocked and grateful.
22 Identify Maya’s reaction to Nurzhan’s
suggestion that he can convince Papa to sign
the permission slip.
How does Nurzhan’s plan provoke a decision
that pleases everyone?
Maya’s reaction from the text: “could only smile a sad
smile,” “afraid to really hope,” “stared at the slip in
disbelief,” “Thank you, Mama. Thank you, Papa.” Nurzhan’s
plan to be a chaperone keeps her in the company of a
trusted family member while attending the dance. Maya is
allowed to attend the dance in a way that respects her
parents’ rules and traditions. Both Maya and her parents
get what they want.
23
Note the details of Nurzhan’s plan to
chaperone Maya at the dance.
What does his plan reveal about him?
When Maya expresses concern about what her
friends will think about her having a chaperone,
Nurzhan says, “I thought about that problem. You will
tell them you must baby-sit for me.” The fact that
Nurzhan thought about potential problems in advance
and came up with a way to address them shows that
he is becoming more grown- up.
24 Why is Mama’s gift for Maya is important
to both Mama and Maya?
Why does the bracelet represent a
change in Mama?
Mama received the bracelet from her mother when
she was sixteen. In giving the bracelet to Maya to
wear at the dance, Mama is acknowledging that
“girls and boys dance younger” in America. Story
events have helped her begin to understand the
differences between Kazakh and American
cultures.
25 Compare Maya’s experience at the dance to
Nurzhan’s.

How does Nurzhan fulfill his role as

chaperone while still allowing Maya to enjoy
the dance?
Nurzhan watches Maya from a corner of the
room but chooses to go to the bathroom each
time Maya dances with Daniel. He does what
he promised his parents he would do, but he
doesn’t prevent Maya from having a good
time.
26
Note Maya’s thoughts about the dance.
Why does Maya think that the bracelet
represents a change in her family?
Maya is “struck by how much things had changed.” She
now owns a bracelet that her mother once wore. It
indicates a willingness in Maya’s mother to be more
mindful of the differences between their traditional
culture and the modern America Maya will grow up in.
The bracelet is a step toward more flexibility and
understanding between Maya and her parents. It also is a
way for Maya to carry her mother’s traditions with her.
 “My Favorite Chaperone” THE END!

Good job everyone!!!

Thanks for answering all these

questions!!!!

You are awesome!!!!!!!!