1. List some reasons why the father's depression got worse.

2. Why does the father feel that his life is even worse than a dog's life?

3. Why do you think that Roberto was hired by Mike Nevel? Why wasn't his father hired? Why didn't he want to hire Francisco?

4. Why did Roberto and Francisco smile when Mr. Nevel handed over the keys?

5. Why do you think the father continued to be in a bad mood?

6. His first night at the gas company, why do you think Francisco was reluctant to take one of the cookies? Why did he change his mind the following night? What does this imply about the character of this young high school boy?

7. How did the last paragraph on pages 89-90 make you feel? What thoughts and feelings do you think Francisco was having at that time?

A Promotion

Index