Nestor and his friends compete together in the trivia club and work together to stop the tule vieja. What role does teamwork play in the novel? What do the friends, and especially Nestor, learn from having Brandon on their team?

Analyze the function of setting in the novel. What is the significance of setting the story in a town called “New Haven”? How does New Haven differ from the other places Nestor has lived? What challenges does this new setting bring for Nestor, and how does he overcome them? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Nestor’s family has a strong influence on his identity. In what ways does Nestor uphold his family legacy, and in what ways does he carve his own path?