La Bamba by Gary Soto La Bamba by Gary Soto
Questions on Meaning Questions on Meaning
1. What is Manuel’s motivation, or reason, for signing 1. What is Manuel’s motivation, or reason, for signing
up for the talent show? up for the talent show?
2. What is the importance of including the character 2. What is the importance of including the character
Benny? Benny?
3. What are Manuel’s choices when the record sticks? 3. What are Manuel’s choices when the record sticks?
What does his choice show about his character? What does his choice show about his character?
4. As a result of the decision, how do things turn out for 4. As a result of the decision, how do things turn out for
Manuel? Manuel?
Questions on Writing Strategy Questions on Writing Strategy
1. Notice who is narrating; why did Soto choose this 1. Notice who is narrating; why did Soto choose this
voice? How might the story be different Soto used voice? How might the story be different Soto used
another genre or age level for the narrator? another genre or age level for the narrator?
2. Notice how Soto develops the story. Can you find all 2. Notice how Soto develops the story. Can you find all
of the story elements? Do events follow one another or of the story elements? Do events follow one another or
are there flashbacks? are there flashbacks?
3. Notice the way the story begins and ends. How does 3. Notice the way the story begins and ends. How does
Soto get your attention? Is the ending satisfying? Soto get your attention? Is the ending satisfying?
4. Notice the things Soto does to make the reader react 4. Notice the things Soto does to make the reader react
to the story. How does he make the story funny? to the story. How does he make the story funny?
Questions on Language Questions on Language
1. Is Soto’s tone of voice formal or informal? How does 1. Is Soto’s tone of voice formal or informal? How does
this make a difference to the story? this make a difference to the story?
2. What “little tricks” does Soto use to make the 2. What “little tricks” does Soto use to make the
sentences flow smoothly? Explain. sentences flow smoothly? Explain.
3. Picture the characters, events, and setting. How does 3. Picture the characters, events, and setting. How does
Soto make these believable? Use our five senses to Soto make these believable? Use our five senses to
experience what Manuel might have been going through experience what Manuel might have been going through
as he prepared to perform. as he prepared to perform.
4. What are some examples of the precise and powerful 4. What are some examples of the precise and powerful
diction Soto uses? diction Soto uses?
Suggestions for Writing Suggestions for Writing
1. Explore Manuel’s Character: Create a “character 1. Explore Manuel’s Character: Create a “character
report card”. What grade should Manuel receive for his report card”. What grade should Manuel receive for his
actions in the story (For example, E = Excellent; S = actions in the story (For example, E = Excellent; S =
Satisfactory; I = Needs Improvement). Qualities to Satisfactory; I = Needs Improvement). Qualities to
evaluate include; PERSISTENCE, RESPONSIBILITY, evaluate include; PERSISTENCE, RESPONSIBILITY,
CONFIDENCE, FRIENDSHIP. Create a Comments CONFIDENCE, FRIENDSHIP. Create a Comments
column were you provide examples/reasons for the grade column were you provide examples/reasons for the grade
you give Manuel. you give Manuel.
2. Journal writing: Write entries for a daily journal 2. Journal writing: Write entries for a daily journal
Manuel might keep as he prepares for and performs in Manuel might keep as he prepares for and performs in
the talent show. the talent show.
3. Draw and display a comic-strip panel, complete with 3. Draw and display a comic-strip panel, complete with
dialogue balloons, that shows and tells in sequence what dialogue balloons, that shows and tells in sequence what
Manuel experiences as he performs onstage. Manuel experiences as he performs onstage.
4. Retell the story in a different format. For example, 4. Retell the story in a different format. For example,
you could retell Manuel’s story as a newspaper article, you could retell Manuel’s story as a newspaper article,
as dialogue between a reporter and Manuel, as a as dialogue between a reporter and Manuel, as a
nonfiction piece that explores how to overcome nonfiction piece that explores how to overcome
conflicts. Or Manuel’s story could also be told as poetry. conflicts. Or Manuel’s story could also be told as poetry.