Elementary Library

Resource & Discussion Guide

A Bike Like Sergio's by Maribeth Boelts (E BOE) Ruben, hopeful for a new bike, finds a one-hundred dollar bill, but he's unsure of what to do with the leftover money. Discussion Prompts: ●​ “I wish,” I say, but I know that wishes… page: On these two pages, we learned a little more about Rubin’s family. What did you learn? ●​ Later, when I’m alone… page: Instead of writing Ruben feels_____, Maribeth Boelts wrote, “My hands are shaking.” As a reader, you have to use the clues from the pictures and the words to infer how Ruben is feeling. Turn and talk about what you’re thinking. What do you think Ruben should do with the money he found? ●​ “Every kid has a bike but me.” Based on the line and the picture, what do you think the narrator is feeling, and why? How did the sentence make you feel as a reader? Predict what the book might be about. ●​ I walk hunched and draggy to school… :What words on this page help you to know how Ruben is feeling now? ●​ And like a hot blast, I remember… : What events happened that made Ruben change his mind? ●​ Ruben doesn’t tell the lady in the blue coat when she drops the money. Instead he keeps it for himself, thinking it’s a dollar. Why do you think he made that decision? Do you think he would have told her if he’d seen that it was more money? What would you do? ●​ When his father comes to say good night, why does Ruben squeeze his “eyes shut and stay still as a stone”? ●​ When Ruben can’t find the money, he says that “rain and tears feel the same.” Discuss what he is thinking and feeling as he sits on the stairs. ●​ Ruben feels empathy for the woman in the blue coat. What does the word empathy mean? Have you ever felt empathetic toward someone because of something you’ve gone through yourself? ●​ What do you know about Ruben’s house and family life from the text and the pictures? ●​ Where does the story take place? How much does the setting matter to the story? Could it have taken place in a different state or even a different country? Why or why not? Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz (E DIA) Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator's pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.

Discussion Prompts: ●​ What do you do to cool off in the heat of the summer? ●​ Have you ever had a paleta? If so, what is your favorite flavor? ●​ How do the community members show the true meaning of kindness? ●​ What does it mean to be kind? ●​ Have your friends ever helped you? How? ●​ Have you ever helped your friends? ●​ Does this book remind you of any other stories we’ve read together?

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