Efren Divided chapter 11 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud
Summary
TLDRIn this chapter, the protagonist Efren embarks on a campaign to help his friend Max become school president, using his siblings Mia and Max's enthusiasm as a driving force. Meanwhile, Efren's father, APA, struggles with the complexities of reuniting their family, as he plans to secretly deliver money to Efren's mother who is in a precarious situation. The narrative intertwines the light-hearted school campaign with the serious undertones of family separation and the immigrant experience, highlighting Efren's determination to help his family despite the risks involved.
Takeaways
- 📚 Mia and David are involved in a school campaign, with Mia carrying a blue roll of tape and David having put up signs around the school.
- 🌆 It's Friday night, and the characters plan to put up posters at school before it gets dark, with a focus on not getting caught by Ahmad.
- 👨👧👦 Max and Mia are referred to as 'secret weapons' by Efren, who believes their involvement will help his campaign for ASP president.
- 📜 Max and Mia help Efren put up posters in strategic locations around the school, such as over a drinking fountain and on the science lab door.
- 👀 Efren spots an open door and finds Mr. Garrett dressed as George Washington, which turns out to be for a lesson on the Constitution.
- 🏠 Efren misses the comfort of coming home to a warm meal and a clean apartment, hinting at a change in his family's circumstances.
- 📞 Efren talks to his mother (Amma) on the phone, and despite not knowing when she'll return, he is hopeful that things will go back to normal soon.
- 🍽️ The family enjoys churros for dessert, and Efren contemplates learning to cook for the family to maintain a sense of normalcy.
- 📝 Efren is determined to help his family, even considering learning to make Milagros, a traditional Mexican treat, for his own family.
- 🚨 There is a sense of urgency and danger as APA (possibly a family member or friend) discusses plans to sneak money to Efren's mother in San Diego.
- 🤝 Efren and APA agree to work together to ensure the family's safety and to bring Amma back, despite the risks involved.
Q & A
What is the main activity that the characters are preparing for?
-The characters are preparing for an election campaign. They are putting up posters around the school to support Efren's ASP presidential campaign.
Why does David have a head start with his campaign?
-David has a head start because he has already placed signs all over the school.
Why does Efren decide to take the twins back to school instead of waiting until Monday?
-Efren decides to take the twins back to school on Friday night to put up posters because his friend doesn't want to wait until Monday, aiming to gain an advantage in the campaign.
Why does Efren choose to leave his bike behind?
-Efren leaves his bike behind because he is taking the twins with him, and he cannot carry them and the posters on his bike at the same time.
What does Maxie do when he realizes they almost forgot their posters?
-Maxie runs back to the kitchen table to grab their posters before heading out the door.
How does Mia react when Efren suggests leaving the twins at home?
-Mia holds onto her scowl, indicating she is not happy with the idea of being left behind.
Why does Efren change his mind about leaving the twins at home?
-Efren feels guilty when he sees the twins' disappointed reactions and realizes that they are his 'secret weapons' for the campaign.
What is the significance of the poster Max places above the drinking fountain?
-The poster's placement above the most heavily used drinking fountain ensures maximum visibility, as everyone will see it.
Why does Efren suggest moving Max's poster to avoid it getting wet?
-Efren is concerned that the poster might get ruined if it gets wet from the water splashes when kids use the drinking fountain.
What does Mr. Garrett's George Washington costume signify?
-Mr. Garrett is dressed as George Washington because his class is going to study the Constitution, and he believes the costume will help engage the students.
What is the main concern that Efren and his friend discuss regarding getting Amma back?
-The main concern is not just raising the money but also the increased difficulty and risks involved in the current situation, including the need to get the money to Amma without her ID and the potential involvement of immigration authorities.
Why does Efren's friend suggest going to San Diego and trying to sneak the money to Amma?
-The friend believes that sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight, and blending in might be a safer approach to deliver the money to Amma.
Outlines
🏫 School Campaign Kickoff
The story begins with the characters preparing for a school campaign. Mia and David are involved in the process, with David already having his signs displayed around the school. It's Friday night, and the protagonist's friend is eager to put up posters they've made, planning to do so before it gets dark. The protagonist leaves his bike behind to avoid crossing Civic Center Drive with the twins, Max and Mia, who are described as his 'secret weapons' for the campaign. They place posters in strategic locations around the school, including over a drinking fountain and on the science lab door. The protagonist, Efren, encounters Mr. Garrett dressed as George Washington, indicating an upcoming lesson on the Constitution. Efren shares the news about his mother's impending return, and there's a humorous moment when Mr. Garrett is caught in his costume. The day ends with the family enjoying churros and Efren speaking to his mother on the phone, expressing their longing for her return.
🛡️ Risky Plan for Family Reunion
Ephron is determined not to return to the way things were before his mother left. He plans to learn household chores to take care of his siblings, Max and Mia. However, there's tension as APA, presumably a family member or close associate, reveals the challenges of reuniting the family due to financial and legal complexities. APA intends to travel to San Diego to secretly deliver money to Ephron's mother, who is presumably in a difficult situation without her ID. The plan is risky, involving evading authorities at the border. APA shares the contact information of a cousin, Miguel, in Arizona, as a backup plan should anything go wrong. Ephron insists on helping, highlighting his role in caring for Max and Mia and expressing his commitment to the family. APA eventually agrees to work together with Ephron on the plan, acknowledging his bravery and the importance of their family unity.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Campaign
💡Posters
💡Family
💡Responsibility
💡School
💡Civic Center Drive
💡George Washington Costume
💡Churros
💡Citizen
💡Risk
💡ASP Presidential Campaign
Highlights
Mia and David are preparing for a campaign with posters and signs all over the school.
David has a head start in his campaign and plans to put up posters on a Friday night.
Efren and his siblings are determined to get their mother back.
Efren decides to leave his bike behind to take his siblings to school.
Max and Mia are Efren's secret weapons for the campaign.
Efren's campaign posters are strategically placed for maximum visibility.
Mr. Garrett is seen dressed as George Washington for an upcoming Constitution lesson.
Efren's mother is not yet back, but there is hope she will be soon.
Efren plans to learn to cook and clean to prevent going back to the old normal.
The family enjoys a dessert of churros and a Dr. Seuss book before bedtime.
Efren and his family are planning to bring their mother back from a difficult situation.
APA reveals the challenges of getting money to Efren's mother without her ID.
Efren is determined to help his family despite the risks.
APA and Efren agree to work together to bring their mother back.
Efren is given his cousin Miguel's information for emergency contact.
APA expresses pride in Efren's bravery, despite the challenges they face.
Transcripts
chapter 11. all right I think we've got
everything we need Mia you've got the
tape Mia raised her hand and twirled the
blue roll around her arm like it was a
tiny hula hoop David had gotten a head
start with his campaign and had signs
all over the school it was Friday night
and my friend didn't want to wait for
the following Monday to put up the
posters they just made no way he decided
instead to take the twins back to school
with him the trick would be to get them
home before it was before it started
getting dark
as tempting as it was he chose to leave
his bike behind lugging the little ones
down the block to their school on his
bike was one thing but there was no way
Ahmad would ever approve of taking them
across Civic Center Drive Maxie can you
grab my posters sure Max wrapped his
arms around the posters and was heading
toward the door when he froze in place
oh wait he said running back running
back over to the kitchen table we almost
forgot ours Efren tossed the black trash
bag filled with posters over his back
that's okay guys we can leave those two
here you know tape them to the fridge
the little ones gave him a look so I can
see them every day Mia held onto her
scowl while Max's eyes began to well up
guilt booted Efren in the gut what am I
thinking there's no way I can leave the
my two secret weapons at home these two
posters are going to get me elected
Max's brown eyes lit up like shiny
pennies while Mia's face softened into a
smile Max didn't waste any time finding
a spot for his poster the second they
set foot onto campus he rushed down the
main Corridor and claimed a spot over
the drinking fountain Mia looked up at
Efron nodding he picked a good spot a
really good spot wearing a huge smile
she took hold of the tape and vaulted
after him Efron waited behind looking
around at the empty halls there was
something different about the place and
not just a lack of of usual kid related
noise nope there was something else even
though it had only been about two hours
since school had let out the campus was
pretty much abandoned by the time they
arrived the only people visible were the
handful of teachers heading out many
hauling teacher supply carts behind them
and Joe the custodian putting a water
hose in the back of his cart
so this is what happens after hours and
everyone looked down at the wet concrete
below his feet it had only been a few
hours but already the school was
prepared for the following week it was
nice the same feeling he had when a mom
was still home he missed coming home
from school and finding a warm meal and
a clean apartment
but after this weekend things would go
back to normal he was sure of it APA had
the money and it would bring up Amma
back wait up guys Efron called out while
running to help Max down from the top of
the drinking fountain Max's poster was
right above the most heavily used
drinking fountain in the entire School
Efren stared at it everyone would see
this Maxie don't you think we should put
this somewhere else you know so it
doesn't get wet you know how sloppy kids
are when they drink water Efron crossed
his fingers as Max tilted his head and
rubbed that the tip of his chin as if
combing through an actual beard nope
this is good right Mia Mia looked at
that epidephrine and then over at the
poster Yep this is perfect one thing was
for sure these processors would get
people talking and if the internet had
taught after and anything it was that
any publicity is good publicity
all right fine but we've got a lot more
posters to put up you guys ready to move
at Super Speed Max and Mia got into
their starting positions Speedy Gonzalez
speed and with that efren's ASP
presidential campaign was underway Max
raced over to the main quad area and
taped a poster to a tree while Mia
centered hers onto the science lab door
Efren however chose to start at the far
end of the hallway just as he enrolled a
poster and was about to pull the roll of
tape from his pocket he caught a sight
of an open door he peeked inside and did
a double take there stood Mr Garrett
dressed as George Washington a George
Washington costume Mr Garrett poor Mr
Garrett jumped out of his skins geez
Efren you practically scared me out of
my wooden teeth wait why are you dressed
like that
Mr Garrett's face turned bright ready so
he slipped the wig back into a bag yeah
we're going to be studying the
Constitution next I thought this might
help but what are you doing here putting
up posters for my campaign Efren entered
the room I have some good news about my
mom is she back not yet but she will be
soon Mr Garrett nodded good because no
child should ever be separated from a
parent speaking of children efferent
said light-heartedly I better get my
brother and sister that friend shut the
door and I are going to shut the door
now Efren did his best to hide his grin
so you can finish trying on your costume
again a flush Krypt across Mr Garrett's
face
that evening up picked up a bag of
churros for dessert on his way home
however the real treat was getting to
talk with a ma on the toe on the phone
again
asked Efron not to ask her when she was
coming back but that didn't stop Max and
Mia in fact they took turns telling her
the same things over and over again Amma
we miss you Emma when are you coming
back Emma please come home Efron was
happy just hearing her voice in a few
days she'd be back home and there was no
way Ephron was going to let things go
back to normal no way he was going to
hire that in the bathroom reading while
I'm not cooked and cleaned for everyone
he would go online look up how to make
pancakes or scrambled eggs maybe even
learn how to make Milagros of his own
with the Sugar Rush from the churros out
of their system and the copy of Dr
Seuss's book oh the Places You'll Go
that Max borrowed from Miss Solomon
ephrine and up uh Reddit the twins for
bed unlike the last couple of nights
everyone remained full of energy he
couldn't wait to hear all about the plan
to bring him on back
but something about the way APA slouched
at the kitchen table scared Efren he
approached upon took a seat beside him
what's wrong aren't you excited about
getting a mom back just a bit nervous
that's all what do you mean you raised
the money right it's not just about the
money things are different than they
were a few years ago it's so much
tougher now so many people involved
before we can plan anything I have to
get the money to your mother how are you
going to do that tapa stared off into
nothingness without her ID I can't wire
money to her so I'm going down to San
Diego tomorrow there's a fence near a
state park I'm going to try and sneak
the money to her that friend flopped
back onto his chair wait La me but La
Migra is going gonna be there ice could
take you to Miho Sometimes the best
place to hide is in plain sight I'll
blend in act like I have nothing to fear
no you can't wake up the twins Efren
nodded look I know it's risky but I
don't have a choice even my friends who
have permission to be here are afraid he
reached into his back pocket and pulled
out a folded sheet of paper here Efren
started unfolding it what is it my
cousin's information his name is Miguel
and he lives in Arizona if anything
happens to me I want you to call him he
and I had a long long talk today he's a
good guy and will come get you and the
twins A Rush of panic surge through a
friend's body he said pleadingly there
has to be another way no mijo there
isn't only a born citizen is safe right
now Citizen that friend's mind raised
I'm a citizen if I wasn't having it
known
the border is no place for someone your
age maybe but it's no place for Amma
either or you please up I can do this
APA didn't answer he simply pressed his
hands together and sighed into them
please up by a friend repeat it I can do
it I bought one of me in his eyes look
I've taken care of Max and Mia I've
taken them to school bathed them fed
them just like you needed me to please
Uppa let me do this for a month rub the
back of his neck
efren's scooted forward you're all
you've always taken care of this family
you drag yourself to work when you've
been sick or even hurt
you and AMA have given me everything I
need let me help this is my family too
Papa nodded to himself then finally
reached over and cupped his hand over
ephrons if we do this we do it together
is that clear yes together you and me
juntos
okay I will call your um set everything
up
swallowed hard I am very proud of you
you are very brave brave is it was the
exact opposite of how he felt
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