Iveliz Explains It All

Iveliz declares, “Adults think kids are so stupid. / We’re really not, you know. / We can spot a lie from a mile back” (122). Connect the quote to the theme of Misunderstandings Between Adults and Young People and explain why Iveliz views adults as antagonistic. How are Mimi, Mami, and Dr. Turnip adversarial? What reinforces her view, and what subverts it?

Unpack Iveliz’s relationship with Amir and Akiko. What causes their conflicts, and what steps do they take to stay friends? In each relationship, how does the process of reaching out and communicating help both Iveliz and her friends?

How does the structure of the book reinforce the premise that the reader is reading Iveliz’s journal? How does the font create the atmosphere of a journal?

What do poems accomplish that prose doesn’t? At the same time, how does Iveliz expand the definition of poetry? Why does she include lists, a pie chart, and even blocks of prose? In the book, who ultimately decides what is and isn’t poetry?

Iveliz mentions several contemporary slam poets, and one of them is Elizabeth Acevedo. Read Acevedo’s poem “Afro-Latina” (2015) and connect it to Iveliz’s story. How does Acevedo’s speaker and Iveliz battle uncertainty about their identity and feeling like adults aren’t always on their side?

In Louise Fitzhugh’s classic middle-grade novel Harriet the Spy (1964), the titular character, around Iveliz’s age, constantly writes in her notebook, causing conflict with her friends and family. Read a summary of Fitzhugh’s book and compare it to Arango’s novel. What’s the same about Harriet’s notebook and Iveliz’s journal? Why are both characters suspicious of adults?

Analyze the symbolism of gardening. What can tending a garden represent about growth, healing, and loving care?

How does the author create ambiguity around Dad’s presence, and what narrative techniques contribute to the sense of mystery? How do Iveliz’s memories and interactions with him shape the reader’s perception of his status?