Here are questions to guide you as you read the novel.
asserted
you → guide → novel
Reader's Guide Questions
- How did Sofia's twelve-year-old perspective influence your understanding of the story?
asserted
perspective → influence → story
How might the reading experience have been different if it were narrated by Rafa, or mama?
uncertain
it → narrate → Rafa
How about if the book was written in the third person?
asserted
book → write → person
- Over the course of the novel, Sofia and Rafa both urge mama to seek support with abuelo, with friends' parents, and even with baba.
asserted
Sofia → urge → baba
Why do you think mama is hesitant to acquiesce?
asserted
mama → think → ?
In the times that she does, what is motivating her?
asserted
what → do → her
- While this is a story of financial and housing insecurity, it is also a coming-of-age story.
asserted
it → come → age
Can you recall moments throughout the novel that are pivotal to Sofia's understanding of herself and of the world?
asserted
that → recall → world
In what ways do Sofia's family circumstances influence, or not, her evolving sense of self?
asserted
circumstances → influence → self
How would you characterize Sofia's relationship to mama?
asserted
you → characterize → mama
How would you describe the dynamics between Sofia's parents and their own parents?
asserted
you → describe → parents
- Sofia's multiethnic identity is mentioned often in the novel.
asserted
identity → mention → novel
In what ways does her Mexican and Egyptian heritage shape her sense of self?
asserted
heritage → shape → self
Outside of her family background, what factors shape the way Sofia sees herself, and the world?
asserted
Sofia → shape → herself
- Among the novel's many heartbreaking scenes is the moment when Ashley uses Sofia's gift card to buy pastries for herself.
asserted
Ashley → use → herself
What did that gift card represent to Sofia?
asserted
card → represent → Sofia
What did it represent to Ashley?
asserted
it → represent → Ashley
- The idea of stories and storytelling comes up consistently throughout the novel.
asserted
idea → come → novel
What does storytelling mean, to Sofia and Rafa?
asserted
storytelling → mean → Sofia
- Sofia experiences many changes over the course of Hungered: where she is sleeping night-to-night, where she is going to school, and what she is able to eat are certain examples.
asserted
she → experience → what
Discuss some of the things that stay consistent for her, even as her circumstances evolve.
asserted
circumstances → discuss → her
- While much of Hungered is concerned with familial relationships, Sofia's friendships are also central to her life.
asserted
friendships → concern → life
In what ways do you think her friendships with Lena and Chloe differed from her friendships with Ana and Antonio?
asserted
friendships → think → Ana
- In the final scene of the novel, readers don't know where Sofia, Rafa, and their mother are going to end up.
asserted
Sofia → know → novel
Where do you envision them going, in the hours after the novel ends?
asserted
novel → envision → hours
Sofia's mother uses the word "soon" regarding a bedroom, school, and even treats.
asserted
mother → use → bedroom
As parents, we often use "soon" to comfort our children.
asserted
we → use → children
At what point does this move from a hopeful promise to a "survival lie"?
asserted
this → move → lie
How does Sofia's perception of her mother's credibility evolve as the story progresses?
asserted
story → evolve → credibility
- Sofia navigates "first days of school and first friendships" while living in a car.
asserted
Sofia → navigate → car
What is the psychological toll on children of maintaining a "normal" social life while hiding a fundamental part of their existence?
asserted
toll → maintain → existence
How does this secrecy shape Sofia's identity, compared to her peers?
asserted
secrecy → shape → peers
- The novel explores a family in crisis and a mother searching for safety.
asserted
novel → explore → safety
How does the book challenge or reinforce your definitions of a "good parent"?
asserted
book → challenge → parent
- While unhoused, Sofia's longing for all the things she cannot have is amplified—from the cakes at the bakery to the friends she left behind at her old school.
asserted
she → have → school
Sofia's experience is a visceral image of being on the outside looking in.
asserted
experience → look → outside
How can we teach our children to be mindful of differences in access to things some people take for granted?
asserted
people → teach → things
- This novel explores how trauma survives across generations.
asserted
trauma → explore → generations
Do you see Sofia's mother's actions as a reflection of her own upbringing, especially with how Sofia observes her mother while they stay with their abuelo?
asserted
they → see → abuelo
…and 4 more, not listed.
The Aporia
