1. American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer Angel Santiago Prof. Ivoynne Veléz English 1010

2. Summary The story is about a Puerto Rican child growing up in Paterson, New Jersey. She lived in an apartment complex that was known as “El Building.” She describes El Building as a monstrous jukebox, that through its windows blastes off salsa. The only day the place was silent was when President John F. Kennedy was shot. The place was like a ghost town, everything was silent. There was no music, the people were in mourning and there was a sad feeling all around.

3. The main character’s name was Elena and she lived in the El Building. Elena was a shy girl, hispanic and a dreamer. Elena went to Public School Number 13, which had alot of diversity in the school. There were many different races that attented the school like jews, puerto ricans, african-american and many others. Like any other school, there were bullies. Elena describes Gail, as the biggest of the black girls and she picked on her for not doing something she wanted.

4. Gail gave Elena the nickname of Skinny Bones. Elena being the shy type let the girls make fun of her. She hated attending the school, she hated how she looked and envied how athletic the black girls were. Even though she was picked on, Elena anticipated the school year because of Eugene. Eugene was a boy that lived in a private house next to her apartment complex. She has never spoken to him but through her bedroom window she sees inside his house.

5. Before Eugene moved into the house, a jewish family lived in there. She says over the years she has become part of their family but without them knowing. This is due to that she has watched them from her window and knew how they acted with eachother. She described the jewish couple as caring people because they enjoyed eachothers company.

6. Eugene’s family she described them as always on the go. His mother was a nurse and his father was always out. They never sat down to enjoy eachother’s company. Eugene always sat down in the kitchen and read books for hours. That’s what made Elena notice him in the first place. She explains that during the school year she tried to get his attention but they didn’t have the same classes. Until one day she decides to speak with him and they become fast friends.

7. On the day the president was shot,Mr. DePalma, a teacher that is very strict makes the announcement crying infront of the whole student body. While he was trying to tell the students what happened, the kids were taking everything as a joke. They were dismissed and the only thing Elena was thinking about was her study date with Eugene. She was a little scared of what was going on because the streets had a mourning feeling.

8. She arrives at her house and see her mother crying watching the television. She wanted to feel something for the president’s death but her study date with Eugene made her excited. Elena is not thinking about how severe is the problem.When she arrives at Eugene’s house she meets his mother which she was very unfriendly. She felt humiliated and she was sad because his mother forbid her to become his friend. That night she cried but not for her dead president but for herself.

9. Elements of the Story Theme: Narrative Story about what a young girl went through the day President Kennedy was shot. Setting: the story takes place in Paterson, New Jersey. Character: Elena is the main character. She narrates the story of the happenings of the day. The plot is well put out. The plot is planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end. Conflict- the conflict was the president being shot makes it dificult for Elena.

10. Elements of the Story Author’s purpose was that no matter you plan things something can alter it all together. My opinion of the story was that it was good but it didn’t speak too much about the history of it. It was more of how a teenager had a crush on someone and what she went through to meet that person. It had little bits and pieces of how the people acted about the president being shot but I think it needed more information. Overall the story was a good narrative story.