When I was Puerto Rican: Chapter 8

Letters from New York

Presented by: Marina Torres

 Main Conflict
The main problem in this chapter is when Negi must visit her cousins
Gladys and Angie, in Tio Lalo’s and Angeline’s house. And she later
finds out throughout the day that, her mom is traveling to New York
with her brother Raymond, to treat his foot with a professional
doctor, Negi gets mad, and forms a tantrum, because she wants to
know exactly when they will come back. While she’s there, Negi
spends her days peeling potatoes with Glady for Tio’s shop, then the
day that she was supposed to leave, Tio announces that Mami wrote
a letter to say she would take longer.

Summary 0.5
This chapter starts with Papi wooing the family into a two-roomed apartment in Santurce which
was primarily a building, but the owner divided it into two places, which makes the other side a
public bar, in which people come and go all the time, and it also has a jukebox that played music
that Negi did not like. Mami forbids the kids to go to the bar or talk to the people that go in
there.
Mami and Papi got into an argument that cause Papi to not come back for days again.
A year has passed since Raymond’s injury and it still hasn't healed, and doctors have told Mami
that he should get his foot amputated, Mami gets defensive about this topic and decides that
she’s not going to let them amputate it.
Later on, Mami looks for ways to make money and starts washing laundry for neighbors and
ironing the clothes. Mami then teaches Negi how to iron, and she likes it.
A letter arrives from Tata, finally responding to Negi’s letter. Tata said that she appreciated her
for sending the story she wrote but she admits that she didn’t understand her writing, which
causes Negi to get sad.
Summary 1.0
When Christmas arrives Papi returns, and the whole
neighborhood reunites in their house to prepare a
celebratory feast, in which they’ll roast pig too.
After Christmas happens and Mami takes Negi to
visit her cousins Gladys and Angie, in Tio Lalo’s and
Angeline’s house. She meets them for the first time
and likes Glady more than her sister. Later that day
when they’re having dinner Negi finds out that her
mom will be traveling for a long time. While she’s
there, Negi spends her days peeling potatoes with
Gladys for Tio’s shop,
When Mami arrives she comes with a lot of presents
for the family in a basket, even for Tio Lalo’s family.
 Hint of following chapter
Are they moving... again?
Ending this chapter Mami and Negi get on the bus
and get off at a different stop than before, Negi
states that they're mistaken but Mami says "No.
It's all right. We've moved."

New lifestyle in chapter 9?

They're at a new place, experiencing new lessons,
Negi has some good and some bad traumatizing
experiences.
 Book Review
I give this book 8 out of 10 because it has a very fun
perspective of narrating, and I like a lot that is based on a
Puerto Rican’s life. Also, it shows a lot of important lessons in
life and shows you a lot of emotions throughout the reading.

Comprehension Questions
Do you think
How do Mami is a
How does you think responsible
Papi Tato mother for
provide affected not letting
for the local
Negi doctors
family? perspectiv amputate
e of men? Raymond's
foot?
Thank you
for listening!