Los Melones (Cantalopes)

In this chapter when they had to cross the border into the USA.
Evelyn thought it must have been very scary to see all the people getting on the train to go back to Mexico. Esperanza just came a very long way and she would not have wanted to go back again, especially alone.
Madelaine: Marta seems mean, like a bully. I agree with Evelyn: the thought of having to go back to Mexico on the train to live with the uncle would have been scary.

Melissa: I was worried that Esperanza and her mother's papers wouldn't be in order and that they would not be allowed into the United States. I liked the way Esperanza's mother stood tall and proud in front of the immigration worker. Marta thinks she knows Esperanza, her family and how she thinks. She is jumping to conclusions about Esperanza. I was surprised to learn that they didn't let people from different countries live in the same camps. Marta said that they did this so that they wouldn't talk to each other and try to band together and strike.

The idea of unions is a bit confusing to kids. Hopefully the story makes it a bit clearer.