Cemetery Boys

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-5

Reading Check

1. In the novel, whom do the Brujx worship?

2. Where does the blood sacrifice for the quince come from?

3. How many hearts must “the claw of the jaguar” pierce for full power?

4. Who is on the necklace Yadriel finds?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why doesn’t Yadriel have a portaje (a chosen conduit)?

2. Why do both Yadiel and Maritza feel an intense pain at the same time?

3. Why isn’t Yadriel allowed to go look for Miguel’s body?

4. What does Yadriel need to do to help Julian pass on?

5. Is Julian accepting of Yadriel’s gender identity? What context clues inform the reader of this?

Paired Resource

“Why Deadnaming Is Harmful”

• This article explains what deadnaming is and why it should be avoided.
• The information in this resource connects to the theme of Community and Chosen Family.
• Although Yadriel is deadnamed frequently in this section, why do you think the author never actually reveals his deadname?

CHAPTERS 6-10

Reading Check

1. What does Maritza threaten Julian with if he doesn’t behave at school?

2. What breed of dogs does Maritza’s family have?

3. How many of Julian’s friends are they looking for?

4. What shape is the graffiti in Julian’s hangout spot?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How did Yadriel’s powers as a brujo get him mocked at school when he was little?

2. What does Julian do at school to entertain himself as a ghost?

3. Why do Maritza’s friends assume Julian and his brother are drug dealers?

4. What does Julian do to Yadriel’s yearbook?

5. How does Yadriel almost prove that he knows Julian to the group of friends?

Paired Resource

“Flags of the LGBTIQ Community”

• This article details the flags that represent different identities in the LGBTQ+ community.
• The information in this resource connects to the theme of Community and Chosen Family.
• After looking through the flags, return to the description of the graffiti. Which identity might it be representing?

CHAPTERS 11-15

Reading Check

1. What does Luca feel when he “reunites” with Julian?

2. Who had all their tattoos burnt off by a gang?

3. How did Yadriel’s mother die?

4. What does Rio do for work?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why doesn’t Yadriel tell Julian’s friends that he’s dead?

2. Why doesn’t the brujx community trust the police?

3. How does Julian feel about Yadriel being the “first trans brujx”? (Chapter 13)

4. Why does Yadriel believe that Julian is about to go “malignant”?

Paired Resource

Marginalized groups’ mistrust of police

• This USAToday article discusses mistrust of police in some marginalized communities and methods sought for improving strategies, practices, and communication.(Content Warning: references hate crimes and specific acts of gun violence)
• This article connects to the theme of Community and Chosen Family.
• How might communities and police agencies help to repair this relationship?

An example of relationships between law enforcement and Hispanic communities

• This brief news story explains reasons for mistrust of law enforcement among Hispanic communities in Idaho and attempts to build trust.
• This article connects to the theme of Community and Chosen Family.
• What parallels can be seen between the communities’ concerns in the article and Yadriel’s family and community’s concerns in the novel regarding trust of law enforcement?

CHAPTERS 16-20

Reading Check

1. In Belvedere Park, when Yadriel and Maritza ask him to recall details, what more does Julian remember from the night of his death?

2. With whom did Julian used to speak Spanish?

3. What does Julian convince Yadriel to steal?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Tito’s spirit do as his “job”?

2. What gets Enrique to accept Yadriel’s gender identity?

Paired Resource

“What Is Día de los Muertos?”

• This 4-minute video from PBS explains the traditions and meanings behind Día de los Muertos.
• This information connects to the theme of Death as the Beginning.
• How does this celebration compare to the ways your family honors those who have passed?

CHAPTERS 21-26

Reading Check

1. What flowers are used to decorate the altars?

2. Did Miguel’s spirit return for Día de Los Muertos?

3. What shape does Bahlam take?

4. Without what item is Maritza proud to say she cast her spell?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What happens when Yadriel tries to free Julian’s spirit?

2. Why has Tío Catriz been using the sacrificial dagger to murder people?

3. Who is Yadriel able to save with his sacrifice?

4. What is the “official story” of what happened to Julian?

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