Big thanks! PRR Director Stephanie Pearmain teaches University of Arizona courses on Children's and Young Adult Literature & Publishing and is also the Coordinator of Undergraduate and English Internships. Her students put in a lot of effort to get this book online.

Discussion Questions

Are any characters based on real people? Cameron's grandmother in the story is based on my Grandma Benita who  wore the most beautiful wigs and outfits. Here she is in the late 1960s in San Jose, CA with her son Adrian. He's holding my brother (I think).

Is Cameron a real person?

He's real in my imagination. In reality? No. He's someone similar to me: dual ethnic, curious about the world. I'd like to think he's more adventurous than me in some ways.

How about Gabby? Please tell me she's a real Tunnel Boring Machine.

While Tunnel Boring Machines do exist, Gabby is simply part of my imagination. She's actually a few feet larger in diameter than the largest TBM in the world.

Is there a tunnel in the San Gabriel Mountains?

A tunnel has been proposed for the California High-Speed Rail through the San Gabriel Mountains. No tunnel has been dug as far as I know. But one day that could change.

Why is all this Chicano stuff in the novel important?

Because it's important to understand identity and purpose. Who are you? Who am I? Where did I come from? Who were my parents? Where did you come from? Who are your parents? Who are their grandparents? Ask enough questions and you might figure out not only where you're from but where you're going. I identify as Chicano. Sometimes I am grouped with Latinos, Latinx, Mexican-American or Hispanic. As far as Cameron's journey, he needs to figure out the various parts of himself and why they're all important to his future. It will help him in his relationship with his dad, mom, grandmother, uncles, cousins, classmates, etc.