Dream Things True

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think the book is called Dream Things True? What role do dreams play in Alma’s life? What are Evan’s dreams?

  2. How does Alma first learn that she is undocumented, and how does she react? What do you think of Evan’s reaction when she tells him this secret?

  3. Alma has lived almost her entire life in Gilberton. It’s the only home she knows, but she also feels like she will never belong. Why do you think that is?

  4. In the early part of the book, Evan witnesses discrimination against immigrants in his town, and he doesn’t know how to respond. What do you think keeps him from confronting this? What would you do?

  5. When Alma returns to the first place that she lived in Gilberton, why is it so hard for her? How does she feel about the bilingual welcome signs at her former elementary school?

  6. How did it make you feel to read that “everyone just knows” about Conway’s pattern of sexual assault? Do you think it’s realistic that people would know about this and not do anything to stop it?

  7. In the end, Alma refuses to be the “model immigrant.” She imagines asking an audience, “Have I earned it now?” Why do you think she imagines asking this question?

  8. Why does Alma lie to Evan at the end of part two and tell him that she doesn’t love him?

  9. Do you agree with Alma (and, eventually, Evan) that Whit deserved a second chance, even after he had made so many terrible mistakes?

10. What do you think of Evan’s relationship with his uncle, Senator Prentiss? What about Whit’s relationship with his father?

11. What do Evan and Manny share in common? Do you think they could be friends?

12. Towards the end of the book, Evan concludes that “If [he] had learned anything over the past few months, it was that doing the right thing isn’t always as simple as it seems.” What do you think he means? He’s talking about Whit’s actions here, but who else might he be thinking about?