forgetful or unaware of one's surroundings

a political system that says the government should own and run factories, hospitals, schools, etc., with the people sharing in work and products

Organized groups/camps of young people in the mountains of Cuba were called

Language that is intended to influence people and that may not be honest or reasonable

to suggest or imply something as opposed to stating it directly

those involved in the brigades

with high-class tastes and understanding

those who believe in extending the rule of their nation over other countries

brainwash; to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs

goods forbidden by law to be imported or exported; smuggled merchandise

to tell (something that is secret or private) to a trusted person

a person who reads or looks at books, movies, or other sources of information and then prevents the release of information that is considered inappropriate

to stop (yourself or someone else) from doing or expressing something

to cause someone to do something by making a careful and continual effort

Lucia imagines her that her math teacher would be quite _________ and confused if she were ever to be questioned by the new Cuban government officials.

Because Mama and Papa were so interested in the coverage of the revolution on the radio, they were _________ to the fact that Lucia and Frankie had arrived home.

Many feared that Castro would use _________ to strip away personal freedoms associated with education, wealth, and democracy and replace them with strict government controls and regulations.

Lucia complains to Papa that thousands of kids her age and younger have already joined the ________, which are groups of young people (organized by Castro) who live and teach in the mountains.

Papa says that everyone has been brainwashed by the fancy ________ or influential language that Castro's regime uses to convince people to support the revolution.

One of Castro's army captains was known to imply or ________ that if parents couldn't teach their children to be good revolutionaries then Castro's government would.

Members of the brigades, also know as ___________, were told that their main job in the camps would be to teach the peasants to read.

Ivette says that her mother bought her a fancy and ____________ dress for the dance with black polka dots and a patent-leather belt.

While the Alvarez home is being searched, Ivette's mother says that Lucia's family is, "... just like the Yankee _____________" in the United States. She thinks this because Castro has brainwashed many into thinking that the US wants to conquer and control all other countries.

Papa says (about the brigades) that Castro's regime, "...wants to ____________ (or brainwash) the kids right under our noses."

At the airport, Castro's soldiers announce that they are conducting random searches for __________ to make sure travelers are not "trying to take Cuba's riches" with them.

At first Lucia regretted telling Ivette that her family had stashed some of their valuables, but later she realized it was okay to _______ in such a trusted friend.

Lucia wondered how long a letter from her parents would take to arrive in the US since she knew that all mail was checked and read by the Cuban _______.

Lucia _______ a laugh when Mrs. Eckhart told her to pack her bags since no one in the camp in Miami had ever unpacked.

Mrs. Baxter had to gently ____ Frankie out of Lucia's room because he was so afraid of being separated from his sister again.

Threatening harm, evil, or misfortune

having a sudden and unpleasant effect

a messenger, often a diplomatic representative of a government

a lack of change that makes something boring

people who have been forced by the government (or other factors) to leave their own country

uncertainties or anxiety about oneself that cause a lack of confidence

Someone who supports an economy in which things like factories, hospitals, schools, etc. are owned by individuals and companies rather than by the government.

A way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions

Ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, or a government.

Castro used several ________ methods to eliminate his enemies, such as imprisoning people without a trial and executing others by firing squad.

Lucia was startled by the loud and _______ sound of the phone ringing as she waited in silence for her parents to call.

The U.S. diplomat to Cuba was known as the _____ (or messenger) between the two countries until Castro stopped communicating with the United States.

Lucia thinks Betty bullies her just to liven things up and break up the _______ of her boring, everyday existence.

The ______ from Cuba were forced to flee Castro's oppressive government, and they attempted to make new lives for themselves in the U.S.

The bullying that Lucia endured left all of her ____________ exposed, causing her anxiety and shaking her confidence.

Ivette says in her letter that she is worried about Lucia living in a _________ society (where individuals and companies control goods and services instead of just the government).

Ivette asks in a letter if Lucia has sold herself to the __________ of American society which she believe only gives importance to material things like wealth and possessions.

Lucia realizes that Ivette's letters are full of __________ due to the false and exaggerated statements about America and how it compares to the so-called perfect society forming under Castro in Cuba.