Return to Sender

These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the novel.

Pre-Reading “Icebreaker”

Think of a brief incident that caused you to feel surprise, fear, pride, or another strong emotion (for example, seeing a score on a test, the last moments of a game, or a waiting for a message from someone). Retell the story of this incident in a short letter or email to a friend or family member.

Teaching Suggestion: Briefly review letter greetings and closings for clarity on beginning and ending retellings. Length might be a few paragraphs to no more than 1 page. Once students have a chance to reflect on what they wrote, encourage analysis and discussion of this writing process: What impact does the letter format have on tone, style, or dialogue? Would their retelling differ depending on the intended addressee? Was it easier or more difficult to tell a story this way? Connect to the novel by explaining that the narrative includes two alternating points of view; while Tyler’s narrative is third-person limited prose, Mari’s is first-person epistolary. Students can use these sites to learn about the epistolary form:

• This site, “Epistolary,” provides a student-friendly, brief description of the form with examples.
• “Meaning of Epistolary Writing with Examples” on Penlighten offers a more in-depth definition and some fiction and non-fiction examples in middle grade and YA categories.

Post-Reading Analysis

How does the fear associated with la migra impact the characters of Return to Sender in each part of the plot? Use a plot diagram or graphic organizer that shows each plot component (backstory, exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) to organize notes on this topic. Be sure to address the impact on Tyler’s family as well as Mari’s.

Analyze your notes; in which part of the plot did fear of la migra most impact characters? Discuss the connected events and the effects on characters in a summary paragraph.

Teaching Suggestion: Review the historical event “Operation Return to Sender” that began in 2006; be sure students understand the historical significance of Mari’s parents’ arrest. Discussion of completed and shared plot diagrams or graphic organizers can include references to the themes of Inclusion and Acceptance and Giving and Receiving between and within Families.

• This 2006 Newsweek article and this 2006 CBS News site that includes photographs and captions can serve as historical resources, as they document some of the arrests made during “Operation Return to Sender” and some of the reactions to the event.