Name _________________________________________________________ Class ____________
Reader’s Workshop Project: Book in a Bag
CHARACTER
Name of Character: Manuel
1. Name of Character: ______________________________
Describe this character: (minimum 3 sentences)
Describe this character: (minimum 3 sentences)
1.
Manuel is the protagonist. He is a fifth grade boy, and the fourth of seven children. He
volunteered to sing “La Bamba” before the entire school at the talent show. Manuel wanted to
perform because he hoped to impress the girls, especially Petra Lopez. He also wanted to make
his parents proud and his brothers and sisters jealous.
 Object to Represent this Character: flashlight
Tell why you chose this item: (minimum 2 sentences)
I chose a flashlight to represent Manuel because he loves being in the spot light and receiving
positive attention from others. He “yearned for the limelight” and “wanted applause as loud as a
thunderstorm”. Since a flashlight is used to shine bright light, I thought this would represent
Manuel’s love of being at the center of attention.
2.
CHARACTER
Name of Character: Manuel
Describe this character: (minimum 3 sentences)
Manuel hopes to get lots of attention by performing in the school talent show. However, at the
same time, Manuel is very nervous and worried about what other people might think of him.
Manuel is anxious that something might go wrong, causing him to feel embarrassed in front of
his family and friends.
 Object to Represent this Character: ball with the word “nerves” written all over it
Tell why you chose this item: (minimum 2 sentences)
To represent the side of Manuel that is always worrying, I chose a “ball of nerves”. When
somebody gets very worked up about something, people sometimes say they are a ball of nerves.
When Manuel was ready to go on stage he was “shivering with fear”. He wondered why he even
volunteered in the first place, showing that he is very nervous about how he will perform.
3.
SETTING
Describe the setting of your book—tell when and where: (minimum 3 sentences)
The story takes place mostly at Manuel’s school, John Burroughs Elementary. Manuel attends
classes during the day, and rehearses with the other contestants in the cafeteria during afterschool hours. When he performs during the talent show, he is on the stage in the cafeteria,
which is covered by a large curtain.
 Object to Represent the Setting: backpack
Tell why you chose this item: (minimum 2 sentences)
I chose a backpack to represent the setting, because the story mostly occurs at the elementary
school. Since students use backpacks to carry all of their school supplies, I thought a backpack
would connect to the setting of “La Bamba”.
4.
CONFLICT
Describe the main conflict of your book—tell if it is internal or external: (minimum 3 sentences)
The main conflict in “La Bamba” is internal (man vs. self). Manuel first must decide whether or
not he wants to join the talent show. He’s shy about performing, but also wants to perform to
get attention from others. During his live performance, the record with his song begins to skip.
Manuel must again choose whether he should continue on with the performance (even though it
might be embarrassing), or just get off of the stage and run away from it all.
 Object to Represent the Conflict: record with a crack in it
Tell why you chose this item: (minimum 2 sentences)
I chose a record with a crack in it to represent the internal conflict Manuel has. Because the
record cracked, Manuel’s performance is impacted. He has to decide whether he should
improvise and make the most of it, or run away entirely. The crack in the record shows the flaw
in Manuel’s performance of “La Bamba”. If it never cracked, Manuel would not be in this
situation in the first place.
5.
RESOLUTION
Describe the resolution of your book—tell how the characters solve the problem: (minimum 3 sentences)
Manuel decides to continue singing and dancing to the song “La Bamba”, even though the record
is stuck. Manuel does not give up. The crowd erupts with laughter and applause. People think
that Manuel made the record stick on purpose, just to be funny and entertain the audience.
Manuel even gets attention from his teachers and the popular kids at school for his great
performance.
 Object to Represent the Resolution: crown
Tell why you chose this item: (minimum 2 sentences)
I chose a crown to represent the resolution because after Manuel continues with his
performance and makes the audience laugh, he feels like king of the world. The popular kids,
who never gave him the time of day, were clustered around him and he was “enjoying the
limelight”. Since kings wear crowns, I thought this would show Manuel’s sense of power and
success at the end of the story.
6.
THEME
Describe the theme of your book—what is the “life lesson” it teaches us?: (minimum 3 sentences)
“La Bamba” teaches us to never give up, even in a tough or difficult situation. Manuel proves this
because his carefully rehearsed talent act falls to pieces when one small thing went wrong.
Instead of giving up or complaining about it, though, Manuel persevered and did the best that he
could with what he was dealt with. This positive attitude paid off for Manuel with his success.
 Object to Represent the Theme: lemonade
Tell why you chose this item: (minimum 2 sentences)
I chose lemonade to represent theme because of the popular expression, “When life hands you
lemons, make lemonade.” In other words, take a “bitter” situation, and make it into something
“sweet”. This is exactly what Manuel does in “La Bamba” by not giving up during his talent show.