Ana Pines relates the harrowing tale of the prolonged physical and emotional abuse of a young neighbor.

Discussion ideas:

The obvious question to raise is why no one, including the author, reported almost sixteen years of abuse to the police or other authorities. What would your students have done in the author’s place? Do they agree with Ana that calling someone might have doomed Irma to more intense abuse? Do they agree with her that the “hotline” adults would have done as little as the neighborhood adults? If Ana’s mom was willing to adopt Irma why wasn’t she willing to call anyone about the abuse?

Could Irma have done anything to improve her situation? Could she have called someone or talked to a teacher or other adult? What about running away from home? Ana says that the “only thing that can be done now is for her to get help.” What kind of help would your students suggest? Why do your students think Irma’s mother treated her so badly? There doesn’t seem to be drop of parental feeling in her. What would cause someone to act this way? Have your students ever failed to do something to try to help someone and then felt guilty and helpless?