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The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora
Last updated Monday, January 6, 2025
Author: Pablo Cartaya
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 1101997230
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2025
Synopsis:
Save the restaurant. Save the town. Get the girl. Make Abuela proud. Can thirteen-year-old Arturo Zamora do it all or is he in for a BIG, EPIC FAIL?
For Arturo, summertime in Miami means playing basketball until dark, sipping mango smoothies, and keeping cool under banyan trees. And maybe a few shifts as junior lunchtime dishwasher at Abuela's restaurant. Maybe. But this summer also includes Carmen, a poetry enthusiast who moves into Arturo's apartment complex and turns his stomach into a deep fryer.
He almost doesn't notice the smarmy land developer who rolls into town and threatens to change it. Arturo refuses to let his family and community go down without a fight, and as he schemes with Carmen, Arturo discovers the power of poetry and protest through untold family stories and the work of José Martí.
| Note to readers: |
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This book is about a family of Cuban-Americans who now live in Miami, Florida. If there is a
globe or map in the classroom, you might show them where Cuban and Florida are on the map.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Do any of you have a family that has their own business? What is it? Do you help out in any way? What
do you do?
Vocabulary
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epic: tending beyond the usual or ordinary; extraordinary.
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restaurant: a business where meals and refreshments are served.
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urn: a closed vessel or vase used for storing various things.
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manatee: a large, herbivorous aquatic mammal that inhabits the warm coastal waters of the
southeastern United States. Very friendly. Also known as a “sea cow” because of its gentleness.
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chef: a skilled, professional cook found in a professional kitchen. Often specially trained in a culinary
school.
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celebrity: a famous, well-known person.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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After page 12: Arturo and Carmen catch someone taking photos of the restaurant after dinner. What
do you think they are up to?
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Do you and your family go to a particular restaurant for a special occasion, such as birthday or to
celebrate the end of the school year or anniversary? What is it? If it's for you, like on your birthday, do
you get to choose?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make a Thank You card for someone who gave you a gift for Christmas/Chanuka/Kwanaa, etc..
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Draw a picture of your family. Include grandparents, aunts, uncles, pets, etc.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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