90 Miles to Havana

Chapters 1-8

1. That they will have good luck every day the following year (Chapter 1)

2. Because he wants to be the “hero” (Chapter 1)

3. “Before, during, and after” (Chapter 3)

4. Cuban cigars (Chapter 8)

Short Answer

1. On New Year’s Eve, the “dictator-president” of Cuba left Cuba, signaling the start of the revolution. Julian and his family observe rising chaos in the streets of Havana after they hear the announcement on the radio. (Chapter 2)

2. Answers may include the following: Julian’s neighbor Angelita and her family leave the country; the streets are filled with soldiers; there are long lines at the supermarket and gas stations; many people are waiting at the US embassy to get their passports so they can leave. (Chapter 3)

3. The swallow pin is Mami’s favorite brooch. When she decides to send her three children to the US, she hides this brooch in Julian’s suitcase so it will go through airport security. (Chapters 5-7)

Chapters 9-17

Reading Check

1. Camp Kendal (Chapter 9)

2. Baseball (Chapter 14)

Short Answer

1. Julian and his brothers meet Pepe and Angelita, their neighbors from Cuba. Julian learns that the camp is just a temporary housing solution until they are sent to either a foster home or an orphanage. (Chapter 11)

2. Caballo is the head boy of Camp Kendal who keeps order when the adults are away. Dolores is the chef with whom Julian and his brother have kitchen duty. (Chapters 9-17)

3. They decide to write a fake letter from their uncle, which says he is arriving in the US and will sponsor them. They steal cereal from the kitchen so they can bribe the child who works in the office to let them write the letter on the typewriter. (Chapter 13)

4. After the baseball game, Caballo steals Julian’s drawing book. The kids in the camp change their usual behavior and demand that Caballo return the book, which bruises his ego and prestige as the head kid of the camp. Angelita makes a deal with Caballo that if Julian lets him keep the drawing book to restore his pride, then Caballo will help the brothers out. (Chapters 14-16)

Chapters 18-26

Reading Check

1. At a tomato farm (Chapter 18)

2. A snake that looks scary but is really harmless (Chapter 19)

3. To a foster home near Camp Kendal (Chapter 21)

4. Start a petition (Chapter 24)

Short Answer

1. She gives Julian her son’s art supplies, as well as a word of advice that Caballo is a dictator and should be removed “democratically.” (Chapter 20)

2. In Chapter 22, Julian, Angelita, Marta, Ramon, José, and Gustavo make a plan to “overthrow” Caballo’s reign. Their plan, which is to undo the seams of his pants so they will split open in front of everyone in the cafeteria, goes well, and the rest of the kids participate. But when the Director enters the room, he defends Caballo and punishes everyone else. (Chapter 22)

Chapters 27-33

Reading Check

1. She sends it to her mother in Cuba. (Chapter 28)

2. Bebo (Chapter 33)

Short Answer

1. Julian has decided to run away from Camp Kendal to Miami. He joins Tomás on his boat. (Chapter 27)

2. Armando works at a hotel in Miami. He hires Julian to work for him helping set up umbrellas for guests at the beach. (Chapter 28)

3. Tomás is sailing back to Cuba to bring his parents and other Cubans to the US. Julian asks Tomás to bring his parents as well. (Chapter 29)

Chapters 34-41

Reading Check

1. His teeth (Chapter 35)

2. The compass (Chapter 37)

3. Bebo (Chapter 39)

4. Back to Camp Kendal (Chapter 40)

5. The swallow pin (Chapter 41)

Short Answer

1. Julian is caught by Ramirez, who tries to take him back to Camp Kendal. Julian pretends he is going to vomit, and he runs from the car and jumps over the bridge into the water. (Chapter 36).