Expository Prompts

The following prompts are designed for seventh grade students. They are STAAR aligned, so they would be great for prepping students for standardized testing.

1. The novel begins and ends with traditions. Write an expository essay explaining the significance of traditions.

2. Throughout the novel, Sofia has to make many difficult decisions that some family members disagree with. Write an expository essay discussing the best way to make decisions

3.  Many of Canales's stories are concerning family. Write an expository essay explaining the importance of family.

4. Sofia describes many traditions with specific details. This makes it clear that she values them greatly. write an essay describing the value in traditions.

5. Throughout the novel, Sofia endures many changes. Write an expository essay explaining why change can be beneficial.

Themes in The Tequila Worm

Throughout the novel, the theme that stood out to me the most was the idea of community. From beginning to end, Sofia learns about what it takes to be a comadre, a privilege in her family. "Yes, but we have our music, our foods, our traditions. And the warm hearts of our families. Remember how the comadres all got together and found a way to cure Lucy, and with just an old broom? And it was something those rich doctors couldn't do." Sofia explores this journey to be comadre and she realizes that being a comadre is an honor because it represents happiness, "That's another important lesson of learning to be happy, Sofia, of becoming a good comadre." The English translation for this word is friend, but in the novel, it is more of a philosophy. Finding out what a comadre means seems more like a journey that Sofia is exploring.


Another major theme is the idea of identity. Sofia is faced with a major dilemma about whether or not she should pursue her dream of going to a prestigious school. Her cultural norms tell her to stay, yet her dreams and aspirations are screaming for her to be the person she wants to be. After making the decision to go to Austin, Texas to attend the major school, Sofia is more aware of how much she stands out. Her cultural difference is very much apparent in the predominately white community. This combined with Sofia's homesickness is making her live in South Texas seem very appealing. Despite her desire to go back to her comfort zone, Sofia learns to embrace her identity and find comfort in her unique culture.


Lastly, the last major theme is tradition. Every lesson Sofia learns is based on a tradition. from Easter cascarones, to the tequila worm. Each memory and familiar routine shows Sofia and readers the beauty of the Latino culture. These stories are told in poetic ways to allure the reader. They are also told in this way because Sofia values them and appreciates these special moments that shaped her into the amazing woman that she becomes.

About Viola Canales

Viola Canales was born and raised in McAllen, Texas on April 21^st, 1957. Canales talks about her “Barrio” with such vivid and happy memories. During this time, many Mexican students were not treated with the same privileges as their classmates. Speaking Spanish was forbidden at school, and speaking English was forbidden at home. Canales says that in school, if you spoke Spanish, you would get whipped on the hand. Much of the time, students who could not grasp the English language were sent to the Special Education classes. Viola Canales learned English in third grade.

At the age of 15, Canales had an opportunity that changed her life. She obtained a scholarship to attend a prestigious school, St. Stephens Episcopal boarding school in Austin, Texas. This is where much of her inspiration for The Tequila Worm lies. After she graduated, Canales attended Harvard university. During that time, Canales joined the military where she became an army captain. She worked in western Germany where she identified missiles and aircrafts and shot them down. Canales says that this position was very life-risking, but a great learning experience. Shortly after her time in the military, Canales went back to Harvard where she obtained a degree in government in 1986. Following this, she went to Harvard law school and became a lawyer in San Francisco. An amazing fact is that Canales was a part of the group of lawyers that investigated the Los Angeles police department after the police officers that assaulted Rodney King were tried acquitted from all charges.

In 1994, the Clinton administration made her the US Regional administrator for the United States Small Business Administration. Canales was able to help get three billion dollars in loans. She focused on recruiting women minority CEOs.

Viola Canales’ first work of literature was a series of short stories in the novel, Orange Candy Slices and Other Secret Tales Her second novel, The Tequila Worm, won numerous awards including the Pura Belpre Award in 2006. Her latest novel is The Little Devil and The Rose.

Currently, Viola Canales is a professor at Stanford University where she teaches law and fiction writing. She also tours and visits her hometown of McAllen, Texas where she visits schools and shares her experiences. Canales wishes to make Mexican American culture as appealing as other cultures. She aims to bring awareness to white Americans about the significance of her roots.

Why "The Tequila Worm" Matters

     As each school year goes by, I watch a little piece of my students' Latino bond fade away. The number of ELL (English Language Learners) students are still the same, but their connection to the culture seems like just an accent. Folklore and superstitions seem to be a distant memory instead of a guide to life. It seems like I, a "Afro Chicana" as I like to call myself, can identify more with my roots than my fully Latino students. 

     What my students don't realize is that when they leave the confines of their southern Texas home, the will never feel more Mexican. What they don't know is that in just five short years, when they graduate high school, they will know what it feels like to be the only Mexican in the room. The transition from majority to minority will shock them to the point where many of them will want to come back to the comfort of the RGV.

     The Tequila Worm comfortably teaches young adults that not only are these feelings normal, they are necessary. Not only can standing out make you stronger, it can be something to embrace. Growing up in a predominately Mexican community as a person who appears solely African American was a challenge. I cringe when I think back on the amount of ignorance I allowed in my presence. I don't ever want my students to feel like they should tolerate shallow comments because they were not raised to stand up for their culture and take pride in it. Like many of my students, Sofia learns the hard way that when life gets tough and you feel alone, going home does not solve the problem. In our culture,  home is everything. I already hear my students say that they can't leave the Valley because their parents need them. I cringe and bite my tongue because it is not my place to tell my students to leave their home, but trust me, I am internally pulling my hair and saying, "Get out while you can! Life is too short to resent your parents." The Tequila Worm  is a more gentler way of waking my students up, while making them laugh at the same time.