Abuela, Don't Forget Me

How does the text explore different notions and experiences of identity? How do various figures conceive of, or relate to, their identity in the text? How are individuals—such as Ogle, Mom, Abuela—different or similar in how they feel about identity?

How does the motif of religion shape the text? Does Ogle’s relationship to religion change throughout the text? Why or why not?

Why do you think the author chose to introduce Abuela’s dementia in the memoir’s forward? How does the framing device relate to the main text’s exploration of heritage and memory?

Rex Ogle uses both English and Spanish language within the text. How does the memoir’s bilingualism shape the text? What is the role of each language in Ogle’s development?

The author experiences a series of adverse childhood experiences. How do these events shape his adult life? How does Ogle examine the lasting impacts of trauma?

Abuela, Don’t Forget Me is a memoir in verse. How does telling the story in verse affect Ogle’s presentation of the story? What literary techniques does he use? What advantages or limitations does such a memoir in verse have in comparison to prose memoirs?

Analyze Ogle’s mother’s role in the text. How is she characterized? What is her wider role and significance?

Compare and contrast Abuela, Don’t Forget Me, with Ogle’s other memoir, Free Lunch. How are the two works different or similar in their approach to Ogle’s childhood experiences? What key themes and ideas do they share?