2. What makes Isla an outsider in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey?
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Our program is here to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for all readers. To keep our community respectful and engaging, please follow these guidelines:
• Be kind and considerate to others.
• Stay on topic, keep discussions constructive, and use appropriate language.
• Trolling, spamming, harassment, or hate speech will not be tolerated.
• Share only original, non-copyrighted material and appropriate content.
• Do not post or share personal details about yourself or others, including real names, addresses, or any other identifying information.
• Do not post anything illegal, threatening, or otherwise harmful.
• Moderators reserve the right to remove content or suspend users who violate these guidelines.
• Users are responsible for their own posts, and our platform is not liable for user-generated content.
• Report issues instead of escalating, and respect moderator decisions.
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smkelly
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2025 7:35 pm
2. What makes Isla an outsider in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey?
Describe Isla as a character. What circumstances make her an outsider both in Puerto Rico and New Jersey? What is her biggest obstacle?
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Gharam mahmoud
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2025 5:51 pm
Re: 2. What makes Isla an outsider in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey?
Isla Larsen Sanchez is a biracial girl caught between two cultures—Puerto Rican and American. In New Jersey, she feels disconnected from her heritage, while in Puerto Rico, she’s seen as an outsider due to her language, background, and mixed identity. Her biggest obstacle is accepting and understanding her inherited gift of seeing the memories of deceased storytellers. Through this power, Isla is forced to confront painful family secrets and find the courage to break cycles of silence and trauma. Her journey is ultimately about finding her voice, embracing her identity, and transforming her family’s legacy.
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tangledipintx
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2025 3:18 pm
Re: 2. What makes Isla an outsider in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey?
I thought while in PR language was one of the main reasons was one of the barriers to feeling like she belonged. No matter who you are, we all have felt like an outsider in our family, school, and work.
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Mher1
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2025 7:52 pm
Re: 2. What makes Isla an outsider in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey?
Isla seems strong-willed, kind, caring, insecure, lonely, and a bit naive.
Her being paler, from the US, and considered wealthy make her an outsider in PR. Her dad dying and her mom’s mental health afterwards caused her to be an outsider in the US.
I think her biggest obstacle is her insecurity. She doesn’t think people will accept or like her so she tries to hide, but in reality they do enjoy spending time with her.
Her being paler, from the US, and considered wealthy make her an outsider in PR. Her dad dying and her mom’s mental health afterwards caused her to be an outsider in the US.
I think her biggest obstacle is her insecurity. She doesn’t think people will accept or like her so she tries to hide, but in reality they do enjoy spending time with her.
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lanlynk
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue May 20, 2025 5:12 am
Re: 2. What makes Isla an outsider in both Puerto Rico and New Jersey?
I agree with the comments already given. 
Yes, at some point or another, everybody feels like they don't belong, that no one understands who they really are. We all are unique individuals with our own backgrounds, gifts and quirks. But being one of a kind can sometimes be lonely. We have to find a way to be an individual within a community. (BTW, "Isla" means island. And the word "isolation" is from the same origins.)
On top of that, Isla struggled to find her place within the two cultures she grew up in. Her relationship with her mother and the death of her father left her without support and encouragement in New Jersey. And although Isla received more support from relatives in Puerto Rico, language and cultural experiences often isolated her there too.
Isla's visions and storytelling gift served as a way to ground her as well as bridge those two worlds. It was difficult at first for her to work through the visions and learn how to interpret and express them with stories. But doing so helped her accept her uniqueness as well as her connection to others. Unlocking secrets was part of that process.
Yes, at some point or another, everybody feels like they don't belong, that no one understands who they really are. We all are unique individuals with our own backgrounds, gifts and quirks. But being one of a kind can sometimes be lonely. We have to find a way to be an individual within a community. (BTW, "Isla" means island. And the word "isolation" is from the same origins.)
On top of that, Isla struggled to find her place within the two cultures she grew up in. Her relationship with her mother and the death of her father left her without support and encouragement in New Jersey. And although Isla received more support from relatives in Puerto Rico, language and cultural experiences often isolated her there too.
Isla's visions and storytelling gift served as a way to ground her as well as bridge those two worlds. It was difficult at first for her to work through the visions and learn how to interpret and express them with stories. But doing so helped her accept her uniqueness as well as her connection to others. Unlocking secrets was part of that process.