Advice About Family: Claudia Cristina Cortez Uncomplicates Your Life
By Diana G Gallagher
Introduction:
When you’re thirteen years old, like I am, you’re stuck with your family. Luckily, I like my family. A lot! But I know some kids don’t like their families as much as I do. That can be hard when you have to spend so much time with your family members. After all, we won’t get our drivers’ licenses for at least three more years. Until then, we have to rely on our parents for everything. (I am saving up money so that I can buy a car the second I turn 16!) Note: All families are different. Even in my group of friends, no two families are exactly the same. (You can read all about different types of families on page 12.) So in this book, when I talk about my family, it doesn’t mean that your family is weird if it’s different. It’s not. Unless all families are weird (which, maybe, they are!).
Chapter 1: Family Basics
Before we get too deep into my advice on family, you should know who I’m talking about.
These are the main members of my family:
Jimmy My big brother loves playing music in his band. He is obsessed with computers and computer games. He and I don’t always get along. He’s always kicking me out of his room. And I’m always annoying him. But sometimes we are good friends.
Mom Mom reminds me to eat my vegetables, clean my room, and help with the laundry. She likes volunteering at the Humane Society and going for walks with her friends. I go to her for advice sometimes.
Dad Dad owns Cortez Computers, a computer store in my town. He is very serious and busy. Sometimes I feel like he doesn’t understand me. But I know he always loves me.
Ping-ping My Siamese cat is the only non-human member of the family. She’s also the best listener, and she sleeps the most.
Uncle Diego I have other aunts and uncles, but Uncle Diego is the one I know the best. He lives in the same town as us. So he spends a lot of time at our house. Uncle Diego isn’t like other adults I know. He treats me like an equal, and he loves having fun.
Grandma Grandma lives nearby, and sometimes she stays at our house. I love having Grandma around. We read books together, talk for hours, and eat ice cream. She’s a great cook, and I trust her.
And then there’s me, Claudia!
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Adapted from Advice About Family: Claudia Cristina Cortez Uncomplicates Your Life, by Diana G Gallagher, ©️ by Capstone. Reprinted with permission.
Who is narrating the story?
A third-person narrator
A second-person narrator
A first-person narrator from Claudia’s point of view
A first-person narrator from Jimmy’s point of view