When doing my first literary analysis of American History I overlooked a few things:
           1. The Title- 'Skinny Bones' was planning on studying for an American History test the fellow she likes. Also the title is also tied into the setting of the story: the day JFK was shot.
           2. Point of View- l always forget this one. The point of view was First Person told in the present tense with a series of flashbacks.
           3. Characterization- 'Skinny Bones' is a female ninth grader. She is Porto Rican.
           4. Motifs- The colors white and grey, the ugliness of El Building.
           5. The Author- J. Cofer is a Porto Rico born author who currently resides in Georgia. She is a renowned author and english professor. Her work talks a lot about racism and feminism.

Setting- 1960's United States. Urban. Paterson, New Jersey.
Diction- Spanish words were used as a connection to the main characters heritage and her avoidance of using Spanish words shows her disconnection to her heritage. Use of the phrase 'straight and narrow' to describe the streets of Paterson. Straight and Narrow is a somewhat common phrase in English slang but it is also a reference to the bible and means 'the righteous way".
Tone- Melancholy. Egocentric. Growing.
Author's Craft- Symbolism: The Nurse's white uniform, the patch of sunlight where the flowers grow, El Building's shadow, The snow.
Foreshadowing- The mother telling 'Skinny Bones' not to go to the boys house because she will be crushed.
Irony- Coach or big man crying like a child.
Theme- It is better in hard times to shield your eyes from ugliness rather than dwelling in it.
Conflict- Internal- Wants to be someone else; not content with herself.
            External- Family disconnectedness, cultural barriers and racism, boy issues.