Study Tools

Overview

Set on November 22, 1963, the day of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Judith Ortíz Cofer’s semi-autobiographical short story “American History” is a snapshot of racial tensions in 1960s blue-collar New Jersey. The story first appeared in The Latin Deli: Prose and Poetry, Ortíz ’s 1993 acclaimed collection of poetry, fiction, and essays about Latino experiences in the United States. Ortíz ’s work has received many awards and honors, including the American Library Association’s Reforma Pura Belpre Medal, the Anisfield Wolf Book Award, and a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

Read a full plot summary, an analysis of Elena, and descriptions of the main ideas in "American History."

Upgrade to PLUS and get instant access to all the study tools

Upgrade to PLUS and get instant access to all the study tools

Purchase

Go to BN.com to get your copy of these helpful resources.