2.  Elena and Eugene are alike because they both liked to read, got good grades, and they liked each other. They are different because she is spanish and he is white.

3.  I would summarize the story as, Elena first watched the old Jewish couple lived there for the summer intil they moved out. Then when Eugene's family moved in she started to watched him and his family. When school started she went looking for him and talked to him when she saw him walking home. They liked each other and they both are smart. 

4. The first column on page 568 reflects her heritage because her mother was telling her that she has to grow up and stop acting like a child in times of a bad crisis but the writer does not care and wants to follow her dreams.

5.  Mr.DePalma's behavior was significant on page 569 was he was sad and crying about the death of President Kennedy, and he was strict and mean, and none of the kids ever saw him cry before.It shows that even tough people, like Mr.DePalma, can be sad, cry and care about things.

6.  It is ironic that Eugene and Elena  chose to study American History because the time was when American history was going to be made.

7.  I think the writer feels strongly about discrimination and prejudice, that it still exists today, and that she didn't like it at all.