Level: J DRA: 18 Genre: Realistic Fiction Strategy: Infer/Predict Skill: Understanding Characters Word Count: 267 A Mexican Festival by Rita Cruz illustrated by Joanne Friar 1.1.2 HOUGHTON MIFFLIN Online Leveled Books ISBN-13:978-0-547-02699-2 ISBN-10:0-547-02699-4 1032698 H O UG H T O N M IF F L IN 1_026992_AL_LRSE_CVR_L02_FESTI.indd 1 5/17/10 4:59:34 PM A Mexican Festival by Rita Cruz illustrated by Joanne Friar Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner unless such copying is expressly permitted by federal copyright law. Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be addressed to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt School Publishers, Attn: Permissions, 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32887-6777. Printed in China ISBN-13: 978-0-547-02699-2 ISBN-10: 0-547-02699-4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0940 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 If you have received these materials as examination copies free of charge, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt School Publishers retains title to the materials and they may not be resold. Resale of examination copies is strictly prohibited. Possession of this publication in print format does not entitle users to convert this publication, or any portion of it, into electronic format. Nora went to a Mexican festival with Alma and her family. It was a big party with lots of people, food, and music. Many people were waving flags. 2 “The flags are red, green, and white. Those are the colors of Mexico,”said Alma. “The flags are pretty!” said Nora. “This isn’t even the best part,” said Alma. “Just wait!” 3 Alma’s mother got plates of food for everyone. “I have never tried Mexican food before,” said Nora. “Put some salsa on your taco,” said Alma. “The