My Favorite Chaperone By Jean Daviess Okimoto Analysis

In the short story “My Favorite Chaperone” by Jean Davies Okimoto talks about a thirteen-year-old girl named Maya. She recently moved to the United States with her family from Kazakhstan. In the story, Maya wants to go to the Spring Fling dance, held at her school, but she is extremely doubtful her parents will not let her go. Furthermore, Maya’s little brother, Nurzhan, gets into a fight with Ossie Nishimoto, a boy that keeps teasing Nurzhan. Maya is called to the office to translate the principal’s words into Russian for her father, and Maya fears what her father will do to Nurzhan so she alters the principal’s words. As the story develops, Maya is found toying with Daniel Klein, which leaves Maya’s father and mother furious. Days after the
incident, Maya’s family recedes to the normal state it used to be before the incident. Her mother injures her ankle, causing Maya to cook dinner, keep up with her studies, and fulfill her mother’s of cleaning houses. In gratitude for Maya’s actions back in the principal’s office, Nurzhan persists their parents to let Maya go to the dance. When Nurzhan convinces their parents to let Maya go to the dance by offering to be Maya’s chaperone, she is thrilled. Maya’s mother gives her a gold charm bracelet to wear for the dance. This shows Maya’s mother is starting to understand the customs of their new life in the United States. In the end, Maya goes to the Spring Fling dance and even dances with her crush, Daniel Klein.