Lima Beans

Lima beans symbolize the danger of assuming or stereotyping. When Ana sees Kim planting these beans, she assumes that Kim is doing something that she should not be doing and goes to dig them up. Ana learns later that Kim was not involved in wrongdoing but instead had been planting vegetables.

Binoculars

Binoculars are a symbol of distrust in the book. Ana buys the binoculars after she mistakenly believes that Kim is doing something wrong in the vacant lot, and Ana wants to keep an eye on her.

White Straw Hat

The white straw hat is a symbol of differences. Juan, who wears this hat, is the person who is least able to communicate with the other people in the garden. He is identified in several people’s stories by the white hat he always wears. Although Juan may seem most different from the other...