*Partners--Jose,+Kabir,+Stanley

Partner Names: Kabir, Jose & Stanley Book Title: **__The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian__** Author: Sherman Alexie

Your **responsibilities**:

 //(Keep in mind that these activities are instead of keeping a Reading Log and writing Reading Responses!)//

 __**Day 1**__ **(Before you begin reading)**, each partner must:

 1. Post a response in which you make predictions about the book you will read. What can you predict from the book’s title? What does the book’s cover (front and back) tell you about the book? Is the book fiction or nonfiction?

 2. Pose 2 questions about the book to your partner. For example, you can ask what they predict to be the setting, plot, or genre. Is the book going to be funny, sad, realistic, or full of imaginary images?

 Each __**Monday, Wednesday, and Friday**__, **(while you are reading)**, you must post a wiki response in which you:

 1. Share your opinions/reflections about your reading

 2. Respond to your partner’s question(s)

 3. Pose a new question(s) to your partner

 Although every question does not have to address one of the literary elements listed above, you must address them **all** by the time you have finished your book. In other words, at some point during your online discussion, you and your partner **must** ask questions (and provide responses about)**foreshadowing, mood, setting, theme, symbolism,** and **character change**. As with Reading Responses, you can write about these elements in any order you choose.



__**Kabir:**__ Predictions before reading.

From the book's title, I can predict that it is a story that possibly has two sides, one from the character being an Indian and another from the perspective of him being a White. The book's front and back cover tells me a lot of information on how other people's experiences were as they read the book because the WHOLE ENTIRE back cover is full of comments about this book. I can tell that this book is a novel so it could possibly be realistic...?

Two Questions To Consider: 1. Do you think race matters to the main character? 2. Do you think his society affects him?

__**Jose**__: **Predictions before reading.**

My prediction is that I think the main character is going to do well in his new school but then someone's going to find out that he's Indian and people are going to pick on him. But later in the book, the bullies are going to find out that the main character is still the same even though he's Indian and is going to get along with each other better.

1. What do you think is going to happen to him? 2. How do you think he feels to be two totally different races?




 * Monday, April 18th: Pages 1-15**

Jose:

I think its messed up that Junior is poor because he has no money for food everyday. It shows the situation that he's in everyday and how it really affects him in his life. Also, that Junior's best friend was a dog but his friendship with him came short when his dad killed it. I think that was a real turning point for him in his life. I think the race does matter to the main character because if he wasn't an Indian, he wouldn't live on the reserve. I think his society does have an affect on him because he's on a reserve so he can't do much.

Two new questions: 1. How do you think the dog getting killed will affect him? 2. How do you think his brain damage will affect him in the future?

Kabir:

I think in the book Junior is going to get very bullied because he is so called "different" from the average person. I think Junior feels really in an awkward position to be two different races because he doesn't know what to do with it and he's kind of an outlier in society because of that. While reading, I wanted to respond to Ms. Chung's question about the humor in the book. The humor is greatly effective! From the beginning of the book, he came out with humor with comments like "I was born with water on my brain" and "And my skull was enormous...epic." This engaged a reader like me because I was able to laugh and relate to the author from the start so I wasn't bored when I started reading. Junior being the cartoonist that he is helps the reader know what kind of person he is on the inside and not only how people view him on the outside. The perception of many people vary because his parents and say some of his friends view him completely different from each other! I think throughout the book, the perception is going to change.

1. Do you think he lets the society affect him? 2. Do you think the humor was effective to the reader?




 * Wednesday, April 20: Pages 15-25**

Jose:

I think Rowdy seems like a cool person because he defends Junior who deals with a lot of problems and i think the brothers are just bullies for picking on little kids that are way younger than them. I think he does let society affect him because i feel like he's that kind of person who will try to fit in so if the society doesnt like him, i think he would try to change himself so they start to like him. Lastly, i do think that the humor is effective because when im reading, the humor in the book makes me laugh.

1. Do you think the agnus brother will kind out Rowdy cut their hair? 2. Do you think that Rowdy is a good friend?

Kabir:

I think that dog getting killed will affect him tremendously because since his dog is dead and gone, he probably feels very alone and it can affect his future relationships with others. I think any brain damage to anyone is fatal and especially to Junior because of the situation he is in. When I was reading pages 15-25, the way he describes Rowdy as like the toughest man on the rez, and how his heart is tough like a snake shows how much Junior really cares about Rowdy and feels as though they are inseparable (page 24). I also agree with you Jose on that Rowdy is a good friend for defending him in some of the troubles that Junior goes through but I think soon enough, he might get tired of doing that and Junior might be left alone.

1. Do you think Rowdy is going to be tired of protecting Junior? 2. If you lived on the rez, how would you deal with certain people?



Ms. Chung: Hi guys! As I've told you previously, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am excited to discuss it with you. I think you both bring up great points about __identity__--how will race affect the protagonist, but also how his economic situation (living on the reserve) also affects and is affected by race. How related do you think race and class (economics) are? Keep in mind the concept of code-switching we talk about in class as you read. I'm interested to know what you think about how Junior code-switches and why. Also, I'm curious to know what you think about the use of humor in the book.




 * Friday, April 22: Pages 25-32**

Kabir: I feel like the agnus brother will not find out about Rowdy cutting his hair because i feel like Rowdy did it secretly and in a way which the agnus brother will not be able to predict or even assume who did it. Sometimes, I even feel like he won't even know that his hair is actually cut because he is just that stupid! Yes, I do feel like Rowdy is a good friend because he is very close to Junior and helps him through any situation that he is in. That's what a true friend does, fulfilling the other friend's needs. On page 31, the last page of this chapter, Junior describes how his geometry book is the same one that his mother used 3 decades ago (approximately 30 years ago). Junior says, "My school and my tribe are so poor and sad that we have to study from the same dang books our parents studied from. That is absolutely the saddest thing in the world." From this statement, I had a new perspective on how poor they actually really are. This isn't something "normal" people go through, and I would expect a little more opportunity on the rez than a 3o year old book! On the other hand, there's the a question of: Well, if your on the rez then how do you expect a lot of opportunity? Your on the rez for a reason. And that's where I get caught up because here he is using a book his parent used a long time ago and it's still used now when Junior is 14. That is ridiculous. At the end of this page, there's a picture of Junior throwing a book at Mr. P and i think that will be a turning point in the book because Mr. P is probably going to get mad and expel him? I don't know, but I'm soon going to find out!

1. What do you think is going to happen to Junior after he threw the book at Mr. P? 2. Do you think the book being really old shows how poor they really are?

Jose: I think Rowdy will get tired of protecting Junior but will still do it because he is a true friend. If i was on the rez, I would just stay to myself and not worry about other people because then it would be easier to stay there because the interaction would be much less especially with the amount of crazy people there. I think it's weird that Junior would compare triangles to girls because most people wouldn't and I would want a teacher like Mr. P because he seems really chill and a good teacher to have.

1. Why do you think the author added the whole page of the masterbation? 2. Do you think Junior will get a girlfriend?




 * Monday, April 25: Pages 32-44**

Kabir: I think the author added the whole page of masterbation because the author wanted to add humor and funniness to the book. Since the author did that, it engages more readers because its funny and interesting to some readers. I think that Junior will get a girlfriend later in the book because it looks like the book is taking a turning point in his life and maybe having a girlfriend is one way his life transforms. In pages 32-44, there was a lot that I was thinking. It seems as though Mr. P has a lot more information than Junior himself does about his family. For instance, when Mr. P and Junior were talking, and Junior learned that his sister was into drawing romance novels. This told me that Junior doesn't really know a lot about her and probably would've of never known if Mr. P never told him about his sister's hobbies. Also, when Mr. P was talking about why Junior hit him with a book, I thought it looked like that Mr. P had more guilt than Junior and that Junior shouldnt be sorry for what he did. To me, it seems like it goes both ways because if Mr. P never hit all those Indians then he wouldn't feel all that guilt and if Junior didn't hit him with a book then he wouldn't have to feel like he hurt him. It seems both ways to me. Lastly, Mr. P told Junior about leaving the rez because there is more hope out there and I completely agree with Mr. P but I think he won't be able to leave because he is poor and doesn't have another place to go.

1. What do you think his parents will say if he told them he wants to leave? 2. Do you think Mr. P is knowledgeable?

Jose: I think Junior will leave the rez like Mr. P told him to after he threw the book at him because i think Junior is that kind of person to listen to people because he maybe thinks that they are telling him something smart. No, I don't think the book does show how poor they really are because the old books could show that maybe they weren't anymore books or they couldn't find them but I wouldn't say that's the reason for them being as poor as they really are. When I was reading, I felt like Junior was wrong for throwing the book at Mr. P because he didn't do anything wrong and I think Mr. P is right for Junior to leave the rez because the rez is only going to bring him bad stuff and if he leaves he can get his life back together.

1. Do you think Junior will leave the rez? 2. Do you really think Mr. P is right for becoming apart of the rez if it was just to stop Indian culture?



Hi gentlemen! You are having a great discussion here. I have not read this book, but I am motivated to do so by your discussion of identity and description of life on the reservation. You've also talked a bit about the humor of the book. This is interesting, as the book deals with challenging issues of individual and group identity, which are not a laughing matter. What is the effect of using humor as a means of approaching such serious and complex issues? If you had to describe the tone of the book, how would you describe it? Remember that the tone is a little different than the mood - tone describes how the author feels about or treats his subject.

I'm interested to see how you two track Junior's character change throughout the book. What events do you think promote his change? How is Junior's perception of himself different from or similar to how other people view him, both on and off of the reservation?

Keep it up! - Ms. Craig

Hey guys, Kabir, I wanted to quickly respond to something you wrote on Friday. You wrote, "You're on the rez for a reason." What do you think that reason is? --Ms. Chung


 * Wednesday, April 27: Pages 44-54**

Kabir: Yes, I do think Junior will leave the rez because Junior wants a good life and not be tourchered somewhere where he doesn't want to be. My answer to your second answer is kind of. I feel like Mr. P is knowledgeable because he gives good advice to help out a lot of people but at the same time I feel like his motivations on the rez where bad especially trying to stop Indian culture. To answer Ms. Chung's question, I think that the reason is because of his economic situation and him being poor is what left him to be living on the rez and probably has no place to go but that may change especially in this chapter, When I was reading, a lot of thoughts came to mind. Firstly, I feel like the parents reaction was extremely weird because I thought that they would get mad and probably say no but it came up to be that they agreed and said yes! Secondly, I don't think Rowdy really wants Junior to leave. He looks like a tough guy from the outside but I feel as though he has a place in his heart for Junior and wouldn't want to lose him. Lastly, I think the book will take a turning point when he actually gets to Reardan because it's like a new adventure for him.

1. Do you think that going to Reardan will change his life? 2. Do you think Rowdy is going to get mad?\

Jose: Yes, i think Mr. P is knowledgeable because he's a person who cares about a lot of people like Junior trying to get out. And I think his paretns will get mad but let i happen when junior tells them. I think Junior did make a good decision to leave the rez because just as he said it. Staying there would have killed him. I think the it is messed up that Rowdy hit Junior because they've been best friends for a long time. It's kind of like me and you fighting. Also, I feel like Rowdy over reacted about the situation because even Junior said it himself, he doesn't try to act better than anyone else but Rowdy didn't want to hear it and i think that's very rude. Ignoring your best friend is a slap in the face for Junior and I think he feels pretty upset by that. Maybe there relationship is on a rocky road right now but will get better as the book moves on.

1. Do you think Rowdy over reacted? 2. What do you think is next between them?




 * Monday, May 2: Pages 54-66**


 * Hi Kabir, Jose and Stanley!**
 * I was so excited to learn that you guys are reading this book-it is one of my all time favorites! I have really been thinking about the relationship between comedy and pain. The first time I read this book, I laughed out loud more than I ever have while reading a book. Interestingly though, each time I read the book after that, I found it to be more and more sad. Do you think that the humor covers up the pain that Junior has to deal with...or do you think the humor helps to tell his story in a way that gets people to "listen." I guess I kind of worry that people might just laugh and laugh, but not stop to think about how amazingly brave Junior really is.**


 * I hope you guys are enjoying the book as much as I did!**
 * Ms. Y**

Kabir No, I don't feel like Rowdy over reacted because I think Rowdy felt betrayed and felt like he was lonely because Junior left and that made him do what he did which was give Junior a black eye. I think what's going to happen next between them is that Junior is going to leave and there relationship is going to get worser and worser as the book progresses. To answer Ms. Y's question, I actually agree with you COMPLETELY! I think that the humor does over shadow how brave Junior is because the humor makes people engaged into the book, not specifically to Junior and his actions. I think if there wasn't humor then people could see Junior in a new perspective which would help them become more sympathetic. When I was reading, this chapter really describes his struggles that he faced when he went to Reardan. I'm starting to think that his decision to go there was a mistake and he never should've of went there because I think he's going to face more struggles there rather than on the rez (especially with the large populations of white in Reardan.) When he punched Roger in the face, it showed what kind of person he is. It shows that Junior really does listen to the "rules" but also isn't that scared to stand up for himself when it comes down to him being an Indian. I think that he felt in a awkward position after the fight because he just thought he was being a "regular" guy fighting back to Roger because it was the "rules" but at the same time the reaction of Roger and the bullies got him thinking and maybe even regretting hitting them. 1. Do you think that Roger is going to be his friend? 2. Was going to Reardan a good decision?

Jose: I think that he has a good relationship with his dad because when he was going on to Reardan, he was saying his last good bye's and it showed that his dad was going to miss him but was proud of him for making that decision. I think that his relationship with his father will maybe make his transition into Reardan a little bit easier because i know it's going to be a hard transition especially because of the completely new environments. I agree with Kabir that when he punched Roger in the face, it was a turning point for Junior to realize that he doesn't always have to be tough to prove himself but at the same time i feel like they were feeling him out because he was the new kid and he proved them wrong.

1. How do you think his transition will be? 2. Are roger and him going to be friends?

Stanley: Rowdy's and junior relationship is weird because one of them is sticking up for each other. I believe what junior had done to move to the other school is a good move for him because change is good. Do you guys think that was a good decision for Rowdy ? During math class he was given an algebra book which had his mothers name it, he was fuirious and picked it up and threw it at his teacher. I can releate to what he did because it was kind of like a natural instinct for him. i wonder how he felt when his dad had to shoot his dog because of his dogs illness. If i was in his position i might have been upset with my dad for doing that to my pet. But in the end it was the right thing to do because the dog had to die.




 * Monday, May 4: Pages 66-77**

Kabir: Yes, I do think it was a good decision for Rowdy to stick up for Junior because he was able to show he has respect for him and will do anything for him, just like a true friend would do. When I was reading, I noticed how Junior told Rowdy about Dawn and started to cry. I'm starting to wonder if this foreshadows him getting a new girlfriend because it seems like he really likes her. Also, when they were talking, Rowdy was telling him to stop crying and I wonder if Rowdy wants Junior to toughen up because crying is not cool to Rowdy (I guess). I think Junior really does trust Rowdy with secrets because he tells him everything and I think Rowdy will keep the secrets to himself to because he's trustworthy like that. In the beginning of the first chapter. he rode a motorcycle with Eugene and I felt like he only did that for Junior to seem cool and look like he has a lot if he could ride with a person with a cool motorcycle. I wonder if that's the only reason because if it is, he's taking advantage of him.

1.Do you think he's taking advantage of Eugen's cool motorcycle? 2.Where do you think Roger's relationship is going to go?

Stanley: I think that Rowdy and Junior's relationship is weird and always has problems but at the same time i feel like there strong enough to pull through and work out their problems. It shows a sense of relief between them because there able to saty friends through anythign so there really strong. That's good for Junior because he needs that kind of support because he's out in Reardan now and not with Rowdy anymore. Do you think the relationships will last? I think so. When he is in class and talks to his classmates it seems like he's nervous and doesn't know what to say but i think that will change throughout the book. He will probably get a lot more comfortable at Reardan and speak out more which will help him socialize better.

Jose: I was thinking a lot when i was reading. This chapter talked a lot about his experiences at Reardan and i think it will foreshadow what's to come. The incident with the motorcycle i feel like was to show Roger or prove something to him. Not necessarily trying to act cool but i can see where that could come from. I think Junior was trying to prove that he has strong family members and that's where he gets his toughness from. Also, i think that Penelope will be his future girlfriend because i think he really likes her and will win her over at some point. Hopefully, that will be a turning point for him in his life and at Reardan.

1. Do you think Penelope will be his girlfriend? 2. Do you think he's trying to act too cool?




 * May 6, 2011: Pages 77-98**

Kabir: Yes, i do think Penelope will be his girlfriend because i feel like if the book wants to take a dramatic turn, thats the way its going to be so it shows that Junior grew up and doesn't have the same problems he did like being socially awkward. Yes, i do think he is trying to act cool because he's trying to get people's attention so he doesn't get picked on at Reardan especially because nobody knows him and they don't have a perspective on him. I think Junior feels very out of place being at Reardan because he's an Indian and most of the population there is white. This could possibly lead to many other incidents with the white people and with him in general because he's not able to relate to them very well like everyone else. I think the fundraiser for the homeless went totally wrong. He was trying to gain a good relationship with Penelope and raise money for the homeless but it turnt out than neither occured. He wasn't able to make the moeny because he got jumped and the relationship between them didnt change.

1. Who do you think Jumped them? 2. Do you think he feels smart?

Stanley: The fact that junior is now at a new school, is pretty stressful for him. Because he went from being bullied at his oldschool to transfering schools. So the only thing that is going to his mind is what should i do not to get picked on at this new school. Which is a good idea, but on the other hand he should just be himself. I agree with you kabir that the fundraiser went toatally wrong. And i believe he was jumped by the cooler kids at his school. Or by the kid and his friends who he punched in the face.

1. Do you think the kid he punched in the face jumped him ? 2. What do yo think he sees in Penelope

Jose:i think its good that junior is at a new schoolsince a big turn around




 * May 9, 2011: Pages 98-114**

Kabir: A lot of thoughts come to mind when i read this book. Now, im kind of noticing how this book is really developing over time and soon enough all of our questions will be answered...which is pretty E X C I T I N G ! The letter from his sister Mary shows how much fun she is having in Montana but on the other hand, Junior is over here struggling to fit in and is making the wrong decisions. Maybe, his sister took the right path and is doing well. Maybe Junior should follow and some kind of success will find him. One things for sure, staying in the situation he is in won't do him any good. I found something funny when Junior said "I always think it's funny when Indians celebrate Thanksgiving...the Pilgrims were shooting Indians." This made me think because he was right but at the same time i dont think he should be questioning whether or not he should be celebrating thanksgiving because he's celebrating it with his family and there shouldnt be a question about that. Maybe they have some kind of resentment for being targeted but at the same time they should be thankful they didnt get killed because if they did then they wouldn't be where they are now.

Stanley: I agree with Kabir that a lot of the questions i've been having are being answered towards the end of the book. Which is great because thought this would be a book that just left you hanging with a lot of un answered questions. But i was proven wrong. It was good that he received a later from his sister, because i would say she is someone he can just be himself around. Around the other student at his school he tries to fit in with them.

Jose:




 * May 11, 2011: Pages 114-130**

Kabir: I'm pretty sure that the person that he punched did jump him because maybe he would want revenge on him. I mean who wouldnt? If i got punched in the face by a new kid, i would feel threatened and fight back so i wouldn't blame Roger for doing that if it comes out that he actually did jump Junior. When i was reading, i felt like he was daydreaming way TOO much about Penelope especially like at the the softball game when he was describing what she wore: "She was wearing a white shirt and white shorts, and i could see the outlines of her white bra and white panties." This made me think that Junior was kind of a pervert and really didn't see penelope for the right things. Also, i cant believe they actually searched on google how to get a girl if your indian. It kind of shows how Junior is because he really doesn't have prior knowledge about girls. I mean his whole entire life he was never exposed to girls so what can he do about that.

1. Do you think Gordy is going to be a good friend for Junior? 2. Do you feel like he actually lost Rowdy as a friend?

Stanley: Since both of us both feel the same feeing that he was jumped by the kid he punched in the face, the chances of that being true is higher i guess. And i think he thinks about penelope all the time, because he really , really likes her. At the school hes at now he doesn't really have a girl friend, he feels comfortable being around. And i think he trusts and feels comfortable around Penelope so that excites him. To answer your question kabir yes i think Gordy will be a good friend to junior because he seems like a pretty nice kid, and not a touble maker.

Jose:




 * May 13, 2011: Pages 130-150**

Kabir: I don't blame Junior for feeling a little alone without Rowdy, his once best friend because he was a vital part of how Junior lived during his time on the rez and when he moved to Reardan i don't think he anticipated such a fat, big change. Junior and Rowdy not being the same friends as before can disappoint a lot of people because at first i thought as though there relationship was strong enough to last and not get ruined by going to Reardan. The fact that he sent a bare picture of his ass to Junior shows a sense of disrespect towards him and i dont see why he did that anyway. He shouldn't disrepect his best friend like that over a school change but im pretty sure he will come around.

1. Where do you think there relationship will end up? 2. If anything, do you think going to Reardan is helping him in any way?

Stanley: I think there relationship will end up on a bad note. Because as of right now i thought there relationship was ruined. to the fact that junior went to a new school. And Rowdy feeling sort of disrespected, as if they aren't friends anymore. Because they dont hardly see each other anymore. Then Rowdy totally disrespects junior by sending him a picture of his nude booty. I don't know what Rowdy was thinking when he decided to send that. But i think going to Reardan helped Junior out because he needed some space, from his old school , Because of the bullying and other things going on at his old school.

1. Why do you think Rowdy send Junior that picture?

Jose:




 * May 16, 2011: Pages 150-168**

Kabir: I think Junior feels very disrespected by his dad because even when christmas came around, he wouldn't use his money to good use and was not able to provide presents for his family but instead he felt the need to go get drunk and buy alchohol. I think this foreshadows what's to come because he's able to make inferences about his fathers actions and this will probably end up being a big event in the story. It's very surprising when Junior shows his feelings towards his sister because i just don't see Junior as that type of person to be so open about their feelings and such. It surprises me because out of all people, its his sister, who has gone away and didn't really have that much of a relationship with him. This could be a suddle but great change because his perspective on people and the things around him will change which may lead to him making new friends and not being socially awkward. This could be a good point in his career at Reardan because he will make new friends if this change occurs and will be able to do much, much more. His years at Reardan wont be so bad after all.

1. How do you think his school year is going to end up? 2. Will he be able to make a change?

Stanley: I think his school year is going to end up good. Because things are going bad right now. But i doubt that things will still be going bad by the end of the school year. If they are then Junior has a lot of problems. I thought it was despicable that his dad didnt buy him any presents for christmas. Instead he spent the money he was suppose to use to buy his son a descent amount presents with to buy liquor. I'm sure Junior would have been okay with his dad not having any money to buy him presents. But his dad had the money, and still only left him five dollars for christmas.

Jose:




 * May 18, 2011: Pages 168-179**

Kabir: I think its pretty crazy that Eugene died. I think Junior is going to be affected by it big time because the memories of him riding with Eugene to school with his motorcycle might flashback to Junior and he might be saddened by his death and the loss of his fathers best friend. It really surprises me that the person who killed him was his good friend because i mean good friends don't do that. It kind of shows the story of Juniors life, loss after loss after loss. I feel sympathy for him because of the situation he is in, never did i think Eugene would die out of all people. On top of that, they were fighting over wine or alchohol! It blows my mind, how are you going to shoot someone over a drink!!! That must be something very intense! I feel as though if your in a bad community then your opportunities are shrinked to minimum and thats why people fight over such little things like wine or alchohol.

1.Do you feel the same way about the killing of Eugene? 2. How do you think that will affect Junior?

Stanley: Yes i feel the same way about the killing of Eugene. But it was not 100 percent the other persons fault. Because Eugene could have just ended the argument, but he chose not to. For the other person to kill him being his friend was not cool also. But i remember a incident like this happening near my house, there were two friends playing cards and one of them had a gun , then they started to argue. And the friend with the gun ended up shooting the other friend, but instead of calling the ambulance and saving his friend he just let him die. I think because he panicked. But in the end neither of the stories should have let the problem escalade like it did, being that the two people were close friends.

Jose:




 * May 20, 2011: Pages 179-196**

Kabir: After all that Junior has gone through, i can see a change in him. His attitude has gotten a lot better and his perspective on many things have changed. Its kind of like how he uses Rowdy as a back to lean on but now since he doesnt have Rowdy as much anymore, he is exposed to doing things on his own without the help of so many people. This is kind of a good thing for him because he is able to experince and do good things on his own and find his true self. I feel as though if he is able to do this kind of stuff and make those changes, Junior will be a new transformed person. I think him playing basketball is good because he is able to do so much new things because there are more opportunities at Reardan rather than back on the rez. Maybe he could improve on his skills at Reardan because the team is better and it gets more serious down there.

1.Do you think he will do well in thte bball team? 2. How do you think Reardan is turning up for him?

Stanley:

Jose:




 * May 23, 2011: Pages 196-214**

Kabir: I wonder why Rowdy responds to Junior over a conversation about basketball but never responded to him for anything else serious. It kind of shows the kind of person Rowdy is because if he's going to respond to Junior over basketball but not maybe his situation with Penelope, he maybe doesn't care about his serious problems or doesn't know how to take it in. It saddens me when he talks about how many funerals he has been to! I mean forty-two funerals? Thats crazy and i bet every single one of them hurt Junior dramatically. He's a strong person for going through all those funerals and still be where he is right now. Thats amazing. When he explains the reason for most of my deaths, it kind of makes me think about his father. Is he going to die if he keeps on drinking alcohol? I think Junior should really think about if he actually wants to talk to his father about the drinking problem. I know he wouldn't want to lose his father, that would be a tragic loss. I cant believ his siter died and then he suddenly has ab erection? Thats indespicable!

1. do you think the sisters death is going to affect him? 2. do you think he is strong because of all the deaths he went through?

Stanley:

Jose:




 * May 25, 2011: Pages 214-END OF BOOK**

Kabir: There are so many changes in this book. From beginning to end, the characters have changed very much. The father has changed because before Junior went to the school in Reardan, he would've of never said he was proud of Junior for doing something good. Never has his father ever done that to Junior especially but his feelings about hat have changed very much and feels a lot more respect for his own son. It shows a lot because he was able to tell his son something nice for a first time. Also, his relationship with Rowdy changed a lot because towards the end, there playing games with each other when before they would barely talk to each other. It shows some sort of brotherhood for them because i cant see how there relationship could be so tough and then end so strong. After everything Junior went through in this book, from the deaths to the relationship troubles with Rowdy to punching Roger in the face to moving to a new school to playing on a basketball team, Junior has changed very much in a good direction because he was made so many changes. His life had been tough but he would always come out strong. Maybe he would complain but never did he give up no matter what the situation came up to be and he had some determination to get well and do well. In the beginning of the book, i never would of thought of Junior to be that kind of person but it turns out that he is stronger than i ever expected. Overall, this book was GREAT & i loved it!

1.Do you think he is a strong person? 2. How do you think this book was?

Stanley:

Jose: