Post/Response #1 (Book 2)

[[deleted user]]

For this journal post, please do the following:
1. Put the link to your selected book on “Bookshelf” in the “currently reading” section.

2. Answer the question “Why this book?” in two to three sentences.

3. Remember that you need to use 2 vocabulary words in this journal post.

4. Initially, write the title of the book with link and the number of pages covered for this journal: i.e. pages 1-45.

5. In 75 words, answer the first part of the journal prompt using the sentence stems under “Writing Comments/Questions.”

6. In 75 words, answer the second part of the journal prompt using the sentence stems under “Writing Observations about your Reading Process.”

7. In 20 words, respond to another group member’s posting.

[Hilary]

Speakby Laurie Halse Anderson
pages 1-45

I chose to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson because books about the struggles of teenagers appeals to me. I thought it would be interesting to read about a girl just entering high school because I wanted to compare that to me just entering high school. I also wanted to see if I would be able to relate some of my experiences in high school with the character in the story.

I wonder what it is that the main character in the story, Melinda is hiding from everyone. She is just entering high school and everyone hates her because she called the cops on a party for a reason I have yet to find out. Not only is Melinda keeping it a secret from everyone she knows. She says things like “I wish they could understand why I did it,” or “if they only knew the reason why I did it, they wouldn’t be so mad.” At this point I am frustrated with her because I feel if telling everyone the real reason will pacify her angry classmates, then why doesn’t she do it? I do not understand how she can withstand the wrath of her peers in the halls at school, they seem so immature and rude because of the way they are treating her.

Time went quickly because was able to squeeze in my reading before my family came home from school and work. When my family is not home it is so much easier to read. The time also went by quickly because I was totally wrapped up in the story. I think that I will enjoy reading the rest of this book because so far it has been nothing but interesting. I think that Speak was a good choice for me because it is my preferable genre of books.

[Francisca]

True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall

True Notebooks by Mark Salzman Pages 1-169

At first this book did not attract, but my attention started turning once I started reading the first couple pages. This book pretty soon started changing my points of views of juvenile hall delinquents.

I was so surprise in how all of the sudden I changed my views towards these kids in the story. They are filled with so many emotions that no one would ever believe they would ever had. This story talked about all the people that would try to JEOPERDIZE their life. By having each kid getting involved in gangs, having drugs peer pressure, parents neglecting them, no moral support, and the worst of all them hating there life.


I figured out that no matter what situation these kids might have gotten into they should not get UNDERMIND. Everyone needs to be treated like human in order to have peace.

[Francisca]

Hilary wrote: "Speakby Laurie Halse Andersonpages 1-45
I chose to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson because books about the struggles of teenagers appeals to me. I thought it would be interesting ..."


It seems like this girl is being hated for doing the right thing. People should be understading and should respect her. No one deserves to be treated bad for any secom stances.

[Hilary]

Francisca wrote: "True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall

True Notebooks by Mark Salzman Pages 1-169

At first this book did not attract, but my attention started turning once I started ..."


The book sounds really interesting to me. Recently I had read a book about kids in a rehab facility and it sounds similar to the book you are reading. Even though the book may start off slow and uninteresting I'm sure it will pick up and get better. There are many books that I have read that I hated in the beginning and they turned out to have a really good story.

[Maria]

The Weight of Silence
By Heather Gudenkauf
Pages 1-92
I choose to read the book because when I went to Borders the book was in the same shelf as the others book as I read. I figured it would be a good book as well.


I predict… that they will find the girl safely. In the story two daughters go missing and one of them doesn’t speak for an unknown reason. In the last page I read Agent Fitzgerald comes into the story. And by the content around that area it sounds like he or she might be very useful person and I am guessing very good at what he or she does. I don’t think they got murdered I mean the community sounds nice I don’t see why anyone would want to hurt them. I think they might have just gotten lost somewhere in the woods.


I started to think about… everything that has to be done before school ends. Counseling class has me so stressed out over everything that has to be done: the interview, educational plan, and the final that is on 3 schools. That’s just too much. So I could barely focus on the book. What I did to WITHSTAND from losing focus on the book was by reading on Mondays and Wednesdays the days I don’t have counseling that way I wasn’t reminded of what I have to get done, and I was able SUCCESIVELY read through 92 pages.

[Maria]

Hilary wrote: "Speakby Laurie Halse Andersonpages 1-45
I chose to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson because books about the struggles of teenagers appeals to me. I thought it would be interesting ..."


It does sound like a good book. I agree with you too. When family and people that you know are around it is so hard to focus being alone is the way to go when reading.

[[deleted user]]

Hilary wrote: "Speakby Laurie Halse Andersonpages 1-45
I chose to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson because books about the struggles of teenagers appeals to me. I thought it would be interesting ..."

I am glad that you are enjoying this book. It sounds intriguing.

[[deleted user]]

Francisca wrote: "True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall

True Notebooks by Mark Salzman Pages 1-169

At first this book did not attract, but my attention started turning once I started ..."

I completely agree with your last sentence about how people are treated and deserving peace. From now on, be sure this second half is complete for full credit. It is too brief here.

[[deleted user]]

Maria wrote: "The Weight of Silence
By Heather Gudenkauf
Pages 1-92
I choose to read the book because when I went to Borders the book was in the same shelf as the others book as I read. I figured it would be..."

Good strategy in order to avoid being distracted by all on your "to do" list. I understand.