Acker > Recent Status Updates

It's interesting that he used the word "trapped." From the way he defended that toy booth, you would think that he loved working in it every day.

I love the connection between this book and real life with Papa Georges. The photos in the book from the old films takes this story to a great nostalgic place.

This is such a change for Hugo. He was feeling helpless, but with one quick vision, he has gained a confidence that he hasn't yet show. It shows me that he doesn't really need the notebook to build the automaton. He really knows what he's doing. All that his father taught him and what he has gotten from the old man have given him the skills he needs.

This compromise between Hugo and the old man seems like the right thing for both of them. They are using each other to gain and build trust. I think that both of them (although they don't show it) like having the other around. It is a good working friendship.

I think the old man is testing Hugo, too. By asking him to fix the toy, maybe he is trying to see what Hugo can actually do.

Hugo is being persistent. When the old man gives him the broom, it seems like he may have cracked the old man a little - as if he wants him around now.

When Hugo walked into the bookstore, it made him think of his old life with his friends and school. It seems like he wishes he could go back to the real world.

Hugo only stole what was not worth much to others, except for the toys. But those pieces and gears meant everything to Hugo. They kept him connected to his father.

Uncle Claude seems like he is opposite of Hugo's father. I mean, what type of person would take a kid in and then teach him how to steal for food?

We have to realized that as adults, the only way to win an argument with a student is to assess their actual needs and figure out how to meet those needs.

I am feeling really validated by a lot of the things in this chapter. The one thing that pops out to me wasn't explicitly stated in this chapter, but it's something that I have come to realize as an educator. "If you're trying to win an argument with a child (no matter the age), you've already lost."

Hugo thinks that they accident happened because of him. I wonder why. Maybe it's because he wanted his father to fix the automaton. But that couldn't have caused the fire, could it?

The thing in Hugo's hiding spot looks like that picture in the notebook. He must be building this man for some reason. I bet Hugo is gathering all of the gears to fix up the automaton. Does he think that he will learn something if he gets it to write?

It seems like this girl is going to be helpful to Hugo, but she might also be as sneaky as him. Especially since Hugo figured out she was spying on him, too. It makes me think that maybe she had seen him in the station before and wanted to watch over the old man.

Does Hugo think by following the man he will give him his notebook back? He might be hoping that the man will take him in and feed him.

Hugo is running around the station oiling and cranking the clocks. It's as if he's doing the work to make all of the clocks in the station work. This must have been his uncle's job. I bet the paychecks come to an apartment they have there. Maybe that's where Hugo goes when he goes through the vent. But shouldn't there be a door to the place?

I wonder why he has uncashed paychecks of his uncle's. It seems like his uncle must be in charge of him. But where is he? And why is Hugo rubbing his eyes? Crying? Is his uncle dead?

So some of the toys are missing. One of two things could be true from the last few pages. Did the boy steal them? He's watching from behind the 5 in the clock like a thief casing a house. Or maybe the girl stole them from him and that's why they're arguing. But he's not angry about it. He seems more sad.

This old man should be really happy based on where he is. But even though he's in a toy store, the way he's leaning on the counter makes me feel like something is wrong. Maybe nobody is buying is stuff. Maybe someone died. Or maybe he's just old and tired.

Jem is probably thinking more stuff is going to be put in the tree, but he also might think that it belongs to Boo.

When Selina tells about what Holly did, I got a new respect for her. It's like the hard exterior was created so that people won't see what she's actually doing.

It seems like Bruce has tried to get Selina to understand that their alteregos were created out of death. Not so much their deaths, but the deaths of the people in their lives. It's as if their sadness is what caused them to kill their original identities and turned them into Batman and Catwoman.

I like how they put the pieces of the letter together with each scene. And I really enjoy how Selina seems like she is motivating Bruce to get out of that cell.

Selina Kyle! I love Catwoman. I was thinking they were going to pull in Harley Quinn, but I think this makes way more sense. Selina will be able to get into places that others cannot. I can't wait to see how she is going to help Batman get to Bane.

It's so fun to open this up to my kids. Hearing them giggle about Jem, Scout, and Dill trying to touch the Radley house brings back all of the memories of reading this 25 years ago.

Great lead in to the next book. I love how Bruce is really trying to take care of Claire. But going to Amanda Waller could be tricky. Especially if she is sending him to Pena Dura to find Bane.

When Justice League appeared, I was really excited. It looks like Gotham destroyed them. I wonder what happened. Gotham Girl broke down and killed her brother to stop him from killing Batman?! But what does she mean about killing Batman? I think this is foreshadowing the rest of the story.