Critical thinking question "Theodore Boone"

Theodore Boone: The Abduction

By John Grisham

            Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham is about a very clever 13 year old sleuth named Theo, whose friend April goes missing in the middle of the night.  The police suspect Jack Leeper, April’s uncle who was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping ten years earlier and has escaped and is possibly in the Strattenburg area, but he is nowhere to be found.  Even more worrying is that April, who has felt sorry for her uncle, has been writing to him.  April is not a very typical girl.  She comes from a strange family, where it is not unusual for one parent to leave town for weeks.  The last time that Theo talks to April before the abduction, she has locked all the doors and windows, scared of being home alone.  This baffles the police as there was no sign of a break in.  Theo knows he needs to take the lead.

            People in the small town of Strattenburg start to fear the worst.  Because of this, Theo takes it upon himself to find April.  The police are not making progress, so Theo puts together a search party, in hopes of at least getting some information.  Most people lose hope and this leaves Theo and only a few others to continue the search.  Theo is earning respect as a star investigator and legal expert.  Theo uses his vast legal knowledge (his parents are both lawyers) and his determination with few leads, to find his best friend and get her back safely.  It is a long journey for Theo but he never gives up.

            Theo’s character traits drive the story to its’ ultimate end.  He is smart, but nerdy, respectful of his parents and friends, but not afraid to speak up when he feels he should.  In a memorable scene, Theo is berated by a police officer who tells him that he cannot post “Missing” posters on utility poles.  When Theo politely points out that town law does not permit such postings, the officer tells him that he does not like his attitude.  Theo responds, “Well, sir, there’s nothing wrong with my attitude.  And, even if I had a bad attitude, it’s not against the law.”  Theo, with great intelligence, loyalty, conviction and legal knowledge ultimately chases down the truth to save April. 

Monday Muses: New York

Monday Muses: New York

                    This past week in class, we have been discussing what New York means to us.  One of our important assignments was to find an article, poem, or song that describes what we think about New York.  I chose to write about “Empire State of Mind” by Alysha Keys and JZ.

                        “Empire State of Mind” talks about New York at its best.  I think New York is what this song is about.  One of the themes of this song is that New York is very diverse “I used cop in Harlem all of my dominicano’s”.  This shows that there are all types of races and ethnicities in New York.  I really think that New York is very diverse as well. Another reason I chose this song to write about is because it talks a lot about how there is much opportunity in New York.  It says “New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothin’ you can’t do” There really is so much opportunity in parts of New York.  I think in Manhattan, there are many people who come there and do great things.  I also like how JZ says how New Yorkers have their own rude attitude.  Of course not everyone has that rude attitude about things, but I would like to keep thinking that they do.

                        I really think “Empire State of Mind” describes what New York actually is.  I think it is very diverse and gives many opportunities to many different people.  I think there is no place like New York.  New York is very unique in its own way and there is really, and truly, nothing you can’t do when you are in New York.  There is no place like it!

Speak response

 

 

 

 

SPEAK

 

by Laurie Halse Anderson

 

 

 

Laurie Halse Andersons's Speak, published more than ten years ago and banned from schools and libraries all over the country, tells the story of Melinda who has been a victim of "date rape" (in this case, she was raped while at a party with friends).  Melinda begins her first day of high school as an outcast.  No one will talk to her since she called the cops during a big party over the summer.  None of the kids at school know why Melinda called the cops, nor has Melinda spoken to anyone about it, including her classmates, teachers or her parents.  Part of Melinda's trauma effects her ability to communicate with those close to her.

 

Melinda becomes nearly unable to speak, in a sense, she is almost mute. "It's easier not to say anything," she thinks.  "Shut your trap, button your lip, can it.  All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie.  Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say."  Melinda seems to want to hurt and hide herself as she bites her lips until they are scarred and bleeding. She gains weight and wears baggy clothes. She doesn't want to look in the mirror.  Melinda is unable to move on because she blames herself for what happened that night.

 

Though the theme of date rape is very disturbing since the victim knew the person that ultimately hurt them, Anderson's book is hopeful and educational.  When Melinda finally interacts with her attacker, though it's very scary, it is also uplifting.  In the end, Melinda realizes that she has to speak up, not only for herself but for all the other girls in her school.  



                

 



 

 



Jacob Sutton 808

Should A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle be banned from our middle school libraries?

2nd Draft

 

          Our basic right, the freedom of speech, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, continues to be challenged in middle schools across the country as classics and other books are banned from middle school libraries.  Some argue that certain books should be banned due to questionable content, theme or religious issues, to name a few.  As a middle school student, it is disheartening and disturbing to witness the banning of great books, many of which are award winning classics  that have a profound effect on the lives of young readers.  One such book on the banned books list is A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle, the book I read as part of our inquiry cycle in ELA class.  While some religious groups have pursued a ban of A Wrinkle In Time because they believe it undermines Christian belief, I believe this Newberry Award winning classic should remain on the bookshelves of our middle school libraries because its’ messages of individuality verses conformity, and overcoming fear and being brave in order to connect with the people you love are important messages for middle school students to understand.

            In A Wrinkle In Time, Meg struggles to overcome her desire to conform and appreciate her individual uniqueness.  The great philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” (Goodreads.com).  At the beginning of the gook, Meg tells her mother, “I hate being an oddball…I try to pretend but it isn’t any help” (p.18).  Later on in the book, L’Engle shows the idea of conformity in the form of Camazotz, a town on the Dark Planet where there are rows of identical homes and kids that do the exact same thing as each other (one boy is punished and left to practice the “proper” way to play ball in an isolated room).  After a long adventure, Meg realizes the evil of the conformity on this planet and incorporates Emerson’s lesson of appreciating her uniqueness and the value of being herself.

            The characters, particularly Meg, in A Wrinkle in Time face and overcome their fears for a greater good – that being the love and connection with family and friends.  Meg is propelled to save her brother, Charles Wallace, who remained on Camazotz when they all had returned to Earth.  Though it was very dangerous, Meg’s love for her brother overcame all the fears in her path and with the help of the Mrs. W’s, she was transported back to save him.  Franklin Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (historymatters.gmu).  In the end, Meg overcomes her feelings of anger and disappointment and her fears because of her great love for her brother. 

            A Wrinkle in Time has been challenged frequently by Christian groups who took issue with a passage in the book which placed Jesus alongside Gandhi, the Buddha and Einstein in the fight against evil.  In Devourofbooks.com, it is suggested that Ms. L’Engle’s book “has been challenged for essentially being too liberal a brand of Christianity.”  However, Ms. L’Engle only uses Jesus’ name (along with others) to strengthen her theme about good and evil.  She makes a strong point when the three Mrs. W’s tell the children that there are some very great fighters against evil and the powers of darkness.  Darkness is the absence of light and Ms. L’Engle does not go against Christian beliefs and makes a great case when she suggests that the way to fight darkness and evil is through light and love.

             A Wrinkle in Time is a thought provoking great work of literature that opens up conversation for young people on important issues in their lives.  It allows them to question the ideas of good verses evil, individuality verses conformity and the nature of love between family and friends.  The book’s central conflict clearly dramatizes these issues in a very accessible way for middle school readers.  To ban this piece of literature from middle school libraries, would be a great loss for middle school students around the world.

Rough Draft #1

Jacob Sutton 808

Should ELA Teachers ban “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’engle From Middle School Libraries?

Draft #1

            For decades, organizations, parents and teachers have been challenging and banning certain books from middle school libraries because of its content, theme(s), religion etc…  These proposals and decisions have directly affected me and my classmates.  Yes some books do have mature themes in them but for the most part, kids our age should be able to handle this and make their own decisions on the books they want to read.  It is very disheartening to us to see books that we love to read in our own free time leave the library forever.  In my ELA class, we have just finished reading our inquiry books; books that have been challenged or banned from middle school libraries.  The book that I read in that time was A Wrinkle in Time  by Madeline L’engle.  I believe that this book should not be banned from middle school libraries because children love to read this book, it does not have any inappropriate content in it, and it is a big classic that has been on middle school shelves for many years.

            Many books that organizations are proposing to ban and have banned have no inappropriate content, or mature themes in them.  A Wrinkle in Time is one of those books.  This book is an inspiring, powerful and heart-wrenching story of a girl having the courage to stand up to a higher position of people that are being unfair to others.  In goodreads.com it talks about a wrinkle in time.  A quote from this book says “What is going to happen?"
"Wee wwill cconnttinnue tto ffightt!"…
"And we’re not alone, you know, children," came Mrs.Whatsit, the comforter. "…some of the best fighters have come from your own planet…"
"Who have our fighters been?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, you must know them, dear," Mrs.Whatsit said. Mrs.Who’s spectacles shone out at them triumphantly.
"And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”  This is a story that leaves readers thinking.  It also inspirers kids to work out their problems independently and confidently.  As you can see, this book was really meant for the level of students that a middle school has.

            A Wrinkle in Time is a classic that has been on middle school shelves for many years.  Since 1963, A Wrinkle in Time has been a book that has been in most libraries in America, even if it isn’t just for middle school.  People love to read this book and to take it away would be a crime.  Listverse.com says that “This classic has been readily available on most library shelves”.

            Some people may argue that Megg’s not having parents could interfere with a students’ emotional life. In mackidsbooks.com it says “many criticized her for having a strong female protagonist in a science fiction novel. A Wrinkle in Time was published in the 1960’s when many still challenged the idea of women being independent and self-sufficient”.  Obviously that is not the case now.  Students now-a-days don’t really care about what gender their character is.  If it’s a boy, that’s fine, if it’s a girl that’s fine as well. 

            A Wrinkle in Time is a thought provoking piece of literature that middle school students love to read.  Its powerful, heart-wrenching and tells an inspiring tale of how much a little girl could do, if she really tried.  It has to do with growing up which I believe is crucial in adolescence and middle school years.      

Jacob Sutton 808

 

           I wrote this poem because of what poetry means to me.  I love poetry!  Poetry is a vehicle that enables me to express all that inspires me. As a singer, I often think about how poetry can be  like a song.  Singing is what inspires me to write poetry.  I then think of a sufficient rhythm and beat for the poem like as I would for a song.  This is how I write all of my poetry.  This poem reflects my intimate connection with poetry, and what it means to me.         

Poems are like magic.

Your thoughts flow freely,

Like the water of a calm ocean


Or that of an angry sea.

Rhythm and style

Connect to paint a picture.

Emotions and thoughts,

Flooding your mind

Like waves that hit

Tiny,

Little shells.

Poems can be elating,

Gloomy,

Scary

Or infuriating.

But whether you think it or not,

Poems are all

 

Magical.

 

 

 

 

Jacob Sutton                                                                                                                            Theme

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

                                                                 By Sherman Alexie

 

           This weekend, I finished reading the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  This book is mainly about a teenage boy named Arnold Spirit (aka Junior).  He is part Indian and lives on his local reservation nicknamed the “Rez”.  He is not satisfied with himself or the life he lives because his family is very poor and can barely afford anything.  Junior has physical deformities and gets bullied at his Indian school because of this.  As you can see, Junior has a hard life.  Soon he transfers schools thinking it is the best thing for him to do.  He starts school again in an all-American school.  As he starts going to this school, making friends, and feeling more sure of himself, the reader can clearly see that one of the major themes in this book is Junior’s search for his identity and the courage to be himself. 

            After Junior transfers to Reardan, the white school, basically everything starts to change for him.  He meets new friends, joins the basketball team and becomes a star, and even has a girlfriend.  It all begins when he meets Gordy.  Gordy is white, but unlike all the other white kids in the school, he wants to find out more about Indians.  Soon, Junior and Gordy become friends.  Next, he finds a girl vomiting in the girls bathroom named Penelope.  When Junior finds out that she is bulimic, he tries to comfort her and they soon become very good friends. Junior’s connection to Penelope, gives him the advantage of popularity. "Everybody is absolutely shocked that Penelope chose me to be her new best friend."  Junior begins to see his self worth and has a stronger sense of himself at Reardan.

            Since Junior left the Rez to go to a different school, his fellow Indians treat him a lot differently.  They are bullying him, and saying hurtful things about him and his friends.  Junior won’t let this continue to go on much longer.  When he gets to play for the Reardan basketball team, things get a bit better for Junior.  The team helps him get over his fear of playing against his old basketball team and they help him have courage and strength against them.  Before Juniors first game, his coach says to him “if you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry.  But you have to use it, use your tears.  Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad Arnold, get mad.” 

            The book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian taught me a lot about having the courage to be yourself in the face of many obstacles.   In the beginning of the book, Junior was not able to feel comfortable being himself, however, by the end of the story, he proves himself, not only to his friends at Reardan, but to those who had bullied him throughout his life.  Junior eventually stands up to his challenges and fears and finally overcomes them.  

Jacob Sutton 808                                                                                                        CHARACTER              

 

Legend by Marie Lu

            I have just finished reading the book Legend by Marie Lou.  This book is mainly about two characters who alternate from chapter to chapter narrating this futuristic science fiction novel. It begins with June, a teenage girl who is wanted for unnamed crimes by the controlling government, the Republic and its’ police.   Neither group looking for her know anything about what she looks like as she has many disguises. On any given day, she might be wearing glasses and a mask or, as the media screen, the JumboTron shows her, June might have no hair at all. This demonstrates that June is a very sneaky and clever teenager. June, who is also the narrator, is aware of her pursuit as she comments, “At least twice a month, I see my Wanted poster flashed on JumboTrons scattered throughout downtown Los Angeles”.   As the Republic is unaware of June’s criminal activity, they sent her to the top University in the country because she had a perfect score on the entrance exam. June, who is very aware of her intelligence, is very snobby about school.  She is basically a celebrity in her school.  Everything she does is known by her classmates and members of the school.  Even though June gets in trouble a lot, teachers even like her.  While her criminal life is unknown to those around her, June continues to be a success in school. 

            Another character in Legend is a teenage boy named Day who comes from the poor sector called Lakes.  He is a “patriot” and is against The Republic which carries out unnecessary executions and does horrible things to the poorer people of Lakes.  He is working to stop them from continuing to do terrible things in the country.  He also works very hard to provide for his very poor family.  Even if he must resort to stealing, Day will do everything in his power to help his family and keep them safe. 

            Together, June and Day rebel against the Republic in very similar and dramatic ways.  They have no reason to cross paths until the day June’s beloved brother is murdered.  June, who is working for the republic at the time, finds out that her brother’s best friend, a soldier named Thomas, killed her brother by carrying out the command of the Republic.  At about the same time, Day finds out that Thomas is the same person who killed his mother (also by carrying out the command of the Republic).  They have no reason to cross paths until these main events in the story occur.  While June is fighting to avenge her brother’s death, Day is fighting for his family’s survival and for his mother.  Soon they are working together to stop the Republic from ruling in these ways. 

 

            The book Legend by Marie Lu is a book about courage and strength.  The characters of June and Day really make me think more about standing up for what I believe in.  They also taught me to ignore all the negative things people say about it and to never back down.  I enjoyed reading this book and I can’t wait to read the second one.   

 

Jacob Sutton 808                                                                                                        

In the Time of the Butterflies

            In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is the true story of the four Mirabal sisters during the horrible dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic from 1930-1961. In this historical fiction story, the sisters are outspoken opponents of Trujillo and his government and are doing everything they can to put an end to his vicious regime.  He is ruling his people in total fear.  The people that don’t vote for him or disagree with his point of view get killed.  This shows others not to disagree with him or they surely will be killed too.  In the process they are harassed, persecuted, and put in jail like so many others.  This is all while their family is being taken, one by one, by the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) under Trujillo’s command. He is doing this because he knows that the four sisters are trying to overthrow him and his regime and he is doing everything he can to try to stop them

            Told in a journalistic style, the voice changes from chapter to chapter, reflecting the point of view of each of the four sisters. The book starts with Dede.  Dede is the second Mirabal sister. In general, Dede is the more cautious sister and is not as certain about the revolution as her sisters are.  She has mixed feelings about joining the revolution, and in the end, does not join. Jaimito, her husband, doesn't want her being “killed” in the process. Dede doesn’t want to be killed either but she also, like many others, hates Trujillo and wants to help her sisters. Dede and Jaimito’s differences almost tear their marriage apart. She is always worrying about her sisters, telling them they'll be killed. Eventually her predictions come true. She has three boys, Enrique, Rafael, and David.

            Minerva is the third Mirabal sister. She is quite intent on law school as a young girl, and succeeds in completing her studies as an adult.  Trujillo denies Minerva her law license as revenge for her actions to overthrow the government.  She meets Manolo in law school and marries him. She has one daughter, Minou, and one son, Manolito.  In the story, while Minerva is in jail, she “preaches” to the other inmates that they should join the Trujillo sisters in rising up against the Trujillo government.   

            Patria, The oldest of the Mirabal sisters, is very religious. While looking for her calling from God, she gets married to Pedrito at age 16.  She takes the death of her third child as a punishment from God. She is keen on the revolution as well.  Patria has three children: Nelson, Noris, and Raul Ernesto.

            Maria Teresa, the youngest of the four Mirabal sisters is very creative and smart. She is married to Leandro who she met when he was delivering weapons to her sisters for use in the revolution. Maria Teresa has one daughter, Jacqueline. She joined the revolution because she wanted to feel worthy of Leandro. María Teresa matures into a strong revolutionary woman.