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.