Poetry Reading Response

         Teenagers around the world get influenced by there surroundings and friends. They want to fit into a group that they see, they want to be like them, and they want to act like them. In the poem “Please Don't Take My Air Jordan”, the main character is having the same issues. He is embarrassed to see his friends laughing at him. Therefore he will do anything to get new shoes or other things things to look good. The main character of this poem is influenced by his surroundings and friends.

          In the poem “Please Don't Take My Air Jordan” the main character feels embarrassed to see his friends laughing at him. So he steals or does anything to look good. The quote “I guess it makes me feel special inside / when I'm wearing fresh gear I don't have to hide”, shows us readers that the main character is assuming that if he wears old clothes, his friends will laugh at him. As a result of him thinking this way, the main character starts to steal things. “My crew's laughin at me cuz I'm wearing old gear / school's almost over summer is near / and I'm sportin torn jordans and need somethin new / there's only one thing left to do / Cut school Friday catch the subway downtown / check out my victims hanging around / maybe I'll get lucky and find easy prey”. The main character is so scared to get laughed at that he will steal from anybody. He will even cut school and go steal from someone with Jordan. This is a good example of what makes someone steal because he/she is influenced by there surroundings.

In the poem “Please Don't Take My Air Jordan” the main character starts to kill for his needs to look good.            He cuts school Friday and packs his gun and goes for hunting. “The red emblem of Michael looked as if it could fly / not one spot of dirt the airs were brand new / had my pistol knew just what to do / took off fast but didn't get to far / I fire (POW) he fell between two parked cars”. This quote shows us readers that he would even kill people to get his needs to look good. This shows us that he is so embarrassed that he was influenced to the point where he starts to kill. It also makes readers infer that he has bad or fake friends. It makes me feel this way because a friend wouldn't judge a person by how they dress, or even care about what that person wears. I think a friend is a person that wouldn't laugh at the friend. The main character has to change his way of looking good and start to wear things that his surroundings wear. This is another good example of what makes someone steal and kill because he/she is influenced by there surroundings.

         After reading this poem I realized that teenager needs to learn to find true friend that will not influence them in a bad way. The main character on the other hand was influenced a lot and caused him to do what he is doing, that is killing and stealing. While it is important to make friends, people should wear extra lens so they see whose his true friends or fake friends.  

Independent Reading Response 2/2/14

          There are lots of people in the world that are embarrassed to talk about things. Some people are embarrassed to talk about there personal life, about there family background, and some people are embarrassed to talk about there dads. In the book, “Secret Saturday” by Torrey Maldonado, the main character Justin is very curious and annoyed by his only best friend Sean for lying to him. One time, when Justin and his friend Kyle stayed up late at night, he saw Sean and his mom secretly walking somewhere. He suddenly asked Sean what was up, and Sean just looked away and lied. Whenever Sean gets into argument or a fight, he always brings up their dads. He will say the most nastiest things about there dads, and will hurt them mentally. Whenever Justin brings up the conversation about Sean's dad, Sean tells him that his dad is in Puerto Rico and looks after them. Which is a lie because whenever he looks away Justin knows he's lying. I think that Sean has a serious issue with dads, because he always hurts other students dad.

         One time when Sean was playing ball with some kids, Sean hit a kid name Chris really hard. When Chris was out and he walked away, Sean hit him again. Chris got mad and he stared at him. Sean looked at him and threaten him saying “I'll do it again if you want.” Chris rushed Sean and pressed his chest against him. Sean looked up at the ceiling and was waiting for him to swing first. Sean told Chris “hit me so I can knock your teeth out like your alcoholic father.” This shows that he has something against dads. Why bring up peoples dad and say bad stuff about them when you could say others things. Each time he gets into a argument he always makes kids feel down. I think this one good example of why he has issues that has to do with dads.

           In advisory class Ms Feeney brought a guy that went through struggle as a kid. He came to this class to talk about why being good and getting educated is a important thing. When he was speaking Manny a student in that class was starting trouble again like always. When the guy spoke Sean told Justin how corny the guy is. Behind him Manny eavesdropped and shouted out something that will start a argument. “Sean if you got something to say then raise your hand.” Then Sean started dissing him and made the class laugh at Manny. Than it got worse by Sean saying “At least I used to live with my father. Before he moved to Puerto Rico. Do you even know who your real father is?” Than the teacher got mad and told the guy to leave, because her class isn't ready for this. This shows us that whenever Sean gets into a argument, Sean will bring up there dads to diss them. I think that he is doing this because his dad is like the rest of the other dads. When the second advisory class started a guy that came in went to jail, and knows Sean's dad. This explains why he doesn't talk about his dad that much and why he always disses other dads.

         Overall I think that Sean doesn't like dads, and that is why he makes fun of the other dads. Sean's dad is in jail and he didn't tell anyone about it. Not even his only best friend Justin. He told everyone that his dad is in Puerto Rico, and works there for Sean and his mom to live peacefully. This made everyone believe that he has a perfect family. While everyone believed him he would insult and make fun of other dads. I feel like he is very embarrassed to tell people that his dad is in jail and not in Puerto Rico. Justin the main character should talk to Sean and explain to him that its okay for him to be embarrassed. He should convince him to not feel bad and move on. Also that hurting other peoples dads won't solve anything.  

Non-Fiction Reading Response 1

               Some people don't get justice for the killing of their beloved ones. According to the article “Justice Denied” by Dan Barry, Federal Bureau of investigation received a a letter from northeastern Louisiana, asking for justice in the killing of a well respected black merchant. For example, Frank Morris the black merchant died in the hands of two white men. One was holding a shotgun, and the other one held a canister of gas. Than he was found dead four days later from the fire that was lit that day. The author states that, the F.B.I told the people that the crime would go unpunished because, its said the local police were probably were involved in illegal activity. Some people like Frank Morris didn't get there justice, and the crimes were barely noted, much less investigated. People were afraid to come forward because of fear. Some of theses racially motivated killing was done by the Ku Klux Klan. At the time these group people were feared in the south. The F.B.I began a cold-case to investigate racially motivated murders from civil rights era. Although they are investigating, the government faced challenges. They couldn't investigate to give justice because of witnesses that were dead, suspects were dead, or the murderer himself dead. This article shows me how irresponsible the F.B.I are, and how bad of job there doing.

             The author who wrote this is trying to convey to us readers that racism still exist. It is also trying to shows us how people believe, and have faith in the F.B.I. One example is the colored people in Concordia Parish who wrote to the F.B.I saying, “ Your office is our only hope, so don't fail us.” This quotation shows us that, they truly believe in the F.B.I, and has faith in them. I feel very sorry for those people who aren't getting there justice. I am devastated to see that racism is still around. When the two white men killed Frank Morris by burning him I felt like it was the Ku Klux Klan's doing. The author shows different cases that involve racial killing. Frank Morris, Hosie Miller, Till, and some other people went through racial killing. Till a 14-year old black boy who was tortured and killed, because he was flirting with a white women. Hosie Miller, a farmer and church deacon, was shot by a white man in a argument over cows. This shows that lots of these killings involve racism. The author of this article is a little bias, because he stated that the Ku Klux Klan is responsible for many of the murders. He also stated that the F.B.I barely noted down the case, and much less investigated. Therefore, I conclude that this kind of writing shows readers that he is being a little bias. The colored people of Concordia who wrote to the F.B.I shows what they feel. There perspective shows the readers that they really had high hopes for the F.B.I.

           After reading this article, I can conclude that the F.B.I made a mistake, and they should have tried solving the cases when the incidents happened. They should know that if you resume a case after 5-10 years later the witnesses might be dead, or the murder himself might be dead. I've noticed that the cases close down, but opens up again, but the victims relative at the end don't get justice. Grace Hall Miller is a good example for this. Her case opened up again, and at the end after a careful investigation, she didn't get justice for her husband's death. She says “I guess they were just trying to make a show.” This quote shows the readers what she feels about the F.B.I. Once reading this article, I learned that not everyone in this world get justice for there relatives death.

Bibliography:

Barry, Dan. "Justice Denied." Upfront 18 Nov. 2013, Magazine ed.: 8-9. 

Revised Reading Response

        In the world there lots of people that gets education, but doesn't take it for granted. Around the world there are schools and there are kids learning every day. David Eliot from the book “Groosham Grange” by Anthony Horowitz is about a boy getting expelled for slacking off and not trying in school. His parents are very strict couldn't stand to see there only son failing and not trying. Then a letter came to the Eliot family inviting there only son to a private school that no one heard of. As Mr. Eliot read this and he didn't care what the family had to say and he send David away to Groosham Grange. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistan school pupil who is a voice to the girls who can't get education. She is a symbol of hope and guidance. The social issue that I care about is education because it makes me think about how Malala would feel when she sees David not caring about education.
         Education is an important social issue that lots of people don't get in the world. In the book “Groosham Grange” by Anthony Horowitz David the main character has no interest in learning. He got expelled from school because he was slacking off in school, and was not behaving the way he is supposed to. This is true because the principal of Beton College send a letter saying that David is expelled because of constant and willful socialism. His grades in class are below average and he was failing all of his class. He didn't even try to pass a class. If Malala would have seen this I think she would be sad and mad at the same time. The social issue in this book makes me think about how unfair it is to see kids not taking the advantage that they have for learning. The kids who want to learn can't, because of the Taliban. They shot Malala because she spoke out for the kids and their rights to learn. The quote “The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born” this quote shows us that Malala is no longer scared to speak out, and also that she is stronger than she was before. She will keep talking and speak out till she dies. This is her determination that will never change. Malala would be sad to see a kid like David not caring about school. It makes me think how unfair it is to see kids who can learn not learning, and kids who can't learn wants to learn. I think that Malala would also agree with me. The social issue that I care about is education because it makes me think about how Malala would feel when she sees David not caring about education.
            David in the book “Groosham Grange” by Anthony Horowitz says that he doesn't try because he doesn't like his private school. I understand that his parents are strict and want him to be in that school, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn't try in school. Lots of kids in Pakistan don’t even have schools because the terrorists are blasting the schools every day. They don't have private or public schools. If Malala were to see David act this way then she would be very sad. She would lecture him and try to make him interested in his private school. It doesn't matter what school you’re in as long as you learn. It doesn't matter if you don't like your school as long as you’re getting educated that's what matters. David told his parents “I didn't like it there anyway” this quote shows that he doesn't like the school he is in now. He said it like he doesn't care about he getting expelled. I think that David needs to watch Malala speaking out for the kids who doesn't have school. If he was to watch her and tried to understand how valuable it is to learn, than he would change to a better kid. Malala wants every child to get educated and make the right decisions.
            In the book “Groosham Grange” and the speech that Malala said has things with education. The social issue education made me think about how many people can't get education. It is unfair to see a child who wants to learn can't but children who has education but has no interest in education. David is lucky that he has school but doesn't realize that there people out there who really wants education but can't have it. I think that David should learn and also learn about the world. So that he can realize how important it is to learn.     

Reading Response: Critical Thinking Question 2

In the world there lots of people that gets education, but doesn't take it for granted. Around the world there are schools and there are kids learning every day. David Eliot from the book “Groosham Grange” by Anthony Horowitz is about a boy getting expelled for slacking off and not trying in school. His parents are very strict couldn't stand to see there only son failing and not trying. Then a letter came to the Eliot family inviting there only son to a private school that no one heard of. As Mr. Eliot read this and he didn't care what the family had to say and he send David away to Groosham Grange. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistan school pupil who is a voice to the girls who can't get education. She is a symbol of hope and guidance. The social issue that I care about is education because it makes me think about how Malala would feel when she sees David not caring about education.

Education is an important social issue that lots of people don't get in the world. In the book “Groosham Grange” by Anthony Horowitz David the main character has no interest in learning. He got expelled from school because he was slacking off in school and was not behaving the way he is supposed to. This is true because the principal of Beton College send a letter saying that David is expelled because of constant and willful socialism. His grades in class are below average and he was failing all of his class. He didn't even try in his school. If Malala would have seen this I think she would be sad and also mad. The social issue makes me think about how unfair it is to see kids not taking the advantage that they have for learning, where the kids who wants to learn in Pakistan can't because of the Taliban. They shot Malala because she spoke out. The quote “The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born” this quote shows us that Malala is no longer scared to speak out, and also that she is stronger than she was before. She will keep talking and speak out till she die. Malala would be sad to see a kid like David not trying in school. It makes me think how unfair it is to see kids who can learn not learning and kids who can't learn wants to learn. I think that Malala would also agree with me. The social issue that I care about is education because it makes me think about how Malala would feel when she sees David not caring about education.

David in the book “Groosham Grange” by Anthony Horowitz says that he doesn't try because he doesn't like his private school. I understand that his parents are strict and want him to be in here, but don’t mean you shouldn't have any interest in learning. Lots of kids in Pakistan don’t even have schools because the terrorists are blasting the schools every day. They don't have private or public schools. If Malala were to see David act this way then she would be very sad. It doesn't matter where your school is as long as you learn. It doesn't matter if you don't like your school as long as you’re getting educated that's what matters. David told his parents “ I didn't like it there anyway” this quote shows that he doesn't like the school he is in now. He said it like he didn't care about school or that he got expelled.

In the book “Groosham Grange” and the speech that Malala said has things with education. The social issue education made me think about how many people can't get education. It is unfair to see a child who wants to learn can't but children who has education but has no interest in education. David is lucky that he has school but doesn't realize that there people out there who really wants education but can't have it. I think that David should learn and also learn about the world. So that he can realize how important it is to learn.  

Reading Response On Critical question

            Many people in the world likes a boy or a girl and many people get divorced. These issue is happening allow the world. From continent to continent. In the book “Waiting For You” by Susane Colasanti a girl name Marisa is starting sophomore year with a fresh start. She is also excited to get a boy this year that she wants to fall in love with. While she thinks Derek is the one she also has family issues. The issue thats been bothering her is her parents getting a divorce. The two main thing thats been happening is she liking a boy and than breaking up to find true love and her parents getting a divorce. These two issues are also happening in our world everyday.

           Marisa a sophomore year student who never had a real boyfriend is set to get one no matter what. She is trying to find her true love which she thinks its Derek. On page 12 she talks about how Derek is her dream boyfriend who she will love forever. Than there is Nash who she knew for like forever. While Nash is smart and likes to be alone he has finally liked someone who he thinks he will never have. Nash likes Marisa, but Marisa rejected him saying that he isn't her type. She told him that she rather be friends than be more than friends. Marisa is naïve because she doesn't know that Derek isn't her type. She doesn't know that she can't get along with him the way she does with Nash. When Marisa is with Nash she can tell him everything and at the end feel happy about it. This is true because Nash makes her happy in someway. One time when Marisa had a jealously problem she went to Nash for help. Nash got an idea where they both stayed at home, got popcorn and put on a movie that Marisa likes. She enjoyed it and felt like she can stay here forever. These dramatic life of a girl can also be related to any girl in this world. I think that boy liking girls or girls liking boys is just something that people and kids go through everyday. It can happen in the U.S, China, Japan anywhere.

            While Marisa is looking for true love she is going through family issues. Her parents are getting a divorce thats affecting Marisa a lot. She can't stop thinking about how her parents are gonna separate and not love each other anymore. Marisa's dad is moving out because the mother cheated on him. The mother had an affair with someone else. When Marisa found this out she didn't know what to say or how to react. So she avoided her and told her that she is a jerk and that “How can you destroy our family like this”. This quote shows that Marisa really loved and cared about her loving family. Marisa felt bad about her dad and missed him a lot. She had so many good memories with him and thought of him as someone you can talk with. One time when they were sitting at a dock they talked about school life and other things. They also went sledding and had father and daughter day. Its like the dad understands Marisa a lot. Marisa now comes home and feels depressed. She is avoiding her mom and doesn't want to listen to what the mother has to say. I think that this is happening all over the world each day. The feeling of seeing your parents getting divorced and the disgust you have for the person who started is very struggling.

            I think that liking someone and getting a divorce is something thats happening in the book so far. These two things are happening all over the world and people have to face it. I think that liking someone isn't bad. Its something we all do in the world, but nobody wants to see a parent getting a divorce. I suggest that people should just face it and move forward.   

Edgar Allan Poe stories are entertaining to people and children, but sometimes have parts that aren’t mature for kids. They talk about things that kids might be influenced by. In the book “10 Mystery” by Edgar Allan Poe, it has complex language and lots of killing. When you are to read this book you will see the amount of detailed scenes in each chapter. The book tries to torture you in many ways. It makes you feel of what happens when you are a guilty person, or when you are a victim of killing. Thus, I think that Edgar Allan Poe stories should be banned from school libraries because the books are tended for mature audience. Banning these books will keep children from not being influenced. They will help kid’s minds healthy and not hurt them. Many book banners and overly protective parents think mature content will hurt younger children minds. Books like “10 Great Mystery” that have killing, death, or deep emotion will have a great affect towards younger children minds. Similarly in the article “Solon Iowa: the author explains how parents are filling complaints against teacher for teaching homosexuality. Parents in middle school in Solon Iowa filed a complaint for teaching “Am I Blue”. One Parent complained that it introduces a very adult and mature subject to an inappropriate young audience. The parents think this because books like these will influence them in some way. One girl Jess after reading a book she immediately reached for her blade. This shows that books may have a affect towards kids and might make them do something that parents don't want. Children under the age of 14 shouldn't be reading Edgar Allan Poe books. This is true because it has things that kids shouldn't have to be read about. The book “10 Great Mystery” has very mature content. I think that this book has very complex language that isn't easy for middle school children. It has high level vocabulary that can be hard for a 10 year children to read. This book has killing which can be bad towards children. The book has torturing scenes. For example the chapter with the “Tell Tale Heart” it shows what happens after you kill someone. It shows the torture you would go through if you killed someone. This will hurt children in some way because this kind of book isn't for people that aren't 18+. Another thing that shows that this book shouldn't be in the library is because of its detailed scenes. It has too many details that might hurt someone. For example “It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp” This quote shows that a killer is trying to kill someone quietly. The killer is speaking; the author wants the reader to know the feeling of when someone is trying to kill you. When I read this part I felt scared and wanted that old man to run away. Also this chapter of “10 Great Mystery” ends up with no happy ending of a chapter. This is another example why I think the some book should be banned in middle school library. Although the books are entertaining, addicting or have a good story line it is good for people above 18 not below 18.The books have inappropriate content and it has scenes that can hurt younger children mind. Kids that read the books will choose a choice and might hurt them in some way. I think that books that have mature content should only be read to adults and not children. Overall I think that books that have mature content should not be read to younger children. Parents and book banners feel as though it will hurt young impressionable minds of children. Also kids will be influenced by it in some way. I suggest that kids should avoid books that aren't right for them. I think parents should be aware of what their kids are reading and talk openly with their children about the controversial issue that are in these books.