A long way gone post 2

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Quote 1: "This is one of the consequences in the civil war. People stop trusting each other, and every stranger becomes a enemy," Ishmael said.

Significance: This relates to Ishmael Beah because he is in a war with the rebels. Ishmael has been forced to go back to his village and help defend it from the rebels control. I can't believe that kids who are younger than me has been forced to fight a war. Later on in the book, Ishmael may have to resort killing a rebel if they try to stop him again.

Reflection: If I was Ishmael, I would not do anything different. I would run away from the rebels everytime I get a chance. I can't really say if I would react the same way he did because my life experiences is so different from Ishmael's.

Question 1: If there was a war going on would you stay and defend your home land or run away and risk losing everything?

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Quote 2: " Is there an end to this madness and is there any future beyond the bushes," Ishmael said.

Significances: This quote relates to Ishmael feeling like a prisoner within the confinement of the bushes.On the other side of the bushes consisted of terror, killing and violence. It is the senselessness day in and day out the violence being inflicted on the villagers. The bushes is the only place he can find as a sanctuary from the violence. But Ishmael's determination to go home is stronger than his desire to be content within the bushes.

Reflection: If I was Ishmael, I wouldn't stay in the bushes, I would try to find a better place to hide. If the rebels find me, I would be force to fight them back or die trying. If all I know is violence and death, I would be pondering the question is there life after death.

Question: If you were a kid soldier, would you kill or run away?

A long way gone

A long way gone 1

Blog post 1

Quote #1 "This town will be next, according to the teacher."
Pg. 9 Paragraph. 4 Character: Ishmael Beah

What was the life/role of the characters in their home country?

Significance: This quote relates to Ishmael's life foreshadowing the physical violence he will be face with. The violence will be the reason why he will migrate to the U.S while the neighboring towns where being attacked , Ishmael's family's safety was uncertain due to the spread of chaos from rebel's attack. At this point Ishmael's role was survivor, not a child, nor a son, but a fighter.

Reflect: I can relate to Ishmael's school being suddenly close due to the rebels attack because a few years ago my school was close due to the wildfires. When the fire hit, I didn't know when school was going to open or my friends and teacher were in danger because of the wildfires.

Question 1: If you knew your community was going to be attack by a gang will you stay and defend or leave, explain why?

Qoute #2 "I heard that the soldiers are already on their way to get rebels out of the mining areas."
Pg. 15 Paragraph. 4 Character: Ishmael Beah

Why have the characters in your book come to America?

Significance: This quote relates to Ishmael's family. He's always wants to go see about them, but their is always someone to sidetrack him from going to his family, This foreshadows Ishmael departing from his town for safety. This is one of the reasons why Ishmael migrates to the U.S.

Reflect: If I was Ishmael, I would feel scared too knowing the rebels were coming to attack anyone who stood in there way. I can't even feel how scared Ishmael. Every time he had a dream, he can feel the pain of being shot. I probably can't live without my family.

Question 2: Would you feel running away from a group of people that wanted to harm you a cowardly action or a brave choice?

Reading response 3

Marques Williams
2/11/10
Blood is Thicker

1. What has surpised you in the book? Why?

What surprised me in Blood is Thicker is Savon's behavior to everyone. In the beginning he was nice to everyone. Would help out his uncle in the store. Since then, he has been causing lots of trouble to everyone. He has even joined a gang after losing weight. Savon thought joining a gang would make him mean. This is what surprised me in the book.

2. How did what you read today make you feel? Why?

What I read made me feel sad about Hakeem because he has a lot on his hands, including taking care of his dad. Savon bugs him about every little thing. Its hard for Hakeem to play his guitar or give guitar lessons to his next door neighbor because Savon keeps his bedroom lock most times which is where he keeps his guitar. Savon does what ever he wants and Hakeem ends up cleaning the mess Savon leaves behind. That is why I feel sad for him. Life is not fair. We must deal with whatever life hands us.

Reading response 2

Reading response 2

Marques Williams
2/9/10
Blood is Thicker
Paul Langan

1. What does this book make you wonder about? Why?

This book makes me wonder what Savon is going to do next. I also wonder about Hakeem's relationship with his cousin Savon. What Hakeem going to do with Savon. This story makes me wonder if Hakeem and Savon would get in a fight. Some thing is always going on between them. I wonder what will happen in the conclusion of the story.

2. Do you think you would read another book by this author? Why or Why not?

Yes, because he puts a lot of suspense and drama in the book. Also the way he writes makes me wonder what is going to happen next. I read a couple of other books such as The Bully and The Gun. It contains lots of drama and real life situations. I can relate to the author's novel because often they are based on teens like me.

Reading response 1

Marques Williams

2/9/10 5:00 p.m.

Blood is Thicker by P. Langan

Pespective: Hakeem
Choice 2. Pretend you are one of the characters from the book and write a journal entry in their perspective;

Inside of me all I was wondering what's been happening, I thought this was just 1 big dream. Eventually I would wake up in my own room with a soft mattress. WRONG! my life has been teribble since I moved to Detriot. Savon, my cousin has been acting wierd and mean.

I hate Detriot . I want to move back to California, waking up to silence. I never woke up to silence since I've been here. I don't have a girlfriend anymore. I hate this. I never want to wake up listening to snoring again. With all of this, I have to work too. We could have been living in Southern California. I can't even sleep on a hard mattress near Savon's bed. The floor is my bed. Savon keeps me out of the room too. I can't even talk to my cousin . We are family, but Savon don't act like it. I thought blood was thicker than water.