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Book #3: Peak

9/26/2012

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Book 2: The Last Think I Remember

9/10/2012

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Wow! What a page turner! Excellent plot to keep it thrilling, and yet the flashbacks and memories add depth to Charlie so that he remains a normal human.  I thoroughly enjoyed these books.  I also loved how Charlie has found truth and refuses to sell it.  I can't say that he's the most well taught christian, but he knows that God is with him and for him.  If you are looking for a book with adventure, mystery, and a character who refuses to give up even when all the odds are against him, this is an excellent book for you.  And, there are three more books in the series!

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Book 1: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

9/10/2012

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I loved it! I literally was laughing and crying at the same time. Now for all of you grown up high schoolers, don't get fooled into thinking that you can no longer relate to the plight of a middle schooler.  Sure the protagonist is only 13, but that doesn't mean that he is any less relateable.  If you want to get caught up in characters that go through trials with wit and heart, I would choose this book.  The character has to deal with family, health, school, band, and girl troubles, and still he made me laugh.  I've also read Secrets of a Midnight Driver, and I would recommend both.  

So here are my journal entries!
Character:
2.           
How did the main character change from the beginning to the end of the
story?
        I feel like Steven grew up from a self-centered, self-absorbed, self-pitying boy, to a self-less brother.  Now that might seem kinda harsh, but what I mean is that he seems pretty normal for a self-conscious boy who is dealing with a little bit of sibling jealousy.  I think that most of us were or are still a lot like Steven at the beginning of the book.  For example, when Jefferey breaks his nose Steven is concerned because he feels like he's going to get into trouble for getting up early and getting his brother "moatmeal." He's so concerned about himself that he falls into greater self-pity for the fact that he wasn't concerned enough about his brother.  He mopes because his mom doesn't call, or because he's exiled to his grandparents when he gets the flu.  But at the end of the book I feel as if he has grown up out of that stage that we all experience, and some never leave.  He is able to turn away sick Renee, and leave his moment in the spotlight so he won't have to leave Jefferey 's side.  

Plot:
7.     
What handicaps or hardships did the main character have to overcome? If you were the main character, would you have been able to overcome the challenges?  Explain.
        I know that cancer doesn't just affect the person who's body it is growing in. but maybe I didn't realize the extent of it's impact on a family.  Because of the first person narrative, we get first hand what is going through Steven's head as he first is in denial, how he struggles with anger and guilt, and how he is trying to make up his school work and still play with his brother, and how helpless he feels.  At the same time as he is feeling all of these things, he plays a major part in helping Jefferey cope.  He plays the frownie/smiley game, invents Matt Medic's powers, and he keeps Jefferey cheerful.  What was also eye opening was how he became more accepting and understanding of his parents' coping methods.  The whole family had to fight cancer, even though they did so in four very different ways.  

Narrative:
1. Who is the narrator in the story and why do you think the author chose this narrator?
        I think Sonneblick made a wise choice to have Steven as the narrator, because the story is realistic from his perspective.  Steven is melodramatic and sarcastic, and brutally honest in a way that seems natural to a 13yr old.  Adults know to edit what they say and even think, well, some do.  So the story retains humor and heart when it is told strait from Steven. 

 

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    Author: Mrs. Vanderwarker

    I'm an English teacher. I make my students read 20 books a year, so I should too.  Right?

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