7/8/2017 0 Comments Chapters 33-40Chapter 33
1. Mac says, "Things happen...they don't always make sense". Has anything senseless like this ever happened in your life? 2. He then goes on to say, "There's always bad stuff and good stuff in the world. I guess it means keep searching for the good." Do you think that it's always easy to look for the good in the world when things seem bad? Explain a time in your life when you had to look hard for the good... Chapter 34 Chapter 35 1. This chapter provides a big moment for Alex with one of his bullies, Calvin. He says that Calvin wasn't trying to act tough or cool, that without Jordan around, he was just a regular kid. Calvin then goes on to agree that Jordan can often be a complete jerk. It's important to realize through this that people often think that if they are friends with the bully, they won't get bullied. But, Alex noticed a bruise on Calvin's cheek and realizes this just isn't true. Bullies are usually bullies to EVERYONE-friend or not. What do you take away from this fact about bullies? Chapter 36 Chapter 37 1. This chapter displays an important and often used literary device: personification. As Alex calls into this home to ask if anyone is home the book says, "Silence answered back." Personification is the literary device of giving human actions or qualities to something non-human. Can silence actually respond to a question? Using personification often gives a more powerful presence than simply saying, "it was quiet." Think of other examples of personification that you may have read, or think of some of your own. 2. As Alex is helping put Nunu to bed, he notices that her things are over on his side of the room. He thinks to himself that "it didn't seem like such a big deal anymore". Why do you think he has had such a sudden shift in his idea about the room division? It was that very same morning/night before that he was so angry at Nunu for having her things on his side of the room. Why do you think Alex changed his perspective? Chapter 38 1. This chapter helps to draw an interesting parallel between the characters of Mac and Alex and the girls they care for? Do you see the connection? A parallel is used to show to similarities in situations or characters that may have at first seemed completely different and unrelated. Think about Alex caring for his little sister all day-even lying to her at times about the horrible truth of what has happened in Manhattan. What has Mac just done for his wife in this chapter? Chapter 39 1. Chapter 39 marks a change in the way the reader is following the narration. Previously through the book, the chapters have been separated by the narrator. At first we followed just Alex, then we met the Man in the White Shirt, then Mac. Now, in this chapter, we are jumping quickly between all three characters. Their roles in the story finally converging together. Based on the last line of this chapter, did you realize who the Man in the White Shirt was? Chapter 40 1. The reader and Alex are both so elated to realize that the Man in the White Shirt is Alex's father. After all the deal making and hoping he did all day, it was amazing to know that this unsung hero was our protagonist's (main character's) daddy. But, then at the break of the paragraph, we read a horrible realization for Mac. "But Mac's son would never come home." This is called a euphemism. We use them in language and literature all the time. A euphemism is a way of saying something in an indirect way. What does the euphemism above actually mean? They are most often used in negative situations, probably because it sometimes hurts too much to say certain things out right. 2. Chapter 40 closes with another interesting parallel. All through the descriptions of what is happening at Ground Zero after the attacks, everything was on fire. Now, there are two flames of the birthday candles that are creating a warm, sweet glow. What do you think this parallel might symbolize for the characters as well as the overall events of 9/11? Closing thoughts: 1. This book is filled with pieces of stories and accounts that were actually told by people that were at Ground Zero the day of the attacks; a lot of them horrible and scary and almost unbelievable. But, there were also lots of stories of people helping strangers; kindness being shown to strangers by the most unlikely of heroes. Think about how you might become an everyday hero like these people and show compassion and love to others, even in the darkest of times.
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Playday is over. Awards have been handed out. Tears have been shed. And the last bell has rung.
IT'S SUMMER TIME, YA'LL! Now, before all that wonderful, beautiful knowledge falls out their ears, let's get our kids hooked up with some amazing reading for the summer. Go ahead and order your copy! (Sorry, it doesn't look like it's available at the public library.) I will be beginning the work through it on Monday!
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