The Boy in Striped Pajamas chapters 17-20

I found these last chapter were also sad. I thought that these chapters were sad because Bruno was going to go back to Berlin which means that Bruno will not see Shmuel again. That was sad because Bruno was talking with Shmuel for a year, and Bruno has to leave the concentration camp and never see Shmuel again. It was also sad that Shmuel's father disappeared and couldn't be found. That was sad because Shmuel had lots of things taken away from him. One thing taken away from Shmuel was his life before going to the concentration camp. Yet another thing that was sad was that Bruno would be without a father if he went back to Berlin. That would be sad because Bruno likes his father. The last thing that was sad was that Bruno and Shmuel both died. That was sad because those two were the main two characters and they both died from the poisonous gas. This is why I found these last chapters to be extremely sad.

the boy in striped pajamas chapters 13-16

These chapters were sad and somewhat interesting. It was sad that Pavel and Shmuel got beaten by Lieutenant Kotler. That was sad because the Lieutenant thinks that he is better than everyone else. On the other hand, it was somewhat interesting because Bruno's friend Shmuel is in Bruno's house cleaning the glasses for the party. This was interesting because it is the first time that Shmuel is in Bruno's house and Bruno and Shmuel talk to each other. Despite the fact that Shmuel gets beaten up for having chicken that was for the party. Another reason why that this chapter was interesting was that Bruno got his hair shaved because of lice. This was interesting because he looks somewhat (just being bald) like his friend, Shmuel. This is why I found these chapters to be sad and somewhat interesting.

The boy in striped pajamas chapters 9-12

These chapters weren't as interesting as the last four chapters. The reason why it wasn't as interesting as the last for chapters was because there wasn't as much action.

I liked how John Boyne explains why they have to move to the new house in the middle of the house. I also found it sad that Bruno has no idea why his new friend Shmuel is there, Bruno just thinks that his friend is there for the same reason why he is there. This is sad because Bruno is oblivious to everyone else's problems and if he goes to a certain place and someone else also goes there, it is for the same reason why he is there. It is also sad that Bruno thinks that everyone has dinner at the same time. This is why I feel sad for Bruno.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas chapters 5-8

These chapters were more interesting than the first four chapters. These chapters were also somewhat sad. They were somewhat sad because Bruno didn't know what Heil Hitler meant. This is sad because he thought it meant goodbye. Another reason why these chapters were sad was because Gretel and Bruno first thought that Maria, the maid was just a servant so she had no feelings. This is sad because they think that some people have feelings and other people don't.

These chapters were more interesting because Bruno played on a swing. That made it more interesting because there was action in these chapters. It was also interesting how Bruno's grandfather and grandmother met. It is also interesting that Bruno likes to do magic tricks and Gretel likes to dance. I liked how his grandmother made plays for Christmas. This is why I found these four chapters to be more interesting than the first four chapters.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas chapters 1-4

In the book, I found it sad that Bruno had to move to a new home that wasn't as nice as his previous home. I found that to be sad because he lost all of his friends, the home wasn't as nice, and the location of the house was very different that the location of his old house. That is sad because in the street of his old house, he could always find nooks and crannies, but in the new house, there were no nooks or crannies because the street was empty. I also found it sad because he had to pack his stuff one day without any warning. This is sad because if I had only one day to pack to leave to a new home, I couldn't accept the fact that I was moving. These are all of the reasons why I thought that these four chapters I felt sad for Bruno.

Choice books

I would like to read Black Hawk Down or The Boy in Striped Pajamas.

Chapter 21 feelings

I thought that this was an extremely sad chapter. I thought that this chapter was sad for many reasons.

One of the reasons why I thought that this was a sad chapter was because the rebels went into the town where Ishmael was living in a that time. I thought that this was sad because there was a chance that Ishmael might of been killed by the rebels, or became a child soldier again, but maybe a soldier for the rest of his life. Another reason why I thought that this chapter was sad was because Ishmael's uncle died. This was sad because Ishmael lost someone who was close to him. Another reason why I thought that it was sad was because he left to go to Guinea, and had to travel alone. I thought that this is sad because he must do the majority of the things alone. I also found it sad that trust is gone in almost everyone. I say this because when Ishmael got to Guinea, he didn't look directly at the soldiers' eyes because he was afraid that the soldiers would realize the Ishmael was a child soldier leaving Sierra Leone. 

This is why I thought that chapter 21 was sad.

Chapter 19-20 feelings

These were also some of the best chapters so far. One reason why is that he went to America. That was good because he got to talk to the UN about the problem in Sierra Leone. That was good because it opened the mind of Americans about the problems in other countries. It was also good that he got to see parts of America, which he would otherwise not see. Another good thing is that Ishmael actually has a surrogate family. This is good because Ishmael has people he can talk to when he has any troubles. Another good thing was that Ishmael finally got to have fun. This is good because Ishmael didn't really have fun since he had to run away from the war.

Another good reason why I thought these were some of the best chapters was that there were no flashbacks about the war. There were also no violent nightmares relating to the war. This is why I thought these were some of the best chapters I have read so far.

Chapter 17-18 feelings

I thought that these chapters were some of the best chapters so far. I thought this because the kids aren't fighting in the war anymore.

My feelings for chapter 17 was happiness. I was happy because Ishmael had someone to tell his dreams to. I was also happy because Ishmael got to listen to rap music. This way, Ishmael got to relive part of his childhood. It was peaceful to know that Ishmael made a new friend. I thought this chapter was somewhat sad because of the memories. One of the memories was that he was shot in the leg.

My feelings for chapter 18 was also happiness. I was happy that Leslie found Ishmael's uncle. That made me happy because Ishmael lost everyone from his direct family, and didn't know about his uncle. That is why it made me happy. This is why I was happy that Ishmael got to meet his uncle for the first time. 

chapter 15-16 feelings

I found these chapters to be interesting. They were interesting because the UNICEF workers picked up some of the child soldiers like Ishmael and some of his friends. I was happy when the UNICEF workers picked Ishmael to take with them. I was happy because Ishmael didn't have to fight in the war anymore. I think that the UNICEF workers weren't thinking when they put the rebel child soldiers and the army child soldiers in the same room. I think it was a mistake because those soldiers still hated the other armies guts. Also I was glad that Ishmael is starting to get used to a normal life, and not killing someone everyday.

Choice books

I don't really care what books we read, but I would prefer to read science fiction books.

Chapter 13-14 feelings

I think that these chapters were the goriest chapters so far. One reason why these were the goriest chapters was because the soldiers attacked the rebels. Also the only movies they watched were war movies like Rambo and Commando. Another reason why is that they were hooked on drugs like marijuana. It was primarily bad because of all of the blood, and the desensitized children like Ishmael.  Another reason why is that the only thing that the kids thought of was about war. It was saddening because there was a reward for whoever killed the victim first, and the people didn’t think about the people they killed. It was also sad because after the first fight against the rebels, then Ishmael didn’t care about the people he shot, and found it easier to kill the rebels. I found it especially sad because some of Ishmael’s friends were killed. The two friends were Musa and Josiah. It was sad because Musa told stories that picked up Ishmael and his friends when they were sad, and since Musa died there was no more storytelling. This is why I thought that these two chapters were sad and the goriest chapters.

Chapter 11-12 feelings

My feelings at the beginning of chapter 11 weren’t as bad as the ending of chapter 11. For example, at the beginning, everyone was happy that they were going to see their parents again because they didn’t see their parents for a long time. Everyone was looking forward to going to the village. When they were going to the village, I also had the spark of hope of the kids finding their loved ones. Everyone that Ishmael and his friends find that Ishmael recognizes as a friendly person brought me joy because those people might help Ishmael find his family. I was upset when the got to the village, the rebels burned and destroyed the village. It also made me upset because Ishmael and his friends just lost their family because of the senselessness of the rebels. I was also upset that everyone went crazy because of the burning of the village.

            It was slightly uplifting when the soldiers found Ishmael and his friends because they would be protected, but also it as saddening because I knew that they would become child soldiers. It was pretty uplifting until the rebels were in the forest, and everyone in the village had to be trained to prepare for battle against the rebels. It was then sad because Ishmael will go on a killing spree killing people for three year.s

Chapter 10 feelings

I was glad at the beginning of the chapter because one of the villages welcomed them, and let Ishmael and his friends go hunting with them. I was happy that Ishmael and his friends finally got to eat in a feast with one of the villages because all of the other villages fled from Ishmael and his friends. I found it a little odd that everyone in that village was so kind to Ishmael and his friends because everyone from the other villages tried to avoid them. When they left the village Ishmael and his friends were having fun in a long time by dancing. I felt bad for them when they woke up and found out that all of the meat was gone. I was angry at the dog for taking their meat. I felt bad for what happened to the boys because of the rebels. I especially felt sad for Saidu because his sisters were raped, and he couldn’t leave the attic, because if he did he would be shot and killed.

            I found it odd that a crow fell out of the sky, and wasn’t dead. I think that Saidu got sick, then died because he ate the bird. It made me happy when a woman said that she had seen Junior, and the rest of Ishmael’s family. It made me happy because it was possible that Ishmael might be reunited with his family again. It was sad when Siadu died and was buried. 

chapters 8-9 feelings

Chapter 8 wasn’t as bad as I predicted it to be. I thought that there be lots of blood and violence because of the lack of violence in the previous two chapters. I felt bad for Ishmael because he is all alone in a forest with no one except for animals. I also felt bad for him because if he were to encounter an angry leopard, wild pig, or the like, then he will die.  Also felt scared for him because wild pigs rampaged after him in the middle of the night, and was chased for half a mile until he climbed a tree. I agree with the line: “If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she ill die.” I agree with this because if you think something good will happen tomorrow, then you want to survive to see that happen, but if think that everything will be bad forever, then you will give up and die. I think what kept Ishmael alive is that he thought that he might see Junior again, or the war will end soon, so life will go back to normal. I felt grateful that Ishmael met familiar faces in the forest.

            The beginning of chapter 9 makes you feel like you were there at the Atlantic Ocean hearing the waves crashing into the shore. I felt bad for Ishmael and his friends when the fishermen took their shoes off and chased then away, so Ishmael and his friends’ feet were burning from the sand. I felt grateful for the man who helped eased the pain of Ishmael and his friends, and also gave then food and drinks. The man was so kind to Ishmael and his friends, I too wanted to know the fisherman’s name. I felt bad that Ishmael and his friends were caught by the same people again. Ishmael was once again saved by rap music.

chapters 6-7 feelings

My feeling about chapters 6-7 was sadness. I thought that these chapters were mostly on how he felt. I felt sad because the rebels destroyed the life of everyone in Sierra Leone. I also felt sad because Ishmael and Junior were separated and never saw each other ever again. I was also sad because a twelve-year-old boy was thought to be dangerous, and can’t be trusted.  I think that Ishmael was heartbroken because he lost his friends and siblings because of the rebels. I felt sad for the imam because once the prayer was started, nothing could be said unless it was related to the prayer, so everyone left quietly so the imam was the only person in the mosque, and was killed.

            I found it amazing that he was able to climb that coconut tree that one time, and that was the only food there, and wasn’t able to climb coconut trees again. I felt bad for Ishmael and his friends because they had to move in the bushes so they wouldn’t be harmed by the villagers.

Chapters 3-5 feelings

These chapters aren’t nearly as bad as the first two chapters. They weren’t nearly as gruesome. In the third chapter, it made you feel scared. I felt scared to what will happen to Ishmael and his family when the guns went off. When the guns went off, it made you wonder what will happen. In the third chapter it also made you feel sad. It made you sorry for the citizens of Mattru Jong. It made you sorry for them because of the attack of the rebels, and that the soldiers left the village before the attack. It also made you feel sad because handicapped people couldn’t be helped because both the handicapped person and the helper would be shot and killed. It also made you sorry for them because if they were captured and then escaped, they would die from the government’s military without question. You also felt sorry for Ishmael, his brothers, and his friends in the beginning of chapter 4 because they are all alone. This chapter was somewhat gruesome because of all of the severed body parts. Also you had to feel sorry for Ishmael because his brother was almost shot. In the fifth chapter, you felt sorry for them again because they were very thirsty and hungry. Also you felt sorry for them when the rebels found them and could’ve of killed the six of them very easily. 

Chapters 1-2 feelings

I felt that the first two chapters were gruesome, horrible, and saddening. I felt this because of all of the blood. I don’t like war, and even having kids my age fighting in the war makes it even worse.  I thought that it was gruesome because the rebels were destroying all of the villages and killing most of the villagers. I thought that the rebels and the government’s actions were horrible. One example was when the guy vomiting blood and had a bleeding arm. Another thing I thought was horrible about the rebels and the government’s actions was that several people were already killed in Ishmael’s grandma’s village. The other horrible thing was that a baby was shot, and the women dripping behind her. What I thought was sad because the refugees lost their homes, and had nowhere to go. I also felt sad when Mobimbi, Ishmael Beah’s village was destroyed and Ishmael, his brothers, and friends, couldn’t find Ishmael’s parents. These were my feelings of the first two chapters.

Things Fall Apart blog

The Ibo people’s response’s arrival and settlement of the white man was okay at the beginning. At first, the Ibo people couldn’t care less about the British. When Mr. Brown came the people liked him because he was kind and was helpful to the people of Umoufia. Also there was a trading post so the Ibo people could trade with other towns to get more money. Some of the Ibo people like the people from Abame were totally destroyed by the British. This shocked the people because they learned that if you kill a white man, then you would be killed. Then when the missionaries came, the Ibo people didn’t want to harm them because tey didn’t want to end up like Abame. The Ibo people weren’t paying much attention to the missionaries because they still believed very firmly in their religion. When Rev. Smith came, almost everyone didn’t like him as much as Mr. Brown. In the prisons, the people had to travail like doing stuff that they would never do, like getting rid of all of the weeds. Also, the court messengers (kotma) were very strict and didn’t like any of the people in the tribe.  These kotma beat the prisoners. The British were beating all of the native people who didn’t convert. The British view of Africans and their way of life was that their way of life is wrong because they (the British) were successful, so they thought that their way of life was the only right way. Also, they believed that their religion is that only real religion and that everyone should have the same religion. At the end, all of the Ibo tribes had fallen apart due to the British.

Ibo proverb "Mother is Supreme"

Okonkwo ignores/refuses to acknowledge the “female” virtues in himself and others in several different ways. This one-sidedness creates several problems in his life. Some ways that he refuses to acknowledge the “female” virtues in others because he thinks that everyone should be like him and have the same values and virtues. Also, he thinks that he cannot show any “female” virtues in himself or else he will look like a woman. This one-sidedness causes huge problems in his life, like how to be compassionate to others. Also, he ignores the “female” virtues, and that everyone should work hard everyday. His one-sidedness create problems with his is so one-sidedness makes him think that everyone should work hard everyday and shouldn’t every have a break. Also he thinks that he shouldn’t be compassionate. This is how Okonkwo ignores/refuses to acknowledge the “female” virtues in himself and others, and how his one-sidedness creates problems in his life. 

Opinion of Okonkwo

After I read the first four chapters my opinion of Okonkwo is that he is becoming somewhat crazy and not that smart. I think this because he broke the Week of Peace. In the Week of Peace, no beating, killing, or anything that is harmful. This is one reason why Okonkwo is becoming crazy. Another reason why Okonkwo is becoming crazy is that he is taking out his anger on his kids, wives, and Ikemefuna. An example when he beat them was in the Week of Peace (his third wife) and when Nwoye and Ikemefuna couldn’t successfully plant yams. A third reason why I think that Okonkwo is somewhat crazy is that for important events that he uses his first human head to drink his palm wine. This is why I think that Okonkwo is becoming somewhat crazy.

            I think that Okonkwo is not that smart for several reasons. The first reason is that he broke the Week of Peace just because his third wife was getting her hair done, and not making him lunch. The second reason why is that he stammers when he is upset and has to use his fists to settle arguments and not finding an agreement. This is why I think that Okonkwo is not that smart. This is my opinion of Okonkwo after reading the first four chapters.

So Much Unfairness of Things

Based on the story, I think that either Jumbo, he (P.S.) will turn him in, or he will go to Colorado and forget about cheating. I believe this because P.S. feels guilty about cheating. He feels guilty about cheating because he knew that he cheated, and the punishment for cheating. Another reason why he might have been that he was tired of V.P.S., and wanted to go to another school. This is why P.S.  might turn himself in.

            Jumbo might of turned P.S. in because Jumbo is not that smart so he might cheat, and notice that P.S. was cheating. Jumbo might turn P.S. in because he saw P.S. get unauthorized assistance on the test. This is the reason why I think that Jumbo might turn P.S. in.

            The other thing that could happen is that knows one knows that P.S. cheated, and he and Charlie will go to Colorado. This could happen because P.S. was looking forward to going to Colorado for the summer. Also, his father would be proud of him for passing the Latin examination. This is why he might go to Colorado, and not turned in for cheating.

            I believe that P.S. will be turned in for cheating because there were several people in the room, therefore someone will most likely turn P.S. in.

Fridayfillins.blogspot.com #85

1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was Filet Mignon.

2. Playing football is something I intensely dislike.

3. The full moon was a blue moon.

4. Sup Dawg? is one of my favorite local expressions.

5. Sometimes it's best to follow the group.

6. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is the best movie I've seen so far this year!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to sleep, tomorrow my plans include having my friends over and Sunday, I want to sleep!

Not Waving But Drowning

In my life, my opinion has changed about several people over the course of my life. Some examples are on of my friends Taylor and my eighth grade history teacher Mrs. Fidler.

In my life, my opinion has been changed. This person was Mrs. Fidler, my eighth grade history teacher. When I first got to Orchard in third grade up until seventh grade, I thought that Mrs. Fidler was strict and mean to all of the students. In those years, I tried to stay away from her. When I got into eighth grade though, my opinion was changed greatly. I learned that she was actually a kind and caring teacher. I also happened to feel more comfortable in her presence, unlike in the previous five years. I also learned that she is only really mean to people that haven’t reached eighth grade at Orchard yet. I felt bad that my intial impression was proved wrong.

            What I learned from this experience is that if you make an early impression on someone, then you should keep an open mind because that impression could be changed drastically. Initial experiences could hamper a friendship because you see them do one bad deed, and you believe that they always do that even though they might never do it again. I think that keeping an open mind is the best way to go after you make an early impression on someone.

Monitoring Sites with a Hawkeye

I agree that sites like Facebook, MySpace, etc. should be monitored. I think this because people shouldn’t post things that are harmful to another student, someone’s religion, the way they look, or what sport they do. I think that if someone posts something mean to someone, then that person should be suspended. I think that they should be suspended because things could hurt someone’s feelings. Also it is just like bullying someone. I also think that if an athlete posts something mean, then that person can participate in sports for the rest of the season. I disagree that senior members should monitor the sites. I think this because that senior could be related with someone post harmful things. Therefore that senior might not want their grandson or daughter to get into trouble. I think that people who know none of the students or the student’s parents should monitor the sites. If those people monitor the sites, then they will have no bias against any students. I also agree that coaches should also monitor the sites to. I think this because the coaches would know right away which one of their athletes was in trouble, whereas having to hunt down one of the people who was monitoring the site. If coaches have to hunt down one of the monitors, it could take a week, a month, or even several months.

            On the other hand though, monitoring the sites could be crossing the line of privacy of the students. But to me, monitoring the sites would be more important than the privacy of the student.

            This is the reason why I think that sites like Facebook, Myspace, and possibly even Youtube. Without these sites being monitored, students could make harmful comments to their classmates, teachers, or coaches.