Cathy (cjhicks)'s comments from Reading Rams Summer I, 2014 Showing 1-20 of 33

Cathy’s comments from the Reading Rams Summer I, 2014 group.

This book is a really good book and I love how it is told from the gorilla Ivan's perspective. I have often wondered what these obviously intelligent animals thouht about we humans staring at them through glass. You can see the intelligence in there eyes. It would be a good book to discuss animal rights.

Tricia wrote: "I didn’t enjoy this one as much as others, but I can still say that I liked it. It definitely had plenty going on in terms of Toby’s parental situation, war in the background and Wayne, friends, gi..."
Some part of the book reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird, well the small town aspect of it and that everyone knew everyone else's business. Also, it dealt with how people can be cruel but it didn't have the depth of To Kill a Mockingbird. I can see how a kid might like to read it but I don't think I would use it in my classroom for a study because there are a lot more things out there that I think are better.

Jenna wrote: "I actually really enjoyed this book. It reminded me a lot of Al Capone Does My Shirts in that it is about an adolescent boy going through some life changes. Toby seems torn at times between his sma..."
I agree with you about the book starting slow but I kept reading because it reminded me so much of my life growing up. I can remember what it was like living in the late 1960's and the 1970's. I too had Bobby Sherman pictures on my bedroom walls. In fact in 1971 I was 13 so I could visualize all the images that were portrayed and I have been through Amarillo and the surrounding area many times because we lived in New Mexico and when we came to visit my grandparents in Fort Worth we would drive right through there. It is very flat, very dry and in some places very desolate. I wouldn't want to have my car break down there and it is very hot.

V. wrote: "Rochelle wrote: "The introduction of this book reminded me of my hometown. If I were to write a book about Azle, I would start it with the same beginning sentences. Nothing ever happens in Azle, Te..."

I never really lived in a small town but I did live on military bases most of my life and to some extent they are like small towns. Most people know each other and you had to live up to certain rules because if you didn't your parents always found out.

Lisa wrote: "As you are responding to and reflecting on "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" consider the following questions:
1. Think about the kind of town that Antler, Texas and what is it like for Toby to li..."

1. Think about the kind of town that Antler, Texas and what is it like for Toby to live there?
Toby tells us at the beginning of the story on page 3, “Nothing ever happens in Antler, Texas. Nothing much at all,” which is very much like many small towns in Texas. Most small towns in Texas have a town square especially if it happens to be a County Seat. All county seats or should I say most county seats have an old courthouse that is in the middle of the square. Weatherford, Waxachie, Denton, Hillsboro, and Granbury are great local examples. I personally was not raised in a small town but my husband was and we lived in one for 6 months. I was however raised on military bases and that is kind of like a small town. In a small town everyone knows everyone and anytime something happens the whole town knows about it within several hours. My mother was raised in a small town in east Texas and the highlight of the week-end was to walk up and down Main Street. Today in small towns the teenagers drive up and down Main Street. My mom talks about summer evenings sitting on the front porch while the people would be walking up and down the street. Antler is supposed to be a small town in west Texas near Palo Duro Canyon. Well if anyone has ever been to Amarillo, Midland, or Palo Duro Canyon you know what it looks like. It is flat, dry, very little water and a lot of wind. Antler is very rural and to go to the mall you would have to drive to Amarillo, Midland, or Lubbock. Toby says life in Antler is about as exciting as watching earth worms mate (p. 24).

2. How do you personally feel about Toby's mother's decision to leave Antler? Is she right to pursue her dream?
Well, for the time period the book was written it was something that was frown down upon. Some would say she should have taken Toby with her but she loved him very much and she knew he would be better off with his dad at home with all his friends. If she had taken him with her it would have probably have been more traumatic then not taking him. Sometimes no matter how much you love someone you just can’t live together and keep your children happy. As a mother myself, I don’t know if I could have done what Opalina did. I would probably not have done it but I never had to make that kind of decision but I do know that my child’s happiness will always come before mine.
3. There is a lot of humor in this book. Find one of the parts you thought was funny and share with the group.
One of the parts I think is funny is when Toby gives the pearl necklace to Scarlett by leaving it in the door and he finds out her little bratty sister is the one who found it and is wearing it.

4. Do you believe Zachary's stories? Why or why not? Why to you think he tells stories about his life?
No I don’t’ believe Zachary’s stories. They are all a cover up of how lonely he really is because I don’t think he has ever left his trailer much. You can tell by his reaction at the Drive In movie that he doesn’t because he is safe from people staring at him there. It is his comfort zone. I have heard stories of people that are so big they never leave their home.

5. Why do you think Toby spends so much time thinking about Cal's brother, Wayne?
Toby is an only child and I think he thinks of Wayne as an older brother is some sense. Wayne did live next door and I am sure he spent some time with him over the summers. He probably got more from Wayne than he did from his father. His father doesn't talk much and is person who is aloof. His father may have been a good guy but he had some emotional baggage also.

6. The friends successfully baptize Zachary in the river. What do you think this symbolizes?
I think it is a symbol of a new life for Zachary and for his new found friends. Zachary has found people who cared about him and I think he will come back to Antler to visit.

The book started out kind of slow for me but once the famiy got to Birmingham the pace pickef up and I really got into it. I was able to identify with Kenny the most when he almost drowned in the lake because I almost drowned in the ocean. The author did an amazing job with the descriptions. I also loved the way the author lead the reader to believe that Joetta was killed in the church bombing. I almost started crying because ten years ago I almost lost my youngest daughter and as I was reading how Kenny felt it brought up many of the same feelings I had. it triggered memories of watching the marches on tv when i was growing up and seeing different aspects of the civil rights movement.

Sarah wrote: "A very good story! The 1930's was such an hard time in history. The family was very protective of Natalie and I feel Moose really did want to protect her from others. It's sad that they had to send..."

I was appalled when I think it was the mom's cousin who said, "Put her in an asylum, Helen. It's the humane thing to do." and then, "No use throwing good after bad." I wanted to scream at her but then I had to realize the time period it took place in.

Mandy wrote: "Marshall wrote: "I thought that this book provided some pretty mature themes and content while still catering to a younger audience. Moose is like many younger adolescents who want to fit in at sch..."
I agree with you on that. He is so normal and he has to deal with so much. HIs mom is over the edge though, she needs to take a chill pill and relax.

Well, this story is one I didn't expect to be the way it is. The title itself is one that catches your eye. They say don't judge a book by its cover. This is one that falls into that category. I don't know what I expected but I am glad I read. It was an enjoyable read and is told from a kid's perspective and I think that is good. Little Miss Piper is a toot and has her daddy wrapped, I mean totally wrapped around her finger. Yet she is very bright and resourceful. I wonder if she will be a millionare when she grows up and what exactly were all her little projects that she did. I think Natalie must be austistic or have asberger's. She reminds me of Dustin Hoffman in the movie "Rainman" and by the way, I hate the way this ends. What exactly does "done" mean and how did he exactly get Mr. Purdy to open a new branch of his school.

Great book, my grandson says it is good also. It is a good book to address the issues of racism. Also it deals with children who are raised in abusive homes or homes where the parents or caretakers are not involved in the lives of the little ones they are in charge of. To some extinct it reminded me of Forest Grump and how he was a hero without even trying to be one. It also touching on how children can be mean without realizing what they are doing. There were the two kinds of kids, Russell and Piper, the younger brothers of McNab who steal and then there were Hester and Lester Beale who tore up Amanda's books.

Sdg22 wrote: "I enjoyed reading Tuck Everlasting. I believe it is the first time that I have read the book. The story line was seamless and the reading and chapters flowed easily. Little Winnie reminds me of ..."

I also like that Winnie was able to see the Tucks goodness. I also like the style of Babbitt and her voice. She really writes very beautifully and creates a picture with her words, especially in the prologue. I was hooked on reading it just from reading the prologue.

Marshall wrote: "I really liked this book. For one, I really enjoy books that deal with deeper messages and themes. This book really played with the concepts of life in death. It considered the perception of death ..."
I too like books that deal with deeper messages and themes. I think that is what good literature is suppose to do, it is suppose to make think about things and contemplate the meanings or morals that an author is trying to get through. Every author who writes, writes because that is what they are trying to do or because they have a message they want to get across.

Rochelle wrote: "I read this book when I was younger and remember loving it. I think I also enjoyed the concept better than the book. I mean there are so many great things about never dying. But there is also a neg..."

Jenna wrote: "I think I like the concept of this book more than the story itself. It felt slightly anticlimactic to me. Anyone else?
The discussion topics are endless and that alone makes this book worth readin..."
I agree it is a quick read and students would be more willing to read it and the discussion topics are endless. They could talk about whether it is a good idea to live forever or not.

I like the concept of the book and I can see some good discussions happening with the students. Would you want to live forever or not? What are the advantages of it? If you lived forever would you be healthy, I suppose if you drank this magic water you would be 17 forever but I am not sure I would want to be 17 forever. I was so naive at seventeen. After living so long would you get bored with life? I am glad Winnie didn't drink it. Also, I had a inkling the man in the yellow suit was up to no good. I didn't like the ending, it was kind of a let down for me personally.

Also, Opal's abandonment issues really come out during the thunderstorm and she thinks Winn-Dixie has run off and left her and she has a major meltdown but then we find out he was hiding under the bed the whole time. Thank God!

I have always wanted to read this book. Many times I have tried to get my daughter to let me buy the movie for her so she could watch it. She loves all the Air Bud movies but she didn't want anything to do with it. I found this book to be very enjoyable. I love books about dogs because I love dogs and I think they are such wonderful pets.I have two, a minature dachsund and a heinz 57. I felt sorry for Opal and her father. I too thought it was strange for her to call her father the preacher or preacher and before you are introduced to him you wonder if he is this cold, intellectual highly spiritual man who can't relax but when you do meet him than you realize he isn't. These two people have been so hurt by this one woman that they have isolated themselves in their pain to some extent. However Winn Dixie changes that for not only Opal and her father but also brings other people together. Have you ever noticed that dogs can some how cause complete strangers to talk to each other. I too like the message of Opal having Ms. Fannie and Ms. Gloria in her life, this gives her that older female companionship she needed and teaches about respecting our elders and the wisdom.

Cathy’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Reading Rams Summer I, 2014