Maira’s Comments (group member since May 21, 2014)

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

Shanay wrote: "It's also good to know that Hazel's parents have made a few steps towards "living their life" especially her mom. I wonder if the book Hazel and Augustus kept reading Imperial Affliction, if it actually exists? I mean I would like to read that if it does."

I was glad to find out that Hazel´s mom was taking online classes. I also wondered about the book that Hazel read. If it is real I would like to read it as well.

Cynthia wrote: "As I was reading the story, I thought, “Well of course Hazel might die. She’s really sick.” However, when it is Augustus, it is so shocking and unexpected."

I also thought it would be Hazel. When I realized it would be Augustus I was very sad. I didn´t want anyone to die but since they kept saying Hazel didn´t have much hope I thought it would be her.

I loved this book. I will definetly read more of John Green´s work. I loved both Hazel and Augustus´ characters. The ending suprised me. I was expecting Hazel to go and Augustus to live on. This book made me realize the struggles that cancer patients and their families face on a daily basis. I hope that we find cures for many dieases. I finished reading the book on the bus and I was crying. I will definelty watch the movie when I get home. I liked the way John Green ended the book. I do wonder what happened to Hazel. Great book!

Jennifer wrote: " The notion of looping through time is interesting."

I thought the same thing too. I think the classroom discussions about time looping would be very exciting and interesting. If I was teaching high school I would use this book to see what the kids thought about it.

Rochelle wrote: "I thought the use of the pictures was very creative of the author."

I agree with you. The use of pictures by the author was very creative. I do have to wonder what the book would be like without the pictures. Would it be the same? Would it have the same impact?

When I first looked at this book I thought it was going to be scary and I was scared to read it. I do not like reading scary books. I am a huge wimp when it comes to horror anything. Some of the pictures in the book did scare me. This book is definitely for older grades. I would say 8th grade or higher. Time traveling would be a great discussion topic for the classroom. I think students would really get creative with it. This book was very interesting but not one of my favorites.

V wrote: "I don't think I realized how much I liked them until we think Joey is among the victims of the bombing. My heart was almost wrenched out because I felt I knew this little girl and I had come to adore the family."

I agree. I was thinking the same thing as I read this part of the book. I was very scared for Joey.

Cathy wrote: "I was able to identify with Kenny the most when he almost drowned in the lake because I almost drowned in the ocean."

I could also identify with Kenny. I almost drowned at my friends lake house when I was ten. Her house was at Lake Worth and the water was very deep even close to the house. It was very scary. I still have nightmares about it!

I liked the book. It took me a while to get into it but some books do that. I liked that the family moved to the south to get their older son to behave. I would like to think that the south can teach people how to behave better. I am glad that Byron's parents decided to bring him to Birmingham but I can't help but think about what was happening there at the time and feel embarrassed. I know that it isn't our fault and that it was a different time but still.

Mandy wrote: "The note in the shirt pulled it all together, even though we have no idea how he did it."

The note did pull it all together and left us wondering what he did to get Natalie in that school but also why he did it. I would have liked to know. The book would be a good book to use in the classroom. The students could write a new ending. I think they would enjoy it.

Shanay wrote: "I felt sad for Moose that he had to take on such a responsibility to help out with his sister and miss out on baseball. "

I also felt bad for Moose. I wanted his parents to figure out a better way for both of their kids to be okay. I felt they were forcing Moose to grow up faster than he should but I also know that Moose loved his sister.

I loved Al Capone Does My Shirts. The story was very interesting. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading it but, I was quickly turning each page to find out what was going to happen next. I had never heard of this book before. It is crazy to think about families living on Alcatraz. I wonder if that is really true. I can see how living on Alcatraz would be like living anywhere else and I am glad the book took that route. I loved Moose and Natalie. I felt sorry for Moose because even though he was younger than Natalie he had to be the grown up more than once. I also felt sorry for Natalie because she did not have many options. It made me appreciate everything we know today in the medical field. I loved that even though it was hard to have a sister like Natalie, Moose loved her anyway. Moose’s mom quickly upset me because she never did anything for Moose and always asked him to do more things. I understand that she thought Natalie needed more attention but Moose needed some attention also. I loved Moose’s dad. He mostly did what Moose’s mom told him to do but he also fought for Moose. I do not know what I would do if I was in Moose’s parents’ shoes. I know that they had to make tough decisions and had Natalie’s best interest in mind. I did not like Piper very much because she was always getting her “friends” in trouble and she got away clean free. I love baseball and I liked Moose was able to play and clear his mind. This book could be used in the classroom for many things. The ending was abrupt and I would have liked to know more about what happened to the characters. I would use this book in my classroom and have the students create and alternate ending to the book. I think they would love it. Great book!

Mandy wrote: Zachary always made me feel very emotional and when Toby first didn't like him I wanted to punch him.

I have to disagree with you on this. I agreed with Toby at first because Zachary was very rude. I know he was probably just putting on a show but still. I am glad they ended up being friends.

V wrote: "I like every character in the story."

I also liked all the characters in the story. Usually there is someone I dislike or someone I don't care much about.

"When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" was a good book. It isn’t my favorite of the books we have read but I liked it. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be about. From looking at the cover I thought it was going to be about a trailer park and maybe the great depression. I love that Toby isn’t perfect but does what is right when it counts. Reading about the feelings that Americans’ had towards the Vietnam War made me sad. How could people be disrespectful to our troops regardless of whether they agreed with what the government decided to do in Vietnam? It wasn’t the troops’ fault. I was also sad that Toby’s mom left him. I know that you should pursue your dreams and all but I am not okay with a mother leaving her child. I would never do that. Toby’s mom just left and she didn’t even tell Toby she wasn’t coming back. The worst part of the book was when the McKnight’s’ found out about Wayne. The whole town was upset about it. It was so hard on everyone. I could not believe Toby did not go to the funeral. I know he was dealing with the feelings of it but Cal was his best friend and he needed Toby with him. The situation that Zachary Beaver was living in was a bad one. I did not like that he was only 15 and had no relatives to take care of him. He did have his guardian but his guardian just left him in the middle of nowhere. I am glad that not all the people in the town were horrible. I was glad some people were sending Zachary some food, dessert, etc. I am also glad that Toby and Cal befriended him while he was in town. At first I was hesitant about the friendship. I didn’t think it would work out. Teenagers can be so mean and I thought that was going to be the case with Toby, Cal and Zachary. I felt so proud of all the people that helped with Zachary’s baptism. I was nervous when they were trying to lift him back up. In the end Toby fixes his mistakes and apologizes to Cal, reads his mom’s notes, and reads his mom’s letters. Toby turns out to be a great kid, especially at his age. I liked the book, not one of my favorites but still a good book.

Sdg22 wrote: "I believe this book would appeal to boys as well as girl and urban and inner city students."

I agree I think this book would appeal to both boys and girls. Boys would like the constant competing and girls would like Magee's goodness.

Sarah wrote: "it was a great way to introduce for discussion racism and prejudice in an older classroom."

I agree Sarah. Maniac Magee is a great way to introduce racism or stereotypes into the classroom.

I loved Maniac Magee. I had never read it before. I love to read and am always surprised to see how many amazing books I have not come across. I loved how the story was written and I don’t see how it could have been better. My heart hurt for Magee. I was sad that his parents died and he was sent to live with his aunt and uncle who didn’t talk to each other. He had a home but he didn’t. Some of the things that Magee was able to do were hard to believe but the book was so good I found myself going with the flow of the story. I am glad that he could read and that got him through some tough times. I am also glad that he taught Grayson how to read since he did not know how. This book brings to the table the issue of unstable homes and its effects on children. You have the zoo keeper who was illiterate because he ran away from a bad home, you have Magee who never really had a home because of his aunt and uncle, and you have Russell and Piper whose dad is ignorant and careless. It makes me sad to know that things like that do happen in real life and that there is nothing you can do about it. I am glad that even though Magee was running away he was able to find dependable, kind, and loving people. Magee’s character was such a great person. I liked how he helped the people he met without knowing sometimes. The people he met also helped him. I did not like when Grayson died. He helped Magee so much and together they had a little family. It was sad. I did wonder who the pallbearers were waiting on at Grayson’s funeral. When Russell got into danger I was surprised Magee froze but I did understand that he had issues because that was the same place his parents had died. In the end I am glad he went back to his first home full of love. I am glad Amanda went to the zoo to find Magee and bring him back to their home. Great book.

Shanay wrote: "This book somewhat reminded me of the book and movie twilight, Bella finally being turned into a vampire who lived forever and remained the same age forever. "

I had not thought about it before reading your comment Shanay but you are right! It is just like Twilight and living forever. The two are completely different stories but have a common theme.

Cathy wrote: "I like the concept of the book and I can see some good discussions happening with the students."

I agree with you Cathy, this book would bring some great discussions into the classroom. Living forever would be good topic to use. We could also discuss right and wrong.