Justine’s Comments (group member since Aug 10, 2009)

Justine’s comments from the Ms. J's Class K group.

AH KIMBERLY - CITATION! CITATION! CITE IS THE VERB! MI CORAZON!!!

Ok, now that I have gotten that out of the way, let's look at what you wrote! This is a very sweet citation, and a lovely moment from your book. I'm interested to hear that Tom is being such a hero - is he always such a good boy? What kinds of situations inspire him to be so good? In what kinds of situations does he not behave so well? Let me know!

- Ms. Justine

Ah, Esteffan! CITATION! Citation is the noun, cite is the verb - my heart! MY brain! Blech!

OK, aside from that, very interesting selection from "Speak." I am thinking about your question, wondering what inside makes her feel that she is nothing in life. Does the trauma (terrible experience) she suffered perhaps cause her to feel this way? Why, in particular, would a sexual trauma like this cause her to feel she is worthless?

I'm really interested in your using the word "prefer." I'm thinking a lot about this idea that she prefers to feel there is nobody close to her who can help her. Do you think she is alienating her friends and family by choice? Why would she prefer to keep people at a distance, even when she is hurting so much?

Write back soon!

- Ms. J

Manuel,
I think the simile you chose, "rummaging in them like garbage," is very interesting because it gives me the impression that this character is disgusted, upset, or depressed - why does he describe his own thoughts as garbage? He could have compared them to so many different things, and yet this is what he chose. How does this simile give you insight into how the character feels about himself, and his restless thoughts? What is he "rummaging" (looking) for in his ideas?

I think the emotion you are trying to describe is maybe one of these three words: obstinate, determined, stubborn? Look them up in your dictionary and let me know which one, if any, is a match to what you're trying to say!



(note: citation is the noun! When you cite a book, you select a citation. Be careful with that!)

I so happy you enjoyed this "remarkable" book! How did they meet each other?? It is so amazing when a book can make you cry - I have only had that experience a few times, maybe 3, in my life, but it is always so amazing how simple words on the page can create such strong emotions in a reader... Sounds like we need to find you some more historical fiction Manuel!

- Ms. J

I'm glad, Manuel, that you had the chance to do some excellent reading! Just so you know, you can always get a computer lab pass from me to go whenever there is a teacher in the computer lab, during lunch or afterschool (and I come to school early many mornings, if that works for you). I know Ms. Jen loves the book "American Born Chinese," but I have never read it - so glad that you liked it!

I'm really interested by this idea that Chin-Kee is the "ultimate negative Chinese stereotype." Can you explain that more?

Can't wait to hear from you!

- Ms. J

Jennifer - it sounds like the plots are very different in your book and your poem, but I'm wondering if we can find some commonalities between the themes. Could "freedom" be a theme in Twilight? I haven't read it in a long time, so I need help from you to refresh my memory!

Estefanni, I have the same question as Jacob. It sounds like maybe we could build on this idea of "war." In your regional text there is a literal war - between the French and the Indians. But can any of us think of a time we could use the word "war" figuratively - not to refer to a battle between countries, but to embody something else? Let's work on this idea together here!

Looking forward to hearing from you both,

Ms. J

Jacob - very specific and clear, but I'm wondering what do the characters in your book feel love and passion about? Is there any passion - for freedom? - in steerage, or is the tone a little calmer, and different from your book?

let me know - excited to hear back from you!

- ms. J

Yeah Yimy, hi! Are you reading the book "Speak"? That book is really interesting - sad, but a great read. Yanilsy, I think actually you would like it. Esteffani read it, you should ask her about it!

Over-protectiveness as a sign of love, hmm - what do you think, Luis? Is the mom over-protective because she loves her son so much? Arnaud, do you think Juliet's family is protective, or over-protective? Luis, how does your character respond to his mom - does he like it that she cares, or is he annoyed by her?

Jennifer, great question - Jorge, what do you think? Clocks are often used as symbols that embody certain themes - time, mortality, aging, history... one of the most famous philosophical writings about god compares him to a clockmaker, who keeps the world ticking away and running properly! Jorge, are any of these themes in your novel?

My lovies, what a wonderful conversation you are having here! I am so glad to see that you are asking and answering each other's questions. Esteffani, did you mean that in love you only need the confidence of both partners - meaning both people in the relationship - or both parents - the parents of the couple? I think those are two very different perspectives, and I am curious which one you all think is more important. In other words, do you need the support of your parents to be successful in a relationship, or just the confidence of both partners in the potential and success of the relationship? Let me know - I'm so curious to hear your opinions!

Hi Ebe! I know many other students are reading that collection of short stories and enjoying it, too. Which story is your favorite so far?

- Ms. Justine

Wow Umar, sounds like this is a great choice for you. Have you read this book before? Is it a novel, or is it non-fiction? Has this book connected to any of the stories your family told you about the civil war in your country, things they might have experienced?


Write back, I'm curious!

- Ms. Justine

I'm glad you found a book that you're curious about - how are you liking it so far? That book is about a girl from DR who loves to write, right? I haven't yet read it, but I know it's popular - what do you think?

Let me know!

Ms. Justine

So... is it better?? I never saw the movie (with Rachel McAdams, right?) because it looked so sad. Was it? How are you finding the book compares? I hope you like it even more than the film!

One thing I'm always curious about with books that are made into movies - did they change any of the important details?

Let me know!

-Ms. Justine

Hey Arnaud - I'm so happy you're reading this beautiful play. What made you choose it? There are some pretty wild characters in Romeo and Juliet. Who is your favorite so far? Have you read the party scene yet?

Let me know!

- Ms. Justine

This is the book I'm reading. I chose it because a friend recommended it to me. It took me six months to start reading it because it is 900 pages long- I've never read such a big book! But it is actually wonderful. So far the main character has escaped from jail, traveled to India, worked for a gang, learned three new languages, worked as a doctor in a slum, fallen in love, and is now fighting a holy war in Afghanistan. Makes my life seem pretty boring!