Julia’s Comments (group member since Feb 05, 2018)

Julia’s comments from the Munoz Ryan author study group.

I choose, "The Dreamer" by Ryan. Such a well written book and overall great read. I would use this book to target the following skills:
1. Vocabulary - preteaching vocabulary concepts found in the story, work on definitions, multiple meanings, synonyms/antonyms, and word associations.
2. Articulation - have students who are working on their speech sounds practice reading certain paragraphs of the story while using their good speech sounds.
3. Answering "wh"/comprehension questions - I found a great resource for discussion questions on scholastic.com. It features 18 questions to ask about the story. It's a great print and go activity.
4. Writing/Research - students could write their own ending to the story, research different professions or what it was like in the time period the book was written.

When I first read about her money orders gone missing, I felt that there must be some explanation as to why they are gone. I was feeling bad for her, but I still had hope that something good would happen. I had a feeling Miguel did something with them, but throughout the book, we are reminded of Miguel's kind heart and I did not think he would steal them out of hate. I would have been overjoyed to see Abuelita coming off the bus. So many emotions would have been going through my mind. I don't think life would ever go back to the way it once was in Mexico, but I think a new normal will be established and Esperanza will be thriving. I think this book was a fun read. I was often comparing it to "Echo" and it would be a good classroom activity to compare and contrast the two books.

Esperanza is almost a new character in this part of the book compared to the beginning of the story. She is more willing to work and accepting of changes, especially difficult changes. She seems to be stronger, both physically and mentally. I think she will keep working hard and eventually get her grandmother and mother back. I think if she continues to have an open mind and accepting of change, she will feel her Papa where she is.

When first getting into this book, I thought it was going to be more like a fairytale since Esperanza comes from a privileged life style. I was surprised that the fairytale ended so quickly when her father died. At first, Esperanza seemed like she would have a hard time adjusting to her new way of life. I was concerned for her because she was so used to a certain way of life and probably was not exposed to anything else. I think she will figure out that her old life is gone and she needs to start wrapping her mind around a new way to live and to also rely more on her own hard work. I think her mom will teach her many valuable and necessary lessons, even if Esperanza is not willing to listen, at the time.

What a great ending to the story. I was impressed by how carefully creatively the author incorporated each story at the end. She did not miss out on one detail. Hoe fitting for the book to end with a music concert. I was so happy to find a happy ending to the first two stories. I also loved how the author incorporated the three sisters story into the three parts. Otto's harmonica story was sweet and just a perfect ending that did not leave the reader guessing. This book would be a great book to use in the classroom when working on prediction or letting students make up their own ends to each part. Comparing and contrasting would also be a good thing to address while reading this book. I'm sure there are countless activities that go along with this book.

I felt so bad for Ivy when I read about the vandalism at the Yamamoto's house. All her hard work was just ruined. I felt angry towards whoever did the graffiti. I think Mr. Lopez likes to take care of things and wants to do his job to the best of his abilities. I agree with him about keeping the Yamamoto house looking clean, since the son will be home soon. I'm sure he was thinking if it was his own soon, he would want to come home and see an inviting place. I should have known musical instruments were hiding in the room, since music has been an important theme throughout this entire book. I am hopeful the letter is good news, but in the back of my mind, preparing myself for sad news. I have a feeling that all three stories will meet together some how...

I think Ivy felt very shocked and hurt about the school situation. She has been through so much already; moving away from her best friend and school she loved. What a let down to Ivy when she was so excited to go to the nice Lincoln school and then be so disappointed to find out what that this part of the country thinks about her race/ethnicity. My heart hurt for Ivy. I believe the Yamamatos are just regular Americans and have nothing to do with being spies. They probably just had to keep safe what they felt was important to them incase anything should happen to their house. I did not learn about Japanese work camps in the US until I was in college. I was disappointed to learn that Americans would do this to their own people. How very sad for the Japanese Americans. I hope that Ivy is able to keep up with playing her music and hears from her brother soon. I am worried they have not heard from him recently.

I was hopeful at first with the potential adoptive parents, but as the story went on, I was relieved when they decided not to adopt the boys. I am unclear at this time with Mr. Howard's motive. I feel something a little fishy going on and I hopeful Mr. Howard has the best interest of the boys in mind. The boys seems like they are willing to do anything to stay together; however, if Frankie is in good hands, I believe Mike would be able to handle life on his own. Again with the sad ending! I don't know if I can take another let down. Did Mike pass away from that nasty fall or is he just knocked out? Both parts of the book had sad endings that left the reader questioning what really happened. They both had a strong, influential male figure (Friedrch's Father and Mr. Howard). Music was also an escape for the main characters.

I am so disappointed in the ending of Friedrich's story. The ending was so suspenseful and then it was just done. Mike and Frankie seem like great boys. I have a feeling it is the same harmonica, which leads me to believe that Friedrich's story is not over. I think the boys will be adopted, but I am not sure if they will go to a home they like or not. Music is one of the most obvious similarities in the two stories. Both stories also involve some challenge/struggle and both have a strong family dynamic. The stories are both set in the past.

I think Friedrich's father had the best intentions for the dinner and was having the dinner with only his son's future in mind. I also think his father wanted to go back to a time when they did not have to worry about the Nazi's and were able to live their lives as they wanted. I actually was not a fan of how the author left us hanging at the end of this reading. It's hard to know whether or not Anselm was in on the plan; my guess is that he was. This has been a very interesting read so far. I have enjoyed the story thus far, but wished for a better ending. I'm wondering if the author is going to leave us hanging and wants us to imagine our own ending.

I believe most parents do what they think is best for their children and Friedrich's father is no exception. With the response of the Headmaster, I do not think there was another option for Friedrich. I think everyday would have been a struggle for Friedrich and his family and the option to take him out of school was best for all.
I like to think that he was led to the harmonica. He seems to have an unexplainable gift for music. I did learn that people with disabilities were sent away to concentration camps, but I was surprised to learn that even people with physical deformities, such as Friedrich's were deemed undesirable. I think Elisabeth wants to believe she is a strong Nazi, but with her upbringing and the morals her family has instilled in her, I don't think she is a strong Nazi. Throughout this reading, I kept wondering what the significance of the harmonica is. I want to hope for a happy ending and that Friedrich's dream will come true.

The prologue to this book peaked my interest. I was actually disappointed when it ended because I wanted to find out what happens to the three sisters and Otto. I look forward to figuring out how the author incorporates the prologue into the rest of the book. The details on the pages made the story feel whimsical.

Hi all, my name is Julia and I am a speech language pathologist at Hoeven Elementary in Minot.