108A TE Fall 2011 discussion

So although I have many questions about this book, including why is the book's narrative progression so jumbled between and within chapters?, I also think I have made some connections and predictions that will help guide my thinking of the book and make me less confused. For example, I believe that the mysterious note writer is Sal and I have a few reasons for why I think this. First, the note does not appear until after he is out of the picture, in terms of being friends with Miranda, due to being punched. Also, the note reads, "I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own". Sal has been acting so weird since the punch, and maybe its because he is dying (could be punch related) I think that Sal might die or move (and that is why he is ignoring Miranda) since at the end of page 2, Miranda narrates, "I still think about the letter you asked me to write. It nags at me, even though you're gone and there is no one to give it to anymore". I am also thinking Sal might die (maybe by suicide) since on page 94, when Sal and Marcus are about to meet up again, Miranda narrates, "Sal would have seen that it was all okay. He could have dropped his fear of Marcus right then and there. I've thought about this a lot, because I realize it would have changed everything that happened later". This thought of mine of Sal possibly committing suicide comes from thus quite and how I connected it in mind to The Fray song, "How to Save a Life". Since it is somewhat clear that the note taker in the end ends up being "gone" and "unreachable", I further think that these letters are Sal's last pleas for help to Miranda. 

Also, I think that Sal took the key that is missing, because since he lives in the same building, he probably has a good chance of knowing where it is hidden. Plus, Sal is acting all different and mysterious lately anyway, so maybe he is the mysterious note writer. Plus, the notes have all been found in personal belongings of Miranda, so it makes sense that the person is someone who is near Miranda and her partner a lot. 

On a whole different topic, I was wondering if anyone else noticed the ties between the good reading and writing strategies that we are learning in class now and those that are casually placed in the book. For example, the second letter reads, "Your letter must tell a story---a true story. You cannot begin now, as most of it has not yet taken place. And even afterward there is no hurry. But don't wait so long that your memory fades. I require as much detail as you can provide". This letter sounds a lot about what me and my FA tell our students during writer's workshop. Also, when Miranda was reading to Belle in the shop, she was summarizing and connecting the age of the character to her own age. She also made a text to text connection about how Meg's dad is missing sort of like hers. In Miranda's discussion with Marcus, we also see Marcus infer the time and time travel aspect of the book based on what the author implied. Maybe teaching is on my mind too much, if I try to relate it to everything I do.

I agree with you that Sal is the friend who is in danger, but I am not sure he is the notes'writer.I hope he does not commit suicide. The narrative goes back and forth perhaps due to the fact that Miranda is trying to remember what happened, and how it could have been different.

I did not notice before, but you are right, I think this book could easily be used as an example in writer's workshops. Miranda makes many personal connections, and also meta-cognitive writing, thus it would be a great tool/example to teach to students. Great connection, Steven!

Steven wrote: "So although I have many questions about this book, including why is the book's narrative progression so jumbled between and within chapters?, I also think I have made some connections and predictio..."

Wow, yes, you two just took it to a whole other level with the connections to writing workshop. I hadn't connected the writing of a story in this letter to the writing process in general. Thanks...gonna steal it for next semester! :)