Ryan Goodmn > Recent Status Updates

A part from the book that was disappointing was when Karl claimed he might not do boxing anymore. Karl's mom told him to continue boxing and he thought he might not. "'Try to keep up you're training.' I said 'I will', but I wasn't sure I really would."(395). Karl had worked so hard and for so long and it would be very disappointing to see him to give up after he made it so far and that is why I felt disappointed.

A part that wowed me was the use of a cool simile. After the part where Karl hurts the boy that is with Greta, Karls sprints out of the ice cream shop and a good simile is used. "I started running but I could barely feel my legs moving. It was as if the sidewalk were sinking beneath my feet with each step"(296). This part wowed me because of the cool picture it painted in my mind and because of the descriptiveness.

I was on the edge of my seat when Karl's family received an unexpected knock. At 1:00 AM Karl's family heard a knock on the door and they worried the police were going to arrest them. Although it was unlikely, the argument in their possible last moments was tense. "Don't answer it, my mother said. If they were here to arrest us, they wouldn't knock said my father"(238). This part made me worry because it was intense.

A scene that impressed me was the description of the tension between Karl and Herr Koplek. Karl wanted to punch Herr Koplek and the author did a good job demonstrating the tension and the anger that Karl felt. "I stood there with my fists cocked, feeling the blood pulse through my fingers wanting more than anything to unleash a torrent of punches on him"(216). This description written by the author impressed me.

A shocking part was when Herr Boch didn't describe Jews as inferior. Herr Boch was talking about human blood and a kid said that Jews have rat blood. Herr Boch said all human blood is the same, he also referred to Jews as humans. "All human blood is basically the same"(78). This shocked me because it is very risky (especially as a teacher) in this time to say Jews are humans and to expose propaganda against Jews.

A part that was interesting was when Robert Sharenow used a lot of detail to explain a scene. The author used plethora of detail to express the damages done to Karl after he was terrorized and it was very impressive.
"Dried blood formed a patchy goatee around my mouth and a purple bruise framed the entire right side of my face,"(19-20). This amount of detail really painted the scene and was impressive in my opinion.

A part that left me on the edge of my seat was when Mr. Grin and Mr. Sayle were questioning Alex. Alex was getting questioned and Mr.Grin threatened him with a knife but ended up slightly cutting Alex. "The edge of the blade had actually nicked the skin of his neck"(180). This made me go on the edge of my seat (not literally) because I was unsure if their next move would be to kill Alex.

A time that made me think "what would I do?" was when Alex met his dad's killer. Alex met a guy who matched the description of his father's killer, and this made me think about if I would attempt to get revenge or if I would just stand there. "'That was the guy who killed Ian Rider. The last person I wanted to meet.'"(127). This shows how Alex had to restrain himself when he was put in a tough position.

One part that made me concerned was when Alex showed little regards for his own life. Alex passed warning signs and was also informed of the dangers of Mr.Sayle. "'He more or less formed his own private army'"(89).
This shows that Alex has little regards for his life because even though Alex was aware of the dangers of messing with Mr.Sayle, he still continued on his journey.

A part that made me think was when Alex was questioning the murder of his uncle. Alex's uncle was a bank manager and was murdered. This seems suspicious and makes me think that maybe he wasn't a bank manager. "Why kill a bank manager and cover it up?" This quote shows how it was suspicious that Ian Rider, an ordinary man, was murdered in an organized way.

Something that made me think was, Dell is in denial that he wants to be Willows guardian. Dell was on the CPS website and started thinking about the possibility of becoming the guardian of Willow and if he felt like it. "Was it possible he could become the guardian of a 12 year old? Even if he wanted to (and he didn't really, did he?)"(338). This quote demonstrates that Dell is, in denial and conflicted about this.

An interesting part was when Willow consciously realizes her values and views of the world have changed. Willow was talking about how the old version of her would be scared to wear used shoes but the new her has changed through experiences. "The old me would have obsessed over possibly getting sick from used shoes but the new me doesn't, see as I was stuck in a hospital recently."(273). I found this interesting.

A part that made me think is when Mai reconsidered the logic and ethics of Willow pretending to live with duke. Mai was saying that maybe this wasn't the best option and that her family couldn't afford another kid. "Maybe Willow should have gone right after the accident into foster care."(210).
This page changed my perspective on Willows living situation and if it really made sense and if it was helping or hurting.

One thing that I observed about Willow that is impressive is how smart she is. When she was explaining to Mai how she doesn't need to ger her stiches taken out, she gave a very detailed and intelligent response even though she is young. "They are made from vicryl,which is polyglycollic acid. They will absorb by hydrolysis. So i won't have to have them taken out."(158) This proves that willow is very intelligent.

A part that I found funny/surprising was when Dell Duke brought out his cat, cheddar.
Dell Duke is not a very warm person, so it was surprising and funny when it was revealed that Dell Duke has a cat and that he was putting in an effort to please the kids. "This is my cat cheddar, I thought you might like to meet him." (page 74). This shows that Dell Duke has an unseen side to him which I found funny and surprising.

One saddening part is when Brandon still had false hope for his dad. Brandon wanted to call his dad even though he was pretty sure his dad was dead, and Richard pushed him along. “Brandon, we have to go,” Richard told him. “We’re almost out.” “They have phones in the store,” Brandon said, wiping his eyes. “We could try my dad again.” (p.230)
This shows that Brandon had false hope which was saddening to me.

Something that shocked me was when Reshmina said babies take heroin. Reshmina said how heroin is used as a medicine and how it expels pain, but then she says its given to children. "Afghan parents had long given the drug to their babies to ease ear aches, or in place of food to soothe their hunger pains." Page 175
This shows why I was so shocked since they have to use a drug to deal with their common struggles.

A part that made me sympathize is when Brandon started beating himself up and grieving. After he realized his dad might be dead, he started recalling all the amazing things his dad did and how Brandon wanted to say sorry. "Brandon wanted so desperately to tell his dad he was sorry. For running off today, for getting suspended for everything he had done to make things harder for him. That proves why I had sympathy.

One shocking part was when the adults scarified themselves for Conor's life while in the elevator. The adults had made a hole in some dry wall and Conor was the only person small enough to fit, so they told him to go instead of making the hole larger for everyone else. “Go, young man, go!” Shavinder told him." This shocked me because I did not expect such bravery in such a scary time.

The most uplifting part is when everyone realized that Connor saved everyone. Connor blew up the chop shop at the unwind camp and it saved every kid who was going to be unwound. Once everyone realized this it was a moment of relief and a surge of hope and empowerment. "Connor blew up the chop shop!" pg 311 This proves it was an uplifting and empowering moment for the kids in the book and the reader.

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