Reading Response

Bria Jourdain                                                                                                    2/11/15

812                                                                                                                    ELA   

Teenagers can be easily influence by the peers around them. In graphic novel Peanut by Ayun Hailliday is about a teenage girl named Sadie who fakes a peanut allergy to fit in her new school. Throughout the story Sadie learns the battles that are faced keeping a lie from home and school. Later she learns there’s more to people than telling them what they want. Sadie's changes who she is based on the benefit to fit in with others.

Sadie's 'peanut allergy' becomes more than fitting in but influencing certain actions. Earlier in the book, Sadie had a incident where she almost ate something that contained peanut oil. Her new friends reacted anxiously while Sadie acted wary. On page 131 she's discussing the event with her friend David. The text stated, "The reason I didn't use it [Epipen] in the cafeteria is I didn't need to." Sadie is learning that there's more to keeping this 'peanut allergy' under control. It's affecting her choices and relationships with friends. In addition Sadie realized that her idea (having a peanut allergy) is more than just happening in school. The text stated, "If I'd thought things out in advance, it might have dawned on me that it's not so easy keeping home and school separate."(147) Everyday things that Sadie thought could be separate are becoming difficult. For her to lie to her mother and friends is becoming burdensome. Also being able to keep track of lies between home and school are inferiors in her life. Sadie is changing her actions based on what others aspect of her.

Sadie believes without the influences on others she won't be able to have an influence on them. Sadie talks to her mother about the equipment for having a 'peanut allergy'. Although, she is using her mother in a selfish way. The text stated, “Wait, mom do you know anything about a EE-PINE-FRINE?"(96) Here Sadie is manipulating her mother to be more impressive in school. Furthermore, she is also lying to her mother by using her for something that she would be against of. Without making the 'peanut allergy' an influence at home she wouldn't be able to make it an influence in her school. Much earlier in the text she influences her classmates with information about her 'peanut allergy'. The text stated, "…Until then, I'll live life to the fullest…Aware that any moment could be my last."(47) Again Sadie is influencing her classmates. Yet, that won't help in the future. If Sadie can’t accept herself how can she make others accept her?

Sadie learns that there is more to being who you are. Throughout the book Sadie keeps up her ‘peanut allergy’. Yet, it gets out of hand when some calls 911 because she supposedly had consumed a peanut. Her life turns dreadful once everyone finds out who she really is. The text stated, “People go out of their way to ignore me.”(188) Sadie learns that people didn’t care about her ‘peanut allergy’ until it affected them. They cared more about who she is as a person instead of having something that sets her apart from others. Furthermore, Sadie learned there’s many ways that people can notice her. The text stated, “Maybe if had it to do over again, I could try a different angle. People make friends any number of ways, right?” Sadie realized making an impact is simple as stepping inside a room. Plus she should enjoyed experiences with others than being the center of attention. She learned being yourself should be enough for others.

Peanut is a book that all students can relate to. It’s about the dangers of changing for others to fit in. Many students do crazy things to set themselves aside from others to be able to fit in. Yet, many do not understand that doesn't allow them to become the person they want to be. Do things for yourself and not for others is the way to live life. Your perspective is can be yours and not others.

Works Cited

Halliday, Ayun, and Paul Hoppe. Peanut. New York: Schwartz & Wade, 2013. Print.

       

Bria Jourdain                                                                                                   1/20/15

1^st Draft Author Note                                                                                     812

            Sometimes we fail to take care of our earth the plants in our homes. By doing this we are neglecting them. In addition many are neglecting their children. In the article written by the American Humane Association, “… approximately 899,000 children in the United States who victims of abuse and neglect in 2005.” Many children get inadequate care form parents or caregivers. Child neglect can be physical, educational, emotional, and medical. Physical neglect is the most common cases to be found. In the article form the Telegraph states; “A mother has been jailed for child neglect after her four-year-old son was found in a house living with 20 un-caged ferrets and 14 dogs, surrounded by filth.” What I have realized is that all neglect is needs to have more awareness. And many of us even the victims can do something about it.

            Child neglect is a topic that many people don’t think about. I believe it’s something that students can explore and teach themselves more about their society. I chose this topic because hearing about neglect on the news I didn’t know what neglect was. The news story made me think what it really is. How neglect factor in our daily lives. There are so many layers that need to be figure out and to understand.

       I want my readers to understand that child neglect and the witnesses and the victims in general can fight social issues. We can all be leaders in our world.

Bria Jourdain                                                                                                   1/5/14

Synthesis Page                                                                                                812

Title: Random                                                                                      Author: Tom Leveen

Synopsis: The book Random is a story about a teen that discovers what her actions truly meant. Victoria Hershberger (Tori) battles facing the truth of the cyber bullying that took place in her life. She is faced with the question “Am I responsible?”

Question: What really hard things are happening in the text? Are these things happening in the real world? Where?

Tori and others were blamed for the death of Kevin Cooper, who, committed suicide after he read comments that was posted by them. Tori got a call from a stranger (Andy) stating that he is going to kill himself.

On page 158 it stated, “Whatever happens, Tori… I really do thank you. No kidding. Okay? Thank you.”

Note: Suicide is not only hurting the people who go down that path but most importantly the people involved. It’s where people go when they think there is no more hope in the world and others are sucked into that. (Page 158)

Overall: This conflict of course plays a big part in the text. It’s becoming the center of Tori’s problems. She faced the responsibility that helped others when possible. This is also happening in our society for example when helping others in time of need. This book also deals with cyber bullying.

Quote: “I told you, people are talking all kinds of stuff about me! But I’m still here.” (Page 146)

Note: The one friend that Kevin thought he had wasn’t there. Kevin and Tori are two different people. Tori can handle the hate. Yet, Kevin processed the fact that no one was on his side. Tori still has people in her life. Even though they are different people, they deserve the same respect. (Page 146)

Overall: Again bullying is coming up as a conflict. However, people have many different views. Tori is saying that Kevin death isn’t her problem though, she is sorry for what happened. Tori believed that Kevin should have had tougher skin like her. But people aren’t the same and they handle problems differently.

Quote: “My God, if ever there was a person who gave Cooper a bunch a crap, it was Coach Scordo… Any boy who couldn’t run a lap got ostracized;”(Page 11)

Note: Respect seems to be forgotten. It’s something that people don’t understand and don’t give really any attention too. How could this be simply taught when it’s not put into people’s daily lives? (Page 11)

Overall: There’s a lack of respect that I find in Tori’s actions towards Kevin. This seems to be the root of the problem and why this are unbalance between others. If Tori actually thought that her words had power towards Kevin like the things that she read about herself, she would think differently.

Quote: “Could you, um hold on for just a sec?... Or maybe a minute or two?” (Page 57)

Note: Tori is doing anything in her power to save Andy. And Andy tried everything in his power to save himself. They had a connection where at their lowest point they are ready for the greatest change. (Page 57)

Overall: People have responsibilities to help each other because at their lowest points they geared to do anything. By having the right guidance it won’t be pointless. This happens in our society when people have each other.

Conclusion: Tori is learning about respect and leadership through her mistakes. Andy is her new quest to understand what she did in the past. I have learned that society isn’t going to the source of the problem. In addition, others don’t fully understand how actions can affect many variables. Tori, as much as she is in denial, she knows the truth about Kevin Cooper.

Bria Jourdain                                                                                                   12/17/14

Final Draft                                                                                                      812

Many books have controversial topics like rebellion, harsh images, and violence that allow us to see lesson within. While these themes in the books are very harsh it allows students to learn more about the world. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, have many references towards war and violence. Through out the book, you see Satrapi’s journey during the Iranian revolution and students learn how to use their opinions, allow lessons to change their overall thinking, and can relate to their own lives, and therefore Persepolis shouldn’t be banned in our schools.

Persepolis encourages people to voice their point of views. In the article “Banned Books Awareness: “Persepolis” states, “If we don’t create opinions, we won’t have individualism,” said McDermott.”(2) Although, some parents and adults may see the book has, “…Powerful images of torture in the book,”(1) and this could allow students have premature or various thoughts on topics that they don’t have enough background on. However, most students didn’t think the images were problematic to begin with. Again in “Banned Books Awareness: “Persepolis” an eighteen year old who help with a protest stated, “If [students] can’t voice themselves, then we won’t have a country that’s individualistic.”(2) In addition, this is distinctly taught in the book. Earlier in the book, Satrapi learned that opinions should be heard. She explains to her parents that she wants to go to a protest, although, her parents think it will be an unsafe environment. She stated, “For a revolution to succeed, the entire population must support it.” (10) Opinions are taught to be use to acknowledged the world around us; therefore Persepolis has every right to enforce powerful images.

Persepolis advocates a new way of learning. Students were able to learn about a time where authority was being questioned and what consequences followed. In many cases bombing was almost a daily part of life. One day Satrapi decided to buy clothes, quickly after this event, her neighborhood was bombed. She rushed home to find it was safe, however, her neighbor’s home wasn’t. She stated, “No scream in the world could have relieved my suffering and anger.”(142) Greif-stricken by this event, she is worried what will come next. This includes an intimate view, which allows students to learn to value life like Satrapi did. On the other hand, in the article “Banning Persepolis” teachers and parents argue that these images can, “Insult the intelligence of its students.”(2) Yet, students of Chicago schools are able to go to a Holocaust museum, which has alarming, and starling images, that students are still able to learn lessons.

There are countless scenes in the text that many can relate to. In the book Satrapi has to leave her home because her parents want her to have exceeding opportunities. Before she left she spoke to the people that meant the most to her. She stated, “I never realized how much they loved me. And I understood how important they were too me.”(149) Satrapi realized the sacrifices she made, which many students faced or will face in the coming years. Students should be able to read the text because like Satrapi, students are able to see the good and some of the bad in life. Although, people believe that teachers need special ‘training’ to teach students these about themes, because some students might be sensitive to topics that are introduced in the book. Yet, many parents who have read the book haven’t had any complaints based on the subjects presented. Thousands of teachers and students have the book and it has been approved in many schools.

Persepolis is an intelligent book that allows students to form opinions and learn about new topics. It has a great impact on students, which presented a new view on topics such as violence. Up to now, many people agreed that this memoir should be banned because of its powerful messages. Furthermore, students shouldn’t be exposed to these topics. Some adults believe that students won’t be able to process strong material and they won’t be mature enough. Yet, many have stated without the unyielding images there wouldn’t be individualism, opinions, or new ways of learning. Persepolis shouldn’t be banned in our schools because it helped discover a new world in reading.

        Works cited

"Banned Books Awareness: Persepolis." Banned Books Awareness. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.

"Banning Persepolis?" Socialistworker.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.

Marjane Satrapi “Persepolis: A Story of a Childhood” Marjane Satrapi Jun. 1. 2004

Access Nov. 27. 2014