Blog Reflection: last post of the year!

Although it was challenging, having to blog every other week through the year has taught me to better plan my time and be organized in advance. When everything is in order, everything gets done with no stress needed.

Your identity is something you with hold with pride. You want everyone to know that this is who you are and it's how you're going to stay. Sometimes when you don't have as much confidence, acting like someone else makes it somewhat better. Using social media online helps people achieve this view of not being yourself. By people using social media to show themselves to the world as something that they are not makes them feel powerful eva use if the attention they get. This practice of having an "online identity"; someone who acts a certain way online to cover up their true feelings about themselves, isn't healthy. You get so custom to being that way that you lose yourself on the way. 

Based on my blog posts, I learned that while I read I analyze the parts that pop out towards me. If I believe that it will have some affect on the plot later on, I will try and figure out how or why and connect everything together. Blogging the whole year has helped me become a stronger writer. I've learned how to get straight to the point and leave out the "fluff". 

I have learned so much from blogging and am thankful that I have gotten the opportunity to do this. No matter how annoying it may have been, in the end I learned do much more than I started out with and that was my goal the entire time.

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is the book that paints the picture of the ideal American dream. It shows how wealth and sociability consumes a person and clouds their minds. Nick the main character is living in a different reality than everyone else in east egg. His views on life are questioned when he observes the vanity of the east egg community.

The people wear invisible masks around the community. Wearing these masks cover up their pasts and their desires. This face is a total different person than what everybody knows, and the reason why it is in hiding is because they're afraid that everyone will look at them differently and they would feel like they've lost power. The less people know about you and your past the more power you have over them but once people know about you, they have the power to destroy you. 

It's a mind game that is fueled by greed and as Nick realized this he became more habitude to this way of living that he had to go back home. East egg was a different world, one that may have exposed the truth about what the American dream verily is and why it has to run off of fear and rapaciousness. How does that make you superior to anyone else?

Synthesis page-

Lock and Key: Post 2

Ruby's life has completely changed from  not having much to being to have whatever. You would think she would take advantage of this, but you're wrong. With all the new luxuries and money her sister has showered her with, willingly or unwillingly, Ruby still yearns for her old life back. 

With every new step into this new world her sister is welcoming her into, she takes a step back by retrieving small parts of her old life. For example, when her sister gives here 200$ to go shopping with she goes to Marshall, an old friend with benefits, house instead. Spending this time with her closer friends gives her more faith in getting her old life back, getting her mother back. 

The fact that Ruby's mother left her is something that she cannot accept and I believe that by her rejecting what her sister tries to do for her, she is trying to recreate the relationship she had with her mother. Soon enough she will have to realize that her mother is really gone.

 But when she does what will happen? Will she be able to hold herself together? Will she be the source of her own destruction without even knowing that she is the only one holding on?

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

     Now that Ruby's mother has abandoned her, she's living with her sister and her sister's husband. We hasn't seen her sister Cora since she left for college. Now Cora is living a new life new experiences and opportunities because of her money and motivation. While Ruby doesn't have very much and his custom to "riding solo". 

     Because their lives are so distinct, their relationship is monitored by Cora's husband Jamie. Jamie asked like a border between them and share both of their similarities and differences. He keeps them on the firm level.

     But my question is without Jamie what will happen between Ruby and Cora? What will hold them relationship together without Jamie? How will this affect both Ruby Jamie and Cora and what will it lead to? 

     I predict that maybe without Jamie being the center to their balance, they can work through their issues and become as close as they used to be. Maybe the key to their relationship growing is Jamie letting the beam tip until it finally balances out.

(Corresponding) Synthesis Page-

Non-Fiction Critical Analysis

The Non-Fiction article "Move or Else..." by Ian Johnson talks about the Chinese government forcing urbanization on his citizens of China. The government is participating in urbanization because they would like their economy to "boost". The reason why the citizens of China cannot fight against this is because the government owns their land and legally have the right to take it away. But In China there are many families Who has lived on that land generation after generation and refuses to give it up. For example in the article it's states that, "In recent years dozens of people have set themselves on fire rather than move". The being attached to your land was insult because the Chinese government only cared about what they have to do you to increase the economy.

The author Ian Johnson used strong words and imagery to explain the emotional distress the families being kicked off of their property were feeling. For example it says, "imagine government officials showing up at your house and ordering your family to move you don't get any say about where you go".  Johnson helps paint a picture and connect how you would feel and with the  families feelings. I think that by using "any" or "ordering" gives off a strong sense of stern or seriousness. Which emphasizes that the families are moved out of there will. I noticed that the author left out the side of the Chinese government. I think Johnson did this because he was on the side of the farming families and wanted to give the stronger claim to their side and make the governments side look weaker, while trying convincing the readers to agree with him. One way Johnson did this was by directly quoting more families then the government.

Although the article was obviously bias,  the authors to convince me even more that the government side was wrong and that the families don't deserve any of the treatment they are receiving. But still think about how both sides were beneficial from this large change in China.

A Wish After Midnight✨

  In the book "A Wish After Midnight" by Zetta Elliott Genna is a hard working 15 teen year old whose problem is that she has too much responsibility. Genna grows up the routine of picking her almost 3 year-old brother afterschool and taking care of him and the house, plus keeping up with her school work and doing homework. This is not just a chore it's her life, her way of contributing to her family. Her family lives in a shabby apartment building and they are struggling with money. Her siblings beside her little brother are both older than her and are sucked in to the bad ways of the people of the neighborhood. Genna is the child that got lucky and chose to follow a different path. 

  Genna knows where she wants to go in life and her hard work pays off but the extra load she pulls around everyday is too draining for a teenager. She goes through with every last bit of it because she is about her family. It's all that she has so she tries her best to keep it together. She babysits for a woman and her mother said not to just to get some money. She even tried to look for a house that was for rent for her family to live in but it didn't quite work out. The owner was racist and didn't want a black family living in her house. As you can see she's always routing for her family and although it is nice, it's too much. With everything she has to do plus this extra job while she's in school and she's trying to run the family. 

  Maybe it's because she is used to it and she's trying to step up her game but what's the problem. Why she putting herself in her mothers place, like a replacement? There is definitely lack of motherly love and attention for her and her older siblings because, they have stopped caring about what their mother thinks and just done what they've wanted  and turned into cold people who don't even realize they have a family until they get home and still don't care. Why hasn't Genna? She isn't the same as them of course because she has a goal and a drive but why is she now taking it upon herself to do tasks not even asked for, things that the adult of the family should be doing. It leaves me to think how does the mother not see this? Or does she see it and not think of it as a very big deal? When it is "Genna's mothers turn" to be the mother, how will this affect Genna, what is their for her to do if her life evolves around being the one always in charge?

Literary Essay: Response to Stick Figure

In the time between middle school and high school there are special expectations, especially for girls, to be considered cool. These expectations create an image that if most girls don't follow them they are bullied or judged because of it. Although popularity should be about who you are, is it really? Not everyone is going to except you for you, but should you deal with that?

Girls are vain when it comes to their skin or body. Take it from me, I freak out every time there is a blemish on my face. If you have acne it plays a huge part on your appearance and what you do with it. Using make up like cover up or foundation to hide your real appearance is a trick most girls use. In the book stick figure, the main character Lori was made fun of because she wouldn't wear make up and that she was still a little kid.

Looking older is  a key component to what most attention seeking girls want. It gives them power. Like they have a choice to do what they want because they look old enough so they're mature enough to. In stick figure, Lori was told that she was "still a child" because her parents still treated her like one. They never listened to what she said so she never got what she wanted. Therefore she wasn't mature enough to just do want she wants, and not be afraid of the consequences.

Weight is a problem many people struggle with. Mostly girls have disorders where no matter what they just feel like they need to lose more weight. This is a way to change yourself and make yourself seem apart of the mix. Or maybe to make yourself feel wanted or be noticed. Lori became anorexic because she wanted to look slim for a guy she liked. She wanted him to compare her and the "mean girl(s)" and let him be able to choose her because she had everything the other girl had. In the end she was hurt because it wasn't herself.

Changing yourself for someone else's approval is horrible. If they don't like you for who you are they aren't the right people to be around. Although half of the problem is their fault, the other half is yours. If you cannot accept yourself as you are then no one else will. You must depend on yourself first before anyone else.

Non-fiction Critical Analysis Post

The article I read was called "Spread a Rumor, go to Jail" in Upfront Magazine. In my article it spoke about how in China there is a new law that if you say something that isn't true online than you can be thrown in jail. There is also a small story of a teenage boy that this happened to there. While telling this story the author hints at the fact that the Chinese Government is spreading the rumors themselves or even creating them. I thought this was a very interesting thing to say because the Chinese government is the one searching all of the social medias to make sure this law is followed. The author even says, "The communist government already sensors Facebook and Twitter, arrests dissenting bloggers, and blocks for the websites with what known as the great firewall". And the government is serious, the law is if you post a false statement online and it is seen more than 5000 times and reposted with 500 times then you will be arrested or charged with death. This really proves to me that the Chinese government must have something to hide if they are making a law so detailed and they are so strict about that the smallest thing that could be said could land you in jail. The author leaves me very inquisitive to the plans of the Chinese Government and where they will take it's people.

Synthesis Page:

The Mermaid Chair🐚🌾

Insanity, what does it truly mean. Well technically the definition is "a deranged state of the mindusually occurring as a specific disorder". They say that some of the smartest people in the world have been called insane but to get specific they really aren't. I think people confuse  and think that when you're brave enough to explore what you're curious about as being insane. Instead of  having a mental or physical disability that deprives you of functioning correctly. That is what Jessie is struggling with truly understanding what is going up with her mother, whether it is emotionally or actually mentally or physically.

When Jessie is told that her mother cut off two of her fingers on purpose, and that she needed to come visit her mother before anything got too serious. Jessie doesn't understand why her mother would do this. She makes up her mind that she is insane but she really isn't convinced with that statement. There is something more, and although she doesn't think it was a symptom of trauma from her father's death years before but, it really maybe that she is not ready to deal with her mother breaking down because if her father. It would be like losing them both and Jessie isn't ready for that either.

Praise on Alexandra's post: Unjustice in "The Tenth Circle"

   In Alexandra's post about "The Tenth Circle" I loved how each point that Alex made was broken down.When explaining the emotional reactions of the characters on the topic; rape, she showed the top layer and what was deep within each of the characters emotions.  One example of this is is when she talks about how her dad felt when he found out. "Those actions show how riled-up Daniel can get, and how he still has his former self buried deep within him". The phrasing and meaning if the phrase is very strong. It attacks another flaw or problem in the main characters life that the unjust brought back towards her family.

    In some of her points she rebuttled her main opinion on rape and experienced different reasons to how this could happen to the main character. One example of this bus when she talks about the party where the main character was supposively raped. Alex says "Yes, Trixie did not tell Jason to rape her, and yes, he didn't listen when she said stop. But still, I can't help but wonder if through the drugs and alcohol made her memories became clouded, and she might have invited Jason to do more than she remembered". Although it was against her main opinion she still acknowledged that there could be a possibility she was incorrect about her rape. 

   Alex's posts in general are very enjoyable to read. She uses a toolbox of writing utensils to build up a strong opinion with evidence. This post was just one of my favorites. Keep up the great work!!!

Monsoon Summer ☔️☔️☔️

   Jasmine or Jazz as her family and close childhood friend Steve call her goes to India for the summer. So far In her time there she feels uncomfortable because of her encounter with a homeless lady she tried to help backfired and the reason they were in India was to help an orphanage. She wants nothing to do with it because she can't face everyone being angry again. 

   This withheld anger that she has with her parents for making her feel that all she does is ruin things is carried on to her college life in California, where Steve her secret lover is. He doesn't notice that she's in love with him so he doesn't realize when he points out her flaws that he hates she takes it personally, she honestly cares. 

   In India I think she is searching for a way through that anger and to forgiveness from herself as well as everyone else. Then and only then will she be able to get over her fear of not being good enough and think about the orphanage and the things her mom want to do to bring her family together even closer.

Non-Fiction Critical Analysis

    In my non fiction article, the victim Christiane was accused of stealing a product from Barney's that someone of her race wouldn't normally be able to afford. She was arrested and after 5 hours of interrogation, she showed them the receipt and she was released. 

    The police apologized many of times after she was released but that doesn't erase the problem. How can you arrest someone based on opinion and not fact. Christiane didn't break any laws, there's no reason for her to get arrested. Because she is black they assumed she wouldn't have money and wouldn't live a very privileged life. But they were wrong and their stupid mistake made  the author of the article highlight the system that makes them feel that their opinion was correct to make at the time period.

    The government is suppose to fight for the people and give equal rights to everyone. To be honest all they are is the power figure who is controlled by a suppressing race(s). They live off of their stereotypes. No matter what they are never going to want to change that. They are "playing" the government and the suppressed race(s). None of what they think truly matters, they are the group with the money everything they say goes. The suppressed group has nothing going for them and they are stuck with no where to go because it seems like almost everything they do is wrong.

    The new generation realizes that this is not right why can't the older? They are suppose to be wiser so they are suppose to do what is right, to know what is right but they don't. America is a place of equality and peace the government should take charge and lead us there.

Synthesis Page:

Social Action Question: Whose perspective is Missing

In Stick Figure by Lori Gottlieb the main character Lori is trying to make her legs look skinnier. Visiting her family in Washington,DC she talked to Katie the girl her age. Katie and her mother never ate much just like Lori's mother. After the visit Lori began to notice things about her size and how some body parts looked more than usual. She is beginning to miss meals but her parents, especially her father is getting upset with her. They feel like she is just playing around. Although, Lori's mother sort of set the idea of this "diet" in her Lori's head just from living with her and by her to be saying that it's just a little game that she is playing is hypocritical and makes no sense. 

Lori never gets to say what she wants to say, her perspective is always missing. Whenever she wants to say something it is either not important enough to listen to  or they could care less about it.  For example when her family and her are back at the hotel, Lori's mom compliments her on being such a lady at their family's house. Then Lori starts to talk about if Katie's mom stuffs junk food in her mouth like her mom did but then her mom told her she wasn't being a lady anymore. Her mom kind of guilted her to stop talking. Maybe what she was saying was a bit rude but it doesn't mean she should feel bad because she was wondering about something. 

This lack of attention and carelessness is going to make her worse. They are already oblivious to the fact that she is skipping meals on purpose. They won't notice that she is becoming thinner and thinner and doesn't feel comfortable with her body. If they gave her the strength to be confident in everything she does she wouldn't be skipping meals and thinking that she was a little on the heavy side as an eleven year old.

Social Action Reading Question #1: What really difficult or complex things are happening in the text?

In my book Stick Figure by Lorri Gottlieb the main character Lori is trying to balance all of the "Girl Problems" in her life. Lori is realizing that everything is changing but she's not sure if it's going to change for better or for worse. 

Lori has a big mouth, that never knows what to and not to say to certain people. Although, her parents and teachers don't make it any easier. She isn't listened to by her parents but only when they find that she is being disrespectful, they'd call her out on it. In some situations she never gets to explain herself, she's always wrong. This reminds me of the book Matilda by Roald Dahl. When the father of Matilda says; "I'm Right, You're Wrong. I'm Smart, You're Dumb. I'm Big, You're Little.And there's nothing you can do about it!". Lori's parents may not be saying that to her but it is obvious that they are on the brim of the concept; age and respect. Some people have a habit where they don't believe people who are younger than them and are dismissive to what they have to say.

Many times this has been directed on women and girls. Usually men or boys downgrade women and girls  expressing the idea that they know more or they can do certain things better then them. It's not only looking down at the abilities that they believe they can do better but also they expect all women or girls to look the same way but of course that can't happen so the ones that don't fit into "the look" are excluded or dismissed from their thoughts. 

This sort of brings me to the point of beauty and popularity. Going back to the fact that there is a specific "look" you must fit into to be noticed as a girl, these are one of the large components in popularity. If you're not pretty or don't hang out with the "right" group of friends to fit in, you're considered not popular. In Lori's case when she was a blonde and had a group of friends that everyone called the "L's", they were the most popular girls at school. After her hair changed color to what she called a "dishwater brown" and was placed in a class without her 2 friends her popularity decreased. Also she was in the "smart people class", which had no say in if you were cool or not.Lori slowly realized that she was becoming less and less popular because she was losing all the small things that made her popular, one by one. 

So far from reading Stick Figure, I have been thinking about the way society is formed and why certain things are expected from certain people. It makes me wonder is it really worth it? To go through a phase of changing yourself just to be known or have friends, just to leave most of them in a couple more years? No it's not worth it at all.

Synthesis Page-

 

Argument Essay

Ajahee Sekkm-Miles               11/2/13

Should children decide what books are accessible to them?

A multitude of parents think that they should have control over what their child reads. This is because they fear that if they don't watch their child's reading, then they'll be able to access some of the darkest literature. The problem is not only because of the dark content in YA books but, I said in the article "the sick-lit books and that children...", that these books are aimed at kids younger than 12 years old. When book age rating was suggested, parents were on board. This was their way to control what their kids read. But putting ratings on books prevents children from reading them at all, as Bill Moyers touched on talking at banned books week. Of course this is not the message that parents want to give but it definitely makes it seem that way. Instead of rates on books, children should decide what books are accessible to them because only they know what they can and cannot comprehend.

Parents want their kids to be reading books that portray a perfect world. But if YA books were like that, teens wouldn't be interested, like said in the article, "Should young adult books have age ratings". Teens already know what the ideal world is supposed to be like. They want to experience something different. This is why they're attracted to dark novels. Some teens read these books to feel like they're not the only ones have to deal with dysfunctional life. YA books teach teens about some facts of life like drug abuse, suicide, rape etc. Taking these books from them just takes their knowledge of the listed things above away, leaving them unprepared if they happen to come across a situation like that.

Kids are smart, especially teens. They know what's right and what's wrong, but that should not stop them from meeting with things that are viewed as wrong. When something is forbidden it makes them want to do it even more. So if you forbid your teen from reading a certain type of book their just going to rebel and get it from somewhere else. Most YA books have similar outlines because there might be forbidden content for certain teens which leaves them to finding a way to read it anyway (Sick-lit). 

"GP Taylor on BBC News suggesting government introduce measures to keep books out of the hands of kids who want to read them?", as author Charlie Higson tweeted (Age Rating). GP Taylor is basically saying that he doesn't want kids to read books that they want to read so, there's no point of reading at all.

Lots of teens especially are going through things like self harm or suicidal thoughts but these books do express problems that teens face very precisely. If rating is put on books at all then it should be done by children themselves because only they know what they comfortable reading. To conclude, if children rate books themselves on what is best for them or let them read whatever they'd like to, while parents check in once or twice. It makes it easy on the parents because they don't have to worry about the well-being of children. It is also easy for the children because they won't have to be unhappy with books they're being forced to read. 

The Fault in our Stars: independent reading book post

In the book "The Fault in our Stars" the main character Hazel has cancer that gives her bad lungs and she has to use an oxygen tank to help her breathe. Although she understands that she needs the tank she hates it and wishes that she didn't have it but she does and has to deal with because it's who she is.

When you have a tube going into your nostrils people will ask questions. The thing is  it doesn't bother her if other people ask or look at her funny when they see it. The tank represents her insecurity. She's fine if other people accept her but she can't except herself . This is the number one problem that she faces with her friends and growing lover Augustus. But truly no can accept you if you can't except yourself.

When people feel bad or take pity on her she doesn't really mind because t doesn't change the outcome;death. She realized its coming but does not fully accept it either. The only one who does is Augustus. Even though he knows what she's going through, he treats her like a normal person who has nothing to worry about. He helps her deal with the fact that she is going to die and even thigh she's scared about what's awaiting in her future. Augustus helps her live her life in the present and not the future.

Critical Analysis Blog Post: Sick-Lit Books

   

   In the reading "The sick-lit books aimed at children..." By Tanith Carey had a multitude of epiphany moments that the I found. The author didn't think about backing these up knowing that we were going I would have thought if them. Carey really wanted to get across to her readers that the young adult books that are being published are not appropriate for any teen to read. Throughout the passage as Carey tried to back up this main idea, I was think of rebuttals against her arguments. My rebuttals were easy to make because Carey used her options instead of real teens opinions, and she not a teen so what would she know?




     When Carey talks about the different sick-lit books like; The Faults in our Stars, Never Eighteen and Before I die, and how they all dealt with the concept of sickness, love and death, she says that it's not a "coincidence" that all these books are almost the same. Carey feels that books like these that are " aimed at children as young as 12", shouldn't contain such specific detail and such topics. These books may go more in depth about serious topics like the death, The books were still sold at a fast rate. In fact  in the article it states that, The fault in our stars was on Amazons teen best-sellers list and Before I die sold 70,000 copies in their first four months. My question was if the books are selling so much and teens really liked them, then how was it too much for them to handle? Teams were obviously attracted to these kinds of books so why take them away?




     Carey things of books as a role models for the readers. This is partially true. Teens do learn a lot from reading books but we also know how to tell what's right and what's wrong. We knew who We are and were not just going to copy everything we see or hear. Plus we're  very mature me know how to handle most adult content in books. So there might be us sprinkle of sex, swearing or other things in certain books that we read bit that doesn't mean you have to rip it out of our hands and band us from reading it. As long as were comfortable with the reading that type of stuff then it's okay for us to read the book. 




     It's okay to be cautious with the things that you're children are reading but talk to them first before you lecture them on what type of books they cannot cannot read.  If there is no issue with reading books that are heavy or not then those choices are both fine. As long as they feel comfortable or you don't have to stay on their backs about what they're reading, then let them read what they want. Kids will have to learn soon enough about certain things in life but by reading books about them they become open to them these topic making it a less awkward conversation when you want to talk to them about it. It's the best thing to do for the reader and the parent.













Faithful Elephants

In the story “Faithful Elephants” by Yukio Tsuchiya, World War II is going on. The story takes place at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan. In the story a zoo keeper is retelling a flashback about the zoo having to put down the dangerous animal in the zoo. The 3 elephants, Tonky, Wanly, and John are the main characters of this flashback. Everyone loves them dearly but because the army ordered them to they had to put them down.

Usually when the elephants Tonkly and Wanly, did their bonsai trick they would be fed. The zoo keepers had to starve them in order to kill them. Something I noticed from reading and analyzing the story was the innocence that the elephant had. They never understood why they weren’t being fed. So when they did their bonsai trick for the zoo keeper and he didn’t feed them, they felt confused. They didn’t understand why they weren’t being fed so they gave up with only the smallest bit of energy left inside their weary bodies.

In one part of the story it says “they just lay on their sides, hardly able to see the white clouds floating in the sky over the zoo. However, their eyes appeared more beautiful than ever”. I felt that the author was trying to show that in death there is beauty. The elephants are dying but their beauty outshines the pain they’re going through. 

As the book comes to an end the elephant trainer scrams to the sky, “STOP THE WAR!!!” after the last 2 elephants dies. Besides it being an obvious way for the author to tell the readers’ war is not okay and it needs to stop, it brings me to think about the people of Japan at that time. The elephants are sort of like the people of Japan. When bombs were dropping they were confused or felt lost with nowhere to go. Those are exactly some of the emotions the Japanese were feeling at that time.

To conclude, “Faithful Elephants” is a heartwarming story of life and death. It shows how the greater things can overcome the bad things, no matter how much loss can come from it. That letting go of something so close is far much worse than staying with them. The author really tries to get the message through that life throws some hard punches but you have to experience them first, before you send them fleeing back. 

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

           

In the book “Dreamland”, the main character Caitlin’s sister runs away in the beginning of the book. This takes a huge toll on the family’s life so like always Caitlin becomes invisible. Then she gets into a relationship with Rogerson and ends up being domestically abused. For the period of time that this is happening to her, she does not speak any word of it to her family, close neighbors, or friends. Instead Caitlin denies the fact that she's being treated this way and turns to drugs. Within the book her family never noticed her change in behavior because they seemed more interested in finding Cass. Also Caitlin didn't say anything about her abuse  and just accepted it naturally which has many explanations to why in the book.

After Cass left, the family went into a funk. No one could contact her or find where she was. Caitlin felt it too bugetting less attention from her parents didn't faze her at all. She was used to not being noticed. Cass was always the center of attention. Some part of me thought, while reading this beginning part of the book, that maybe Caitlin used Rogerson as an invisible cloak, to cover her up. As their relationship grew and the abuse began not telling anyone was an excuse to try and make them notice.

Although as the violence became frequent, she began to cover the small wounds or come up with stories for the bruises. She also started to block her friends and family out so that they wouldn't guess anything. This made my decision change a bit because I was curious. If she wanted the attention and then she got it, why wouldn't she use a topic so important for a family to share, to receive that attention? Half of me thought that she was afraid that if she told he would find out and hurt her even worse. On the other hand, I think that the fact of her parents knowing that she had a problem and finally seeing her and having to see her like that scared her.

When Caitlin started doing drugs it was to kind of prove to Rogerson, she wasn't all that he thought she was. She was as innocent and inexperienced and he thought she was. But once she started taking harder doses after she was beaten, it was more to hide the pain and just keep the future blurry, never knowing what was coming next.

All the tactics that Caitlin used to cover up her pain, her feelings or bruises was transparent. I felt that maybe if her parents did pay a little more attention to her they would have seen it long before the end of the book.

From reading this book I've learned two morals. One is know your children well enough to see when emotions change or they’re not who they were when they were younger. That is a good key to parenting; making sure your child knows that you’re always there for them. The 2^nd moral I learned from reading this book is that you have to be able to trust your parents with any serious situations in your life because if not, life can a rocky journey. You've got to understand that as a kid you can’t do everything yourself, that's why there are adults to put you back in gear.