Milkweed Connector

For this literature circles meeting we have finished reading all 208 pages of Milkweed, by Jerry Spinelli. And for this meeting I have completed the role of Connector, and six other jobs that were completed during previous meetings. I have chosen several examples in which I could see myself, and many others, as well as made me remember events that happen in my life, both recently and from a couple of years ago. When sharing my connections, all of my group mates have agreed that they also see themselves in these connections.

Connection 1:
Paragraph (that inspired my connection): "We smuggled every night. On the way over, Janina stayed far behind. Sometimes I turned qucikly to catch sight of her, but there was only shadows. It was her game."

My connection: For the longest time now Nina and I have had this game going, well she's been playing a game that involved me, she would do things similar to Janina. She would hide in my room before I walked in and jump out and scare me, call me with blocked number and use a strange voice which I wouldn't recognize, only to tell me about it afterwards and laugh with me about my reactions. That was her game. And in some ways I played along with her, even though I would usually be upset after she told me what she did, I would actually find it quite funny.

Connection 2:
Paragraph (that inspired my connection): "'This year you will celebrate with us,' said Mr. Milgrom.
He meant the holiday called Hanukkah. It was the first Jewish word I had learned."

My connection: I relate to this with how Nina and I have been spending much time together, during the holiday seasons of this year. An example of this is how Nina and I had spent early January together, when we went to Kopaonik with each other and our parents. There we spent much time both together and with our parents and experienced the joys of being together, which is something that both Janina and Misha experienced. And that too me is something both extraordinarily simillar and yet so different. We have not experienced the hardships that they have but the friendship they share.

Connection 3:
Paragraph (that inspired my connection): "After more staring, he said, 'Were you ever cold, and then you were warm?'
I thought of sleeping with the boys under the braided rug: cold, then warm. 'Yes!' I blurted. 'Was that happy?
He smiled. 'That was happy.''"

My connection: This connection corresponds with the second, it reminded me of my and Nina's friendship. How close we've become, just as they have. It also reminded me of times with my family, times that make you warm. While speaking about this particular connection with my group we also discussed, funnily enough, how nice sleeping is. Which is very although odd, warm too. Conversations like that, ones that make you laugh and well, happy are ones that also brought me back to this moment in the novel.

Connection 4:
Paragraph (that inspired my connection): "When she finished eating the egg, she hugged her father and said, 'thank you'
'Thank Misha,' he said 'It was his idea. He found it on the other side.'
She hugged me. I was surprised she could squeeze so hard."

My connection: This moment is one not necessarily connected to me, but everyone. This moment is one where a someone goes out on a limb, so to speak, to make the other happy, and moments like these are also quite warm moments.

Milkweed (Travel Tracel_Nina) #6

Hello Everyone. My group and I have finished reading Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. In this blog post my job is to be Travel Tracer meaning that I will track where the action has happened during the last 68 pages of the book. 

The action as well as most of the last few pages of the book takes place at the Ghetto. Our protagonist Misha spends most of his time there with Janina and her family the Milgroms as they have taken him in. Furthermore, the Ghetto is where during World War II the Jackboots (Nazi’s) forced Jews to ‘live’ there. Also the Nazi occupation authorities officially told the story that Jews were natural carriers of numerous different sicknesses and that it was therefore necessary to isolate them from the rest of the world.  Misha, would also describe the Ghetto as deserted, cold and gray. He once said the Ghetto is where children grow down instead of up. Moreover, during the night, both Janina and Misha would search for food they could steal in order to survive in the cold and somewhat desertes streets of Warsaw.  The only light was the one coming from the moon or flamethrowers.

Most of the key events during the last couple of pages happen once again at the Ghetto where the Milgrom family witnesses the death of Mrs. Milgrom. The next event is when Misha, Janina, and Mr. Milgrom arrives at the cemetery on Gesia Street, where upon digging a grave for Mrs. Milgrom bombs start falling. Misha describes almost everything as gray as I can imagine that a kid his age might be feeling during such a horrible period in time. Also, it is later discovered that the Russians are the ones bombing them to most likely try to free them. Besides the death in the family, Hanukah is approaching and Misha can finally celebrate along with the Milgroms. Also, one of the key events happened when Misha was heading to the bomb crater located somewhere with the walls of the the Ghetto.  These events happened on pages 146 to 174.

The ending events take place at Stawki Station, the Ghetto, somewhere in Warsaw, Poland, on a strangers farm where Misha is nursed back to health, and America. These events happened on pages 174 to 208.  

Vocabulary Enricher - Ashley

We read from page 90 to 180 in Anne Frank. These are the words that I didn't know.

Page 91, Paragraph 1 "Nothing but tumult and uproar yesterday,"
Tumult - an uproar; great confusion of mind.

Everything was tumult inside the barn.

Page 92, Paragraph 4, "...air raid warning, ack-ack fire..."
Ack-ack - anti-aircraft gunfire.

Ack-ack fire raged outside the building.

Page 94, Paragraph 3 "She is well known as being very pushing, selfish, cunning...also add vanity and coquetry to the list."
Coquetry - flirtatious behavior.

Coquetry should really be put to an end.

Page 96, Paragraph 2 "I sleep on the little divan..."
Divan - a bed without a foot board or head board.

The divan in my house is very uncomfortable.

Page 98, Paragraph 4 "...and at four o' clock the pedantic doctor is standing, clock in hand..."
Pedantic - fastidious, noticing very little details.

"Don't be so pedantic," I told her as she cried over a dot on her painting.

Page 117, Paragraph 3 "Diphtheria reigns in Elli's home..."
Diphtheria - a contagious disease that often makes breathing and swallowing hard.

A strong case of diphtheria has taken over the entire neighborhood.

Milkweed -Jerry Spinelli(Literary Luminary) #6

For this literature circles meeting, our group finally finished the book Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli by reading the last 70 pages. My position was the Literary Luminary, so I chose 5 paragraphs/sentences that seemed interesting from this section.

1. (Third paragraph of 163p.) And then I noticed that it was only cracked, not broken apart. There was no yellow seeping into the snow. I didn't understand. An egg that cracked but didn't break. It was a miracle!

Misha, in the text, had just said that he was heartbroken because the egg was cracked, and now he is relieved and shocked that it didn't break apart. Reading this paragraph, my heart went through ease, compassion, and adore. I was relieved as well as Misha, because I also thought the egg was spoiled due to Misha's explanations. I felt compassion and adore as I found the innocence of a poor little child who doesn't know what a hard-boiled egg is. He thinks it's just a miracle that an egg cracked yet didn't break.

2. (Last paragraph of 169p.) "I have to go," he said. "Here." He gave me the rest of the pickle. He stepped back. He stared at me up and down. He wagged his head. He looked sad. "Darker than ever." He spit on his finger and rubbed my cheek. "Before you go, find some water and wash your face." He reached into a rubble of bricks and pulled out a handful of white dust. "See this? Rub your face with it. Your hands." He washed my hands in the dust. They became whiter than his. "See? Before you go"-pointing to my armband-"take off that thing." He grabbed my hair and shook my head until I was dizzy. "Do not look at anyone. Do not stop for anything. You are not a Jew. You are not a Gypsy. You are nobody." He slapped my face. "Say it."

In the paragraph above, I can feel the love of Uri for Misha. I was touched because Uri kept on warning and making orders for him to survive when he goes away, yet never crying and being firm and straightforward. I would like to have a friend who knows about the world better than I do, who cares for me a lot, and who can make me emotional by ordering-just like Uri.

3. (Sentences of 90p.) Buffo was there, smiling, waiting for me. I could smell the mint. The blue man rode the merry-go-round to the tootling music. I saw bodies wrapped in newspaper floating above the sidewalks. I felt Uri smack me in the head and call me stupid. I saw Himmler's car snap his heels together and salute me and say, "Hanukkah!" I saw the orphans. They were marching down the tracks, led by Doctor Korczak. The orphans were marching and singing, their shoes all hitting the ground at once, and the oven door opened, and into the oven they went, heads held high, marching and singing. Every day I heard Kuba laughing. Every day I looked for Janina and every day she was there. I was used to her constant presence, to her mimicking everything I did. I kept glancing around to see myself repeated, but there was only me.

These sentences showed how much Misha misses all of his friends, even his enemy friends. I felt bad for Misha because he was going through a situation where he wakes up one day and realize that everybody is gone and he probably won't be able to see anyone again...when he doesn't deserve it. If this ever happened to me, I would likely be crying and crying, thinking about my friends and questioning my rights.

4. (Second paragraph of 197p.) Standing in the silent dust, I understood at last what Uri had done and what he had saved me from. I understood that the Uri I knew-the real Uri-was not the one the Nazis knew. I smiled to think of him on the last day, once again in his own clothes, shaking his fist at the oncoming tanks, his red hair flaring, invisible no more, calling all the world's attention to himself.

This paragraph made my emotions fill up my heart and my tears roll down my cheeks. It was the moment when Misha, eventually after years, understand what Uri was trying to do, why Uri was so fierce and urgent, and how Uri helped him. He is recalling Uri in his familiar look, and that made me cry so much. It made me be in Misha's point of view and undergo the similar feeling he did in that part of the book.

5. (Last paragraph of this book) I rock. I smile. I close my eyes. I think of all the voices that have told me who I have been, the names I've had. Call me thief. Call me stupid. Call me Gypsy. Call me Jew. Call me one-eared Jack. I don't care. Empty-handed victims once told me who I was. Then Uri told me. Then an armband. Then an immigration officer. And now this little girl in my lap, this little girl whose call silences the tramping Jackboots. Her voice will be the last. I was. Now I am. I am...Poppynoodle.

As this paragraph ends the book, I have some aspects that I like about it and some that I don't. I was very satisfied about how it shows the theme of this book which is identity, and how it skims through the whole book using Misha's constant changes in his name. However, I didn't like the last sentence. I understand that 'Poppynoodle' is what his granddaughter calls him and how it's his new name, but if it was me, I would make a less funny name rather than 'Poppynoodle'. I can see that the last sentence was supposed to be very heavy and powerful. But 'Poppynoodle' sounds more like an entertaining nickname rather than his last name in his life before he dies.

Milkweed 2

Milkweed 2
Illustrator

The first illustration I drew presents Janina’s silhouette while see was getting kidnapped by the Nazis. It started with Janina noticing her family in a boxcar, heading to the concentration camp. When she was running towards the train wagon, a Nazi worker rushed her to the wagon too. As the train was leaving, Misha “saw” Janina’s silhouette flying, being free. He wondered if she is happy because she’ll see her family again. This moment of the book was extremely touching, because he realized he was alone again. It showed how people can attach to others in a really short time. He loved his new family, and now he was about to lose it.

The second illustration shows the two main characters sad and crying because of their friend’s death. In the picture you can spot Olek hanging from the lantern. I chose to draw this as the second illustration because it truly shows the situation during Second World War and what kids had to go through. Losing a colleague in this age is extremely depressing and unfortunate.

I'm sorry for my bad drawing.

^ My illustration ^

For this blog post, I drew Anne's entry for Thursday, 6th of January. This is her talking to Peter in the attic. "I helped him with them and we were soon sat opposite each other at his little table, he on the chair and me on the divan." (Frank 131) In the picture I drew the divan she was sitting on, and him at the opposite side of the table with the word puzzles on a chair. Anne was interested in what Peter knew. She went up to his attic to ask him questions and talk to him, and this is what I pictured above. 

Milkweed (Literary Luminary_Nina) #5

This week my group and I read 140 pages out of 208. My job for this blog post was to be the Literary Luminary.  Under you will see the paragraphs/sentences I chose to include.

1. "They came from many places, many streets, but they were all going in the same direction. Little children pulled wagons heaped high with toys and pots and books. Grown- ups pulled wobbling carts of furniture and clothes and pictures and rugs. It seemed they have emptied their entire houses into wagons and were pulled by horses, smaller carts by people. The horses and the people looked alike, plodding, eyes to the ground, leaning forward against the weight of their loads. The horses did not wear armbands, yet they too were clearly Jewish!"

Page: 69
Pargarpah: 3

The Reason I chose this paragraph: I chose this paragraph because I felt it was important to mention when Misha "contributed", so to speak,  his first parade not realizing it wasn't a parade at all but the Jews making their way towards the Ghetto where they were to live from now on. He did not realize this important fact in the "parade", because he was so eager to participate in one ever since he saw his first Jackboot parade with Uri by his side.

2. "Janina's father took something from a drawer, put it into a little envelope, and gave it to the man. The man pulled an apple from his pocket. He looked about to cry. "I wish-"
"Go," said Janina's father, ushering the man out. "No need. Go."
The man reached back to touch Mr. Milgrom. "Shalom."
"Shalom."
Uncle Shepsel shut and bolted the door. He wagged a finger in the face of Janina's father. "By tomorrow the whole place will know. We'll be overrun."
Mr. Milgrom pulled in the wings, and the chest of drawers become a plain looking box again. "What would you like me to do? Save it all for ourselves? He gave me a perscription. I did my job."
"There'll be nothing left in a week. They'll clean you out."
"Maybe we'll be out in a week."

Page: 77 to 78
Paragraph: (on page 77) 7 (and on page 78) 1

The Reason I chose this paragraph: I chose this paragraph because it shows how being hopeful, and kid in these kinds of situations pays off. Ones where there is nothing you can do to help it, but be a good person and try to make others experience more pleasant, because then others will do the same to you.

3. I dragged myself up the stairs with the Milgrimas. Uncle Shepsel and Mrs. Milgrom performed a groaning duet that grew louder with each step. I followed them into the room. I wanted only to sleep. I collapsed onto the floor.
When I woke I thought I was back in the courtyard under the blinding lights, but it was only the sun in the window. And Uncle Shepsel, propped on his elbow, was pointing at me and saying, "Why is he sleeping here? He smells."
"I regret to inform you," said Mr. Milgrom, "that you are not a rose garden yourself these days"
Uncle Shepsel pounded the floor. "He's not family."
Mr. Milgram looked straight at him. " He is now."

Page: 99
Pargarpah: 6

The Reason I chose this paragraph: I chose this paragraph because Misha finally had a family to experience both the good and the bad moments in his life. Someone who will love him and he them. Also, Uri and the boys were somewhat considered his family as well because they took him in when nobody else didn't,  although they never really agreed upon anything except for living quarters.

4. By now the rest of the people were on the other side of the street, pretending they didn't see. Now the club was in Uri's hand and Big Henryk was just standing there watching, and that was when Uri conked the Flop on the top of his head. Just like that: thock! Like the sounds in the lineup. Now it was the Flop holding his head, wobbling about the sidewalk.

Page: 103
Paragraph: 2

The Reason I chose this paragraph: I chose this paragraph because it  shows how even though Uri is not the older brother of any of the boys, not only Misha, he is still protective of all of them. Furhtemore, he will gladly step in to help them when they are in trouble, even if it effects him in a negative way  as it did this time.

5. And now here he was, looming above me, smiling and kissing his club, and that was giving all the time I needed to get away- but I couldn't.  He had my foot pinned to the ground with his boot ( a scuffed, mud- caked, on - jacklike boot). I screamed in pain. He laughed. The club clattered to the street- he wasn't going to use it.  He was going to drown me in his belly. His meaty hands gripped my shoulders. I was dizzy with mint.

Page: 113 to 114
Paragraph: (on page 113) 5 (and on page 114) 1

The Reason I chose this paragraph: When Misha was in trouble this time he managed to get out on his own, although that was because Uri wasn't there at the time. If he were he would have, even, risked his life to safe Misha's because he cares for them in a deep way that only very few people can, and that to me is important and worth looking at twice.

Milkweed Illustrator #5

For this meeting my group and I have read the first 140 pages of the novel Milkweed, by Jerry Spinelli, and for this meeting in particular I have also taken on the role of illustrated. For which I have illustrated this this image in accordance to page 75.

This illustration demonstrates Misha's want to meet with Janina, and his newly found close bond with her, that would lead to her family excepting him as one of their own on page 99. This is important to the story because before this event the only family he had was the one Uri made up for him. Although, some could consider Uri and the rest of the boys to have become a part of his family also. However, Janina's family did not start to accept Misha for no reason, or only after meeting him once. They started treating him like family, the minute after he started stopping by on a regular basis to drop off half his food to them, even though they knew he barely had enough to feed himself with both halves. 

Groups Opinions (What do they think the illustration represents): 

     Claire: It represents how much he misses her, and how much he cares for her.
     Arabela: absent
     Nina: It represents his brotherly love for her and her family, to the point where he brings them food everytime he comes over even though he didn't even have enough to feed himself by the end.
     

Vocabulary Enricher

Hello and welcome to by blogpost. This meeting I was the vocabulary enricher.
These are the words I found interesting or that were new to me:

1. (Pg. 15) Dog-tired - to be dog-tired is to be worn out or tired.
My own sentence: He was dog-tired after his baseball practice today.

2. (Pg. 18) Scullery - a small room,usually at the back of the house, used for washing dishes or preparing food before sent into the kitchen
My own sentence: Sometimes my mom annoys me because she spends almost all of her day in the scullery.

3. (Pg. 20) To loathe - to feel disgust for
My own sentence: Just because she acts that way towards me doesn't mean I loathe her.

4. (Pg. 43) Oblige - to favor, service
My own sentence: I had to oblige her just because she was my boss.


5. (Pg. 43) Pious - showing appropriate respect
My own sentence: I chose to be pious towards her because of her breathtaking artwork.


6. (Pg. 65) Dejected - depressed, low in spirit
My own sentence: I was very dejected when I found out Lizzy was sick.

7. (Pg. 65) Disdain - despise
My own sentence: She disdained her after what she did to Emily.


8. (Pg. 70)  Emancipate - to free
My own sentence: She loved to talk about the emancipation of women.


9. (Pg. 83) Ulcer - any chronically disrupting condition
My own sentence: Mr. M had to have a surgery for his stomach ulcer.


10. (Pg. 87) Indigent - lacking food, clothing often due to poverty
My own sentence: They were all  so indigent during and after the war.

1

Anne Frank
Connector

Hello!
Somewhere at the beginning of the book Anne described her then current situation. Because of her religion (Jewish), her family was moving from Frankfort in Germany to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. They were moving there because during the second world war Jews were often killed by the Germans and in Holland they would have a smaller chance of getting caught. However, they still could get seen. Just as today, people tend to escape from their problems by moving or ignoring their status. It's not like they could do anything about it, they just wanted the best for themselves. And that's good. Even though their lives were about to be totally different than before, they tried understanding and sticking together. Especially Anne, who was recording her life in her diary the whole time. As they were moving, Anne's dad mentioned "Don't you worry about it, we shall arrange everything. Make the most of your carefree young life while you can." (13 Frank) This really showed how Anne's father cared about his kids. We can notice that since then, not much has changed. Parents always want good for their children.

Gwendy - Anne Frank Illustrator

Today my group and I discussed the first 90 pages of the autobiography of Anne Frank. So far, Anne Frank has introduced her situation and her life and the reasons she has to live in a hidden annex. The book gives a thorough description of World War II from a Jewish perspective. It's completely authentic due to the fact it was written by a thirteen year old girl at the time. 

I felt that this drawing really depicted, not necessarily a specific scene from the book but the general situation that Anne's family and many other Jewish family at that time were experiencing. On one side is the Nazi Germany party drawing where I depicted Hitler and his supporters all raising their right arm. As one can see by the drawing, they look extremely conservative and uniqueness seems to be looked down on. 

On the other half of the drawing is Anne's family and situation which illustrates Anne's family in terms of not only physical appearance but also their personality. For example, I showed Mrs. Van Daan's dislike for Anne by her saying 'Anne, you're the worst child!' I also demonstrated the obvious favoritism that Anne's mother has for Margot and how Peter, the son in the Van Daan family seems to have a thing for Anne. 

*I apologize for the sidewayness of the picture, if the reader would like to view the picture in its original form please feel free to do so. 

Discussion Director - Anne Frank - Ashley

We have have 90 pages of Anne Frank.


Questions:

1. What is one trait about Anne that sticks out the most?

Jana - Her curiosity and happiness.

Gwendy - Her confidence and intelligence.

Ewa - She's open to lots of ideas.

Me - I think Anne's continuous positivity and humour stands out greatly from the rough situation she is in. Even when angered, her determination to be happy is encouraging.

2. How do you feel in Anne's changes in describing others before and after she knows them?

Me - I feel that it is true that people appreciate less when they have more. Anne is a lovely honest heroine that realizes people aren't as they seem once you get to know them. For ex. Mrs. Van Daan was Anne's Mother's friend, yet it is easily noticed that their cool friendship does not last very long when living in the same house.

3. Do you believe that Anne is spoiled?

Ewa - No. Maybe. Kind of. She's really into herself.

Gwendy - She's not that spoiled, but she looks spoiled.

Me - For that time, Anne's family may have been more easygoing and relaxed than most families. But besides Anne's talking; which is in her nature, I don't see how she is spoiled in any way. Although, I do think that Anne shouldn't be so mouthy to her parents and adults.

4. Do you think Anne is being a bit melodramatic about her rows with her mummy?

Gwendy - YES.

Me - In my opinion, Anne is overall acting unfair to her mummy. Her father does not have to go through disciplining Anne as much because he is at work throughout the day. He obviously does not scold her much and Anne never seems to help her mummy as well.

5. Is Anne's way to pretending not to notice jeers efficient?

Me - I think Anne is good natured to laugh it off but she should truly forget instead of pretending. She should remember that they are joking good naturedly.

Milkweed-Jerry Spinelli(Vocabulary Enricher)

For this week's literature circle meeting, we read from page 70 to page 140. I decided to play the role of the Vocabulary Enricher, and I came up with 13 words that looked rather important, interesting, or unfamiliar.

1. carcass(90p. 1st paragraph)
definition: the dead body of an animal
notes: I tried guessing with the sentences and the flow, but it didn't work that well.

2. swat(90p. 2nd paragraph)
definition: hit or crush (something, especially an insect) with a sharp blow from a flat object
notes: I swat small insect when I see them. I feel bad for them, but I would feel even worse for myself if I'm surrounded with insects.

3. cloud(as a verb! 94p. 2nd paragraph)
definition: show a negative emotion, become or make less clear
notes: I can say, "Frustration clouded over my face."

4. bedlam(94p. 6th paragraph)
definition: a scene of uproar and confusion.
notes: Nobody would like bedlams.

5. club(as a verb! 97p. 4th paragraph)
definition: beat (a person or animal) using a heavy stick with a thick end
notes: There were a lot of clubbing in this book.

6. rib(as a verb! 104p. 6th paragraph)
definition: tease good-natured
notes: Happiness is ribbing siblings, and anyone with siblings can understand this.

7. materialize(115p. 4th paragraph)
definition: become actual fact; happen
notes: I was actually unfamiliar with this word.

8. goad(119p. 6th paragraph)
definition: provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.
notes: My best friend and I love goading each other.

9. out-thrust
definition: extended outward.
notes: I kept my arms out-thrust as I waited fora low five.

10.lance(106p. 5th paragraph)
definition: a long weapon with a wooden shaft and a pointed steel head, formerly used by a horseman in charging.
notes: I wouldn't like using a lance, and I wouldn't like someone using a lance on me.

11. pester(113p. 3rd paragraph)
definition:trouble or annoy (someone) with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions.
note: This book has a lot of fancy words for pest, annoy, and weapons

12. flamethrower(142p. 1st paragraph)
definition: a weapon that sprays out burning fuel.
notes: Another weapon related vocabulary.

13. rubble(143p. 3rd paragraph)
definition:waste or rough fragments of stone, brick, concrete, etc., especially as the debris from the demolition of buildings.
notes: So rubble means debris or fragment.

Milkweed - Literary Luminary

For todays meeting my group, Nina, Claire, Arabela, and I have read up until the 70th page of Milkweed, by Jerry Spinelli. For this meeting I have taken on the role of Literary Luminary, and have chosen five passages from the book that I deemed most important, and my reasons for thinking so.

Paragraph 1:

He was dragging me, running. He was much bigger. My feet skimmed over the ground. Sirens were screaming. His hair was red. We flew through the streets and alleyways. There were thumping noises, like distant thunder. The people we bounced off didn't seem to notice us. The sirens were screaming like babies. At last we plunged into a dark hole.

Page (the paragraph was found on): 2

Paragraph (number of the paragraph from all on page): 1

Reason(s) (for choosing this paragraph): I chose this paragraph as one of the five most important in the first fifteen chapters of this book, because it was the first time 'Stoptheif' met Uri. And that meeting got the entire book started, it lead to its main events.

Paragraph 2:

And now the deep grumbling was getting louder and beginning to overcome the drum beat of the Jackboots. I had always looked to the sky for thunder, but this thunder was coming from beneath my feet. The street itself was trembling. And then I saw them...

"Uri!" I cried.

Page (the paragraph was found on): 19

Paragraph (number of the paragraph from all on page): 7

Reason(s) (for choosing this paragraph): I chose this paragraph as the bond that started to grow between Uri and 'Stoptheif' started getting more and more clear in this passage. The bond between the two started when Uri started acting as a guardian would towards 'Stoptheif', and I thought it was an interesting phenomenon when two boys who didn't even know each other a night ago could be so close at this point.

Paragraph 3:

Colossal gray long-snouted beetles - the tanks roared up the boulevard four by four and the sky shook on its hinges and I saw at once how silly it had been to try and stop them with ditches and sandbags and machine guns. I clamped my hands over my ears. A single white flower flew out of the crowd. It bounced from the iron flank of a tank and broke into petals. I had no flower, so I threw my cheese.

Page (the paragraph was found on): 20

Paragraph (number of the paragraph from all on page): 1

Reason(s) (for choosing this paragraph): I chose this paragraph because the metaphor of the flower being thrown at the tank was really touching and I greatly enjoyed reading it. I thought that by choosing it for one of my paragraphs as the literary luminary, it would shed some more light on how greatly written this paragraph was, at least in my opinion.

Paragraph 4:

On the first day that the light went out, Uri said to me, "Okay, this is who you are. Your name is Misha Pilsudski."

And he told me the rest...

I, Misha Pilsudski, was born a Gypsy somewhere in the land of Russia. My family, including two great-grandfathers and a great-great-grandmother who was one hunderd and nine years old, traveled from place to place in seven wagons pulled by fourteen hourses. There were nineteen more horses trailing the wagons, as my father was a horse trader. My mother told fortunes with cards. She could look at cards and tell you how you were going to die. She could look into your eyes and tell you the name of the person you would to marry.

Page (the paragraph was found on): 29

Paragraph (number of the paragraph from all on page): 3

Reason(s) (for choosing this paragraph): This paragraph is one especialy important because it signifies the start of 'Stoptheif's' new identity as Misha Pilsudski. And as he is the main character this change is very imporant, and cannot go unnoticed. Right after hearing the full story Misha stated "I love my story. No sooner did I hear the words than I became my story.", signifing that this would most probably result to some, even if small, character change. 

Paragraph 5:

Then I said, "Are you a Jew?"

She made her mouth like a fish and drew in her breath. She put her finger to her lips and shook her head. She cupped her hands about my ear and whispered into it. "Yes. But I'm not suposed to tell anyone."

Page (the paragraph was found on): 34

Paragraph (number of the paragraph from all on page): 8

Reason(s) (for choosing this paragraph): From the moment I read this passange I knew the her character would be a very important one in the story. For Misha had made one of his very first friends, not counting Uri and the boys, and she just so happen to be a Jew. Seeing as they would probably become close, since the character of Misha countiues to visit her garden day after day,  it would be a problem that she was a Jew.

Milkweed (Discussion Director_Nina)

Last week my group and I started Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. Since then we have read 70 pages. Also, this time I will be the Discussion Director. Here are the questions I have come up with regarding the novel:

1. Why does Jerry Spinelli (Author) begin the story with a 'memory'?

My Answer: I think the author began the story with a memory because he wanted to be respectful to all the people that died during the holocaust. Furthermore, I think that he also wanted the reader to be aware of what a horrible period that was how people lived or at least tried to live then.

My Groups Answer: Like myself, the rest of the group said the same thing. The author most likely wanted to remind everyone of what a terrible period that was and that we are lucky living in todays even thought, flawed world.

2. What does the flower which is tossed  at the tanks symbolize?

My Answer: The author most likely wanted to symbolize the desire of all people for peace as this is an important aspect.

My Groups Answer: The people, besides wanting peace might have also wanted to recognize all the people killed in the cold war as well as the fact that many families have lost their beloved ones due to power.

3. How are the Jackboots portrayed by the author?

My Answer: On one hand, the Jackboots are portrayed as different, and on the other, the protagonist of this novel, Misha, is afraid of them, but at the same time looks up at them as well.

My Groups Answer: Misha looks up at them, although at times is also scared of them.  Nonetheless, this question was debatable  within the group.

4. Why isn't Misha happy about the birthday cake and candles?

My Answer: From my perspective, Misha is not happy due to some bad memories that he is recalling when seeing the cake and candles.  Perhaps, something that he doesn't have, or something in his past that has happened that he was not too fond of.

Groups Answer: Misha is not happy to celebrate his birthday because it reminds him that he is getting older and with that there are different responsibilities. Further, that he is also reminded of something bad that has happened or even someone he lost or loved.

5. Why does Uri resist admitting  to having faith in something?

My Answer: Uri doesn't want to admit having faith in something because he wants to keep it to himself, or is afraid someone might judge him or treat him differently because of it.

My Groups Answer: Uri does not want to confess to having faith in something because he does not want to feel or seem weak.

Milkweed -Spinelli (Illustrator_Claire)

For this Literature Circle meeting, our group read the first 70 pages of Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. I had decided to be the illustrator, so I made a drawing of a soldier asking "Are you a Jew?" and Misha Pilsudski, the protagonist of this book, answering that he is a Gypsy. I drew shadows beside the Jackboot soldier to emphasize the darkness of war, and I tried drawing Misha appear innocent.

Ana thought the soldier appeared evil and I characterized it well. Arabela thought that the drawing symbolized the fear of Misha against the Jackboots.
Nina thought that the sketch represented eye contact and hatred.

Gwendy - Milkweed Discussion Director

This week our literature circles group finished the book Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. I was the discussion director for this time and therefore chose five questions to pose to the rest of my group.

1. Why do the flops (Jewish soldiers on the Nazi side) fight with the Nazis, against the Jews, when they are Jews themselves? 
My answer: The chances are, they get bribed through money, food and shelter to 'support' the Nazis. I suppose it would be worth it if the other option would be to be treated unfairly as an inferior person.  Unfortunately, because of the treatment of the Jews by the Nazis, I wouldn't be suprised if they killed them later.
Additional answers from group: They helped the Nazis since the believed that they would be safer if they did so. (Ashley)
Why I chose this question: I chose this question since it intrigued me why the Flops would fight against their own race, especially in such an extreme manner.

2. Why doesn't Janina want to run away?
My answer: Probably Janina doesn't want to run away with Misha because she's afraid of leaving Poland, her home and the place she is used to. Of course, she probably hasn't realized that the ghetto isn't actually the safest place to be and that they aren't going to create a better future for her.
Additional answers from group: Maybe she doesn't want to leave her dad since she probably would never see him again. (Ashley)
Why I chose this question: I chose this question because I found it strange how Janina was reluctant to leave the ghetto when the aim of the Nazis putting the Jews in the ghetto was to eventually kill them.

3. Why does Misha/Jack's wife leave him?
My answer: A possible reason that Jack or Misha's wife would leave him could be that she suspects that he his in love with another woman (Janina in this case) or if not, loves her more than his wife.
Additional answers: Maybe she left him because she couldn't comprehend the extent of the things Misha experienced.
Why I chose this question: I found it odd that she left Misha especially since she was 5 months pregnant with his child at the time.

4. Why does Misha change his name to Jack? 
My answer: If people knew his real name it would give away his true identity and the Nazis could find out he escaped and track him down easily. Also, Jack is a more western name and therefore he would fit in more easily when moving to America.
Why I chose this question: I was interested in what my group would say about this and whether they would have any further opinions on the matter.

5. Why do you think the book starts with 'I was running?'
My answer: It symbolizes that Misha, the protagonist is always running from somewhere, trying to get somewhere where he can settle and be happy. And at the end he finally is capable of this.
Additional answers: It was his first memory in the book.
Why I chose this question: I chose this question because I was certain that it symbolized something and connected the ending, where Misha is finally reunited with his family to the beginning in some way.

Literary Luminary - Ashley

We have finished the entire 208 pages of the book.

These are the five paragraphs and sentences that truly made me think and feel.

1. page 142 - 143 paragraph 4 - 5

"Milkweed," I said. She plucked it from my shirt. She held it by the seed up to the light. She dusted her nose with it and giggled. She stood on tiptoes and held it as high as she could and let it go. It sailed toward the sky. "That's my angle." she said.

I chose this paragraph because before, Janina stated that she hated Misha's angel. She despised his ideas; most likely due tot he fact that she could not see her angel. They did nothing to help her. Yet, this, this milkweed puff  between her fingers is real. It represented the freedom that some would never achieve.

My group's reactions...

Ewa: It was touching. Misha wasn't really attached to anyone in the beginning and this reminded me of how he had a family now.

Gwendy: ...Aww.

2. page 146 paragraph 2 - 3

      I wondered why the hanging body had stopped her. It was not the first she had seen. Death was as familiar to us as life. Even those still breathing, walking-they looked as if they were waiting for someone to tell them they were dead.

     So why was my heart hammering my chest? Because the body, I could see now as I stopped beside her, had one arm. It was a boy. It was Olek. A sign was hanging across his chest. In the moonlight it was easy to see the words, but I could not read. Flat on the ground, his shadow was hanging too.

When I read this, the description truly made my heart hammer my chest as well. The solemn, grave way that Olek's death was portrayed set a gloomy, heart-stopping scene for me.

Everyone was silent for this piece of text.

3. page 148 paragraph 1 + 2

He was smiling, showing the world his brown teeth. His hand came down on my shoulder. "Misha...Misha...Is it not a beautiful day?"
   I looked around. It seemed like any other day to me. Gray. Up the street a man was banging his head against a stone wall.
   But I was an agreeable fellow. "Yes." I said.

This is one of the few parts of the book that made me laugh. It is hard to describe why, but the blunt language and picturing the man banging his head on a wall while Misha is saying it is a beautiful day was humorous and funny.

4. page 158 paragraph ...none.

"No." he said. He tapped my chest. "Happy is here." He tapped his own chest. "Here."

This was Gwendy's favorite because it is blunt but full of so much meaning. Reading this made me happy as well.

5. page 204 paragraph 1

She smiled and nodded and said, "We hear you. It's enough. It's over." And they walked on, and I went another way...

This made me feel like it was the end of the book. The fact that someone heard him made so much of a difference.

The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank (Discussion Director)

This week, Nina, Ana, Arabela, and I read the last 180 pages of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.  I was the Discussion Director, and asked 5 questions that seemed important to me.

Q1: How did you feel when Anne flirted with Peter?
A1: I was empathized into Anne, and I was feeling glad for her when Peter and she went further in relationship. I also have flirted with several guys throughout my life, but I've never went that far. Anne and I are both teenage girls, and are having similar thoughts. I enjoyed reading about Anne flirting with Peter.

Q2: What did you think when Anne was interested in studying Greek mythology?
A2: I was quite surprised when Anne said that she loves reading books about Greek mythology. I am rather enthusiastic in anything related to art, such as music, fine art, and dancing. However, I don't find science, history, or mythology interesting at all. I am fascinated how Anne likes to study Greek mythology. I have once tried to read a book related to mythical tales of Greece, but I found myself drifting asleep as I started the first page. I truly think that it was a myth itself that I've finished the book.

Q3: What has surprised you reading this section of the book?
A3: I was surprised about how mature a 14 year old teenager can be. I've found out that Anne's inward thoughts and feelings were getting very deep compared to when she started writing in her diary. I noticed that the diaries about her thoughts deep inside her heart were increasing, all making sense. I wondered, if I also keep a diary for such a long time, will I also be like her and grow mature in thoughts?

Q4: What would you draw if you were the Illustrator?
A4: If I were the Illustrator, I would divide the sheet into half by drawing a silhouette of a young girl's head(sideways), and I would draw all the good things and imaginations and hopes of Anne in the section of the girl's head, representing Anne's hope and expectations. In the rest of the paper which is outside of the young girl's mind, I would draw grey shadows to represent the reality of war and the world.

Q5: How would you feel if you were Anne Frank?
A5: If I were Anne Frank, I would probably be insane by now if it weren't Peter. I hate being inside, and I can't bear staying indoors on weekends. How would I tolerate being indoors for years? Even though she's not entirely inside the Secret Annexe, I would call it 'wholly indoors for years'. I would be ill of boredom, sickness, depression, loneliness, and frustration.

The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank (Vocabulary Enricher)

By todays meeting my group, Nina, Claire, and Arabela, and I have finished the book The Diary of a Young Girl: Anne Frank. Along with that, for this meeting I took on the role of Vocabulary Enricher, and these are the words that I choose from the book that I either never heard of before, or have not heard of in that context.

#1:

Word: Pricking's
Knew (the word and what it meant): Nina.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Arabela, and Claire.

Definition: Cause mental or emotional discomfort to.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-Make a small hole in (something) with a sharp point; pierce it slightly,

-Feel a sensation as though a sharp point were sticking into one,

-Provoke to action,

-(of tears) cause the sensation of imminent weeping in (a person's eyes), and

-(especially of a horse or dog) make (the ears) stand erect when on alert.

Page (I found the word on): 184

Paragraph (I found the word on): 4

Sentence (In which I found the word): "After your letter yesterday I have the unpleasant feeling that you will have prickings of conscience when you visit Peter, but really there is no reason for this."

Sentence (That I made using this word): I had a pricking feeling about this ever sine she entered the room. 

#2:

Word: Grudge
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela, and Nina.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Claire.

Definition: be resentful, unwilling to give or allow (something).

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-Feel resentful that (someone) has achieved (something), and

-A persistent feeling of ill will or resentment resulting from a past insult or injury

Page (I found the word on): 190

Paragraph (I found the word on): 3

Sentence (In which I found the word): "Daddy doesn't grudge us these times together, and thinks its nice we get on so well"

Sentence (That I made using this word): Lily's parents didn't grudge her going to the party tonight, but were rather excited.

#3:

Word: Pet
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela, Nina, Claire (knew of the word pet, although not that it could be used for someone being given special treatment).
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): None.

Definition: A person treated with special favor or affection.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-A domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure,

-Treated with special attention evoking particularly strong feelings,

-Affectionate form of address,

-Stroke or pet (an animal) affectionately, and

-Treat (someone) with affection or favoritism; pamper

Page (I found the word on): 191

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1 

Sentence (In which I found the word): "When he lies with his head on his arm with his eyes closed, then he is a child; when he plays with Boche, he is loving; when he carries potatoes or anything heavy, then he is strong; when he goes and watches the shooting or looks for burglars in the darkness, then he is brave; and when he is so awkward and clumsy, then he is just a pet."

Sentence (That I made using this word): Most people resented Jill, for she was the teachers pet.

#4:

Word: Blind
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela, and Nina.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Claire.

Definition: Something designed to conceal ones real intentions.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-Unable to see because of inquiry, disease, or a congenital condition,
-Lacking perception, awareness, or judgment,
-Cause (someone) to be unable to see, permanently or temporarily,
-Deprive (someone) of understanding, perception, or judgment,
-A screen for a window, especially one on a roller or made of slats, and
-Without being able to see clearly.

Page (I found the word on): 200

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1  

Sentence (In which I found the word): ""thats a blind," I said to Margot, "anyone can see through that one!"."

Sentence (That I made using this word): I asked my parents if I can go to Jenny's house, as a bind. We were really going to watch a movie

#5:

Word: Gestapo
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela, and Nina.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Claire.

Definition: The official secret state police of Nazi Germany that occupied Europe.

Page (I found the word on): 201

Paragraph (I found the word on): 3

Sentence (In which I found the word): ""Now we are lost!" I said, and "could see us all getting taken away by the Gestapo that very night.

Sentence (That I made using this word): Holly was writing her history paper on the Gestapo, and so was I.

#6:

Word: Perplexed
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela, Claire.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Nina.

Definition: completely baffled, very puzzled.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-Make (someone) feel completely baffled.

Page (I found the word on): 201

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1

Sentence (In which I found the word): "The men were perplexed at such impudence, and both Van Daan and Peter felt murder welling up within them; Van Daan beat on the ground with a chopper, and all was quite again."

Sentence (That I made using this word): I could only respond with an shocked "what?", I was perplexed.

#7:

Word: Impudence
Knew (the word and what it meant): Nina.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Claire, and Arabela.

Definition: the quality of being impudent; impertinence.

Page (I found the word on): 201

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1

Sentence (In which I found the word): "The men were perplexed at such impudence, and both Van Daan and Peter felt murder welling up within them; Van Daan beat on the ground with a chopper, and all was quite again."

Sentence (That I made using this word): I was on Johnny's side in this argument, he was not aware that his impedance was offending others.

#8:

Word: Murder
Knew (the word and what it meant): Nina, and Arabela.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Claire.

Definition: Punish severely or be very angry with.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another,
-Kill (someone) unlawfully and with premeditation,
-A very difficult task or experience,
-Conclusively defeat (an opponent) in a gamer or sport,
-Spoil by lack of skill or knowledge, and
-Consume (food or drink) greedily or with relish.

Page (I found the word on): 201

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1

Sentence (In which I found the word): "The men were perplexed at such impudence, and both Van Daan and Peter felt murder welling up within them; Van Daan beat on the ground with a chopper, and all was quite again."

Sentence (That I made using this word): Sarah was filled with murder towards her friend Lexi.

#9:

Word: Chopper
Knew (the word and what it meant): None.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Arabela, Nina and Claire.

Definition: A short axe with a large blade.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-A helicopter,
-A butchers cleaver,
-A machine for chopping something,
-A device for regularly interrupting an electric current or beam of light or particles, and
-A type of motorcycle with high handlebars and front-wheel fork extended forwards.

Page (I found the word on): 201

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1

Sentence (In which I found the word): "The men were perplexed at such impudence, and both Van Daan and Peter felt murder welling up within them; Van Daan beat on the ground with a chopper, and all was quite again."

Sentence (That I made using this word): Tony chopped the firewood in half using a chopper.

#10:

Word: Lavatory
Knew (the word and what it meant): Nina, Claire, and Arabela.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): None.

Definition: A toilet.

Page (I found the word on): 202

Paragraph (I found the word on): 2

Sentence (In which I found the word): "Next we did three things: we went over again what we supposed has happen, we trembled with fear, and we had to go to the lavatory."

Sentence (That I made using this word): As we circled around the school hallways looking for the nearest lavatory, we stumbled upon a teacher who was able to give us directions.

#11:

Word: Lozenges
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Nina, and Claire

Definition: A small medicine tablet, originally in the shape of a lozenge, taken for sore throats and dissolved in the mouth.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-A rhombus or diamond shape, and
-A charge in the shape of a solid diamond, in particular one which the arms of an unmarried or widowed women are displayed.

Page (I found the word on): 216

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1

Sentence (In which I found the word): "Mrs. Van Daan was in such a bad mood this morning, nothing but complaints! First, theres her cold, and she can't get any lozenges, and so much nose-blowing is unendurable."

Sentence (That I made using this word): During the weekend in which I was sick, I was desperately looking for lozenges for my sore throat; although i couldn't find any.

#12:

Word: Swindle
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Nina, and Claire.

Definition: Obtain (money) fraudulently.

Although there are many more definitions for this word such as:

-Use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions, and
-A fraudent scheme or action.

Page (I found the word on): 226

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1 

Sentence (In which I found the word): "The police and night watchmen  join in just as strenuously as the professionals, everyone wants something in their empty stomaches and because wage increases are forbidden the people simply have to swindle."

Sentence (That I made using this word): John was involved in a million dollar insurance swindle.

#13:

Word: Cognac
Knew (the word and what it meant): Nina.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Arabela, Claire.

Definition: A high-quality brandy, strictly speaking that distilled in Cognac in western France.

Page (I found the word on): 247

Paragraph (I found the word on): 1

Sentence (In which I found the word): "He helped everyone, his art was everything to him, he was mad about cognac and about women, he could not bear to see tears, was a gentleman, would never refuse to do anyone a favour, didn't care about money, loved religious liberty and world freedom."

Sentence (That I made using this word): Jill went to the bar with her friends to have some cognac.

#14:

Word: Appeasement
Knew (the word and what it meant): Arabela.
Didn't Know (the word and what it meant): Nina, and Claire.

Definition: The action or process of appeasing.

Page (I found the word on): 273

Paragraph (I found the word on): 3 

Sentence (In which I found the word): "Convinced at last that appeasement of the German dictator would lead only to further aggression, England and France declared war and prepared for the inevitable attack in the west."

Sentence (That I made using this word): The Smith family had a policy of appeasing.