Reading Response #2

   In the book "The evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Tate is all about the growth in Calpurnia's imagination and how it effects her outside life. As her scientific curiosity grows, so does her relatonship with her grandfather. The story takes place in the early 1900's late 1800's making the time and environment very controversial for female children. I think the theme that Jaqueline Kelly is trying to emphasize is that imagination is key because curiosity and similarities are what build relationships.
 
   The first reason I think this is because of something Calpurnia says towards the begining of the book. She is talking about her relationship with her Grandfather. "The Origin of Species. Here, in my own house. I recieved it in both my hands. He smiled. Thus begin my Relationship with granddaddy." This is what made me come up with my theory on the theme of the book. When I read this line I immediately knew what the Author was trying to say because the only people that Calpurnia has good relationships with in her family are her brother Harry and her Granddaddy. The reason why is because she shares common curiosities with both of them. Harry constantly inquires about what Calpurnia is thinking about and her Grandfather becomes her scientific mentor.
 
   The second reason was because of way calpurnia describes her grand father. She speaks of him in a very detailed manor and speaks of her constant devotion and compassion for him. Here, for example. "I had learned for sure: You could not win when it came to class insecta, order Lepidoptera. We would have to make a study of it, my loving and newfound grandfather." Well that just makes it so obvious! There, it says it right there. The reason that she loves him and cares for him so much is because he understands how she feels about science. Especially since her mother wants her to go to school to learn how to sew and walk in a proper manor.

   In conclusion I most definitely think the theme of this book is that curiosity and imagination create relationships. I mean, the amount of text evidence supporting such a theme is impressive. Besides, it can be related to real life. People who share common interests bond well. In fact, almost as well as Calpurnia and her Grandfather.

Responses to Responses

  Sophia H.G.
  I loved Sophia's blog post! She definitely understood the similarities between the two books she read over the summer. I really agree with her that the two girls both had to fight very hard. I think she also did a very good job of summarizing the two books so I could really understand what she thought about the lessons and themes in the two books. It was also very touching when she talked about how she thought about racism and how unfair some things are.  Those thoughts perfectly lead in to the next paragraph about the last similarity she noticed. It definitely seems like she understood the book entirely.

  Pace Singletary
  Pace's blog post was extremely informative and I definitely understood his thoughts on the book. He told the story so well that I felt as if I was reading the book for the first time.  His summary made me want to read the book. I mean, the way pace told the story was so intense. I wish there was a movie for this book! Hey Pace, what do you think? maybe a movie?

From Baghdad With Love, By Jay Kopelmen

           Over the summer I read an amazing and deep book called From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava By Jay Kopelman in which Kopelmen, a soldier in Iraq grows fond of a puppy he finds over seas and tries to bring it home. I really enjoyed this book for a number of reasons but I especially liked it for one. There are a lot of books about the war in Iraq, but unlike all of those, this one has something more. It really shows that out of such hate and destruction can come Love and happiness. That is the message I received throughout the book.

           

            One example of when I got the message was in the very beginning. As Kopelmen entered the HQ at Fallujah, weary and tired, he wasn’t expecting what hit him next. As Lava, a small puppy that was cowering in the building when the troops bombarded the city bolted around the corner and bounced off of Kopelmen. It then began to growl. I found the fact that even these-war hardened, weary men were then able to care for this small puppy. I knew they really loved Lava because they took enough time to de-flea him with tobacco and de-worm him with kerosene. It is illegal to have any sort of pets during service but these soldiers made an exception. Even though the stress of war was on them, they found love and happiness within Lava.

            That makes me think more. I wonder why it is that the military forbids having pets. I mean, really, it could go either ways. A mascot for the unit might be good because it obviously boosted Morale. Each soldier tried even harder to stay alive, not only for friends and family back home, but Lava too. Then again, if Lava had died, it would have been heart breaking for the troops so I guess I see the reasoning behind the rules.

            In the end I think this is just the best book. One because it really makes you think. Secondly, I think that it is just the most interesting story, and lastly, because it opens the war up to a much broader view. This book didn’t only show what war is like on the battlefield, but also what war is like in the camp and how it affects one’s mental state. I would sincerely recommend this book to anyone, without a doubt.

Welcome!

Welcome Readers! Readers Constitution is a blog all about my reading life. Henry Kiem. This blog is for my 8th grade E.LA. class and its all about recommendations and responses. Every week I will post a response on a current readers thought of mine. Feel free to chime in and comment on them. I also will be adding more lists and gadgets and folders to make browsing the blog more interesting. Thanks for reading and make sure to check back!

    Henry Kiem, Class 812