COMING OF AGE READING RESPONSE

In the book Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Sallinger, the main character, Holden Caulfield, seems annoyed with everybody around him and what is happening to his life. Throughout the beginning of the book, he has built up a bad reputation for himself to his teachers and classmates, and learns that that sometimes things don't play out the right way for you.

In the beginning, it is clear that Holden is a bad kid. He has been kicked out of four schools, and about to be expelled at Pencey prep school, the school he discusses in the first few chapters. Holden isn't well liked by his teachers and classmates. Holden becomes nervous when his roommate who was on a date with his ex-girlfriend comes back at night, but because he keeps teasing him he ends up getting a bloody nose. Holden seems completely annoyed at his situation and how sometimes things play out the wrong way for you.

Throughout the beginning part of the story, Holden acts like he is bored and annoyed with his current situation and with his life. He is failing all his classes, and he isn't very happy with himself or the people around him. He realizes throughout he beginning that sometimes things don't play out the righ way for you, as it has been for him so far.

JEREMY LIN SONNET

He goes upcourt while dribbling the ball

beat Kobe, Deron Williams, and Dirk

he is so fast, he even crossed John Wall,

whatever he tries it will always work,

six foot three, he wears number seventeen,

he would never back down from a challenge,

one of the greatest stories ever seen,

many skills but also hidden talent.

Had a game winning shot verse the raptors,

score, pass, dunk, or steal he can do it all,

Lin-Sanity silenced all the haters,

best whenever he has the basketball.

Anything he does, it helps his team win,

an elite point guard Jeremy Lin.

READING RESPONSE

In the book "Red Scarf Girl" by Ji-Li Jiang the main character Ji-Li learns that sometimes you are born with differences that you're not able to control. In the first few chapters Ji-Li Jiang is faced with prejudice from her classmates that she can't control.

In the beginning of the book, Ji-Li is faced with prejudice because of her family background. Because of these stereotypes made against her she is not able to become at red successor, which is a higher level of respect, because her grandfather was a landlord which was considered a crime. Ji-Li had no control over what her grandfather had done, yet she still faces prejudice and doesn't receive the same privileges at her classmates. Like Ji-Li in our world are born with disparities that they aren't able to command.

Just like Ji-Li, prejudices can be made for any reason and can disable certain people from obtaining specific benefits, even if they have no control over their differences. Sometimes people are born a certain way and have to live with stereotypes and prejudices.

READING RESPONSE

In the book "A Raisin in the sun" by Lorraine Hansberry the main character, Walter, realizes, that money cannot solve all of his problems. Throughout the story, he tries to make himself believe that money will equal happiness and that it is the only solution to his problems.

In the beginning of the book Walter is always talking about how money will allow him to be like the rich white people and give him happiness. Despite all of this, when Walter receives his check for $10,000 from life insurance money and his family buys a new house he hasn't fulfilled his goal of reaching happiness. He learns that you can't buy happiness.

Throughout the book, Walter always thinks that money will give him everything, but realizes that happiness he can't buy, that he must obtain it himself without money.

READING RESPONSE

In the book "I am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore, the main character,  John, realizes that bravery and determination can lead you to success. Throughout the book, he is brave in everything he does and becomes successful because of that.

For the duration of the beginning of the book, John moves from city to city to hide the fact that he is an alien and is being hunted down to be killed. Towards the middle, they find out who John really is and become aware of everything that is happening. Through bravery and determination when either fighting or hiding his true identity, John bis always brave and never gives up or quits on a problem. As in the book, in the world, bravery and determination can be significant to a lot of things in life that will help you succeed. Like John, being brave and never giving up can be a key to success.

In conclusion, bravery and determination can be important in everything you do. In the same way that John did, bravery and determination are crucial to succeeding.

RESEARCH

Topic: Racial Discrimination

Story Idea: An immigrant family from Yemen moves to the U.S. The son experiences discrimination from his peers.

What struggles do immigrants from Arab countries face in the U.S.?

Arab immigrants face prejudice and stereotypes because September 11 and war in Iraq have made some Americans distrust in Arab immigrants.

Why did Arab immigrants come to America?

They came to America around 1880 to 1924 because they were struggling as farmers in Arab countries. After 1948 most Arab immigrants came to America after fleeing their home countries due to wars and violence.

How do Americans view Arab immigrants?

Some Americans view Arab immigrants as terrorists or have distrust in them. This is in part to the terrorist attacks on September 11 and current wars in Arab countries.

RESEARCH:

Went to Sirs and found "American Immigrants: Arab Americans" by Sharon Cromwell. January 1, 2008.

http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=S44-4241-0-1830&artno=0000316416&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=arab%20immigrants&title=American%20Immigrants%3A%20Arab%20Americans&res=Y&ren=N&gov=N&lnk=N&ic=N

SOCIAL AWARENESS POST

An article from the Los Angeles Times, "No work, No Reason to Go North" discusses how illegal immigration has decreased over the past few years due to the poor economy. The article explains how work in the U.S. is getting more and more difficult to find, forcing many immigrants to return to their home countries. The article states that there is no point going north because you will find yourself in a dead end shortly after you do. Jobs are becoming scarce both north and south of the border. Because of less jobs, illegal immigrants have stopped entering America as much as they had previously. Statistics show that illegal immigration from Mexico has dropped from over 7 million in 2008 to 6 and a half million immigrants in 2010. This is most likely due to a decrease in jobs, which leads to discouraging future immigrants from coming to America.

Another Los Angeles Times article, "An Education Gap for Illegal Migrants' Kids," analyzes how children of illegal immigrants in the U.S. fare compared to legal residents. The study found that children of illegal immigrants averaged 11 years of education, due to financial, anxiety and work issues, compared with approximately 13 years for those whose parents were legal residents. Addressing the education gap is important otherwise as the article states, "By not providing pathways to legalization, the United States not only risks creating an underclass, but also fails to develop a potentially valuable human resource." Studies have shown that once children of illegal immigrants become legalized, their level of motivation to succeed in school increases dramatically as they feel like they have a better chance to succeed in society.