Terrence PH

@JeffEn285 The book portrays how many mediums of life are used against or to aid tweens. In the case of films, they were used to desensitize the boy soldiers to violence. Music could've replaced those films with the use of violent tracks and vice versa with film rehabilitation. #285WLU10

Music for tweens is a way to disconnect from the world. Music is portrayed this way in A Long Way Gone, but is also seen as the positive light for tweens. It saves Ishmael’s life multiple times such as helping with his rehabilitation and saving his life from the rebels. #285WLU10

The duality of war is portrayed through Beah's experiences both as the terrorized and the terrorizer. At first, Beah lived each day in fear and hopelessness of his lost family. As a soldier, he became the harbinger of the very things that had caused him so much anguish. #285WLU10

@AlexandraGeitz I found that line to be especially indicative of how it isn't where we come from, but the experiences we find in life that shape us. In the case of Jacqueline, it is especially true in how she feels little connection to Ohio but so much so to South Carolina. #285WLU9

#285WLU9 The theme of home is highly prevalent in Brown Girl Dreaming. At first, South Carolina is her only home and nothing else, especially New York, can replace it. Over time, home becomes a more figurative word encompassing her relationships rather than the place itself.

The lady on the grey seems to be the dead embodiment of Lady Jane Grey; appearing onto the scene and gathering the attention and awe of the graveyard residents and gracefully making decisions. At the Danse Macabre, she portrayed the queen image by dancing with Bod. #285WLU8

@kayrasahin8 Of the two chapters Scarlett appeared in, I saw her as a possible romantic interest for Bod (with them even appearing in each other's dreams!) and figured that the lack of living (keyword) romantic love around him saw that Bod himself did not see what could've been. #285WLU8

I think Bod’s character is very interesting. He was so close to Scarlett, and was a bit sad when she left. However moved on very quick. Maybe this is because of him being raised in a graveyard, he is aware that nothing or anyone in his life is permanent. #285WLU8

@BaverstockJulia I feel as though that character transformation from a young boy to a young adult really depicts the nurturing of life and perfectly contrasts the theme of death in the book. It is through Bod's coming of age that we see progress in life and stagnation in death. #285WLU7

This is the first coming of age story I’ve read in which you get to see the character actually growing up. As Bod ages, the reader can understand and see his character transformation from young boy to young adult #285WLU7

#285WLU7 The Graveyard Book reminds me a lot of Disney's Tarzan with the whole "raised by wolves" thing turning into "raised by a graveyard". The similarities are near endless especially with their longing to rejoin society. With Tarzan, it's humans and Bod it's the living.

#285WLU6 In a world of over-sexualization portrayed across media coverage, T.S. had "the pretty, but not aggressively sexy, look" creating a more realistic and relatable role model persona as the "teen queen" courageously overcoming far older critics at a young age. (NYT, 2011)

@murr2420 @BlazeWelling @LogesEric The effects of children regularly watching YouTube these days is shown through how quickly they mature and display adultlike tendencies and personas. Being able to draw on the experiences of those far older than them creates an illusion of being older than they are. #285WLU6

I was shocked to learn from the Susan Linn interview that 40% of 3 month old babies are regular TV watchers! I thought this was a crazy statistic and leaves me wondering why? Are parents trying to get a break or do they actually believe it is educational? #285WLU6

@SuchetEN285 It's through that same mutual respect and staying true to herself for the one she loves that helped her to break the curse. If she was willing to change herself for Char, she would have happily accepted the marriage "command" instead of marrying Char of her own accord. #285WLU5

Ella did not try to change herself for Char. Throughout all their interactions, it seemed she was consistently in-character and there was a sense of mutual respect. This was an impt example for tweens of a healthy relationship and remaining true to yourself. #285WLU5

#285WLU5 If the gift of obedience can be used to make Ella happy about following commands (when Lucinda ordered her), wouldn't simply being ordered to be happy work in the pursuit of happiness?

@JeffEn285 The use of Ella's gift is a straightforward way of showing the difference between those taking advantage of you and who your friends are. The contrast of good and bad is heavily prevalent and blatantly obvious to truly depict true friendship. #285WLU4

True friends are the people who are there for you and make you better. In Ella Enchanted, you can easily tell the difference based on if they control Ella’s enchantment or if they protect from others. Finding your true friends is hard to do sometimes but is worth it #285WLU4

#285WLU4 Ella Enchanted a.k.a. the logical rewriting of Cinderella provides so many answers to the plot holes found in Cinderella like: "Why does she listen to her mean stepmother?" Ah, the gift of obedience. "Why does she run from the prince?" Ah, the gift of obedience.

@HarpreetEN285 I also think this message is one of hope to many children that may have been in similar positions to the Baudelaire children as it shows that there are other kids like them, and that overcoming the seemingly impossible odds of escaping an awful situation is possible. #285WLU3

I liked how the Baudelaire children stood together to escape Count Olaf. They shared their feelings and thoughts, which gave them a sense of comfort. It shows that when children have someone with them, it makes them feel stronger. #285WLU3

#285WLU3 Violet's incredibly intelligent way of voiding her marriage with Count Pedophile is more than just fictional justice. It's right.

@mphelps285 I completely agree and believe a further extension of their parental ineptitude was sending their child to therapy. While I have nothing against therapy, sending their child to therapy in those times seems like more of a way to wash their hands of the problem with minimal effort.

I believe the way Harriet's parents handled her behaviour was poor, especially taking her notebook away from her. They should have used her notebook as a way to connect and understand her, especially after how unhappy she was about Ole Golly and her problems at school. #285WLU2

#285WLU2 If everyone were to write down their private thoughts and observations in a notebook and have it seen by everyone, who would be able to walk away unscathed and who would receive the same backlash as Harriet?

@SuchetEN285 I think Harriet's naivety is how she turns a blind eye to them because we all know she is no stranger to observing people. By doing this, she is able to spend less time worrying about what goes on in their absences and more time enjoying their company. #285WLU1

It's interesting how Harriet softens around her parents. She's persistently curious & more mature than her peers but naive to her parents' absences & longs for comfort from them. For ex, "it made her comfortable to have her mother remind her [to drink]" (Fitzhugh 22) #285WLU1

#285WLU1 The constant use of similes like "Pinky was so pale, thin, and weak that he looked like a glass of milk, a tall thin glass of milk." (23) made me SiMILE while reading the book (haha get it).