Mackenzie Phelps

@HarpreetEN285 Ishmael does live and deal with situations that are unimaginable to anyone, including tweens. To see that he can find comfort is so powerful and shows how strong he is.

Ishmael’s experience with the war is terrifying. As a tween he separates from his family, has to think about survival, and has frightening dreams. Although, he finds comfort in his childhood memories. For example, the images he sees in the moon builds his imagination. #285WLU10

"It seemed we were transforming our sufferings as we talked about ways to solve their causes and let them be known to the world." This shows that even though he as been through so much, there is still promise for a better life through acceptance. #285WLU10

Reading about Ishmael's life as horrifying and unimaginable as it was, also teaches teens that there can be hope in even the worst of situations. The following quote,“At the end of these long discussions, our faces and eyes glittered with hope and the promise..." (1/2) #285WLU10

@ilonkam5445 I feel the same way! Reading BGD did not feel difficult to get through as I have felt in the past trying to read poetry. Also you are right, writing about her real experiences were emotional and for many readers relatable - which did make it that much more interesting to read.

This novel is a great introductory for tweens into the world of poetry, one that I wish I had at that age. I also enjoyed how so many of the things Jacqueline experiences such as comparing herself to her sister or grief of someone passing can be so relatable for tweens. #285WLU9

Brown Girl Dreaming is such a powerful book. Jacqueline's passion for storytelling made her writing style so much more impactful. The poem "ghosts" was so written vividly and made me visualize each line as if I was there myself. #285WLU9

@emmadav78039083 I love this analogy! It's so true - although tweens may have parental figures/older family and friends in their lives, the tween time period and transition to adulthood is something that can only be figured out individually and by one's own experiences.

The dance with the living and dead could serve as a symbol for the area of life between childhood and adulthood. No one wants to talk about it or explain it (like the awkward conversation of puberty). Or the way tweens have to figure out how to grow up on their own. #285WLU8

in the Graveyard. This also shows that Bod is in fact ready to start a new chapter of his life, due to everything he has learnt and experienced thus far. It ended up being a good ending after all! #285WLU8

“Face your life, Its pain, its pleasure, Leave no path untaken” “Leave no path untaken,” repeated Bod. “A difficult challenge, but I can try my best.” These lyrics Mrs.Owens sang to Bod really represents the strength she has in her son knowing he was raised well in (1/2) #285WLU8

@Areejkhalid99 I love this statement too, Bod is very different from the typical tween (for obvious reasons), so Mother Slaughter saying this to him makes it even more meaningful. Being different is a good thing, and our evolvement as individuals shouldn't be feared.

The setting of this book is very interesting to me, as Bod begins his life and learns so much in a place that symbolizes the end of someone's journey. It makes me wonder if his home environment will come back to haunt him in the end? #285WLU7

@JeffEn285 It is crazy...I knew certain marketing strategies had negative aspects but the ultimate outcome affects tweens development severely and takes away from an extremely important part of their middle-childhood. #285WLU6

I never knew how drastic of an impact that marketing had on children. The negative side of market that is explained by the Multinational Monitor shows that children are pressured to be unrealistic and unhealthy. This idea is crazy and there needs to be change #285WLU6

Linn states that tween girls are aspiring to "get older younger" by following marketing strategies such as sexualized clothing, which creates a deprivation of a normal paced middle-childhood where "creativity and self-exploration flourished." This is quite detrimental! #285WLU6

@En285Nolan That's a great point! You are right, if the curse was broken any other way, the moral of the story would not have the same effect. Ella breaking the curse herself meant so much more than just a happy ending. #285WLU5

I like how Lucinda cannot break the obedience curse. Not only do I think it's a good message that Ella has to figure it out on her own, I also found that narratively it was more exciting as I had more anticipation and curiosity as to how she was going to break the curse #285WLU5

Char's character ends up showing tweens that princes in fairytales don't always have everything on their terms. He says, "Marriage is supposed to be forever, but friendship can be forever too." Despite his feelings for Ella, he lets their relationship be on her terms. #285WLU5

@MeganCruzEN285 Definitely not! Although living in a fantasy land would be amazing, having that curse would be horrible. Especially horrible when people take advantage of you, and not having the choice to stand up for yourself. #285WLU4

Ella is living everyone's nightmare of always having to do as your told. Yet also gets to live in a fantasy land with gnomes, fairies and even her own prince. Would anyone dare to have her curse but get to live in a fantasy world? #285WLU4

Ella's "gift of obedience" mimics the classic rule of "always do as you are told" by adults. This curse can be related to tweens who feel like they are under a spell in their own lives, doing things they don't want to do yet being too afraid to say otherwise. #285WLU4

@SchwantzBrianna I agree with your perspective on Violet's character! Even in times of crisis and panic, she still manages to create inventions to save her and her siblings. This is very commendable especially at such a young age. #285WLU3

This book demonstrates that although children deal with many hardships, they're rarely taken as seriously as adults. Despite the Baudelaire's seeking help in difficult situations, they fail to receive any acknowledgement in hopes of getting away from the evil Count Olaf #285WLU3

@HarpreetEN285 I agree - Ole Golly shouldn't have been the only adult figure caring for her and having a good relationship with her. Perhaps Harriet being so intrigued with other people's lives is because she feels misunderstood in her own, due to the lack of effort from her parents. #285WLU2

After Ole Golly leaves, Harriet has to be independent rather than being dependent on what Ole Golly says. If Harriets’ parents spent more time with her and tried to understand her, it would’ve been easier for Harriet to talk to them openly as she did with Ole Golly. #285WLU2

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