Reading Journal #2

Hi everyone! I just finished Chapter 15 of Breaking Through. I think that the book is going really fast like you read one chapter about Panchito trying to get good grades and then in the next, he's already in his Sophmore year. In one chapter I read, it mentioned the neighborhood bully, Carlos, and it quickly reminded me about a bully that made fun of me alot in 4th grade. The same chapter also had this part where Panchito's dad cut his hair in a way he didn't like. I remember a few years back when my mom brought me to a hair salon, and they cut my hair really short. I also disliked it until my hair grew back again. Panchito soon started High School and I found out he wants to become a teacher. I think it's cool to become a teacher, but his father wouldn't approve because he said "Only rich people become teachers." When he started high school, it kinda reminded me of when I started 7th grade. He had a hard time in his P.E. though because he lost alot of points from suiting up. I also had a hard time in P.E. when I was in middle school because I'm not really into sports. Later on, Panchito was able to get a job from a cleaning company. I was proud of him because he was able to help out his family more, especially during that time because they couldn't pay the rent. He was struggling to keep up on his typing class though, but he was able to buy a type writer from a place he cleans up at. With practice on that type writer, he was able to get a good grade on that class. However, English for Panchito was really difficult. He was able to improve when his teacher helped him out. What improved his grade was writing a book report. He also said that he read the book until 1 AM. He's kinda like me. When I read a book I'm interested in, I can not put the book down. Last night, I read a book called Just Listen (by Sarah Dessen) until past midnight. :) Another thing that I could realate from the book is racial discrimination. When I started in a new elementary school in 5th grade, I actually met my best friend because of discrimination. The friends that her and I were hanging out with discriminated her becasue one of the girls' mom told them not to hang out with her. Anyways, Panchito soon learned how to drive and was accepted in the California Scholarship Federation. When I was in middle school, I was accepted in the California Junior Scholarship Federation for 2 semesters. Panchito also was able to attend a trip to a college. I've never been to a college before, but I hope I can go visit one soon. :) And I guess that's where I left off! I'll post my "Where I'm From" poem later or maybe tomorrow. Ttyl!
~Denise :)