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Independent Reading Quote Sandwich: Mentor Samples
By Zi
In the book Mosquitoland, author David Arnold teaches us readers that child neglect can lead to severe depression. Mim Malone is a girl trying to get to her mother that is sick in Cleveland - her parents got divorced three months ago. She encounters adventures on the road, including a boy with no parents, and a old woman that says words like “pizzazz”. On p. 132, Mim reflects on her experiences and conjures up an epiphany that surprises everyone: “I am tired of being alone.” This quote perfectly underscores the contradictions and internal conflict that Mim is going through - she feels as if her dad doesn’t care about her as much as he cares about his new wife, therefore she never feels as if there is someone who actually wants to be with her. p. 73: “A pang of something, injury maybe, settles in my stomach, when I see that Dad only called once. I’ve been gone overnight now, and he’s called once.” This quote perfectly portrays Mim’s longing for a family that wants her, her parents constantly seem to ignore her when she needs them most. They should put themselves in her shoes, and love her for who she is - that is the responsibility of a parent.
By AJ
The book, Kobe, by Joe Layden, teaches us that without risk, there will never be any reward, so if we don’t take a leap of faith every now and then, we will not gain anything in our lifetimes. Kobe, a rising star in the basketball world, must chose whether to play college ball, or go straight to the NBA. Pg. 52-53, “Well, I’ve decided to skip college and take my talents to the NBA. I know I’ll have to work extra hard, and I know this is a big step,” he said. “But I can do it. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s time to seize it while I’m young. I don’t know if I can reach the stars or the moon. If I fall off the cliff, so be it.” This was a deciding moment in Kobe’s life, that would determine who he would become. This was a huge risk for him, because only a handful of players successfully skip college and go to the NBA. However, Kobe decided to take the risk, and in turn, came an enormous payoff. We should all learn from this example of a risk reward situation. Because if there was no risk in our lives, there would be no excitement.
By Maya
A key moment in the story, the Old Man and the Sea, is when the old man’s journey comes to a finish, and when he ‘shouldered the mast…’ (Page 121) People don’t typically shoulder their masts, after a long boat journey, the would probably drag it, or leave it behind in the boat. However, the author wanted to use the mast as a symbol, so I believe this story connects to the story of Jesus Christ. For example, the exact position in which the Old Man carries the mast, mirrors the position in which when Jesus Christ was forced to carry his cross, on the way to his crucifixion. Therefore, the author was definitely trying to show a connection, between Jesus Christ and the old man. In addition, when the rope hurt the old man’s hands, ‘the speed of the line was cutting his hands badly…’ (Page 83) I immediately thought of Jesus Christ’s stigmata. Also, when the old man struggles up the hill, with the mast, ‘he started to climb again and at the top he fell…’ (Page 121) We recall Jesus Christ’s march to Calvary. Also, when he lies on his bed, ‘face down.... with his arms out straight and the palms of his hands up…’ (Page 122) We remember Jesus Christ suffering on the cross. As you can see, these moments greatly show a main theme in this story, the link between the old man and Jesus Christ.
By Michelle
In Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff, I noticed that a moment of epiphany for LaVaughn is after she talks to Jolly because Jolly’s been fired and has almost no more money, and Jolly wants to borrow LaVaughn’s money. She says (on page 63), “What I mean is that money is not going to help her because it’s saved to help me not end up like her”. LaVaughn suddenly realizes that a future like Jolly’s is very possible for her if she doesn’t study hard and get into a good college. Jolly’s situation hadn’t seemed so dire before she lost her job, but when she did, LaVaughn abruptly recognized that she could end up in the same way. LaVaughn also knows that although she wants to help Jolly, she needs to help herself first, which is more wise than the alternatives. She also says on page 65, “It would be college for Verna LaVaughn and good job and not any despair like I saw in these surroundings here.” LaVaughn is right to do this, because although it is not the kindest thing for Jolly, she needs the money for a future, while Jolly has already given up any kind of better future she might’ve had. Even if LaVaughn decided to help Jolly, her money would’ve only kept them afloat for no more than a couple months, and LaVaughn would have lost her entire future, her entire life’s work. Instead of scraping at the bottom of the barrel, Jolly take hold of her life and go back to school and at get a better education so she can at least try to get a stable job, and raise her kids in a better environment.
