Literary+Lumminary

Week 1: Pages 1-51 Descriptive: Scary Passage: page 16 paraghraph 2- page 17 end of page Reason: I chose this passage because I thought it was scary for both the reader and character, Melody. Melody was shopping with her mom and saw some blocks that she had heard had lead paint on them. Lead paint is poisonous and she was trying to warn her mom about them. Melody ended up having no control of her body. It was like a monster was controlling her. That just sounds really frightening to me because there isn't anything you could do to stop it from happening. Melody was just trying to help but ended up having a "tornado expolosion." Her tornado expolosions leave me wondering if Melody will ever be treated as a normal kid by people other than her neighbor, Ms. V., and her dad.

Descriptive: Informative Passage: Page 13 paragraph 5- page 14 paragraph 3 Reason: This passage came out to me as extrememly important and imformative. The passage states that Melody has a photographic memory, like a video recorder that never stops. For a child with the inability to talk, walk, or hold anything, it is a great thing to have. Melody can remember everything she has ever heard, seen, smelled, and more. This skill is uncommon and I believe it helps the reader understand how Melody feels to have to learn everything over and over again when she really is a genius.

Maris (blue)

I understand both of your passages, Maris. I did think it was scary the way Melody acted in the grocery store. When you said, "... leave me wondering if Melody will ever be treated as a normal kid..." I hadn't thought of that when I had read it, now i understand where you got that. Emma

I thought you picked very good passeges to share! I agree with you on how it would be frightning if you couldn't tell someone something important. I also think it is very frustrating for Melody. She always has something to say, and tries so hard but can never give her opinion. That may cause people not to like Melody, or treat her different because she may "lash out" a lot! You told specific points like Emma said that I would of never thought of, but now I understand! Rachel

Week 2: pages 51-102 Discription: Scary pg.73 I knew that a new baby was really time consuming. And i also knew that i took up a lot of time. How would my parents ever have time for both of us? then a really horrible thought popped in my brain. what if they decided to look into Dr. Hugel's suggestions? I couldn't make the thought go away. I thought this passage was scary because if that happened to me i would be really scared. I feel sorry that Melody has to go through this. She shouldn't have to think like that and not be able to tell anyone. Kaitlin

Description:Exciting pg.90 Fifth grade started a few weeks ago, and a couple of cool things happened well I didn’t get a gadget that makes garfeild like speech bubbles, but I did get an electric wheelchair, and our school started something call “inclusion classes.” I thought it was funny. I’v never been included in anything. But these classes are supposed to give kids like me a chance to interact with what everybody else calls the “normal” students. Whats normal? Duh. I think this passage was exciting for both Melody and the reader because Mlody got all these cool things like the electric wheelchair. I think that would be fun and exciting for me if that happened. I also think it’s cool that Melody has a chance to make friends and learn with the “normal” students. Kaitlin

I agree with you Kaitlin! I think it is good that the school is letting the disabled kids join the "normal" kid's classes. It would make me feel good about my self becuase it just shows that no matter how bad you think you are at something or not good enough, you can always accomplish anything you put your mind to! I hope Melody and the other students have a fun time in their music class with the other kids! Rachel

I agree with your second passage. I think that it is cool that Melody has a chance to be treated like she doesn't have a disablity, like she is normal. Melody hasn't really ever had this opportunity so I belive that it would be exciting for her to finally get what she has been hoping for. Maris

I agree with both of your passages, Kaitlin! It does seem very scary what Melody has to go through and I would be scared, too, if this happened to me because I couldn't tell any one what I thought of this and then my parents couldn't understand how upset and scared I would be. When I read the part about Melody getting an electric wheelchair, I thought that, that was cool, if I was Melody I sure would have been excited both about the wheelchair and about making new friends in the new classroom. I can defiantly tell Melody is going to make friends from the music class! Emma

Week #3- Chapter 17 page 155- "Look at it this way" Mr. Dimming told Connor. "If Melody Brooks can win the first round, than my questions must not be hard enough. We're all going to rally to win the competition!" Everybody cheered. Except me. It seems like Mr. Dimming thinks Melody cheated too. I believe that this is important because it up set Melody and she could tell her mother about it, and her mother is easily provoked.

Chapter 15 page 132- Finally, Finally, Finally, on the Wednsday before Christmas, the Medi-Talker arrives. I need no other gift. I felt this part was important for many reasons, one being she can talk now! The second being that Melody is happy, I feel that for the most part she's not very happy in the book. I also feel that the author did a excellent job showing how she felt in not a lot of words. (Liz)

I agree with your first connection. I think that after Melody took the test everyone thought she would do terrible becasue nobody thinks she is smart. When Melody got a perfect score everyone was shocked that she even took the test! I think Melody should be proud of herself for getting a perfect score, because she knows in her heart that she didn't cheat and that's all that matters! Rachel

I agree with your first connection. I think that everyone thought Melody cheated because they think that since she is in a wheelchair she can't be smart and can't think, which I think it really mean. I know some people who are in a wheelchair and they are very smart. If I were Melody I would raise my head high and know I didn't cheat and there is nothing else to it.I'm really glad that Melody won because if it was Connor or someone like that they would be bragging the rest of the day about how they won. Emma

For your first connection, I believe that that statement put Melody down. The teacher basically said that he thought Melody was stupid. It even made me sad. Melody is so nice. She shouldn't have to go through this situation. Your second connection is extremely important. It is really great that Melody can share what she thinks now instead of having all her thoughts bottled up inside her. Good job explaining what you thought of these passages. Maris

I agree with you on your first connection. I don't think it is very fair that Melody is discouraged because of her looks, and it seems like no-one cares other than her family and Mrs. V. I think everyone thought Melody cheated because they all think that shes not smart all because of how "different" she is, when really she isn't that different. Kaitlin

Week 4: Pages 155-206

Chapter 21 page 187 Finally he removes a sheet of paper from his briefcase. "I graded your quiz team tests last night, and since many of you are in this class I will share the results with you now." I felt this passage was important because it really gets the reader anxious to read on. It is one of those moments that is like a cliff hanger, you have to read on! I can't imagine how Melody is feeling during this part of the story.She is anxious to get the results back, because I think she wants to prove to everybody that she can do anything! When I was reading this part my stomach had butterfies becasue I was so anxious for the results, and I was hoping Melody would get on the team. I think that the teachers, and the students now have a new respect for people with disabilities!

I agree completly with your passage! I couldn't put the book down when I got to this part! I'm glad Melody got all of the questions right because she deserves it. I think that Mr. D was being kinda mean before Melody took the practice quiz because you shouldn't judge someone by their personality! Just like the saying, don't judge a book by it's cover. Go Melody!! Emma

Chapter 19 page 169 She is quiet for a long time. Finally she says, "You are a bird Melody. And you will fly on Monday when you take the test." I felt this part of the book was important because it is all about encouragment, and giving hope. When Mrs.V told Melody that I think Melody had a spark of hope in her telling her she can do anything, and she is just as normal as any other kid. I like how the author used the example of the bird too. I think it represented what Melody was going through very well. I can infer that the author means Melody is the bird, and she will pass the test on Monday, and she will make it on the quiz team. I thought this was a great part of the story!

Rachel

I agree with your passage! When the author compared Melody to a bird I didn't think about it any other way than that Melody was like a bird- I didn't think about it the way that you put it. You did a great way of explaining the passage. Emma

Week 5: page 206- 262

Chapter 27, page 242 "Just once I wish I could hug my little sister or tell my dad I love him too. Just once In real words, not through a machine." I think this part of the book is important because it shows you how long and how much Melody has wanted to really talk to her dad or hug her sister or any part of her family. If this was me and this was my life I dont think that I would be able to take it for very long. Not being able to really, truly hug my parents or talk to my siblings would be devestating for my life. I hope someday some doctor or scientist could understand why this happens and figure out a way to fix it because no one should have to go through something like this.

Chapter 28, page 254 "We head outside, and Mrs. V hurries over, camera in hand. She snaps pictures of me getting strapped in, my suitcase being loaded, and my brave and hopeful victory smile." I think this part of the book is important because it shows that just because people may seem different on the outside- like Melody- they are no different on the inside and can do amazing things if they set their mind to it. Melody and her family knew all along that there was something different about her, good different. Now that Melody has made it this far in the competition she can show many more people the same thing. Emma

I agree with both of your passages! I think that it would be terrible not to tell my parents I love them. They do so much for me, and just to tell them I am thankful for that I think that would brighten up their day! I think it is important that people know that kids with disabilities are every bit as normal as any other kid. Everyday you hear on the news amazing stories about kids that arn't "normal" and they do amazing things! You picked great parts of the story to share! Rachel