Connector - Week 1
After reading this, I have struggled to find a connection beyond the self-connection. It’s amazing how much we can relate events in novels to our own lives. I think that students will definitely be able to connect with the relationship change between Miranda and Sal that has occurred since they reached middle school. I remember having a similar experience with one of my best friends who was a boy. We were best friends all through elementary school, but we grew apart in middle school. It was no longer “cool” for us to be friends. Do you remember any similar experiences from middle school?
However, for this role, I am going to stretch to make a worldly connection that I also picked up on in the story line of this book. Some of the descriptions and events that the author uses to describe the community make this story feel like it could have taken place in a small town. Although the setting was New York City, the descriptions connected me back to a small town atmosphere that I have seen in movies. When Miranda was locked out of her house, she visited with Belle at the market. This reminded me of scenes from movies that were set in small towns, particularly small towns in the south where people walk everywhere, and where children venture out on their own. Also, whenever I think about people who have known each other forever, a small town automatically pops into my head. This is because I grew up in a small community where I knew everyone, and had known most people from elementary school to high school. The tenant-meeting night also made me think of a small town meeting. I’ve never heard of a tenant meeting, but it reminded me of a small town meeting where most people don’t bother to come, except for the old people, and most of them are there to complain.
I know that there are also lots of descriptions in this section that are obviously about life in the city, but did you pick up on any descriptions or events that reminded you of a small town community?
Hilary, I liked your stretch to make the connection. I felt as if the author did take NYC and make into the small town feeling. But, the story took place 30 years ago, 1978. Back then, people would have been more lenient on their kids running around, and NYC was not as busy and bustling as it is now. I don't think that the author was purposely giving NYC a small town feeling, but copying the ways of 1970, where people didn't have to worry as much about predators and evil people always lurking around.
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