Breaking Though- post 4

Quote 1: "I did. And I think I am in love!" he exclaimed. ~Roberto Jimenez on page 106

Response 1: This really caught my attention. I thought it was really interesting how Roberto thought he was in love with this girl, and he had only been on one date. I think it's really stereotypical because this sort of thing happens all the time on TV shows and books. I thought it was really funny, but also sort of sad that Roberto would fall for that sort of thing.

I've seen plenty of shows, movies, books, and things like this before. I thought it was interesting that the author would include this and that it was so insignificant because it was so short. It started and ended on the same page! The saddest thing about it was that Susan's parents ended it because he was Mexican, which crushed Roberto. I, again, thought it was sad, but ironic.

Question 1: Did you fall for the soap opera thing, or did you think about this whole ordeal like me?

Quote 2: "I don't know what all this means," Papa said with a black look on his face, "but I am happy for you." ~Papa on page 145

Response 2: This made me really happy, and it also gave me a reality check. I thought it was really sad what happened to Francisco, and it must have been painful, but I think it kinda hurt Papa as well. I think that seeing his son like this made him feel different, and that's why he said this. That he was, different.

I always love it when people are proud of me. There are lots of times when people say, oh, I'm so proud of you, but they don't really mean it. I think that Papa really meant it, and when someone really means that they're happy or proud of you, then you get this feeling inside that you've really done a good job, and you're totally satisfied with the work you've done. I love that feeling.

Question 2: How did you feel when Papa said this?

Breaking Through - Post 4

Quote 1: "Roberto and I thanked him and went home excited. Papá will be proud of us, I thought." ~Francisco Jimenez page 88

Response: This quote made me think about how much these boys want to impress and befriend their Papá. I thought it was really interesting how much they wanted him to be proud of them. They want him to be proud of them for finding jobs, and when they tell him, he doesn't show very much emotion, which made me sad, as well as Francisco and Roberto. Also, there are a lot of other times when Francisco begs for his father's approval. He desparately seeks his love the whole book, and you really see it now in the book, when his father is in constant pain and is always complaining and in bad moods. I think it shows how much Francisco wants to be respected.

Question: Did you notice the same thing as me? Or did you think of something else when you read this?


Quote 2: "I liked the assignment, but it was harder than I expected. I thought of writing about being deported, but I did not want my teacher to know that my family had crossed the border illegally and that I was born in Mexico." ~Fancisco Jimenez page 97

Response: I thought this was really sad, and a huge part of this book, and the last one. Being deported has greatly impacted Francisco and his family because they don't want anyone to know that they are really born in Mexico. It could effect who hires them, who would want to befriend them, and some opportunities that would pass them up if they were exposed. I thought it was depressing that they have to go through this every day that they live in America.

Question: How would you deal with having to live like this?