Aydan's Blog
The lesson/morale I learned from this book is that success can be achieved even when things aren't always the best. The three characters succeeded in life and their childhoods were questionable. Rameck was put in a juvenile center multiple times, same for Sampson. They had a goal to go to college and become doctors, no matter what it took. countless obstacles were thrown at each of them, and they prevailed. That inspires me to work harder towards my goals of graduating college and succeeding. They worked together to achieve their goals, and in the end they got it. If you work hard enough, you can achieve anything.
This morale has changed me as an individual. It made me realize that it's never too late to try. If I aspire to reach my goals, i can achieve anything I want. "Don't be afraid to dream big. Dream yourself successful. no one aims to be a failure. When you are given the chance to succeed, it is your responsibility to make the most of it. Have faith in yourself and your future." (Sampson, Rameck, and George page 182) This shows me that with determination, you can succeed. Believe in yourself and you can pass through any obstacle in your way.
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The three characters show tons of perseverance and integrity. All three of them started as goof balls and got in trouble a lot. Sampson, almost died stealing from a corner store. He pledged to never steal again. He was arrested not long later for stealing a machine for his friend. Although his friend set him up, once again he pledged never again. A couple years later he was arrested again for robbing a drug dealer. He spent holidays in a juvenile center, alone. "After having spent four weeks in jail, Sampson was released. He swore to himself once more, never again. Never." (Sampson page 118). Sampson learned from these experiences as he cleaned up his act. Rameck got himself in trouble a couple times too. He was arrested for the involvement in a stabbing of a man that was under the influence of drugs (drugs that Rameck's friend sold him minutes earlier.) "If he dies, you get charged with attempted murder." After this Rameck began trying harder to stay out of trouble. a couple years before that, Rameck was suspended from school for spraying silly string in his teachers face. "You're suspended from school as of this moment, Rameck. Indefinitely." After these events, Rameck improved his act by staying out of trouble. These two had obstacle after obstacle and still managed to succeed. It shows that even if someone has been jailed, they can turn their life around. The thing about hitting rock bottom is there's only one more way to go, that was is up.
My judgement on the three characters has changed from reading the book. My first view of Rameck was that he was a trouble maker. He was throughout the book but towards the end, he matured. Sampson seemed more responsible than the other two. He did get in trouble a couple times, and at those points i questioned him. George was the most interested about school. I thought George got in trouble the least.
So far from reading this book I have learned that even when life throws the toughest obstacles at you, you can always overpower them and succeed. The only thing that success requires is effort and the right attitude. I've learned that if you work towards a goal, you can achieve it. I have also learned that it's possible for someone's life to turn around out of the blue. If someone can resist drugs, alcohol, and violence, anybody can turn their life around. Sacrifices have to be made. If you don't sacrifice for what you want, what you want will become the sacrifice.
I feel that the most powerful influence in Rameck’s life is his Grandma. She was there for him no matter what. She gave him $150 when he needed money for school. “‘I got my house payment here in my purse’ ma said slowly”. (Rameck, George, and Sampson Page 39) She gave him the payment for her house so he could pursue a once in a lifetime opportunity. She’s told him she’s proud of him on several occasions. She was a huge part of Rameck’s life.
Yes, I think that it is written in a way that will impact a reader's enjoyment and understanding. The way the authors tell their stories makes the book really interesting to read. The language didn't make me lose interest. It kept the book interesting with things I’ve never heard before. It did a good job explaining the terms I didn't know.
The book includes many details that make it an awesome book. My favorite chapter so far has probably been the chapter where Rameck sprays his teacher with silly string. The details of the teacher’s reaction gave me a perfect visual of if I would’ve been there. “The teacher was humiliated and furious. Rameck, knowing he had gone too far, disappeared down the hall.” (Sam Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins Page 87) That showed me that Rameck was afraid of the teacher’s reaction as he took off running. In chapter ten, when Sampson’s friend Hock offers him a “wooly” i didn’t know what that was. It later explained that it was a mix of drugs rolled up into a cigarette. These visuals helped me understand some of the concepts better. Q: So far what is your impression of the book?
A: My first impressions of the book so far are that it’s pretty good. I feel this way because i like the way the authors explain what it was like to deal with hardships like that. I have enjoyed the book. It’s better than expected it to be. I admire how the authors unfold their lives chapter by chapter, showing times in their lives where times were not always great. Of course, there is a lesson in each chapter to be learned and I find that very interesting. Q: Is the purpose of the book to address an issue?
A: I think the purpose is to address an issue. I think that the authors are trying to inform the reader about the crime and drugs that they lived so casually with. I feel that it was a good contribution for the authors to put in the parts where they swear to never get involved with drugs or crimes. Like when Sampson pledged to never steal again after the icee incident at Jack's. |
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