Main Character
Rachel Spinelli Punched Me In The Face by Paul Acampora is a great book that contains love, action and heart. The main character's name is Zachary, he’s very calm, humble and nice. At his old school he barely ever got into trouble and couldn’t really stand up for himself. He moved into a new home with his father, and only his father. When he was very little his mom decided to take her path and leave the family. The new neighbors where the Spinelli’s. At first sight of his new neighbor Zach though Rachel thought was insane and kind of cute! Rachel mentioned she had a brother who was seven-teen, his name was Teddy she said. But what caught him by surprise is she needed help looking after him to make sure he doesn't do anything crazy. Throughout this activity they became close friends throughout the book. Immediately when I started reading this book I knew Rachel was the “scary” one because she had gotten into so many fights because of her rage issue. She immediately had all the control. Zach’s Dad warned him to stay away from her, because as his job of a police officer he had already gotten so many bad reports about her. When Rachel first saw Zach she thought he would matter much to her, but they ended being great friends even with their differences. Throughout the book Zach changed so much, he went from shy and scared of Rachel, to talking smack about her and helping her feel better. I would say they became close friends, well obviously they kissed! But all jokes aside Zach was really a perfect fit for Rachel, and of course Teddy. What really told the reader that Zach was cracking out of his shy shell was when unexpected his mother came back and wanted to join the family again. But Zach stood up for his father and denied her,
“You can’t come and go as you please!” (on page 156) Zach Shouted. This is definitely the aftermath of hanging out with Rachel because she was so sassy! But he’s not always so mean and rude to people, Like when Rachel thought she was a bully or jerk Zach calmed her down by talking to her peacefully.
“Sometimes dangerous things are good for you.” Zach said (on page 73) This shows that Zach has a kind of disrespectful, crazy and sassy side but also a calming, peaceful and relaxed side. Now that we know a lot about Zach let’s get into his social issues.
Social Issue’s
At first when Zach moved in he had a very hard time fitting in with the others. He often got bullied by Kutzler, who Rachel took care of but he was really rude to him in the beginning of the book, he said
“If I were you I’d spend more time in the weight room”(page 32) Kutzler said. This shows that Zach was truly shy in the beginning of the book and couldn’t stand up for himself. As Zach was getting Bullied he knew that if he had his Dad helping him make it through that would be enough, and he really tells us this by saying
“I want t be happy… and that will be enough”(page 6) but as he got to know others more he broke the silence and basicly grew out of that social issue. And with Rachael helping he stay out of trouble and stay away from negativity they became great friends
But as the book progressed another social issue took place, now it may sound kind of weird but it was his Mother! His mom wanted to come back into the family, but they didn’t know what to think when his dad told him this;
“Actually she called a few days ago, she’s planning to come and visit.”(page 101)This really surprise Zach because his whole life he had been missing the one thing that completes his family and she’s just going to come in out of the blue! I would’ve thought Zach would be extremely happy about this but it turns out it was not great news for him, and he was not only mad at his mother but now his father.
“I did everything I could to avoid him.” (page 103)This tells me that Zach is kind of regretting asking all those times about if his mother will come back. This social issue shows me a lot about how his family was basically broken. What I mean by this is how his mother is just going to come back out of the blue and join in on the family again without meet once before or saying hi! But the social issue of families doesn’t only apply to Zach, it applies to Teddy as well. As we know his learning abilities are different, but when he figured out his dead Mom in the pot we was disappointed because he thought it was his real mother and this is what he asked.
“Why are we keeping dirt?” (on page 111) This shows me Teddy desperately wants his mom to come back. But Zach and the Spinelli’s create a strong bond of friendship that keeps everyone on an upbeat.
Wrap Up
This book was so inspiring. Zach was affected by so many problems throughout the book, like missing his mother, getting bullied and dealing with the Spinelli’s . But Zach stuck in there, he dealt with it all in a positive manner and just adjusted with the town. Rachel was a big help in Zach’s attitude because he was always nice to him and gave him positive feedback. This lead to a great relationship! Love doves am I right? Anyway, Rachel gave him the ability to stand up for himself and just have confidence. But not only Rachel was Zach’s best friend, so was Teddy. He was always playing the trumpet with him and he could always talk to him when he was down. After I finished this book I had some new thinking to get out, like how differences don’t matter! No matter how weird or annoying you are there could always be someone who wants to be your best friend. This tells a lot about me because I’m really silly and weird if you really know me, but if you don’t you’ll think I’m just a huge worker bee. This book will tell you a lot about yourself and you can relate if you’re going through some hard times
Heat
Main Character
In the book Heat by Mike Lupica, the main is Michael. He is very humble, nice, an amazing baseball player and great friend. He was great friends with Manny, he was always there for him when he was in trouble or needed help speaking english. Carlos was Michael’s brother and he was always teasing him but keeping him on his game. His whole team supported him because he was so nice and could throw some HEAT. Michael was always lending a helping hand. This book had a hectic start when a robber named Roman was stealing a woman's purse. Michael threw a rock and nailed him in the head to get the purse back, he had one heck of an arm! Michael had some control over how well he played baseball and how he treated others. Carlos was the main boss but Michael didn’t have to legitimately “obey” him. From the start I knew he was a hero. Michael was a perfect fit for his team, and his team was a perfect fit for him! I loved how he never bragged and always helped others stay on top, especially because he didn’t have parents Carlos was a pretty big role model. As well as El Grande. His favorite pitcher, he wanted to be just like him. He liked a girl named Ellie, but something crazy happened that I’ll bring back up in a bit. I know he liked her in the end because when Michael was going through a hard time he let it out on her, but he got it back by writing her a letter it went like this;
“Dear Ellie, I’m sorry I hurt you feelings. I guess I was having a bad day and took it out on you. Please call. Your friend (I hope) Michael Arroyo.” (on page 182) This shows Michael really cared for her all along! Remember how I told you Michael didn’t have any parents? Well he doesn’t. He lost his father when he was little and his mother is in Cuba with the rest of his family. I know because of Mr. Gibbs, he came in and told them some info about his father
“May 18 was the last time since they heard from him.” (on page 112) This kind of ruined Michael’s spirit but he stuck in there and survived with his friends and family. Michael really needed everyone around him to stay happy.
Social Issue’s
Michael faced a lot of hard times in the book, but the one that hit him the most was his broken family. His Mom was in Cuba with his other siblings, and his dad was dead. He always knew he would have to lie about his family or else he would have to go to an adoption home. This was really hard for him because many other coaches didn’t believe he was twelve. And without his birth certificate, he had no proof.
“Baseball was Michael’s real best friend” (on page 91) This shows that without what he loves he can’t really have a ton of fun. But as he was going through this hard time he made an insane discovery! One night his favorite pitcher was playing in a big baseball game, and the camera went onto a girl, at first Michael didn’t know who she was but the announcer said
“She’s Ellie, El Grande’s older daughter.” (page 101) Michael’s jaw dropped. He didn’t know what to do or say! You would’ve thought he would be amazed right? Well that’s not the case. Michael was really mad at Ellie because she had been keeping secrets from him. And at this point in time, if there is a secret about his parents it could be very, very bad. And this brings me into the second social issue.
Secrets. Michael was so mad because for so long everyone had been keeping secrets from him and he didn’t know what to say. He had to keep secrets that would protect him from getting taken away, but the bad secrets that everyone had been keeping from him really made him mad. For example Mr. Gibbs he had been keeping so much information about his parents.
“I want to help” (on page 98) This shows how Mr. Gibbs could either find out too much information or really help him. But I knew Michael just wanted him to not mess with his friends for a bit because he just found out so much about Ellie. Now let me talk about her, she was really good at baseball but no one knew abou thow she was El Grande’s daughter. So it surprised everyone but it didn’t really impact much besides their relationship Michael didn’t trust Ellie as much because he knew that she had been keeping secrets. Crazy I know, but let me tell you how everything resolves.
Michael went to a Yankee’s game and saw El Grande, he yelled for him and he heard him! Michael handed him a letter and said
“Things are really bad, give it to Ellie.” (page 184) Michael gave her a letter that told her how everything was horrible for him, and how he wanted to apologise because he was so mad about everything that had been happening around him. Ellie forgave him. MIchael was at his team's baseball game and was watching, when all of his friends walked up to him. Elie, El Grande, Mr. Gibbs and a lot more people! Out of everyone Mr. Gibbs came and stuck out his hand. Michael looked down and saw a paper that read “Birth Certificate” MICHAEL CAN PITCH AGAIN! So in the end everything turned out great for Michael, he stayed in the ball game and made new friends!
Wrap Up
This book was so inspiring to me because a kid that didn’t have any parents lost who he loved and what he loved. By this I meant baseball because baseball was his best friend. And he couldn’t do anything about it, Because his Birth Certificate was in Cuba so there was no proof he was twelve. But he stuck in there and fought for it. Many people can relate to this if you’ve lost someone or something you love. This book is so inspiring because Michael only had his brother, his friends, and baseball and he strived off those three things. This shows no matter how rich or poor you are sports, family and friends can mean the world to you. But as I told you Michael's family was honestly really his friends. He stuck with his friends to cheer him up and get him through times. Michael’s story is very inspiring because he lost his parents when he was little, but gained love in baseball and never quit or doubted himself. Like I said earlier Michael really stuck in there and finished the ball game.
Those Shoes
Main Character
The book Those shoes by Maribeth Boelts the main character does not have a specific name but at first in the story he was desperate, sad and teased. He wanted these really cool shoes but his family couldn’t afford them because they were so expensive. The Boy was determined to get these shoes! The boy didn’t have control over much because of how poor his family. But he had control over how he made other happy because he always enjoyed a smile on someone’s face. But his Grandmother was always so concerned about how much he wanted them and how much he thought his shoes looked back. The boy was very cautious about how he looked, and he always thought he would be made fun of for how he looked. He was definitely always asking about them
“Grandma, I want them.” (on page 4) this tells me he just wants to have the cool shoes like the other kids. But I wonder why The Boy wanted to look so cool because all he really needed was a friend. But The Boy just avoids making friends for some reason. This shows you can kind of get carried away with something you desire to have.
“The only kid not laughing was Antonio Parker.” Antonio could be great friends but he doesn’t really interact with him. Until the grandma invited her to have dinner, and everything changed.
Social Issue’s
What really impacted The Boy was how his family didn’t have a lot of money, and it looks like he didn’t have a mother or father. This really affected him because he only had one person to turn two when he was in a hard time. For example when his shoes ripped apart his Grandma couldn’t afford new ones and felt horrible for him. But they were helpless, and the least they could do try.
“Velcro-like the ones like my little cousin wears.”(on page 7) This shows that the Teachers could help out they’re not doing much because they’re just giving him ones that he hates and would never wear. But as the book progressed another social issue was the other kids. This was because everyone made fun of him, I know this because all the kids would laugh and make fun of him when he walked around or simply just came into the classroom.
“I’m not going to cry about my dumb shoes”(on page 10) This shows that The Boy can’t trust many people because they would all make fun of him. This really affect the boy because he wanted the shoes so badly, and everyone would just make fun of her. But one boy doesn’t laugh, that boy's name is Antonio Parker. Antonio is rather poor like him. But one day The Boy was looking in the trift shop with his Grandmother and he saw something, it was The Shoes! But as he tried them on he realized something, they didn’t fit. The Boy was determined to make them fit but he couldn’t, he was heart broken. The Boy was playing with Antonio, but he told him he could do anything
“I’m not doing it!” (page 24) The Boy yelled! This shows how mad he was after he found out the shoes didn’t fit. And he stayed unhappy for a while. After they had finished playing Antonio came over for dinner, and Antonio noticed the shoes when they were hanging out in The Boys room. He wanted them horribly bad! That night the boy ran over to Antonio's house and rang the doorbell, left the shoes there and sprinted away. The next day Atonio wore them,
“Thanks.”(page 30) said Antonio. This shows how sometimes you just need a good friend to brighten up your day because the boy was so sad about them not fitting him, but when he saw the smile on Antonio’s face everything was much, much better.
Wrap Up
This book shows how anything can be solved with a friend. I say this because The Boy was so sad that he was not able to get his dream shoes, but when he made friends with Antonio he was basically received happiness again. By this I mean he had a good attitude because he was able to make Antonio smile by giving him the shoes! But The Boy definitely struggled throughout the book because of how much money his family had. He could barely afford to get the new shoes. But this book shows how if you stick in there you’re able to power through basically anything. I can really relate to this book because I’m officially quite. Sometimes I’ll get really sad because of something that happened with my snowboarding group or other related topics. But as I came to EMS I was able to make so many new friends to talk to and socialize with. This totally cheered me up when I was going through a bump in the road. This is a great book for anyone who can relate or anyone who is going this problem at the moment.