Tuesday, February 1
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FEBRUARY 1, 2000 |
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FROM: Ms. de Anda Grade 6 Lake Louise School Palatine, IL |
MESSAGE:
Okay, I'm a teacher so I guess I shouldn't be writing here, but I just had to comment on the confusion of what the name Poindexter meant. I believe they are referring to an old cartoon that used to be on TV. It featured this really nerdy guy who was smart. He wore big glasses and had a dog. The dog was called Mr. Peabody and he had a machine called the wayback machine that could travel back in time, way back in time -- you might say. Kenny is being compared to this brainy cartoon character. Maybe one day Nick at Night will feature this cartoon. I love this book. It is my favorite young adult book. This is my second year teaching with it, and I love it. I hope the new book out by Christopher Paul Curtis is as good. |
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FROM: Maya O. Grade 6 Nichols Middle School Evanston, IL |
MESSAGE:
Hi- #1 I am comenting on chapter 3. I think that this chapter was really sad(well a little). I am glad that Kenny&Rufus are so close, or at least closer than they were befor the insident on the bus happened. It is good that Kenny cares about Rufus anuff to go to his house and try to make-up with him. I also had an insident with a friend that was sorta like this one. And we made up, and are alot closer now than we were befor. #2 This is a verry good book and I think that it is going to get very good twards the middle. Do u think that Kenny knows that rufus is poor. If u think that he doesn't know when he finds out, will that change there relationship any? |
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FROM: Jessica P. Grade 6 Nichols Middle School Evanston, IL |
MESSAGE:
I liked chapter three because it was exciting. Also I think momma was really helpful to get Rufus and kenny back together. Before when Kenny was laughing along with the other bad kids, I didn't think that was really right to Rufus. Also I don't think that is right to talk about a poor little kid like that. But what I think is going to happen is that Kenny and Rufus are going to get together and not be little babies anymore and fight back at the kids that been talking about them. After that everybody is going to get along and there not going to get talked about anymore, also I don't think Rufus is going to be poor anymore. Those are my comments.
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FROM: NO NAME |
MESSAGE:
I think this is a great book so far! If anyone out there hasn't started it, you should now! I've read three chapters so far. I think that the reason Rufus forgave Kenny is because he knew that Kenny really was different-instead of being mean, dumb, and self-absorbed, Kenny is nice, smart, and sympathetic. How would you describe the differences between Kenny and the other kids at his school, including Byron?
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FROM: NO NAME |
MESSAGE:
Do you think that the new kid will save Kenny so he doesn't get beat up any more. |
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FROM: Angie W. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
How are new kids treated in your school? |
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FROM: Marcos Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Hey waz up? How did you like Chapter 2 I thought it was cool because it was introdsing more people |
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FROM: Andy S. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
How are new kids treated in your school? |
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FROM: Brittney Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
1.In chapter 2 did you think that the two boys were really savers for kenny? 2.How did you think that the students were going to treat the two new boys? 3.In your school how do the students treat the new students that come to your school?
My opinion to number one |
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FROM: Danielle L Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
I really don't like Larry. He is so mean! He is constantly beating on defencless kids! What do you other kids think of Byron? I think he is mean. Do any of you like te book so far? I like it! Please answer my questions. Danielle L |
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FROM: Correy T. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
I don't think it's possible to have 50 cents "meet" 50 cents and "make" a dollar bill |
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FROM: Thomas H. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
I think that the nicknames were mean and the nicknamed person should not be called names like that. |
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FROM: Marcos D. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
To marcos how are you |
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FROM: Andy S. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Do you think the mom is mean or mad? |
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FROM: Kristen W. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Dear Monigue O. from Louisana, We live up here in Wisconsin, and they way the Watsons are describing their cold wheather is normal! Lately it's been in thnegatives up to the 20's. At 20 it's practically time to break out the spring jackets! |
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FROM: Brittney Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
hi robert this is brittney her. i have read chapter one and two now. i think that chapter two is kinda funny but not really. hhow far have you read in the book so far. what do you like about the book so far? |
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FROM: Danielle L. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Dear Matthew I too enjoy the book. I think it is funny. It is better than the two other books we have read (Ann Frank DragonWings) Do you like the new kid? I like him. Danielle L |
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FROM: Correy T. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Dear Monique, I think that the name pointdexter is really weird. It sounds like dexter on dexter's laboratory the cartoon. |
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FROM: Brandon Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
What would you so if you got your lips stuck to a mirror? I would pull my lips off because I would probley be panicking and not know what to do. How are new kids treated at your school? Kids here are treated how they the new kids were treated in the book. |
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FROM: Marcos Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Hey Monique I think that Piondexter is a weird nickname it should be Smartpants or Smartshorts. Here in Wisconsin it gets very cold. |
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FROM: Kyle Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
How are new kids treated at your school? At our school new kids are treated as they act. |
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FROM: Jake Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Chapter 1 was funny that had to of hurt to get your lips stuck to the mirror. So how is it in Texas or in some of the other states out there. It is really cold in Wisconsin we have about 6 inches of snow. It is too cold to live up here but I love having snow ball fights and giving the little 6th graders white washes. We don't give them blizzerd tests. |
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FROM: Andy S. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
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To: Jake D. Do you like the book? it is the best one so far I like it. |
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FROM: Brittney Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI |
MESSAGE:
Hi to every one that is reading this book do you think that the two new students will ever get along with the students in the school? |
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FROM: Marisa and Jessica Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
Hi! We are finished with the second chapter of the book. We think you guys are going to like the book!! The author must be very funny because he writes funny books. We think the first chapter is the best so far -- what about you?-- because Byron got his lips stuck in the mirror! |
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FROM: Yasmin, Savannah, Chris, Wing, Nelson Grade 3 Boone Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
The Watsons Go To Birmingham is a funny book. the part where the four kids died was sad. It was funny when Byrons lips got stuck to the mirror.
this was by,
I like the part where Kenny had to pass the test of How To Survive A
Blizzard part 1. When Kenny and Byron were sent out to scrape the car,
Kenny thought that Byron was going to be how to survive a blizzard part 2. I think Kenny and Byron's relationship is kind of normal because real brother's act this way. this was by, Wing |
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FROM: Brandi G. and Lana W Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall WI. |
MESSAGE:
Hi, What do you think about this book so far? We have read the first 2 chapters and we think that it is very good. Describe Kenny's relationship with his brother byron? Do you think real brothers act this way? |
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FROM: Vicky, Kevin, Cynthia, Irene Grade 3 and 4 Boone Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
We think that the Watsons are pretty wierd. When Byran got his lips stuck to the mirror, he spoke very funny like"Hel' hel' Keh-ee" Then finally Kenny figured out what Byran was saying.That's what why we think the Watsons are wierd. |
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FROM: Angie W. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
To Johnathon:
This is Angie. I live in Marshall Wisconsin. Hey, whats it like living in Trumbell Conneticut?
Is it cold? It's very cold, and snowy. We really can never go outside, because it's so cold.
I would hate to live in a house that has no heating. So, for the answer to your question, would
Bryon tease Kenny? I think it would totally tease him. Buphead would probably came and
throw snow in his face or somthing that's really mean. I thought that it was mean for those
2 to give Kenny those quizes on Blizzards. So, how do new kids get treated at your school? |
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FROM: Bob E. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
hello how are you, I like this book, how are your new kids treated in your school?write back. Please y'all if you know what i mean ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,hahaha,haha,ha,ha,ha,ha,hahahahaha,ha,ha,ha,haha. |
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FROM: Kristen W. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
Dear Matthew from North Carolina, I'm enjoying this book, too. We're on chapter 3 in my class and it's really cool. I thought it was kind of mean that they treated the new boy so badly. No one I know would have treated a new kid so horrible on his first day. |
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FROM: Danielle L. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
Dear Monique I think the name Poindexter is the name people use to decribe a smart person who they are jealous of. When they call them by the name it lowers there self esteem so they feel bad and become stupid to be like everyone else. Does your school ever call people stupid names or spread rumors? Our school does. Does you school judge people like the southern boy got judged? We kind of do. Danielle L |
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FROM: Darrick Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
I think this book is good.Its cold up here.Are there many farmers in Texas? There are alot of farmers in Wisconsin,but mostly Dairy farmers. |
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FROM: Andy S. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
Do you think that Byron would stand up for kenneth if he would get into a fight with someone? |
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FROM: lana W,brandi G. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
to Dustin and Brian, So how far have you read in the book? We've only read the first two chapters! Where in the book does it talk about LJ? |
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FROM: Angie W. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
To Matthew:
Hey Matthew! This is Angie Woelffer from Marshall Middle School. |
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FROM: Bob E. Grade 7 Marshall Middle School Marshall, WI. |
MESSAGE:
hey, im Bob, do you like the watson family? I think they're pretty original. |
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FROM: John Grade 7 Troutman Middle School Troutman, N.C. |
MESSAGE:
Dear Bob I think that this book is a very good and funny book. I think funny because of the way the Watsons act.I think the funnist thing that has happend is when Byron got his face froze to the mirror on the car. I have you started reading it yet. |
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FROM: Marian H. Grade 6 Nichols Middle School Evanston, IL |
MESSAGE:
It took a while for Kenny to realize that Rufus was a true friend , but I think that was because Kenny was thinking about what everyone else at school said and did to Rufus, which made him think twice. Once Kenny did realize that Rufus was a good friend, I think that relieved him and it also relieved me. I really felt for Kenny and Rufus. Even though Kenny had made the wrong decision to stop playing with Rufus, I still understood why he did it, and I knew that Kenny was smart enough to figure it all out on his own. |
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FROM: Susan S. Grade 6 Nichols Middle School Evanston, IL |
MESSAGE:
This chapter(3) says a lot about Kenny. We found out that he is a very gulible and he trusts everyone. Rufus seems like the first real friend he has ever had. Even though LJ would play with him, Kenny had to pay a price(not in money, but in dinosaurs).Then, after LJ got the big jackpot, he left. LJ is also a different friend from Rufus because Kenny did not seem as sad about LJ not coming to play then he did about Rufus being angry at him. Kenny must have felt terrible about laughing at Rufus and Cody. Maybe it's just because Kenny never had a good friend before and he doesn't know how to treat one. When I read about Kenny going to ask Rufus to play dinosaurs again, I thought that for sure Rufus had forgiven him because Cody was so friendly. I predict that Kenny and Rufus will become friends again and that Cody will have something to do with it. And also because they need each other, and not just for peanut butter sandwiches. |
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FROM: Robert Grade 7 Troutman Middle School Troutman, N.C. |
MESSAGE:
Dear Monique, The nick name for Kenny is PointDexter. His brother gave him that name because he looks like a nerd and one of his eyes points in towards his nose. Sometimes Kenny looks sideways to make his eyes look straght and so he wont get picked on. Byron also calls him Poindexter because he is very smart-especially in reading. Have you ( or anyone else out there) ever participated in the book club? I have. My class read Bridge to Terabithia before Christmas. I reall like being in the book club, I think it is fun. |
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FROM: Lizzie P. Grade 6 Nichols Middle School Evanston, IL |
MESSAGE:
For chapter 1 & 2, I thought there was now real way brothers should act towards each other. Some siblings are very close and others are very distant. Byrons and Kenny's relationship is very subtle, mainly because of a popularity issue with Byron. They help each other in ways that are helpful to each of them. Like when kenny went to get his mom when he could have torchered Byron. Or when Byron showed Kenny how to look sideways. For chapter 3, Byron and kenny have very different personalitys, and when you put the 3 chapters together you can really tell. Here are some points about Byron, he's self-centered, popular, has self confidence on the surrface but not really inside. Kenny's main points are his "gulibleness", and his ability to become friends with new strange people, he has low self confidence because of his lazy eye. I bet if he didn't he would sky rocket in confidence. For some strange reason, Byron and Kenny's personalities are compatable. So far I think this book has a lot of potential, it could go in a lot of different directions. It could go good ways and bad ways. The book could be extra confusing if you don't know the history behind Birmingham. This book will be great. |
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FROM: Sam Grade 5 Cornell Elementary School Okemos, MI |
MESSAGE:
I think that the Watsons aren't very wierd, and the author just makes them seem wierd. One of the things that make them seem so strange is that wierd things happen to them, but most of those things are just bad luck, like when Byron gets his lips stuck to the car mirror. Another thing that makes them seem wierd is the combination of smart little Kenny and Byron, the juvinile delinquint, but that combination is actually fairly common in families. Finally, Byron acts cool, and by acting cool, it makes him seem kind of wierd, but teens sometimes act that way, so in a way, he's kind of average. Do you think the Watsons are wierd? Why or why not? |
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FROM: Beth K. Grade 5 Cornell Elementary School Okemos, MI |
MESSAGE:
I think the way Rufus and Cody are treated is terrible.For example,they are teased for just saying hi a different way. Do you think this is mean? Also,the bully Larry Dunn is constantly making fun of Rufus and his little brother for not having enough money to buy clothes. Do you think it was right for Rufus and his brother to be treated like that? I don't. Do people at your school get treated like that? I also think that Rufus will in a way "save" Kenny. I think this because Kenny will have friend and won't notice the teasing as much. He may still get teased, but at least it won't be as bad. |
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FROM: Josh Grade 5 Cornell Elementary School Okemos, MI |
MESSAGE:
Which parts made me laugh Yes, there were many parts in chapter three that made me laugh. One part that made me laugh was when larry said, "Country Corn Flake, I noticed how you and the Little Flake switch off on them pants, and I know Fridays is your day to wear 'em, but I was wonderin' if the same person who gets to wear the pants gets to wear the drawers that day too?" pg. 43 PP 1. Another funny part was when Rufus said "Kenny? I thought they said your name was Poindexter." pg. 33 PP 3. The last part that I thought was funny was when L.J. said "They even got some books with nekkid ladies! You ever seen a nekkid lady?" pg. 40 PP 13. Then when Kenny was thinking that if you're famous for being smart no one thought you'd ever looked at a dirty book. pg. 40 PP 14. That was pretty funny too. Chapter three was a pretty funny chapter. Larry was funny because he made a stupid joke and people think stupid is funny. Rufus was funny because he was making fun of Kenny when he didn't mean it. L.J. was funny because he jumped from playing dinosaurs to talking about nekkid women. Kenny was funny because he thinks that being smart automatically makes you have good manners. |
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FROM: Boris Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
KENNY AND BYRON DO NOT GET ALONG BECAUSE BYRON IS ALWAYS TRYING TO ACT COOL AND BYRON IS ALWAYS MAKING FUN OF KENNY. I THINK SOME BROTHERS DO ACT LIKE THIS. I THINK THE NEW KID MIGHT "SAVE" KENNY BECAUSE EVERYBODY ALREADY MAKES FUN OF HIM BUT KENNY. |
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FROM: Jessica Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
I THINK THE WATSONS ARE A LITTLE BIT WEIRD BECAUSE BYRON WAS KISSING THE MIRROR AND GOT HIS LIPS FROZEN TO THE MIRROR, AND KENNY IS VERY GULLIBAL. BYRON AND KENNY HAVE A WEIRD RELATIONSHIP BECAUS THEY HAVE MANY FIGHTS BUT ALSO BYRON STANDS UP FO KENNY BECAUSE KENNY IS VERY SMART IN READING BUT THE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL TEASE HIM ABOUT BEING AS SMART AS A PROFESSOR. |
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FROM: Trevor Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
I HAVE A BROTHER LIKE KENNY ONLY I DON'T PICK ON MY BROTHER...MUCH. I DON'T SEE BIG BULLY BROTHERS VERY OFTEN AND I'M NOT A BULLY, SO, NO, I DON'T THINK REAL BROTHERS ACT THIS WAY. I THINK THE NEW KID AND KENNY ARE GOING TO BE FREINDS BUT GET PICKED ON, AND I THINK KENNY WILL HELP THE NEW KID. |
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FROM: James Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
I THINK THE WATSONS ARE WEIRD BECAUSE THEY ALMOST GET IN TROUBLE EVERY TIME. KENNY AND BY ARE LIKE THE WORST ENEMIES! THEY FIGHT AND DO ALL KIND OF STUFF TO HURT EACH OTHER. BOTHERS SHOULD HELP EACH OTHER AND NOT TRY TO KILL EACH OTHER! I THINK THE NEW KID IS GOING TO SAVE KENNY BECAUSE ON THE BUS THE NEW KID DELIVERED A KARATE CHOP AT THE APPLE. |
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FROM: Aydin Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
I DON'T THNK THE NEW KID WILL "SAVE" KENNY, BECAUSE THE NEW KID IS JOST A KID LIKE KENNY BUT THEY MIET BE FRIENDS. |
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FROM: Charles Grade 4 Herod Elementary School Houston, TX |
MESSAGE:
BYRON DOESN'T LIKE KENNY THAT MUCH, BUT HE STILL HELPS KENNY (SOMETIMES). A LOT OF BROTHERS ACT THIS WAY. SOME BROTHERS ARE NICE TO THEIR YOUNGER BROTHERS BUT OTHERS ARE MEAN TO THEIR YOUNGER BROTHERS. |
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FROM: Adam J. Grade 5 Cornell Elementary School Lansing, MI |
MESSAGE:
I think that the Watsons are kind of weird because their Dad laughs at everything,and I thought that is kind of weird. I think that Byron is weird because he kissed a frezzing cold mirror when the temp. was -20 degrees outside. Now tell me something,is that weird or what. I think that Kenny is weird because he doesn't stand up for himself. If you can not stand up for yourself,life is going to be hard. I think that Mrs. Watson isn't that weird because Christopher Paul Curtis didn't explain Mrs. Watson that much. I have one question, Do you think Rufus came from god or do you think he is just a regular kid,like us? My class is on the 3rd chapter. |
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