Reading Response #5 : A Friendship for Today

 I'm currently reading A Friendship for Today by Patrica C. McKissack. In the book, the main character Rosemary, is the first African American student in the town to enroll in an all-white school. When the new law was made that there was no segregation. Rosemary has to deal with all of the racism that was thrown at her. I feel for Rosemary. Being bullied isn't easy. Especially when you're definitely don't need it at the worst time.

Rosemary is having some tough times. For example, Katherine Hogan accused Rosemary for stealing her sweater. Katherine's sweater was found by the hall monitor. Katherine didn't care about the sweater. She wanted to blame Rosemary for something she didn't even do. I feel for Rosemary. Being blamed for something you had nothing to do with sucks. You know you didn't do anything. But no one believes you. That feeling of hurt. Rosemary has to deal with this almost everyday from Katherine and Grace.

Rosemary knows all  of the roumours aren't true. But you never know when one can break. Rosemary is a very strong girl. Any other girl would of run off crying. Rosemary tried not to get to angry. People can be just so horrible at times. Sometimes enough is enough. Katherine should've never lied.

I think Rosemary was smart to stick up for herself. She is a experienced girl with everything. She knows how to hold it all in. She's been doing it all her life. Even though she has been through a lot, she has a lot to live for. Rosemary was broken many times. She can always find her way back home.

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh Essay Response # 4 (Edited)

Reading Response #4: The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

We all sometime in life feel vulnerable. Lacking confidence or feeling down. We don't feel strong enough. I remember when I was seven years old I was just learning how to swim. It was my turn to swim  next. My swim coach told me to jump into the eight feet water. I became worried and scared. I really didn't want to. My swim coach told me nothing would happen to me. Not to be scared. She said she would be right in the water to help me if I needed her to. After my swim coach encouraged me, I gained confidence, and jumped in. After that day, I learned never to doubt myself. I was the first seven years old in my class to swim to the opposite side of the pool, and never gave up.
Joby the main character in "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, felt similarly to me. Joby lacked confidence as a drummer boy. While the soldiers had their powerful shields, all Joby had was a weak drum and two sticks. As the story goes on, Joby gains confidence with the Generals help. When Joby needed a friend the General was there for him. Joby then realizes he is important in the war.

In the beginning, Joby was very insecure. He was uncertain about being a drummer boy. He didn't believe he was good enough for anything. 'I got only a drum, two sticks to beat it, and no shield'. (Page 50) That must’ve meant Joby wasn't a "real" part of the war, considering he had no shield like the soldiers. I think Joby thought of the shield as a protector or supporter to the soldiers, and he didn't have a shield, so that must've meant he wasn’t protected. I think he thought he was alone and unprotected, and that's why he was scared. I think Joby felt left out, which explains his lack of confidence in being a drummer boy. Joby reflects about his life and the soldiers lives before the battle, but the fear to death was constantly on his mind. He thought that if he lay very still, the soldiers might go away with the battle and not notice him lying small there.

     In the middle of the story, Joby became more confident after a visit from the General. First Joby thought that the general who get closed to him was someone rude and brave, but then finds him as a very friendly person. The general started talking with Joby, trying to calm him. He told Joby that he also cried last night, because he knew that the battle was going to be hard to fight and also he knew that many soldiers would die. He explained to him how important was a drummer boy in a battle and what makes Joby strong to be with them. The General told Joby that it was okay to cry. It was okay to just let everything out. He told him 'You want to cry some more? Go ahead I did the same last night'. (Page 52) I think this showed that Joby wasn't in it alone. After this conversation, Joby changed his thoughts about the general and found him as someone who reminds him a father and also he discovered his sentimental side what makes Joby reflects about the generals feelings and real behavior.

By the end of the story, Joby gains confidence. One quote that made Joby feel special was when the general said: 'Do you know you're the general of the army when the generals left behind?'. (Page 53). He talked to him with a strong choice of encouraging words. He boosted Joby's confidence, and made him feel loved. He also told him that he played "one part humble and one part proud" in the war. He made him feel confident with being a drummer boy and confident with himself. He made his alter ego turn positive.

All in all, always feel confident, even if you're not strong enough. Even though Joby didn't start strong, he definitely ended strong. In the beginning he wasn't confident. Later on in the story, after talking to the General, he became more positive and okay with himself. I think we all need a friend to turn to especially when we need them at most. I believe this story was written as a message to never give up. Or even our first lady Eleanor Roosevelt who said, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." And the same thing does not only go for Joby, but for everyone living in the world. It's our job to look life in the face and say, "I will make it through" Even if the waters too deep, believe in yourself, and jump in.