Reading Response: Deenie by Judy Blume

           In the book Deenie, by Judy Blume, everyone is always telling Deenie how she's pretty, how she could be a model, and how she had the beauty and her sister has the brains. Deenie doesn't necessarily disagree with this until she finds out she has to were a brace. Deenie has scoliosis. Even though Deenie was really upset, I think her mom was more upset than she was.

             I think that Deenie's mom cared more than she did about having a brace. I think this because I feel like Deenie's mom had her next four planned for her. The next four years were super important if Deenie were to become a model. Now that she has to wear the brace, it would take 4 or more years to get it off. Her mom had big plans for her one day to become a model. Deenie never told her mom that she doesn't want to become a model. She knew it would break her heart. Before Deenie and her mother found out she had to wear a brace, Deenie and her mom went to model agencies . I would also be scared to break one of my parents' hearts if they wanted  me to do something that I didn't want to do. I can definitely relate to Deenie. I think that even after Deenie gets the brace off, she should still do what she wants to do. If the thing she wants to do is modeling, them she should. If she wants to  be something else, she should go after her dream, not her moms dream for her.

           I think Deenie should do whatever she wants to do with her life. I sometimes think that her mom tries to control it too much. Deenie shouldn't always have to do what everyone else hopes and wants her to do. sometimes you just have to go with your head and do whats right for you.

Non-Fiction Reading Response: "Bringing Music Back to School"

         I just read an article called "Bringing Music Back to School" by Paul Cothran. This article is  about bringing music back to life. As the author tells the story in first person, he lets you experience every thing he's been through. The author tells the reader every detail to really let them experience it. He explains how he was enrolled in a Catholic private school away from the gang public schools. Cothran was interested in Medical study and such. Soon by 1997, an executive search firm called about a position at the Big Apple Circus in New York. After working there for seven years, then he received his position at the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.  At VH1, they raise  funds to restore instrumental music education programs that were cut because of budget constraints. 

          The co founders of VH1 believe that playing musical instruments helps in academic schoolwork as well. They believe that studying music also helps students develop self-expression and discipline and learn about teamwork. "Since 1997, we have donated more than $49 million worth of instruments to over 1,800 public schools." says Cothran. 

        I think VH1 is doing a great thing by helping so many school and by donating so much. They contribute so much, and its not only money. It's their time, effort, support, work they put into making a great foundation.