Hope-Mrs.+Robins

= = = = Adult: Ginger Robins  Student: Hope Metz Book Title: //Cut// Pages Read 1-57 In the beginning of //Cut// Callie is in a race with another girl when she realizes she is running in the wrong direction. She ends up at the front door of her house and realized no one was home. Callie found a craft knife and began to cut herself on the palm of her hand. Now I don’t think that is a very good idea because what if someone saw the scars and made fun of her. If she would of that at that then she would not start to cut herself. When she met all the other girls that had addictions she felt left out. They would all have their own group of people and Callie would be by a window memorizing the color order of cars.

My opinion of this story is that they need to think about being themselves and not being a pretty. I think this because I used to do that, I thought about being one of my friends and not being myself. Ever since I found out what I was doing to myself, I stopped. Never have done it again. I think that this book is good so far; I just hope it will stay that way through the rest of the story. If it does then this is a going to be a good book to read. It does have a bunch of things that can teach kids right from wrong which is a good thing, or a great thing. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this book with you.

= = = = = Week 3 Adult: Ginger Robins = Student: Hope Metz Book Title: //Cut// Pages Read: 133 pgs.

Character
Callie is the main character in the book //Cut.// She has a problem; she is addicted to cutting. Callie thinks that cutting will help solve all the problems she has, but it won’t. I think that Callie needs to find something else that can solve the problems she has going on. There are many other people that cut and have problems that can relate to her. Cutting will never solve anything. Callie needs to talk the Group leader in private so she can help her with her problem. Her problem is not going to go away on its own so she needs to do something.

In this story I also have some of the same ideas that you do. I think that some of the girls care about her and others just don’t have a care in the world for her I think. I have come across someone that has cut herself. She had some of the same problems as Callie; she felt left out and thought she was alone. It was not me though trust me. Since you asked me these questions I will answer them:

Q: What will happen next? A: I think that they will go to Group and it will be awkward to them.

Q: Do you know ant one that cut them selves? A: Yes I have, as I mentioned above.

Q: What do I think of that? A: I think that she should not have started. Though she did she should have stopped sooner than she had.

Q: Have I cut myself intentionally? A: No, I have not even when I was down and upset I never cut myself.

Q: Do I get quiet when I am mad? A: Actually, I do. I like to think about other things I sit on my bed being quiet, open my window and listen to the things going on outside. I don’t know why but that relaxes me.

I enjoyed answering these questions about the story and about myself. It made me think more clearly. I also enjoyed the story you told me about your mother. That was a good story and a funny one at that. The longest I have gone without talking to my mom was about a half hour. I love my mom so much. Sometimes I don’t go stay the night with my friends because I wanted to stay and have my mom and I game night. Which is a lot of fun when it is just you two. One of my friends came over on a five-day weekend off of school and she asked me if I wanted to stay the night with her for three nights. My mom said it was fine I did not. She asked what about two nights? I said no I want to stay here with my mom this weekend. She asked not even one night I am really bored. I actually said my mom is not boring that’s why I want to stay here. I don’t want to be bored with you. I did say it in a mean way. I am not going to be mean to my friends I am not that kind of person.

Thank you for letting me tell you my story and once again I enjoyed reading your story. I am sorry it has taken me a long time to write you back. I could not find anything to talk about until I got your letter. Then when I got your letter I lost it. I finally found it and I wrote you back. Sorry again and thanks for being patient with me.

Thank you Hope Metz

Hi Hope,

I agree with you about Callie and using cutting to relieve her feelings; whether they be of stress, insecurity, or other issues. She seems to lack self-confidence and blames herself for things that are going on in her home, especially with her little brother and his sickness. I think she feels like things are her fault and taking all the world's problems on her shoulder rather than letting everyone else deal with their own issues and just letting life take it's course. We can only control our behavior and our response to others, but we cannot control other people's behavior. We would all benefit from realizing that! Even with her insecurities, Callie really seems to care about others, especially Sydney. Sydney seems to be a person that someone would really want to have as a friend. She also seems to genuinely care about Callie and has continually tried to get her involved in the activities, without pushing too much. That seems to have allowed Callie the opportunity to get comfortable and then eventually open up with Sydney and in the group. One of my favorite characters is the therapist she meets with everyday. She really was patient with Callie, and then gave her that little push when she needed it to help gain Callie's trust. I really think they are making good progress and I am hoping that by the end of the book Callie is going to feel well enough to go home. Another character I like is Ruby, the lady who is on night duty. You can tell by the things she does and says that she really cares about all the girls and treats them respectful. It seems like you and I both are seeing the book the same way. It is sad to see people resort to these tactics to make them feel better. It is like having to rely on drugs and alcohol or anything else but yourself to feel better. We need to rely on ourselves and our families to help us build those feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem. I think I didn't answer some of the questions Ms. Shull has outlined for us.

Callie does remind me of another person I know that cuts. I'm not sure she has made as good of progress as Callie has. I pray for her often. We did talk about her being a caring person and I think that is a good trait to have. People should care about each other, but Callie needs to work at taking pride in herself and care about herself. I could be friends with Callie, but I would really try to convince her to continue getting help so she wouldn't cut anymore. I really would not want anything bad to happen to my friend. I don't know if I would hang out with her or not. I like to hang out with people who are positive and upbeat and talk a lot. She doesn't talk much and that would be hard for me to deal with. What about you? Would you hang out with her??

It seems you have a pretty special mom. And when you come from a family of several kids, it is even more special when you can spend some one on one time with her. Another story kind of like that was when I was in 5th grade and I got to spend a week with my grandma. We usually only saw my grandma once a year because she lived in Oklahoma. Well, I got to go back with her for a week one summer all by myself. I was on cloud 9. None of my other sisters had ever gotten to do that, so I was feeling really special. Keep that relationship going with your mom. Family is so important and will always be there for you through all the years. I still enjoy visiting my mom and spending time with her whenever I can.

I am really glad to hear you have not cut. I hope you are encouraging your friend to find other ways to deal with her situations rather than cutting. It is like any other habit, hard to break. Guess we will find out if Callie is able to stop cutting by the end of the book. I think the answer will be yes, she will find other ways to help her cope with life's pressures.

Well, I've kind of rambled on tonight. Sometimes I get wordy and carried away, just like I talk. I am enjoying getting to know you. You keep having fun and talking with your friends and your mom. Write whenever you can. Talk to you again in a few days.

Week 4

Hello Again,

I had to finish the book this weekend to see how it was going to end up. I really did enjoy reading the book. I was totally shocked however; as to how it finally ended up. She was tempted so many times to cut again, but she made the right choices to not do it, so I was extremely proud of her decisions. She finally came to the realization that she was not to blame for her little brother's illness and that it was really her dad's issue. He finally admitted it, too, which allowed them to mend their relationship. I couldn't believe she ran away though. The lady in the Dunkin Donuts shows that there are caring people in the world even if they do not know you! I hope Amanda can find the courage that Callie did to stop the cutting, don't you?

I didn't think I was going to enjoy the book because it scares me that people, esp. children, cut themselves to escape. But, I think I liked it because it is seeming to have a happy ending. Callie gets the help she needs and makes the decisions for herself to do it.

I think both parents and teenagers should read this book, because it gives a perception of why people cut that I did not have as an adult.

Callie, the main character, goes from a scared young teenager, to a vibrant and alive teenager ready to face her problems. She comes out of her shell and decides to face the problems she encounters and to do it without cutting.

I think the author is trying to let both parents and teenagers know that even though one has serious problems, that there is help out there, but that the biggest help has to come from within. We have to make decisions for ourselves that will change our lives, not depend or wait for others to do it. We can have help, but ultimately it falls on our own shoulders.

I would like to know how long she stayed at Sea Pines and then how did they transition her back to home. She would need to continue to receive some counseling and I like to know how they help the girls go back home and continue to "make it work". I also think the whole family should receive some counseling so they learn how to better work together as a family unit and develop good relationships.

I really wouldn't change the ending of the book, unless it would be to make it a little longer and let us see how she transitions home and how they handle everything once she returns.

Can't wait to see you on the 11th and we can share other stories, too. Thank you for being my reading partner. I don't really take the time to read like I want to and this forced me to take that time and also to share my thoughts with another person. I feel Blessed that you were that other person and we could talk back and forth.

Mrs. Robins Hello, Mrs. Robins

My opinion about this book is that it is a good influence for many children. But some of the things they talked about were not appropriate for many little children to read. I enjoyed this book other than the foul language. I think that people that have addicting problems like cutting, smoking, drinking, and being anorexic are the ones that need the help. These are some problems that people need to get fixed if they do have them problems. The main character Callie changed throughout the story. How? By being addicted to cutting to slowly reaching her way to stop completely. The author was trying to influence girls my age to stop doing bad things. It will just get you into trouble. I think this is a magnificent life lesson for many children because a lot of kids my age are doing things like that. They may not want to or try to, but they are.

How do things go with Callie? What happens to the other girls? Will everything go good with Callie? These are the questions I would like answered after reading this story. I would not like to change the end of this book. I like all the things about it except for the language the girls used.

Sorry i did not write you much it is a monday so i am pretty tired. I loved being able to open up and tell you some things about me i don't really tell most people.

Well that's all i have to say which is rather shocking because i like to talk a lot. Sorry and thanks again.

This is off subject but i think you know my brother Zach Metz. My mom says you do and i did not know that you help the kids with special needs. My brother once in a while talks about you because sometimes he does not remember because he has autism.

It was nice talking to you.

Thank You Hope Metz

Hi Hope,

I look forward to meeting you personally next week. Yea, I know what you mean about the language. I feel the same way with books and movies. I really think there are some good shows out there that would be great for kids and teenagers and even adults if they would just cut out the cussing. I don't know why they think that is so important. Yes, I work with the kids with special needs and have for a long time. I really enjoy helping the kids and their families. I've know your mom and Zach for a long time and enjoy watching his progress. I bet you would be good at helping others, too, because you really seem to care about other people.

See you next week. Mrs. Robins