Clayton-

When he was lying on the ground he realized that he has to have energy to survive. When he looked down he saw worms and started eating them, when he ran out of them he saw a rat and ate it when it was alive. When he was laying on the ground the bear came up to him. He stuck out his hand and touched it. The bear just stood there looking at him and left. After he knew the bear wasn’t going to kill him he decided to give up and die. He was lying there on the ground and he thought that seagulls were picking him up, but it wasn’t. It was Garvey that was picking him up and putting him in the boat.

I agree with your summarization, Clayton, but after the attack, he realized he was going to have to survive on his own or die! I think he was actually ready to die because he thought no one really cared. He is beginning to realize he needs the help of others to help him with his problems.

Cole reminds me a little bit of my attitude when I was a lot younger than that. Sports made me change my mind and attitude. They taught me that it wasn't all about me - it was teamwork! When I was called for a foul, even with the crowd booing the officials, I had to go with their ruling. I had to learn to get along and "go with the flow" which was not my previous attitude.

I would not want to be friends with Cole because he was dangerous - made poor decisions and would be a poor influence.

I think that Peter and Cole will start talking to each other because during the meeting Peter said that something bad should happen to Cole for the things that Cole did to him. Cole might say that he is sorry for doing that to him and that is was wrong to do that.

I didn’t know that you were in the Army too. I bet it was cool going to all those places that you got to see. My brother is in the Navy reserve and he got to go to Gulf Port to train down there. We went there a couple of times to see him. What was your favorite place to see? How do you like the book so far? I think it is pretty good book.

The Army gave me a way to travel to a lot of places I was afraid I would never see. It was during the Vietnam War, but I was a captain and I was not in the middle of the fighting, so I couldn't complain! My favorite place was probably Hong Kong, because of the beauty, the food and the culture. It was truly a unique experience!

So, if you could go anywhere, Clayton, where would you go? Do you have any plans for after high school?

This week was about him going to the island again. While he was there, Edwin would come by and drop off supplies there. When they talked he said that Peter tried to commit suicide. Cole said that he needed to come to the island with him. A few weeks later he saw two boats coming to shore and he saw Peter and his family in one and Garvey and Edwin in the other one. They decided to let Peter stay. When he was there they started talking to each other and Peter helped him draw the anger totem.

I liked the book; I thought it was really good. I liked it because it talked about this kid who is trying to change his life and help another person.

Cole changed in the story because at the start of the book he was angry at every thing that wasn’t scared of him. Towards the end he started to realize that it wasn’t everybody else’s fault that he was in there, it was his fault.

He was trying to express that it is his fault, not somebody else’s.

I would have told what happened to everybody like his father and who won the trial about taking him

Clayton, you gave a good summary - he did realize he had to be responsible for his own actions AND no one can get through this world alone - everyone needs someone. I'm still mystified what the bear had to do with all of it - I know he was some kind of a spirit, but I'm still not clear on that part!

See you at the party!!

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