kyle+Y.+lisa+M.

= = = Kyle; = =Your thought about the life lesson of "never underestimate your enemy" was great!= I am glad that you liked to read this book; I know that it is easier to read stories that are of interest to a person, especially if reading is not a favorite activity. This book was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat!

Looking forward to meeting you on Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Lisa McMorris = Adult: Lisa Mcmorris = Book Title: Soldier’s heart Pages Read:102 ** I would have wanted to leave As they were walking to the battle, because it gives you time to think about it. Something’s I would be brave about but with there being a big chance of you being shot, I don’t think I would want to fight. I don’t think that Charlie would have got shot if they would not have been ordered to run down the hill with their bayonet. I did enjoy this book because I really don’t like to read, and I did like to read this book. He is crippled the first time I read this book I thought he died because he stopped and didn’t say weather he died or not. I wanted to know what he was going to do with that 36 cal. Revolver. Never underestimate your enemy is a big life lesson in this story. A lot of the union thought that it was going to be a really fast war, but it ended up going from 1861- 1865. I wouldn’t like to have to get that close to shoot.
 * Student: Kyle Yealick

Adult: Lisa McMorris Student: Kyle Yealick Book Title: Soldier’s Heart Pages Read: 75-104 In this week’s reading, Charley fought in two battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg. In the battle before Gettysburg, he thought that he was wounded, but found out that he was not when he went to the medical tent. The blood that was on his clothing was blood from those he had killed. This battle was gruesome! When he arrived at the medical tent, he saw many men who were dead as well as those who were waiting for medical attention. The wind was blowing so hard and it was so cold that the doctor asked Charley and another to move the dead men to form a wall to block the wind and cold. The Battle of Gettysburg was different, because he was on a hill looking down at the Confederate Soldiers. He shot then was ordered to get up and head down the hill. They were ordered to use their bayonets. He was hit. The author made it seem like he had died, but he had not. He lived but was badly crippled and walked with a cane. He was not only in physical pain but also had much mental pain…remembering all of the death and chaos. I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat, especially this last section! Throughout the book, I kept expecting Charley to die and was happy that he did not, although his demeanor had changed, and he was so sad! I recommend this book to anyone who likes history and/or war stories. It was such a good story! Even though some of the events had been changed, it was based on the life of a young man named Charley. It was a story of perseverance and courage! In the beginning of the story, Charley really did not have the concept of what he would be doing. He was still young and innocent! As he fought in the battles, he seemed to become more driven to fight. He also seemed more “hardened”. He no longer saw the joys of life. He saw death and turmoil as a normal occurrence. In the end, he was so depressed about what happened. Even though he had not physically died, I really feel like his “spirit” and love for life had died. I believe that the author was trying to express that life may not be what it seems. Charley did not really understand what he was getting into, until he had been through actual battles. I also think that he was trying to show how different life events, such as war, can impact people, but that how much it impacts the person is up to that person. I have the following questions after reading this book: 1.) What happened to Charley’s mother? Was she still alive when he came back from the war? 2.) What was the extent of his injuries? I would not change the ending of the book. I believe that the description of Charley in the last chapter really demonstrated how he had changed—that the war had “taken” his childhood. He was only 21 at the end of the book, but he seemed much older. Kyle—I am looking forward to meeting you on May 11. Again, thank you for being my reading partner! I have really enjoyed this opportunity! Sincerely, Lisa McMorris

= = =Week 3 Adult: Lisa McMorris= =Student: Kyle Yealick= =Book Title: Soldier's Heart= Pages Read: 50-75

I am focusing on the main character, Charley. Charley seems like he is getting quieter and more into himself, because he is afraid to get to close to anyone--afraid that they will die. Charley does not remind me of myself; he is much braver than I would be in the situation that he is in. Charlie seems innocent to the world as well as trusting. He is kind-hearted and brave. At one point, when he was in battle, he seemed almost driven to "beat" the enemy. To me, this was not really Charley. I am a trusting person but would like to be more trusting. I would love to be brave like Charlie. It would take a very brave and loyal person to fight in a war. Yes, I would like to be friends with Charley, because he seems trustworthy and honorable. He seems like he would stick by your side. I know that it was hard for him to leave Nelson, dying, on the field.

You talked about Nelson. I did not know that during earlier war times that people with stomach wounds were not treated and that they were left to die. That would be so hard--both for the person with the wound as well as for those who had to leave them.

As far as Charley traiding with the enemy, I was surprised, too. What struck me the most, was that these two "enemies" were not very different from each other! They were both farmers and probably had similar lives--what separated them was the fact that they were fighting for different causes.

I really like this book! I am so glad that you picked this book out! When I was younger, I read for pleasure all of the time! I read mysteries and war stories, mostly. Now, I read books and articles that are related to my job as well as to college classes that I am taking. Reading this book makes me want to pick more books out that would be for reading for pleasure. Reading is relaxing to me--it takes you to different places and times!

In your letter, before, it sounds like you like outdoor dogs. I do love our dogs, but sometimes Peanut (poodle) and Louie (Yorkiepoo) are a little too yappy! Congratulations on catching the catfish! My husband and son tried jugging last year but were not successful. We went camping this weekend at Sam Parr for my son's birthday On Friday night, we took three of his friends out with us. They slept in our tent; we slept in our camper. It was fun but very rainy! My son's birthday cake had a bass on it. He really likes to fish, too! My father-in-law has a lake with lots of catfish in it. My son loves to catch them, too.

Looking forward to hearing from you next week!

Sincerely,

Lisa McMorris

= = = = = = = Week 3 Adult: Lisa Mcmorris = Student: Kyle Yealick Book Title: Soldiers heart Pages Read: 75

Nelson has just got shot and it is a stomach wound that is fatal and it takes a couple days to die. What was worse the surgeons could do nothing about it but let him lie there and die. It is strange that Charlie would trade stuff with a reb. I think I would have just ignored him because you don’t know if this guy is going to shoot you or hurt you. It would have been so bad for your horse to be shot as you are on it, because the horse could buck you off or the people behind you would step on you.

I think Charlie is brave because he was fighting in the Civil War that would take guts, just to do that. Even though he wanted to go home he did not try to run off he was going to give his life for his country.

I never sign up for the military especially in those days, because sometimes the hundreds of thousands of people in one battle, people just stood out there and shot at each other until onside gave up or they were all died.

I went fishing on Saturday, I went jugging for catfish and caught a 5-½ pound channel catfish. I cleaned it and put it in the freezer to eat later.

Hope to hear from you soon, Kyle Yealick

You said that you havent had much luck, i caught mine on stink bait. It's called chicken blood, and i get it at walmart.