Gunner+Pickens-Kendra+French

= = =​Week 3 Student: Gunner Pickens= Pages Read-228 Great Book! I didn't know if i would like it or not. I haven't read much of Jerry Spinelli's books, but I was...surprised at how good the book turned out. To be honest, after the first section I was a little disappointed, but it deffinatley picked up. The suprising thing is, a second grader could read the book! It's not hard to comprehend at all, and I would recommend the story to anyone that wants a quick exiting story. Palmer changed a lot throughout the course of the story. He realizes that teasing Dorothy is not the way to go. I believe that was the major change in his personality through the whole story. From the very beginning you know that he loves the pigeons, and how he struggles between the urge to fit in, and to do what is right, but I thought after the first section that the whole "make friends with Dorothy" plan was pretty much out of the question. I agree it would take an awful lot of courage, and wit to stop going along with what his friends were doing, but he did, and I liked that a lot. I think that the theme of this story is to take a second look at people before you start judging them. I'm sure that if the kids Palmer's age saw the group of boys coming they would think trouble, but I think that Palmer was just in a bad situation in the book. The author showed us what Palmer was really thinking so he's giving the reader the inside on all of his feelings, and decisions. The pigeons! Everyone thinks that they are so bad in the story, but Palmer was the only one to actually give them a chance. I'm sure if the whole town didn't view the birds as __clay__ pigeon they probably wouldn't shoot them every year. What happens to Nipper! After being thrown around by Beans at the end of the story, it's probably not looking good. Of course Beans will not be happy with Palmer after the incident, but how will he get back at Palmer for causing such a scene at the pigeon shoot. I thought the end of the story was great! I would not change one thing. The last words that the child spoke were the icing on the cake "Can I have one too, Daddy?". Maybe the town find a new way to raise money for the 40 acre park.

You've only got 12 more days!? Have you already taken your senior trip. I should no where you go, but I don't. We go to Six Flags this Friday, and I can't wait. Last week we went to see the Blue Man Group in Chicago with the band. It seems like school is basically over now. I just hope that it doesn't drag on for the next 15 days. I'm sure it won't

Thanks Again,

Gunner = = = = = = = = =Week 4 Adult: Kendra French​= You're right a second grader could read this book! I didn't really care for the book it was an easy read, but i couldn't get into it! I believe Palmer always wanted to be friends with Dorthory even though he went through a stage where he teased her. Palmer realized who his real friend was when he found out that he love Pigeons! He could tell Dothory about Nipper when he couldn't even think about telling his gang about it in fear that they would rip Nippers head off. I think things started to set in when he discovered that his friends were the ones who put the big yellow lion in his house trying to get the cat to kill Nipper.

I agree with you the town really does need to find a way to raise money for thier park instead of killing 5,000 pigeons a year. Some people just like Palmer have a hard time with seeing innocent animals get shot, just to raise money for a park. They could easily find another fundraiser to raise the money and still have a family picnic in the park.

We have 8 days left of scholl now! Sad to say that we don't get a senior trip! Things might get a little to out of control with 130 or so seniors! I remember going to see the Blue Man Group with the band...it was a lot of fun. Six Flags was awesome! Hope you have a great few last days of school and have fun on your trip. = = = = = = = = = = = = = Week 2 Student: Gunner Pickens = Pages Read-152 So Palmer has a pigeon buddy. Palmer is trying to decide if he wants to be accepted by his friends, or do what he knows is right. During the beginning of the section he actually researches pigeons so he can understand, and adapt to the bird better. Palmer seems like a really good kid, I’m still wondering why the town shoots the pigeons every year. Which was dumb of me, because it’s at the very beginning of the book! Palmer reminds me of my little cousin. He is obsessed with animals, and even if it’s a nasty animal that no one else likes he always seems to treat it like a pet. As for Beans, he’s the bad guy in the story. Beans is the little devil sitting on Palmer’s shoulder telling him the way that sounds like it’s a lot more fun, but its not the right way to go. Palmer seems very loving; I can’t wait to find out what he does with Nipper. In this section I felt a lot closer to Palmer. Jerry Spinelli focused more on the child inside of him instead of the things going on around him. You know how he feels about the situation that he is in in the first part of the story. But in the second section that we read, he showed exactly what Palmer would do if a situation like a bird showing p at his window crossed his path. Of course Palmer started taking care of it like his pet. He doesn’t know why, but his heart is overwhelming his head. Thanks for that information about the pigeons, I looked at it and it helped made more sense. They must be making a bunch of money off the “Pigeon Day” to afford to get 5,000 pigeons each year. I don’t know if you have used it yet, but how do you like the wiki? I think its kind of neat that we have our own personally page that we can talk on. It feels like everything is loosening up at school. Since it’s almost the end of the year we always have those presentations, and other projects, but they aren’t too bad. I’m looking forward for the summer! We get out the 20 of May, and I’m counting down the days. What about you? When do the seniors get out his year? I play the drums in the band. Mr. Ridlen says there is going to be a lot more people in band next year, but I don’t know too many people in eighth grade that are going to do it. I can’t believe we are more than halfway through the book, one more section, and maybe the things that I’ve been wondering will work themselves out.

Thanks, Gunner

=Week 2 - Adult: Kendra French= Pages Read: 152

The protagonist, Palmer, is finding himself in a little bit of a mess. When Palmer was wlaking home from school on day Nipper, the pigeon landed on Palmer's head. The "gang" Palmer belongs to of course tried to "wring" Nipper's neck, and Palmer had to act quick. Palmer was questioned by a few from the gang on why the bird landed on his head. He made up some story on why the pigeon landed on his head and how he wanted to wring its neck, even though he really loved his pet pigeon friend. This week i have been proud of Palmer since he stopped bulling the neighbor girl, Dorthory. It takes an awful lot for a kid his age to go against what his friends want him to do. I agree with your whole Jerry Spinelli point about how he focused on the child inside of him instead of the things going on around him. The whole wiki idea was just wonderful idea! We use this for Mrs. Walker's class! You should have her when you're a senior. The seniors get out May 17th!!!!!!!!!!!! wooooohoooo only 12 more days left!