Natalie+Britton-Lyndsey+Smith

Week 4 Adult: Lyndsey Smith Student: Natalie Britton Book: "Absolutely Normal Chaos" Pages: 157-230

The summary of this week’s reading was my favorite part of the book. Mary Lou is at her aunt and uncle’s house for a visit. Her cousins tease her and make fun of her until she begs Carl Ray that she wants to leave. Some of the things that Mary Lou’s cousins said to her made me think back to the beginning of the story when Mary Lou was saying those same things about Carl Ray. During the car trip home to Easton, Carl Ray tells Mary Lou that he didn’t come to Easton for a job; he came to look for his real father. A couple days later, Carl Ray told Mary Lou that Mr. Furtz was his father and Mr. Furtz gave Carl Ray the money. That was the biggest surprise to me because I never thought that Mr. Furtz was Carl Ray’s father, I thought it was Mary Lou’s uncle Carl Joe. One day Carl Ray was coming home from Beth Ann’s house when he crashed into a ditch. His family and Mary Lou’s family rushed to the hospital to find Carl Ray unconscious. Mary Lou was now regretting every thing she said about how horrible Carl Ray was. Carl Ray woke up and everyone was relieved and thankful that Carl Ray was okay. The end of the book ends with Mary Lou, her family, the Furtzes, Beth Ann, and Alex all together at a picnic. Mary Lou’s summer is finally over and so is her journal. I really enjoyed this book because it had so many surprises and ironies. I could also understand and connect with the main character a lot. I think someone else should read this book to find out what a really good (and long) journal is like. Mary Lou changes in the story because at first she didn’t like Carl Ray when he came to her house, but now she really wants him to stay. I think that the life lesson in this story is that anything can happen so quickly and that it’s hard sometimes to allow changes in your life. The questions that I want to be answered are how does Carl Ray come home and will Mary Lou join the GGP club? I would change the ending of this story by putting Mary Lou’s first day of school in the journal. I really enjoyed Reading Rocks and I’ve really enjoyed this book. What was your favorite part of the story? I'm really excited for the Reading Rocks party. I hope you have also enjoyed the book as much as I did.  Sincerely , Natalie Britton

Mary Lou is still in West Virginia with Carl Ray. Her cousins make her so upset that Carl Ray agrees to take her home a day early. On the car ride home, Carl Ray opens up to Mary Lou and tells her why things were tense with his father and why he showed up in Easton. When they get home Mary Lou tries to call Alex and he is not answering. This drives her crazy. Carl Ray tells Mary Lou that Mr. Furtz is his real father and she is shocked, He also tells her he made up with his father in West Virginia and a father is someone who is there for you. Carl Ray has a terrible accident and is unconscious when the family comes to the hospital. Mary Lou has grown somewhat attached to Carl Ray and is very worried about Carl Ray. Mary Lou has learned to accept Carl Ray and regrets ever thinking negatively about him. Carl Ray eventually wakes up and Mary Lou and her family along with some friends have a picnic to celebrate. I really like this book. I was not so sure I would enjoy it after reading the blurb, but I am extremely happy you picked this book. Mary Lou was a girl after my own heart. She was not boy crazy or petty like the other girls she described. She also, had a great sense of humor. I thought this book was actually very funny. I think Mary Lou learns a good lesson on acceptance; like not judging a book on its cover :). I really wanted to hear how her teacher liked her journal and if she continued to write just for fun. I honestly do not think Mary Lou will join the GGP, that club does not seem to be her speed whatsoever. I enjoyed Reading Rocks and look forward to meeting you!

Lyndsey Smith