Harmony-Amy

Amy Carr Harmony Bear //Just Listen// 88-228

The main character is Annabel Greene. Annabel is a very quite person. She always keeps her thoughts to herself and never expresses her feelings or opinions. In this weeks reading Annabel opened up more than she ever has too Owen. Owen himself is also on the quite side. He never gets into anybody’s way he just fades into the background. But when he is talking or is involved with someone he states the truth and his opinions boldly. He never holds back what’s on his mind and doesn’t really care what people have to think about him. These characters remind me of people that I see in school. They are people who are just kind of there and they don’t really stand out like the athletes or the nerds. I would love to obtain Owens ability to not care what others think about him. I think that’s amazing. In today’s world people only focus on what we look like or act like. I don’t think I would want to be friends with this character because then I wouldn’t have as much time for my best friend Mackenzie Helmink!

Some of my favorite romance novels are written by Nicholas Sparks. I think he is an amazing author. I loved //The Notebook//, //A Walk to Remember//, //Dear John, Nights in Rodanthe//, and //The Last Song//. They were all amazing and made me cry. But another one of my favorite romances is //Don’t Die My Love//. What are some of your favorite romances? I also am excited about our track meet tonight. I don’t do any running events I only throw the discus. I really enjoy throwing though. My record is 79.4 ft. The high school record for girls eight grade is 85 ft. so I am really close and I am hoping to accomplish this goal.

Thanks for being a great partner. Can’t wait to find out what happens next in the book!

Sincerely,

Harmony Bear

Harmony,
 * Week #3 ** **//Just Listen//**

This week Annabel is really struggling to figure herself out. She wants to open up completely with Owen, but she still doesn't feel she can be as honest as he is with her. It is obvious that something monumental has happened in her past to make her want to keep things so bottled up. I think we are about to find out what that is very soon. I wonder how she will change as a character once she comes to terms with what has been bothering her and how it will affect her relationships with her family and Owen.

In this section, we learn about more about Owen. I admire that he can be so honest about his opinions. I wonder if people are really as honest as Owen says he is. I mean if someone was wearing a dress that you didn't necessarily like, what would you say if they asked, "Do you like my dress?" I would have a hard time hurting someone's feelings. But, according to Owen, he is only telling them the truth.

I agree with what you say about these characters just kind of being there. They blend into the crowd. I think as a teacher, if they were in my class, I wouldn't notice them a lot because they wouldn't participate, nor would they be discipline problems (at least not anymore). I think as a classmate, you could see it the same way. They are kind of loners. They do not want to be noticed by the crowd.

The only romance novel that I can think of that I have //really// liked was //The Pact//. The book was good, but in the end it made me really mad because I thought the kids had so many other choices than the ones they chose. I don't read a lot of romance, but I do like it once in awhile.

I am glad to hear you are doing well in track. I used to coach track and I just love the sport. I am impressed with the distance you are throwing. Keep up the hard work and you will meet your goal!

Talk to you soon. Amy Carr

**Week #4 //Just Listen//** Harmony,

I just finished //Just Listen//. It was a great book. I predicted that something remarkable must have happened in Annabel's life, and it certainly did. Her experiences with Will Cash and the rape were something that would cause a person to react the way she did. Keeping everything bottled up caused a rift between Annabel and Owen for awhile. When Annabel came to terms with what had happened to her, she was finally able to explain everything to Owen, and later her family.

In the final section, Annabel's family becomes much closer, even after finding out what happened to her. I was glad to find out the sisters resolved most of their problems and moved on with their careers. I was surprised that the mom handled everything with Annabel as well as she did. I am glad that Annabel told her mother that she didn't want to model anymore. The mother took this fairly well, too, and became a secretary with the modeling agency.

Owen and Annabel end up together, as did Clarke and Rolly. I was glad that Clarke and Annabel became friends again. It was too bad that Emily and Annabel didn't end up as closer friends. I was very happy that Annabel testified against Will Cash, and helped Emily and herself.

Well, the book is over and that is kind of sad! I always look forward to the end of books because I want to find out what happens, but then I hate that it is finished. Another book that is similar to this one in theme is //Speak// by Laurie Halse Anderson. It doesn't have the romance so much but a lot of the other parts are comparable. The girl in that book essentially stops speaking because no one is listening to her. She becomes an outcast at her school. Her best friend disowns her. In the end, when the reader finds out the truth of what happened to the main character, her silence makes sense.

I hope you enjoyed the book //Just Listen// as much as I did. I look forward to meeting you on the 11th. Have a great week!

Amy Carr

Amy Carr Harmony Bear =// Just Listen //= Well I really enjoyed the end of the book. I was really glad that it all turned out good with Owen and Annabel. But what really confused me was why she didn’t want to bring up the will cash thing. I mean she was already losing everything she had she might as well have spoken up about it. I wouldn’t be embarrassed if I got raped. The person who did it would be the one embarrassed. I just didn’t understand. But in the end someone spoke up for her and everything turned out great. That book, Speak, does sound quite interesting. But it sounds like one of those books that makes you wait until the very end for anything to make since. I hate those because I’m not a very patient person. Thank you about the track thing. I also think I can do it. But lately I haven’t’ been throwing very good. And if I keep this up I won’t meet my goals. Hopefully I will soon though. Preferably at the sectional meet! Thank you for being a terrific partner! I enjoyed doing this fun activity and can’t wait to see you on the 11th! Sincerely, Harmony Bear