Small Steps #6

After nearly finishing the novel, do you think you would enjoy being a music star that travels the world preforming? Why or why not?

I don't think I would really want to be a famous singer. First of all, I can't sing very good (in my opinion). Second, I do not really want to be known worldwide when I am older because people can have really nasty opnions of celebrities, and I don't like when others have bad opinions of me. So what I'm trying to say is; maybe I would enjoy being a famous singer, but probably not.

Small Steps #5

Choose some of Kaira's lyrics from the chapters assigned tonight (25-28), or others. How do they relate to the novel?

Some of Kaira DeLeon's lyrics from her song, Damsel in Distress, go:

These shoes, these jewls, this dress,

a perfect picture of success.

Oh, you would never guess, 

I'm but a damsel in distress.

Save me!

I'm but a damsel in distress.

I think this song is actually written about her real life. Even though you would think she has the dream life (being a national celebrity; having a great voice; being beautiful and attractive; and having everything done for her), I don't think she is truly happy. For example, Kaira doesn't have any friends; which means the only person she can really talk to is Polly, her psychiatrist. She was also very sad when Cotton (her drummer) was fired because he was sort of her friend, even though he was about 30 years older than her. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though celebrities may seem to have perfect lives, the truth is they're probably having as many troubles as you are!

Small Steps #4

Questions I Would Want to Ask El Genius (Kaira DeLeon's Manager and Stepfather):

1. Why are you so mean to Kaira?
2. Do you take steroids?
3. Did you fire Cotton because of what he said about rock 'n' roll? If not, then why?
4. Why did you marry Kaira's mom if you really want to live with Aileen?
5. How much money do you think Aileen is taking out of Kaira's savings?

Small Steps #3

Respond to the favorite character poll. Explain your rational (reasoning) behind your choice of favorite characters.

I responded to the favorite character poll on Mr. Talner's page. Out of Armpit, Kaira, Ginny, and X-Ray, I chose Kaira. I decided to choose Kaira because she seems like an average teen: curious; trouble-making; adventurous; and always trying to make friends. I like how real she seems, and I can relate to her in a lot of ways (even though I'm not rich or a celebrity).

Small Steps #2

Tell me a bit about Armpit's experience at the police station.

Armpit was at the police station to watch somebody get interrogated. Little did he know that the person would be X-Ray! Armpit was hidden behind a 1-way mirror, so X-Ray had no idea that he was there. Although Armpit was really worried that X-Ray would screw everything up and tell Detective Debbie Newberg what really happened, he surprisingly was very smooth about it and didn't tell Detective Newberg anything that would get him and Armpit in trouble. When asked if he knew a guy named Armpit, he "didn't even flinch", which made Armpit feel a lot better and actually start to have some hope that X-Ray wouldn't blow everything. At the end of the questioning though, Ms. Newberg caught him. She already knew that X-Ray and Armpit had gone to a place callen Smokestack Lightnin' to sell a couple of tickets, so she knew that he had lied when he said that he had never met Armpit in his life. But somehow, X-Ray weaseled his way out of the question and other lies Detective Newberg had noticed. In the end, Ms. Newberg was still suspicious, but she let X-Ray go.

Small Steps #1

Tell me a bit about the book you are reading.

The novel Small Steps by Louis Sachar is about a boy named Theodore (nicknamed Armpit) who struggles to build his life up again after he comes home to Austin, Texas from the infamous Camp Green Lake Correctional Facility. At Camp Green lake, every day the boys had to dig a 5-foot-every-direction hole, which made him perfect for his job which is working at Raincreek Irrigation and Landscaping (which requires digging). While at work one day, his friend from camp, nicknamed X-Ray, came to him with a get-rich-quick scheme to become ticket scalpers for an upcoming Kaira DeLeon concert. Although this could lead to getting arrested, Armpit unwillingly accepted the challenge.

This book is also about the talented and popular singer, Kaira Deleon (the girl who's concert X-Ray and Armpit are taking advantage of to try to get rich). It's about her and the obstacles she has to overcome when she has a mean and rude stepfather AND manager who calls himself "El Genius"; a doofus bodyguard named Fred; a mother who doesn't listen to her; a band who's members think she's a spoiled prima dona; and backup singers who hate her for taking all the attention.
This young adult fiction book is great because it is very easy to relate to, whether your life is full of worry and hard to get through or simple and everything is done for you. I would recommend it to any teenager who has previously read Holes and is interested in learning about both easy and shabby lifestyles.