https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q en-us 2023-02-19 23:28:39 UTC 2026-03-16 11:07:14 UTC hello@padlet.com atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2487814780 I chose this book because I felt like it would help me "bridge the gap" between 2 different countries and cultures.]]> 2023-02-19 23:33:40 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2487814780 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2487816432 The author drops the reader on the lines,

 "I'd never heard of Zimbabwe. But something about the way the name looked up on the blackboard intrigued me."

I think it's a good opening, because it gives us background knowledge and foreshadowing on the whereabouts of the country in question.]]> 2023-02-19 23:37:29 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2487816432 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488510430 Dialogue between characters in this book is very important, because the entire book is based on 2 children exchanging words with each other across the globe. 

An example of dialogue in the book would be on page 60, where Martin (the protagonist)'s brother compliments him, saying that, "Now you look like a professional movie star, Martin!"

This is important because Martin is about to take a photo, which is very expensive in Zimbabwe.]]> 2023-02-20 13:46:49 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488510430 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488513243 My book is filled with a lot of plot events and twists. 

Such an example is on page 172, where Martin receives a huge package from Caitlin. "This must be the mysterious package Caitlin had written about."

This is important because Martin's family is very poor and cannot afford basic necessities, so Caitlin has shipped them to him.]]> 2023-02-20 13:49:47 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488513243 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488513950 Another example of dialogue in the book would be on page 314, where Caitlin (the other protagonist) offers to order food for Martin's classmate, Wallace.

"Do you want me to order for you? I asked."

This is important because Wallace has finally came to America, and Martin will be soon to follow.]]> 2023-02-20 13:50:35 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488513950 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488519822 One last example of Dialogue between characters is on page 100, where Martin's teacher welcomes him back to school. 

This is important because Martin is struggling to pay his fees to get into school.]]> 2023-02-20 13:56:53 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488519822 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488530837 Another example of a major event happening in the story is on page 375, when Martin arrives in America. 

This is important because Martin is leaving behind his family for a completely new life in a completely different country.

Caitlin said: " "That's him!" I cried. "]]> 2023-02-20 14:08:13 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488530837 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488534278 One last example of a major event happening in the story is on page 198 when Martin gets a call from America.

This is important because Martin has never talked to Caitlin on the phone before, and is very excited.

"Martin, America is calling. For you."]]> 2023-02-20 14:11:28 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488534278 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488540669 On Page 222, the book says, "The meeting adjourned, and no one asked me or Lauren why we were there."

I think adjourned means ended, primarily because it said that, "The meeting ______". 

It couldn't mean "started", because it also said that "no one asked me or Lauren why we were there."]]> 2023-02-20 14:17:33 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488540669 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488548384 Also, on page 260, the book states, "When I was far enough away, I started to ululate."

I think ululate means sing, because in the next sentence, it said that "my cries floated up in the air, and caught on the tree branches above..."]]> 2023-02-20 14:24:07 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488548384 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488555779 The thematic statement of the story is that "Hard work always pays off." 

Martin worked extremely hard for days and days on end to go to America, and at the end everything paid off.

On page 364, Martin exclaimed, " Mai, Baba, I have news," I started. "I will be leaving in a few weeks to study in America." "

The thematic concept of the story is forgiveness. Martin was forgiven multiple times throughout the story, as his family was dirt poor. He often couldn't pay money back. The kindness and forgiveness that people had towards him when he was young helped him become a successful adult.]]> 2023-02-20 14:30:47 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488555779 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488589499 One example of Irony in the text would be on page 234, when Martin says, "This school was my jackpot."

This is irony because the school was basically in shambles at that point. I think that Martin said that because he was getting such good grades.]]> 2023-02-20 14:56:31 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488589499 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488605665 A flashback in the text is on page 257, where Martin exclaims, "I was sure I would be taking a bus back to Chisamba Singles this evening."

Chisamba Singles is Martin's old impoverished community. Martin was able to receive the fees from the bank right before he got sent back home, so he made this reference.]]> 2023-02-20 15:13:09 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488605665 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488607853 A connection I had to the book was on page 292, where Martin had trouble accessing the internet. I can relate because, in some areas in India that I went to, there was no internet which is very sad.

"I need access to the internet."

https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/over-25000-villages-in-india-still-lack-internet-connectivity-lok-sabha-told-1780758-2021-03-18]]> 2023-02-20 15:15:08 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488607853 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488621866 Another connection I had to the book was on page 319, where Wallace felt lost in his new place. 

I can relate, because whenever I travel to somewhere else, I feel lost and in a completely different continent.

"I wasn't so sure. Wallace seemed so lost. I realized that we had to carefully choose the right place for Martin."

https://www.fodors.com/news/travel-tips/the-art-of-getting-lost-on-vacation]]> 2023-02-20 15:29:02 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488621866 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488628602 One last connection I had to the book was on page 276-279, when Caitlin reacted to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. I felt the same way during the recent mass shootings in schools during the last year. I am worried, because anyone could be involved.

" "Why do I have to go home now?" I asked. "We're not in any danger." " -P278

https://www.k12dive.com/news/2022-worst-year-for-school-shootings/639313/


]]> 2023-02-20 15:35:17 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488628602 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488652946 Discussion Question #1:

How would you have felt if you were Martin and couldn't pay his test fees?

I would have felt terrible and lost all my hope, because I knew it was all over and my education would end there.

However, Martin managed to persevere and maintain calm. On page 257, Martin, keeping his calm, said that "I will tell my cousin if we don't receive the funds today, then it's over."]]> 2023-02-20 16:00:16 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488652946 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488658528 If you were Martin's mom, would you be superstitious like her?

On page 364, it said, "Keep quiet! This is no time to brag."

I would also be superstitious like Martin's mom, because what Martin got was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I feel like I even may be more, because things like that only happen once in someone's entire life. You don't get multiple chances.]]> 2023-02-20 16:05:33 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488658528 atatineni2 https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488662935  On page 366,  It says that "Tecla informed me a prophet was going to see me."

Do you believe in prophecies like Martin? Why?

I don't believe in prophecies because there is no evidence to back them up, and Martin shouldn't either. 

I believe that Martin is a very hard-working boy who can achieve almost anything if he works hard enough, so why believe in prophecies?]]> 2023-02-20 16:09:56 UTC https://padlet.com/atatineni2/9ryben6ktex8q88q/wish/2488662935