Valerie Zenatti by JASMINE CRUZ https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2 by Valerie Zenatti en-us 2019-11-12 19:39:56 UTC 2025-12-08 14:17:04 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f47e.png | | When I Was a Soldier | | Bibliography cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426516802
Zenatti, Valerie. When I Was a Soldier. Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2005. ]]> 2019-12-22 17:38:55 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426516802 1. Introduction cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426712781 Valerie, along with her two Russian best friends are introduced into the story: Yulia and Rahel. All three, being eighteen years old, live in the desert of Israel. Valerie is deemed as unusual in their area, for she is French. (Therefore, her presence catches the attention of all those around her.)]]> 2019-12-24 23:43:49 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426712781 2. bac cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426713073 As requirement of the high school, all three girls are appointed to take a test, the bac.
Once she has taken a seat in the exam room, Valerie will, on the first day of testing, be assigned to answer questions about the Holocaust and General History. Writing about the dreadful events of the Holocaust causes Valerie to shed a few tears, emphasizing her caring personality.
]]> 2019-12-24 23:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426713073 Outside Source #1: BAC cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426713143 The Bac (Baccalaureate) is an exam primarily known to be taken in France.]]> 2019-12-24 23:57:09 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426713143 3. Her Ex cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762090 Jean-David. 
Valerie, for the longest time, loved this boy. Even after they broke up, she still retained the same feelings for him—whatever reason that may be.
After finishing up the literature portion of the BAC, Jean-David rung her up to inform her that he had found a girl in his new home, Jerusalem.]]> 2019-12-25 22:13:07 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762090 Quote #1: Jean-David cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762363 "I answered with a long silence before saying goodbye to him, in one breath, with the beginnings of a sob, then I ran to cry in Rahel and Yulia's arms, for a long time" (37).

This part in the book introduces her profound love for this one boy, and how greatly she thinks of him—for when Valerie had discovered the heart-breaking news, she couldn't help but burst into tears.]]> 2019-12-25 22:19:41 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762363 4. According to Plan... cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762609 Since Valerie had moved to Israel a few years back, she became destined to take a few years out of her life to go be a soldier, just as every other 18 year old in sight must do. However, she was appointed to go serve before all of her other friends: Yulia and Rahel, so she inferred that they would both be there to comfort her before she heads to the buses to the base. However, on the day before her leave, no one is there to even just hug her. Yulia, Rahel, and most-importantly, Jean-David, are absent right when she needed them most.]]> 2019-12-25 22:28:10 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762609 5. Surprise! cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762807 All the depressing events made a turn when Valerie heard the voices of those she held most dear to her on the other side of the front door. Turns out Valerie does have caring friends. Yulia, Rahel and Freddy (Rahel's boyfriend) truly do care about her, for they all made their surprise public when they showered Valerie with hugs, food platters and gifts.]]> 2019-12-25 22:33:15 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762807 Quote #2: The Bestest of Friends cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762923 "I don't have time to finish my sentence before bursting into tears. It's hardly appropriate, but I can't help myself, it's happened of its own accord. they huddle round me and get me to sit down on the sofa" (51).

Referring back to event #2, Valerie is known to have an incredibly caring, yet sensitive personality. If her friends aren't there to see her off before heading to the base, she will remember that. Vice Versa: If her friends are there to see her off, she will also remember that, and hold it dear to her.]]> 2019-12-25 22:37:05 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426762923 6. Are My Earbuds Bothering You? cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426763209 At last, Valerie has hopped onto the bus, and she assumed that the drive to the base would be dreadfully long. So, to avoid boredom, she placed her earbuds in to listen to music. However, when doing so, a girl criticised her for listening to music on the ride to becoming a soldier. They altercated for a few, until both sides started taking a liking to the other. The two exchanged names: Valerie Zenatti to Eynat Haymovitch; Eynat Haymovitch to Valerie Zenatti.]]> 2019-12-25 22:45:10 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426763209 7. Regiment 3, Company D cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426837000 Upon arrival, Eynat and Valerie head toward the base together. Valerie, being younger, tends to cling more to Eynat, due to apprehension and not knowing what is going to come next.
Since Eynat and Valerie have last names that are miles apart from each other in the alphabet, inevitably, they will experience separation, for there are four groups for the girls, that are coordinated according to the first letter of the person's last name.
This initiation would not be complete without the mention of the new identities the girls received; Valerie: 3810159, Eynat: 3810168]]> 2019-12-27 00:30:47 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426837000 8. Reflection cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426851600 On her first actual day at the base, Valerie experiences the sorts of obstacles and challenges that comes with being a soldier—or rather, on the road to becoming one. The vigorous tasks that come her way, along with the arduous scheduling concocted by the higher-ups induces Valerie to reflect on how life will be for the next several months or so.]]> 2019-12-27 04:18:53 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426851600 Quote #3: So Be It. cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426851735 "That's a directive from the headquarters, and everyone is subject to it. Twenty minutes to eat and six hours' sleep a day, those are a soldier's fundamental rights, and their only rights, as far as I can see" (79).

According to this, slowly, yet surely, Valerie will be able to grow accustomed to her new life on her road to becoming a soldier. And of course, to earn such a respectable title, a price must be paid.]]> 2019-12-27 04:20:44 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426851735 9. Home cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897225 Valerie appreciation for going home is at an all-time high, for taking a break contrasts greatly from the arduous life at the base. So, at last, she is given the weekend off: from Friday to Sunday night—when she has to head back to the buses to her most favorite place.
(For the time she was at home, she received adequate attention from her friends and family.)

]]> 2019-12-27 18:24:09 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897225 10. Stronger cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897535 Valerie got into an altercation with another girl at the base. They were arguing about the actual need for them to be there: training to become soldiers. As the two exchanged very aggressive opinions at each other, Valerie was beginning to show her true colors—whether verbally or mentally.]]> 2019-12-27 18:29:35 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897535 Quote #4: Uniform cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897642 "'What truth? The truth you want to believe in, so that you don't have to ask yourself any questions about the uniform you're wearing, about what it means to the Palestinians, for example'" (112).

This event sparked something in Valerie, inducing her to realize what it really means—and why she is there. Of course, being the type of person she is, she will defend her side.]]> 2019-12-27 18:31:49 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897642 What It Is Like Being a Soldier cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897835 Pertaining to the story, being a soldier consists of consistent training, tiring duties and scarce amounts of sleep.]]> 2019-12-27 18:36:13 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426897835 11. The Price to Pay cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426898349 Freddy, Rahel's (One of Valerie's best friends) boyfriend, has been on a constant run from the military officers, due to his illegal leave from the base. They want him back, and for the longest time, he had been running and running away from their sight.
Alas, Freddy couldn't take it anymore—he didn't want to continue living life that way, so he finally turned himself in.]]> 2019-12-27 18:46:52 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426898349 Quote #5: Searching for Freddy cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426898620 '"He can't handle it anymore. The military police are searching for him at the moment. He's been hiding with Rafi for two weeks my parents have refused to leave him at home. So he's decided to hand himself in, to take his punishment and go back to the army" (119).

According to this and real-life events, situations like this never last.]]> 2019-12-27 18:51:34 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426898620 12. Reunited Love? cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426899018 Jean-David, the boy that Valerie will not stop obsessing over, has finally took the time to call her. And of course. The natural response for such as exciting moment is a to have a huge smile plastered on your face. This is what happened to Valerie.
J.D. rung her up to let her know that he in inviting Valerie to his home, Jerusalem, in a fortnight. Being the obsessed girl she is, of course she accepts.]]> 2019-12-27 18:57:04 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426899018 A Word Definition: Fortnight cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426899254 I was just really curious on what this word meant. The book uses it a lot in the story, so I had to search it up.
It means 14 days.]]> 2019-12-27 19:01:02 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426899254 Quote #6: Affectionate Invitation cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426899495 "'Perfect. I'm having the most fantastic holiday up in the north. It's so wonderful that I get up at half past three every morning to be sure I don't miss anything. It's a four-star resort with all the mod cons, sand beneath your feet, showers just across the way and temperatures drop to ten below at night. Do you want the address?" (125)]]> 2019-12-27 19:05:00 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426899495 13. Shoot! cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426906383 After having spent a few weeks at the base, Valerie is finally ready to do what she'd been longing for the whole time: shooting a gun. Inbar Katz, their instructor, reminds them that not every event in life is some silly game. This event, in particular, takes the risk of choosing either life or death, and that it's not just some party filled with girls who want to shoot bullets. Katz was successful in getting the idea through the girls' heads.]]> 2019-12-27 21:03:25 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426906383 Quote #7: Caution cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426906547 "'Negligence, poor concentration and silly mistakes can cause irreversible disasters. You must get it into your heads that you're not only responsible for yourselves, but for the others too' ... The excitement we were feeling a few minutes before has dissipated. That's clearly what she was trying to achieve" (129).]]> 2019-12-27 21:07:22 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426906547 14. Significant Other cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426906778 As it was planned for the longest time, implemented into Valerie's head like a screw on a wall, she finally found the right time to meet up with her favorite boy, Jean-David. Of course, Valerie knew that she couldn't go far with him anymore, since he already has a new girl, so she did the best she could to get close with him again (however futile that seems) to potentially refuel their love.]]> 2019-12-27 21:12:42 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426906778 Quote #8: Will it Be Forever? cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426907157 "He leant over to me to say goodnight. He kissed my forehead, my nose, my eyes, I kissed his forehead, his nose, his eyes" (147).

Valerie was set for life—or so she thought.]]> 2019-12-27 21:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426907157 15. Punishment cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426956533 80.
An unacceptable score.
A score that conveys an uneducated mind.
—The score Valerie received.
Unlike everyone else at the base, Valerie got an 80 on a crucial written exam. The said score is unacceptable and must be made higher, due to how important having knowledge on the situation at hand is. Therefore, she was forced to stay at the base during the entire time she was initially supposed to go home (the entire weekend until Sunday). Valerie takes these few extra days to do more guard duty, cleaning, and most importantly, studying.]]> 2019-12-28 18:12:16 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426956533 16. Ache cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426956782 No one has grown accustomed yet to stay at the base for an entire weekend plus. Valerie is no exception.
After all that extra work that was piled onto her already arduous schedule, Valerie scored a 92 on her next test. Consequently, she ended up with an awfully potent headache that earned her a spot in the casualty infirmary.
Fortunately, when the girls came back from their weekend break, they ran to Valerie: concerned and remorseful.]]> 2019-12-28 18:16:44 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426956782 17. Level-Up! cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957049 After showing how well she can handle all the assignments and the physically/mentally draining tasks that are assigned to her, Valerie was given a higher rank as Corporal in Tashal, allowing her to solve and participate in actual current real-life events and issues.]]> 2019-12-28 18:21:16 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957049 Quote #9: Corporal cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957256 "'Private Valerie Zenatti, I name you Corporal in Tashal, the Israeli army, and I hope you will honour your new rank'" (181).

Such an exciting event induces joy in not only Valerie, but those around her as well.]]> 2019-12-28 18:24:51 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957256 A Phrase Translation: Mazal Tov! cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957328 In Hebrew, Mazal Tov translates to "Congratulations!"—the phrase that is declared in the book after Valerie's rank upgrade.]]> 2019-12-28 18:26:23 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957328 18. (Un)deniable Love cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957778 With her heart in flutters and stomach in knots, Valerie, once again, found an open space in her schedule to go and visit her one and only: Jean-David.
However, when she rung him up to inform him that she was in Jerusalem, there was uncertainty in his voice, evoking suspicion within Valerie. Nonetheless, he told her where the key was to his apartment, since he was not yet at home—but was heading back. Valerie went on her way to his place and wrapped herself in his blankets, immersing herself in the unforgettable aroma Jean-David always walked around with. However, while doing so, she felt a few things in the bed: a purse and a perfume bottle that possessed a scent she despised with her entire being.]]> 2019-12-28 18:32:54 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426957778 Quote #10: What in the World?! cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426958070 "'At least stay and have supper with us!'
I burst out laughing, a hopeless, despairing laugh.
'I don't want you to be hurt,' he said in a stubborn voice.
'Well, you've failed,' I replied and slammed the door.
I just had time to see a girl a bit older than myself (22 or 23) looking at me in astonishment. She wasn't even pretty" (197).

In this excerpt, the bitterness in Valerie's voice is prevalent; the desire for Jean-David to set things right with her, yet making sure they don't hit it off once more, bleeds through the words and expressions he conveys.]]> 2019-12-28 18:38:14 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426958070 19. Gali—I Missed You! cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426958363 To get her mind off things, Valerie ventures out to bask in the warm sand on the beach, along with the beautiful waters that accommodate. Upon arrival, there is nothing of interest in the sandy recreation area other than the ocean that she dips her feet in.
However, a few moments pass, and Valerie comes across an old friend of hers that she used to talk to everyday: Gali.
The two take this moment to catch up and walk around the area, talking about how each others' lives are doing:
Gali claims to be very happy with his boyfriend (he is a homosexual) and is doing very well.
Valerie, in contrast, tells about how she was chasing after a boy who was never actually there for her—only hurt her in the end.
Gali's importance is that he gives her strength with his kind, thoughtful words that she needed to hear the most at the time, allowing her to get her mind off of the matter and focus on what's truly important: getting the last bits of her quota at the base well and done.]]> 2019-12-28 18:43:34 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426958363 20. Goodbye cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426958991 Valerie had been appointed to take the most crucial part in a mission that she will consider her last, so of course, she will feel great apprehension to the task. However, before having to do it, she discovers her old friend that she hadn't spoken to in a while: Eynat Haymovitch.
Seeing her gave Valerie the strength the finish the mission and finish her time at the base strong, for both wrapped up their time there at the same time.
Once the mission was completed, the two finally felt free. Free to go out whenever they desired, free to leave their beds messy in the morning and free to go out and be with friends whenever they felt like it.
Such an event led the two girls to the beach, where they were finally free to take their uniforms off and relish in the once-forbidden waters of the ocean.
However, on their way there, Valerie caught sight of a new wave of 18 year old girls that are just beginning their serve as a soldier, plastering a genuine smile on her face.
She thought,

I was once one of those girls.]]> 2019-12-28 18:54:30 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426958991 Quota to Serve cruzjas0001 https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426960332 In Israel, the serving time for men is two years and eight months; the serving time for women is two years.]]> 2019-12-28 19:18:55 UTC https://padlet.com/cruzjas0001/en5kkb1kdij2/wish/426960332