Example for essay,

 I am reading Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character of this story is Trisha. I re-read some passages and found some key parts that I needed to talk about.

The two parts underlined show the deepest and saddest part of the story. They show that Trisha is alone with no friends, misunderstood, sad, and most of all, disappointed. The author is trying to show how alone and sad Trisha is by stating what she has to avoid, and just plain out saying that she is completely alone. The author was also trying to end the conflict and start up the resolution of Mr. Falker coming in and helping her learn how to read.

When Trisha went to Kindergarten Trisha wanted to learn how to read. At the end of the year, the author stated this about Trisha, “ before the year was over, some of the kids in her own class began to read. Not Trisha.” I wonder why the author included this passage in so much detail. Maybe the author included this because the author wanted to let the readers know how much this made Trisha disappointed because she was so excited and determined to learn how to read and then she doesn't. Or it could be that the author wanted us to step into her shoes and see how she is hurting and try to relate to what she is feeling. This is also important that the author made this passage so detailed because, the author could be giving useful information on what could happen later in the story, and possibly be a big deal. What I am really trying to say is,  the author must have included this passage because they wanted to make this statement more dramatic, with including, “before the year was over, some of the kids in her own class began to read. Not Trisha.” 

Trisha Character Traits 
disappointed
frustrated
depressed
afraid

In the story Thank You Ma’am it shows Luella Bates showing some word of the wiser towards the boy telling him the shoes payed by devilish like will burn your feet. I wonder why this was such an important aspect of Luella Bates (Let’s just call her that) and Rogers conversation. I think that the author maybe wanted to show that Luella bates is compassionate in her own way by telling Roger this. Or maybe the author wanted to plain out say that she did care a lot for the boy, even though throughout the story it showed her to be very careful of how compassionate she was towards him. 

Character Traits
Compassionate
Careful  

  

 I noticed that when the thief tried to steal her purse, she reacted by commanding the thief to do stuff for her. Mrs. Luella Bates corrected the thief and takes him in like a mother or a parent. Around her house she made him clean his face, do chores, eat, and wash dishes. The thief asks if he is going to be taken to jail, Mrs. Luella Bates responds with a no and makes him do more chores around her house. This evidence shows that Mrs. Luella Bates is caring and protective because She cares about the thief that tried to steal something from her. Perhaps the author is showing us how Mrs. Luella Bates is caring by showing how she can correct even thieves by making her house into a military camp. Not only could a “military camp” change thieves, but also making them do their own chores and caring about their body could really change their personality. I also notice that she is protective because she protected herself when her purse was almost stolen. She is also protective because she protected the thief by not taking him to jail but correcting his choices and makes him change his personality so he doesn’t end up in jail.

Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones Character traits

Maybe the author included the grandmother because she is the one keeping Trisha hopes up here is an example on night Trisha asked her grandmother if she was different and the grandmother said “Of course to be different is the miracle of life. Do you see all of those fireflies each one is different? Trisha said do you think i'm smart? He grandmother hugged her and said you are the smartest, quickest, dearest little thing ever”

And that made Trisha feel safe and that is why i think the grandmother is important in this story

Trisha’s character traits

Smart

Afraid

Kind

Patient

Brave

Good listener 

Strong minded

I am reading ´Thank you, Mr.  Falker´ by Polacco, Patricia. The main character is Trisha. After re-reading the passage I selected, I have some new ideas about Trisha.

On the specific paragraph I chose, I saw that when she got afraid of Eric more and more. The author that through saying, " In the dark place she felt completely safe." I wonder if the author meant something like she is a coward through that line. On the other hand, it could also mean that she might be shy. 

Currently, I am reading Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character is Trisha. After rereading the passage I selected, I have some new information about Trisha. 

I’ve noticed that Trisha really wants to read and that it even says Trisha, the littlest girl in the family, grew up loving books. Maybe the author included this because it shows that she wants to try and has a passion for it even though she can’t yet do. Or it could be that the author is hinting at major conflict coming soon. Since she can’t yet read but still loves it.

Passionate

Excited

Caring
Gleeful

      I am reading Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character in the story is Trisha. After re-reading the passage I selected, I have some new ideas about Trisha.

     I noticed that the author said, “And before the year was over, some of the kids in her own class began to read. Not Trisha.” I wonder why the author would include that most kids in Trisha’s class could read, but her. I noticed in the text it said that when it was Trisha’s turn to read in her class, she would have trouble with reading the words and sounding them out. This might foreshadow what could happen in the future. In the text it also said that when everyone in Trisha’s class moved up to a higher level book, Trisha stayed alone with “Our Neighborhood. The last thing I noticed that the author included was when Trisha was walking in the woods with her grandma, Trisha asked her grandma if she thought she was different or smart. I feel that this foreshadows what will happen in the future for Trisha. She could get motivated to take some more time to learn how to read.  

I notice that when her brother had brought books home for her and when he brought the books her mother would read them to her and that makes her feel good. That is very thoughtful I think the author put this in because she wanted to show that she was feeling good about stories that were told to her.Also she was proud of her family. lf not that, the author could want you to think that when Trisha could not read  at the end of kindergarten she was accepting that she couldn’t read and she new it was going to be ok.  

I am reading Thank you Mr.Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character is Trisha. After rereading the passage I selected, I have new ideas about Trisha.

 I notice when Trisha tries to read she lets the other kids get in her head by saying “Trisha, what are you looking at in the book” she justs lets them mess with her. She never fights back, I think the author did this so she can show Trisha’s growth throughout the book. I think that the book represents the life lesson that not everything goes smoothly in life and that you have bumps that will try and stop you. One of Trisha’s biggest bumps is Eric the bully because he is always waiting to bully Trish.

Trisha’s Character Traits

Doesn't believe in herself

Nice

Coward 

I’m reading the book Thank you Mr, Falker By Patricia Polaco. The main character in my book is Trisha. I have some ideas about this character and why I think I do too.

I notice that when Trisha gets bullied on how dumb she is even though she is not, the bullies don't know she is like on the inside. Maybe the author wants to let us know how Trisha felt when she was being called “Stupid, and “dumb”. On the other hand, the author is showing us something really cool about Trisha. And that is, “ the kids always gather around and watch her do the magic on the piece of paper.”

Or that maybe the author is trying to show that Trisha thinks it's better to listen to Mr. Falker and not to the kids who bully her.

Trishas character traits

          I noticed at the beginning of the story Trisha always had a love for books. As she grew older, her love for books grew as well. When she was younger, her family told her that knowledge is sweet. “The little girl knew that the promise to read was at last her’s.” Maybe the author included this because she wants us to know she had hoped to read when she was older. It clearly introduces us what the topic will be about. Or it could be that she wants to learn how to read when she is younger and that she has lost hope of wanting to read when she is older. As she transition grade by grade, her reading skill hasn’t gotten any better and it makes her feel bad about herself. Until here comes Mr.Falker.

Trisha’s Character Traits

Anxious

Hopeful/Hopeless

Doubtful

Passionate

Intelligent 

 I notice when Roger tries to snatch her purse, Mrs. Jones reacted by reaching down and picking him up by the front of his shirt shaking it and rattling Roger's teeth. I wonder why the author included this detail about Mrs. Jones, that she shook Roger, I believe the author does this to show that she is really aggressive when people try to steal things from her. Maybe the author wants to show how aggressive this large woman really is when young boys try to steal things from her. On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing that Mrs. Jones really puts a lot of things in her purse and she doesn’t want to lose them and she wants to show the boy that she is cruel and aggressive so he and whoever was watching to know not to steal from her. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Mrs. Jones thinks it works better than believing Roger when he says he didn’t aim for stealing her purse and moving on without doing anything.

 After reading the passage I noticed that they have a strange tradition that involves honey and a book. I can’t help but question the reason he put this in. Maybe the author put this in because he wants to show that her family loves reading and likes to celebrate it.  On the other hand, maybe the author is showing that the whole family has learned to read and that they all love it. Or it could be that the author is trying to show the pressure on Trisha because her whole family has learned to read.

Character Traits

I am reading the book, Thank you Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character in Thank you, Mr. Falker, Is Trisha. After dissecting the text, I began to really think about the main character, Trisha. Really began to have 2nd thoughts about Trisha.

When Trish was younger, she was brought into a family tradition.  When Trisha wants something, she really goes for it. This tells me, that she is very determined. She has a very Growth mindset. I think the author included this because, Trisha, has a very supportive family. A supportive family is the #1 thing to be successful. On the other hand, she might be very hopeful. I think the author put this in here because Trisha has 2 different sides to her. At school, she is very unconfident. But when she is at home, she is almost a little too confident. I think the author put this in here because she wants the reader to know that all of us have 2 different sides to us. Also, I think this because everyone is themselves when they are either around people that they are really close to our family.  Trisha is a very determined person. She has a really strong personality. She can be hopeful because she really wants to learn to read when she goes to 1st grade. 

Trisha’s Character traits   

~ Hopeful 

~ Determined

~Obydent

~ artistic

~Different

~Easy target

~ self-conscious  

~ clever
 ~ Daring 

~ Faithful 
~ Gentle

I am reading the book Thank you Mr.Falker by Polacco, Patricia.  The main character in the story is Trisha. After re-reading the passage I selected, I have new ideas about Trisha.

I noticed that in the book Trisha really wants to learn to read and is very artistic. I wonder why the author included this detail about Trisha. Maybe the author wants to show us how she has been good at art and stands up to kids when they say “ Trisha, what are you looking at in that book?” On the other hand, perhaps she just needs to practice and needs help with reading. 

 It is important that the author mentioned that she is a good artist because she can use some of her strengths to get better at her weakness. 

Trats 

I am reading Thank You Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco. The main character in this story is Trisha. After reading this book a few times I came up with some ideas about Trisha. 

Something that I noticed about Trisha is that she is a slower learner or reader than most of the other kids in her school. She even gets teased and bullied by the other kids. But she still loves to learn and to be at school. She practices reading with Mr. Falker after school almost every day. After all of the teasing and all the mistakes she makes, she still works hard and tries her best to be able to read. This tells me that the author wanted to show the reader that Trisha is determined and perseveres. This also shows that Trisha is patient because it takes a while to understand how to read. She’s patient because she doesn’t stop because she doesn’t know how to read in the beginning. She waits and perseveres until she is reading as well as the other kids. 

Determined

Patient

Young

Afraid

Gentle

Upset

Hope

Different

Teased

Alone

Worried

Small

Quick

Calmed

I noticed in the beginning before Trisha started kindergarten she was so excited to read because her grandma, grandpa, and brother always read to her and now she wanted to learn how to read.  In the text it said “Trisha grew up loving books.”  So Maybe the author wants you to know that Trisha has a passion to read even though she doesn't know how.  I also noticed that when trish started kindergarten she got disappointed because some kids in her class were reading books already but not her.  So now I wonder if Trisha is losing her passion and getting discouraged to read because kids in her class were reading and not her.  A quote in my book is “The little girl knew that the promise to read was at last hers.”  I think that is important because it either means she can go through with the promise to read or she give up and not go through with the promise.  Now that she is getting discouraged and disappointed I think she is going to go the opposite way and not go through with the promise.

Trisha’s character traits:

Hopeful

Exsited

Talented

Artistic

Disappointed

Discouraged

 I noticed that when Trisha goes to school she has a hard time reading when the text said: “But when Trisha looked at the page, all she saw were wiggling little shapes, and when she tried to sound out words, all the other kids laughed.” I wonder why the author included this detail - that she can’t read. Maybe the author wants to let us know that Trisha might be autistic. On the other hand, perhaps Trisha never took the time to practice reading and only practiced making artwork. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Trisha doesn’t have a growth mindset.

Not self-confident

Smart but doesn’t want to show it

Artistic

Depressed

I am reading Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character is Trisha. After reading the text that I selected over and over. I have found so new and very good ideas about Trisha. 

I noticed that when people were making fun of Trisha, Trisha would keep on trying and telling the people who are teasing her, that she is reading. Then finally she started giving up on herself… This shows me that the author really wanted to get at that bullying and teasing only makes other people's life more miserable and they stop thinking that they can do anything. On the other hand, the author wants us to know that everyone is different. Some people can read well and others can draw well. I depend on what you persevere yourself in. It said in the text that Trisha just gave up and the more she colored, the less that she was able to read. The author also showed that Trisha didńt really talk to anyone.

Traits that Trisha has…

 I noticed when the little girl held the jar of honey at the end of the story she was very sad because everyone in her family loved books and she was the only person not able to read and when she finally learned how to read (Because of Mr.Falker) she got really happy that she was finally like her family members. I think she is desperate to learn how to read because if she does learn she won’t get bullied by other students and her parents or grandparents don’t have to read to her anymore. The author said that she was crying which makes it a happy cry because she just learned how to read and when she held the jar of honey she got really happy that she was finally like other kids and her family members.

Tricia’s Traits

I noticed that right after the text said that Trisha grew up loving books, she put in, “Her schoolteacher mother read to her every night”. I wonder why the author said that Trisha's mom had read to her every night. Maybe the author included this because she wants the reader to know that Trisha is determined to learn how to read. This is important because it shows that her family wanted her to succeed and do well. On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing that Trisha is working hard to get to her goal of being able to read.

 Determined

 Hard working

    I am reading Thank you Mr.Falker by Polacco Patricia. The main character in the story is Trisha. After reading the passage I selected, I have some new ideas about Trisha.

            

          I noticed that when Trisha, went to school for the first time she reacts by saying that it was fun and she loved to draw. For example, the text says, “when she turned five she went to kindergarten, most of all she hoped to read. I wonder why the author included that Trisha, thinks it is really fun evening no she gets bullied and loved to draw. Maybe the author wants to show us that Trisha, is not letting bullying get to her. On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing that Trish just loves school and to draw at school and doesn't care about people calling her names. Or it could be that the author is trying to show that Trisha, thinks she isn't smart and she is different than others, she would rather give up then read. 

Trisha's  Trait

•confident

•Kind 

•Sweet

• Nice

•Differnt    

 After reading paragraph 14 I am able to make two traits. I am able to identify a trait where it says, all she saw were wiggling shapes. One of the traits I saw were fearful because she was scared to read. She is also unpopular because it said the other kids laughed at her. She is unpopular because the kids just said (by laughing she did not know how to read). That is why she is Unpopular. Or it could be a turning point for Trisha.

Trisha Traits

I noticed that the author said “when she turned five and went to Kindergarden, most of all she hoped to read” that makes me think she is determined. Maybe the author included this section to show that something later will happen with books/reading problems and her determination will either start to fade or change to her hating books and reading. Or maybe the author is showing that Trisha will stay determined throughout the whole story and then change at the very end, winding up ending with hating books. Another character trait about Trisha is she is an artist. She loves to spend her time drawing. Another example of her being artistic is when she is drawing and Mr. Falker looked over her shoulder “while she was drawing and whisper, “this is brilliant… absolutely brilliant.” This makes me think that all of the other kids are wrong to tease her and make fun of her for not being able to read because is doesn't matter how smart you are it matters what kind of person you are, no matter what Trisha always tries her best.

Kind-Hearted

Smart in her own way

Artistic

Determined 

Trisha’s traits are 

I am reading Thank you Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. In my story, Trisha is the main character. After re-reading and selecting, there were ideas about Trisha that I never thought of.

I noticed that Trisha is eager to read because, in the text, it says, “The little girl knew that the promise to read was at last hers.” I wonder why the author said that because she was going into kindergarten and the text says, “In first grade, you’ll learn to read,” Maybe she was so eager because her brother, mother, and grandparents read to her. On the other hand, maybe the author had Trisha kept back a grade and that she should’ve been put into first grade because she had turned five. Or, maybe Trisha thought she would start reading at the end of the year in kindergarten. 

I am reading Thank You Mr. Falker and the main character is Trisha after reading the passage I selected I had some new ideas about Trisha.

When I started to read I noticed that Trisha was talented cause on page one paragraph 4 it says ¨The other kids would crowd her and watch her do her magic with the crayons.¨  which would mean she is talented but that is the only thing she was good at because she couldn´t read.  You can tell that she doesn't like the fact that she can't read because later on in the book she feels dumb. ¨Do you think i'm smart? Trisha didn't feel smart.¨ Then her grandma hugged her and her grandma said ¨You are the smartest, quickest, dearest, little thing ever.¨ But still after that she felt a little dumb.  Maybe the author wants me to know these things so I know one of her character traits like she is gifted and doubtful. 

Character Traits:

In the story, it said, “ I did this for your mother, your uncles, your older brother, and now you.” I wonder if this might mean That her family could be very traditional or this might be important later in the story. I also think this because in the passage at also said “yes and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like a bee that made sweet hunny, you have to chase it through it through the pages of books” Maybe the author included this because it relates to what she had said just sentences before. They were trying to say that knowledge is very important to the family. So later on when she found out I was very hard for her that let her down a lot, all she wanted to do was read that was what she had dreamed of since she was little. So throughout the story, my thoughts changed a lot about kind of character Trisha is. 

 

In paragraph 3, the sentence said: "She said, “You a lie!” By that time two or three people passed, stopped, turned to look, and some stood watching." where Mrs. Jones was scolding Roger very loudly, catching the eye of several bypassers. I think the author wrote the story this way to show that Mrs. Jones was not only very angry at Roger for stealing and lying, but also to embarrass and scare Roger into never stealing (Or lying!) again.

Paragraph 3:

Firmly gripped by his shirt front, the boy said, “Yes’m.”

The woman said, “What did you want it for?”

The boy said, “I didn’t aim to.”

She said, “You a lie!”

By that time two or three people passed, stopped, turned to look, and some stood watching.

Character traits of Mrs. Jones:

Strict, 

Firm,

Generous,

Forgiving.

 I am reading thank you Mr.Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character in the story is Trisha. After re-reading the passage I selected, I have some new ideas about Trisha.

 “The little girl knew that the promise to read was at last hers.” This is important because in this paragraph is showing she was hopeful and excited. For example, she is hopeful that this year she will learn to read.  Maybe the author wants to show us that Trisha really hopeful to read. She is also excited to learn how to read. Maybe the author wants to show us that Trisha is excited to learn to read. 

Trisha’s character traits… 

“Each day she saw the kids in the first grade across the hall reading, and before the year was over, some of the kids in her own class began to read. Not Trisha.”

I am reading Thank you Mr. Falker, in this book she really wants to read in the beginning.

But when she tries it all looks like a bunch of squiggly shapes. 

As the story goes on she learns more and more. Her family has loved reading and she thought reading would be the best thing ever, but, really she hates reading, and the more she hated reading. I think Trisha is independent because the whole time, she was never reading. Also, she is always bullied by other students, and if it wasn't for Mr. Falker, she would not have been able to read. And she was passionate because she always would draw, she never stopped. Also, I think she was hopeful because there was a little side of her that wanted to be able to read but she lost that sometimes because of Eric. in the end, she learned how to read.

Trishas character traits.

I am reading Thank you, Mr. Falker by Polacco, Patricia. The main character in the story is Trisha. After re-reading the passage I selected, I have some new ideas about Trisha.

I notice that when people mention reading she thinks about her reading skills and that her family loves reading and they all are into reading books maybe the author included this because her family loves books and she isn't good at reading. so she might try to get to be a better reader. I wonder if she is a little disappointed in herself because when she is walking down the hall she sees kids younger than her reading.

Trisha’s character traits

I am reading Thank you, Mr.Falker by Patricia  Polacco. The main character is Trisha. After I got done reading the paragraph I thought that it was a powerful paragraph that would tell her who she really is and what she loves to do. 

I also picked the paragraph because I noticed that when she reads that she feels like she doesn’t have what it takes to read a book by herself than having a teacher by her side trying to help her with every single word when she tries to read a book. She doesn’t really like to have people make her seem like she doesn’t have what she takes to read a book. Perhaps the author is telling us that she loves reading because maybe reading is so important to her that reading takes off all the stress of people not talking to her and getting bullied.

Trisha has something that makes her happy like reading and drawing so help her. And her getting angry shows that she was through with all the comments by kids because that made her angry. Not only does she not know how to read she doesn’t have friends to talk to and she’s having a tough time and I think that she is brave for that and staying strong. Trisha would love to read at her grandma’s house and grandpa’s because she loved when they read to her, but my question is why did she love to read even know she couldn’t? Maybe reading she would help teach herself to read also because reading was really important to her.

          Character Traits for Trisha 

The little girl knew that the promise to read was at last hers. Soon she was going to learn to read. Trisha, the littlest girl in the family, grew up loving books. Her schoolteacher mother read to her every night. Her redheaded brother brought his books from home from school and shared them. And whenever she visited the family farm, her grandfather or grandmother read to her by the stone fireplace.

I am reading Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character in the story is Trisha. After re-reading the passage I selected, I have some new ideas about Trisha.

I notice that well Trisha was growing up she loved books, I know this because of the text states “Trisha, the littlest girl in the family, grew up loving books. Her schoolteacher mother read to her every night. Her redheaded brother brought his books home from school and shared them. And whenever she visited the family farm, her grandfather or grandmother read to her by the stone fireplace.” That is why I think Trisha grew up loving books. 

"Trisha started to feel different"

I am reading Thank You, Mr.Falker by Patricia Polacco. The main character in the story is Trisha.

 I noticed that every time she reads bad and kids laugh at her, she feels more different and different one thing told me out of all the rest that she's different it was “Trisha started to feel different”. Also, it said in the text that When she eats the honey of the book, she is confident about reading but when she starts reading she falls behind, and this is when she starts to feel different. I wonder why the author wanted her to feel different. I think they wanted to tell us what the problem might be and they wanted us to figure out why it is important. Perhaps the authors trying to tell us that reading was very important to Trisha’s family and how much it will affect the other characters. Her teachers also increase her thoughts about being different, I know this because in the text it told me that the teachers did not see what talent she had, and kind of gave up on Trisha. This is why she feels different.

           Trisha’s Character Traits

I noticed everybody keeps telling Trisha that she will learn to read. But throughout the story she never learns to read. I think maybe the author wants us to know this because Trisha has a very hard time reading, and still doesn’t know how to read. On the other hand, perhaps the author is showing us that she maybe she has a reading disability. Or maybe it could be that the author is trying to show that Trisha has a hard time standing up for herself.

Character Traits

Quiet

Calm

Sad

Anxious

Kind

Willing to do something

Trisha’s character traits 

At the beginning of the book when Trisha was five years old, it said that she was excited to read, excited to learn how to read. But as school went on it got harder and harder to read. While all the kids were moving on to second reader she still stayed on first reader. This is the quote that the author put in that stuck out to me, “Trisha began to feel “Different” she began to feel dumb.” I wonder why the author included that quote? Maybe the author, put the quote in so that us, as the readers know that Trisha is having troubles, she is not the five year old that wanted to read, Trisha was becoming shy, and scared. The author could be saying that to tell us she is very discouraged and doesn't have that much confidence in herself.  Maybe the author is trying to show, the struggle Trisha is have with reading. On the other hand, the author may had put that in to indicate that Trisha, isn’t determined to read anymore, maybe he wanted to show that Trisha changed her mind about reading. Maybe Trisha is is upset with herself that she is blocking herself from reading, or same thing with one of her other traits, furious. Trisha wasn't as patient anymore with trying to learn how to read. So what I’m really trying to say is, Trisha is scared, and shy to try and learn how to read also Trisha isn’t the same five year old determined to read.

Impatient

Scared

Shy 

Lack of confidence

non- determined

Furious 

Discouraged

upset

I noticed that the author said “When she turned five and went to Kindergarten, most of all she hoped to read.”  By hearing that sentence I think she’s hopeful because she said all she hoped for was to read. I think the author put this in the book because in the future I think she will stop hoping to read and actually push reading away.By reading this sentence I also think she’s determined because she says went to kindergarten she hoped to read. I think the author put this in the book because in the future I think she will be less determined to read and go to school and that she will actually not want to go to school.

Traits:

Determined

Hopeful