https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e Made with a warm hug en-us 2017-05-24 14:47:25 UTC 2017-05-31 13:51:20 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lovecookie.png nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642453 Jeanette's most vivid memory describes of one where she was three years old and was cooking hot dogs. Her little pink tutu caught fire from the heat of the stove and upon hearing, slowly came in. She wrapped a blanket around the flames and rushed her to the hospital. "I felt a blaze of heat on my right side, I turned to see where it was coming from and realized my dress was on fire" (Walls 9).
Significance: Jeanette does not realize that it is wrong for a three year old to be cooking her own food. Her parents, even though her mother is home, believe in making the children independent. Even after the incident, her parents do not change their ways. This affects Jeanette in that she becomes self-reliant early in life.
Reflection: Jeanette affects the reader by incorporating this because it shows the self-sufficiency that she had to have in able to live. By reading this, it made me reflect on how privileged I was as a three year old, compared to how some children live. ]]> 2017-05-24 14:51:26 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642453 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642567 As the family did "the skedaddle" and went on a road trip through the desert, Rex drove quite recklessly. Turning around the bend, the side door flew open and Jeanette fell out, acquiring many injuries, including a bloody nose. Jeannette's fear of being left behind overcame her as her parents didn't pick her up for a while. "Dad got out of the car, knelt down, and tried to give me a hug. I pulled away from him. 'I thought you were going to leave me behind" (Walls 31).
Significance: Jeanette, as a child, had a lot of faith in her father. She always claimed that she "had a sweet spot" for him, and he knew exactly how to use it to his advantage. The loyalty that she had for her father was astounding and she forgave him for this incident way too soon. This affects her in that she does not realize, until later in life, that her father was not fit for children.
Reflection: Jeanette incorporates this event because it proved how much she loved her father and how loyal she was to him even though he was not a good dad. This affects me strongly because this event was so traumatic and her parents barely realized she was missing from the vehicle. My parents would have reacted in a total opposite way.

]]> 2017-05-24 14:51:53 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642567 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642698 The Walls family moves into an old motel. Jeanette feeds her obsession of fire by burning toilet paper in the bathroom and flushing it down the toilet. Ironically, the motel burns down a few days later and the family lives on the beach. Soon enough, they leave after being kicked off the beach by the police. "After the hotel burned down, we lived for a few days on the beach. When we put down the backseat of the Green Caboose, there was room for everyone to sleep, though sometimes someone's feet would be sticking in my face. One night a policeman tapped on our window and said we had to leave; it was illegal to sleep on the beach" (Walls 34).
Significance: The Walls family are not willing to participate in society. Jeanette's father refuses to let the children live normal lives. This impacts Jeanette's life because after a while, she starts to see the outside world in a different way, other than believing that it was normal to reject society.
Reflection: This episode affects the reader because it shows the shocks of non-conformity. Jeanette's parents believe that police are the gestapo and would rather live a traditional life without laws. This affects me as a reader because it is hard to believe that people would rather live without laws and protection. ]]> 2017-05-24 14:52:28 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642698 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642916 The family decided to stop to admire a Joshua tree in the desert. This inspires the Walls to live in Midland because Rosemary liked the tree. After living there for several months, Jeanette noticed a new Joshua tree growing. She told her mother that she would take care of it so it would grow nice and straight but her mother disagreed strongly. "One time I saw a tiny Joshua tree sapling growing not too far from the old tree. I wanted to dig it up and replant it near our house. I told mom that I would protect it from the wind and water it every day so that it could grow nice and tall and straight. Mom frowned at me. 'You'd be destroying what makes it special,' she said. 'It's the Joshua tree's struggle that gives it it's beauty'" (Walls 38).
Significance: This event reflects the parenting that Rosemary and Rex believe in. It relates to how they believe that if one endures such suffering, it makes them more special or valuable to the world.
Reflection: Jeanette encounters more hardships in her life than she is aware of at this point in time. This affects me because Jeanette was so unaware as a kid of what was right and wrong. It also made me reflect on my life and my family's beliefs. ]]> 2017-05-24 14:53:23 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173642916 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643005 Soon after the Walls move to Blythe, the kids begin to be picked on at school. Other kids consider Brian and Jeanette as teachers pets and torment them for the way they look. One day, walking home from school, a few Mexican girls jump Jeanette and beat her. Brian shows up the next day and attempts to beat them with a tree branch. The girls are not phased and beat him up too until Jeanette takes action. She hits one of the girls in the head with a rock and then they all flee. "Brian did fairly well fending off until the yucca branch broke. Then he disappeared beneath a flurry of swinging fists and kicking feet. I grabbed the biggest rock I could find and hit one of the girls on the head with it. From the jolt in my arm, I thought I'd cracked her skull. She sank to her knees. One of her friends pushed me to the ground and kicked me in the face; then they all ran off, the girl I had hit holding her head as she staggered along" (Walls 45)
Significance: The fight showed how important it was for the Walls children to stick together. Brian protected her through times where she didn't even ask for help. He looked after her like her parents should have.
Reflection: The loyalty between Jeanette and Brian was very strong. Without this loyalty in her life, Jeanette may have given up way sooner. Jeanette affects the reader with this event because she proves that you don't only need your parents with hardships in life, but having someone with you going through the same thing can help you stay strong.


]]> 2017-05-24 14:53:42 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643005 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643098 Battle Mountain was one of many important events in Jeanette's life. The family moved into an old railroad depot. The kids had to make their beds out of old refrigerator boxes that they found along the railroad tracks. The tables were made from old cable spools and the chairs from crates and smaller spools. "Since we didn't have any money for furniture, we improvised. A bunch of huge wooden spools, the kind that hold industrial cable, had been dumped on the side of the tracks not far from our house, so we rolled them home and turned them into tables. For chairs, we used some smaller spools and a few crates. Instead of beds, we kids each slept in a big cardboard box, like the ones refrigerators get delivered in" (Walls 52).
Significance: The parents are so cheap that they do not feel the need to buy the kids beds. Upon all of Rex's opportunities to make money, he loses them all all because of his ignorance. Due to their innocence, the kids believe that it is an adventure to sleep in boxes. They are unaware of the immortality that their parents have.
Reflection: Jeanette is struck with so many aspects of poverty and homelessness that she considers it an adventure. As a reader, I am affected strongly on how she doesn't know the difference between wrong and right but is positive through it all. 

]]> 2017-05-24 14:54:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643098 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643252 Shortly after moving to Phoenix into Rosemary's parent's old house, perverts start breaking into the house. Upon telling their parents this, they still keep all the doors and windows open at night. The children start protecting themselves at night and sleep with weapons. "One night when I was almost ten, I was awakened by someone running his hands over my private parts. At first it was confusing. Lori and I slept in the same bed, and I thought maybe she was moving in her sleep. I groggily pushed the hand away. 'Pervert!' I yelled and kicked at the man's hand. Brian came running into the room with a hatchet he kept by his bed, and the man bolted out the door" (Walls 103).
Significance: Jeanette and the kids have to rely on themselves for protection. After telling their parents of the perverts, they don't do much except claim that the doors and windows must remain open. Most parents would contact law enforcement and bolt their doors.
Reflection: As a reader, this outrages me. The children should not have to be self-sufficient in this situation. By reading this, it made me reflect on how even the most expected and normal behaviours by my parents barely affect my life, it could dangerously affect someone else's. ]]> 2017-05-24 14:54:42 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643252 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643373 Soon after moving from their house in Phoenix, the family moved in with Rex's parents in Welch. The kids registered for school and Jeanette immediately got bullied by a girl named Dinitia. Dinitia and her friends picked on Jeanette for her clothes and home life. "As we fought, they called me poor and ugly and dirty, and it was hard to argue the point. I had three dresses to my name, all hand-me-downs or from a thrift store, which meant each week I had to wear two of them twice. They were so worn from countless washings that the threads were beginning to separate" (Walls 140).
Significance: After being poor for so long, Jeanette gets used being picked on and just lives with it. They pick on her for things that are beyond her control but she always blames herself for it. Her parent's decisions start to reflect on her during this point in life.
Reflection: As a reader, throughout this book, I have read many examples of poverty and homelessness but this one strikes me the worst. Poor Jeanette has to go to school everyday and be reminded of her home life situation. Being of middle class, it is hard for me to believe that some kids are not as fortunate as I am and have to endure such issues with other students. ]]> 2017-05-24 14:55:09 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643373 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643474 Jeannette and her siblings successfully create their own lives in New York and shortly after their parents move there, their strength is tested again. Through the hardships that all of the Walls face, they all end up happy. Rex dies and Rosemary moves on with her life. Jeanette divorces her first husband and eventually gets remarried. One Thanksgiving night, years after moving to New York, Jeanette and her second husband host a feast. During this feast, they all make jokes and talk about their lives. "We started talking about some of Dad's great escapades: letting me pet the cheetah, taking us Demon Hunting, giving us stars for Christmas. Mom stared at the ceiling, miming perplexed thought. 'I've got it.' She held up her glass. 'Life with your father was never boring.' We raised our glasses. I could almost hear Dad chuckling at Mom's comment in the way he always did when he was truly enjoying something" (Walls 288).
Significance: After discovering a life of good wealth and leaving behind her life of poverty, Jeanette is finally at peace. Her way of forgiving her father is openly sharing the good side of him and no longer being embarrassed by his ways. This shows her strength to overpower hardships and she finally is happy.
Reflection: As a reader, I am too at peace. Jeanette finally has the life she deserves and she still has her parents in it. The willing to forgive everything in her life with her parents, proves the state of mind she is in and I am happy her life turned out right. ]]> 2017-05-24 14:55:30 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173643474 nikolk0690 https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173645111 When the Walls move into their new house on 93 Little Hobart Street, the kids decided they've had enough. First Lori, then Jeanette, and soon after, Brian and Maureen. They all saved up money to move to New York. After Rex steals their money for alcohol and cigarettes, Lori has had enough. She acquired a babysitting job in the summer, which promised her a one way train ticket to New York. Jeanette soon follows after saving up some money. "One evening in May, when we'd been saving our money for almost nine months, I came home with a couple of dollars I'd made babysitting and went into the bedroom to stash them in Oz on the floor. Someone had slashed him apart with a knife and stolen all the money" (228). "Then, one of the women I'd been babysitting for, a teacher named Mrs. Sanders, told me she and her family were moving back to their hometown in Iowa and asked if I wanted to spend the summer with them there. If i came along and helped look after her two toddlers, she said she'd pay me two hundred dollars at the end of the summer and buy me a bus ticket back to Welch. 'Take Lori instead of me,' I said. '...buy her a bus ticket to New York' (Walls 230).
Significance: The kids were set back so many times from being able to go to New York but never gave up. The perseverance that they had was overpowering and they finally succeeded. Every aspect of their life was holding them  back but they knew exactly what it took to leave.
Reflection: This event affects Jeanette's future more than anything. It shows her that there is a way out and she finally figured out what was right for her. After reading this part, I was finally relieved that the children got away from their parents and they could finally start their own lives. ]]> 2017-05-24 15:02:02 UTC https://padlet.com/nikolk0690/phailszy6a5e/wish/173645111