OCTE Reads: This Is My America by Patricia Emerson https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6 OCTE's winter book club explores the Young Adult novel by Kim Johnson. en-us 2022-01-05 14:39:57 UTC 2022-01-26 02:25:09 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4da.png Mood https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1987115153 I was filled with foreboding from the moment I started reading. Did anyone else have that feeling?]]> 2022-01-11 23:00:00 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1987115153 Jamal https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1994493260 "Sometimes people do things that hurt because they think they're helping."
Although, Jamal is referring to Tracy's actions in the television studio, I think it's a brilliant quote. It gives us insight into the motivations of some of the hardest to understand characters in the book, even those we don't agree with or don't like.]]> 2022-01-16 17:10:13 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1994493260 Tracy https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1994494978 At first, I had a very hard time relating to Tracy. She is so different than I am. While I am thoughtful, maybe even cautious about my actions, Tracy dives in head first. As the story evolves, I see that without Tracy as the catalyst change might never come about. Now, I'm cheering for her. ]]> 2022-01-16 17:12:00 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1994494978 Chapter Titles https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1994497908 As I read, I feel like the titles of the chapters give me some clues about where the plot is going. I love the guideposts Kim has given us with her chapter titles. ]]> 2022-01-16 17:14:36 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/1994497908 I, on the other hand, totally relate to Tracy. I am seized by the need to act, often impetuously, out of a false sense of self-righteousness...it's hubris, I know, but I'm an older person who realizes it—and tries to curb the impulse. Tracy is only a junior in high school. And the clock is ticking...and it's such an unfair world! (And it's her DAD.) patremerso6 https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2000329303 2022-01-19 13:11:15 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2000329303 "The district attorney wanted Daddy to take a plea deal, say it was self-defense, anything to get the death penalty off the table. Daddy's attorney thought he should take the deal because of the way the case was building against them. But Daddy wouldn't do it. Not when he was innocent." 89 patremerso6 https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2001650379 It makes me crazy to think about a system that encourages people to confess to something they didn't do..."deals" from which people never recover. The reality that the innocent go to jail to ease an overburdened system speaks to an injustice system, not a justice system.]]> 2022-01-19 23:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2001650379 Tasha ldougherty5 https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2001700429 I was struck by the amazing friendship between these two young women. The tension between the two girls around their fathers' incarcerations and the natural resentments that Tracy felt were so well portrayed. Despite these tensions, Tasha was still willing to take the time to drive 2 hours to take Tracy to the prison to visit her father and sit outside during the visit, then drive two hours back again. ]]> 2022-01-20 00:33:47 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2001700429 Tracy https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2012585025 I love the characterization so much and feel instantly connected to Tracy and admire her fierce advocacy for her family.]]> 2022-01-26 02:25:09 UTC https://padlet.com/patremerso6/tb2w61fxus4pw8y6/wish/2012585025