https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc Written by Jerry Spinelli en-us 2016-11-30 16:35:49 UTC 2016-12-23 16:12:58 UTC hello@padlet.com 7jflo857 https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141576987 Throughout the story, Palmer seemed to be worried that his so called “friends” would discover his secrets. For example, on page 131, Palmer was unsatisfied with the fact that Beans and his group wouldn’t let him get away with not being a wringer. He told Dorothy about his problem and, quote, “sneered into her face--- “I can be the only boy in the history of the town who was ever not a wringer? And what makes you think”---he poked his finger at her--- “what makes you think Beans would ever let me get away with it? They would drag me out of this bed and out to the park. They would wring my neck.” This quote shows that being friends with the gang was causing more stress to Palmer than helping him find out what he really wants. If Palmer hadn’t met Beans, Mutto, and Henry, he wouldn’t have become closer with Dorothy; however, as a member of Beans’ gang, Palmer, or Snots, as they call him, must act like one of them. This means he has to torment others, including Nipper and Dorothy, who is a common target for them. Although he feels guilty, he plays along with them to ensure that he is one of them. Later on, he becomes great friends with Dorothy and forms a strong bond. ]]> 2016-12-04 05:17:55 UTC https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141576987 7btra776 https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141576991 “He opened the door -and there they were! Beans. Mutto. Henry. Three grinning faces. Shoving wrapped gifts into his chest.” Today is Palmer’s 9th birthday and he is celebrating with his new friends. They eat cake and ice cream, then Palmer opens his presents, an apple core from Mutto, an old sock from Henry, a cigar butt from Beans, and a soccer ball, a book, a pair of sneakers, and a Monopoly game from Mom, (pages 8-9). Palmer even receives a new nickname, Snots, he is glad to have Beans, Mutto, and Henry as his friends; however, as time went on, he often found himself trying to hide himself from them. Should Palmer have been friends with Beans, Mutto, and Henry?]]> 2016-12-04 05:18:28 UTC https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141576991 7jflo857 https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141576997 One reason as to why Palmer should have met Beans and his friends is because without them, he wouldn’t have discovered what he truly felt inside. On page 129, Palmer told Dorothy everything, how he was feeling, what he was thinking, and things he didn’t realize about himself until that moment, “He said it all. He said things he had been thinking and feeling for years. He said things he didn’t even know he had been thinking until he heard them come out of his mouth. He told her how he hated the golden bird...He told her it confused him. How could one person be a shooter of pigeons and a loving father?" During that moment, he also realized that he did not want to become a wringer, “...and he told her again and again that  he did not, he really did not want to become a wringer.” ]]> 2016-12-04 05:18:56 UTC https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141576997 7jflo857 https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141577021 Although some readers might believe Palmer’s life could be much simpler if he had never become acquainted with Bean’s gang, we can consider it false based on our evidence.  In fact, when Palmer was friends with them, he soon realized that he really cared about Nipper and that he didn’t want to be a wringer. He also finally understood that he wanted to find his own path in life, instead of following his father. In addition, some may argue that Palmer had already decided he did not want to become a wringer; however, we believe that the pressure the gang had put on him influenced him to confirm that idea. According to page 5, “He did not want to become a wringer. This was one of the first things he had learned about himself... And more than early, it was deep inside. In the stomach, like hunger”, based on this sentence, you can tell that deciding not to be a wringer was a topic he had been considering for a long time, but never decided on until he met Beans and his friends.]]> 2016-12-04 05:20:34 UTC https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141577021 7ayou742 https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141646172 From this, we can conclude that it was acceptable that Palmer had become acquainted with Beans, Mutto, and Henry. If he hadn’t, he would not have known Dorothy as well as he does now, and he would not have been buddies with Nipper. Because he made friends with Beans and his group, Palmer, as he was growing older, realized that he shouldn’t do something he is not willing to do. He also learns to make decisions of his own, such as deciding not to be a wringer and keeping Nipper as a pet instead of releasing him.

]]> 2016-12-05 02:59:29 UTC https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141646172 7btra776 https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141794011 Should Palmer have been friends with Beans, Mutto, and Henry?]]> 2016-12-05 16:26:16 UTC https://padlet.com/7btra776/tmpjpilp4jwc/wish/141794011