3/25/13 post

3/25/13 pages 225-the end

Dear Reader,

            What an amazing ending to the novel Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena.  So much has happened on the last twenty pages. This book kept me readying and never wanting to put it down.  The author put the biggest conflict on the last twenty pages.  When of the best parts is all of the characters have a happy ending.  Throughout the story the characters overcome the struggles that they faced in the being of the book.  You really get to see the characters throughout the story.

            Danny has finally achieved his goal; facing against Kyle Sorenson, the big league protegee.  Danny has to fight his way, but isn't victorious.  Even though he doesn't win, Danny does get to play against Kyle.  Something he has dreamed of since he watched practices behind the fence.  In the novel it is written, "Because this is so much fun.  Pitching to Kyle.... 'You realize what that says about you, D?  He the best, right? If you think about it, man, you already won....'" (Pena 234-35).  Danny also gets into a fight with a boy.  Uno is getting spit on by Barker and Danny goes and "punches Barker in the face" (Pena 239).  Before Danny would never do this and it shows that he is developing, and will always protect his friends.

          Danny has really matured over the book.  He started off as a shy quiet guy that wouldn't talk much.  He now has confidence to achieve anything in the game of baseball and be able to pitch against any other player.  He finally talks and has made friends.  At the Leucadia Prep Danny confirms the challenge and a boy says, "He speaks!" (Pena 230).  This demonstrates how Danny has matured because he never would have talked before.  What is your opinion of Danny?

         Uno has really matured over the book.  Uno started off as a high tempered and was cocky, selfish.  He believed he was the best in the neighborhood and got jealous when there was a threat.  through the book Uno became determined to turn his life around.  He looked for a job to make money.  He became a kinder person and a great friend to Danny he really tried to get to live with his father.  It was joyful when I learned that he will get to live with his father.  In  the novel  Uno says, "'That's alright boy. I got a roof that needs new tile.... You ready for some hard work, boy?'" (Pena 242).  Uno has really turned his act around and I admire that.  What do you  think of Uno?

           Sofe, Danny's cousin, has changed throughout the novel.  She was the typical party girl at the beginning of the novel.  She thought that she wouldn't get anywhere in life.  Especially when none of her family has attended college.  She always care about her family and will always protect them.  This is seen through her defending Danny.  Toward the end Sofe got more confidence in herself.  She is now applying herself to her goal and education.  In the end Sofe says, "I talked to Aunt Wendy, Danny's mom, and she lettin' me stay with them for a semester.  They got this transfer program she read about.... Aunt Wendy says we gonna talk about junior colleges" (Pena 242).

        Liberty has transformed also throughout the novel.  She was shy and couldn't understand any English at the beginning of the book. Throughout the story she accepts her feelings for Danny and tries to tell him.  She fears going to a new school, especially when she isn't fluent in English.  She is in love with Danny and they finally get together in the end!  In the novel it is written, "She grabs Danny's face in her hands and kisses him on the lips real quick.  When they separate she stands there giggling.  Then Danny takes her face in his hands and kisses her" (Pena 243).  What do you think of Danny and Liberty?

       The vocabulary in the book wasn't very hard.  I didn't need to use a dictionary only a translator.  Overall I understood the book easily.

         Well congrats for finishing the book, and I hope you liked it as much as I did!

Sincerely,
Lauren Abbott:)