Literature Circle Blog#1

My first picture can be found on pages 120-125. I drew the scene where Juan missed the train that was to take him to the United States. He ended up walking but mostly running till he got to train stop where the families were camping out through the night. In my picture I drew the railroad tracks with the train going away. I also drew Juan sweating, with bloody feet, torn huaraches and the sharp rocks that caused him so much pain along the way. I also drew Juan next to his older brother Domingo because he was having flashbacks of the times where they would have running competitions to see who could run the fastest. These flashbacks became his motivation to keep going until he reached the train. I also wrote the word God on top of a cloud because during the whole way he would talk to God and ask him to give him the strength to get to his family. I also drew a puddle of water with an x through it because he had no water during the run and the heat waves teased him into believing that there was water up ahead but there wasn’t. I drew bugs because he could hear them at night and a jaguar because he had to protect himself from it when he mistook it for a deer. I drew the hills he had to climb, the campfires he saw and his mom who was waiting for him because she knew he would find his way too her. The last thing I drew was the sun and the moon to show the difference from the hot sweaty day to the cool breezy night.
I selected this scene because I found it to be really important. Juan has always been the troublemaker and the risk taker only this time his adventurous side separated him from his family. He ran all the way to his family and he never stopped until he got there. From this scene I learned that family and faith are really important to Juan. He never gave up, his family only made him stronger. If I got separated from my family I would also do whatever it takes to get back to them. I can relate to it because my dad’s side of the family is really close. They always communicate by phone or find a way to somehow physically see each other. Distance has never been an obstacle. A lot of families during this time were immigrating to the United States to escape the war and for more opportunities. My parents weren’t alive during that time but they did immigrate to the U.S. to give me and my brother’s better opportunities.
Family

My second picture can be found on pages 149-152. I drew the scene where Juan is digging up wood to sell so that his mom doesn’t have to beg anymore. In the background of the picture I drew the hills he climbed and I also drew the stars and the moon he could see at night. I drew a bush and Juan next to the bush digging in the ground for wood. I drew Juan in pain and crying because his finger nails have detached from his fingers and he is in a lot of pain. Next to Juan I drew a pile of dirt and a pile of wood that he has dug up. I also drew two bubbles over his head. One of the bubbles has the word God in it. Only that this time he’s mad at God for what his life and his family’s life has become, a nightmare. The other bubble has his mom in it. His mom is crying and begging through the streets.
I chose to draw this scene because I found what he did for his family to be courageous and overall the right thing to do. From this scene I learned that kids during that time didn’t really have the time to be kids. The things they saw and went through made them grow up at a young age. Just like Juan did, I would have done any thing to keep either one of my parents from begging. I come from a family that has thought me to never beg or steal. Never let anyone see your weaknesses or that you’re struggling. Only ask for help when you’re desperate and you know that there is nothing else you can do. I know that desperate times can lead to desperate measures but there are always other alternatives.
Faith