Reading and Writing Instruction for Intermediate and Advanced Learners, Spring, 2009, Hickory, NC

I feel that Moose does a fine job adjusting to the new move to Alcatraz! Not only has he made a few friends, he has met the PIPER! He has learned very quickly not to cross Piper and even tells his classmates, on his first day of class, lies to cover for Piper! After school he continues to make new friends by joining the boys in a game of baseball. Even though Moose is new to the area he seems to continuously develop new friends.

How does the family adjust to meet the needs of Natalie?
The family seems to listen to everyone except for Moose. The family even moves Moose in with his grandparents because a “doctor” says that Natalie is under to much pressure living with her brother. Everyone but mom and dad disagree. When this does not help Natalie, the family picks up everything they own to move to Alcatraz! Does this work? No the school calls mom to come and get her because she screams VERY loudly and disturbs the citizens in the community. The family feels that the school near Alcatraz can really help Natalie. The mother does not work and stays at home to care for Natalie. However, when Moose is at home he seems to be the sole care giver for Natalie. To me it seems that the mother puts to much responsibility on Moose. There are numerous times in the first twelve chapters that Moose can not play or do things with his friends. Instead he is stuck at home taking care of Natalie, while dad is working and mom is out!

Hello girls! I just wanted to let you know that I as so glad that you invited me to join your group! I really love this book! Once I hit the climax of the book, I could not put it down! I have finished the book, but I will wait to Monday night to discuss more! I do not want to give away the ending! I can not wait to read this book to my third grade students! Thanks again!
Misty

Hello Ladies!

I have also finished the book. I just could not out it down. I am very glad that I have an opportunity to work with you ladies as well!

How does the family adjust to meet the needs of Natalie? I feel that the family has bent over backwards to accomodate Natalie. First of all they uproot the entire family and move to Alcatraz so that she can go to a special school. Dad must work around the clock basically to support his family. Moose has to give up his friends and he has to eventuntually give up his favorite past-time: baseball. The mother really does not give up anything that I can tell other than her own personal sanity. What do you think?

Does Moose experience peer pressure? How does he deal with his peers?
Moose is met with a tremendous amount of peer pressure. He is faced with the pressure of doing exactly what Piper says or it could mean big trouble for him and his family from her father the warden. Piper has her Daddy wrapped around her little pinky and seems to know exactly how to manipulate any situation to get her way. That seems to be the only peer who really pressures him. Overall, he does well with his peers. He makes friends quickly.

How does the family adjust to meet Natalie's needs? They all seem to make sacrafices for her, however Moose is the one who gives the greatest. He gives up the things that most boys his age should be doing to care for her. The mom seems to live in a world were Nat is normal, until Moose makes her realize that Natalie is not normal.

Misty I am glad you were in our group as well. I loved this book also. It was a wonderful book.

Ok so did Moose give in to peer presure? I think he did to an extent. Piper, the Wardens daughter, was the biggest foe for Moose. If he didn't do what she said it would be big trouble. Even when Moose did not give in to her he got in trouble anyway. However as the story goes on. Moose developes a bit of a crush on this bossy girl. I just loved this book.

Christy, I do agree with you! The mother does not seem to give any of her hobbies! Within the first week or so at Alcatraz she begins giving piano lessons. To me it always seem to be all about what mom wants! Nobody else seems to matter but Natalie!

Does Moose experience peer pressure? How does he deal with peer pressure?
I feel that throughout the book Moose is always torn as to how to deal with his peer (aka Piper). If he does not give into Piper's "peer pressure" he will get not trouble with the warden, but then again if he makes Piper mad and doesn't do exactly as she says, she may snitch on him and complain to daddy that he is not a good friend to her...poor guy he can't win for loosing! However, I think many boys his age in today's society would give in more to peer pressure by not taking up for his sister, but Moose is so greta in the way he stands up for her in front of his friends, even though at times I am sure that is not an easy thing to do. He handles his peers very well and seems to be a ver "level headed" young man

How does the family adjust to meet Natalie's needs? At first glance, this family doesn't just "adjust" to meet the needs of Natalie, they completely center their lives and exist soley around her, it seems. Poor Moose, had to move away from his house, family, school, and friends just so Natalie could go to a specific school (which, I dont think it turned out so bad for him at Alcatraz). Everyone in the family seems to sacrifice for Natalie (in fact, Moose isn't really treated like a normal boy, but rather a babysitter for Natalie), except for the mom. She seems to not be giving up that much for Natalie's well-being. Although, she is very stressed and concerned about Natalie and ensuring that she get the best edcuational and medical needs possible, she still doesn't have to give much of herself for this cause. Yes, she does teach piano (but, that seems to be a hobby for her) and she still gets her hair done regualrly and all those things. Overall, I think Moose and the father make the biggest sacrifices for Natalie. Poor dad works numerous shifts and two different jobs at the prison just to help pay for Natalie's new teacher and school. And of course, Moose who gives up the most of all: baseball, friends, and a normal "social life" just to care for Natalie, while mom is out doing errands or wahtever she chooses...

Overall, I just wanted to tell you girls, I enjoyed working with you and getting to know you better. Thanks Christy, for suggesting this book! This is one I am so glad that I read; however, it kept me up pretty late one night because once I started I couldn't put it down either!

Does Moose experience peer pressure? How does he deal with his peers?
I feel that Moose experiences lots of peer pressure especially from Piper! Moose using his own judgment about dealing with the issue of peer pressure! At times he does give and go along with his friends. For example, he does go along with them to look for baseballs. However, when Piper decides to sell Alcatraz’s laundry service for five cents an item Moose refuses to be part of that! Piper sneaks clothes into Moose’s laundry bag, but Moose does not help Piper with getting the clothes washed from the prison inmates. As Piper tries to get the clean clothes back to her classmates they are too heavy for Piper. Moose does help her carry the bags to school because he did promise Piper’s father that he would help her with her projects. Even though Moose does not help or receive any of the earnings from Piper’s laundry service he still received just as much punishment as the guilty children did.

Does Moose make sacrifices for Natalie?
Moose makes multiple sacrifices for Natalie every day! Moose has to give up playing ball after school with his classmates in order to go home and stay with Natalie. His mother continuously makes him take care of Natalie and even makes the comment to Moose that he does a better job with Natalie than she does! After Moose finally decides to take Natalie out with him and his friends he still continues to make many sacrifices. He still refuses to do some of the things that his friends do!

I was looking on the website edhelper.com and I found a unit on this book, grades 3-5. I thought that you ladies might be interested.