BOOK 5: THE BLUE WILLOW By Doris Gates

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The Blue Willow by Doris Gates was one of the stupendous books I’ve read. The book was inspiring and it is replete with valuable messages and  great lessons in life to treasure with. The book tells about how a certain girl prove that life is not unfair but also wonderful. The book tells me how to be strong in any situation in life, even if its full of tremendous challenges and challenges. How to  rise every time we fall, and how to be optimistic even life challenges us. No matter what happens we should never let challenges deter us to continue our journey and follow our dreams. The book chronicles the life of a girl which was drowned in poverty but floating in great love, friendship and determination. it was a great book for me. Inspired me to smile even this cruel life tries to devour us.

Janey Parkin was a girl of dreams. A girl of positivity. A girl of hope. And I really adore her.

Turning her dreams into reality was intangible, far from her grasp and for her is impossible. And I was really amused with how Janey break her doubts in making her dreams come true. I love Janey Parkin. I love what is the real her in the book and all of her characteristics. She was hopeful, brave, kind, generous, positive-minded, and she really value all her possessions and she value the beauty of her dreams and values friendship. And that’s why I love her. I was amazed with how she believe in her dreams that one day they could live in a place where there are no rent collectors, they own the land and live peacefully beside the willow trees with a bridge which was inspired by the blue willow. I was also fascinated with how she want to build an everlasting friendship with Lupe Romero.She finds a way to be with her and enjoy moments together. I also love Lupe’s role in the book. She also understands Janey. She understands Janey why she value the willow plate gave by her great grandmother and how Janey believe in the beauty of her dreams and someday turning it real. I love Janey for being open-minded. Even though their situation was an imbroglio, she don’t easily give up and never let these problems and challenges feeble her. She was strong and brave for those obstacles. Indeed, Janey Parkin was a role model to everyone. She manifested that to be able to turn our dreams to reality, we need to be strong, to believe in our selves that we can surpass any trials, conquer our fears and believe in God. Just always pray to Him. He will answer our prayers in the right time.He will always be there for us no matter what happens.

– I can really connect myself to the main character, Janey.Parkins. Both of us just rents in a simple house. We are also in the same shoes. We are in the same imbroglio. We are drowned in poverty and sooner or later we will transfer to another place because the owner of the land that we lives in will be purchased by a rich man. I don’t have the power to stop the inevitable events. I can’t stop the owner of land to sell it to other people. He needs the money and he must do the right way.  Janey and I believe in the beauty of our dreams and someday we will be able to make it real. We both has that strong hope and blazing ardor within us. We are both strong and brave to face any obstacles and miseries. Janey and I believe that God will help us in our journey in life. Both of us value friendship. We value significant and valuable things. both of us want to escape from the devouring poverty.Both of us want to fly.. be free… and clutch the crest of our dreams.

ll.

” We’ve enough foods in our stomach,a little money in the purse, and a roof to go home to.I don’t know when I’ve liked a place as well as this one.”

Saying this statement, her eyes was lonely. Happiness in her was gone. She thinks about their house. Because one day, Mr. Bounce Reyburn would go back and ask money for the rent. Her father’s pocket were empty. He is an itinerant worker and their harvests vanished. Janey’s stepmother was sick. How can happiness shine on her if this was the reality of her life? How can she be able to live peacefully if she have random thoughts in her mind that made her worry? How can her father be able to pay the house’s rent? Sacrifice.

She sacrificed her favorite and valued possession. The blue willow plate gave by her great grandmother.Can she be able to touch and embrace it again? The answer was not clear. T’was dangling.

She was not contented. I mean, she was not happy with her life right now. Her life were too complicated. It was full of trials, devoured by poverty and their house was not their own. What she want is to live peacefully with her father and stepmother with a little pocket in the money, full stomach and a house which is their own. No collectors. No more rents. No more transferring to another place.

It was hard for her to also think about her current situation right now. It was hard for her to leave her friends and the memories they made together and the special moments treasured together. But that’s life. she must be able to accept it. That life was unfair and cruel.

But at the end, Janey Parkins became the happiest girl in the world. Her life now was good. No more rents and no more evacuation. She lives together with her father and mother in their own house. Her father has a job now and Janey and Lupe could go together forge everlasting memories that will be treasured in their hearts and mind. And Janey would realized that life was not that unfair. Life still has its own wonderful gifts and surprises. And God has now granted her prayers. She would live peacefully now. it was now a dream turned into reality.

(BOOK 4 ) AMOS FORTUNE: FREE MAN By Elizabeth Yates

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This book was the one of the great books that I’ve read in my entire life. I was amazed with the story itself and how the characters played their remarkable roles in the book. I was fascinated with the author’s view about reality. She wrote a book that is very inspiring and a book that will give the readers different meaning of life. That life is not just about how to live and how to enjoy it. Ms. Elizabeth gave me a different view. Life is about how to live meaningfully in the world, how to pursue our goals and purposes and how to sacrifice. Also life teaches us how to be strong in any situation, how to value dignity, how to give love and how to become contented of what we have in life. Also in helping people . Helping creates happiness to those who help and those people who are helped. Ms. Elizabeth inspired me, gave me hope and gave me another meaning of life. The book was a masterpiece for me. The book tries to unfold new horizons and new realities in life. The book helped me to open my mind. The book was an indeed an inspiration to everyone.

I love the book. Everything in it. I just love how the main character Amos did his life more meaningful. Amos was born free. And he lives in a small village in the forest. That is all he know. But when the American soldiers captured them and made them slaves, his idea about life was expanding. There, he and his companions were trapped in darkness. They tasted the cruel part of life and its acerbity. They suffered from pain and agony. But what I like the most is when Amos tried to escape from invaders. He was a strong and brave man. It is true. He tried to screamed for his fellowmen to listen to him but it was a failure. He was the Chief tribe but no one dared to listen. What I love about Amos is that he cares for his fellowmen’s welfare. He thinks about them and  a Chief tribe trying to do his task was his principle. And when Amos was sold to a merchant named Caleb Copeland, I felt something strange. It was a mixture of joy and worry. I worried that the merchant would hurt Amos or his situation could be worsen. A little joy because I knew Amos would now live in a comfortable shelter.

But what happened was a delightful one. Caleb’s wife taught Amos how to read, write and work in the house. But when Mr. Caleb died, I felt loneliness. Its because, maybe the Copeland Family couldn’t take Amos to live with them because of financial problems. But fortunately Amos was sold again to a tanner named Diabolic Richardson. Mr. Diabolic taught him how to work in a tannery and everything about tanning. And Amos became  a skilled worker. How happy I am reading in this part of the book. So much with that. I was amazed with Mr. Amos strong dedication, commitment to his dreams and principles. He bought his freedom with his own sweat and perseverance. I’m so glad that Amos has a good heart. He want to lessen the suffering of every slave negroes in the city. He also bought the freedom of four black girls and others. Indeed he was a man of dignity. I salute him because he has a strong faith to God. He consult to God before doing some actions nor biting in some decisions. He never surrendered until he helped his fellowmen and fulfill his dreams in life. Even though he’s poor he never doubts to help people who are in need. Amos Fortune was a hero for me and for those people who get inspired by him . He died free. That is one of his dreams. And it was indubitably fulfilled.

– I can connect my self to Amos. We both experienced catastrophe in life. But instead of losing hope, we become strong and brave to face the ocean of challenges and encumbrances. We never give up and surrender till the very end. We fight from the start until the end of the battle. We really want to pursue our dreams that’s why perseverance and determination are collected to be ready in the fight and be able to vanquish obstacles. We believe that GOD would really help us in traversing and trekking the road of our memorable journey. We believe that GOD will always be there for us. Amos and I are the same in regards with principles in life. We believe that helping others in need could really make a big difference. Could start a change within ourselves and within our country. Be strong and never give up!

– My prediction in the story was that Celyndia the daughter of Violet would be able to finish her studies by working in the tannery. Celyndia would do the same thing of what her stepfather did. She will help people who are in need and will help her fellowmen the negroes by buying their freedom and setting them free. Celyndia would make a name in the city that no one can be able to forget it. She will be treated equal, respected, loved and accepted by the people in the Barrio, Celyndia could find her true love and will live peacefully and meaningfully.

ll.

This is my drawing in revisualizing Amos Fortune.He is an African He has a black complexion. Gray curly hair and a gray beard. He has brown eyes and thick eyebrows. He also has wide nose and thick, black lips. He’s strong and brave.

Amos fortune was a man of strength. I can see in his lonely eyes the loneliness, the suffering and pain that he have been through. His body was somehow ruined by the works in tanning. He is the man who bought his freedom and bought other’s slaves freedom to be free from chains and cages. Amos want them to be happy and to enjoy their life not as slaves. Amos was the man with a strong faith to GOD. He always trust HIS will.

This is my drawing for Violet. The last wife of Amos. The girl who captured the heart of Amos. The black girl who was so blessed and thankful because Amos had came to their life with Celyndia, her daughter. They were so thankful because Amos rescued them from extreme anguish and travail. She was thankful because Amos bought her freedom and set her free. But was captured by the love of Amos. Violet love Amos. She love Amos because he was so kind, strong, brave, persevere and religious. She can find nothing but only Amos who is the man of his dreams. Violet together with Amos live happily and died peacefully.

This is my drawing to Celyndia. The daughter of Violet. This beautiful girl was so thankful to Amos because he bought him her freedom and set her free. Amos let Celyndia to explore new things and discover more things. Celyndia experienced the experience she never tried before. She can play now, she can sing, she can play with the colorful butterflies in the meadow. All her life she never experience those things. She was also enamored in cruelty and darkness. But now, there’s no going back. She want to live her life with meaning, with purpose and with freedom. With no rules, commands, limitations or anything that would deter her to explore and be happy. She thanked Amos for anything he have done to them She cried because she can play with the butterfly, she can run and she can be able to see the beauty of nature. She was so blessed that she cannot believe that it’s really happening. A bright future waits her.

BOOK 3: THE CHRONICLE OF MY MOTHER By Yasushi Inoue

BOOK 3: CHRONICLE OF MY MOTHER By Yasushi Inoue

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This book written by Yasushi is a simple yet beautiful book. It was full of great surprises, things to ponder on with, moral lessons to share and beautiful things revealed in this book. I admit that I find it boring to read the book, but when I slowly, trying to decipher its main content, I was surprised and I continue reading it. I was hooked by its magnetizing effect to readers. It was such a beautiful book trying to untangle the imbroglio of an aging mother. The book tells about the author’s personal experience of his family’s challenges in caring for an aged parent and also the series of events that unravels the senility of her own mother.

At first it was unintelligible reading the book. It was a book of mixed emotions. I was confused with the author’s mother behaviour. It was understandable at first but later, understanding her became a hard task to all of the family members. Especially the author and his siblings trying to adjust and accustom to the fluctuating attitude, mood and behaviour of their mother. Being forgetful was normal to aging parents. They don’t easily remember things and often forgets it. But when Granny, the author’s mother shifted her personality confused me. Granny is not Granny anymore. She changed. Her mind was turning back to the past. The way she talks and the manner she does with anything was really peculiar. I understand the family that tries to understand their own mother. Their exhaustible patience was somehow helped them in taking care of Granny. I understand them because once I had took care of my Lola with a heart failure, asthma and arthritis. Dealing with her is not an easy responsibility. You need to be patient and open-minded to be able to fully understand her. It needs a lot of extensive care and a chunk of love to help her in her recovery moments. Taking care of Granny, was somehow nearly cut the thread of their patience. But all of them did a great job. They never surrendered to take care of their mother as well as Granny. I had manifested their undying love, care, efforts and commitments. They really showed how they love their granny and how they pay a debt of gratitude to her. Again, I was amazed with the family in how they handle that kind of situation. They were so kind, open-minded and loving. Indeed, the goodness of the heart heals any wounds.

I can connect myself to Sadayo and the author of the book, Yasushi. Our personality was somehow disparate. Sadayo is a woman of dignity and passion. While Yasushi is a man of great wit and a man with an open mind.  I stick with my principles in life. And I pursue my philosophies. I decide well and I think with my decisions and actions with precision and grace.  I want nothing but to take care the welfare of my family. To protect and defend them from possible antagonists that would possibly ruin the established foundation of our family. I open the windows of my mind to greater thoughts, ideals and infinite possibililities. I produce actions that would secure the safety of my family. I’m not just thinking about the current happenings or occurences, but I go beyond. I look beyond reality and think beyond reality. I’m not letting myself to just be trapped in this reality. But I want to go out of this reality by just exploring the world and discovering new things. Intangible possibilities that once intrude my thoughts at night and day. And same experience, in taking care of granny. I was once a good caregiver to my grandmother and also become a querulous watcher to her. I make sure that grandmother is comfortable in anything. Comfortable in her bed, comfort room, and also in her food. I make sure that everything is fine. Everything is under control.

But sometimes I became a fretful person. I react because granny is forgetful and irritating. She’s weak and I’m the one incharge of anything. But later on, I would realize that this behaviours are just normal for an aging grandmother. And I understand my grandmother’s situation. For sooth, it is hard to take care an aging grandmother but what you do to her will be buried in her memories. Good moments treasured. And bad moments vanished.

• My questions are the ff.

“ Does Granny’s behaviour same to all the aging woman out there?” Do they become forgetful? Do they become child-like? Childlike mind and child-like behaviour? I mean. It was an aberrant behaviour for some but usual to me especially with my experiences. The behaviour of Granny in the book was bizarre. And her mind went back to the past. I was confused. But now I understood all of this series of events in an aging woman’s life.

• My prediction in the story was that the abandoned family would still become a happy family even without Granny. And instead they could build a strong relationship to each other. They would now be good in taking care grandparents or even sick ones. They would live a simple life and would treat others as special ones. Kosaku would pursue his career and her daughter Kosoko would finished her studies and become a successful one. Same to his brothers. Also to Kusako’s sister and brother. Kuwako and Shigaku would become contented of what they have right now. Ikuko would live happily with his husband. Kiko and Segawa would become professionals someday. Sadayo would continue her education and will always be there to care to a sick members of family.

ll.

The senility of my mother

Was heart-rupturing

That I want to close my eyes

And not to look at her

In a state of moribund

Her lovely eyes

Her deep dimples

Her wonderful smile

Her cute laugh

Engraved in my heart

Black hair turning to gray

Straight back now curved

Strong body, decrepitude

Enthusiasm diminished

She’s dying and I know

Sometimes irritating

Her bizarre behaviour

An old woman with a child mind

She’s my Granny

And I love her

She was lost

In this reality

Her mind was trapped

In different world

Searching…

The love that she gave us

Was immeasurable

The extensive care

The sacrifices and support

Was treasured and remembered

But now we can’t hug her now

Even a flying kiss can’t

We love her so much

Like a jewel, like a diamond

But now she’s gone.

Where are you now?

Can you go back?

Your memories will never die..,

We love you Granny.

But it’s too late.

BOOK 2: THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

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The  novel, The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway is one of the rare and sterling books I’ve read. The book talks about the acerbity of life of a fisherman named Santiago. A life full of struggles and impediments. A man who savor the bitterness and sweetness of life. A man who is not an island, and needs a friend to be able to live life squarely.

I was just amazed with how the main character Santiago, deals his  life full of tremendous obstacles and trials. A life that really test his strength and dedication. A life that he may call unfair, but also a life  that is wonderful. Because life is a mixed journey for him. I just love the characteristics possessed by the main character Santiago. He was so patient, diligent, brave, strong, positive-minded and well determined. Sitting, under the scorching heat of the sun, waiting the fish to bite the bait is an abstruse task. To catch a fish, needs a lot of effort, time and patience. I salute Santiago. Because of his inexhaustible patience. I was also shocked when I read that Santiago was fishing with an empty stomach and with a dry throat. The inimitable heat and the strong winds impede Santiago in his journey. But it was not enough to ruin the hope and strength Santiago has. I’m biting my nail in the part when a ferocious shark attacked Santiago. I was astounded when Santiago tries to attack the shark along with his courage and strong will  and with a mind replete with positivity. He was able to defeat the shark and won the battle. Instead of being afraid, he equip his self with dexterity and valor to fully vanquish the sea’s wild creature. After all, his journey was not just about struggles. It has also wonderful surprises. Like the amiable birds trying to help Santiago in fishing and when he catched the big fish which is actually a big blue marlin. Catching the big fish was a victory for Santiago. No one has ever catch it but only Santiago. And catching the fish wasn’t easy. It was hard. Time, effort and patience was used before catching it. Also, I admire Santiago when he recites a prayer during fishing. He asked for strength and courage from God. He ask that whatever happens he should be able to arrive home safe and sound. Indubitably, Santiago was glazing with perseverance and determination. That’s why he has conquered the crippling fear within him and overcome all encumbrances in his path of journey. And lastly, I adulate Santiago when he want his friend, to accompany and  help him. Because he thought that if the boy accompanied him, fishing would be so easy. Here, it was manifested that no man is an island. Every individual needs a companion nor a friend in living one’s life. We really need someone who will help us in times of need, who will always be there for us, whom we can share and tell our problems to release the devouring mental agitations. Indeed, life is full of struggles and ordeals. And what we have to do is just be strong, be brave and never surrender of what kind of life we may experience. Remember, strong walls shake, but never collapse.

• I can connect myself to Santiago. Not in the experience in fishing, but the kind of life that we have and the characteristics that we both possessed.  We both have a kind of life that is full of innumerable challenges and obstacles. We both experienced an abstruse life facing life with an empty stomach under the heat of the sun. It was when I went to school with a roaring stomach under the mind-breaking heat of the sun. My parents always quarrel because they  can’t sent me to school because of financial problems. But I went to school with an blazing ardour that someday I can finished my studies and help my family to uplift them from the whirlpool of poverty and to reach my goals in life. I always pray to God that he will help me to defeat all the challenges and will give me strength to fully reach my destination.

Also, we both have that same characteristics within us. Both of us are strong, brave, possesses a dogmatic mind and we will never give up. Both of us will never surrender until we reach our goals in life. We have a sturdy hope and faith and trust to God that hopefully we can grapple the crest of our own victory.

• These questions flourished when I’m reading the book.

“ Why did Santiago dreamed about the lions?”

“Why did Santiago think ocean as a woman? As an enemy?”

And after reading the book, I’ve found out the answers on my questions.

• My predictions in the story was that Santiago and the boy could go fish together and they can catch a lot of fish. The boy will always accompany Santiago in fishing. They could establish a strong amity. And they will love, respect and treat each other as best friends. And Santiago’s dream about the lions and the white sand beach could turn into reality. Santiago and the boy will live happily and be contented of what they have in their lives.

ll.

“Indeed, the ocean is like a woman. Also an enemy.”

First, I was really confused with the peculiar elocutions of the main character Santiago. He is an old man with a simple desire, weak body, strong hope, and great wisdom. To be in the boat, in the abdomen of the ocean is a blessing and catastrophe for him. Fishing, for how many years in the vast ocean made him an equipped fisherman. And he realized that the ocean, where he works, where he gets his food and money, where he suffers is a woman for her. I don’t know what’s languishing on his mind. And I was once baffled to construe his ideas. But when I finished reading the book, I realized and understand all of it. All his elocutions. All his ideas. The ocean which is a woman for him is one of the most beautiful things he ever saw in his entire life. With its captivating beauty and the grandiose it possesses, Santiago was once captured with its grand beauty. Also a woman who will give the basic necessities of man without any payment. Also a woman who deserves the love and respect of man to be able to yield an everlasting trust to each other. But also an enemy to him. Santiago believed that the ocean has its own clandestines and mysteries. It will just surprise you one day in unlocking its mysteries. The ocean is an enemy for him because it has wild creatures that will destroy you. The unfathomable ocean will sometimes drown you nor devour you. Same in life, life has its own goodness and wickedness. Life is also like a woman and an enemy. A woman who will help us and an enemy who will ruin us. What we have to do is to face it without fear but with strength and courage. Whatever life may bring, be prepared.

BOOK 1: PLUM & JAGGERS By Susana Richards Shreve

Renz B. Ali  /  2nd year BSED ENGLISH / English 75- The Reading Process/ Prof. Melyn Subierre / MTH 7:30-9:00

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BOOK 1:

Indeed life is too complex for us to explain every minute detail of its phenomena. We sometimes pass in a rugged road and experience turbulence in life. We get surprised by the sheer unpredictability of life. There will be a lot of hurdles to conquer and challenges to pursue as we go to face our life squarely. Also, suffering in pain while traversing the path of life is a great challenge to us. It is one of the enormous factor in attaining success and maturity.  We cannot grow emotionally strong without having experienced difficult moments and devouring loneliness.

We know that time changes together with so many things. Firmness and stability are necessary in dealing with changes. We can only measure how firm and stable we are when we savor both sides of life. The best thing to do is to master several ways to hurdle changes be it smooth or rough.

When I read this book, The Plum & Jaggers by Susana Richards Shreve, I’ve learned that life is really complicated, replete with surprises and full of unexpected twists and turns. It will just surprise you any time with unpredictable catastrophe’s. And to overcome this, we need to be strong and brave enough to fight the acerbity of life. We need courage to fight the fear. We need unfading hope to fully vanquish encumbrances. Because at the end of the day, we are not the who will lose the battle, its the problem itself. Just trust GOD and he will help you in the entire journey of your life.

My reflection in the book The Plum & Jaggers.

• I understand Sam’s reaction when his parents leave the McWilliams family. Four of them namely Sam, Charlotte, Oliver and Julia suffered from anguish and agony. The four children who are so naive, not knowing how cruel life was, has experienced the unfair side of life. The four children who faced life strongly and squarely without their parents amazed me. Four of them experienced the acerbity of life in that early age which made them stronger and braver. Sam became overprotective and a good brother to his siblings. All of his weird and bizarre activities are just the result of his parent’s absence. He just want to protect his family. He didn’t want to lose all of his siblings again. And being strict to sibling’s lovelife is his job. And taking care of his siblings is a remarkable task. A great role he performed without his parents. And the sibling’s reaction are still amazing. Instead of losing hope, they became stronger and wiser to be able to manage life properly.

Indeed, living a life without our parents is an abstruse kind of life. Parents are the one who takes care of the children, who loves them incomparably and accepts them for who and what they are. Our parents are the one who guides and supervises us. Our loving parents whom we can share our major problems and will never leave us no matter what happens.

Of course, we can always feel that were incomplete without them. We feel that our lives are incomplete, meaningless, colorless and unhappy. Without our parents in the cycle of our life can really affect our lives- mentally, emotionally, socially and physically. Without them is really one of the greatest and biggest problem and challenge that one can encounter. And what we have to do is to be strong in times where hope is inadequate and where darkness prevails. We have to be strong to be able to endure the pain, agony and travail. We have to be brave to be able to face the truckload of problems and struggles that blocks along our way. To be able to surpass those ample obstacles, we need perseverance and determination, unmatched dedication to ourselves and a strong will to infallibly overcome them. We should never give up and surrender, instead let us fight until the end of the battle. And have strong faith to GOD and trust in his will. GOD will always be there for us. Always be there.

• I can connect myself to the main character of the book, Sam McWilliams. Like him, I’m so overprotective. I never want my brother and sisters to go out at night because it may harm them. You know, there are a lots of felonious people who will hurt you right now. I don’t want them to experience that. I want them to stay in the house to be safe. Next is that I’m so strict in regards with my sister’s lovelife. I kept on telling her not to involve in a relationship because it may distract her to her studies. I always tell her that she should study hard to help our family and to reach her goals in life.

Also, I can connect myself to Charlotte McWilliams. I’m fond of reading books like her. I love to read. I just love to read books especially fairy tales, dictionaries, encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines and a lot more. I love to read because I get delight in reading. It amuses and entertains me. And I learned a lot in reading. It enhanced my English speaking skills, enriches my vocabulary, stimulates creativity and stretches my imagination. Reading became a big part of my life.

• I have some questions when I just finished the book reading. These are the ff.

“ Who is the person responsible in bombing the train from Espresso? Which cause of Sam McWilliam’s parents death? The author didn’t reveal it. Its still a mystery to me.

“ Do Rebecca Frankel and Sam are in a relationship? I mean what’s their nexus to each other. I baffled in reading this part of the book.

“ Who is responsible of the ‘fire’ in the grassfield in Rappahanock where the McWilliams live? Who is the woman out there in the grassfield? Who is that man spying Julia McWilliams? Again, the book didn’t unravel the mysteries inside it.

• My prediction in the book was that I guess, Sam McWilliams vanished because he want him his siblings to be free, to make their own decisions without him and to finally live without him by their side. He want to stay away from his siblings. He want to live alone in peace and equanimity. And I surmise the Three McWilliams namely Charlotte, Oliver and Julia would still pursue their career in comedy industry and will live together still searching for Sam.

ll.

July 26,2015

Prk. Maguindanao, Brgy. Labangal G.S.C.

Dear Susana,

I just want to congratulate you for this wonderful book. I was really amazed with the story of the McWilliams. I was amazed with how these children face life together without their parents. With how they able to overcome challenges and obstacles in their life. And also how they fight the battle of life to hopefully become successful comedians, which is for them very impossible. And I find the book so interesting and entertaining to read. It is one of the best books I’ve read in my life. But there are part of the book that is still a mystery to me. I feel pity on Sam and the rest of them.. I guess what had happened to their parents was an unforgettable nightmare. They had been in trauma while growing up especially Sam who was affected so much by the fortuitous event. He became so overprotective. And can I just ask? Why did the Danesi Family adopt them? Some other reasons? And why did the McWilliams family engaged into Comedy?  Its too unimaginnable for a family that savoured  a tragic event and went into comedy? But I salute you in making the roles of every character so great. Plum & Jaggers is a magnificent work from a magnificent author.

I was really inspired by the book, PLUM & JAGGERS. I’ve learned a  lot from the book. It gives moral lessons like value of family, trust, respect, and many more. Wonderfully made. Poignant and delicate. A masterpiece. A book to celebrate.

Thank you Ms. Susana.

Truly Yours,

Renz B. Ali

I was really inspired by the book, PLUM & JAGGERS. I’ve learned a  lot from the book. It gives moral lessons like value of family, trust, respect, and many more.It is well-made by SUSAN RICHARDS SHREVE. Wonderfully made. Poignant and delicate. A masterpiece. A book to celebrate.