Week 6: Passage Person

Well, it's over! I actually got choked up at the end, which didn't happen very often for me throughout this story. Anyways, here are a few passages that I liked.

This is more of an entire section than a short passage, but I really like all of the description that was included. It also reminds me of something my family would do. Does your family have any holiday traditions? If so, what are they? Also, why do you think Mia was apprehensive about jamming with everyone at first, even though they were all supporting her?

This is the part where I started to get choked up. It was so nice to see the sheer love that Adam has for Mia, even though they had been going through a rough time. The reader gets to see a soft side of Adam in the section. Have you ever been surprised by any unexpected emotions from family members (ex: the tough brother crying at a movie, etc.)?

Lastly, this section is where Mia begins to feel things, as opposed to just observing them like she had been doing the entire time. I think these are pretty powerful moments in the story, because it is a turning point for Mia, Adam, and Mia's entire family. This is when they realize that she will be okay. What moment(s) in the story were particularly powerful to you?

Week 6: Connector

Mia finally makes her ultimate decision, almost unintentionally. Although I know it's nowhere near as drastic, I connect her decision to my decision to come to Middle College. While I hated every moment of being at my old school, I was still leaving behind a lot or friends and a past me that I knew I would never have again. My boyfriend, however supportive of my leaving he was, I still hated the idea of not seeing him everyday and reducing our time together to 1 or maybe 2 days a week as a posed to about 6. I still miss him all the time and sometimes regret leaving my old school, but I know it was for the best that I left. I think Mia will always have bouts of regret and miss her family, that I can very much relate to. However hard it gets it is important to know that you can't go back, and it can only get better. I also connect it to one of my favorite quotes:

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happen."

 By Theodor Geisel 

Did you have a hard time leaving your old life behind your old life and coming to Middle College? Do you ever feel regret? Can you relate anything else to this?

 

 

 

Week 6: Discussion Leader

Wow we have finally finished the book! Congratulations! So for this weeks discussion, I want to talk about more the whole book.

1. Do you like the way the book ended? Why or why not? What would you change? What was your absolute favorite part of the book?

2. Do you think Mia made the right decision? Why or why not? Would your decision compare to her's? Did you predict her decision correctly?

3. Other than the obvious differences, how do you think Mia's life will change now that she had made her decision? What do you expect for her future? Do you think you will read the next book in the series?

Week 5: Connector

In this section, we understand Mia's thoughts related to not only Teddy, but to death as well. Due to the rare situation depicted in the book it is difficult to find connections. However, Mia does talk about funerals, and how some people imagine their funerals and others don't. Have you thought about your funeral? Personally, I haven't really thought about it at all. Also, I have a little brother, although we are much closer in age than Teddy and Mia. My brother and I however, have a very different relationship. But still, I would be crushed to find out if any of my family members passed away. Do you have any siblings and if so, is your relationship with them as good as Mia's relationship with Teddy? In your response, you can also discuss the nature of Mia's grandpa, and how he started crying. Has anything like this ever happened to you or someone you know?

Week 5: Discussion Leader

In the end of the reading (sorry to go backwards) Mia starts reading the lyrics of her dad's songs and discovers what a wonderful writer he is. Mia can't seem to get the song out of her head and subconsciously sings it to Teddy. Does the song provide Mia with a better insight into her Dad? Does this make her feel more connected to him in a sense?

Mia recalls a family friend's funeral that she went to a year before. Her whole family is irritated that the service was not necessarily in his honor. Do you think Mia would want to plan her family's funeral to make it right for them? Do you have any funny expectations for your funeral (which won't be anytime soon)?

Mia finally sort of admits she wants to go away from the state she is in and be with her family. Do you think that she is leaning more toward leaving since she figures Teddy is gone to? Is it understandable or irrational for her to get so angry at the thought of the decision that lies ahead of her? Why?

Week 5: Passage Person

This section starts off with Mia racing to the children's area of the Hospitol to find Teddy (expecting him it to be there). 

I chose this passage from pages 160 and 161 because they evoke a lot of emotion. Do you think Teddy is still alive? If so, where do you think he is? Why emotions did you feel when reading this part? Do you agree with Mia that if only one of them could survive it should have been him, why or why not?

Also in this section, there is a lot of talk about death an funerals. Mia talks about her experience at the only funeral she has been to.

Do you think it's weird that they are talking about their own funerals? Have you ever thought about your own? If so, what details have you thought about or want to include in it? Do you agree with Kim's observations?

Week 4: Passage Person

We see a lot happen with Adam this section, but I'd like to focus more on Teddy and Kim and only a little on Adam. The first quote I'd like to discuss is about Kim and Mia's friendship. I feel like every friend ship has funny quirks like this.

Do you have a friendship like this that you can relate to? Do you think the world isreally divides like they say?

Next I want to talk a little more about 

Adam. We learned a lot more about her true feelings about him. 

Do you think Adam and Mia are just in puppy love? Or is is the real thing? Do you think he should sway her choice whether she stay or go?

Lastly, I'd like to talk more about Teddy. We find out that he too is gone. 

Do we know for sure that Teddy is gone, or could it just be a bad assumption? Do you have a younger sibling or friend you can relate this to?