RR #5 Dairy Queen

    I have recently re-read the book Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I remember reading this book last summer and not enjoying it, but after reading it again I fell in love it, for multiple reasons. One of the reasons being that this book is a huge example of how I've grown as a reader and appreciate more writing as I get older. I loved everything about this book, the plot, the characters, the humor, but especially the reality, connection and understanding that I felt towards it. This book really made me think more deeply and I learned a lot from it.

    The book is about a teenage girl, named DJ, who has a very boring but busy life. She lives in Red Bend,Wisconsin. Lately she's had to work her families farm all on her own, because of all of her pending family issues. Working leaves her very little time for anything and everything except for her love of football. One day over the summer a family friend who happens to be a football coach in the rivalry high school team brings his quarterback to start helping DJ out on her farm. Throughout the story, Brian the quarterback helps DJ realize what she's missing out on in life and just how much more there is to it.

    I loved this book because of how deep it was and how easily one can relate to it. One example of how deep it is is  when Brian tells DJ that she's just like one of the dairy cows she takes care of; in the way that she does what she's told all the time and never says no to anyone's requests and she doesn't mind. Even if it effects her greatly. After this revelation DJ starts to realize that almost everyone she knows is a cow in the way that they're always doing what they're supposed to, just standing there never even realizing that they don't want to be doing something but they are only because they don't know any other way of living. This really made me think more deeply about how sometimes people are just too lazy and tired do think on their own for a change. Also, one of the main ideas of the book was that when you don't talk a lot doesn't get said. Which doesn't sound very deep but really is, because if you think about it, if you don't say something once it's one thing, but to not talk most of the time means there's probably something you don't want to say but it's important. This is what DJ's whole family has to go through, which also brings up a very real issue that a lot of families aren't close because they don't put effort into talking to each other, which is a huge deal.

    I think Murdock did a wonderful job in making this book and all of the characters in it so believable and lovable. In conclusion, I think the author had a really amazing meaning to her story that should be more thought upon.

Drummer Boy of Shiloh

    In the beginning of the story of "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, Joby, the main character is an outcast in the army but by speaking to the General his feelings an attitude have changed completely.
    In the beginning being the drummer boy makes Joby feel very unimportant in the army but when the General speaks to him he realizes that he is a huge part in the army. Because Joby has no parents around the General has to become his mentor. ' "-You are the heart of the army boy. Listen to me now." And lying there Joby listened.' This quote shows how the General becomes Jobys father-figure by advising and guiding him.
    Towards the end of the story, Joby gains back the confidence he was lacking before he met the General. The General shows Joby that he is very much a part of the army by telling him so and teaching him how to become a better drummer. For example, the General tells Joby that by beating the drum fast during the war all the soldiers will move quicker and become more alive, but if he beats slowly they will set their pace to his.
    In conclusion the General gives Joby confidence and hope in becoming a bigger part in the army by giving him his guidance and advice. I liked this text because it was so unique and original, the writing was also very beautiful in the metaphors.