I am more than halfway through the book and the more I read the more I dislike the mother. She is giving Anna a choice, but a choice that has bad feelings and pain. It's one of those questions where she knows the answer and Anna can't say anything back because if her sister dies it would be her fault. I found this quote where this shows her questioning, Anna asked her mom if she has to go through the bone marrow transfusion her mother says:"You don't have to do this if you don't want to, but I know that Kate is counting on you. And Daddy and me too."
Jesse expresses his feelings of getting left out. Jesse is promised to go skateboarding but when Kate gets a nosebleed all hope is lost. Even when he asks a simple question his dad acts as if he's not there. This leaves Jesse wondering. This is probably what made him to move to the attic of the garage.
As i had predicted,Anna's dad is going on Anna side of the lawsuit. He says this to his wife in the book. Now Anna has someone on her side. This reminds of me a show I had once seen about a family in which their son wanted to be emancipated from school, bit his mom disagrees to go along with it and his father and brother help him and agree to it.
Now Anna has a chance of a lifetime to go play hockey with a member of team USA, but because of Kate's cancer and need for a donor, Anna can't go. I understand that Anna is needed for Kate's sake,but Anna should be able to have a life as well, make friends and have fun. It seems to me that Kate's condition is preventing Anna from being a kid.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Jesse
As I have been reading My Sister's Keeper, Jesse Fitzgerald's character really stands out to me. All his life sense his sister Kate was born he has been watching from the sidelines, not knowing exactly what to do with himself sense his parents are always wrapped up in Kate's health. He doesn't know how to live a life that isn't all about Kate. He really does love his sisters and wants nothing but the best for them. Jesse is very smart even if he does drugs because he realizes that since his parents are so worked up in Kate that he can get away with anything, without consequences. Most people may say its for the attention he never fully experienced, but it cant be because Jesse is used to not getting as much attention as a normal child. It comes with the territory of having a sick sibling. Jesse is a troubled child because although he is not sick, like Kate, or might as well be sick, like Anna, he is being dragged down into the same dark cave as they are.
Monday, June 28, 2010
My Sister's Keeper
I am around page 200 of the book now. I feel that Anna is being smart. However, I think that the lawsuit is unnecessary. I understand that she is sick of not having a choice about being a donor for Kate. Issuing the lawsuit grabbed her parent's attention, and Anna could have just withdrew it. Also, I feel bad for Jesse. He definitely doesn't get enough attention from his family, mainly Sara. Even though Kate is very sick and needs care, Sara needs to realize that her other two children need her attention too. Campbell is a very interesting character. I'm curious to see what the real reason for his service dog, Judge, is.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Finished My Sister's Keeper
So a few days ago, I finished My Sister's Keeper. I have to say, that book was touching in so many different ways. I can feel the isolation of this family from the rest of the world, because of Kate's condition. These children have very little social development. They probably lack key social skills because of the isolation. This is important because from this assumption, I can now feel how they feel when they interact with people like Campbell and Julia, or outsiders, strangers to them. The significance of the service dog seems to symbolize insecurities, where Campbell symbolizes the human race. Traditionally, the human race tries to keep its insecurities a secret, which is very similar to how Campbell kept his epilepsy a secret from the world. I also can understand how Julia feels. She feels betrayed because Campbell didn't contact her for fifteen years. I know how blind one can become when they are overcome by emotion. It is this emotion that made it impossible for her to look at Campbell as a good person, because she didn't know the truth: she assumed, and we all know what happens when you assume. I can only imagine how Anna feels, to have finally gotten what she has wanted for so long, only to have it taken away from her in the blink of an eye. I wonder what she is looking back at the Earth and saying at the end of the book. I wonder if she is happy that because of her, her sister is now successful and showing no signs of sickness. I feel that Kate is happy she gets to live, but is distraught at the cost it has taken. I think that Anna's parents had a hard time accepting Campbell and Julia as friends in the years after Anna's death, as Anna would never have died if she wasn't in Campbell's car. However, the accident is arguably the reason that Kate lived. These are some of my thoughts about the end of the book.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
"Charlie" thinks very differently than others, but unlike his teacher I do not find that to be a bad thing. Charlie has a unique way of comprehending and dealing with his surroundings. Instead of being caught up in the middle of the hectics of high school, Charlie maneuvers through life with the ability to thrive without being the victim of what he sees many of his classmates, friends, and even family go through. In the end though, he still obtains the life lessons that were learned from those situations, but instead of learning them the hard way by personally experiencing it he watches closely to how others go about dealing with it, and he learns probably more in the end. Many of Charlie's thought are different and his conclusions, compared to other characters in book I have read, almost unnatural sounding. Yet at the same time I think everybody thinks that same way Charlie does, they just aren't so open or aware of those thoughts passing through their own heads. Because of Charlie's open mindedness though, he is able to comprehend more in advance, far before any of the other characters he interacts with can make those deep connections.
In a way I think Charlie is just plain brilliant, but in a very oblivious way. He is unaware of just how far his mind can go and in many situations his conscience responds, to what s right in front of him, as innocently as an infant. When his sister tells him that he is a freak, I think she is very much mistaken. Charlie's ability to respond differently and look at things with such a fresh pair of eyes is a blessing, mostly to himself, in the sense that it shelters his mind in a way to keep unwanted thoughts and realities about what is considered normal, but also to those close to him.
In a way I think Charlie is just plain brilliant, but in a very oblivious way. He is unaware of just how far his mind can go and in many situations his conscience responds, to what s right in front of him, as innocently as an infant. When his sister tells him that he is a freak, I think she is very much mistaken. Charlie's ability to respond differently and look at things with such a fresh pair of eyes is a blessing, mostly to himself, in the sense that it shelters his mind in a way to keep unwanted thoughts and realities about what is considered normal, but also to those close to him.
My Sister's Keeper
After reading the entire book, I can relate this story to something I've watched before. I used to CSI all the time. There was this one episode that was strangely familiar to this book. In the episode, the family had three children, and the second oldest, a boy, had an extreme form of cancer. The parents genetically had a child to be a matching donor for their son. The CSI officers had found the youngest daughter, the donor, dead. They ended up tracing the death back to the cancer brother, who had poisoned his sister because he didn't want her to keep being a donor for his sister. The sister was going to have to give up a kidney for her brother, which he thought was unfair. So he poisoned her so that she would not have to deal with all treatments and donations again.
When I first read My Sister's Keeper about a year ago, I immedietly found the relation between the two subjects. I couldn't figure out how they were so eerily familiar. But I thought how it was really cool how both stories ended the same, with the youngest dying in the end. I mean, Kate didn't poison Anna, but she didn't want Anna to give up a kidney. In the end of the CSI episode, the brother does die because he does not receive a kidney.
When I first read My Sister's Keeper about a year ago, I immedietly found the relation between the two subjects. I couldn't figure out how they were so eerily familiar. But I thought how it was really cool how both stories ended the same, with the youngest dying in the end. I mean, Kate didn't poison Anna, but she didn't want Anna to give up a kidney. In the end of the CSI episode, the brother does die because he does not receive a kidney.
Jesse
Jesse is a teenager who has gotten himself twisted in drugs and alcohol. But was it really his fault?
His parents neglected him and he had nothing left to turn to. Sara, caring only for Kate, failed to pay attention to Jesse. I'm not saying Anna gets as much attention as Kate, however she still gets more attention that Jesse. Even if it is negative attention. For example, Anna has to be at the hospital with Kate and Sara while Jesse has to stay home or at a neighbor's house. For Christmas Eve Jesse was stuck at a neighbors house while Kate was in the hospital. He even decided to cut down a spruce tree since that was the plan before sudden medical problems errupted. Even when he did this no one mentioned one thing about the tree that was decorated and set up nicely when the Fitzgeralds had gotten back from the hospital. Wouldn't the family have noticed if a mysterious tree ended up in their house? At some point they would have had to take it down so they must have noticed it. They didn't even appreciate it. As kids, presents are the first thing they think about on Christmas morning. Every year Jesse would know that his gifts would be cheap and no thought was put in to purchasing them because the majority of his parents' and sisters' time was spent at the hospital.
I don't blame Jesse for moving out of the house. Why should he have to be with people who could care less about what he does? At dinner, he came in smelling like smoke his eyes bloodshot and all his mother could care about was if the dinner was undercooked.
Jesse's parents let him do whatever he wants. Drugs and alcohol are the least of their worries. Therefore, there's no issue if Jesse is the arsonist? He never learned better, although he should know. The reason he even wanted to burn down buildings was to get attention and to smite his parents. His dad was a firefighter and he set fire to buildings. You'd think his parents would care more where he was and who he was with.
His parents neglected him and he had nothing left to turn to. Sara, caring only for Kate, failed to pay attention to Jesse. I'm not saying Anna gets as much attention as Kate, however she still gets more attention that Jesse. Even if it is negative attention. For example, Anna has to be at the hospital with Kate and Sara while Jesse has to stay home or at a neighbor's house. For Christmas Eve Jesse was stuck at a neighbors house while Kate was in the hospital. He even decided to cut down a spruce tree since that was the plan before sudden medical problems errupted. Even when he did this no one mentioned one thing about the tree that was decorated and set up nicely when the Fitzgeralds had gotten back from the hospital. Wouldn't the family have noticed if a mysterious tree ended up in their house? At some point they would have had to take it down so they must have noticed it. They didn't even appreciate it. As kids, presents are the first thing they think about on Christmas morning. Every year Jesse would know that his gifts would be cheap and no thought was put in to purchasing them because the majority of his parents' and sisters' time was spent at the hospital.
I don't blame Jesse for moving out of the house. Why should he have to be with people who could care less about what he does? At dinner, he came in smelling like smoke his eyes bloodshot and all his mother could care about was if the dinner was undercooked.
Jesse's parents let him do whatever he wants. Drugs and alcohol are the least of their worries. Therefore, there's no issue if Jesse is the arsonist? He never learned better, although he should know. The reason he even wanted to burn down buildings was to get attention and to smite his parents. His dad was a firefighter and he set fire to buildings. You'd think his parents would care more where he was and who he was with.
Friday, June 25, 2010
My Sisters Keeper Second Chapter
I really dislike the fact that Anna is going to a lawyer to sue her own parents because she wants the right to her own body. I also don't really like that Campbell Alexander had accepted the position of being Anna's lawyer because of the same reason.
Chapter 2: Campbell
Campbell is very selfish.
He only took Anna's case for the publicity. To him it doesn't matter whether she is being used or not. You would think he would be more sympathetic to Anna's case considering he has a service dog and needs medical help. He should understand and relate to what Anna is going through. Campbell only took Anna's case to benefit himself. I wonder how many of his cases were really for the good of the victims?
Campbell is very selfish and yet I can't help liking his character.
He only took Anna's case for the publicity. To him it doesn't matter whether she is being used or not. You would think he would be more sympathetic to Anna's case considering he has a service dog and needs medical help. He should understand and relate to what Anna is going through. Campbell only took Anna's case to benefit himself. I wonder how many of his cases were really for the good of the victims?
Campbell is very selfish and yet I can't help liking his character.
Campbell plays a significant role in the story because he took Anna's case. His accepting of the case proved that not only was he a greedy person, but he was also prepared for the challenge of finding a new home for Anna and the many trials it would take to win the case. Not only was he prepared for that, he was also prepared to tear a family apart. What would he do if he won? Kate would have her health in jeopardy and he was responsible for her mother and father's negative feelings toward their youngest daughter.
My Sister's Keeper
I have now completed this book.
Like many others I found the ending to be very much of a shock, although i already knew what was going to happen. I find it actually quite cruel that the author did this, i mean, it makes a great ending and proves the point that anything can happen, but still. She just won this case that has taken so long and then, BOOM she is dead? Just like that. I also cannot imagine what it must have been like when he figured out that it was Anna who was in the car once he had gotten to the seen.
In the epilogue i am glad to hear that they did not totally hate Campbell just because he was driving the car when it crashed. I also like how the author tied up many other things so easily, like by mentioning them going to Campbell's wedding, which tells you that him and Julia did, after all, get married. She also mentioned Jesse graduating from the police academy which was a huge shock to me considering he used to light buildings on fire when he got mad. Overall this was a great story of a family that had it really tough and was expecting someone to die, but then the unexpected happened and they lost their other child.
Like many others I found the ending to be very much of a shock, although i already knew what was going to happen. I find it actually quite cruel that the author did this, i mean, it makes a great ending and proves the point that anything can happen, but still. She just won this case that has taken so long and then, BOOM she is dead? Just like that. I also cannot imagine what it must have been like when he figured out that it was Anna who was in the car once he had gotten to the seen.
In the epilogue i am glad to hear that they did not totally hate Campbell just because he was driving the car when it crashed. I also like how the author tied up many other things so easily, like by mentioning them going to Campbell's wedding, which tells you that him and Julia did, after all, get married. She also mentioned Jesse graduating from the police academy which was a huge shock to me considering he used to light buildings on fire when he got mad. Overall this was a great story of a family that had it really tough and was expecting someone to die, but then the unexpected happened and they lost their other child.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
My Sister's Keeper End of First Chapter
I still think Anna is a selfish girl. She is suing her parents because she is tired of saving her sister from dying of leukemia. On the contrary, I think her parents should pay a little more attention than they are now to Anna. But Anna needs to understand that her parents NEED to pay attention to Kate more. But she doesn't.
New Polls...MSK
You've been doing a wonderful job blogging about summer reading. If you are currently reading--or have finished reading--My Sister's Keeper, consider voting in the two new polls--favorite and least favorite characters.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
My Sister's Keeper
I am about a third into the book and there are many changes that are occurring. Anna had been very confident with leaving her family, taking a medical emancipation, and letting her sister pass. Now she is having mixed emotions and does not know what to do. I can imagine what it's like to be in Anna's position feeling how she feels about her family and her sister. I also never thought about Jesse being the arsonist his dad is looking for before as well.
I predict that Jesse's dad will find out about Jesse being the arsonist and also that Anna will not leave the family and drop the case because of her feelings. I would like to know what is going through the mother's head now. One of her daughters is dieing, the other is trying to leave the family not seeing the consequence's, and her son shows up at the hospital drunk not knowing what this will cause. An important statement that Anna said in the beginning of the story is that she and her family want to live a normal life.
I predict that Jesse's dad will find out about Jesse being the arsonist and also that Anna will not leave the family and drop the case because of her feelings. I would like to know what is going through the mother's head now. One of her daughters is dieing, the other is trying to leave the family not seeing the consequence's, and her son shows up at the hospital drunk not knowing what this will cause. An important statement that Anna said in the beginning of the story is that she and her family want to live a normal life.
my sisters keeeper
I am a third through the book and am already seeing many changes. In the beginning Anna seemed quite confident on leaving her family and letting her sister die. Now she is not sure what to do. This story reminds me of the days when i would have to go to the hospital. Sitting in the waiting room wondering what happened to everybody else. I also never though about Jesse being the arsonist his dad is chasing.
I predict that Jesse's dad will find out about him being the arsonist. I think Anna will not leave the family and dismiss the case. I wonder is going through the moms head now. One of her daughters is dieing, the other is trying to leave the family, and her son arrives at the hospital acting drunk. it would be great if the all got to live a normal life.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
My Sister's Keeper
I am now about half way through this book and it is becoming really interesting. I like how the author draws you in with the Campbell and Julia love from when they were younger thing. it makes you want to know what happened and it makes everything between them more interesting. I can also see Campbell changing a little already and I think it is mostly because of Julia, but also partly because of Anna.
It is also somewhat weird how Anna is suing this family for the right to herself basically but still really wants to be a part of it. Jesse is also a mystery because he is sort of the rebel and just so out there yet he understands everything that is going on in his own sorta way. it is also strange to me that he helps Anna so much, i guess its because he feels they are in the same situation in some way. Overall this book is becoming very interesting!
It is also somewhat weird how Anna is suing this family for the right to herself basically but still really wants to be a part of it. Jesse is also a mystery because he is sort of the rebel and just so out there yet he understands everything that is going on in his own sorta way. it is also strange to me that he helps Anna so much, i guess its because he feels they are in the same situation in some way. Overall this book is becoming very interesting!
Monday, June 21, 2010
My Sisters Keeper
After finishing the book i am impressed with with the way it played out. I decided that i would watch the movie and over all it was as bad as Milo and Otis.(a really bad cat and dog movie with no talking) In the movie they cut the Character Julia who in my opinion is completes Campbell they also got rid of a negative and funny Campbell and replaced him with a positive and trusting Campbell which got rid of some of my interest in the story. They also had things like Anna is only 11 not 13, Jesse never started fires, Sara is nice in the movie, Brain and Anna move to the station in the beginning. My favorite difference was this whole beach scene they added which had nothing to do with the plot. It was very funny in this scene when Brain threatens to get a divorce... Not to meantion that the whole ending of the movie is Night and Day with the ending of the book.
In my opinion by making the movie My Sisters Keeper less people would more than likely want to read the story/ give it a good review. If it did not already know the plot of the story i would probably say it was a bad story line but now being done with the book I know that the people who made the movie just ruended the plot with all there changes and edits to the story.
My Sister's Keeper
I agree totally with Anna and her decison to file for medical emancipation. I don't think her parents (mostly her mother though) should make her give up one of her kidney's. For someone like Anna, who plays sports (hockey) having only one kidney will mean that she cannot do any of those physical activities again.
The mother agrivates me sometimes when I read what she says and does. The only reason she had Anna was to be a donor for Kate. She thinks that Anna is sueing her because she wants the attention, but that is not true at all. She never listens to Anna's side of the story and only thinks about Kate and how this will benefit/hurt her. Look at Jesse for instance. Sara anad Brian are always so caught up with Kate that they never gave him the attention he deserved. At 18, he already drinks, does drugs, and is an arsonist! Sara even has a bad effect on Brian. Brian sometimes doesn't even want to go home and have to face what's going on at his house.
I think that Sara needs to realize that Kate will die, and there is nothing she can do about it. Giving her a new kidney will only put her back into remission for so long. Anna should be able to live her life without always being put into the hospital every time Kate does. I know what will happen because I have already read this book, but from where I am so far, I agree with Jesse when he told Julia he was not his sister's keeper. It's unfortunate that Anna cannot say the same thing.
The mother agrivates me sometimes when I read what she says and does. The only reason she had Anna was to be a donor for Kate. She thinks that Anna is sueing her because she wants the attention, but that is not true at all. She never listens to Anna's side of the story and only thinks about Kate and how this will benefit/hurt her. Look at Jesse for instance. Sara anad Brian are always so caught up with Kate that they never gave him the attention he deserved. At 18, he already drinks, does drugs, and is an arsonist! Sara even has a bad effect on Brian. Brian sometimes doesn't even want to go home and have to face what's going on at his house.
I think that Sara needs to realize that Kate will die, and there is nothing she can do about it. Giving her a new kidney will only put her back into remission for so long. Anna should be able to live her life without always being put into the hospital every time Kate does. I know what will happen because I have already read this book, but from where I am so far, I agree with Jesse when he told Julia he was not his sister's keeper. It's unfortunate that Anna cannot say the same thing.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Chapter 20-End
Finally done with the book. Over all it had an interesting story line. Word of warning. DONT READ ON UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED THE BOOK!!!!
It surprised me when Anna revealed that the law suit was Katie's wishes because she didn't want to be a burden for her family, It was kind of amusing (don't call me a hypocrite) when we were anticipating Katie's death but in the end she survived and Anna died. The exact opposite outcome we expected.
All in all a good read. Would I recommend it?, yes if you enjoyed these type of books but no if you didn't. It is more personalized than most books I've come across (which are manly fantasy).
Looking forward to the Glass Castle and The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
My Sisters Keeper
Over all in the story I find that one of my favorite characters in the story in is Campbell, this is due to his interesting personality and his constant excesses that he gives for his service dog. The excuses range from funny like I am a recovering alcoholic, the dog keeps me away from the beer to the Iron Lung excuse. The Iron Lung almost sounds reasonable but a while back when people could not breath, for whatever reason, they were attached to a big Iron machine that breathed for them . Hence the nickname Iron Lung which only adds to the excuse list.
If you have not read to the part when you find out why he really needs the dog, you find that he makes up the excuses so people will not pity him or look down on him which causes him to make up excuses. I do have to say that what happens in the trail is pretty bad and i get why he would not want to tell anyone what he has.
I also Find it interesting that Jesse said the phrase My Sisters Keeper. In a conversation between the Julia and Jesse he mentions this line MY SISTERS KEEPER. It surprised me because he was referring to himself as Anna's Keeper (i believe) but as i read the story it sounds like Anna is really Kate's keeper which confused me as to why it was Jesse to say the line MY SISTERS KEEPER and it being the titkle of the book . If anyone can help me solve my confusion it would be much a big help! I still have 4 or 5 chapters to go so there is a chance that if my question is answered in the end i will inconter it shorty.
If you have not read to the part when you find out why he really needs the dog, you find that he makes up the excuses so people will not pity him or look down on him which causes him to make up excuses. I do have to say that what happens in the trail is pretty bad and i get why he would not want to tell anyone what he has.
I also Find it interesting that Jesse said the phrase My Sisters Keeper. In a conversation between the Julia and Jesse he mentions this line MY SISTERS KEEPER. It surprised me because he was referring to himself as Anna's Keeper (i believe) but as i read the story it sounds like Anna is really Kate's keeper which confused me as to why it was Jesse to say the line MY SISTERS KEEPER and it being the titkle of the book . If anyone can help me solve my confusion it would be much a big help! I still have 4 or 5 chapters to go so there is a chance that if my question is answered in the end i will inconter it shorty.
Request for help...
Were Amanda Stango and Alexa Guerrera at our meeting yesterday? Everyone else on my co-hort roster has already been made an author on this blog, or their status is pending. If they weren't present at yesterday's meeting, I just need to know so that I can forward them their summer reading assignment. Thanks!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Comments on My Sister's Keeper
I wish they told how Anna died. They say it was a car accident, but I wished they explained it in detail. Like if Campbell had a seizure and wasn't able to pull over or if the heavy rain caused them to not see the oncoming car. I feel like they rushed an important part of the book.
My Sister's Keeper
I finished this book today, the ending was a complete shock to me!
(if you don't want the ending spoiled don't read this...)
I was really happy for Anna that she won her case. I think that Campbell was a really good attorney and represented her well. He brought up some very good points as to why Anna's donations were unjust. The one that stood out to me the most was when he pointed out to Anna's mom about the burning building. He compared Anna's case to that, stating if a house was on fire and one of your children was in it and your other child was the only one that knew the path to take to find her would you sacrifice her and send her in the building? He reasoned that the risks were high you could lose both of them, you could save both of them, or one could be injured/dead while the other survives. He pointed out that risking Anna could take its toll one day and that the luck of them both surviving everytime would eventually wear thin.
I was really shocked to hear that Kate wanted to die in the first place. I understand the pain she is in with all the treatments, chemo, and transfusions but she held on for 16 years and why waste 16 years of struggle. I was shocked to find out that the reason Anna filed medical emancipation was for her sister and not just her own attention wanting, selfish ways. I thought this myself and was pleased to find out Anna wasn't being self-centered but doing it so her sister wouldn't have to go through all the suffering.
All though these terms of events were shocking nothing could compare to the shock I received at the ending.
The entire book I though Kate was going to die because Anna's lawsuit would pass for the medical emancipation. But when I read that Anna had died during a car accident, I was simply baffled. I took note at this ingenious writing skill. Turning the table of the plot when the reader expects it the least. Anyway, the epilogue was really nice. It showed how Kate survived when the transferred Anna liver to Kate since Anna didn't need it since she was dead, and she was living a happy life.
It would have been a different world if Anna never filed a lawsuit and just donating her liver to Kate. They probably would have both survived and live happily ever after. I respect the author for mixing it up and not giving the story a cheesy, predictable 'happily ever after' ending that everyone expects.
Even though I wish Anna did survive, the storyline and suspense of this book kept me on my toes. I would recommend it to anyone!
(if you don't want the ending spoiled don't read this...)
I was really happy for Anna that she won her case. I think that Campbell was a really good attorney and represented her well. He brought up some very good points as to why Anna's donations were unjust. The one that stood out to me the most was when he pointed out to Anna's mom about the burning building. He compared Anna's case to that, stating if a house was on fire and one of your children was in it and your other child was the only one that knew the path to take to find her would you sacrifice her and send her in the building? He reasoned that the risks were high you could lose both of them, you could save both of them, or one could be injured/dead while the other survives. He pointed out that risking Anna could take its toll one day and that the luck of them both surviving everytime would eventually wear thin.
I was really shocked to hear that Kate wanted to die in the first place. I understand the pain she is in with all the treatments, chemo, and transfusions but she held on for 16 years and why waste 16 years of struggle. I was shocked to find out that the reason Anna filed medical emancipation was for her sister and not just her own attention wanting, selfish ways. I thought this myself and was pleased to find out Anna wasn't being self-centered but doing it so her sister wouldn't have to go through all the suffering.
All though these terms of events were shocking nothing could compare to the shock I received at the ending.
The entire book I though Kate was going to die because Anna's lawsuit would pass for the medical emancipation. But when I read that Anna had died during a car accident, I was simply baffled. I took note at this ingenious writing skill. Turning the table of the plot when the reader expects it the least. Anyway, the epilogue was really nice. It showed how Kate survived when the transferred Anna liver to Kate since Anna didn't need it since she was dead, and she was living a happy life.
It would have been a different world if Anna never filed a lawsuit and just donating her liver to Kate. They probably would have both survived and live happily ever after. I respect the author for mixing it up and not giving the story a cheesy, predictable 'happily ever after' ending that everyone expects.
Even though I wish Anna did survive, the storyline and suspense of this book kept me on my toes. I would recommend it to anyone!
I just realized that...
...in My Sister's Keeper, it is undeterminable as to why Campbell Alexander has his 'service dog'. He gives everyone a different answer, so I find it hard to believe that he actually has an iron lung. After all, what inclines Anna to a truthful answer, as opposed to everyone else. The significance of this thought, I do not know yet. I hope to find out this as I read on.
I've read the first 19 chapters. it has an interesting plot that happens to make you wonder what's next. The fact that they keep switching views gives you a nice perspective on the story. my favorite character, Jesse. He's down to earth and knows how to get things done. He is a "slight" trouble maker but that gives the story an interesting spin. Im surprised at how selfish the mother is. She expects her daughter to give up an arm and a leg (literally) to save her sister when it could mean she (Anna) could die.
My Sister's Keeper (pgs.223-283)
The more of this book that I read the more I dislike the mother. She is giving Anna a choice but a choice that has guilt written all over it. It's one of those questions where the mother already knows that the answer is going to be yes and Anna can't really say anything to contradict it because if her sister dies it would be Anna's fault. On page 231, Anna asked her mom if she has to go through the bone marrow transfusion her mother's response is this:"You don't have to do this if you don't want to, but I know that Kate is counting on you. And Daddy and me too." For Anna to say that she changed her mind and didn't want to do the transfusion was basically signing her sister's death slip.
Also on page 245 Jesse (the brother) expresses his feelings of getting the short end of the stick. In this part of the story Jesse is promised to go skateboarding but when Kate gets a nosebleed all hopes for this is lost. So he asks his dad when they were going, but his dad doesn't answer he just looks at Jesse as if he wasn't there. This leaves Jesse wondering if they really pay attention to him at all. This is probably one of the things that caused him to move to the attic of the garage.
As I predicted in my last post, Anna dad is going on Anna side in the lawsuit. On page 259 Anna's dad is saying to the mom that he would be speaking on Anna's behalf. I think it's good for Anna to have at least one family member on her side.
Lastly the dependence on Anna as a donor has become the one and only resort. On page 268, it reads that Anna is accepted into Hockey camp in Minneapolis. But due to Kate's cancer and need for an urgent donor at a time of need, Anna is unable to go. I understand that Anna is needed to keep Kate alive, Anna should be able to have a life as well, make friends and do extracurriculars. It seems to me that Kate's condition is preventing Anna from being a kid.
Also on page 245 Jesse (the brother) expresses his feelings of getting the short end of the stick. In this part of the story Jesse is promised to go skateboarding but when Kate gets a nosebleed all hopes for this is lost. So he asks his dad when they were going, but his dad doesn't answer he just looks at Jesse as if he wasn't there. This leaves Jesse wondering if they really pay attention to him at all. This is probably one of the things that caused him to move to the attic of the garage.
As I predicted in my last post, Anna dad is going on Anna side in the lawsuit. On page 259 Anna's dad is saying to the mom that he would be speaking on Anna's behalf. I think it's good for Anna to have at least one family member on her side.
Lastly the dependence on Anna as a donor has become the one and only resort. On page 268, it reads that Anna is accepted into Hockey camp in Minneapolis. But due to Kate's cancer and need for an urgent donor at a time of need, Anna is unable to go. I understand that Anna is needed to keep Kate alive, Anna should be able to have a life as well, make friends and do extracurriculars. It seems to me that Kate's condition is preventing Anna from being a kid.
My Sister's Keeper
I haven't read even the whole first page of My Sister's Keeper but I am super excited. I've been getting mixed reviews. Some said it was terrible and they couldn't even finish it, but others said it was touching and was amazing to read. Especially the end.
I'm assuming I'll like this book. At least I hope I will. The whole idea of a person who has so many medical issues and can't depend on themselves is really sad but probably makes for a great storyline. I have always thought that everyone can be independent but I guess I was wrong.
I'm assuming I'll like this book. At least I hope I will. The whole idea of a person who has so many medical issues and can't depend on themselves is really sad but probably makes for a great storyline. I have always thought that everyone can be independent but I guess I was wrong.
My Sister's Keeper
I have started this book but i am only a couple of chapters into it.
I cannot imagine being born for the sole reason of saving my sister by giving her bone marrow. I also cannot imagine having to live like Anna does. I mean a few times maybe but having to go through this painful procedure so many times just to keep her sister alive, it must be awful. Even with this in mind I still don't think I would be able to make the decision to basically let my sister die because of it. She is suing for her own body, so she will probably win because you can't force someone to give up their own organs. However, when she wins she will no longer provide for her sister and the next time she gets sick she will probably die.
I cannot imagine being born for the sole reason of saving my sister by giving her bone marrow. I also cannot imagine having to live like Anna does. I mean a few times maybe but having to go through this painful procedure so many times just to keep her sister alive, it must be awful. Even with this in mind I still don't think I would be able to make the decision to basically let my sister die because of it. She is suing for her own body, so she will probably win because you can't force someone to give up their own organs. However, when she wins she will no longer provide for her sister and the next time she gets sick she will probably die.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
My Sister's Keeper
I started this book today when I got home. I am half way done with it.
It doesn't make sense that Anna is being forced to be a donor for Kate. No one had asked her if she wanted to be a donor. Her mom just assumed it since she had the ideal organs and blood for the job. It is also wrong to just have Anna to save Kate's life. The parents didn't have another kid for the sake of having another kid, they didn't to save the kid they were losing. What happens if Kate dies? I predict Anna would be labeled the girl whose organs didn't save her sister.
I can't imagine what this whole ordeal is to Anna. She probably feels really left out. Only paid attention to when the time was urgent. If this ever happen to me I might file a lawsuit as well. Anna has full right to be in control of what she donates to her sister.
In the book, Anna was reading a pamphlet about kidney transfers. When she started to read about the side affects of having this transfer. She was right in saying that when someone goes through getting a cavity drilled or a wart removed it's themselves that have a positive affect on it in the long run. But this kidney transfer isn't going to help Anna in the long run it's going to benifit only Kate.
To me it seems that the mom doesn't understand the predicament Anna seems to be in. She is just so driven to save her first daughter that she is neglecting the care of her other daughter. She never asked Anna her opinion or position in this, she just assumed that Anna would be the donor since she was made especially for this job. I think that the father is the one who truly understands what Anna is facing. I predict that the father will suppport Anna's decision in the lawsuit.
I am really excited to finish the rest of this book!
It doesn't make sense that Anna is being forced to be a donor for Kate. No one had asked her if she wanted to be a donor. Her mom just assumed it since she had the ideal organs and blood for the job. It is also wrong to just have Anna to save Kate's life. The parents didn't have another kid for the sake of having another kid, they didn't to save the kid they were losing. What happens if Kate dies? I predict Anna would be labeled the girl whose organs didn't save her sister.
I can't imagine what this whole ordeal is to Anna. She probably feels really left out. Only paid attention to when the time was urgent. If this ever happen to me I might file a lawsuit as well. Anna has full right to be in control of what she donates to her sister.
In the book, Anna was reading a pamphlet about kidney transfers. When she started to read about the side affects of having this transfer. She was right in saying that when someone goes through getting a cavity drilled or a wart removed it's themselves that have a positive affect on it in the long run. But this kidney transfer isn't going to help Anna in the long run it's going to benifit only Kate.
To me it seems that the mom doesn't understand the predicament Anna seems to be in. She is just so driven to save her first daughter that she is neglecting the care of her other daughter. She never asked Anna her opinion or position in this, she just assumed that Anna would be the donor since she was made especially for this job. I think that the father is the one who truly understands what Anna is facing. I predict that the father will suppport Anna's decision in the lawsuit.
I am really excited to finish the rest of this book!
My Sister's Keeper, Chapters "Anna" through "Brian".
My response to the chapters I have read so far was as follows: I couldn't believe that this book is so addicting (metaphorically speaking, of course). It drew me in, and it is a very intriguing story.
I truly can not even begin to fathom how one in Anna's position can feel. I know that I, if put in her position of being specially created to keep my sibling alive, would have extreme trouble accepting the fact that I may be nothing more than the medicine for my sister.
I can understand the circumstances that led Anna to feel that she must press charges against her parents. It makes sense to me, because from birth, they have used her body, her blood, and her life to help her sister, all without her consent. Now, they want to go a step further and remove one of her kidneys, even though it is functioning fine. It depresses me that her parents have done this, but I see the other side as well, and it appalls me that Anna has been hinting that she wants to kill her sister.
When I imagine this story in my head, I imagine a desolate, depressed girl, not much older than myself, who looks sick, although she is not. I imagine her in the hospital because her sister is sick. The hospital I see looks similar to the one in the TV show "House" ;P The doctors I imagine seem to know this family, as they have been working with these characters for practically their entire lives.
I was relieved when I found out that Anna's father notices her isolation. This makes the following quote from page 40 important to me.
EDIT: I revoke my statement about Anna wanting to kill her sister, after reading further into the book. It appears that Anna very much loves her sister.
Book: My Sister's Keeper
I truly can not even begin to fathom how one in Anna's position can feel. I know that I, if put in her position of being specially created to keep my sibling alive, would have extreme trouble accepting the fact that I may be nothing more than the medicine for my sister.
I can understand the circumstances that led Anna to feel that she must press charges against her parents. It makes sense to me, because from birth, they have used her body, her blood, and her life to help her sister, all without her consent. Now, they want to go a step further and remove one of her kidneys, even though it is functioning fine. It depresses me that her parents have done this, but I see the other side as well, and it appalls me that Anna has been hinting that she wants to kill her sister.
When I imagine this story in my head, I imagine a desolate, depressed girl, not much older than myself, who looks sick, although she is not. I imagine her in the hospital because her sister is sick. The hospital I see looks similar to the one in the TV show "House" ;P The doctors I imagine seem to know this family, as they have been working with these characters for practically their entire lives.
I was relieved when I found out that Anna's father notices her isolation. This makes the following quote from page 40 important to me.
"This is when I realize that Anna has already left the table, and more importantly, that nobody noticed."I predict that the father, Brian, will be the first to realize the mistreatment that led to the isolation of Anna. Furthermore, I look forward to reading more of the book.
EDIT: I revoke my statement about Anna wanting to kill her sister, after reading further into the book. It appears that Anna very much loves her sister.
Book: My Sister's Keeper
Post Number: 1
By: Drake Allegrini
Those Who know me well know that...
i love nascar, also i play golf all the time and that i play xbox
Those Who Know Me Well know That...
... I am probably the world's biggest NASCAR fan, I play golf almost every single day of the summer and that I love to play X-Box 360.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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