Missing May

The Savior- SBC

"Summer," he said to me once, "drop some of them bricks you keep hauling around with you. Life just ain't that heavy." Cletus comes across to me as the kind of character that would definately say something like this. I get the impression that he's a free spirit willing to say what needs to be said when it needs to be said. This passage is a crystal clear example of that.

Cletus- SBC

Chapter three introduces us to this kid by the name of Cletus. As I begin to read this chapter I start to wonder what kind of role he is going to play in this story. Summer sure doesn't seem all that interested in him or what he has got to say. Ob on the other hand seems to have nothing to lose when it comes to holding a discussion with Cletus. What role do you believe Cletus will end up playing in this book? Will he be the one who pushes Summer past her last nerve or will he be the one to help Ob heal his broken heart?  

Whirligigs? - AN

What do you think the significance of the whirligigs are in the story? What do you think the significance of the whirligigs are to Ob?  Predict whether or not they will be mentioned again in the story and in what way.  Do they have any significance at all?

The Whirligigs - AN

(Discussion Director)

What do you think the significance of the whirligigs are in the story? What do you think the significance of the whirligigs are to Ob?  Predict whether or not they will be mentioned again in the story and in what way.  Do they have any significance at all?

May's Presence

I found it very interesting what Ob said after his vision of May (pg. 13). Summer asked what Ob felt like. She was asking for a physical feeling as in light or airy. Ob's response was that she felt like she did when she was going to Ohio. That part of her wanted to go to Ohio and part of her wanted to stay. This statement is so powerful! It means that part of May really wanted to stay and be with her family, but the other part of her wanted to be in her spiritual life. I think it is amazing that Ob could feel that feeling in May at that moment. Amazing!

Ghosts vs. Angels- SBC

When I began reading about Ob's "revelation" I quickly connected to this story. "May was right here wih us, just now. I swear to God. I felt her, Summer, all up and down me like I'd just poured her in a glass and drunk her" was the passage that gave me chill bumps. It is obviously easy for a reader to connect to a story being read when they've been in that same situation themselves. I myself have experienced the presents of a dead friend. Summer tells us that she believes in ghosts but "maybe angels would be a better word for them." I beg to differ. When I hear someone talk about ghosts, I think of transparent human being figures that stand in the shadows of a corner in a room to scare you. I don't believe in ghosts. I most definately believe in angels and spirits. Ob didn't say that he saw May, he simply said that he felt her. I've never seen my dear friend since before his death, but I feel him around me quite often. It's kind of ironic that even death can't keep those we love apart from us!

Summer in Wonderland

I loved the passage in the book "I stood there before those shelves, watching these wonders begin to spin as May turned on the fans overhead, and I felt like a magical little girl, a chosen little girl, like Alice who has fallen into Wonderland. This feeling has yet to leave me yet (pg.7)".

This passage made me think that Summer felt like Alice in Wonderland because she was surrounded by wonderful things to look at (whirligigs). I also felt that Summer was accepted and wanted when she said she felt like a chosen girl. She was tossed around from home to home prior to coming to May & Ob's and she feels that she is where she is because they want her there.

The Journey of Summer in Chapter 1

After the death of Summer's mother, Summer stays with several aunts and uncles who do not want to take care of her for a long time. Finally, Aunt May and Uncle Ob take Summer in and love her dearly. She is welcomed with open arms. Summer refers to this when Aunt May opens the refrigerator and cabinets and welcomes her to eat all the food. Summer then says her other aunts and uncles were particular about their food. (pg7)

Weekly Reading Schedule

Here is a tentative reading schedule for our book. Let us(Shanna and Anna)know what you think...

Week One- Chapters 1 and 2
Week Two- Chapter 3
Week Three- Chapters 4 and 5
Week Four- Chapter 6
Week Five- Chapters 7 and 8
Week Six- Chapter 9 and 10
Week Seven- Chapters 11 and 12

Missing May (Prediction)-SBC

Before even beginning to read this children's novel I predict that it will be about a missing woman by the name of May. There is an illustratoin on the front cover of the book which includes an old man, a young boy, and a young female. I'm not sure yet who these characters are but connecting the title to the illustration I think that maybe the young girl is May. Although all three of these characters are looking up at the sky. This makes me think that perhaps May isn't the young girl after all. Maybe May isn't even alive!