Chapter 16

"Even though Abba and Aisha are proud of what I did, they can't seem to be happy. They've both withdrawn into the same dark, brooding room. No light ever seems to get in. I think it's because the two of them hoped so hard ; when things started going wrong for us they broke inside." page 143


I chose this quote because it made me think about the last sentence in the previous chapter. Nadira couldn't wait to tell Aisha of what she did, and now, suddenly, Aisha is happy? I thought she would either cheer up or get upset/angry that she didn't include her. But Aisha doesn't even seem happy because she's still acting the same as before. I also think that Abba watching Aisha be upset, also makes him upset. I think it would be different if everyone, as in Ma, Aisha, and Nadira, were all happy or at least seemed happy. Then they would cheer Abba up. I see it as like a 2 vs. 2. Ma and Nadira are against Abba and Aisha. Both pairs complete opposite of each other.

Chapter 10

" 'Please, miss,' she begins. 'I understand that you're just doing your job. But there is a larger issue here. My uncle being held like this, it's a violation of the civil liberties-'

'Honey, your uncle don't even have his paper right. What kind of liberties you think he has?' " page 85

I thought that that lady was very mean. I think that the reason why most people come to this country, is because they think they'll have a better life here. It must be tough though, because they have to go through all the paper work, and sometimes don't even get that far because they get thrown to jail. Other times, they're afraid to fix their paper stuff because they waited too long, and their current paper stuff is no longer valid. I think that this whole situation in which ALL of Nadiras' family is in is very sad. They want to stay in this country to live a better life, but those immigration officers make it so difficult for them.

Chapter 9

"All through social studies class I keep having this weird vision of a police officer showing up at school. I see his visor tipping down as he pushes through the door. He and Mr.Laird huddle together, and their eyes comb me over. The other kids are snickering, laughing, and my neck grows sticky with sweat as they pull me away from everything I know." page 68.

I thought those few sentences were shocking. Nadira is a very quiet girl, and to me, it doesn't really seem like she could even think that. She seems positive sometimes, but at other times, she thinks negative. When she thinks negative thoughts, they seem so strong. As if it may or can happen, but I jsut don't want it to. I wonder: Why doesn't Nadira talk about her feelings with other people? That seems to always help me.