4 Questions
1. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?
A: what was unique about the setting was that it took place in Kenya, Africa. Eric Walters went into great detail when describing it. it enhanced the story beacuse i've never read a book that took place in Africa and it was neat to "see" the new lanscape and how the elephants just walk right by you. i thought it was interesting how he wrote it while he was actually there, almost putting himself in the place of Alexandria. the story was really enhanced with all the detail Walters went into, i think him being there and experiencing it really made a huge difference compared to someone who just researched a place. Eric Walters brought the setting to life. he even has footage of the scenery he describes in the book.
2. How do Characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
A: Alexandria Hyatt is the main character and she changes so much throughout the course of the book. she grows emotionally, and mentally. she transforms into a whole new person by the end. it's incredable to see her do such a 360. Alexandria becomes nicer and kinder. she is friendlier, a harder worker, and generous. instead of looking down on people, she now tries to help raise them up. the events that trigger Alexandria's drastic transformation would start with her tour of the classes of children that they're building the school for. when she see's such poverty yet smiles, Alexandria is stricken. the next thing that helped transform Alexandria would be one very special teenage girl. Ruth. Ruth would eat lunch with Alexandria almost every day. Ruth taught Alexandria the culture and customs of the people in Kenya. Also i believe Renee had a part in Alexandria's transformation. all those smug smiles egged Alexandria enough to push her into proving she can do what everyone else is doing. and finnally the moment that changed Alexandria's life forever, and made her a hero....well you'll have to read the book to find out about that one. but it did help in the final process of Alexandria's transformation, as well as show us how much she has changed.
3. did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? if so, why did you feel that way? did this lead to a new understanding or awareness?
A: when Alexandria was witnessing first hand the diffence between her lifestyle and that of the people in Kenya, i was felling like Alexandria. also again when Ruth brought Alexandria back to her village for dinner. but in reading this it appeard that the kids were smiling and happy. that this is life to them. they don't know of anything richer or great. they're just having fun and enjoying the life they're given. it made me realize not to think of them as having lesser in possesion but have a greater understanding in life and how they enjoy it with the little things they have.
4. How is this book uniquely Canadian and how might it speak differently to Canadians than people in other countries? And/Or how does this book not depend on nationality?
A: this book does not depend on nationality because anyone anywhere can volunteer to do charity work anywhere in the world. there are a lot of organizations do charity work internationally, and a lot of places needing charity work and help. i don't neccessarily think this book would speak more to one country than to another, other than some coiuntries being more equippepd to help out in other countries, and some countries not having the means to help others, and then there are the countries that need the help. this book applies to anyine anywhere, and is a great message and motivator for everyone. though it's reader base is more for teenage girls, it's message can be translated into the right way fro the right reader.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Part 2
About the Book
this book is a great insparation for teens to get out and do charity work! it promotes it in a really good way, it also talks about the culture and customs of the people of Kenya, and i think it's important for people to learn these things. this book is a good read for teens especially, and if you know anyone like Alexandria, suggest they read it, it might just be the wakeup call they need! this book shows how people form all over can get together and do something wonderful for those who need it. it tlaks about in the book how Alexandria was without hot water, cell phone reception, family and friends. well newsflash! there's a lot of people out there who don't have ANY of those EVER in their lives! this book hopfully inspires many others to go out, forget about those "sprinkles on the ice cream" and do something to make a differnece! even if it's locally. Eric Walters does a fantastic job in this book with Alexandria's transformation. He actually wrote most of this book while he and his son were doing charity work with Free the Children.
About the Writer
- http://www.ericwalters.net/
- In the book Alexandria of Africa Alexandria gets into some trouble with the law and instead of going to juvenile Detention, she opts to do some charity work in Africa; which to her seems like a vacation.
- A little about Alexandria Hyatt: she is a very spoiled, very rich teenage girl who doesn’t really have a lot of respect for those around her. She has always gotten what she wants, and usually she can scheme her way out of trouble.
- When Alexandria arrives in Africa she realised that this “vacation” isn’t as she expected. She’s over 7,000 miles away from home, with no hot water, no cell phone reception, and no friends or family.
- Alexandria is confronted with a land as unfamiliar as it is unsettling.
- As she flaunts her popularity and fine designer clothes, Alexandria realises that none of these people seem to care about popularity or what she looks like.
- She also realizes that she’s the only one being forced to be there.
- But Alexandria’s perspective starts to turn when Renée, the group leader, shows her the classes of children they’re building the school for.
- Alexandria is stricken by the poverty and poorness of the children.
- One girl in particular, Ruth, who is around Alexandria’s age, befriends her.
- Ruth shows Alexandria the culture and customs of the people in Kenya.
- Throughout this journey we see Alexandria grow and transform into someone caring and kind. She now works hard on building the school instead of working hard on her looks.
- When she returns home her parents are shocked at how different she is.
So What?this book is a great insparation for teens to get out and do charity work! it promotes it in a really good way, it also talks about the culture and customs of the people of Kenya, and i think it's important for people to learn these things. this book is a good read for teens especially, and if you know anyone like Alexandria, suggest they read it, it might just be the wakeup call they need! this book shows how people form all over can get together and do something wonderful for those who need it. it tlaks about in the book how Alexandria was without hot water, cell phone reception, family and friends. well newsflash! there's a lot of people out there who don't have ANY of those EVER in their lives! this book hopfully inspires many others to go out, forget about those "sprinkles on the ice cream" and do something to make a differnece! even if it's locally. Eric Walters does a fantastic job in this book with Alexandria's transformation. He actually wrote most of this book while he and his son were doing charity work with Free the Children.
About the Writer
- Eric Walters was born in Toronto in 1957
- Eric is currently living in Mississauga, Ontario with his wife and 3 kids.
- In 1993 Eric Walters was a grade 5 teacher, with a class of reluctant readers and writers. This is what got Eric started on writing.
- His first novel, Stand Your Ground was created for his class.
- Since this first novel Eric has literally exploded on the children's young adult literature scene. Over the following years he has published sixty more novels with more scheduled for the coming years.
- Eric’s novels have won more than 80 awards including Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow, Ruth Schwartz, and 11 separate children’s choice awards.
- Eric has moved beyond merely writing for children. He has presented to over 1 million - 400 thousand children across the country.
- His presentations blend drama, storytelling, audience participation and interaction.
- The book Alexandria of Africa is partially based on Eric’s trip to Africa.
Helpful Links & Sites Consulted- http://www.ericwalters.net/
Part 1
Mikayla Fast
ENG 3U1
Mrs. Speck
Monday, June 13th, 2011
this is a blog for english class for our ISU. It is to be done on a Canadian novel that I read over the course of the semester.
I chose the book Alexandria of Africa by Eric Walters. in the book Alexandria is a spoiled, rich teenage girl (the Paris Hilton type), who has no respect for others and shop lifts for fun. the judge gave her two options: juvinile detention, or charity work in Africa. she chose to do the charity work. so prissy Alexandria sets off for Kenya, Africa in her designer Gucci clothes with her Prada handbag into the unknow, unsettling African landscape. will this finally teach Alexandria her lesson? or will she get a bad report and sent to juvinile detention? read the book to find out!
so a super quick bit about Eric Walters: he was born in Toronto, Ontario Canada in 1957. it was the grade 5 class that he was teaching at the time that got him into writing. and he has won more than 80 awards!
ENG 3U1
Mrs. Speck
Monday, June 13th, 2011
this is a blog for english class for our ISU. It is to be done on a Canadian novel that I read over the course of the semester.
I chose the book Alexandria of Africa by Eric Walters. in the book Alexandria is a spoiled, rich teenage girl (the Paris Hilton type), who has no respect for others and shop lifts for fun. the judge gave her two options: juvinile detention, or charity work in Africa. she chose to do the charity work. so prissy Alexandria sets off for Kenya, Africa in her designer Gucci clothes with her Prada handbag into the unknow, unsettling African landscape. will this finally teach Alexandria her lesson? or will she get a bad report and sent to juvinile detention? read the book to find out!
so a super quick bit about Eric Walters: he was born in Toronto, Ontario Canada in 1957. it was the grade 5 class that he was teaching at the time that got him into writing. and he has won more than 80 awards!
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