Blog Response #3
Stotan!, Chinese Handcuffs, Running Loose, and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes all involve intense topics that add to the plot. Talk about the point in which you became hooked into your book. What did Chris Crutcher do to hook you? Describe any moment or moments in the book where you didn't want to put the book down. What will you always remember about this book?
In the book, Chinese Handcuffs, the part that really caught my attention and made me never want to the book down was when Jen started revealing everything that has been going on in her family. Her family has been going through a lot throughout the years. Another part that really had my attention is when Dillion was driving and he looked in his rear-view mirror and saw all the Harleys. They told him to pull into an alleyway so he did eventually and they had him trapped in so he decided to run on foot. The part I will remember about the book Chinese handcuffs will be the biker gang chasing Dillion.
ReplyDeleteI also thought the part where Jen started telling about her family was interesting
DeleteYeah i also agree that was a good part in the book, it was a little different but it was still a good part.
DeleteIn the book Chinese Handcuffs I felt like I was very hooked and couldn't put the book down. It got really interesting when Dillon came to Jens basketball game. She took off running during the came so Dillon decided to follow because he knew something was up. Jen was trying to hurt herself but luckily Dillon saved her from doing that even though he hurt himself, it was worth it. Jen was very upset when she found out that her mother was having a baby. She had a feeling that TB would do the same to him/her. Crutcher uses really great description which makes the book so great. I will always remember all of the big details he used, like how Jen felt after her Dad abusing her.
ReplyDeleteDillon seems like a very nice person, that is a team player. Although Jen seems a bit selfish. Your book sounds very interesting and I look forward to reading more of your blogs about the book.
DeleteI agree with you that that part will always stick out. Dillon knew something was not right with Jen, so he did the right thing by chasing after her. Dillon is a very genuine person and is always looking out for the best for everyone else.
DeleteI agree with you, I couldn't stop reading after that. Dillon running after her showed that he cares about her.
DeleteI totally agree with you. I could't put the book down after Jennifer ran away from the basketball game and Dillon followed her. I am on the last chapter now and I can't wait to finish the book. I also remember all of the details Chris Crutcher used in "Chinese Handcuffs", I thought he did a great job describing the story.
DeleteJen and Dillon sound like different people. Dillon sounds caring about himself and others and Jen doesn't really think about herself in this situation. Sounds like a great book!
DeleteI agree with all the comments above, Dillion definitely knew something was up but I feel like he didn't want to say anything to make Jen upset.
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs the part that hooked me was when they showed how Preston killed himself and some of the reasons why, what he did to hook me was build suspense by having Preston and Dillon go shooting because at the beginning of the book you learn the he shot himself but you didn't know when, so when they went shooting you put two and two together, the suspense was also built up by having Preston put the gun too his head then back down and back to his head multiple times. that part in the book made me not want to put the book down because i wanted to find out what happened next and if Preston would actually do it right then and there.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was a good part of the book too because he never really said why Preston did it just that he did. They added in little things why but they never fully said what was wrong until the very end.
DeleteI also thought the chapter when Preston commits suicide was really interesting to read. It was definitely one of the best chapters in the book. I feel like this chapter helped me to understand the book a lot better. But it took me a bit longer to get hooked on the book, I couldn't put the book down after the point where Jennifer ran away from the basketball game and Dillon followed her and saved her from committing suicide.
DeleteI also thought that was an interesting part of the book. Nobody can really understand why Preston did commit suicide. Not even his family members can understand it.
DeleteChris Crutcher hooked me into the book when Sarah finally admits that the pot of spaghetti was not what burned her, but that her father did. Sarah explained that when she was younger, her parents were fighting extremely bad. Sarah explained that her dad was trying to kill her mom, so she had to help her mom. Sarah kicked him and he let her mom go, but grabbed her instead. Suddenly, her dad looked at her mom and said "Your pretty baby", and pulled her toward the fire. Sarah flinched and tried to cover her face with her hands, but it was too late. Then about a chapter later, Eric gets a letter from Sarah about everything she has been going though, and what her other friends in the psych ward experienced. When I read this part of the book I did not want to put the book down. I will always remember the important message that this book has taught me.
ReplyDeleteI would not want to put the book down either, it sounds very suspenseful and like a lot of drama is involved.
DeleteI loved this part of the book. I don't think I could of gotten any better then this, a lot of suspense was going on in these couple chapters of the book where it was hard to put the book down. I'm glad with my choice of reading this book because I really enjoyed it!
DeleteThe author got me hooked to the book almost right away in the beginning of the book with the scene and killing the cat. Having them boys killing the cat really caught my attention in this book. Some books you may not see those cruel scenes such as killing pets, but Chris Crutcher wasn't afraid to show or talk about this scene is what got me hooked on this book. There was certain parts in the book where i didn't want to read the book or where i didn't want to put the book down. I will always remember the first scene with cat and the neighbors.
ReplyDeletethe part where they killed the cat was also the most rememberalbe part for me too Jacob keep up the reading
DeleteI also think that that the part that they killed the cat was a very memorable part of the book
DeleteIn Running Loose, I got hooked when Coach Lednecky ordered the hit on Salmon River's quarterback, Washington. Washington was the only threat that Salmon River had to beat Trout, so early in the week during practice Coach Lednecky put a hit on to take him out of the game, no matter what had to be done. Once the hit was done, and Louie freaked out on the Ref, I couldn't put the book down until I figured out what was going to happen with Louie
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way, it truly got good once that moment went down.
DeleteI was also pulled in at that part, because I did not actually think that they were going to take Washington out. I got kinda mad when they just let it happen and did not call anything on Boomer. Which is why they should not let people from that town ref home games, because they are going to be in favor of the home team with calls.
DeleteI agree that part of the book made me want to keep going. When I read that i wanted to know if he would go through with the plan or not.
DeleteI was also pulled in at that part as well. I did not know Boomer was going to do that for sure and when he did and Louie got all mad it was very interesting. Louie was just sticking up for what he believed in even though everyone was against him and I thought that was really cool that he did that.
DeleteThe part in Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes when Eric and Ellerby decided to go to Dale's house and talk to him. I was just shocked that they went to his house because they weren't the best of friends in high school. When Dale mentioned scar face and that it was her father who caused her to look like that triggered me, because I wanted to figure out what actually was the true story behind Sarah having all these scars. I will always remember Dale calling Eric fat boy, and Eric scar face because that's what he called them every time he saw them.
ReplyDeleteI also was shocked that Eric and Ellerby went to Dales house, I was suprised they had the guts to go there. I was also triggered when Dale said it was her dad's fault for her scar face. Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes is getting better and better.
DeleteThat sounds interesting to figure out why Sarah has all those scars and what the story behind them are. Also the nicknames sound interesting and there must be something more behind them. It sounds like a very good story with a lot of things that are about to come up.
DeleteI am reading Chinese Handcuffs and I am almost finished with the book. I am on the last chapter now and to be honest, it took me a while to get hooked on this book. I felt like the first few chapters were pretty confusing because of the jumping around between different characters, the past and the present. But I finally got to the point where I couldn't put the book down. Chapter 13 in the book made me keep reading through the book. The moment when Jennifer left the gym and ran towards the bridge I was hooked. The hole chapter was so thrilling, secrets got uncovered and the book finally reached the turning point. I think Chris Crutcher did a great job writing chapter 13 because he put so many dramatic elements in it, that I never would have guessed would happen.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a couple things I will always remember about "Chinese Handcuffs". First off all the kind of confusing set up of the book: the letters, the jumping in between characters, past and present. But now that I am almost finished with reading I can say it will all make sense in the end. All of the different stories and characters help you understand the motives for the protagonists' actions. I will also definitely remember the turning point, that got me hooked on the book.
that book sounds very interesting might have to read that book
DeleteChris Crutcher got me hooked when Dillion and Preston trapped Charlie the cat in the garage and killed him and buried him. Then how it kept doing the letters to Preston then how he waited till it was it was in the correct time but gave details in the flashbacks. The thing i will remember is when they killed the cat and when they were shooting cans at the cemetery before Preston killed himself.
ReplyDeleteWow Garrett that sounds funny how you got hooked to the book when they killed a cat. I would get hooked to if the book shot firearms and killed animals.
DeleteI agree with you about always remembering the part when they killed the cat. I thought it was pretty funny. good job!
DeleteI also thought that the cat killing really caught my attention. Finish the book.
Deletethat sounds very interesting. i think i might give that book a read.
DeleteIn the book Chinese Handcuffs. I became hooked to my book was when Jen started running out of the gym and Dillon thought for second why she was running but he thought there was no time to think so he ran off after her. I didn't want to put the book down when Dillon started chasing after her down the streets trying to catch up to her because then he knew something was up with her. I will always remember the time that Jen climbed the water tower and Dillon was climbing up after her, he knew she was going to commit suicide so he did all he could do to was try to stop her. Jen tried to jump but Dillon caught her and talked her out of it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that that was a very intense part in the book and it made me want to keep reading it. It is a very good thing that Dillon ran after Jen and was able to stop her from hurting herself.
DeleteI also agree with you. The book became very interesting at that part and I didn't want to put it down. I was worried was Jen was going to do to herself. I am so happy that Dillon caught her in time.
DeleteI also agree with you i didnt know what was going to happen i wanted to just keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I am glad dillion saved her because the book would be completely different if she would have died.
DeleteThat part must be a huge attention-getter from what I've herd. I'm sure, from that point, I would not want to stop reading Chinese Handcuffs.
DeleteIn the book Running Loose, I became hooked when Louis was screaming at the Ref to call a penalty on Boomer for a cheap shot. Then I saw coach Lednecky came up to Louis and said get out of this field and sit in the locker room. I was so into the book wondering was going to happen next to Louis and if he was going to play football. How Becky was killed in a car crash and what Louis is going to do without her.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good part i really liked that he stuck up for Washington
Deletethat part of the book sounded very intense! was that the climax of the book or just more information to the book.
DeleteBecky being killed in that crash was very unexpected. After that happened I was very interested on how Louie goes on with his life without the person he liked the most. At first he was a total wreck, but the more time that passes the better he gets.
DeleteIn the book Running Loose The part in my book that hooked me to the book I am reading is when Becky got into the accident. At this point in my book, my book is finally has come to the best parts of the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree that really hooked me in as well
DeleteThe point in which I became overall interested to the book I'm reading is when Eric was questioning if Sarah Byrnes' accident was really an accident. I began wanting to read more and more by how the book doesn't tell anymore of Eric's flashbacks and that the book fully takes place in its present time. It gives me the idea that the exposition has past and the actual story begins. What took place was that Eric and Sarah Byrnes were not talking or meeting very much throughout high school. That's happening because of how Eric began losing weight from swimming and that she's worried that he's too good for being friends with her. The part of the book that I feel really gets my attention was when Eric and Ellerby, Eric's friend, talked to an old classmate, Dale, about how Sarah Byrnes was burned. During the time she and Eric were, more or less, distanced from each other, Sarah Byrnes would talk to Dale about her problems. From what Dale knew completely changed the thought of how Sarah Byrnes was burned. I think I will always remember this part of the book when I think about the entire book because it's what changed the prevision plot of this book.
ReplyDeleteAbout the time Crutcher killed off Becky, i got hooked into the book. He made the narrator go into a state of emotional turmoil and that's what hooked me into the book.
ReplyDeletesame, i feel really bad for Louis in this whole story for all the stuff that has happened
DeleteThe part that I became hooked and could not put the book down was when Jen started revealing her life to Dillon. Once Dillon heard about Jen's abusive stepdad the book became very interesting because Dillon was trying to find a way to stop him. I was curious what he was going to do to help Jennifer, and I could not put the book down. The most memorable part of the book for me will be when Dillon dumped Preston's ashes all over the bar and the motorcycles.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun reading the chapter where the bikers went after Dillon, this was another part of the book that i couldn't stop reading!!
DeleteI like how Jen told Dillon about her story with her dad and stepdad, it shows that she trusts him enough to tell him something like that. And Dillon wanted to do something to her stepdad but Jen made him promise not to and he listened to her because he cares about her.
DeleteI liked that part also, I thought it was cool that Dillon cares so much about Jen that he just listened to every detail about that part of her life.
DeleteThis book sounds like a great book to read, my book really does become interesting at the middle part of the book.
Deletethis part was very memorable and interesting of the book because we had the chance to find out what she was holding back
Deletei agree Noah that part of the book was very memorable. i don't think i will forget that part in our book. i also hope TB gets whats is coming to him! keep up the good work Noah!!!!
Deleteyour book sounds very interesting and i think I wouldn't want to stop reading if I where you either.
DeleteReading the book, Chinese Handcuffs and i think that the part that really hooked me was when Jen told Dillon everything that has happened to her with her family and why she has a hard time having a relationship with others. This makes things clear for Dillon and this talk gives Dillon some motive to do something drastic, so i hope that we get to see things straighten out for the two and im also interested to see whats going to happen next with the reveal of Stacy's secret.
ReplyDeleteI was also hooked once Jen told Dillon her secret, and I agree it cleared things up for Dillon and Jen's relationship.
DeleteI can relate the that because in Running Loose some quite darastic thinks happen and it pulls me in to see if things will get resolved.
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs I never really got into the book and really wanted to keep reading. I was either creeped out or just disgusted. The only reason i keep reading was to see if T.B. would actually go to jail. It just made me so mad that there was nothing they could do. The only part i will remember is when Dillon dumped Preston's ashes all over the biker's bar and bikes.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same that I did not like that they couldn't do anything to stop TB, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen to TB.
DeleteI hope that TB gets what he deserves because you cant just molest a child and get away with it, i cant believe that nobody believed Jen when she spoke out about it. I also hope that this book will end on a good note..
DeleteI agree before reading this book I have never read a book that made me feel gross, mad, and just plain disgusted. I also really wanted to see TB in jail I hated this character since the begging.
DeleteWow this book sounds intense hope the book gets better for. Also Hope the character you hate goes to jail. And my book is the opposite because it gets better every time I read.
Deletei also hope that T.B gets what coming to him he should be in jail.
DeleteIn the book Chinese Handcuffs there was many different times when I was hooked. I think one of the most interesting parts that made me want to keep reading was when Jen was telling her story about her dad and stepdad. Jen had a very violent past with both her dad and stepdad. Another part that really caught my attention was during the basketball game when Coach knew something was wrong with Jen because she had been acting weird all week. Dillon and coach both thought it was extremely weird how good and aggressive Jen was playing during the game, and as soon as she ran out of the gym in the middle of the game I knew something major was going to happen. It was a good thing that Dillon decided to follow her because Jen was going to try and hurt herself because of her life at home. I think the whole story will forever stick out because they all went through traumatic things in their lives.
ReplyDeleteIn Running Loose i didn't wanna stop reading after chapter 7 where Trout won the game and Louis was thinking about what to do now after the Washington was taken out. I was always wanting to see what would happen next and once Louis got Becky I felt everything was gonna go right for Louis but then hen Becky died it went all down hill and I didn't want stop reading.
ReplyDeleteI also found that part of the book very interesting and made it hard for me to put the book down
DeleteIn Running Loose, I became hooked in when Louie started dating Becky. Although there are some pretty funny parts in the book before they started dating that interested me, but did not pull me in. Right now I do not want to put my book down because Becky just died in a car accident on a bridge. Now Louie seems to be lost without her there. Chris Crutcher made this book very relatable for a teen, which make it easy to connect to and keeps me reading. Another time I did not want to put the book down, was when Coach Lednecky was talking about taking out Washington from the other team because without him they are going to lose. So Boomer actually took out Washington and he bruised 3 ribs and could not play for 2 to 3 weeks. I am going to remember Boomer at Becky's funeral, when Carter and Boomer were trying to calm Louie down. Because Boomer was actually nice to Louie for once.
ReplyDeleteI was also hooked when Becky started dating Louie. At first I thought it was just going to be a joke but it turned out they really liked each other. I was shocked to at the way Boomer talked to Louie at the funeral.
DeleteThis book so far has had many different times when it was good and I just wanted to keep reading. With Dillon and everything that went on with his family and his brother was interesting to read about. One thing that really hooked me to keep reading was when Jen was telling everything about her past and what is still going on now. She talked about how her dad sexually abused her and now her stepdad does the same thing. With her dad she told someone and that is how he got taken out of the home so she thought if she told someone about her stepdad they would help out too. Her stepdad is a very powerful man and when she did try to tell he got out of it and made everyone think that she was lying. So it still happens and she thinks that there is nothing she can do about it. When she told Dillon about what happened he wanted to do something right away but she told him that he could not say anything. Dillon really wants to do something about it and help her out. The story of what happened got me hooked and then I wanted to keep reading to see if Dillon is going to do anything or not and help Jen out.
ReplyDeleteWith the way you describe that point in Chinese Handcuffs would really make me not want to stop reading. I can deeply relate your description with the book I am reading.
DeleteOnce Dillon found out about what was going on with Jennifer I could not stop reading because I knew he was going to do something drastic and I wanted to keep reading to find out how he was going to handle the situation he was in.
DeleteIn my book Running Loose I as hooked when the main character Louie chose not to play football anymore. It really drew me in to see what Louie would do, whether he would agree to Landeckey's term or just stop playing football. It really hooked me to see that he took his own path and stuck to what he knew was true. At that point I knew the book would keep getting more interesting. It was cool to see more of the desitions that Louie made even if they weren't the best for everyone around him it was the best for him.I will always remember how Louie acted no matter what everyone thought of him.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds very interesting also. Books that you don't want to put down are the best books. I am hoping to eventually read your book some time!
DeleteI also found it hard to put the book down in that moment. I feel like Louie made the right decision by not agreeing to the terms, as I felt they were too extreme for the situation Louie was in
DeleteI was also in shock when Louie decided not to play football anymore. And for him to really go out and do what's right was a great thing. He showed what he believed was right. It is a shame Lednecky wouldn't recognize what he had done was wrong.
DeleteI was also interested to see what Louie's next move would be. I am proud of him for standing up for himself and not worrying about what others thought.
Deletesounds like a action packed book. I heard a lot of good things about this book might give it a read in the future.
DeleteThe part in the book in which I became hooked on the book was when Dillion was getting chased be the biker gang. He got me hooked because I didn't know if he was going to get beat up or killed in the alleyway. That was the part where I couldn't put the book down and it is the part of the book that I will remember.
ReplyDeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs the part of the book that caught my attention and got me hooked when Dillon ran after Jen and when she started telling him about her stepdad and dad. Shes had a hard time in her life and for her to tell someone about that shows that she can be strong about it but at the same time it his hard for her to tell her story.
ReplyDeleteI would find it difficult myself to talk about a situation like so as well. I feel like she might have done that for a really important reason. Even though I have not read the book she does seem like a strong person.
Deletei also find it very intriguing when Dillon and Jennifer start sharing secrets and getting closer to each other
DeleteRunning Loose has caught my attention at many different parts of the book, but the part that convinced me to keep reading was at the beginning conflict between the main character, Louie and Lednecky, as Louie disagreed with his idea of getting rid of Washington. After that conflict Louie decided to quit football. His decision really shook me and made me want to keep reading to understand his reasons and what he would do with his life after. The similarities between Chris Crutcher's book and our high school are not only realistic, but relatable. Those moments in which I find a connection between Louis' school and the people around him are the ones which make me wonder even more about what's coming next. Such as the high school sweet hearts and the letter sweater. Something I will always remember about this book is when Becky dies and leaves Louie to figure himself out. As I read through I found out Becky to be a really important person for him.
ReplyDeleteChris Crutcher really hooked me when Jeff got hospitalized after he passed out during his swim meet. Up until that point there was not a whole lot happening and this turn of events really reeled me back in. I was genially concerned for Jeff because I didn't know what was wrong and didn't know if he would be able to swim in state which is a major plot point in the book. Having Jeff not being able to swim changed my prediction for the end of the book and I wanted to keep reading and see if my new predictions where right. This is why Stotan got me hooked.
ReplyDeleteI was hooked all through out the book of Running Loose. The part that hooked me the most though was probably when Louie freaked out about the no call on Boomer's hit to Washington. I was interested to see what was all going to happen next with Louie, Boomer, Carter, and even Becky. I'm surprised that Boomer did not come after Louie more than he did. The moments with Louie and Becky were pretty interesting too until she got killed. I found the whole book really interesting and did not want to put it down. I will always remember when Louie stood up for himself at his last football game.
ReplyDeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs I couldn’t put the book down after Jennifer told Dillon about what her step dad continues to do to her. Dillon got very upset about it because he really cares for Jennifer and I knew he would do whatever it took to help her get out of her situation even if that meant killing her step dad. As this was going on in the story I could not wait to see what was going to happen next there was always new twists and turns in the story. One thing I will take away from this book is that Sometimes you don't really know what is going on with a person from the outside looking in. Jennifer for example is an amazing athlete and she is very smart if someone just told me about her without knowing anything personal about her I would think she has a perfect life. Sadly her life was far from it but you wouldn't know that without getting to know her.
ReplyDeletei agree with you! that was very shocking to me i thought she was just abused but the whole situation was messed up.
Deletei was hooked all threw the book from the very beginning what really drew me in was when they were talking about secrets and all the back stories and flash backs
ReplyDeletei got hooked when norties dad found out about his girlfriend. it did not end well for him and it kept me guessing what would happen next.
ReplyDeleteim reading chinese handcuffs and the part of the book that i got hooked in is the part where jen told dillon about her dad rapes her because she never was going to tell anyone about it. she just trust dillon to not tell anyone even though dillon feels he needs to tell someone.
ReplyDeleteI am reading the book Running Loose which caught my attention at many different times. The main part that convinced me to keep reading was the beginning with the conflict between Louie and Coach Lednecky. Louie disagreed with a decision coach made and made a huge scene on the field and quite football. The coach thought it was a good idea to take out their best player in order to win, and Louie did not think that that was the right thing to do. After Louie quit football it made me interested on what he was going to do with the rest of his life. This book was always enjoyable to read and not put down because of the fact that it was so much like what high school is really about. I will always remember the lessons Chris taught his readers throughout his book, and the fact that it helps high schools stand up for what the believe in.
ReplyDeletei would have to saty reading stoten was a really eye opening book for me. it showed a alot of tea work and also the outside world of the team players of the book
ReplyDeleteThe part where nortie talks about how his brother hung himself had me on the edge of my seat and was very sad
ReplyDeleteIn " Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes" the part that me hooked is when Sarah wrote that letter. It's like she was finally opening up and speaking the truth. Its like she knew she had to talk and explain to readers what really went down with her mother and dad.
ReplyDelete