Devin Austin

Mrs. Jankowski
English 12H
10/13/15
10/23/15 Part 1- Why was Mariams mother so harsh to her at times and said such harsh
words? Was it because that is the way she was treated when she was young, or because
Mariam never listened to her mother when she told her how terrible her father Jalil, really was.
That he was just being nice to her, giving her useless gifts when he came to visit, because he
didnt want her to think different of him. When in reality, he could care less for her. Mariam and
her mother were just one of his secrets he kept from the outside world. He already has 9 kids
and 3 wives, adding just one more to the family was just something he didnt want I guess, or
was it just because they were poor and werent the richest people in his city, like he was. He
was embarrassed by Mariam, he didnt want anyone to know she was his daughter. Why was it
that Mariam adored her father so much and not her mother? Mariam would do anything just to
live with her father in his big house, but her mother would just tell her shes nothing to him, she
was nothing. Mariams mother threatened Mariam if she left, the jinn would get her and she
would just die. I guess Mariam thought her mother was just full of it and would say anything to
get her to stay, but that wasnt the case. The question is, why would Mariam betray her mother?
Why would she leave, which would end up leading her mother to hang herself, and Mariam
finding her own mother dead. Mariams life was tough, but she did get one thing she always
wanted, to live with her father, which would soon lead into a disaster. Heartbreak was all Mariam
knew. The fact that her own father would send her off to be married at the age of 15 to a 40 year
old man, was just something she couldnt take in, but it had to happen. She wasnt wanted at
that house, just like her mother had said. How would she live a normal life now that she is
married to a complete stranger? How would she get over the fact that she would have to grow
up so quickly, when she barely has lived her life? The next 3 years of the marriage, Mariam
would go through awkwardness, miscarriages and more unwantedness.
Prompts: How does this cultures mom vs. dad compare to Americas angry divorced
parents? Divorced parents are more common these days in America. The comparison to
todays divorced parents and the novels are that someone is always going to be jealous of one
another. One is always going to have more than the other. For example, Jalil is filthy rich and
Mariam and her mother arent. Which is also usually the case in America too. Another
comparison is, heartbreak. No child wants divorced parents. I cant really relate to this because
my parents arent divorced, so I dont know what it is like to have them divorced. But, from the
looks of it, most children hate having to go to one anothers house every other week. Also,
children hate not seeing a parent as often as they want, like in Mariams case. She would only
see her father once a week, but would pray she could get just one extra day with him.
In what ways has her mother been right?
Most things her mother had said to her were harsh and untrue, but some she was right about.
She was right about her father not wanting her, her meaning nothing to him. The fact that he
chose his wives over her,and sent her off as far away from him as she could be. Her mother
wasnt right about most things, but she sure was right about this.

11/5 Part 2- Nine year old Laila had a best friend whos name was Tariq that was leaving for
about 13 days to go on a trip. Why was laila so sad he way leaving? She was sad because they
were inseparable. What is it like in Lailas home though? Laila has two parents that fight just
about every morning. Why, because the father is mad that the mother is letting their sons go off
to war. Moms are suppose to be supportive no matter what, but Lailas mom just doesnt seem
to care much when Laila gets mocked and sprayed by nasty liquid by a boy named Khaydim. As
I referred to before, that Tariq went on a trip for 13 days, well he didnt return after those days,
he was a little late. But, he did come home to Laila telling the story of what Khaydim did to her. I
think its good for boys to stand up for their friends even if its a girl, and thats exactly what Tariq
did.
Losing someone is one of the worst things to experience and this is what Laila and her
family were about to experience, when a man came to their house to tell them their two sons
have died in war. They would have a funeral where everyone would attend. People are always
worse after funerals, their personality changes and so did Lails mom. Maybe taking trips can
get things off peoples minds just like what lailas family did also. Later, in the story Laila and
Tariq become closer. They see a movie and a scene of two people kissing comes on and sparck
butterflies through both of them. I know how this feels because Ive experienced it. As time goes
on, another war strikes up. Tariq ends up leaving again, but there is an excitement that got my
attention. He asks Laila to marry him and leave with him, but she wouldnt. In this book there is
a striking turn. Lails parents decide they want to move. While they are loading stuff in the house
a rocket hits the house, killing the mom and dad leaving Laila all alone and taken. Some things
just turn out to be the worst and I think this is just a nightmare for her; after her love leaving her
again and now this.
Prompts: What lesson does this book have about parenting? I think this book shows that
these parents really need a parenting lesson. I think this, because they are never treating their
kids fairly. Either they arent paying enough attention to them, or they are calling them horrible
names at such a young age. it just shows what kind of an environment these kids live in and
what they go through everyday. The lessons it shows are to always treat your kids with respect
and never say bad things to them because parents can lose their children in a matter of time.
How must life go on in war times? Life must go on when war is around. If it doesnt, then the
people would just be living in depression. Although some are, most make the best of their lives
and try to enjoy the little things. For example, showing love to one another and doing little things
like seeing a movie. Even if its horrible there, most of them make the most of it.
needs cleaned up- made more formal 16/20