Blog Post #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?
I was hooked as soon Becky and Louie started to go on dates and when the coach made the football team hurt the player on the team they were playing to win. He made me not want to stop reading because it was so interesting. I've never read a book that I felt like I could relate to as much as this book. The book had so much action, I felt like there was always something going on, I was never bored. I didn't want to stop reading when the football game was happening, I wanted to know if they were actually going to hurt the player or not, and they did. I will always remember that Louie stood up for what he believed in no matter what people thought of him. It took a lot of courage to do what he did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this is the only book I could actually relate to because of the tragedy that happened to Louie and how he dealt with it. I also could not put the book when the game was going on. I will remember the life lessons the book taught and how Louie got through his tough and difficult times.
DeleteI have to agree about Becky and Louie they are a interesting couple that kind of hooked me into the book and wanted to keep reading. I thought Louie did a great thing by speaking up because it was not right and by the Author voicing Louie's opinion really hooks his readers. I can not wait to keep reading and see what happens at the end of the book.
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs i really got hooked in the book when Chris Crutcher started talking about Jennifer's past and troubles. before then it was really all abut Dillon, and Chris did a really good job writing about Dillon, but when he started talking about Jen it seemed like it was a more personal writing and more captivating. And it kinda stayed like that through out the entire book, Dillon's chapters were good and ok to read, but they seemed to drag on a little bit. On the other hand, Jennifer's chapters seemed to fly by. her chapters seemed a little more alive and while i hated to read about what she went through, it seemed as though i could not stop reading during her chapters. I think i will always remember Jennifer's chapters a little better than Dillon's or the other minor characters.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jennifer's past was more interesting than Dillon's. I felt so bad for what Jennifer had to go through.
DeleteI agree with what you are saying. When it came to reading about Jen, we were always finding out more about her. With Dillon, it was just how he reacted to the new information he was given. I like that the author gave us a view as to what Dillon was thinking though. Each chapter that was about Dillon, he always said what was on his mind and gave us an idea of what might come next.
DeleteI would definitely say that Jen had the most messed up past and that Dillon was kinda thrown into the book for reflection, but I enjoyed both people's perspectives on each other's problems and how they worked together to get through it
Deleteit kinda sounds like the book had a secret protagonist in Jennifer and I always find that stuff really interesting
DeleteI think Jen's chapters seemed to be the most captivating than Dillon's also. Even though she had a rough story to tell, I can't put the book down because of the true emotion her character portrays in the book.
Deletewhat are some of her past troubles she had??
DeleteI am reading Running loose and Chris Crutcher does a great job in this book and really does a good job at hooking his readers. One point in the book where Chris Crutcher hooked me is when Boomer hits the guy on the cheap shot and Louie starts freaking out and I wanted to keep reading to what is going to happen to Louie. The other one is when we suddenly find out Becky has gotten into a car crash and we find out she is dead. This is a crazy point in the story because it was such a shocker to the reader and I don't know what more you would want as a reader because this a major hook in the book. Louie was so upset with what happen and I really wanted to keep reading to find out what really happened and how Louie and the town reacts. I can't wait to keep reading and finishing the book to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteI agree both of those situation where very emotionally gripping and entertaining, those parts where definite page turners. I also can't wait to read more!
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DeleteI also got hooked the same way you did when Boomer took out Washington. This part got me hooked because it was the first exciting thing to happened in the book. I wanted to find out what else would happen to Louie and how Louie would change.
DeleteI can also agree and relate because I was hooked at the same time. It was very shocking because I think all of us weren't excepting it at least I wasn't!
DeleteI agree that these were very gripping moments, and I didn't want to put the book down, can't wait to finish it!
Deletethis book was so easy to get hooked on and I did not mind reading it and was interested in reading the ending
DeleteIn the book Running Loose the point in the book that seemed to get me hooked was when Becky got in the accident and died. I was shocked at first because I didn't know if it was maybe a dream Louie had. As I read more I learned it was real and she actually had died. As I said I was shocked and as I kept reading it sucked me in more because I wanted to know what happened for sure and what was to come after. This will probably be the part I will most remember about Running Loose.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting part of the book. I am sure that if i was reading this book it would hook me also.
DeleteThis was my favorite part of the book because i could not set my book down and i wanted to see how Louie was going to go on with life because he lost one of his closest supporters that helped him get through life Although it was a tragedy i feel like it made Louie a stronger person.
DeleteI agree that the chapter started like a dream with Louie coming straight out and saying that she died I didn't know if I should believe it or not. I could not put the book down either after that happened. After I heard what all happened in the accident I could not believe it with Becky going through the window and into the river and a thirteen year old who hit her driving the motorcycle I just could not put the book down then.
DeleteI also agree that Becky dying was very shocking and made me want to keep on reading. I hoped that it was a dream because I can't imagine losing someone so close to you but I was disappointed to find out it wasn't a dream it was real life.
DeleteThis was the worst part in the book as a person but as a reader you really enjoy these thrilling scenes that happen in the book. I am interested how everything will turn out. We will see if Louie will change and do bad things or will just try to get over of what happened.
DeleteIt seems that in almost every other one of these books that there is a serious death by suicide or by accident. In my book Stotan I just can not imagine any of these characters dying or someone killing one of them. Except for maybe Nortie's father he is kind of a psycho.
DeleteThis was differently a very interesting chapter finding out about Becky's death and how she died to keep two other kids alive.
DeleteI agree that I could not stop reading the book when Becky died. It was terrible when Becky died since she was one of the main reasons Louie didn't act out. Now that she was gone, Louie was bound to have an outburst eventually. Which is what eventually ends up happening.
DeleteThis sounds like a good book i would like to read it/ or here more about it
Deletethe book was kind of shocking when stuff really started falling apart like when Becky died and his life was completely changed from the beginning of the book
DeleteThe point that hooked me in Chinese Handcuffs was when Dillon explained why his brother committed suicide. His brother was trying out for a motorcycle gang and got into an accident, causing him to lose both his legs. After that he never recovered and ended up shooting himself in the head while Dillon was watching. I will always remember the ending of the book and how everything turned out for the characters.
ReplyDeleteDillon's past was good for the most part, but Jennifer's was very interesting to me.
DeleteI feel like the book probably got better and more into detail. It sounds like Dillon has been through a lot having to see that done to his brother.
DeleteThat part of the book was very sad and I also agree that I will remember the ending of the story but mostly I will remember how the writer, Chris Crutcher barely told us all what happened in the end and left us hanging, this made me very upset
DeleteThis book sounds interesting with trying out for a motorcycle gang. Losing both legs in an accident would be terrible. You couldn't ever walk again in your life. That would be extremely hard to watch somebody commit suicide right in front of you.
DeleteDamn, I had absolutely no idea that something that serious would happen, I can see now that Chris Crutcher in general is a very real and personal writer which I enjoy
Deletewas this book really hard to read? i feel i wouldnt want to read it because it sounds so sad :(
Deletethe story sounds really interesting, especially how you said his brother lost his legs the way he did.
DeleteI think that the part that hooked me the most in running loose was the meeting that Louie had with coach lednecky about Louie getting back on the football team. I don’t think it went very well for Louie at all. The things that coach was going to make him do all these crazy things like a timed mile every practice. I thought it was very unfair for Louie to have to do for him just speaking his mind out for what was right
ReplyDeleteI agree with you I also think it was unfair how they were going to punish Louie for standing up for what he thought was right
DeleteThat was a good part in the book. I agree that it didn't go well even though Louie was telling the truth. If I was Louie I wouldn't do all that work to get back on the team because that's unfair and not wanting to be coached by such a bad coach.
DeleteI agree, it was totally unfair how they would punish Louie for doing the right thing.
DeleteI got hooked with Chinese Handcuffs when Jennifer's past was revealed to the reader because I found it interesting that Jennifer was sexually abused as a kid. Chris Crutcher did this by slowly revealing Jennifer's past by having some flashbacks to when Jennifer was a kid. I also got hooked when Dillon remembered when Preston committed suicide because Chris make the reader surprised of how sudden he went from loving to suicidal in a short notice. I will remember when Stacy told the whole school that she got pregnant from Preston and had a kid. She was so brave for doing that.
ReplyDeleteI also got hooked on the part when Jens' past was revealed. Stacey telling the school that Ryan was her and Preston's son, Will always be apart of the book i also remember.
DeleteI also enjoyed when we found out about Jenifer's past. I like how Chris did it slowly but gave enough to keep me interested. This story gave me a lot of emotions, there was a lot of depressing stuff talked about but it made reading it somewhat enjoyable, as horrible as that sounds to say.
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs, Chris Crutcher hooked me when jen finally broke down and told Dillion, and later tried to commit suicide. These incidents added lots of suspense, and really hooked me onto the book. I could not put the book down from the time Jen wanted to commit suicide to the time that justice was served to TB. What i will always remember about this book is that though you may think you know someone very good, there might always be another side to them. in this case Dillion was best friends with jen but did not really know about what her father or TB had done to her.
ReplyDeleteI think this part of the book was so crazy. It really made you wonder what lengths Dillon would go to protect this girl. That's why when he finally did something about it, it did not surprise me at all. Defiantly a turning point in the book for both Dillon, and Jen.
DeleteThat part of the book was fairly far in and i think that it was really far into the rising action and almost to the climax of the story, and while i agree that the beginning was a little (or very) slow to start, i think that the stories of their pasts kinda started to interest a few more people, but a can definitely see why this part of the book would peak your interest.
DeleteThis sounds extremely shocking and a part that would hook me also, this book seems interesting and dramatic. I look to read more that you say about your book.
DeleteYour book sounds very interesting and i m glad your book is able to pull you into the reading.
DeleteI was hooked at this point as well, we were all waiting for jen to tel and when all the details finally came out we couldn't stop reading.
DeleteI really like the character Dillon because he really cares for this girl and will do anything he can to keep her out of harms way. This part of the book was insane, it kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time, I really enjoyed this book.
DeleteThe point that hooked me in Staying fat for Sarah Brynes was when Sarah left the psychiatric unit. She left because her dad was starting to get crazier and wanting her to go home. She ran to Eric who has her staying at his teacher, Mrs. Lemry, house. Sarah's dad is now targeting Eric because he knows that Eric knows where she is at. He is threatening and now going after Eric to find her. With this part of the book, it hooked me in because it always talked about how Sarah's dad was a scary man but never showed it to other people. Well he is now showing his crazy side by doing what ever it takes to get Sarah home. The part of the book I will always remember is that Eric would rather risk his life for Sarah than have her go back into that life.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Sarah Leaving the hospital was the point where i never wanted to stop reading and just wanted to find out more.
DeleteIt sounds like Eric is a good loyal friend for rather risking his life to find his best friend.
DeleteThat is a really good point. I was surprised that he took so long to tell Eric's dad. He took a knife to the shoulder blade for gods sakes. That's the moment that I realized that he really did loyal Sarah's friendship.
DeleteThat kind of relates to the book I read, Chinese Handcuffs. Jen's step-dad also is a terrible person in the story, abusing her and her mother. The other connection is Jens best friend Dillon also risked his life to save Jen from her step-dad.
DeleteLoved this part in the book. This was definitely the most interesting and exciting part because of how Sarah's dad, Virgil Byrnes, acted and treated Eric
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs, the part that got me hooked is when we found out about everyone's troubles. It started with Dillon talking about his brother committing suicide, then is led to Jen talking about he history with her father and step father and finally, we found out about Stacy and Preston's relationship. Chris Crutcher made each characters plot continue to grow making me want to keep reading. Each time we found out more, I kept wanting to read to see how other characters would react. The one part that made me not want to put my book down was when Jen ran out of her basketball game. Dillon was chasing her and Chris Crutcher did a good job of letting us know what was running through Dillon's mind. The thing I will remember and take away from this book is that you never know what someone might be going through. They might be successful or be the best at something but they might be struggling with something else.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how I got hooked to the book. The moment i found out about everyone's troubles i was like wow....I kept reading because it was so crazy that just two kids in the same high school have been though so much... It really opens your eyes not to judge anyone because you never know what goes on behind closed doors.
DeleteI totally agree with what you said! We all need to be more considerate when it comes to people's feelings, we are all dealing with something.
DeleteI agree, Chris Crutcher did an excellent job telling what was running through the characters minds throughout the story, especially when Dillon was chasing after Jen.
DeleteI always enjoy books/movies with good character story lines. In this book and my own it seems that Chris Crutcher is doing a great job of giving us back story for each character.
DeleteChris Crutcher did a great job involving a lot of messed up family issues and mental issues though out the book. The moment I feel like I was hooked was when Jen talked about her new step father T.B was also molesting her just like her old father. I found it very intriguing that it happened when she was young but it also happened now, when she was grown up. The chances of that even happening at all is just horrible but the fact that it has happened to her twice in her life makes me very sad for her. That is why I continued to read the book, I could not be okay with the situation the author formed until I knew it was solved, and T.B was gone. I think I will always remember the lesson the book taught me. Not to take anything for granted, and to always come forward no matter how hard the situation is. I think Jen has taught us all that she can be something good, like a talented athlete, even though her life isnt what she signed up for.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jen is a fantastic role-model to all of us and I also completely agree that I wouldn't be content with the book until she and her sister were safe and okay.
DeleteIn Chinese handcuffs there were a few places that sucked me in and I didn't wan to put the book down. The first time this happened was when Dillon told us how his brother Preston died. The second was when Jennifer told Dillon about her dad and stepdad molesting her. This just pulled me in because all the details finally came out. After all of this happened the book just started to make sense and everything just started to fall together. I think I will remember this book the most do to its different way of story telling as well as for its jumping back and forth between character to character as well as it moving from flash back to present.
ReplyDeleteI think the point in running loose that got me hooked, was when coach Lednecky told them to play dirty football. Not only did this change my views on over half the characters in the book, this made me want to keep reading to find out more and more of how people would react. the drama just keeps unfolding from that point in the story. during the whole football game I couldn't put the book down and everything to follow. I couldn't believe what the coach said and did as well as the principle. One thing that I learned and will always remember, Norm said to Louie, "Louie , never give anyone anything you don't have to in these kinds of negotiations." That just tells you that when you have a firm stance on something never bargain way something you don't have to like rights or beliefs. Always stand for yourself don't let people walk over you to be accepted.
ReplyDeletethat was a very interesting part of the book it lead to the rest of all of the events that followed coming up like louie getting suspended
DeleteWhat hooked me on staying fat for Sarah Brynes was Sarah herself. I just really wanted to know what was going to happen to her. Through out the book I was scared for her, i thought her dad was going to come after her or that he killed her mom. Sarahs dad is a real wack job and that is no joke. He was super abusive and that really made me mad. He didnt care who he hurt to get the things that he wanted. Sarah is one of the bravest people i know. She put up with her dads abuse for so long and she did it to protect her friends sometimes. At one point she was going to leave everything she had worked so hard to achive just to keep her dad away from the people she cared about most.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%, she was willing to risk her life to protect her friends. Even though she knew he was becoming crazier and that her dad was willing to do what ever it took to get her home.
DeleteI agree with both of you completely. If Sarah is willing to put her life on the line for her friends she's very BA. Her dad sounds like some of the serial killers we learn about. He definitely sounds like someone I would want to get away from as soon as possible.
DeleteI was hooked it he book as soon as Lednecky started talking about needing to play dirty football and take out Washington. It shows a lot about Ledneckys personality and how he wold do anything to keep his reputation for having a great football team and a winning streak. Also, when Lednecky mentions going after Washington, Boomer gets very excited and wants to do everything in his power to get him out of the game.
ReplyDelete*The thing I will always remember about Running Loose is the extent that Lednecky and Boomer would go o take Washington out of the game, even though they were probably going to win anyways.
DeleteWhen I was reading staying fat for Sarah byrnes. the part when eric got called up to the office to talk to marks dad. Eric just got done saying that school was his safe spot because Mr. Byrnes couldn't get him to threaten him. just like that the principle said that byres was there to talk to him. after he asked where Sarah was i knew that Eric should have called someone after swim practice. Eric was driving his moms car and Mr. byrnes was in the back. after attempted to slice him Eric got free. He was running in the alley way and all the sudden Mr. Byrnes pops out and strikes Eric with the knife. Eric is running to find help and the knife is sticking out of him. we end the chapter with Eric found dales house and dale called 911 and the ambulance ride. what I will always remember about this book is you never know what is happening with anyone life, and there is always two sides to every story.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading the part about Sarah's dad in the principal office, I knew he was not going to leave Eric alone. But, I did not think that Sarah's dad would have gone as far as to actually attempted to skin him alive. He was not kidding with that threat. When they were in the principals office, I was wondering what it would take to get Eric to confess what he knew.
DeleteI agree with you and I think the principle should have listened to Eric and I Eric knew that Mr. Byrnes was after him so I think he should have been more careful.
DeleteThat would definitely draw me in because when I read scenes like that it makes my adrenaline pump really hard. I feel like the principle should have taken that threat more seriously if Eric thought it was important enough to bring it that far
DeleteMy book, Running Loose, had me hooked when Louie quit the football team after Boomer purposefully took Washington out of the Football game. Louie did something that people don't ever have the courage to do in this day and age, stand up for what they believed was wrong. As the book went on though, the pace started to slow down. I enjoyed the character's the author introduced, but some of those character's never appear again in the book after they get introduced. But when Becky died, I couldn't stop reading the book. I not only wanted to know how she died, but I wanted to see how the character's would react to it. I'll always remember how Chris Crutcher wrote the character's reactions realistically. The character's showed their true colors when she died. Some cried and tried to give advice to Louie on how to deal with her death. Others acted out, when Louie went on a rant during Becky's funeral, it truly was disrespectful. He should of had this rant somewhere else with a friend to listen. I'm glad that that was included, because that's how some people handle death, with outbursts.
ReplyDeleteDearest Chase, I agree that many people don't have the courage to stand up for what they believe is wrong. When you talk about character's reactions, it makes me want to read this book.
Deletei think that louie is awesome for what he did
DeleteThat was the first time the book had me hooked but also mad for what Boomer did. Louie really stuck with his gut into playing the right way and not listen to the Coach. Becky's death was my favorite part in the book so far. From how they described how everything happened and how Becky's mom reacted, I was also very surprise that Louie did not want to be a pallbearer. I also feel like something big is going to happen very soon with Louie.
Deletei also agree with what you said but everyone also handles death different than others and react different
DeleteI have to agree with you. When louie quit the team it showed a lot about himself. That he isnt going to suck up to the coach just for a starting spot back especially when he wasnt in the wrong. it showed a lot about his character as a person, how he stands up for what is right, and doesnt just be silent like carter or the rest of the team did.
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs, I think I got hooked when i found out about the connection Dillon had with his brother when they were little. Chris Crutcher illustrated very well the relationship that the boys had and I connected to it because my brother and I used to have a good relationship when we were younger. Any time that Chris Crutcher used any sort of imagery to describe events happening, I get super involved and don't want to put it down. I think I will always remember the lesson learned from Chinese handcuffs, sometimes you need to let go and let some things sort themselves out so you can get out.
ReplyDeletei hope that you are liking the book
DeleteWait but you boys didn't hurt a cat right? As a girl who has only had female siblings I didn't really understand the relationship that the two boys had going on until his brother's death and everything after. I slightly thought maybe they were insane but then when it got farther in the book its like I realized that maybe Preston was just lost and confused... after everything that happened to him it was pretty sad to read.
DeleteNo crystal we didn't hurt a cat. Other people yes, but not a cat
Deletethe book running loose hooked me when Louie quit football team after Boomer purposefully took Washington out of the game. Louie did something most people wouldn't have the courage to do.Another thing that hooked me was how Louie went on a rant during becky's funeral
ReplyDeleteI agree those moments in the book made me not want to put it down until I know what happened. Another moment that was really important was when Jasper wanted to suspend Louie for vandalizing Becky's memorial just because he wanted to even though he did not have any proof against Louie.
DeleteThat’s sounds like the book I’m ready Stotan. How they are both in high school and how they are play sports. But the only thing that is different is that the guy in my book doesn’t quit he keep going.
DeleteI was immediately was hooked on the book. Probably around the time after when Dillon and Preston killed that cat, so very shortly after I started the book. That is the part where Jen comes into the book, she is playing basketball and the coach is talking to someone about the how close this next upcoming game is going to be, but coach said that Jen has never been more prepared than what she is right now and hoping that Jen and her team can pull through and win the game. Chris Cructcher hooked me because he tells the story from different people's perspective's and I love how he makes me keep reading because he will throw in letters that Dillon will write to Preston and it helps explain the story better. I didn't want to put the book down when Jen ran out of the game and just kept running and Dillon went after her, it was so intense I wanted to keep reading faster and faster! Something I will always remember about this book is Jen's will to keep fighting and keep pushing through even though the going got tough, she is a inspiration for me, she makes me realize that sometimes other people have it worse than you so be grateful for the little things.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about being grateful for the little things because it is something that I deeply care about. Also your book sounds so good hope that it all ended well.
DeleteI also agree with that statement! We always need to remember that when we are going through tough times, that people always have it worse than us!
DeleteI agree with how Chris Crutcher tells the story from other people's perspectives. Since he did that it made the book a lot more intense when he switched back and forth. I agree with when you didn't want to put the book down when Jen ran out of the game.
DeleteI agree sometimes people think they have it the worst in the world although there are people out there that have been through worse, people do not like to acknowledge that fact, in fact there may be many people in our school that have been through similar stuff as the book, but we may not even know about it, it could be anyone.
DeleteThe moment I became super involved in Running Loose was the moment that Louie stood up against Coach Lednecky and made that big scene at the football game, that showed that even when you're being told to do something that is against you own morals and the outcome seems bleek. Always stay true to who you are and what your gut tells you
ReplyDeleteI agree because Louie came off as shy and the outburst really caught my attention. I felt what Louie felt and i wanted Louie to call out coach and prove him wrong.
DeleteI also had a point in my book where Eric stood up to Sarah Byrnes's father. He ended up making a scene in the principles office.
DeleteI fully agree with you, I was hooked when that happened as well. But it was when Becky died that I couldn't stop reading the book. I started reading forty pages a day instead of twenty when she died. I also agree that everyone should stand up for what they believe is right, even if no one else will stand with you.
DeleteI was also captivated by this part, it was a surprise . I'm very happy he did the right thing.
DeleteI didn't read the book, but the way everyone is describing this part of the book makes me want to read it so i can understand for myself how great Louie is.
DeleteThe point in the book I could not put it down was after Louie reacted towards Boomer taking down Washington. I could not put down the book and I kept wanting to know what was going to happen to Louie. I hated the part in the book when Becky died was the worst, but I could not put it down. I think I will always remember how Louie got through his situations and I think him getting involved in track really helped him to not think about Becky as much and to focus on just running.
ReplyDeleteIt was the same with my book as soon as I got to the interesting part, I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to find out what happened next and It became really suspenseful.
DeleteI also couldn't put down my book because it got intense. Even when something bad happened, I couldn't stop reading. The main character, Eric, also got involved in a sport which was swimming.
DeleteI'm reading Stotan and it took a little while to get hooked on the book. It was a very slow book with really no emotion or action. The part that made me interested in my book is when Nortie hit the kid in the day care. That's when stuff starting hitting the fan because then he told walker about how he had a brother who commited suicide and how his dad beats em. That was the start of the fun in this book
ReplyDeleteI Agree I'm reading Running Loose and it took me a while to get hooked. My book was also really slow in the beginning.
DeleteI agree because I am also reading the book and it started off really slow and i just could not keep reading it until stotan week began.
DeleteI also agree with you how the book was slow tell he started to tell about how his brother died and how his dad beats him and yes that’s when the book started to get interesting.
DeleteThe moment that I became hooked on running loose would be when Louie stood up to Coach Lednecky during that football game when Boomer hit Washington. Another moment that made me hooked into running loose would be when Louie went on that big rant during Becky's funeral. Chris Crutcher hooked me onto those two moments because once they both happened, I did not want to put the book down because I wanted to know what would happened after they happened. Something that I will always remember about Running Loose is when Louie went out for track so he would not focus on Becky so much and tried to move on with his life.
ReplyDeleteThe moment I became hooked in the book was when I read chapter six and Louie was freaking out in the middle of the game because Boomer took out Washington. This part got me hooked because I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happened to Louie. I also wanted to find out what other surprises Chris Crutcher would present in the book Running Loose. I will always remember the life lessons the book taught and how Louie got through his tough times with the support his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI became hooked to this book when I found out Jennifer and Dillon's secret pasts. that was the turning point where the book took off in to the spiral of destruction. this book is all about touchy subjects (no pun intended) that have unfortunately still not been addressed and fixed, it is still a problem in todays society, although suicide numbers have gone down substantially, rape is still a great problem, and most of the time when it happens to a girl they will not say anything to anyone because they are scared of the consequences.
ReplyDeleteI love this book, but at the same time while reading it I wanted to punch a wall. It is completely about touchy subjects, it covers almost every aspect of awful and immoral in the world. And, my heart ached for poor Jennifer the whole way through.
DeleteI completely agree with this, Quentin! Rape is a problem in the society, and rape may even lead to suicide. Being threatened not to tell is not easy. Jennifer was brave to tell Dillon, because she knew she was taking a risk. I'm not that risky. Staying silent is key for the victims, so they don't put themselves in more danger. Many people are still associated with the rapist, so they try to keep themselves safe. I feel like rape is such a touchy subject, that people just don't want to tell others. Being raped gives you a dirty feeling, like Jennifer talked about.
DeleteThis book is a representation of today's society even when it was written in a different era. The problems it addresses. Dillon and Jen both have their secrets like the back of the book said, and now we finally see what the back of the book really meant. Unfortunately these horrible issues haven't really gotten as much attention as they need but society may hopefully change
DeleteMy book, Running Loose, had me hooked when Boomer took out the Washington kid. I also loved the way Louie showed great sportsmanship and really stuck to his gut. But what I didn't like was how Coach Madison new it was not right what Boomer did but didn't stand up for Louie either. Chris Crutcher really did a good job of having good details on how the football game went and all the details about it. There where many moments where I could not put the book down one of them was when Becky got in the accident because the way the chapter started I did not know if she actually died or not. Then when I found out how the accident happened I was really mad and could not put my book down. Like, the kid who hit her was only thirteen and driving a motorcycle also they hit her so hard Becky went through the window and into the river. But then Becky was also not wearing her seat belt too. I will always remember that you should stick to your gut and make good decisions.
ReplyDeleteI picked the same spot of the book. I thought it was really intense and I thought it was more deadly then it actually was. It seemed as though the guy had to of had some broken bones or something and not just a bruised rib
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs, I got hooked when the book started talking about Jennifer's past and the traumatizing things that she went through. Before this part, the book was mostly all about Dillon and his letters to Preston, and Chris Crutcher did an amazing job writing about Dillon, but when he started talking about Jennifer...it seemed like it was way more intense writing and more interesting. After we started learning more about Jennifer, the rest of the book stayed like that through the end. Dillon's chapters were okay to read, but they seemed to drag on a little bit, and nothing seemed to be happening. On the flip side, Jennifer's chapters seemed to be quite page turners, and I couldn't keep the book down! Her chapters seemed a little more intriguing and even though I did hate to read about what she was going through, it seemed like I could not stop reading during her chapters. I think I will always remember Jennifer's chapters over Dillon's and the rest of the characters in the book. Jennifer was by far my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. Dillon has a terrible past and i am so sorry for what he had to go through, however my heart just goes out to Jennifer. Both of them went through terrible things, but i think Chris Crutcher did a better and more personal writing of Jennifer. I think that is also the reason why Jennifer is so many peoples favorite.
DeleteI agree with what you siad about the details in Jen's chapters. They both had really bad past, but since Chris Crutcher went into a lot of detail in Jen's life it made it seem a lot more intense during those. Jen was my favorite part of the book when it went through her life.
DeleteI got hooked at the end of the book. It started when Eric was driving in his car and Sarah's dad was in the back seat of his car and ended with Eric in the hospital. Chris Crutcher did a amazing job in these chapters, he took his audience by surprise with this. I never expected Sarah's dad to be in his car. And it got even better when he stabbed him. The thing that I will always remember about this book is the fact that he walked all the way to Dales house with a knife in his shoulder blade. If I had a knife in my shoulder blade I would not be going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI got hooked on the plot of the game where the coach wanted washington to get hurt and out of the game. I thought it was really intense and i couldnt believe how it ended when it happened, I later couldnt put the book down when boomer came after louie and louie drove off with boomer still hanging on to the car for his life! Something i will always remember is how even though louie stood alone in what he believed he still stood up for what is right.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Louie has a lot of courage for standing up for he believes in. It was even more difficult because it was everyone against Louie but he still stood up for what he believes in.
DeleteThat was a interesting part in the book it really grabbed you and may you want to keep reading about whats happening. to find out what happen with Louie and what happened to Boomer
DeleteYeah I agree because if I were put in that situation I dont know if I would be able to do with what Louie did but I think he did what was right.
DeleteThe point in the book that hooked me was when Boomer took Washington out of the football game. The suspense of what's going to happen next was what hooked me. I didn't want to put the book down when Louie and Becky went to the cabin. I will always remember how Louie stood up for what he believed in and thought was right.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes and the point that I became really hooked was when Sarah Byrnes started talking. Sarah Byrnes is in the psychiatric ward because one day she just stopped talking. When she starts talking is when the book gets really interesting and intense because the stuff about her past really starts to come out. Also when she starts talking again you find out that she could actually talk the whole time, but needed a way to get away from her dad and she knew that if she just stopped talking they would think that something is wrong and send her to the hospital. I think after this part in the book it became really hard to put down.
ReplyDeleteWhen Nortie got drugged by long jon after he was almost beat to death by his father. This was the point of the book when i really got into the book. This was the hook point for me because they then had to find out what drugs he was on. Then they also had to go confront Norties dad why he did what he did.
ReplyDeleteand then Walkers round house kicks his brother in the face. Road house
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs I was reeled in after I read about Dillon's brother's death and how he killed himself. At the point in the book I realized how vulnerable everyone was and how broken the characters in the story actually where. Everything after just kinda took off, I began to learn who Dillon was as a person. He wasn't perfect he in fact had a ton of issues. Not only with his brother but with high school in general and I kinda connected to that. Chris Crutcher made this an attention grabbing book the whole way through, not a single page was boring.
ReplyDeleteI agree Preston's death hooked me to Chinese Handcuffs but it didn't quite sink in like when the biker gang was chasing Dillon.
DeleteThe moment I got hooked on Stay Fat for Sarah Byrnes was when Virgil Byrnes called for Eric. Eric came home from Ms. Lemry’s house around midnight with a note on his bedroom door that a guy called for him and he need to return the call even if it was late. Eric knew who it was but he called anyway. It was Mr. Byrnes. He threatened Eric if he didn’t confess he knew where Sarah was. The book kept getting more interesting and more intense to where i couldn’t put the book down. Eric was driving home after his swim practice and virgil Byrnes was in his back seat holding a knife to his cheek. The suspense was building for a couple chapters and then finally calmed back down. Something I will always remember about this book is that Sarah Byrnes’s dad is a very dangerous guy and he is not scared of anyone. The book was a bit of a slow start but I definitely enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI think i started to get hooked in my book stotan when the team was preparing for stotan week and no one in the book really talked about what it was and i was super curios and could not wait to find out so I kept reading and could not put the book down until I found out what stotan week was all about and it turned out to be a place where the swim team went to train super hard like never before pushing there selves to the limit so they could have a good season and win state.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%. not knowing what stotan week was was killing me and i wanted to know so bad. i wasnt sure if it waas going to be super easy or super hard. but max was an awesome coach and pushed all the guys though the hard days
DeleteI also agree and i was very disapointed when i actually found out what stotan week was, it was way to predictable.
DeleteI got real interested when Louie and Becky started to go on dates. When i started to get caught on the book then because i don't really care about sports so that's then i could start to relate. I think I will member this book because of what happened to Becky and how it happened. Because stuff like a car crash happen every day
ReplyDeleteSounds like things started to get interesting at this point, I feel i also would have gotten hooked at that point in the book
DeleteThis reminds me of "Chinese Handcuffs" when Dillon and Jen start going on dates. Jen also has a tough history just like Becky it is probably much different things that happened in their lives but they both have tough pasts and are starting to go on dates.
Deletethis sounds like a very interesting book and that does sound like the interesting part
DeleteThe part of my book Stotan that got me hooked was somewhere in the middle when all the characters are at the winter dance. Nortie and Makiki had just arrived, and Nortie's face is all beaten up and bruised from his father. His father had beaten him because he does not like the fact that his son is dating a black girl. So Walker, Lion, and Jeff go to Nortie's house to go get his belongings so that way he never has to go back. Nortie's father does not agree with their decision and threatens to shoot them him they do not leave immediately. So then out of rage Lion's threatens to call the cops on him. I will always remember this part of the book in particular because it covers two political topics domestic violence & racism. And Chris Crutcher dealt with it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because this part of the book had a lot of emotion and i had a lot of strong feelings towards this part of the book and it just made me wanna keep reading even though I did not like what happened.
DeleteI am reading Chinese Handcuffs and got hooked when Jennifer had her basketball incident. At that point is where her character's past really was said. I felt bad for her, and couldn't stop reading in hopes things would finally get better for her. The book focuses on issues in our world and society right now such as sexual abuse and suicide, and makes us realize everyone is going through something. They're not the topics people love to read about. but I couldn't get the book out of my hands! Chris Cutcher did a fantastic job showing us Jen's real emotion as some of us can relate to her, and captivates his readers to read more. The book remained intense ever since Jen's up until the very end.
ReplyDeleteI also put that my favorite was when Jen got hurt at the basketball game because you figure out that she does not have an easy life with being good at sports she has a tough past that could easily distract her from sports or school but she stays focused.
DeleteI agree with this as well! When Jen started sharing about her past, it got interesting! It immediately reminded me of myself and my past and I felt a connection. It's so important to find something to distract you from a troubled past, and it's a way to cope. I'm glad Jennifer found Dillon to trust because it's not easy. You put yourself in dangers way when you trust people. The book focused on so many issues that the world today struggles with. They're subjects that people like to ignore because they're touchy but in reality, we need to start doing something about it.
DeleteThe moment I got hooked to the book is when Lions stood up to Norties dad. That just shows that he stands up for his friends and doesn't like when his dad beats him. Another part that I start to read more because it was interesting was when Nortie was on the drugs to help with the pain.
ReplyDeleteChris Crutcher got my attention because he just keeps you reading to find out what happens next and he also goes into detail on whats happening. I will always remember when they Nortie was talking about how his dad beats his mom and him it just show that there is always abuse around family's.
I agree with what you are saying but there were very few events that actually kept me entertained.
DeleteThe moment I got hooked into Chinese Handcuffs when they went through Jen's and Dillon's past. This was interesting because it told you what they all went through when they were young. This helped them become the person they are in this book. When Chris Crutcher was writing about Jen's past he got really detailed in her past experiences. In Dillon's chapters he wasn't that detailed and his chapters seemed to go on forever and was hard to stay hooked in. I didn't want to put the book down when Jen was running away from Dillon because I didn't know what was going to happen. I will always remember the part when Dillon's brother committed suicide in front of him because it played a large role in DIllon's life.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Chinese Handcuffs and the moment I really started to enjoy it was when you saw the relationship between Jen and Dillon start to play out. Dillon jokes about Jen saying that it'd be a night she'd never forget when she asks him how he got her clothes. They're both such damaged people, but I feel like them having each other really helps them with what they're dealing with everything that goes on. Dillon wants to say something about Jen's dad being super abusive, but he respects her friendship too much to risk it. Jen never pushes Dillon to talk about Preston or his death. I feel like both of them would be great friends to have!
ReplyDeleteThey definitly sound like great people. Sometimes the best people come from the worst past. I would really like to know more about these characters and their stories.
DeleteI am reading "Chinese Handcuffs" and surprisingly I have enjoyed this book since the beginning. What really started to get me hooked to this book is when Jen goes to the hospital because it tells her life story but it does not come right out and say it you have to keep reading to find out. I also really enjoyed reading the whole part about Preston's death, which sounds weird but you never knew what was coming next. The book overall has been very interesting but those are some of my favorite parts.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Running Loose and i'm really enjoying it. The point at which it hooked me is when Boomer took out Salmon rivers stud. Chris Crutcher hooked me because he had the coach tell his football players to intentionally take out a player. This got me hooked because i don't agree with coaches telling their players to intentionally hurt someone. I didn't want to put the book down when the game was going on that the players were supposed to hurt the opposing teams star player. I couldn't put it down because i didn't know if the team was going to follow through with injuring the star. In this book i will remember when Louie quits the football team because he didn't want to be on a team that intentionally hurts people. I would do the same thing if i was in his shoes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because this part of the book hooked me as well and I think Louie did the right thing for quitting football.
DeleteThe moment I got hooked on my book was definitely the moment that Boomer hit Washington into the metal bench and Louie started freaking out. It showed me the amount of issues that the town of Trout has and how difficult it would be to deal with all if the racial prejudice and lack of gun control in that town. Just the thought of it makes me revolted with how the people behave in the book
ReplyDeleteThat is also my favorite part of the book. What he did to Washington is not a fair thing. I think that the people of Trout need to get there priorities strait.
DeleteWow these really seem juicy and I wish I was reading your book. Sounds great and I hope you enjoy it.
Deletethat was also my favorite part because he should not have been treated like that just because of the color his skin was. I think everyone should get a fair chance
DeleteI very much agree with you marcus i really like how louie tried to confront the refs and couch about how they were playing dirty.
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs there are many times where there were pot twists. Every time there is I get hooked and I want to keep reading. The first plot twist was with Jen and her dad. Her dad was a very bad person who do terrible things to her. Hearing what he would do to her kept me turning the pages. This book is full of turns with TB and Dillon ad Jen.
ReplyDeleteWho is TB and what did her dad do to her? What is something crazy that happened to Dillon? I am glad that the book is keeping you interested in it.
Deletei agree that the book took many twists and turns and it always keeps you wondering whats going to happen
Deletei really like plot twists in books, but my book seems to be very laid out and ripe for the taking other than one small twist everything seems to be fine.
Deletei also agree that there were a lot of pot twists in Chinese hand cuffs, the story was always changing and leading up to some big event.
DeleteThe part of the book that really got me hooked was when Louie got in a fight with the coach. Enjoy reading fights and how they end up. I also did not want to put the book down when I found out that Becky died. I will remember Becky dying because it reminded me of how the boys died. Carelessness on one side can be horrible to everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhy did louie get in a fight with coach? Also becky died.... what?!?! Sounds like a great book.
DeleteThis sounds like a great book i would like to read it and figure out why they got into a fight!
DeleteRight off the bat one of the thing that made me keep reading running loose was that Louie related so much to me in more ways the one. Some examples of this would be what he thought of football the same way I did I liked it and I played but I didn’t love it enough to keep going if I didn’t like something. The things that coach was going to make him do like take out Washington would make me quit.
ReplyDeleteits awesome that you can connect with Louie! being able to relate helps read the book so much and i can also relate. i love baseball but decided to not go out this year. kinda hearing about this about louie sounds kinda like me
DeleteI agree with that because i also can connect to louie. He always does the right thing and stands up for whats right.
Deletei became hooked in the book right before stotan week. The guys were all starting to get extremely nervous and were looking after each other. The way the guys acted together was like a family and i thought it was an awesome bro hood. i couldnt stop reding during the days of stotan week. Everyone was working so hard and everyone was pushing everyone to do their best. another time i couldnt stop was when the guys were telling the stotan stories to each other. when Nortie was telling his i could not stop, he was telling everyone about his brother that committed suicide because of their dad and it was very emotional.
ReplyDeleteI read Chinese Handcuffs and I was definitely hooked on it as soon as Jennifer started sharing her past to the readers. Hearing about her past reminded me a bit like mine. I was instantly interested in reading the book. I know how Jennifer felt when she had those flashbacks. I understood exactly because I'm a lot like her. When Dillon talked about Preston's gun, I was interested as well because I can relate. I was in an abusive relationship and he always had a loaded gun on him. I knew how Dillon felt when he was being blamed for the death of Preston because my ex frequently blamed me as well so I know the feeling. I'm not against guns at all, but I didn't feel comfortable because the gun was in the hands of the wrong person. I knew what my ex was capable of. So I could honestly relate a little to both Jennifer and Dillon. These are issues in the society that we don't do anything about. It can really put others lives in danger, as Dillon and Jennifer proved. I learned the lesson from Jennifer that I'm not alone and can keep pushing through no matter how hard the fight gets.
ReplyDeleteI agree these issues are not addressed as much as they should be, because they are ignored as being a problem, it is the dirty little secret of the world.
DeleteThis sounds like a very interesting book. It seems like something I can also relate with as I was also in an abusie relationship where he always had a gun on him. I may look into reading this book sometime.
DeleteI am reading Running loose and it is a very good book. One point in the book where i got hooked is when Boomer cheap shots Washington and Louie starts freaking out and I wanted to keep reading to what is going to happen to Louie. The other one is when we found out Becky got into a car crash and found out she is dead. this was a major turning point in the book nobody could have expected it because they were supposed to go to a movie that night. i wanted to just keep reading tell the end to see how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteThe part that hooked me in the book Stotan was when they were getting ready for stotan week because they had to push their selves to the limit and work together as a team to exercise and train for the toughest week of their lives.
ReplyDeleteI started to get hooked on this book when Becky and Louie started going on dates and when the coach was having his players go out on the field and hurt the other teams star player to win. I feel like this moment hooked me because its really easy for me to relate with sports because the attitude you bring to the game, but not to the point of hurting someone intentionally. This part just made me never want to put the book down because I wanted to find out what was going to happen with Louie and the fact that there is so much action makes me want to keep reading. I think its a great book and cant wait to finish the rest to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI am reading the book stotan. As I read this book it felt as if time was moving ten times slower. This is the most boring book that i have ever read. The reason why i hated it so much is because the book moved so slow. Another reason I hated it is because a lot of answers werent answered at the end.
ReplyDeleteI was hooked when they were first talking about Sarah Byrnes in the hospital. I wanted to know so badly why she was in there and what happened to her. I wasn't able to put the book down when they talked about the actual incident where Sarah was burned and what happened to her mother. He definitly left me hanging in quite a few spots of this book. I would definitly recommend it to other people.
ReplyDeleteI became hooked to Chinese Handcuffs when the biker gang decided to take Dillon in as a member. even though they did not follow through every thing after this event was more high strung. i really enjoyed this book and i wish there was a sequal .
ReplyDeleteI believe i became hooked in my book after Louie called Bad Manners when boomer hit Washington and Louie tried to call the dirty play on couch lednecky. I love that Louie was willing to stand up for what he believed in and didn't really care that people would hate him.
ReplyDeleteThe part that got me hooked wasn't until the ending of the book. Sarah is in the psychiatric ward of the hospital, and is now able to go home. Sarah's dad, Virgil Byrnes, wants her to come home. Sarah is afraid he will hurt her again so she runs away. Sarah's dad is now going after Eric, because he thinks Eric knows where she is at. Virgil is now threatening Eric. I don't want to give it all away, but lets just say it gets really good.
ReplyDeleteIn the book running loose what hooked me is the beginning when Louie was talking about his life and how he had it all then some how lost it so I became interested in knowing what happened. like learning about his social life and his morals like when he was kicked out of football for not playing dirty. Also was interested in all the small life lessons chis crutcher mixed into the story.
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