Brittany

READING LOG
Book Title: Defining Dulcie Author: Paul Acampora

Entry 1 Date: 4/16/09 = Summary: In these first two chapters of the book, Dulcie talks about the tragic death of her father. Her Grandpa and his dad and her dad -- well the whole family -- have been janitors and their school The Triple J. Her dad was cleaning the bathroom when a mixture of poisonous chemicals, killed him. Her mom decided to get over the grief they would need to move to California. Dulcie had never been out of Newberry, Connecticut, this was not an easy move. While driving she became very angry at her mother, it was like her mom wanted to rid any thoughts she had of her dad. Dulcie decided that she was going to steal her mom's car and head back home, in the middle of the night. = = = = Reaction: When I first opened the book I was surprised that Dulcie decided to talk about her Dad's death as a Movie. I was angered when Dulcie's mom wasn't showing much remorse over her dead husband. = = Q-words: Why did Dulcie run? How did she afford to run away? Of all places why did her mom move to California? What went threw her mom's head when she woke up and her daughter was gone? =

Entry 2 Date:4/21/09 Summary: Dulcie is now on her way back to Connecticut, still driving. While she gets lost she calls her mom and her mom is so very worried about her. On her way she picks up postcards to send it to her mom. After driving and driving for a whole three chapters, Dulcie makes it home to Connecticut. When she got there the first thing she does is go to the Triple J School to see her Grandpa. When she gets there she see's a young girl in the flower garden. She went up to her and asked, "What are you doing?" The girl named Roxanne said, “I’m the Johnny Apple seed of weeding." She wasn't being serious but this saddened Dulcie that her job had been taken. Frank was almost irritated when he found out Dulcie had ran away from her mom.

Reaction: I was surprised when Frank Dulcie's grandpa had hired someone else. Also I was shocked that Dulcie didn't freak out when her job had been taken.

Q-words Why did Frank hire Roxanne? What was Dulcie's mom thinking when Dulcie called her?

Entry 3 Date:4/27/09 Summary: Dulcie is getting to her Grandpa Frank's house. Frank told Dulcie that in order for her to call her mother. Every time Dulcie called, her mother was not by the phone. Also because Dulcie ran away she had to work at the Triple J for no pay. Dulcie did a little bit of sightseeing on her way. And in this chapter she talks about these goats she saw on a farm that fainted when frightened. Now Dulcie is meeting Roxanne's mother for the first time. She was introduced by yelling. Roxanne's mother is very mean and loud. Roxanne was very sorry that Dulcie had to see one of her mom's fits

Reaction: I thought it was funny that Dulcie only called her mom when she knew she would be at work or somewhere where she wouldn't be there to answer the phone. I felt really bad for Roxanne because she was so ashamed of her own mother. Not that any normal person shouldn't be! I became angry when Roxanne's mother yelled at the two girls

Q-words: What’s Dulcie's mother thinking? Why does Roxanne's mom yell so much? How come Frank made Dulcie work for free?

Entry 4 Date:4/30/09 Summary: Dulcie had just met Roxanne's mother, and her mother was saying some very rude offensive stuff. Dulcie's dad died because he mixed chemicals together on accident. Roxanne’s mom said, “You’re the one with the dead dad. What a way to kill yourself." After this incident Roxanne and Dulcie became very good friends. So they began working together, they actually worked quite well together. Roxanne’s mother was falling into debt so she had to give up her jeep and her mom got very angry.

Reaction: This chapter made me very emotional and pissed. Dulcie and Roxanne were getting treated so badly. But I was also happy because Roxanne and Dulcie became friends.

Q-words: Why was her mom so angry? Why do they work so well together?

Entry 5 Date:4/30/09 Summary: Dulcie is begging to get bored just sitting at home, so she's doing more sight seeing. Dulcie felt so bad so she had Roxanne come over for a dinner party. Roxanne fell asleep and didn't wake again till two a.m.! So in the morning Dulcie was very tired and slept in. Dulcie's grandmother died years earlier and was buried close to their house. So when she woke up they went to the commentary. Reaction: I'm very happy that Dulcie and Roxanne are there helping each other, it means so much for both of them.

Q-words: What did Roxanne's mom do when she found out Roxanne had been staying at Dulcies?

Entry 6 Date:4/30/09 Summary: Dulcie finally got a hold of her mom when she called. Usually it just wrung threw. They talked for a bit but it was awkward because when Dulcie left there was allot of hurt feelings. Dulcie and Roxanne are continuing to work together at the Triple J. And when Dulcie's dad died she was given the master key. Roxanne showed up for work late and seemed very flustered and sad. She apologized for being late, but they knew it was much more that that. They noticed a large burn on her arm; when they asked her what it was from she said it was from an iron.

Reaction: I noticed it was very awkward when Dulcie and her mom were talking on the phone. It was sad that their relationship was pretty much ruined. Also I got worried when I read about Roxanne's burn.

Q-words: Was the burn really from an Iron? What is the key used for?

Entry 7 Date: 5/11/09 Summary: Dulcie and Roxanne just finished there days work and now are headed to Roxanne’s to get clean clothes. Roxanne told Dulcie that her mom was not home, but when they got there she certainly was. Roxanne lied to Dulcie because she didn't want her to see her mom again, and how mean she can get. They went inside and the stereo was so loud they couldn't hear each other. Roxanne said this, soothed her mom. Dulcie walked right over to the wall and unplugged it. Roxanne’s mom came down and knocked Dulcie off her feet with a punch. Roxanne was outraged that her mom hit her. So Roxanne picked up the stereo system and dropped it on the ground and smashed it.

Reaction: I was so outraged when Roxanne’s mom hit Dulcie so hard she got the wind knocked out of her. Also I laughed when Roxanne lifted up her moms stereo and just smashed it.

Q-words: Why is Roxanne's mother so angry?

Entry 8 Date: 5/11/09 Summary: In this section of the book Roxanne talks about how her mom purposely raised her so she would get in trouble in school. Instead of being taught lullabies she was taught dirty rock songs. When she was little and started school and knew no better. When she sang them in school she was sent to the principal’s office. Dulcie decided she needed to take Roxanne to her hour for a decent meal and also her mom was in town. The girls get to Dulcie's house and Frank and Dulcie's mother ask Roxanne what’s wrong. Roxanne comes clean about everything. She tells them that all the burns on her arm were from her mother trying to iron out the wrinkles.

Reaction: This section in the book was very sad but yet happy. All the stories Roxanne was telling were so horrible, but it made me happy that she was finally telling someone.

Q-words: What made Roxanne finally tell everyone what was going on? How did everyone react the way they did? What would you do if these things were happening to you?

Entry 9 Date: 5/11/09

Summary: Dulcie's mom, Dulcie, and Roxanne all went up to Roxanne's to have a word with her mother. Instead of knocking Dulcie's mom just walked straight in, as if the smell didn't even faze her. Roxanne's mother now realized that her and Dulcie's mom went to school together. Dulcie's mom tried to put on a smile even though anybody could tell she was very tense. Dulcie’s mom asked Roxanne's mom if she can take Roxanne with her to California. Everything started to get heated after Roxanne’s mom, Mrs. Soule said no.

Reaction: I was so pumped that they all went into Mrs. Soule’s house with no fear, and basically told her Roxanne was moving to California and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.

Q-words: What's going to happen legally if Roxanne just leaves?

Entry 10 Date: 5/11/09

Summary: Right at the beginning of this section of "Defining Dulcie," Roxanne stole Dulcie’s red truck and just drove. Therefore they had no vehicle to escape the nasty wrath of Mrs. Soule so they had to call Frank for help. Dulcie knew that Roxanne went down to the cemetery where she always went to relax. When they got there they saw oil in the lake and the very top of the red truck. Roxanne had dumped Dulcie’s truck in a lake! By that time Roxanne’s mom was down there with the cops, Mrs. Soule was cursing so loudly that the cop said he was going to need to restrain her. Roxanne turned to the cop took of her band aid and showed him the 2nd degree burn shaped as an iron. The story then just jumps to Roxanne on a train to California.

Reaction: The book had a great ending, but I don't want to spoil it! I was so happy that Roxanne was able to stand up to her mom. This book was a very interesting book that I couldn’t put down.

Q-words: Do you think Dulcie ever gets jealous that Roxanne lives with her mom?