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This is a college-wide blog for the students and faculty at Anoka Ramsey Community College who are reading and discussing The Weight of All Things by Sandra Benitez.
ARCC Welcomes Sandra Benitez
Sandra Benitez will be visiting campus and sharing The Weight of All Things with students on
Tuesday, October 13
10am -- 2pm Legacy Room
Anoka Ramsey Community College -- Coon Rapids
Tuesday, October 13
10am -- 2pm Legacy Room
Anoka Ramsey Community College -- Coon Rapids
About the Author
Salvadoran Civil War
Reviews & Summaries
Faculty
Kate Kysar
Elizabeth Nist
Patrick Shal
Tracy Yongblom
Jennifer Willcutt
Jeff Ludwig
Paige Riehl
Elizabeth Nist
Patrick Shal
Tracy Yongblom
Jennifer Willcutt
Jeff Ludwig
Paige Riehl
This is not the type of book that I would choose for myself to read but I have been very impressed with it so far. It keeps my attention when I am reading it and it leaves me wondering what is going to happen next.In the very begining of the book I felt like I could relate to Nicolas's mother the most because I am also a mother and I can relate to the feeling of doing everything in your power to protect your child even if it means sacrificing your own life. I am continually impressed by how strong physically and emotionally Nicolas is.He always seems to be in control of his emotions in the midst of all the chaos that is going on around him. Even when he is scared he seems to hold it together maybe it is because he seems to be gathering his strength form the La Virgen statue. I think the other thing that helps him to be so strong is the hope that he will find his mother again in the end it gives him something to look forward to and to keep pushing ahead for. I think the further I get in the story the smarter Nicolas gets. He knew enough to lie to the soldiers to protect Tata and to keep him safe and he also knew enough to get to know the guard dogs so that when he does decide to make his ezcape they will know him and will not bark when he tries to sneak out.I liked how he was so interested in being a helper to the doctors most kids his age would have rather gone out to play or they would have thought it was gross but he seemed to really like doing it and being a helper.
ReplyDeleteCassandra M.
The adventures of Nicolas to look for his mother engage me more and more. In chapter 12 and 13, Nicolas goes with two men, Gerardo and Elias, Dolores's soldiers, to Tejutla. Then Nicolas wants to go to San Salvador to find his mother. However, he cannot go because the bridge is broken. Alvarado, Gerardo and Elias's friend, recommends Nicolas that he writes a letter and send to his mother in San Salvador. Chapter 14, Nicolas, the men, and Dr. Eddy get back to the rancho.
ReplyDeleteIn the rancho, Nicolas helps Dr. Eddy take care of patients. Later, Nicolas gets sick too, and he thinks he is going to die. But, he gets over the illness and keep taking care of the patients, especially, Samuel who has wounded in his leg which need to be cut off. Nicolas, Gerardo, and Elias go to downtown to find a saw to do surgery for Samuel. Finally, they find a saw from Emilio. But,Gerardo, Emilio, and Samuel cannot saved; they died. After their death, Nicolas becomes more silent than usual.
Chapter 18, people in the rancho have a party to celebrate new baby, Noe, the son of Elias and Lidia.
Chapter 19, people in the rancho are in a danger because their enemies are close to them. Dolores's soldiers are going to leave the rancho. Tata, Nicolas's grandfather, decides to stay in the rancho, and Nicolas is too.
Chapter 20, dozon soldiers of the lieutenant Galindo approach to the rancho and follow Dolores's people. A carnage happen. Meanwhile, Tata and Nicolas hide themselves in the cave.
Chapter 21, there are seven people of Dolores died. I guess they are: Chema, Lidia, Noe, Rosario, Carmen, and one person unrecogized. In the cave, Tata gets sick. Nicolas leaves the cave to find water for Tata. A thought come to Nicolas's mind--he is a lion, and he is brave.
Chapter 22, Nicolas is in a threat. The corpral of the lieutenant Galindo catches him. Nicolas has been in interrogations with Galindo and a capitan.
Chapter 23, Nicolas passes the interrgations with the capitan in Tejutla, so he saved. However, he has to stay in their caslte. During his journal, he brings two colon bills, a wooden lion, and a knife in his pocket.In the castle, he finds the place, dogs'house, to his property.
Chapter 24, the desire of running away from the castle pushes him strongly.
Thanh Van N.
I find it intriguing that Nicholas keeps his wits together throughout all of his adventures. He is very brave and strong child. I admire his dedication to his religion. He always looks to the statue of La Virgin for strength and guidance. Nicholas is always willing to help out in the camp. He gathers water and other supplies and doesn’t complain to anyone about all the work he is asked to do. Nicholas really likes the Doctor and helping him, except when Nicholas had to pick the flies off of Samuels’s leg. When Nicholas and the doctor met he gave Nicholas a tangerine. I could not believe that Nicholas had never had any Tangerines. The conditions must have been very poor if he never had a tangerine. I think the doctor represent hope in Nicholas’s eyes.
ReplyDeleteI liked the thought that Nicholas was thinking ahead. Like when him and Tata discussed where they would meet if they got separated. Nicholas thought they should meet at the church if they got separated. Most likely a place where he felt safe. Maybe he was relying on his faith to bring them back together. Nicholas’s mother and her faith must have made a serious impression on him. Maybe that’s why he is always calm and caring.
Len P.
When i got the list of books required for this course, i pre read then just to see what they were going to be about. I didnt think i was going to like The Weight of All Things just because it not something i would look for in a book. As I started to read it more i got hooked you could say on the struggles Nicolas is going through in this book. Yes i knew that El Savador was always a hotbed of violence i never emagined that it could be like this. I know this book is fiction but you can tell by alot of the details how people live in this country. So far with what i have read i am very impressed with the book and have even read more then the assignment this week cause i couldnt put it down.
ReplyDeleteThis book isn't something that i would normally choose to read. it has a lot of drama and suspense which makes a good book, but it's not one of my favorite books to read. it's sad to think of what is happening to Nicolas and everything else in El Salvador, so i feel quite bad about the boy and the story.
ReplyDeleteErin Topeff
The book The Weight of All Thing to me is somewhat of and interest novel to read. When it started out in the beging with the funeral and Nicolas' mother dying I thought that this might be an interesting book to read becuase i kid has to figure out what to do on his own with no parents. I like how this book flows from chapter to chapter and talks about the war time in El Salvador. Later on in the book Nicolas to me seems like that type of kid that is usally taking care of himself and knows what and where to go with no parental guidence. This book might be something I would read becuase of the it talks about war times which i think is something very interesting and fun to learn about, it just makes me want to read and read more.
ReplyDeleteJustin W.
I am amazed by how nicolas is able to handle himself through these situations hes been taken through. Having to deal with his mom being taken away, although I find him to be very naive to not think something is wrong and want to check up on his mother. Also the time where he was captured by the guerillas, and how he was able to keep his wits about him. Donald R
ReplyDeletei hate this book its BORING! worst book i have ever read. seriously. i could not stay on track with book. its too boring
ReplyDeleteHello, Ms. Willcutt I am happy to inform you that the book is bad.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Pranked