Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Blog Response #3
Both Stotan and Chinese Handcuffs involve intense topics that add to the plot. Talk about the point in which you became hooked into the book you are reading. What did Chris Crutcher do to hook you? Describe in detail any moment or moments that you didn't want to put the book down? What will you always remember about this book?
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The part that got me hooked was when Dillon and his brother were kids and how it showed how strong of a bond they had but when they got older how they started to separate. That got me hooked because it was like me and my brother when we were kids we would always want to hang out no matter what but once we started to get older we started to spend less time with each other do to the choices he made he was more reckless when he got older and I never liked the things that he did so i just sat back and watch us drift apart.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of the book got me hooked too. It showed how their relationship got weaker as they got older. I think that was important that the author included that to show how down hill Preston really went.
DeleteThe part that hooked me in Stotan was the first day the 4 friends started Stotan week. Chris Crutcher really described what the boys were feeling going into Stotan week and what they thought it was all going to pertain. He really made me visualize Nortie when he was freaking out about Stotan week. Their are two moments that when I didn't want to put the book down, when Nortie showed up to the dance with a black eye and crushed ribs and also when they rushed Jeff to the hospital after he collapsed in the water during his race. These two moments in my opinion were the turning points in the book mentally and emotionally for the boys to deal with. I will always remember what they did to get revenge on O'Brian and Dolan. They attached a mattress to Lions jeep and pushed their cars into the river bank. That part of the book actually brought joy to me because of the revenge they got and also it being the first time Jeff has left the house since he was diagnosed with cancer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Greg I also thought it was special moment in the book when they get revenge on Marty O'Brian. I love how even though Jeff is really sick he takes it upon himself to still look after his friends no matter the cost. It shows how strong of a bond each of them have
DeleteI also agree about the mattress part that was the best part and also with how bad jeff was feeling he still participated and helped with revenge
Deleteto be honest i don't really like Chinese handcuffs. i was never really able to get into the book. personally i am not a big fan of the plot. i don't like read books that involve topics such as drugs or sexual abuse. i prefer to read action and adventure books where the good guys come out on top. not about teenagers with issues. the one part of the book that i did like was the basketball game. i play basketball and to read about a close game like that made me feel like i was right there watching it myself. that is the part that i will remember the best because it is the part of the book that i enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteyou got this all backwards. most people like to read about drugs and sexual abuse, at least I do.
DeleteI agree reading about sexual abuse makes anyone uncomfortable, but in the book it really does not go into too much detail about drugs. I am the opposite of you, I would much rather read about other topics rather than sports. I did not like the basketball scenes because I really didn't understand them a whole lot. Like I have never had an interest in sports especially basketball. So it was hard for me to read about that and fully understand it. If there was not sexual abuse or drugs in the story it would have thrown the whole book off and would have made the story pretty boring. The sports kinda, kinda not made a big impact.. I guess for the character Jen it would have.
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ReplyDeleteThe part that hooked me into Stotan is when Nortie hits the kid at the daycare. I think this part first hooked me because I didn't see it coming I did't think Nortie had it in him to do that. Lot's of other important events happen after this point but this is the first moment I actually was pulled in by the book and didn't want to stop reading. Another part that I felt really connected to is when all the boys came together and got revenge on Marty O'Brian, by pushing his car into the river after Marty O'Brian was picking on Nortie. It really shows how strong of a relationship they have because it wasn't there problem but they made it theirs
ReplyDeletei agree
DeleteI agree with this because i think its the first we actually saw of these kids having some really big problems. they had told us about it before but this moment really made it real for me
DeleteI agree with your reason's as well because through it all they showed a strong unit
DeleteI completely agree. Nortie's back story as a whole mad me hooked on the book and kept me reading Stotan!
DeleteI agree with you Spencer. The way they included Jeff after what he has all been through is truly iconic.
DeleteI've been hooked to Stotan since chapter 1. What caught my attention was the description he used for everyone and that if you wasn't close to them you wouldn't know that they were a family, they protected each other like real brothers. I didn't want to put the book down in most of the chapters. For example, in chapters 6-7 when Nortie talked about his brother to his friends those few pages caught my attention and I couldn't bring the book from my face after that. Another moment is when Nortie showed up at the dance beaten and drugged. The boys went into protective mood and walker showed his real brother what happens when he messes with one of his friends. What I will alwa ys remember about Stotan is the way they cared for one another, the way they always took what happened to them one day and the next day use the emotions in the pool to be better, to do better.The book overall is a really great book and I was hooked instantly.
ReplyDeleteI was also pulled in instantly by this book the story line is easy to relate with. I also like how descriptive of a writer Chris Crutcher is he gives great detail that you can almost create a picture of whats happening in the story. I think another important moment in this story is when Max comes to the pizza place and teaches Marty O'Brain a lesson.
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DeleteThis is also what i wrote for what got me hooked in this book. I think it is very important to be able to relate to a book if youre going to read it
DeleteI agree with the way you felt. all of the characters in the book found ways each and every day to help each other out and to get each other back to themselves.
DeleteI feel the same way about being pulled in since chapter 1. This book has had many moments that pull you in, starting in chapter one.
DeleteI agree this book was really interesting, it never got plain it just kept going. Even though their were sad parts there was a lot of life lessons learned.
DeleteI really feel like Chinese Handcuffs is very interesting and pulled me in a few times throughout this book. When Dillon was talking about how Preston shot himself and describing how it was right in front of him, it really made me not want to put the book down because I wanted to know how he felt. Another part was when Jen got raped by her step father. That made me feel very sorry for her and I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to know if he would be taken away or if Jen would tell someone about it. In this book I will always remember that Dillon cared for everybody and how good of a person he truly was.
ReplyDeletei disagree i think its a terrible book
DeleteI agree. It was very descriptive when the author talked about how Preston shot himself.
DeleteI agree this book is interesting
DeleteI agree too that another part that hooked me is how Crutcher described the scenario in the book and how Dillon watched everything happen the way it did.
DeleteI agree on that those parts really pulled me in and are what kept me reading. but what this book also has that a lot of people ant talking about is drama.
Deletei don't like the book because of the drugs, suicide, rape, and sexual abuse.
DeleteI agree, kinda made me feel bad for him and I wanted to see how he got through it.
DeleteThe part that hooked me was when we found out that preston was going to be a dad. It made my jaw drop. I also think that preston killed himself because of him becoming a dad, that's just a theory. If i was going to have a kid i would not kill myself, but who knows maybe preston wouldnt be able to suport the baby.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that when I found out Preston was gonna be a father got me reading and I couldn't put the book down.
DeleteI agree I thought it was very interesting that the baby is actually Preston's.
DeleteChris put a nasty spin on this book with the raping of Jennifer and the conceiving of Ryan. i will remember how much drugs impacted dillons
DeleteThat part made my jaw drop to and I think that pushed him over the edge and that's why I think he took his own life.
DeleteI agree it was the best part of the book because it was so shocking to find out he killed himself the day after
DeleteI was kind of surprised to hear that he was going to become a father and it really pulled me in emotionally.
Deleteim not really a fan of chinese handcuff. i prefer to read action and war books where the good guys come out on top. not about teenagers. The plot is boring. im just not that big of a fan about the book. i dont recommend it or would want anyone to
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you. I enjoy reading books about teenagers and I like this book.
Deletei will always remember the sexual part of the book and how weird and cringy it is. it shocked me when i found out that preston was a dad. i vdont think preston would have of supported a kid.
DeleteI DISAGREE WITH YOU THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING BOOK!
DeleteI disagree this book is very interesting
DeleteThis book is very interesting, but also sad
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DeleteI disagree with you I personally think this book is very interesting.
Deletei agree with you. i don't like reading about teenagers with problems i like to read action and adventure books were the hero comes out on top.
DeleteI think the part of the book that really got me hooked onto the book was when I found out that Jen's real dad abuses her and how she can't tell her Mom about it. Also when I found out that Stacy and Preston had a kid together it really pulled me in. I also found the book to get interesting when I found out that Jen's step dad also abuses her and I'm excited to see what Dillion does to help Jen out (:
ReplyDeleteI AGREE WITH YOU THOSE ALSO GOT ME HOOKED TO!
DeleteI agree, when TB threatened her and she couldn't do anything about it was a good thing to help keep you hooked. Crutcher using the kid as a tool to add a little tension in why Preston killed himself as well.
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Deletei was pulled in when dillion and his brother had a strong bond at the begining and they cam together and killed a cat. He writes in a style where all of a sudden it gets really tense and then it dies down a little then it gets intense again. Some moments that pulled me in were when jen was having problems with t.b and you didnt want it to be true so you kept reading just to hope it wouldnt happen. i will always remember this book because of the connection dillion and preston have
ReplyDeletei have a strong bond with my brother so that also connected me.
DeleteI also really like the style of the author it makes the book really come alive at times and die down at others.
Deletewhat hooked me on Chinese handcuffs was when Preston committed seaside and it had something actually worth reading otherwise it was so boring in the first couple of chapters. and then what kept me reading was when Chris introduced Jens problems it made me want to read more.
ReplyDeleteHOW DO YOU COMMIT SEASIDE?
DeleteI will always remember that you can lose people very easily no matter if they are your friend or your family.
DeleteThe thing that hooked me with Chinese Handcuffs was how it is always intense and its slowly giving answers to the secrets in the book. like when he was getting chased by the bickers and I probably wont remember anything.
ReplyDeleteIt really does make you think sometimes, and they casually give away answers throughout the book I'd say.
Deletethere a a lot of PLOT TWIST and foreshadowing
DeleteIn Chinese Handcuffs the part that hooked me was when Jen told us how her dad raped her. I thought it was very interesting and weird how her step dad did the same thing also. This interests me because it shows how she reacts to situations because of it. For example she doesn't want to be anything more than friends with Dillon because she doesn't feel comfortable. I also like how Chris Crutcher describes everything with detail so you are able to picture moments in your head. The other moment that hooked me was when we found out that Ryan was Preston and Stacy's son. It took a lot of guts for Stacy to announce to the whole school that it was her son.
ReplyDeleteI really have yet to decide if I like the book Chinese Handcuffs or not. It really has some high points but at times I just feel myself drifting off when I am reading it. What I liked in the previous chapters I believe it was 6, where him and Mr. Caldwell got into a huge fight with Dillon about doing sports or "wasting his talents" in not doing them. Also the flashback to Preston's funeral when he went to the biker bar and put Preston's ashes in the bikes and the bar and when I read that it made me not want to put the book down. I realized that their would be consequences to his actions, it was just a matter of when. I will always remember the issues that Jen has dealing with T.B. and raping her. Even when Dillon tried to comfort her and touch her arm she pulled away really quickly because she has never had any good experiences with men and touching her. It's sad to think about that but it happens to people.
ReplyDeletei will help yOu decide if its bad. ITS BAD
DeleteI agree the part when Dillon went into the biker bar was exciting, it was interesting to see how the bikers reacted to Dillon's actions.
DeleteI agree that the biker part was interesting and daring. Also very shocking how the bikers reacted to Dillon.
DeleteI am the exact same way. When I read anything, I tend to lack reading for a little part and then I get back into it. I love how you said that you "Drift Off" I tend to do the same! But good post overall!
DeleteWhat caught my attention was when they introduced the characters past and how they described it. they went straight into explaining the past of the characters and made you get emotionally attached to them.They described they're past with details that makes you get certain emotions for them. The part i didn't want to put my book down was when norite was explaining how he hit the kid at the daycare. nortie is a kind kid and when he said that he hit a kid you get to wonder why he did that. I will always remember the characters in the book
ReplyDeleteI agree but i think nortie hit the kid because that is the only form of discipline he has ever encountered. There for he saw a kid acting out in an awful way and hit him because he didn't know what else to do even though he knew it was the wrong thing to do.
DeleteThe best part that I like the most in the book is when the Warlock gang is chasing after Dillon because how he tells the story and how you can't read the book fast enough to keep up with the action in the book. The most memorable parts that I can't forget is when Jennifer tells Dillon about her past and when Preston shoots himself.
ReplyDeleteyes the gang chase was such a fast pace that you couldnt read it fast enough
DeleteI believe the best part was when the gang was chasing Dillon too!
Deletei think that preston wouldnt be able to support a kid. i dont like the book its not that good. i was really supprised when i found out preston was a dad.
ReplyDeleteI think that Preston could have supported his baby but it just would have been hard.
DeleteThe part of Stotan that really got me hooked on the book was when i realized how much I can relate to the characters of stotan. As I'm reading this book I can compare almost everything they do and say as high school boys to things in my own life and problems that us teenagers run into every day at school and at home. One thing i really like about this book is how much they can relate and talk with their swimming coach. Hes more of a friend to them than a coach. I feel like the coaches and teachers are the same way in our high school and in our community.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely makes it easier. Trying to understand what it must be like to have home lives like some of the characters in the book. And proves we shouldn't judge people unless we know the full story.
Deletei dont like the book it isnt that good. it supprised me when i found out preston had a kid. i persomaly dont think prston can support a family
ReplyDeleteHe makes it pretty obvious he can't while he's dealing drugs and hanging out with a murderous biker gang
DeleteI really couldn't stop reading at the times when Preston was telling the story and then committed suicide,...
ReplyDeleteSome other parts that got me were the real high-action scenes. I love it when there's action! A good example would be like Jen trying to commit suicide or when the Warlocks chased Dillon. I will always remember that this book has a lot to do with life itself. There's good things and bad things that happen in life. You just got to go with it.
DeleteI became hooked when walker the main character and narrator began explaining all of the characters involved in the story. The extreme backstory and detail that went into describing all of the characters really roped me into the story and made it very easy to bond with all of the characters. And connect with the emotions they must be feeling as the story progresses. For example with Nortie knowing his back story of having an abusive father for his entire life. Helped me understand what he must be feeling when he hit a kid at his daycare job without thinking about it, but instead of apologizing and trying to fix the situation. He ran to walkers to hide out for a bit. Which was also a moment I couldn't put the book down. I think this section of the book sent the message that even if we don't want or think it is happening our parents have influenced who we are going to become later in life. Which is definitely a message that will stick with me.
ReplyDeleteWhat hooked me in this book is the mystery in the first letter that Dillon wrote. I was kind of confused at first which made me want to keep reading and figure it out. Once i figured out what I was confused about, I wanted to keep reading to see what happen next. What makes this book so great is the major events that happen and keep happening. This book kind of makes the reader feel like there is no hope for everyone in this book. In the end it proves the reader wrong and that is what makes the book a good read. Like when Dillon get justice for Jen. That will make me remember this book.
ReplyDeleteI was just like you when I started to read the book, and once I got it, I could not stop reading the book.
DeleteI agree. the first letter Dillon wrote did kind of leave you hanging and wanting you to know more.
DeleteI was not very interested during chapters 1-6. They made it hard to understand what the main point of the story was. After Mr. Caldwell started to have his quarrels with Dillon then I became more interested, because Dillon really showed the type of person he was. He is very smart even though he can be lazy with school sometimes which is why Caldwell does not like him, and thinks he's a no good drug dealer who'll end up like Preston. I love the fact that Dillon gets into Caldwells mind, because it angers him beyond measure, and Dillon gets to laugh about it. In the end I predict Dillon will prove him wrong, and end up in the best situation for himself after he finishes his goal of defeating T.B.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I wasn't interested in the first few chapters either.
DeleteWhen Nortie hit the kid at the daycare I didn't expect it at all. With the way his life is with his dad it amazed me that he did that and that's when I got hooked. His whole back life story got me hooked and I felt really bad for him and his mom. I wanted to find out what was going to happen throughout the story and that's what has kept me reading this book. What had surprised me is he thought he was becoming his father when in all actuality he just lost his temper even though he knew it wasn't the right way to handle the situation. Overall I haven't been this hooked on a book in awhile. It has been a great story with the way these kids help each other out and make the most out of the time that they have together. The best part is being able to truly be able to relate to the characters and their bonds and friendships. It makes you realize that you are not the only one that gets super stressed out in school and life as a whole and that every situation you get yourself into will eventually work out.
ReplyDeleteYes, surprisingly their strong friendship overcame every problem they encountered.
DeleteI became hooked when I started learning about Jen and her past. I was interested to see where her life would go and how she would deal with her problems. I am also interested in the girl's basketball games and how they will do in the tournament. The part when I couldn't put the book down was during the basketball games, because they were exciting and fast paced.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the basketball scenes are fast paced and exciting. I just get into exciting, action scenes.
DeleteI agree. learning about jen's past was one of the things in the book that got me hooked.
DeleteChinese Handcuffs has very interesting twists that add to the plot. I really got into the book because of the whole deal when Dillon confronted the biker gang. I like all of the problems that the characters have to deal with. I can really relate to Jen because all of her problems she had in her past. She had trouble with her dad, and I can relate to that because I do not get along with my dad at all either. The other few twists that pulled me in more and when Preston comitted suicide right in front of Dillon, and when Stacy said that the baby was actually hers and Preston was the dad.
ReplyDeleteThe part that hooked me to Chinese Handcuffs was when the biker gang chased Dillon down. Also when Jen ran out of her basketball game and Dillon had to chase her all the way to the tower while he sprained his foot running. I will always remember how good of a person Dillon was.
ReplyDeleteyeah it really got my attention and I couldn't wait to read next!!! He's such a great guy props to him
Deletewhat hooked me on to chinese handcuffs was how deep and descriptive its written. some times the books tells you more than you want to know but i guess thats crutchers style
ReplyDeleteI agree the auther is very discriptive and paints a vivid image in your mind, at times it almost seems like he takes it a bit too far with the details
DeleteWhat hooked me in Chinese Handcuffs what hooked me was when Jen, Stacy, and Dillon all opened up on the problems in their lives while they were having dinner together. A moment that I could not put the book down was during the basketball game and Jen ran off to the bridge to end it all. What i will always remember is how sick and twisted what happened behind the scenes, for example Jen's life story.
ReplyDeleteI agree that jen trying to jump off of the water tower was one of the moselt exciging moments of the book, i couldnt put it down
DeleteThe part of the book that really hooked me was when Dillon got hunted down by the gang. I wasn't really interested all that much until this part other than the letters. I think this book has a very good plot and some good twist to it but it does get boring to me sometimes. I will always remember how Dillon took the time to write meaningful letters to his deceased brother and I think that adds a unique twist to the book.
ReplyDeleteStotan, never had a flat moment it was a rollercoaster from beginning till the end. Crutcher developed each character a specific way to give a message. He developed interesting scenes leaving the reader with an urge to know what will happen next. This happened to me all throughout the book, but especially during the trip to Montana, the confrontation with Nortie's parents, and the revenge to O'Brian. After all the strong bong between this book is what kept me hooked, the way that they went through so much and they never lost their hopes. This is the book that I first saw true friendship, and that's why I'll always remember it.
ReplyDeleteChinese's handcuffs has a very interesting story line, and many twist that add to the plot of the book. The first few chapters I wasn't that hooked but as I kept reading, I started to become hooked on the story and I always wanted to know what happened next. I really didn't have a part of the book that hooked me the most and made me not want to stop reading, I think that the whole story over all had me hooked because there always seemed to be a twist every chapter, either about jen's life or Dillon's life.
ReplyDeleteI first got hooked into chinese handcuffs in the chapter where crutcher goes into detail about the things that jen had gone through with her dad and tb, i found it very interesting and couldnt wait to find out what was going to happen next. For the first time in a long time i found myself reading not because i had to, but because i wanted to.
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