Have you ever been swindled before? In the book that I have just finished Swindle by Gordan Korman, two sixth grade boys Griffin and Ben have had a valuable collectors Baseball card swindled from them. They have put together a second plan to try and steal it back, fair and square. They assemble a team, and pull off a professional heist and steal the card back from Mr. Palomino. But they don’t get away with it, evidence left at the crime scene leads back to the kids. This would have put the kids in jeopardy, but everything worked out because the baseball card actually belonged to an old lady, and Mr. Palomino does not press charges against the boys because he doesn’t want people to know that he swindled them in the first place. Most of the money gets donated to a museum, and the kids get a plaque with their …show more content…
names on it for “A job well done.” In this journal I will be evaluating Mr. Palomino, Connecting to a time when I had my phone swindled from me, and Questioning the motives of the characters to steal back the card. (I have finished the book and it was 252 pages) Mr.
Palomino exposes his true nature many times in this book, showing that he is overall just a wretched person. Personally, I do not like Mr. Palomino, and here are some reasons why. He is a cheat that bought a card from two sixth graders for only one hundred twenty dollars telling them it was fake when he knew the card was worth millions. Griffin saw on the news Mr. Palomino boasting about his new discovery, and that is when Giffin immediately returned to the store and demand for his swindled card back, only for Mr. Palomino to spit in his face. Part of the boys heist to steal the card included keeping Mr. Palomino away from his house while they stole it back. They made a fake happy birthday card that had someone else's name other than Mr. Palominos that contained a ticket to a New York Rangers hockey game and delivered it to his doorstep. Any normal person would have returned the card to its owner, but not this creep, he opened it, took the ticket, and went to the hockey game. “A slow smile spread over Palomino’s broad face. Better and better, he reflected, sunny-side-up eyes gleaming. Well, maybe not for Archie. He’s not going to the game. I am.” (Gordon
148) I can relate to this book in that one time I had my phone stolen from me, and eventually I got it back. While Griffin's item stolen from him was worth much more than what was stolen of mine, I could still feel a similar way because my cell phone was also still pretty valuable. Also, Griffin didn’t realize that the card was stolen from him until after the fact, which was similar to me, except for that he knew who the culprit was, and I had no idea who stole my phone. But we both knew where our items stolen were. He knew it was at Mr. Palominos house. I knew where to find my phone because luckily I had Find My Iphone turned on. We both eventually got ours back, he set up a heist and stole it back. But for me, all I needed to do was look at the Find My Iphone tracker on my brothers device and it let me right to the person. I saw my phone in his hand so it was pretty simple, luckily for me he didn’t be a baby about it and just handed it over. Griffin’s plan to get his item back took much more effort and took a lot more time to plan about how to do it. Unfortunately one difference between Griffin and I is the outcome. I actually got to keep my item while he eventually had ti taken from him again, for good. “The floodlights were so sudden, so blinding that he was frozen in place like a butterfly, on a pin. Detective Sergeant Vizzini stepped out of the glare and snatched the collectible from his hand. In that moment, Griffin understood that the eyes on the back of his neck had been real after all.” (Gordon 242) Who would have the courage to break into someone's house to steal a baseball card back? What was the motivation behind the kids breaking into the house to steal back the baseball card? It would be tough, and if the messed up the police would be after them, and they would find themselves as juvenile delinquents. I think that the first obvious reason why the kids broke into Mr. Palominos house was because they wanted the money. What kid doesn’t want millions of dollars to spend on bubble gum and cotton candy. Now for the police situation, I think that Griffin had a plan that if anything did go wrong, he would tell the police the Mr. Palomino ripped him off in the first place, and lied with a smile on his face and no regrets. We saw this actually end up happening in a way because Mr. Palomino didn’t press charges for that reason. “Vizzini looked stern. “I hope you know how lucky you are. Mr. Palomino isn’t going to press charges. He wants to avoid an investigation into whether he broke the law when he cheated you.” (Gordon 245) In this journal I have evaluated why I believe Mr. Palomino is a bad person, connected to a time when I also had something valuable of mine stolen, and questioned the motivation in the kids to steal the card back. If I have learned anything from this book, it is to, don’t be a swindle, it's totally not cool and it will come back and haunt you one way or another.
“The Charmer” by Budge Wilson is a short story about a Canadian family that finds misfortune and conflict within their lives. Conflict being the predominant theme which directly affects all the participants in the family. The story is written in third person and narrated from the young girl Winifred’s point of view. Budge Wilson uses Zack’s smothered childhood, charming personality and irresponsible behaviour to create emotional conflict between members of the family.
The current minimum wage right now in California is $9.00 per hour. The question is, will this be enough for people to pay off their rent and still able to not keep their fridge empty. In the book, "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich talks about working as a low wage worker. Barbara describes the environment of the jobs that she had done in a detailed manner. She also explained how most of her coworkers lived with more than one person in order to pay rent. One of her job was working in a nursing home which she got a really low pay to take care of elderly people. In addition to that job, she had another job in order to pay off her rent. Therefore, according to the book an individual may need more than one job or live in a house with more
Darryl’s life is worth fighting for. “You can’t buy what I’ve got.” ‘The Castle’ directed by Rob Sitch, about one man, his family and neighbours on the verge of being homeless. Darryl Kerrigan, the “backbone of the family” won’t stand for that. Of course no one can buy what he has. He’s spent almost his entire lifetime building what he has, why should he give it up? Darryl’s way of life is simple yet filled with family values. 3 Highview Crescent is the home to Darryl, his wife Sal and their 3 children: Wayne, Steve, Tracy and Dale. (Wayne currently being in jail.) The house is made up of love, and simple family values. Darryl’s also added bits and pieces to it. He’s added on so much to the house, his own personal touch. His neighbours, also in the same bout are almost family to the Kerrigans. Jack and Farouk are another reason why Darryl’s ready to take matters into his own hands.
Poney does not want to be in a boys home, due to his parents death all three boys should be in a boys home. He mentions both in the book and the movie he has to be careful with getting into huge trouble because if the cops found him they would put him in a boys home since he has no parent. Cherry is very kind hearted in both the movies she tells Ponyboy about how you can’t assume if one person from this group is like that, then that must mean everyone else there is the same. She finds a way to figure someone out, if they are a certain way it's because of their past because they've gone through tough stuff she says “Things are rough all over”(S.E. Hinton). In both Cherry spills soda on Dally for trying to hit on her and tells him “get lost hood” (S.E. Hinton), but then tells Pony that if she sees Dally she's afraid she will fall for him, because she sees the good in him. Poney boy also talks to Johnny about the poem Nothing Gold Can Stay in both while watching the sunset about losing your innocence and views in life. When Johnny passes away he tells Ponyboy Stay
In chapter one we are introduced to our narrator, Ponyboy. Ponyboy is raised by his two older brothers Darry and Soda. They’re all apart of a gang called the “greasers” which is joined by Dally, Johnny, Two-bit, and Steve. There is another group called “ socs” which stands for socials, and everyone in that group is very wealthy. One day Ponyboy got jumped by a socs group, but luckily Darry was there to help before anything too serious happened. The first element of literature is characterization. Ponyboy is a keen observer, trying to make sense of the complexities of those around him. At the beginning of the story, he stops and spends several pages giving us brief character description on Steve, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny. This is also known as direct characterization. He tells us that Steve is "cocky and smart" ( Hinton 9). Two-Bit can 't stop joking around and goes to school for "kicks" (Hinton 10) rather than to learn. Dallas, he says, is "tougher, colder, meaner" ( Hinton 10) than the rest of them.
Jeffrey Reiman, author of The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison, first published his book in 1979; it is now in its sixth edition, and he has continued to revise it as he keeps up on criminal justice statistics and other trends in the system. Reiman originally wrote his book after teaching for seven years at the School of Justice (formerly the Center for the Administration of Justice), which is a multidisciplinary, criminal justice education program at American University in Washington, D.C. He drew heavily from what he had learned from his colleagues at that university. Reiman is the William Fraser McDowell Professor of Philosophy at American University, where he has taught since 1970. He has written numerous books on political philosophy, criminology, and sociology.
James Loewen wrote the book ?Lies My Teacher Told ME? to help the students of the United States become aware of their true history. This book attempts to show how and why American history has been taught the way it has without regard for the truth. Mr. Loewen had compared twelve different history textbooks they are: The Great Republic, The American Way, Land of Promise, Rise of the American Nation, Challenge of Freedom, American Adventures, Discovering American History, The American Tradition, Life and Liberty, The United States ? A History of the Republic, Triumph of the American Nation and The American Pageant. Loewen has argued his cases for Heroification, Euorcentrism and the first settlers, and Racism in our history. He has done this knowing fully that most people do not want to know the harsh realities of our nations past. The United States has tried to maintain a positive image throughout history. Unfortunately, it has many skeletons in its closet that need to come out to heal this great nation on many levels. If the public at large new the real role of racism in our nations infancy and how men tried to pursue their way of thinking as opposed to what is good for the country they would be ashamed at what the United States has stood for in the past.
Sally Satel, author of “Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate? Wrong,” leads us down a harrowing path of the causes and effects that lead people to addiction. It can be a choice, possibly subconscious, or a condition that leads a person left fighting a lifelong battle they did not intend to sign up for. Mental and emotional health/conditions, personality traits, attitudes, values, behaviors, choices, and perceived rewards are just a few of the supposed causes of becoming an addict.
In short story “The Cheater’s Guide to Love,” written by Junot Diaz, we observe infidelity and the negative effects it has on relationships. Anyone who cheats will eventually get caught and will have to deal with the consequences. People tend to overlook the fact that most relationships are unlikely to survive after infidelity. Trust becomes an issue after someone has been unfaithful. Yunior, the main character in this story, encounters conflict as he struggles to move on with his life after his fiancée discovers that he has been unfaithful. Over a six-year period, the author reveals how his unfaithfulness has an effect on his health and his relationships.
“Without Conscience" by Robert D. Hare is one aimed towards making the general public aware of the many psychopaths that inhabit the world we live in. Throughout the book Hare exposes the reader to a number of short stories; all with an emphasis on a characteristic of psychopaths. Hare makes the claim that close monitoring of psychopathy are vital if we ever hope to gain a hold over Psychopathy- A disorder that affects not only the individual but also society itself. He also indicates one of the reasons for this book is order to correctly treat these individuals we have to be able to correctly identify who meets the criteria. His ultimate goal with the text is to alleviate some of the confusion in the increase in criminal activity by determining how my of this is a result of Psychopathy.
Sexuality is very diverse, in some instances normality is based on the cultural context of the individual 's society. In "The other side of desire" by Daniel Bergner, the author goes in depth into the lives of four individual 's whose lust and longing have led them far down the realms of desire. The current paper addresses the four individual 's Jacob, the Baroness, Roy, and Ron each exhibits a paraphilia that may or may not meet the full criteria in the DSM-5. Furthermore, each person’s specific paraphilia is conceptualized and explained in depth. Countertransferential issues anticipated before working with these individuals is analyzed and clarified. Also, the apprehension of sexual arousal and sexual behaviors is conceptualized into normality
The Millionaire Next Door written by William Danko and Thomas J. Stanley illustrates the misconception of high luxury spenders in wealthy neighborhoods are considered wealthy. This clarifies that American’s who drive expensive cars, and live in lavish homes are not millionaires and financially independent. The authors show the typical millionaire are one that is frugal, and disciplined. Their cars are used, and their suits were purchased at a discount. As we read the book from cover to cover are misconceptions start to fade. The typical millionaire is very frugal in all endeavors and finds the best discounts possible. A budget is implemented daily, monthly, and annually for a typical millionaire. They live by the budget and are goal oriented. Living well below their means is crucial for a millionaire, and discovering ways to allocate time and money more efficiently. The typical millionaire next door is different than the majority of America presumes. Let’s first off mention what it is not. The typical millionaire is surprisingly not the individual with the lavish house worth a million dollars, owning multiple expensive cars, a boat, expensive clothes, and ultimately living lavishly. The individual is frugal and often looks for discounts for consumable goods. The book illustrates the typical millionaire in one simple word: frugal. It is shocking to believe that this is true, but it does make sense. To achieve financial independence is inherently more satisfying and important than accumulating wealth. According to the book the majority of these millionaires portray characteristics of being sacrificial, disciplined, persistent and frugal. In the book it states, “Being frugal is the cornerstone of wealth-building. Yet far too often th...
With his long greasy hair and baggy worn out clothes he looked likes a bad kid, but the way he talked and the way he thought it was a whole different person inside of him. The Outsiders is about two rival gangs that fight and go through so much stuff to just to call the territory their own. It is the Socs versus Greasers. They always have their back up because you can't trust anyone, but at the end of the day is all the rubbles and fighting worth it? Ponyboy one of the greasers has a big character change during the book. In the beginning of the book Ponyboy was getting jumped by the Socs and he was acting all tough and defending himself, in the middle of the book he starts to break while he is in the church, and when the kids were stuck in
Powder, a short story written by Tobias Wolff, is about a boy and his father on a Christmas Eve outing. As the story unfolds, it appears to run deeper than only a story about a boy and his father on a simple adventure in the snow. It is an account of a boy and his father’s relationship, or maybe the lack of one. Powder is narrated by a grown-up version of the boy. In this tale, the roles of the boy and his father emerge completely opposite than what they are supposed to be but may prove to be entirely different from the reader’s first observation.
In my book the Perks of Being a Wallflower, there are four main characters. Charlie, Sam, Patrick, and Mary Elizabeth. The way that the Author describes charlie is kind of like a sensitive young man who is trying to figure out what to do with his life. He doesn’t really have any friends because last year, his best friend died and his Aunt died in a car crash. Sam seems like a really energetic young woman who loves hanging out with her friends and listening to classic rock. I think that the Author made her character perfectly because every word she says, seems like she is happy on the outside but a little lost in the inside. Patrick is a jokester who is depressed sometimes because he is gay and his boyfriend has to pretend that he doesn’t love him. He is Sam’s step brother and they seem to be great friends. He loves music as well. Mary Elizabeth is a mix between a buddhist, and a punk. She shaved half of her head and on the weekends she has a show called “punk rocky” which is supposed to be a re-make of this show called the rocky horror picture show. She dates Charlie for a while but is controlling, and Charlie doesn’t really like her because he likes sam, a lot.