Betsey Brown is a good book to read and a easy read too. I found myself not wanting to put it down. It was amazing to me how much Betsey grew through out this book. It seemed like the women she met throughout her life taught her a lot more than what her mom did. I think that is a good and a bad aspect. I know her mother is a very busy woman but she should be able to teach her children about life. They really just lived every day the same. They all loved each other but it always got hectic in the house so there didn't seem much time to do other activities when the day's chores came to an end. When Regina came into the Brown's home she influenced the children but not as much as Carrie did. Regina taught the children about life whether it was appropriate or not i am not going to talk about. I think what really taught Betsey was her trip to the city when she saw Regina, it probably changed her whole persona and I am glad it did. Carrie was like the mother that those children needed. She was stern but sweet, fun but to the point. She gave the children meaning in the home and responsibilities that they were okay with doing. She also talked to each child on their own level. I was not happy with the ending and it left me wondering about Carrie and her past life. I never would have thought she would end up in prison. It seemed that you had to be ruff around the edges to survive in that era though. I think adolescents should read this book, it opens the doors to things that can be oblivious to the young.

Bullying

When I think of bullying the first thing that comes to my mind is a black eye or the school bullying hanging someone up by their underwear on the flag pole outside of school. Really though if you takes second to think about it bullying happens in all forms and gradually gets worse and more deceitful as we grow up.

Some examples of different kinds of bullying as we age:

Young-
says that people are not there friends if they don't get what they want
doesn't let people play with them
steals others toys
not so physical

Teen-
beats people up that has a lower status then them, basically because they know they can
to get what they want
status?
a way to fight off anger
Physical

Young Adult-
pick on others under educated in certain aspects of life (eg. sweet girls)
just for the feeling of control
use lies ans well as physical aspects of bullying
Physically and emotionally

Older Adult-
to get what they want
bully the young to get over on them
use bullying in a non physical way (eg intellectually)
emotionally and slightly physical

Bullying has come along way and has a lot of branches coming from it. Bullying no longer has to be a black eye. It's really sad. People bully others to get what they want now and to get a higher status. For example in Charlotte Temple how La Rou just used and abused the sweet Charlotte to get out of where she was.... People also tell others anything they want to hear to keep themselves out of trouble. For example Huck Finn and how he made up an endless amount of stories to the variety of people he met....

Huck

All in all I liked this book and at one point I actually couldn't put it down because I wanted to find out what had become of Jim. One part of the book that I couldn't hardly stand was when Tom came back into the picture and had to do all these specials things in order to let Jim out of slavery lock down. I mean it was endless. I just wanted Jim to be free already. He had such an imagination that he tried to replay everything he had read about. Then I come to find out Tom knew the whole time that Jim was a free person and just wanted to have an adventure. I agree with some of the critics sayings about if Twain ever wrote a book about Toms adulthood it wouldn't be good. I liked Huck's character and how easy going, smart and the fact that he was always on his toes. Obviously I never grew up back in the 1800's but it seemed like you could basically live anywhere; practically every house hold Huck visited they welcomed him as their long lost son. That would be a good aspect in present day. I can understand why some schools would not want this book read, but if you really think about it its all history. Some of the words and racism used is what the 1800's unfortunately was all about. It makes this book seem that it was really based on a true boy. It also shows that not all slaves were treated badly. Then on the other side I can agree with some critics saying that this book should be for the mature mind not for young high schoolers. Only because it could bring racial comments that could start into fights. Also could make African Americans in the classroom feel uncomfortable.