Elizabeth Pace> English summer reading: The Bean Trees> The ability to adapt to any given situation, but still learn and grow from it is the window that exists within this story that I see as halfway open, in which I can see my reflection. Taylor Greer is an example of a woman that not only set out to start a life of her own, but learned and changed from all those around her. The people that were most important in her life such as Turtle, Pedro and Esperanza as well as Lou Ann did not just happen to fall into her life, but were aids in her happiness and her survival because she brought them into her world. When coming to Suffield three years ago, I saw how unhappy one could become if they did not open ones eyes and ones heart to all those who surrounded them. Suffield's diversity within its student body adds to the richness of the relationships of our high school careers, as Taylor's relationships added to the life which created on her own. I see the window as half closed as I feel that I am adifferent person than I was three years ago. I can see my final year of my high school career ending with the joy of how Taylor had everything together by the end of the story. Throughout all that she had been through the course of the book she stayed determined to be there for her friends, and for Turtle. I see the window almost closing because I feel that I have come a long way in seeing the importance of the mirrors that each of my friends have within them that allow me to see the growth and the change in which they have impacted my life with. I feel that I can still work hard to learn to adapt and "roll" with any change and circumstance that may seem impossible, and always find something positive or meaningful within each lesson that I learn in life.Authors reflections on the book, as well as links to reflections on her other works.

Elizabeth Pace

 

 

English summer reading: The Bean Trees

 

The ability to adapt to any given situation, but still learn and grow from it is the window that exists within this story that I see as halfway open, in which I can see my reflection. Taylor Greer is an example of a woman that not only set out to start a life of her own, but learned and changed from all those around her. The people that were most important in her life such as Turtle, Pedro and Esperanza as well as Lou Ann did not just happen to fall into her life, but were aids in her happiness and her survival because she brought them into her world. When coming to Suffield three years ago, I saw how unhappy one could become if they did not open ones eyes or ones heart to all those who surrounded them. Suffield's diversity within its student body adds to the richness of the relationships of our high school careers, as Taylor's relationships added to the life which created on her own. I see the window as half closed as I feel that I am a different person than I was three years ago. I can see my final year of my high school career ending with the joy of how Taylor had everything together by the end of the story. Throughout all that she had been through the course of the book she stayed determined to be there for her friends, and for Turtle. I see the window almost closing because I feel that I have come a long way in seeing the importance of the mirrors that each of my friends have within them that allow me to see the growth and the change in which they have impacted my life with. I feel that I can still work hard to learn to adapt and "roll" with any change and circumstance that may seem impossible, and always find something positive or meaningful within each lesson that I learn in life.

For the authors reflections on the book, and her reflections on her other works.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/7835/books/kingsolver.htm