Journal Entry #10

5

• Danny and Reuven are now in college! Danny is studying about Freud and views of the mind.
• Reuven and Danny are still very good friends and tell each other their deepest thoughts.
• Reuven decided to tell his father that Danny didn't want to follow his dad and continue being a Judaism or becoming the next tzaddik because he doesn't believe in it. He wasn't sure about it at first, but now he is after all the readings he did. Reuvens dad told him that Reb Saunder will be devastated to hear this. It's better knowing the truth than living a lie.
• Reb Suander knew it all along! He knew about his son and what he wanted. He has confessed it to Reuven while Danny was there to hear it too.
• Suander acted the way he did because he didn't want Danny to come out like his brother. He knew that his son had a great mind and for the first time he has spoken and let his true feelings come out. Even "tears rolled slowly down alongside the bridge of his nose and disappeared into his beard" (279).
• Saunder has told everyone that Danny is going to study psychology and he won't be having that arranged marriage anymore. Also, Mr. Saunder explain to Danny that why he treated him with silence. He just found no better way to manage with everything going on and asked Danny for his pardon.
  

4

• Will Danny regret not becoming a tzaddik?
• Why did Saunder ask Danny if he would raise his son in silence?
• Did Saunder ask Danny to explain his studies or did he just accept it not wanting to hear about it?
• How will Reuven and Danny raise their children?

3

• psych (210): to figure out
• morbid (217): affected by a disease
• immaculately (218): clean; pure
• smicha (275): to rely on

2

• "He was an old man with a long, gray beard who wore a black coat ans was constantly smoking cigarettes" (212). Imagery.
• "Is Danny thinking to abandon his Judaism" (265). Man vs. Man and Man vs. Self.
• "Danny is now like a person waiting to be let out of jail" (265). Simile.
• "What an anguish it is to have to have a Daniel, whose mind is like a pearl, like a sun" (276). Simile.

1

• Talking about issues always makes it all for the better. Things may not have gone how everyone planned, but everyone has conceived some happiness.

Journal Entry #9

5

• Back to school! This year both Reuven and Danny are very busy with school and Reuven has been chosen class president. For this reason they haven't been speaking so much, but they do speak on the phone.
• The war with the Germans is still going on and subsided around January and Reuven hasn't seen Danny since December when it started again.
• Reuvens dad is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack. Red Saunders (Danny's dad) told him he could stay with them and Reuven has moved into Danny's room.
• "There was never any simple, intimate, human kind of conversation between him and his son" (195). Reuven noticed this about Danny and his dad while he was staying at their home.
• Danny's dad has gotten mad because of a comment that Reuven made. Reuven told Mr. Saunder that some people think that they can't be waiting around for the Messiah, that they should find their own Messiah. Mr. Suander is very religious so he got offended, mad and left.
• Danny's dad is perfectly fine until he gets confronted by an idea.

4

• Does Danny have a better relationship with his mother?
• When will Saunder realize the inner pain he is causing Danny?
• Does Danny not speak his ideas to his father because he's afraid he just won't listen?
• What will Saunder do when he find out that Danny doesn't want to take his position?

3

• adjourned (187): to suspend until a later time
• hemorrhage (187): a discharge of blood
• convalesce (194): to recover from an illness
• sacrilege (199): violation of anything sacred

2

• "Everyone turned and gaped at him in total astonishment" (186). Imagery.
• "It was like God dying" (187). Simile.
• "A very pretty girl, with dark eyes and long dark hair combed back into a single braid, and vivacious hands that seemed always in motion when she spoke" (194). Imagery.

1

• Reuven's father is extremely sick! Danny is still not having a good relationship with his dad. Both young adults are going to frustrating times.

Journal Entry #8

5

• Reuven and his father went to Dr. Snydman's office to check on his eye. Thank God that his eye is fine and now he can read, play baseball and do whatever he wants. He forgot to ask the doctor about Billy, but he wanted to go back to see how Billy has been. Reuven called Billy's father to see ask about Billy and he said that the operation was not successful.
• Reuven hasn't seen Danny in a week mainly because they have to study for their final exams. They spoke on Wednesday (on the phone) and Reuven noticed Danny's voice sounding sad.
• It's summer time! Reuven is back to playing baseball and most of the days both Danny and Reuven study the Talmud. Reuven invited Danny to dinner once, but he gave a "lame excuse". Reuven's dad told him that most likely Danny eats no where other than his house or his father's followers because of their beliefs, so he shouldn't ask him again.
• Danny is a teenage boy who reads a lot and he is now reading a book by Freud. After he finished reading Reuven came over and saw him mad. Maybe it was because of something he read about his religion. Danny has been questioning his own beliefs lately.
• Reuven and his father have gone on vacation near Peekskill, as they do every month of August. When he came back he found out that Danny had gone by bus to Lakewood with his father and it was terrible because they didn't say a word to each other except for the few minutes they spoke about the Talmud. Also, Danny has completed reading many of Freud's volumes.

4

• I have the same question as Reuven, has Danny been reading does books about Hasidism, since that's what made him sad last time?
• Why is Danny's father so afraid to speak to him?
• When will Danny tell his father about the way he feels about their relationship?
• Will Reuven say anything else to Danny's dad?

3

• kashruth (177): laws prescribed for Jews
• panzer (177): defense
• terminology (181): terms belonging to a particular science, art...

2

• "I could eat a horse" (173). Idiom.
• "Its leaves were bathed in sunlight" (174). Personification.

1

• Danny's relationship with his father has not gotten any better. The good news is that his goal was to start reading books by Freud and he has finished many of them, already. Reuven and Danny are still good friends. =]

Journal Entry #7

5

• After a week of being absent, Reuven is back to school. All of his friends are happy to see them and all gather around him. They all want to know how he is doing and some even have side comments about "that Danny", but Reuven says nothing.
• After school, Reuven went to the library to meet up with Danny. Reuven saw Danny reading a book and just sat somewhere else because he didn't want to disturb. He still can't read because of his eye so instead he starts to do do calculus problems in his head. Few minutes later Danny came over and Reuven noticed Danny sad.
• Danny had been reading a book by Graetz and this was what got him sad. This author was calling his religion vulgar and disgusting because the "God" made the people drink a lot and give him expensive presents.
• Reuven went to Danny's house and they and Danny's dad are all talking. Danny walks out for a moment and Mr. Saunders takes the time to tell Reuven that he knows that Danny has been going to the library to read many different books and that he would like to know what kind of books Danny has been reading. Reuven ends up telling him everything!
• Danny's father just said that he knows that he and his "Abba" will be great help to Danny and that they should stay as friends.
• Reuven tells Danny that he told his dad everything and he said that it's fine, even though he would have liked his dad to ask him. Danny told Reuven that him and his dad never spoke!

4

• Why didn't Reuven say something when the people were talking about Danny?
• Why is Danny sad about what he read if he doesn't want to inherit the position?
• What makes Reuven tell Danny's dad about the readings?
• Why does the kind of books Danny reads matter?
• When will Danny's and his dad relationship begin to get better?

3

• incumbent (154): holding a position
• idly (156): not active
• ethical (160): dealing with morals
• twilight (161): diffused sun light
• Nu (167): 13th letter of the Greek alphabet
• goy (168): non Jewish; gentile

2

• "He flipped the page with a quick gesture of his right hand, wetting the forefinger with his tongue and turning the page by pushing upward with the finger against the lower right hand corner" (153). Imagery.
• "Feeling of having crossed into a twilight world" (161). Imagery.

1

• Danny's father now knows what his son is up to. I think that after this they will start to develop a better father to son relationship. Also, Danny and Reuven will continue to being good friends, understanding and supportive of one another.

Journal Entry #6

5

• Reuven has already been walking around his hometown enjoying the beauty and wonders of nature.
• When he gets back home, Reuven falls asleep for couple of hours and his new friend Danny comes and wakes him up. They go to see Danny's dad because he wants to meet Reuven. Before they left they found out more information about each other such as, they both are about to be sixteen and their birthdays are only two days apart!
• Danny and Reuven are now talking about religion. Reuven tells Danny is the person they worship is the same as what he sees as God and Reuven said that, that is pretty much what it is.
• They arrive at the synagogue and Reuven notices that everyone is speaking Yiddish. He didn't hear anyone speaking English! Reuven also noticed that the people bow when someone comes because it is a sign of showing respect.
• Danny's dad (Reb Saunders) meets Reuven and Reuven doesn't know what to do or how to act. Since there was some awkwardness, Mr. Saunder just asks Reuven about his eye, then after a while they go eat dinner.
• There was much food to chose from. Reuven wasn't too hungry, but he just ate the food because he didn't want anyone to feel insulted.
• Then, lots of singing and praying began. Then talk about the teenagers future plans.
• Reuven got home at a late time and didn't notify his dad about his up coming tardiness. His "Abba" didn't reprimand him dough, he just told him to call next time. Plus he knew what Reuven was up to.

4

• What has Danny told his father about Danny?
• Will Reuven bring up the conversation about inheriting positions, since he knows that Danny doesn't want that?
• Will Reuven tell his dad about what Danny has in mind?
• What would happen if Reuven doesn't listen to his dad and decides to read?

3

• Synagogue (116): a Jewish house to worship
• Shul (119): Jewish place (synagogue/school)
• Congregants (131): one who becomes part of a group
• Nullify (133): inoperative
• Chant (133): a short and simple melody

2

• "Most of them badly lighted. musty rooms, with benches or chairs crowded together and with windows that seemed always to be closed" (116). Imagery.
• "It's as blue as Danny's eyes" (117). Simile.
• "It slipped like a cool and silken wind from my grasp" (118). Simile.
• "The skin of his face and hands was almost as white as the tablecloth, drawn tightly over the bones, and veins showed like blue branches in his face and on the top of his hands" (131). Simile and imagery.

1

• Danny and Reuven are officially friends. They have met each others families and spent much time and learned an abundance of fact about each other. Let's see where their friendship will lead to next. =]

Journal Entry #5

5

• Reuven is back home! He reseves a warm welcome home from his house keeper. She prepared him a very delicious and big meal.
• After eating, "Abba" went to finish an article on his typewriter and Reuven walked slowly through the house looking and noticing everything, slowly. He noticed every inch of each object, it was as if he had been gone for months.
• Is now night time and Reuven and "Abba" are having a talk. Reuven asks him about Danny and "Abba" responds with telling him the history so that he can understand. He was telling Reuven how the Jews went to Poland because Poland wanted them there since they had a bad economy and Jews were good at making it better, since they were hard workers. "Poland became a kind of Jewish Utopia" (105).
• While in Poland, the Jews are the ones for everything they are the ones who tax and tells the people when they can or cannot do what they ask for. Because of this, there is a war that lasts ten years and the Jewish are then destroyed.
• While trying to answer Reuven's question, "Abba" compares Danny to Solomon from Poland. He says that they are alike because they both wanted to experience new things not only depend on the Talmud.
• Then, "Abba" tell Reuven that Danny is "terribly torn and lonely", and that he needs a friend to talk to. I'm almost positive that Reuven will become a great friend to Danny.

4

• How does it feel to be back home after a week?
• Did Reuven miss Mr. Savo and Billy's company?
• What does Reuven think about what the Jewish went through?
• Now that he knows about Danny, what will Reuven try to do to make him feel good?

3

• sycamores (99): a tree
• vestibule (99): a hall
• strewn (101): to let fall in separate pieces
• prelude (106): preliminary to actions, events...

2

• "We climbed up the wide stone staircase and came through the vestibule into the long hallway where it was dark and cold, and narrow like the corridor of a railroad car" (99). Simile.
• "Her long apron, her man sized shoes, and with strands of of dark hair falling across her forehead from the braided bun in her head" (100). Imagery.
• "Scooped me into her huge arms as though I were a leaf" (100). Simile.

1

• During this few pages, Reuven has come back home and is seeing everything very different. He now knows more about Danny and this can lead to a good friendship.

Journal Entry #4

5

• Reuven's dad went to visit him at the hospital and he looks very sick. Reuven told him about Danny's visit and "Abba" told him that they should become friends and that he will have his eye examined on Friday and might be able to go home Friday as well.
• The next day, when Reuven woke up, there was a curtain around Mr. Savo's bed and Reuven was not able to see him and has no idea as to what's going on with him.
• Danny goes to visit and Mr. Savo's curtain is still closed. Therefore they both go to the hall and talk a lot. Danny tells him so many things that he's never told anyone before. They talk about school and the many books Danny reads per week. They are both enjoying each others companies.
• Then they both start talking about religion. Reuven tells Danny that it doesn't look like he wants to be a rabbi because he doesn't like God. Danny tells him that he doesn't really like God, but he has to be a rabbi because it's an inherited position even if he doesn't want to.
• While both Danny and Reuven are talking "Abba" comes and both Danny and "Abba" are staring at each other suspiciously. Then to find out that "Abba" is the one that has been recommending Danny all of the books he has been reading.
• It's already Friday and Reuven is anxious to finding out about his eye and going home. Reuven's eye is in good conditions he will go home now, but has to come back for check-up in ten days. He went to say bye to Mr. Savo and he told Reuven that he got his eye taken out he didn't say anything earlier because he didn't want Billy to get scared since he was getting surgery done.

4

• How nervous is Reuven about Friday (eye check)?
• What happened to Mr. Savo?
• Why are Danny and "Abba" acting so suspicious?
• When will Reuven get back to playing baseball?

3

• shabbat (78): a day to pray
• tefilling (80): leather cases containing Hebrew text
• fervently (82): feeling enthusiasm
• brooding (84): painful memories
• tzaddik (86): Jewish spiritual leader

2

• "His cheeks were sunken, his eyes were red, and his face ashen" (78). Characterization.
• "True friends are like two bodies with one soul" (79). Simile.
• "The black patch that covered his eye looked like a huge skin mole" (81). Simile.

1

• Reuven is now out of the hospital, but found out new things before leaving. To his surprise, his dad already knew Danny and his eye is good. "No one knows he is fortunate until he becomes unfortunate" (78).

Journal Entry #3

5

• Reuven is still in the hospital. This day, he has woken up to loud noises and soon finds out that the noise is about the European invasion. He turns on the radio his dad brought him when he came to visit since Reuven has been told that he can't read, and here him and his room mates at the hospital listen to the news on the European invasion.
• When they were all listening to the radio it was mentioned that German torpedoes attacked a Norwegian boat and then it started sinking and the people started throwing their selves off. Reuven begins to pray and says that he has in mind of becoming a priest even though his dad wants him to become a mathematician.
• Mr. Galanter went to visit and check on Reuven. While he was there, Billy asked him why he wasn't in the war and Mr. Galanter got said and said that he simply couldn't. Billy repeated how his dad was one of the people who flew the airplanes. Billy then asked Reuven why his dad wasn't in the war and Reuven told him that his mom died in an accident so his dad had to take care of him and his sister.
• Danny went to apologize for hitting him in the eye with the ball. Just by thinking that he may be blind Reuven started talking bad and yelling at Danny. Danny left and said sorry.
• Danny came back once again to apologize and this time they both spoke calmly and spoke and laughed together.

4

• What does Reuven think about the war?
• Does Reuven want to be part of the war someday?
• Is Danny really sorry for what he did to Reuven?
• Will his dad let him get back to playing softball if his eye is all better by the time he leave the hospital?

3

• phylacteries (61): a receptacle containing holy relic (Jewish book)
• Hasid (72): a member of the Jewish sect that observes strict Orthodox
• apikorsim (76):

2

• "The sun streamed in" (66). Personification.
• "His shoulders seemed bowed" (66). Imagery.

1

• Reuven is still in the hospital and there are many important issues going on around the world such as the European invasion. Even though he has no new news about his eye, he is feeling better and many people are showing him that they care. Hopefully everything will go will with his eye.

Journal Entry #2

5

• Reuven got hit very badly by the ball during the baseball game and had to be taken to Brooklyn Memorial Hospital by his coach (Mr. Galanter).
• He was in the hospital because the while playing softball the ball hit him badly in his eye. While at the hospital, many doctors (more than three) come to check his eye and by this point he is getting very nervous.
• Reuven can't stop thinking about his team loosing and Danny Saunder (the boy who batted the ball that hurt him). He nearly hates him now.
• Reuven was taken away to a new room couple of minutes after he got to the hospital (Sunday). When he woke up it was already Monday and he was in a room with complete strangers among them was a blind boy named Billy and a older man. Mr. Savo. Billy decided to call Reuven Bobby because he says that Reuven sounds to old.

4

• Did Mr. Galanter have permission to bring Reuven to the hospital?
• Reuven just found out that there was glass at the edge of his pupil! How nervous is he feeling about his eye vision now?
• Mr. Savo asked Reuven if he "always wear that thing on [his] head". Does he wear it to play softball too?
• Reuven's mom hasn't been to see him, where is he?

3

• groin (38): hollow part at either side on the front part of the body
• fringe (41): an outer edge
• kosher (47): allowed to be eaten or used (Judaism)

2

• "Opened my left eye and gasped the with the pain" (40). Imagery.
• "Thought as a ring post" (48). Mr. Savo says this about the nurse. Simile.

1

• Reuven got hurt real bad at the softball game and he is now at the hospital waiting until the doctor comes to him and tells him that he can leave. He has made two new friends and his dad and Mr. Galanter visit which is making his stay feel a little better.

Journal Entry #1

5.

• The story begins with background information and this is letting the reader know the characters nationality and what to expect. First, the students in this book have to study both English and Hebrew since they are Jewish and live in the United States. They go to school from 8 or 9 in the morning until 4 or 5 in the afternoon.
• A teacher thinks that the students need to be in shape in case they get called for war or something. So a softball team is started and the protagonist (Reuven), makes it into varsity softball team.
• The rabbis (religious leaders) thought that softball was a waste of time in Jewish school.
• Reuven and his team now have a game versus another Jewish softball team and Daney is telling him that this team is real good and that they are "murderers". This team they are facing is good in the hitting, but not in the field.
• Reuven got hurt and he wanted to keep on playing, so he lied to the coach and said he was okay. In a matter of minutes he had to sit out because he wasn't in good conditions. Unfortunately his team lost 8 to 7.

4.

• What would happen if a boy didn't want to join the softball team?
• Were there any other sports in the school?
• Will Reuven believe everything Daney tells him now?
• What are Danny's intentions?

3.

• yeshiva (11): Jewish school for religious elementary students
• shrewd (12): astute
• apikorsim (26): to maintain an opinion

2.

• "They play like it's the first of the Ten Commandments" (15). Simile.
• "That batter who stood now at the plate was broad-shouldered and built like a bear" (22). Simile.

1.

• Reuven is now part of a softball team and he is taking the games very seriously. It's all about practice because it makes for perfect. Reuven won't give up until they defeat the "murderers".