Authors note

    Dyslexia is a developmental learning disability, commonly identified with having difficulty recognizing and making sense of words and sentences. Dyslexia is a lifelong disability, and as a result it is usually discovered at an early age. People often develop frustration, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and family issues. Kids especially, do not understand their own condition, even with someone explaining it to them. To a child, say that they have dyslexia is like saying that they're not as good as everyone else.
    I don't have dyslexia, but as a young child I used to think that I wasn't as good as everyone else. I had a harder time understanding what people tried to teach me. As hard as I tried there were little times where I would succeed, and being as young as I was, my spirits were crushed. I didn't understand that I could get better if I tried my hardest and put extra time into whatever I was working on.  I thought I was stupid and that just giving up would be easier.
    There is always a silver lining. It chooses to present itself now, later or has someone come looking for it, it's there. When I grew to be a little older, I realized that I cannot just give up because something is hard for me. I learned that if I tried and tried, I would eventually reach my goal. For people with dyslexia, it could be immensely harder, but the outcome is worth it.

'This is what I did' synthesis page

Summer Boone                                                           1/5/14

812

Question- Who's perspective is missing in this text? What would it look like it we put it back?

Dad

Pg 2

After Logan has a bad day at school, his dad tries to comfort him and ask him what is wrong. It ends with his dad leaving without saying anything because Logan shouted at him without reason. The story entails that he looks worried, but gives no more information. If the dad's perspective is given, then we would know what he was thinking exactly. Did he want to hurt the kid that made his son feel like not talking? Did he even care that much?

Pg 16

"...Dad would think I was a loser again." (Thought by Logan)

If the dad's perspective were in the story, Logan would know how his dad felt, and feel better to know that his dad did not think that he was a loser.

Mom

Pg 6-7

Logan's brother Mack calls Logan a loser.

"Mom in talk shout: Don't you ever, ever say that to your brother. Ever!"

If the mom's perspective was given, then we would know why she exploded the way she did, over something so commonly said among siblings. There would be no question on whether or not she knew that Logan was getting bullied and she wanted to shield him from sensitive words that his peers used in such a negative way, or just did not like the word very much.

Laurel (girl)

Pg 30

*Notes between the two (during classes)*

     "To Laurel,

         A few palindromes

         Pop

         Level

         From Logan

         (From your geography and pre algebra classes)"

     

        "Logan

          No duh about the geog. + algebra.

          Lion oil.

          Laurel"

She is the one of the only people who talks to him. If we had her perspective, we would know why she doesn't brush him off, or bully him like everyone else. In their school, the bullies don't forget much, and if you were seen with him, they would approach you.

Bruce 

Pg 42

He is the 'ring leader' of the group of people bullying Logan. If we had Bruce's perspective, then we would know why he bullied Logan. There are no apparent reasons in the book. His parents and home life seem perfectly fine (for now).

Pg 65

"Bruce: You never know what you might do- you MOLESTER."

*After he said this, Logan hit him on the head with a shovel*

If we were inside Bruce's head, we would know why he would say something like that to get Logan so upset. We would also know whether he was expecting Logan to retaliate, whether Bruce just said it in the spur of the moment, or wanted to pick a fight.

Pg 110

"Bruce: Shoot crapstock. Looks like you better say something fast or you're going to get it.

And he shoved my face into the glass.

Hard"

If we had Bruce's perspective, we would know why he continuously messes with Logan after Logan has shown him how easy it is for him to hurt Bruce. We would know if Bruce wanted to start another fight because know he would be prepared and on guard, or just get Logan in trouble.

Pg 155

Bruce's dad, Jack was hitting him. For a second, Logan sees his best friend getting abused by his dad and he feels that he needs to stop it. He stands up for Bruce.

"Me: Leave him alone. LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

If we had Bruce's perspective, we would know if Bruce was thankful or embarrassed by what Logan did. We would also know if what Logan did cost him to get beat even more behind closed doors.

Zyler

Pg 59

His dad abused Zyler, but no other information was given about him besides the fact that he also had a sister.

"Here's what I heard: A scream. A 'No Dad! Please, no!' And it was Zyler and it was so loud and shaking and backed into a corner. 'NO, NO, NO!! PLEASE!!'"

 If we were in Zyler's head, then we would know when the abuse started and possibly why it started. Also, we might know what kind of things his dad did to him.

In general

If we had his perspective, we would know how he coped with seeing his girlfriend almost get raped by his father, and Zyler knocking him unconscious. He has been moved to a permanent family and if we knew what Zyler was thinking, we would know if he likes his new family or and if he has been to therapy for emotional trauma.




Conclusion

I took a lot from this synthesis page. Authors cannot have everyone's perspectives in the book, even if the book is in third person. It will be boring for the reader, for there will be no mystery. There will always be more perspective to add in order to make every reader happy. I learned that a single sentence or paragraph could make someone think very deeply about the plot, characters, character development, archetypes, symbolism or many other things. This led me to think about how every single sentence has a specific purpose. For example, in the notes that Logan and Laurel sent to each other, Laurel's palindromes kept getting larger and more unique. That makes the readers think about her devotion to Logan, keeping up the notes throughout the school year and making a going effort to keep them different and interesting. Logan's notes also progress in ingenuity, but it was not as distinct as Laurel's. Overall, this book and synthesis page made me tap into parts of a book that I had never known were there, allowing my to 'read between the lines'.