thalia

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Book Group Test
1. In a way I do think that it was a good name but, in another way I don’t. I mean, because the Small family are moving to the “house of Dies Drear” it makes sense, but because there is practically no mention of him in the entire book, the title misleads you. The legend of the house and its name is that Dies Drear was the owner (obviously), and this was one of the many houses that were incorporated into the Underground Railroad. The house has many tunnels and secret passageways for the slaves to hide in, in case a policeman or someone came looking at the house. For example, the wall that opens in the kitchen, the one that goes off into the main tunnel, was a perfect place since it was easy to get to, had many ways out and kept the slaves safe. Dies Drear would encourage slaves to go back to the plantations they came from, but this time bring money with them, so when they got there, they could give other slaves money for the road. So anyway, one day, Dies Drear was sending these three slaves back, but when they were about to cross the Ohio river, they were caught, two of the three slaves were killed, and no one knows for sure what happened to the third, except we do know that Pluto is descended from him, so he must have settle down and had a family. It happened that the same week that the two slaves were killed, Dies Drear himself was murdered, and I bet the two slaves “ghosts” murdered him, because they probably blamed him for their death. So back to the title, I think that the title is good because the whole story revolves around him and the house and the three slaves, but at the same time Dies Drear //himself// wasn’t mentioned more than 2 times (practically). Comment from Shirley: Thalia, you have written a thoughtful and accurate response with excellent examples to support your opinions. I liked your thoughts on why this title was and was not appropriate. Well done!

2. I think that the most mysterious scene in the whole book is when Thomas is walking through the tunnel the first time and he just gets freaked out (even though he won’t admit it to himself). When he first falls through the whole he doesn’t know what to do but when he remembers his flashlight he calms down just a bit. He shines the flashlight around him and sees he’s in a circle of bricks with an exit that looks very small, barely enough for him to get through facing straight, and that it is just a stone pathway, but he hears dripping water, but after a second realizes it’s probably just from the creek. He get’s up and decides whether to try and climb back up the wall (even though it looks like if anyone touches it, it would crumble), or go down the path. He decides on the path, but after a while decided that that probably wasn’t the wisest choice. As he continues down the path, I thought originally that a descendant of a slave was going to pop out at him, plus he kept hearing noises/wailing from behind him. Eventually he got to a place where the walls were 8 feet from each other, and there were thick stone slabs against the walls (one could only assume that they were for the slaves to sit on), he continued on the path, which was getting narrower by the second, when he heard feet shuffling, maybe a voice. He shined his flashlight around him, fumbling with it, eventually dropping it. He caught it for a second, but then dropped it, and when it hit the ground it turned off. He accidentally kicked it with his heel and it rolled away. Thomas got on all fours and started searching for it. He couldn’t find it so he got scared, and he decided to go back the way he came, so he started back, his hands outstretched to keep him from hitting the walls, when suddenly he stopped, thinking that he was not alone in the tunnel. He started to panic, he called for his”papa”, he started to run and ran straight into a wall, which hurt as bad as 40 pro boxers punching you in the face. He yelled “help” and “don’t let it touch me!” and started to cry, when suddenly part of the wall slid up and there stood Mrs. Small asking him, “Thomas Small, what in heavens name do you think you are doing inside that wall?” Out of all that, I think that the last part where he is freaking out was pretty scary. In the end I chose this scene because the entire scene it felt like it had that duh-duh, duh-duh, duh-duh, duh-duh music (like the Jaws theme song)and the suspense was kind of suffocating. Comment from Shirley: This is another interesting response but you haven't included the reasons why you chose this scene. Your summary is accurate and descriptive and written clearly. Nice work!

@Book Group Questions 6 - Please write your response here
I think it was a pretty good ending for this kind of book! I mean usually mystery books leave you with a mysterious cliff hanger, but this one ended the story cleanly and in a way rightly. I mean the whole "property" thing, or "claiming" thing was a little weird.....i mean it was pretty predictable that Pluto was going to continue taking care of the house, the Smalls were going to continue living there, that Thomas and Mac Darrow were possibly going to become friends, Thomas was going to warm up to Pesty, The Darrows were going to leave them alone, and that Mayhew was going to be in and out of the community. I think all in all though, it was a good ending that left you satisfied!
 * 1. What did you think about the end of the book? Do you think it should have been different?**

Unlike Thomas, I think I would be more scared while waiting, and would probably have a huge rush of adrenaline and excitement while doing the actual attack/scaring. I mean while having the suspense of knowing that at any time a person could step on your hand and you could squeal and give away the whole plan, or that Pesty could have told the Darrows the plan and they could come up and grab you and for all you know kill you or keep you locked up so you couldn't tell anyone what you have done! I mean I would be freaked out! But during the actual attack, I would be so excited I don't think I would realize what was going on until it was over! **
 * 2. If you were in Thomas' place in the woods, would you have been scared? Give reasons for your answer.

2. Mayhew is going to put Mr. Pluto into the hospital and they are going to take Pluto in an ambulance as to make a big show about it. Mayhew wants Pesty and Thomas to make sure that the Darrows think that he reason Pluto is in the hospital is because he made himself sick over getting excited about something Mr. Small found of Drear’s. Once the Darrow’s think that Mr. Pluto is gone they will try immediately to get into the house and find what’s inside. But Mr., Mrs. and Thomas are going to be dressed as “ghosts” and they are going to try to scare the Darrows. Mayhew is going to dress as Pluto and hide out in the cavern until the time is right to come out.

[|a.coleman8414] Amelia: You really described Mayhew's plan well. I liked how you put a lot of detials on your response. Wonderful job!!!! ||
 * || **re: HI!!**