Top Ten List

1. Character: Sai- She is a very quiet child. This book describes how her life was at the top and went straight to the bottom. Sai's parents had died and thought her life was over when her parents died but that all changed when she got a call from her grandfather. she moved in with her grandfather and everything was not back to normal but it was getting better.

2. Theme: family-family was a big part in this book because without family you lose faith. Sai wouldn't have made it though what happened to her parents if her grandfather wasn't there to take care of her. Also lola would not have a place to live and people who care about her if it wasn't from her cousin Sai.

3. Character: Sai's grandfather- He was the person who helped Sai get back up in life when she thought she couldn't. He thought it was his fault that Sai's parents had past away but it wasn't so by the end he had a good relationship with Sai. Sai's cousin lola also moved in with Sai and her grandfather because her parents had past away not long after Sai's. once again the grandfather thought it was his fault because he was not able to protect his family but in the end they forgave each other.

4. Theme: Faith-if sai didn't have faith that she could make it without her parents she wouldn't be where she is now. Sai had faith in her self that she could leave her parents behind and continue living her life she also told her self that if she has faith miracles could happen and things can change. The cook also had faith in Sai because the cook knew that Sai had it in her that she can fight though it and will change someones life one day.

5. Character: Lola- she is Sai's cousin. She also lost her parents like sai and unlike Sai she thought she lost everything and wanted to die. Sai was the one who encouraged lola to keep on going. Sai's grandfather also had invited lola to stay with him. Sai and lola had built a really close relationship because they have gone though the same experiences and know how hard it is.

6. Theme: Trust- Sai had to trust her grandfather because if he was going to give her a worst life then before she would not go back. also she had to trust lola because they lived in the same house and they were family but they still haven't met before and they don't know the other person that well. One of the rason why sai trusted everyone when her parents died was because she thought that no matter what happens it can't be worse than what happened to her parents but now she nows that she can always trust her family.

7. Character: The Cook- the cook is the only person the grandfather lived with before Sai and lola moved in. The cook was the only person that sai's grandfather talked too. the cook was also the person who got sai and lola to talk to their grandfather more. The cook never really had a family so he considered sai and lola part of his family. The cook also never knew how to run a family so he told his son Biju to go to America to earn money but in the end he noticed that he really missed his son.

8. Theme: Forgiveness- Sai's grandfather blamed himself for the death of Sai and lola's parents because he didn't know how to raise a family. When their grandfather asked sai and lola to live with him he was really nervous because he didn't know if he could take care of them. after sai and lola heard about this they went to talk to their grandfather and forgave them. If sai and lola hadn't forgave them they would not have the relationship they have now.

9.Character: Biju- He is the Cook's son. The cook had sent him to America to earn money. Biju and the Cook hadn't spoke in a while except for a couple letters. The cook really missed him because before he thought earning money was important for a good future but now he knows that money was not worth giving up his son. In the end Biju knows how his father feels and goes back to live with his father. even though they pay less where his father lived but he didn't care because he knew he could be with family there.

10.Theme: Communication- If Sai and her grandfather didn't have communication they wouldn't be able to find each other and sai wouldn't have a home. Also the grandfather had to communicate with lola's friend sto find out that her parents had just past away. The cook also had to communicate with biju because if they didn't Biju wouldn't know how his father felt. Without communication this family would not be like this and it's a good thing they communicate now because they can talk about the things they're struggling with and get though them together.

Week 7, Post B

In this last chapter it wraps everything up. The grandfather now talks to his two granddaughters and have lots of fun together. the cook and biju have finally talked. The most surprising part is that Biju moved in with Sai and Lola and their grandfather because biju had finally realized that family is more important than money . Biju had also realized that no matter how much money you make you can never buy family and friends. Sai has really been though a lot and it's been a long time since Sai has felt like a family. even though this family is different for other families it has changed sai and lola's life. The cook and Biju has the best father son relationship, sai and Lola are best friends and the grandfather now is able to communicate with all of them. Sai now believes that miracles do happen because she was able to go though all the things she went though before and without a miracle she would not be able to have such an amazing household before.

Week 7, Post A

Quote:
"All you needed to do is reach out." (p.357)- This quote is said by sai and she said this because at the end of the book sai realizes that everything shes has was right in front of her all along and all she needed to do is reach a little further.

Vocab:
fetor-(p.314)- a strong, offensive smell; stench.
destitute-(p.325)-without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter.

Week 6, Post B

In this section a lot of truth comes out. Lola and Sai have moved into the same room because the house was small and that seemed like the best place to stay. Sai had told Lola why she is here and explained to her what happened to her parents. Lola had also told sai about her life and found out that they have a lot in common and lived almost the same life. What they both didn't get was why their grandfather was so grumpy all the time. Sai and Lola have tried to get their grandfather to talk but he would just answer with a short answer like yes no or maybe. they have tried and tried but their grandfather still didn't say anything. At the end sai and Lola had finally giving up but just as they were heading to their rooms their grandfather spoke. They all sat down in the living room and started to talk the grandfather had opened up and told the both of them why he doesn't talk to them. The reason why he doesn't talk to them is because he thinks it is his fault that both their parents died and have no way to make it up to them. He also said that when they were little he didn't help take care of them so he knows nothing about them. Sai and Lola both told their grandfather that it was not his fault that their parents died and that they never blamed him for that. They also said that just because you didn't care about us when we were little doesn't mean you can't care about us now. After this conversation their grandfather has a lot off his chest and is finally able to communicate with his grandchildren.

Week 6, Post A

Theme:
One theme that is happening in the book during his section is family because now that lola has moved in sai feels like a sister to her. They act like a family now and talks to each other more often now.

Vocab:
unrequited-(p.286)- not returned or reciprocated
serendipitously-(p299)-come upon or found by accident; fortuitous

Week 5, Post B

Before I read this chapter I thought Sai was a really Quite girl who tried to connect with people around her but i was wrong. After reading this i have realized how strong sai is. sai's grandfather had invited his one and only niece named lola to his house and when she walked in the house Sai was the first to greet her. sai had been really shy when she was little but after the whole thing with her parents she noticed that there is no one she can talk to unless she starts to talk so now she is more open to everyone she meets. Sai and Lola have a good relationship when Lola moves in. They talk about everything and they have a lot in common. In this section one important thing also happens , Biju for the first time in years has called the cook and talked. This was a major break though for the cook because he didn't think his son cared but now he knows that he does. after this has happened Sai fells relieved. Now Sai kind of feels like a family because she has someone she can talk to and everyone feels connected. This is probably the most important part in the book because it puts everything together.

Week 5, Post A

Vocab:
foliage-(p.244)-the leaves of a plant, collectively; leafage
dispel-(p.255)-to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate: to dispel the dense fog.

Quote:
"Are you alright?" asked Biju.-(p.254)-This quote represents that Biju finally realizes that his father loves him very much and that he hasn't cared about him in the past years.