Perfect+Chemistry+MP2

**Alexis**
A.The main characters that we met so far are Brittany and Alex. Brittany grew up privileged and liked to keep her perfect image. She also has a sister that has mental issues. And Alex grew up in gang and on the south-side, which didn't have much money.

B.They are stereotypes but they are really different in ways that people don't know. And Alex, even though he is in a gang he is still kind at heart. Thats what makes it interesting.

C.Brittany is the head cheerleader and is very popular and comes form a rich family. And Alex is in a gang and comes from a bad part of the city.

D.Because they are so different and opposites attract.

E. Brittany's mother because shes always making Brittany look perfect. And she never takes care of the mentally disabled sister.


 * __Siana Luberto__**

“Everyone knows I'm perfect. My life is perfect. My clothes are perfect. Even my family is perfect. Although it's all a complete lie I have worked my but off to keep my appearance and have it all.”

“But after Graduation real life will start. College is just a dream. Senior year for me is like a retirement party for a sixty-five-year-old.”

“Someone must of pegged me as a ring leader cause it's my ass sitting here instead of another Latino Blood's.”

“Oh, this is rich, Peterson and Aguirre one one side of Aguirre's office, little miss Perfecta and her dick head boyfriend on the other... and me standing by my self. Nobody on my side that's for sure.”

“ A secret code of silence and affiliation keeps families safe”

__** Ceili **__

1.) Why do you think Brittany is so private about her sister Shelley? She keeps everything about her sister Shelly private because Brittany wants to be able to keep her perfect image.  2.) Brittany says that people from the south side hate her for who they think she is. What do they think of her? The south side thinks that Brittany is stuck up and spoiled. This is because of the expensive cars and designer clothes that they see. 3.) Do you think anything will happen between Colin and Darlene? We believe that Darlene and Colin will eventually start to date. Darlene has been spending time and talking to Colin, and Brittany has been drifting apart from him since the summer.  4.) Why do you think Brittany was upset when Colin interrupted the fight between her and Alex? Brittany believes that Colin was being to overprotective. She thought that could have handled the fight without him. 5.) How do Brittany’s parents play a role in this book? Brittany’s parents strongly influenced how she feels about herself. Her mom is always telling her to wear the perfect clothes and just have a perfect image in general. Her mother and father are never around, so Brittany is left caring for her mentally ill sister.

__ Ceili Giglio __

Today in class we discussed the first seventy pages. Within these chapters Alex and Brittany were introduced. These characters are stereotypes, but at home away from everyone else their lives are not the way people think. Alex has brothers he cares for greatly, and he is trying to protect them from gangs and violence. Brittany has a sister that is mentally ill. Her mother and father are never around so she is stuck taking care of her as soon as she arrives home from school. Both of these characters do not like each other because of their reputation. Now they are put together in their chemistry class as partners, which makes them both extremely unhappy. Now, Alex makes a bet that he can have sex with her. He is now trying to be as nice as possible to Brittany.

**Hannah- Quotes (:**
"I slap my hand over my eyes. 'Alex don't gross me out. And I don't believe for one second a knife flung out of your hand. You were in a knife fight.' "

"For a nanosecond, as I'm staring into those dark eyes, I wonder what it would be like to kiss Alex. My gaze drops to his lips. For less than a nanosecond, I can almost feel them coming closer. Would his lips be hard on mine, or soft? Is he a slow kisser, or hungry and fast like his personality?"

" '...and my mom'll blame it on me. It's my fault, I know. But she'll freak out on me and then I'll have to explain and hope she--' "

“If I'm not seen as perfect, what happened yesterday with my mom would tame. Being perfect to the outside world equates to how my mom treats me. If any of her country club friends see me out with Alex, my mom might as well be an outcast too.” “I sit on the edge of my bed, my mind whirling with the image of Shelley being sent away. No, it can’t happen. I’ll do anything in my power to keep my sister home.”

The language used in Perfect Chemistry is conversational. It is easy to read because it is in the point of view of the main characters Brittany and Alex. During these chapters many Spanish words are used from Alex, which makes it harder to understand. Our group believes that this is written at a high school level because of the themes of maturity, such as sex, alcohol, and gang violence.
 * Ceili- Weekly Questions**

1.Why do you think that Alex and Brittany do not get along? They were both brought up very differently with sterotypical perspectives of each other and the way they live. We think this is the typical rival relationship story. On the outside, Brittany and Alex hate each other and so not want to be seen together but really on the inside deep down they have feelings for each other. Yes, we think that Brittany and Alex have more in common than what meets the eye. We think that Alex has feelings for Brittany and generally cares for her safety. Brittany did not want Alex to drive her home, because if her mom's country club friends see her she is afraid that they will be shunned.
 * Siana- Questions**
 * 1) Where do you think that Brittany and Alex's relationship is going?
 * 1) Are Brittany and Alex more alike then they think they are?
 * 1) Why do you think that Alex helped Brittany that night on the beach?
 * 1) Why do you think that Brittany did not want Alex driving her home after she slept over Isabel's house?

Today in out group we discussed the first 24 chapters of the book. Also we talked about the language in the book like the rating of language and there accents and how they talked. We notice that one of the main characters, Alex use many Spanish terms and talks using slang. We don’t really know that much Spanish so some of the words that are used by Alex can be hard to understand but we do catch on fast. We also discussed some questions and the quotes.
 * Alexis-Summery**

WEEK 3


 * Hannah- Questions!**

Why do you think that Colin didn't tell Brittany about Mia (the girl in the picture)? - They were expected to be the 'Golden couple' if they broke up it would seem like the universe was out of line.

Why do you think Alex's mom got so angry when she walked in on Brittany and Alex kissing? - We think she got so angry because she's under a lot of pressure raising two kids by herself and doesn't need any grandchildren.

Why do you think Alex switched the tests? - We think Alex switched the test because he cares for Brittany and knows how much her reputation and the way she is prtrayed to her friends and family means to her.

What do you think Shane is going to do with the evidence he has against Colin and Brittany? - Due to the fact that Shane is portrayed as having a big mouth, we think he is going to spread it around.

Do you think the friendship aspect between Colin and Brittany will fall apart? -Yes, definitely. Even when they were going out Colin was jealous of the relationship between Brittany and Alex. Now, that they are broken up there is nothing keeping them together.

“He wipes his eyes with his palms. It makes me want to cry, too, and my eyes start tearing. It’s the end of something we thought was real but ended up being just another one of the roles we were thrust into.”
 * Alexis-Quotes**

“Dios mio, I admire her. Somehow, being with Brittany brings something to my life that’s missing, something…right.”

“my mother takes the groceries shes carrying, ignoring the apology as she walks into the kitchen.”

=
This book seems to be like an emotional rollercoaster. In the beginning of the book Brittany and Alex have a deep hatred for each other. They cannot be more different. Brittany has this perfect life and has everything she could have ever wanted. Everyone has a fear of Alex that he’s going to send his gang after him or her, and it gives him a great deal of satisfaction. Later in the book you realize, that in reality Brittany and Alex are more alike then anyone imagined. They begin to really get to know each other after becoming chemistry partners, and realize that all the rumors and the impressions they get from other people are just a façade and don’t allow you to see the other person’s real personality. =====

Summery - Siana In these chapters many different things happened. Even thought Brittany and Collin have been together for a wile in the book Collin cheats on Brittany with the girl in the picture. Brittany new that Mia also known as the girl in the picture spent the whole summer with Collin but she never thought that anything happened she thought they were just friends. When Brittany finds out that he was cheating on her with Mia, Collin and Brittany break up. Before Collin and Brittany break up Brittany goes over Alex’s house and while they are “studying” then they realize that they have more feeling for each other and end up kissing. But as they are doing that Alex’s mom walked in and does not approve of them kissing. Brittany tries to be nice and friendly to Alex’s mom but she does not want to deal with the situation.

WEEK 4:

__** Weekly questions- ceili **__

One of the themes used in this book would be friendship’s that turn into relationships. Both Alex and Brittany started to become friends but soon this formed into them having feelings for one another. The image used is love, to get her point across about Brittany and Alex’s relationship.

__**Questions Siana**__ How do you think that Alex and Brittany’s relationship had improved?

Is the reputation of Brittany’s perfect life still holding up?

Where do you think that Brittany and Alex’s relationship is going?

Are Alex and Brittany both feeling the same way about each other?

Today in our group we discussed what happened in our book this week. So far Alex and Brittany are starting a much better relationship with each other. THey are both starting to really like each other so things are changing.
 * __Weekly Summery-Alexis Neumann__**

“He doesn’t deserve her, Okay, so I don’t either.”
 * __Hannah Lorman- QUOTES:__**

“As I drift off, her angelic face in the only image that keeps the nightmare of my past away.”

“This is it. I’m going to spill my guts, ‘I don’t know why or when I started falling for you, Alex. But I did. Ever since I almost ran over your motorcycle that first day of school I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what it would be like if you and I got together….’ “

“My mom will see the Brittany she expects to see when I gat home--a perfect daughter.”

“I observe, fascinated, as the guy attaches the five-dollar bill to the train of the bride’s dress with a safety pin.”

WEEK 5-

1.What is your final reflection on the book? We all liked it because it was a mix between a romantic story like romeo and juliet and a modern teenage story.
 * __Group Leader-Alexis Neumann__**

2.Would you recommend this book? Why or why not? We would recommend to an age group of 14 and older due to the imagery used in the story.

3.Has this topic been discussed more/less effectivley in another book? Has been used in other books, the basic plot line is the same but each book is different.

4.Should this book be considered for the schools curriculum? It should be used as an optional reading book.

__**Quotes- Ceili Giglio**__

“It didn’t mean anythin’ to me. You don’t mean anythin’ to me.” I step back as Alex’s hurtful words seep into my brain. “No,” I whisper.

“The problem is, I don’t feel betrayed. More like sad and deflated. After all this time, I still go to bed staring at the pictures of him in my cell phone from the night we went to Club Mystique.”

“Alex is here. Ten steps away from me. Oh, God, every feeling I’ve ever had for him comes rushing back like a tidal wave. I don’t know what to do or say. I turn back to Georgia, wondering if she knew Alex was here. One look at her hopeful face tells me she did.”

“A note. I never wrote a note. What if I die and Brittany never knows how I feel about her? Maybe it’s a good thing. She’ll be able to get on with her life easier thinking I’m a prick who betrayed her and never looked back.”

“As much as I want to forget him, I can’t. I read that goldfish have a memory of five seconds. I envy them. My memory of Alex, my love for him, will last my lifetime.”

__**Summary- Siana Luberto**__ In the last part of the book Perfect Chemistry a lot of events occurred. The main characters Alex and Brittany’s relationship Finely is going somewhere. Alex and Brittany finally get together there relationship goes from an all hate relationship to pure love. Later Alex realizes that Brittany would be in danger if the Latino blood found out about their relationship so they had a messy break up. There lives separate at the end Brittany goes to collage. When Brittany comes home to visit her sister Shelly she walks in to see Alex there with Shelly helping her that showed to Brittan that Alex still cared.

QUESTIONS-Hannah Lorman

Why do you think Alex was so protective over Paco? He was so protective over Paco because he didn’t want to loose another person who was close to him.

Why do you think Brittany became very rebellious against her parents? She was fed up with being told she had to be perfect.

What do you think the relationship between Shelley and Brittany is like? Brittany treats shelly as a daughter, feeding and changing her.

Why do you think Alex told Brittany that he never loved her and that everything was a bet? He didn’t want her to get hurt, because he was in the LB.

Who do you think Brittany’s parents care more about, her or Shelley? Neither, because they used to be embarrassed of Shelley due to her mental handicap, and only love Brittany because she is the ‘perfect’ daughter.

**Book Club Schedule**
You should divide your book into 5 equal sections. For example, if your book has 100 pages, you should have five 20 page sections. You should read the appropriate section for each meeting.


 * Requirements**:
 * **PERSON A - GROUP LEADER** - This group member will be responsible for both keeping the group on task throughout the meeting as well as responding to the week's topical questions, listed below.
 * **PERSON B - QUOTATION FINDER** - This group member will be responsible for finding 5 important, meaningful quotations from their section of the text. They will also facilitate a discussion regarding these quotations.
 * **PERSON C - KEY QUESTIONER** - This group member will be responsible for providing 5 open-ended questions regarding the week's reading section. These questions, and their responses, will be posted on the group's wiki.
 * **PERSON D - GROUP SUMMARIZER** - This group member will be responsible for posting a thorough, two-paragraph summary of the group's Friday meeting, to be posted on the group wiki no later than the Sunday following the meeting.


 * Groups will decide appropriate penalties for group members who fail to uphold their responsibilities.**


 * NOTE: If your book club has three members, the roles B and C should be combined; if your book club has five members, two students should take the role of C (5 questions each).**


 * Week One: December 17**

Topic: Characters (Section 1 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, describe the main characters in your text. What makes them interesting? What is their story or background? Why are you drawn to them? Conversely, are there any characters that you just cannot stand? Why not? (A) 2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page s 4.Person D hould post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class.


 * Week Two: January 7**

Topic: Language (Section 2 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the type of language that your book contains. Is it easy to read? Conversational? "Classic"? Does it use a lot of words you don't understand? What grade level do you think the book is written at, and why? (B)

2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class. 4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page


 * Week Three: January 14**

Topic: Mood/Tone (section 3 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the mood or tone of your book.What is the overriding emotion of this book? What examples back up your claim? (B) 2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class. 4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page


 * Week Four: January 21**

Topic: Themes/Images (section 4 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss the themes and images that your book contains. What are some of the images that are used? What do they seem to represent? Why do you think the author uses these images to convey his or her meaning? 2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class. 4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page


 * Week Five: January 28 (LAST MEETING)**

Topic: Responding to the Text (section 5 out of 5 of your text)

Assignment: 1. On your group's wiki page, discuss your final reflections on this book. Would you recommend it to peers? Why or why not? Has this topic been discussed more/less effectively in another book or books? Should this book be considered for the school's curriculum? (B) 2. Person B should share and discuss their selected quotations, using Save The Last Word techniques. 3. Person C should post the meeting summary on the group's wiki page after class. 4.Person D should share his/her questions with the group, as well as post the questions on the group's wiki page