We've had some wonderful discussions about this story, both in class and on the blog. At this point I would like to know your thoughts about the story. Is there something that has happened that has shocked you, or upset you, or maybe even made you chuckle? Spill it out here...
Reading Assignement: Read the chapter titled, "Thirteen" pages 208-222. Due Thursday, April 14.
Blog Response: Due Friday morning, April 15
I feel like this story has been a never ending roller coaster ride for Henry. He has some many tough obstacles he has to face which would be him going up the roller coaster then picking up speed and heading down on the roller coaster then looping twice. Some of these challenges have been his parents finding the phots, his Dad calling him a stranger, his Dad having a stroke, Keiko leaving for another camp, etc. I beileve the smooth rides on the roller coaster have been Henry visting Keiko, sneakinginto the camp to see her, etc. It has been a very suspenseful book and I can not wait until I read the end of this book to find out what happens.
ReplyDeletetsace12
So far I have really enjoyed this story. Before I started reading Hotel, I was so excited to get started because it sounded so good and it turned out to be better than I thought it would be. There are many moments I really enjoyed in this book. I liked when Henry was being chased by Chaz and bullies and hopped in the wagon and road down the road in it- it sounds like fun. I also enjoyed when Henry gave Keiko the birthday presents at Camp Harmony. I thought it was really sweet and thoughtful. I was shocked when Henry's father decided to disown him. In my opinion, that is the worst thing that has happened in this book. I'm really enjoying this novel.
ReplyDeletecichocothunder25
I have already finished this story and I loved it!! I could not put the book down and that was odd to me because I really don't get that into books. I finished this book the first day of break and I was reading for like 4 hours which I don't usually do. I thought that Henry went through a lot in his childhood, things that most kids don't have to deal with. He had to deal with the fact that he lost his first love, his father disowning him, his father slowly dieing, and other things that I don't know if the rest of the class has gotten to yet. I love that there is real history in this book. I had no idea until reading this book that the Japanese people were treated that poorly in America during World War II. While reading this book I learned history and enjoyed the story also. I honestly believe that this is the best book I have ever read and I can't believe that anyone could write like that. It is amazing. I am hoping that Jamie Ford writes another book because he is now on of my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteLK Bertha98
I really like this book so far. I was slightly surprised when Henry went to Idaho with Sheldon, but I knew that in the end he wouldn't have been able to resist the chance to see Keiko again. I feel bad for him because he can be so happy with Keiko but he always has to come back home to his parents. The thing that i noticed was that Henry's father always told him to "speak his American" and do all the thing that normal American boys would do, but hten his father would punish him when he did anything that was American. He would get in trouble for hanging out with a Japanese girl because the his Chinese father prctically hated the Japanese, his father told him to be American but still follow along with hating the Japanese for what they did to China.It is almost like Henry's father put up a double standard, Henry should be American and do normal American things but he should also keep to the Chinese tradition. I'm very excited to see what happens at the end of the book.
ReplyDeleteC.H.~Lafandala
I have really enjoyed reading this book so far. I have been tempted to read farther but I haven't because I don't want to get to far ahead. I first liked the older Henry chapters but as I read on, I started to like the chapters of the younger Henry even more. My favorite part of this book so far is when Henry went out of his way to go to Idaho with Sheldon to visit Keiko. This book has also taught me a lot about how poorly the Japanese were treated and some history of our country. This is a great book.
ReplyDeletelcpink30
My thoughts on this story is that it is an amazing and inspiring book. From the beggining I loved it. Keiko and Henry inspired me a lot because of how strong they were. If I were them I would probably just give up and not believe in myself anymore from the way people treated me. I would also feel invisible, just like I was there but no one to care for me or even acknowledge my presence. Keiko and Henry truly do inspire me just realizing that they don't care what people think about them and they just get stronger in life, makes me truly believe in myself and feel better about my life. This book is amazing, I think it is the best book I have ever read. I can't wait until the end of the book to see what happens to Keiko and Henry.
ReplyDeletemsgemini11
I do not normally read this kind of genre, and when I learned that we were going to be reading Hotel, I was excited that I was going to have a chance at trying something out. So far this book is very good. This book makes you feel a spinning wheel of emotions while you read it. What I mean by this is that while you read, one emotion comes up, then another, then another. I believe that having happy and sad parts, exciting and solemn parts is what makes a good book. Henry has, unfortunately, been put in a tight spot in life. Having his own father disown him. Going to an all-white prep school but at the same time wearing an "I am Chinese" button. Being made fun of by the Chinese kids for being too American, and being made fun of by the Americans for being too Chinese. Having a person you care for be separated from you, from civilization, because of race. Luckily, Henry has people who help him in life. Mrs. Beatty, Sheldon Thomas, and his mother give their aid when they can. What I get out of this book is that even though times may be hard, endurance and determination can get you through anything. I can't wait to read the next part of the book, and discuss it on here.
ReplyDeleters suprise838
I am really enjoying reading "Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet." At first I did not think I would like this book very much because I'm more of an action guy and this book didn't seem like that very much. As we are getting farther and farther into the novel I'm realizing that there is more to a book than just the action or just the mystery. I think this book is very well written and i am going to recommend it to many people. I am excited to find out what happens next to Henry and his family and Keiko and her family.
ReplyDeleteahnighthawk!
I have really enjoyed reading this book;it was inspirational. Throughout the book I kept picturing myself in Henry's shoes and, it was then that I realized, I would have had a very difficult time in the situations he faced. This book was very well written; it was as if every word floated onto the next.
ReplyDeleteI loved the part in the book when Keiko caught sight of Henry in Idaho. Keiko was speechlessly overjoyed to see him and it brought me to tears. The other part that made me cry was when Henry visits Sheldon in the nursing home. This chapter was filled with so much emotion it was if I was saying a final goodbye to him myself.
-ampettyfer
I think this book is great (so far). I love the way that it's going so far. I did think Henry going to Idaho was pretty surprising but then again he was doing it for Kieko. I think that Henry’s father is really stuck to his Chinese traditions, I mean when you disown your son and say you’re never going to talk to him again, that’s pretty harsh, but I do feel bad for thinking that because he had a stroke.
ReplyDeletericosauve
I love this book it is awesome.I read it within 3 days!!!!!! On of my favorite part was when the old Henry Lee,his son and his fiance where at the Hotel looking at the old stuff and Marty finds Keiko's sketch book and there was a sketch of the young Henry Lee. This book is so good.Did you write any other book??I absoltly love the ending!I like how you made conections from the young Henry Lee to the old Henry Lee.I think its funny that in that time when your thirteen you were consitered an Adult and you can travel and do whatever you want.This was the best story i've ever read. When I think of this book I imagine a bitter sweet chocolate.Some times it tastes good and you love to eat it on the other hand it tastes yucky and you just want get the flavor off your mouth. Thats kind what Henry life was like. Sometimes everything was going good like when he was with Keioke then it turns bitter like when his dad calls him a Stranger or disowns him. Bitter and Sweet wonderful name for a title.The only thing we are all are wondering in our class is how old is Sheldon??
ReplyDeleteKnsplash
Well one thing I know for sure, is that i have enjoyed this book 100x's more than Tom Saywer! I believe that this book really goes in depth with how one simple belief or thought can alter someone's perspective upon something, change their veiws and can even tear a family apart. Throughout this entire book so far, I have had pitty on Henry as a boy, mostly because every time he had to wear his," I am Chinese" button or was told to only speak," His American", he felt as if he was being pushed slowly away from everything that he believed in, and forced into what his father's beliefs were. It only reminded him that he was safe, as if that button was merely a barrier that protected him from everything that Keiko had to face. I have also always thought that Henry was very mature for his age. Some of the actions he portrays and the things that come out of his mouth, are certainly something we won't be hearing out of (for example) Rico Suave's mouth anytime soon. What he says comes off as almost poetic and flowing, as if Henry was Jamie Ford himself. I am completely against the thought of judging someone by their race or features, so when I read the scene where the lady at the counter gives Keiko a hard time, I was simply disgusted and scowled at the page itself! When I felt the helplessness in Henry, I felt terrible, that all he could do, while Keiko walked away, was watch. That is when i really realized just how deeply Henry felt for her. Now, for my thoughts on Henry's father...there's not much to say. He is simply stubborn, unforgiving, strict, stern and one of the most judgemental people I have ever seen!(read) Which is obviously my strong opinion. But as for Henry's mother, i believe that her intentions are good, although she has a duty to respect and carry out what her husband demands. Although our class is still pondering about Sheldon's age, I have to say, young or old, Sheldon is a good-hearted spirit who obviously sees Henry's pain with letting Keiko go. I thought it was very thoughtful of Sheldon to travel all the way to Idaho eith Henry to support him. This story is filled with a melting pot of different characters, which is what I think makes it most interesting. I am hooked an the book and cannot wait to reach the end.
ReplyDeletelclorenzo5
I generally like the book, but the one thing I have a little issue about is how the Japanese attack of China is portrayed, especially in the begining. About how his father was very angry at the Japanese destruction/sacking of Nanking, but it says Henry can't even find it on a map, semi-implying that its not important. Also, I have never heard the "three tiny lights" said in the order in the book. I've always heard it "Kill all, Loot all, Burn all". Other than that, this is a pretty good book.
ReplyDelete-mbjohann72
So glad you're enjoying the book. And if it's a drag for a few of you, that's okay too. Everyone has their own reading tastes, just like movies, or toppings on pizza.
ReplyDeleteI think someone asked about Sheldon's age. The funny thing is, I don't ever say, so it's really in the imagination of the reader. Some think he's in his early 20s, others think he's much older. My guess is that he's around 27, but that's just a guess.
Have a great weekend!
My thoughts on the book are that i have felt bad for Henry as a child because of all his fathers orders on him to be what his father wanted him to be, instead of him being his true self. Also, i admire Henry's determination for Keiko. I had my doubts about this book, but as i went on, i very much enjoyed this book and the twist and turns it gives.
ReplyDeleteGG The Emu42
So far, my thought on the story is that it can be intriguing at times, but honestly, I'm no great fan of realistic fiction, and this is outside my usual comfort zone in reading. My impression of this story is that it's equal parts aspirin and Flintstone Chewables. I especially like the parts when the characters are speaking Chinese or Japanese. I love it when the story I'm reading presents an opportunity to learn, and I am very interested by the languages presented in this book. I may just have to take a class on it in high school.
ReplyDeletemjaphrodite20