Mrs

Mrs. Melloy’s language arts classes are reading The Acorn People by Ron Jones. The novel is a wonderful book that describes one young man’s experience as a camp counselor at a camp for physically challenged children. The reader watches as the counselor moves from resenting the hard work he has to do with the children to loving and appreciating each camper. In class we are enjoying discussions about how counselor Ron changes his attitudes about his job and the children. In one class, students choose a character to keep a journal for. Two journal entries follow:

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Dear Journal, Today I left for camp. To me it was like dying. The thought of leaving my mom and home was just like dying. Like always my mom helped me into the car. We were leaving for camp now. It was a thirty minute drive, but if seemed like thirty hours!!! Both my mom and I didn’t talk for the whole trip. I think the devastation of sending me to camp finally hit her. We arrived right on time. My mom slowly pulled me into my wheelchair. I could tell she was as nervous as me. I looked at all the campers and counselors. I knew none of them. As my mom pushed me toward my counselor, I could tell he wasn’t very confident. My mom left with few words. I thought to myself, "Will I survive?" Written by Adam Cooper as Thomas Stewart, as 15-year-old character afflicted with muscular sclerosis in The Acorn People.	Click for pictures
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Dear Journal, My first day at camp was very interesting. My counselors, Ron and Dominic, seem very nice. I am not sure if Ron will stay, he seemed a little stressed out after today. I hope he stays, he seems like a nice guy. My bunkmates, for the most part, seem pretty cool. I had a very good experience today. I only hit two branches today. Well, I have got to get going. Talk to you later. -Martin Written by Sarah Loete as Martin, a 14-year-old blind character.