characters.

There are many more characters than I have here but I think these ones were the ones who played the biggest role and had the most affect on Louie.

Louie Banks: He was a senior in high school. He was one of the best on the football team, after training his whole summer. He was just your average guy. He wasn't the most popular, or wasn't a nerd he was just in the middle. During the story Louie falls in love with a girl named Becky. I think he becomes a really strong person throughout this story and Becky helped him become one. He goes through a lot of stuggles, but most of them he overcomes.

Main: Protaganist: Round: Dynamic

Becky Sanders: She was a girl who loved life. She was always optomistic and very free-sprited. She was always beside Louie no matter what. She loved Louie.

Minor: Protaganist: Flat: Static

Norm: Norm is Louie's father. He stuck up for Louie even when he didn't fully agree with him. He respected Louie's point of view on things and always gave him tips on wise things to do with situations and I think he helped Louie a lot.

Minor: Protaganist: Flat: Static

Boomer: He was just a guy on Louie's football team. I'd say he was probably the best. He was big and tough and didn't like Louie all that much. But when Louie had his breakdown at the funeral you saw a soft and caring side of Boomer.

Minor: Protaganist/Antagonist: Flat: Dynamic

Carter: Carter was Louie's best friend. He was always there for Louie and gave different point of views to show Louie that his wasn't always right. He helped Louie be strong through it all.

Minor: Protaganist: Flat: Static

Coach Madison: I put Coach Madison on here becuase he believed in Louie. He asked Louie to be on the track team becuase he know Louie had it in him. And when they weren't going to let him play, Coach Madison stood up to those guys until he had won the battle. I think he really inspired Louie.

Minor: Protaganist: Flat: Static

setting.

Place: Trout, Idaho
Time: 1950's

Blog #3

Chris Crutcher wrote many books, only one of which I’ve read. But from what I can tell they all direct very good points. He is very blunt and is not afraid to say what he feels just like the characters in his stories.

When I first heard we had to read a novel for L.A. I thought, Oh great, but it turned out not that bad. I really like the things he tries to convey in it. It taught me a lot for the future. Because there are many deaths I am going to need to overcome and many stands I should take. I am not the type of person to stand up to a crowd and speak what I feel but I think this book teaches you that you should, and you shouldn’t be afraid. Obviously it’s a hard thing to do and a lot could be on the line, but have you ever wish you would have done or said something in that exact moment and regret it everyday that you didn’t? There’s too much to lose in this life. But overall the most important thing not to lose is yourself. Louie took that stand, and I don’t think he regrets doing it.

The book also is a lot about love, no, true love. Well, at least that’s what I think it was. Louie and Becky were very close and they could talk about anything. I have always wanted that in a relationship. When they went up to Becky’s cabin and were going to have sex. They didn’t, because Louie just wasn’t ready. Becky was okay with that. I think that’s what so cool about their relationship, they can still make love without actually having sex. Like what Becky said : “You know what the very best thing about making love is? It’s before and after. It’s lying together, taking care of each other and getting as close as we can. You don’t really have to have sex to make love.” [crutcher 132] It was true. I think that made them even closer. This was right before she died. Which probably made it even hard on Louie considering how close they were becoming. They really loved each other and cared and would do anything for each other. Those are essential things people should have in a relationship. This book made you feel happy and sad and angry and a whole bunch of different emotions and I think that’s why his books are so easy and enjoyable to read.

They never really talked about what Louie looked like, but I think he was your normal high schooler. He trained so hard that summer for the football team and he even made the mile under 6 minutes. He was really dedicated. Some people who read this are probably mad he threw this all away but then others will see how its all worth it in the end. He becomes an amazing track runner and even beats Washington in the 2-mile. His coach told him to run as far as he could go. You want to know what I think made him be able to run as far and as fast as he did? Becky. Just even the thought of her. On his long runs he probably spent time thinking about her and reminiscing on their memories. And how she would have been so proud of him. Also Coach Madison seemed very inspiring. He believed in Louie just as Becky would have. Before they started the season Coach Madison said one thing to him that is something I think everyone should hear: “ Remember, you can always take one more step.” [Crutcher 187]

Blog #2

I think the things in the book Louie chooses to stand up to are very good. When he finds out his coach told Boomer to try and knock out Washington it made him very upset. Just because Washington is a really good player and they don't want to loose, doesn't mean they have the right to hurt him just so they can win. I think its a really wrong thing to do and I would consider it as cheating. Even though no one admitted it I also think they wanted him out of the game just because he was black. I feel like it was not a good strategy to use, and Louie felt the same way. When he did his little outburst, you would think more people would respect it and not be mad. Although he did interrupt an important football game, it was for a good reason. He did what he felt was right and not many people have the guts to do that. I also think Louie is the type of guy who is caring and has a lot of emotion, basically he is a softy. Unlike most guys who keep there feelings inside he choose to share them out loud. It may have been a good idea to bring his issue to the coaches before he shouted them at the public football game. But he did what he did. He got kicked off the team, which seams a little harsh because it really wasn’t that big of deal. I mean it was, because it could have got there team in trouble but nothing happened so it shouldn’t be that big of a consequence.

Later, his other little out burst in the church happened too. If I were his parents, yeah, I would be a little embarrassed but I do feel you should stand up for what you believe. Becky would have been proud of him and I think that’s another reason he did it. I like in the book how Norm was behind him a 100% even though he didn’t fully agree with what he did. He stood up for Louie and backed him up and I thought that was really cool. It shows him and his parents have a good relationship, just like him and Becky did. Also another close relationship he had was with Becky’s father. I think they had a good relationship because they were dealing with the same things. It was hard on the both of them and they learned how to cope together. When Louie came to apologize after the funeral, Becky’s dad said he didn’t even care, and wish he had the guts to do the same thing. They talked about stuff and just kept each other company. I bet they talked about all the things they loved about Becky.

Eventually Louie learned on his own that he can’t dwell in the past and has to live his life. He got better with speaking his mind but still a few things he had to take a stand for. After Becky’s death the school made a plaque with her name and everything on it. They put it under a tree in the school yard. Louie did go to the ceremony for it. He just couldn’t. He felt he would probably cry and make a bigger fool out of him self. He couldn’t stand not to see it so he went over there one day. It read:

BECKY SANDERS 1964-1982

THS 1-2-3-4 Cheerleader 2-3-4 Student Council 2-3-4 Class
President 2 Honor Society 2-3-4 Band 1-2-3-4 Cougarettes 1-2-3-4
Girls’ State 3 Canrival Queen 3 Class Play 4 Valedictorian 4

“A shining and joyous example of all that
Trout High School aspires to be”

Anthony Jasper
Superintendent/ President
Trout High School 1982
[crutcher 198]

Louie was mad that Mr. Jasper singed it. He was the one who kicked him off the team and suspended him. How could he sign Becky’s plaque? He was not apart of Becky. This really aggregated Louie. He copped it with an ax and hid all the evidence. There were just some things he couldn’t let go no matter how hard he tried.

Blog #1

Death is a hard thing to go through. Especially when its with someone you are in love with. The boy in this story, Louie, lost his girlfriend. He had never had a girlfriend until this year because he was always kind of shy and not out going. So one day the most popular girl in the school asked him out. Her name was Becky. They went out, had a good time, and there relationship grew from there. They became really close. She was always there for him when the whole town thought he was a psycho. She understood him and he understood her.

I think they were a really strong couple and could get through anything, as long as they did it together. Louie didn’t really know what this life was all about and when Becky came along it finally all made sense. Louie didn’t really care about anything, well he did, just not very much. All he cared was that he had Becky. And he knew that she would always be there. Until one day she wasn’t…

Louie’s mom came in with a worried look on her face, Louie thought oh no it must be Norm (his dad). But it wasn’t, it was Becky. He went as fast as he could to try and save her. I think when you hear about something you can’t actually believe it until you see it. And I think that’s why Louie went to find her. She had gotten in a car crash with a motorcycle and it drove her off a bridge. And when he got there he realized it was too late.
I think with death you always think of the only if’s and the what if’s. But you sooner or later have to realize that its real and you can’t change it. And it sucks. Louie had a lot of dealing with to do. After it happened he went and chopped down a tree. You do crazy things when your in love. I think that was Louie’s way, and most guys way of dealing with things like this. Girls just cry until they can’t anymore but guys take it out on things. That’s what Louie did. He went to visit her dad later that night and they helped each other get through it because I think they had the same point of view.

When it came time for the funeral the priest did his usually sayings:
“We can not answer these questions alone. But we know that you move in strange and mysterious ways that we, lost in our earthly ignorance, cannot understand.” Louie got really upset over this and I can understand why. He started to yell “Why are you saying that? He doesn’t move it strange and mysterious ways. He doesn’t move at all! He sits up there on His fat butt and lets guys like you earn a living making excuses for all the rotten things that happen…” and so on. And I agree. If I was in Louie’s shoes I would be just as pissed off as him. It’s not fair to lose someone so close to you. He made some good points. I do believe in God and I do believe there is a reason for all the things that happen but no one knows the reason and that’s why its so hard to believe. I think these things are a part of life and make you who you are today. They help you become stronger so the next time around you know how to deal.
After Louie was heading out he turned around and said…
“And why are you trying to make us cry? We’ll cry; we’re gonna cry anyway. But Becky didn’t care about all that crap. She liked to laugh and cry and eat burgers and make love and be with people she liked. Talk about that! Why don’t you talk about that?”

Once again he has a good point. You should be smiling remembering all the good things about the person even though it is a sad thing. I think is wasn’t the right time and place for him to yell out like that but what he said was true and I was proud he did it. After that Louie apologized and his dad said something to Louie that I think helped him realize something: "You didn't hurt us, Only cause a little discomfort. But you said the things that people probably didn't need to hear. You have to remember that even though she was your girlfriend, Becky meant something to other people too. And their perspectives are just as important to them as yours is to you." [Crutcher 163] It was true. Norm was right. I'm guessing the things he said were just a way of getting it out of his system. I'm sure he was mad and angry and didn't really know what to feel, or do. It still took him awhile after that to move on but he will never ever forget her, and that’s okay, death is not an easy thing.

works cited.

©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company.
http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lifetransitionsaging/a/grieving_2.htm

© 2000-2006 HealthyPlace.com, Inc. Dealing with Death
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/depression/related/loss_grief_3.asp

dealing with death.

1. Learn to accept that your loss is real.
2. Make it OK to feel the pain.
3. Adjust to living without the person.
4. Find a safe place in your heart for your loved one, and allow yourself to move on.
5. And finally, what do you do with the love that you feel?
[http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lifetransitionsaging/a/grieving_2.htm]


http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/depression/related/loss_grief_3.asp
This website talks about how children can grieve just as much as adults. And i agree. It can affect people worse or less depending on how strong your love was for that person.

Death is an experience that no one wants to face. I think that as hard as it is, we have to accept that death is a part of life. Theres no real way to get over and move on, because everyone is different but i think the best thing is to accept it. I think the 5 steps are a great way to cope and try to move on. No one said you have to forget about that person, cause pretty sure no one ever will, but you just can't let it stop you from living. When your sad people oftend tend to be angry and get crabby with friends or family. They look for someone to take it out on. Also, another good thing is to have someone to talk to and cry with and be there, because it's times like these you need someone the most.

evaluation.

Ideas and Content:
I really like how in the story the author would start a new chapter and tell about a bunch of things that has happened instead of having its own chapter for each and every thing that happens. It makes the book shorter and faster to read. And I think he has a clear message way to deal with different situations or ways to get over things.

Organization:
I think Running Loose had good pacing. It got kind of low key then something big would happen. It kept you guessing and excited for more! This book leaves you thinking and makes you think throughout this whole story.

Voice:
First of all, I think there are millions of people who connect with Louie. It sends out a good message and leaves you wanting more. It's very honest and opionated but I think that is what makes it so good. It is very lively and fun.

Word Choice:
This book uses words that creates vivid images. It has words that you don't know but it makes the boy sound smart and sophisticated. It really puts you in a teenage mind also because he talks like a teenager and thinks like one.

Sentence Fluency:
The sentence fluency is very easy to read and understand. He writes in a fun way. The sentences really get the point across on what he is trying to say.

story summary.

Running Loose by Chris Cruther was not juts about Louie, but also the people who affected him. Louie and his best friend Carter spent their whole summer training for football season. Louie wanted to get the mile under 6 minutes. He also worked for his dad. When the football season came around they had to run the mile under 6. Louie really wanted to beat Boomer, who was one of the football stars. He was ahead of Boomer most of the way and then the last little bit Boomer pulled ahead. Carter won and Boomer got second. Even though he didn’t beat Boomer he was still proud of himself he finished third. Some kids on the team couldn’t even make it under 7 minutes. So they started their football season and then came the game with Washington. The coach told Boomer that if he got a chance to knock Washington out so he wouldn’t be able to play, and then they would win. Louie got very aggravated by this and during the game he yelled and sweared about how he thought it was wrong. He got kicked off the team after that.
During the season he met Becky. She asked him to go out for a coke and that’s when they knew they were meant to be. Even though he didn’t have football anymore, he still had Becky. They did so much together and were really close. Then, one day, Becky died. Louie didn’t know what to do. His whole life was turned upside down. From then on he had to face it and move on and he had the help from a lot of friends and family. He would have never made it without them.
In this book he goes through a lot of struggles and hard times and he has to try and overcome them.

kb.