Last task - After I read this book

Now, after reading Paul Stewart's book "The Australian Connection" my final opinion is split.
The story tells about a boy who wants to meet his real father after 16 years,
who gets to know a new continent,
who learns about the musicbuisness and realices the real meaning of fame and
who finds his first love.
On the one hand this book has wonderful romantic moments, parts where you really identifyded with the characters and surprising actions that had not expect.
The text is not very difficult wroten and you could look after unknown words in a dictionary at the last pages. Also you could form a first impression of the book from the titelpicture or the text on the last page.
On the other hand, the style of whriting sets no claim to pupil which already had 5 years English in class. The way I see it some parts were not really realistic (kill cow) or like the last chapter a little bit confusing. But accually I liked the last diary entry because the ending was first strange and then cleared up.

A mini saga - summary chapter 9 & 10

Joe and Pete became racist and ruined a concert. The band broke up.
Tom helped Alex with his decision - Dani moved to London and together as the band "The dolphins" they're famous now again! They celebrate New Year's Eve with Alex' family and are glad, that everything become so fantastic.

50 words

Up to the top.... - Chapter 8

Alex comes back from Whitsunday Island to the noisy Sydney. Alex just hears that "The Beat Crew" are number one in the "Chart Show"! They go on concert, to radio & TV, film their first video.

But despite this huge sucess ther is a serious moment: In their short freetime they visit Dani's favourite place - a lighthouse - and watch 13 dolphin (... Is that a bad premonition?). Dani enjoys the view, likes how lucky they are and compares the band with them. Alex starts to think and disagrees like in many other little situations. He doesn't believ that they are free: They have to travel where the managment wants and have to sell records.

As long as I'm concerned, the author describes how Alex thinks about their new won fame. Of course he loves to stand in the limelight but he hates the fact that the band has to follow a recordfirm.

Up to the top.... - Chapter 8

A little extra just for you!
I thank you for going on my blog, I love you ö-O (especialy my cute Curly Ann)

Songtext: JUMPY

I'm feeling jumpy
When you come, when you go
When you stop and say "hello".
You make me jumpy!
Just jum-py!
I see you and my hands are shacking,
I see you and my breath is taken!
You make me jumpy, girl.
I think my heart stops to beat, oh,
I hope that stays longer than a week.
Jumpy, jumpy, jumpy!
You make me jumpy for the rest of my life!

Father and son - Chapter 7

The task after reading this chapter:

1. Comment on the following quote: "And, of course, Alex understood only too well." (p.43, l.33) 2. Write a different ending of the chapter: "That night, when Alex had gone to sleep, TOM picked up his diary and began writing." (compare p.43, l.34f)

1. Alex always thought that he won't forgive his father for leaving him alone as a little child - until now. He starts to realize that his father left him alone with a reason. Tom's marriage with his mother was broken and he felt not adult enought for a family. He wanted to travel around the world.

Also, Alex enjoys traveling with his father and see places he've never been. Maybe, if he was in this situation, we would done the same.

2. That night, when Alex had gone to sleep, Tom picked up his diary and began writing.

Friday, 8 February

"I met my lost son. He is a clever guy and has grown so fast, when I compare him with the little, curios boy, which I left.

Alex has been in Australia for a month and I'm sure that he likes to with me. We get to know eachother better every single day and I hope that he will trust me one day. He asked me why I left him. I told him the truth, my feelings deep inside. He seemed to understand.

Hopefully our realationship will deepen...."

My opinion: I really like this chapter and enjoyed reading it. It's fun to read how far they come around. Such a travel is always exciting and for example I imagined the isle where they stayed for a few days "like Robinson Crusoe".

Do you agree? Do you like reading this book so far?

Into the rainforst - Chapter 6

First an introduction:

Before I read the chapter 6 I imagined the first conversation between Alex & Tom.

Perhaps they talk about their passed life without eachother. Tom could tell little storys remembering old times or could try to impress him with old anecdotes.

If I were in Alex' situation, I would make him criticicms why he left me alone for so long and why he never had the idea to contact me. As far as I'm concerned I would get very emotional. I would be angry, disappointed, sad and feel leave alone.

After read this chapter I noticed that my first forecast about their first talk wer rather different: Instead of telling about their past Tom jokes and laughts to make his son feel more comfortable and tries to be oncoming (page 31, line 18). Alex gets upset and angry (page 31, line 20).

My presumption that Alex shows his feelings was right (page 31, line 23). Tom defends his behavior because he thought that Alex would hate him (page 32, line 10-12).

At the end they decide to go on a travel to Queensland (page 33, line 7). After Alex had to disappoint Dani (page 33, line 18) they start their trip and get to know eachother better.

The face in the crowd - 5th chapter

I just summerize: While Alex' and Dani's band are on the way to their next entrance they drive over a cow: "And the windscreen was splashed with blood". To me this accident is not really sensitive from the author.
Later the band has a great gig. But it gets even better when a face appereance in the crowd: his father Tom!

Now questions for my loved classmates:
1. What would you have done after you drove over a little cute cow? Is the reaction of the band the right?
2. They have a second problem with the car on the way. What happens? Would you have done something different? Would you have paid?
3. How would you react when you notice your father, having not seen for years, in the middle of the audience? How would you have felt?
4.* What do you think: Will Alex & Dani tell their bandmembers about their realationship? Is one of them secretly in love with Dani ... or Alex?

The first argument between Alex and Dani

Going with Dani on tour is one of the best things that ever happend to Alex: He's all the time together with his first love and can enjoy a surrounding full of advantages: The great atmosphere on stage with huge fans, enjoying the music, the dancing audience and the applause. Of course Dani and Alex would like to be famous but Alex is because of that afraid, that Dani could think that he only try to earn money with their music and that she could doubt if Alex wouldn't get arrogant if they really getting famous. Especially when Dani ask him, he' s giving a contradictory answer, if we compare it with his self-evident: ''Who doesn't?'' at Danis question if he want to be famous. I think that's because he don't want that Dani get a wrong idea of real character. I mean who want that his boy or girlfriend gets a bad impression of yourself? Why do you think that they have reconciled so quickly?

The isle and the mountains- the third chapter

In the third chapter Alex drove to the Williams family which lives in Adelaine, South Australia because Marys wanted that Alex see something of Australian landscape. There he get to know Kevin, with them he went claiming the Mary's Peak (picture). On the top of the montain Kevin started falsely to talk about his pasted time there with Tom. I wouldn't say that is was insipid of him because Alex had to fight with his tears by thinking about that his dad has always tried to hide and beeing still uncommunicative facing him. Slowly but surely he don't even want to meet him, also when he flow so long to meet him. Questionable is if Tom will take into convideration that he have to talk to his son because otherwise Alex will keep his doubts, maybe forever, we will see .

Second Chapter - The first 66 hours

The second chapter describes Alex' first 3 days in Australia.

The story goes on: Alex had a long fly behind him and arrived in Australia he meets his ''new'' family. Only his father Tom is not there - he is in London for buisness. Alex is shocked and disappointed, and I would feel like him too. Tom is too busy to visit him & didn't get the idea contact him there.

After this shock they all decide to go for swimming at the beach which brings fun.

Later they drink tea - but importanter - gets to know Dani, the girl living next door. The both get along just fantastic because they are interested in music. Dani plays in a band, Alex can play the guitar.

Dani explains him that a member of her band is on a travel in Tokyo and they have no replacement. Alex as the alternative guitarist? A great idea.

The next day, in the middle of the night, Alex arrive after the gig in a little club. He just happy and whrites ''That was the best day in my life!'' in his diary.

Well I think that he's getting to like Australia and is just impressed by Danni ''the most beautiful girl in this land'' ....

I want to hear your meaning:

What do you think about Tom? Is he the father that Alex expected? Who do you image Dani? Is she really the right girl for Alex? Does Alex like his new Australian family? How will the story go on? Has Tom an explication for his behavior? Will Alex get to know his real father Tom - and will he like him?

The Australian Connection

The story "The Australian Connection" tells about Alex, a 18 years old boy searching his father in Australia.

Alex gets his exam results - but before he goes to the university he's going to visit his father Tom in Australian. They've already contacted in letters.

My opinion: A big travel to Australia is very interesting & fun.

Sure, that Alex is excited and a little bit nervous to meet his father.

But I wonder why Alex is contacting his father just now. When he has not seen him for 16 years ?!