Summer Reading Assignment - Eleanor and Park

Entry Three

A section of the book with an intent “hooking” is when Park got into a fight with a guy named Steve Murphy who was making fun of Eleanor. One day when they were on the bus everyone started chanting “Go. Big. Red.” Then Steve said, “That’s right, Red. Show it off.” Park couldn’t take it anymore and needed to stand up for Eleanor. He was done with people getting to her and bringing her down. They don’t understand what she’s gone through, or what she still is having to deal with. When they got off the bus Park went up to Steve and shoved him up against the bus. Kids were chanting and Eleanor was getting worried for Park’s punishment. “She heard Park say, ‘I’m so sick of your mouth.’ And she heard Steve say, ‘Are you serious with this?’ He pushed Park hard, but Park didn’t fall. Park took a few steps back, then cranked his shoulder forward, spinning into the air and kicking Steve right in the mouth. The whole crowd gasped.” (pg. 131)
 This was a very intense fight, and the more I kept reading the more interesting it got. I know that it was bad for Park to start a fight, but he was just trying to protect Eleanor. I thought that was the cutest thing ever. It breaks my heart that there’s so much bullying with kids these days, and rarely does anyone ever stand up for the person being attacked. Kids don’t understand what goes on throughout someone’s day when they come home from school. Or how much words can hurt that person inside. People sometimes forget that what they say will either affect someone in a positive or negative way. What really got me “hooked” was at the end of page 131 when Park says, “Leave . . . my girlfriend . . . alone.” This is when I finally found out that Park and Eleanor were more than just naming themselves as close friends. Now the whole school knew that Eleanor and Park were a thing. Maybe this will give a reason for the kids to stop bullying Eleanor after the fight between Steve and Park.