Themes

Love-This theme obviously states the relationship between Armpit and Kaira. They love each other a lot. To prove this kaira wrote him a letter saying telling him her true feelings. They kissed and Kaira invited him to come all the way to San Fransisco. They each told something embarrassing about each other. That shows that they are comfortable around each other.

Betrayal-This theme clearly states the reaction of El Genius when he tried to kill Kaira and Doofus. It was so unexpected but defiantly defines betrayal.

Friendship-In this novel friendship is shown by the relationship of Armpit and Ginny. They help each other out and give each other advise. Armpit helps her with her disability which really makes her feel like someone cares about her. This shows a deep bond between Armpit an Ginny.

Book Review

Small Steps
By: Louis Sachar
Reviewed by: Morgan Hatch
*****(* out of five)


After reading this book I realized that anyone can change and make a difference. This heart warming adventure is about a 17 year old kid named Armpit and he is gradually trying to get his life back on track, by taking small steps. He seems to be going along fine until his friend X-Ray comes up with another one of his "get rich quick scheme". That's when the wheels start to turn and things start getting bad for Armpit. The second character is Kaira. She is a famous pop-star who lives in a totally different like style. But she gets bored of traveling all the time and she has no friends so she gets pretty lonely. Through out the story the two different life styles collide and they will change forever.

Through out this book it always made me wonder what would happen next. I was hard for me to put it down. I like how the author left you hanging on each chapter, then picks up the same pace again. He adds a surprising scene which makes you think a lot about. He uses a descriptive vocabulary which makes you feel like your with the characters. My favorite character is Armpit because I can relate to him. He is very thoughtful and is willing to help someone in need.

I would recommend this to girls and boys in 5th to 7th grade. It has some brief language and sexual humor. I think that this book of full of adventure mischief and is so good you cant put it down. If you like Holes  then I would defiantly recommend this book to you.

Kairas Lyrics

Here is the Lyrics I chose

A sad circus clown who has hopes to inspire

The love of the long haired, blue -spangled trapeze highflyer,

Kicks off  his floppy shoes and changes attire,

Just like Clark Klent, or Tobey Maguire,

And goes up the circus ladder, higher and higher, 

'Cause a clown is she would never admire,

But there ain't no net beneath the high wire.

Nearing the top, he starts to perspire.

He's climbing out of the frying pan and into the fire!

I think that the author is trying to describe what armpits getting himself into. He has a choice to see Kaira or or give felix and moses the letter. If he doesn't give them the letter they will turn him but he goes to see Kaira and things might start getting pretty ugly for him.

Would I like being a Music Star

From what we have already read I wouldn't really like being and rock star. Traveling from place to place sounds really exhausting and I would be really bored. I wouldn't get to see my friends a lot and I would like having breaks. When you are famous every one is waiting for you to mess up and if you do witch everyone does it will be in the magazines and stuff and people would think differently of you. I would not like to be a rock star.

Questions from Kaira

1.Will I ever see Theodore again?

2.Does Theodore care about me?

3.Where is my money going? Is it actualy going into a trust fund?

4.Will the Janis Joplin song ruin my reputation?

5.Is El Genus cheating on my mom and dating her best friend?

Sports

Check out my sports blog.     http://mhatchaboutme.blogspot.com

Armpit/Theodore

Armpit is my favorite character in the book Small Steps. The reason why I like him is because he has changed since he came back from camp green lake. He has become more mature and is has already planned a way to get his life back on track, by taking small steps. He also helps Ginny out and becomes her friend even if she has a disability. He is very kind and really cares about other people. 

Armpits Experience At the Police Station

When armpit and x-ray both went to the police station X-Ray was the one who got interviewed. Armpit got to sit on the other side of the mirror and hear everything that the detective and X-Ray were saying. When X-Ray was asked questions that he had to lie to Armpit would think "Please don't say anything stupid." When the interview was over I think the detective believed both of them. But I think Armpit got pretty nervous when X-Ray was making the lies. They would be in a lot of trouble him X-ray said something really stupid.

Small Steps

The book we have been reading as a class is called Small Steps Luis Sachar. It is about a 16 year old boy named Armpit and he is trying to get life back on track. He went to Camp Green Lake which is a juvenile facility for about a year. He had to dig a hole every day. First you may want to know how he got the nickname armpit. Well he was digging a hole when a scorpion stung him in the arm but the pain traveled up his arm and settled in his armpit. He complained about so everyone started to call him that. The pain went away but the name stuck.

So any way, after he came back he got a job and he has five steps for himself. One of his steps was to save his money. And that brings us to his friend X-Ray. He drops by his house to tell him his get rich quick scam.