Character Development

In the book, Bronx Masquerade, it talks about high school students going through many problems but finding an out by using poetry. By using poetry it helps them express themselves without actually saying their feelings out loud. One of the characters I think have changed the most is Diondra.

In the beginning of the book, Bronx Masquerade, Diondra was judged by her height and most people thought she loved playing sports. Diondra actually was an artist but her father didn't approve. In the book it says, "If I can get into an art school, I'm going." This quote showed that towards the end Diondra started to accept who she wanted to be. 

The elements of a story affect Diondra in this book. The conflict affects Diondra, because her father is telling her how he is disappointed in her and how he wishes she was a boy. This affects her because hearing negative things come from her father affect her in a bad way. Diondra thinks that she'll get nowhere by being an artist but I think that the negative comments make her more confident with what she makes.

Spine Poem

Stolen Lives
Speak
Crash
Nothing Left to Burn
102 Minutes

The theme of this poem is survival. Survival is the theme because this poem represents survival. The message of this poem is surviving life. This is the message because Stolen Lives means all of the lives that were stolen in some way haven't survived.

The main point of this poem is about stolen lives or anyone who has been taken from living. It shows how crucial living your life is. This is also the main point because people are being taken away from families or from what they do daily.

Found Poem

Poem-

She was aware of the warmth of his words

to live and breathe the sky.

Everything seemed clear.

Then, as if his mind were on something else, 

he said, "I'll handle us and there's something you need to know..."

The theme for this poem is change. This is the theme because in the beginning of the poem the girl was happy with life so far and the mood soon changed. The picture gives off the theme because you can see that the first half of the poem is giving off a positive mood but the second half is giving off a negative mood.

The main point of this poem is to show people how fast things can change. I think this is the main point because as you read the poem you can see that everything changed just by a few words that were spoken.

"Where I'm From"

Bronx Masquerade Perspectives

The book *Bronx Masquerade* by Nikki Grimes is about a group of students who go through many different things. They write poetry and show it in "Open Mike Fridays" which was started by their teacher, Mr. Ward. Two sets of characters that I'm going to talk about are Raul and Diondra, and Gloria and Lupe.

Raul and Diondra are alike and different in a few ways. Raul is confident with being an artist and with his work and makes sure to show it off. Raul has been told that he'll never get anywhere with being an artist but he still believes in himself and his art. Diondra is not so confident and a lot of people judge her for her height. She also likes art like Raul but keeps it to herself.

Gloria and Lupe are different in many ways. Lupe feels unloved and thinks that she needs a baby to help her feel loved. Gloria has a baby but she had to give up many things to take care of it. Lupe doesn't see the consequences of having a baby at her age because she is too caught up on feeling loved. Gloria thinks Lupe has it easy since she doesn't have to take care of a baby.