Perfect Chemistry Read-Along – Day 1
August 7, 2011, Posted by Maryanne at 9:00 am
Welcome to our Perfect Chemistry Read-Along. Each day there will be an “assigned” number of pages and questions that correlate to those pages. The first “assignment” is pages 1-33.
In the comments below, discuss the following questions:
- Chapter 1: Did your first impression of Brittany change after you saw her interact with her sister?
- Chapter 2: Now you’ve met the Fuentes family. Compare your first impression of their family with your first impression of Brittany’s family.
- Chapter 3: What does Alex’s attitude about his grades tell you about him?
- Chapter 4: Alex makes a lot of assumptions about Dr. Aguirre, the new principal. What are your predictions about the role Aguirre will play within the story?
- Chapter 5: This chapter starts with Brittany calling to check on her sister. What does this tell you about her?
- Chapter 6: Alex and Brittany use the introductory exercise to taunt each other – what are actually they learning about each other
1. Definitely. It shows her softer side!
Chapter 1: Did your first impression of Brittany change after you saw her interact with her sister?
*Yes, it did! I thought that she was really sweet with her sister.
Chapter 2: Now you’ve met the Fuentes family. Compare your first impression of their family with your first impression of Brittany’s family.
*My thoughts are here are two kids who’s family really just wants what’s best for their kids.
Chapter 3: What does Alex’s attitude about his grades tell you about him?
*He is very smart and he wants to be successful even though he has gotten himself into a really messy situation.
Chapter 4: Alex makes a lot of assumptions about Dr. Aguirre, the new principal. What are your predictions about the role Aguirre will play within the story?
*I think that Dr Aguirre is going to play the stereotypical stereotyper. He is not going to give Alex a chance and will always see what HE wants to see in the students rather than who they really are.
Chapter 5: This chapter starts with Brittany calling to check on her sister. What does this tell you about her?
*For one thing she really wants to make sure her sister is OK. But at the same time she is also worried that if the new caretaker quits it will cause extra work for herself.
Chapter 6: Alex and Brittany use the introductory exercise to taunt each other – what are actually they learning about each other?
*I think that they are learning each other are really humans.
I am really loving this book. I really didn’t think I would like it at all. The teen romance type story is not usually my cup of tea unless there are supernatural creatures involved! LOL
Donna, I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the book so far. I think there is a difference between “teen romances” and books in which the main characters happen to be teens. I think this one is the latter – there’s more to it than “OMG who’s taking me to the prom!?”
Chapter 1: Did your first impression of Brittany change after you saw her interact with her sister?
My impression did change. She is not just a completely self-centered girl. She has a heart.
Chapter 2: Now you’ve met the Fuentes family. Compare your first impression of their family with your first impression of Brittany’s family.
The Fuentes family is obviously poor, while Brittany’s family obviously has a lot of money. Mrs. Fuentes is trying to keep her family together, while Brittany’s mom drives them apart.
Chapter 3: What does Alex’s attitude about his grades tell you about him?
Alex wants to prove to himself that he is just as smart as all the rich kids. He has a lot of pride in himself.
Chapter 4: Alex makes a lot of assumptions about Dr. Aguirre, the new principal. What are your predictions about the role Aguirre will play within the story?
I think Aguirre will help Alex realize his dream of going to college and getting out of the neighborhood.
Chapter 5: This chapter starts with Brittany calling to check on her sister. What does this tell you about her?
Brittany truly cares about her sister. She feels like Shelly is her responsibility since her mom is too busy putting up appearances.
Chapter 6: Alex and Brittany use the introductory exercise to taunt each other – what are actually they learning about each other?
Neither one is going to back down and let the other rule their interactions. They are both strong people.
Chapter 1: Did your first impression of Brittany change after you saw her interact with her sister? I like her a lot better after seeing her with her sister.
Chapter 2: Now you’ve met the Fuentes family. Compare your first impression of their family with your first impression of Brittany’s family. Alex’s family is more down to Earth and real. Their mom might be hard on them but she’s doing the best she can with what she has and she’s trying to raise her boys right. There is more love in Alex’s family it seems.
Chapter 3: What does Alex’s attitude about his grades tell you about him? That even though he is in a gang he doesn’t belong there. He’s smart and wants something better for himself and he doesn’t think he can have it.
Chapter 4: Alex makes a lot of assumptions about Dr. Aguirre, the new principal. What are your predictions about the role Aguirre will play within the story? I think that he will change Alex’s life for the better. Help him be the man that he could be if he wasn’t in a gang.
Chapter 5: This chapter starts with Brittany calling to check on her sister. What does this tell you about her? Brittany loves her sister and feels like her sister is her whole family. Brittany doesn’t want her parents to send her sister away.
Chapter 6: Alex and Brittany use the introductory exercise to taunt each other – what are actually they learning about each other. They are learning that the other is a formidable adversary and they are each baring their prejudices about the other one.
Chapter 1: Did your first impression of Brittany change after you saw her interact with her sister?
Yes! She is great with her sister, the interaction made Brittany seem ‘human’ and not one of those ‘mean girls’.
Chapter 2: Now you’ve met the Fuentes family. Compare your first impression of their family with your first impression of Brittany’s family.
I think Alex’s mom is a hard worker doing the best she can for her boys. I think she is a great mom. They are close and would have each others backs no matter what. Brittany’s family seems to strive for a perfect image regardless of the cost. They seem to hide behind it so they don’t have to deal with reality.
Chapter 3: What does Alex’s attitude about his grades tell you about him?
I think he is smart. He doesn’t seem to want to be in a gang but thinks it’s inevitable. He cares about himself and his future, yet he also thinks there is nothing possible beyond high school graduation.
Chapter 4: Alex makes a lot of assumptions about Dr. Aguirre, the new principal. What are your predictions about the role Aguirre will play within the story?
I have a feeling Dr. Aguirre has been there, done that; I bet he had a childhood similar to Alex. I think he will become a close mentor or father figure of sorts.
Chapter 5: This chapter starts with Brittany calling to check on her sister. What does this tell you about her?
She is a sweet, caring girl. There is a lot under her ‘perfect’ surface, but I don’t believe she has ever let anyone (except maybe her sister) know the real her.
Chapter 6: Alex and Brittany use the introductory exercise to taunt each other – what are actually they learning about each other?
I think by taunting the other, maybe they are starting to realize that all the rumors/stereotypes are no more than that. I also think that they are evenly matched if they were to go up against each other.