Chapter 7 and 8

The family is finally freed and they are able to use the abandoned houses of the Germans where there is plenty of food. It is so exciting at first when they realize that they are free and have shelter and food. After, there is again some bad news when the Jews are told that they are being placed under quarantine because of the typhus. The most tragic thing happens when Mr. Blumenthal falls victim to the sickness and dies. The whole family feels the pain and now does not know how they will move forward without the rock of their family. A day later, they have to leave and head back to Holland. This is when Mrs. Blumenthal realizes the responsibility of moving her family forward depends solely on her. The family finally gets to go to America and the day that their ship reaches America is exactly three years to the day of when they were liberated by the Russians. The excited and hope that they must have felt must have been so overwhelming. The family took there newfound freedom and enjoyed every second of it when they finally reached their final destination in Peoria, Illinois. They worked hard in school and work to keep on reaching their goals. The Blumenthals give others such encouragement to keep hope that good things will come no matter what difficult obstacles life throws at you.

Chapter 5 and 6

I felt so sad when reading these chapters. I would want to discuss with students the harsh ways in which the Jews and other prisoners were treated. I would want for them to explain the ways in which we could prevent this from ever happening to another group of people again. The Blumenthals were very disappointed to find that they went from Westerbork to Bergen-Belsen; which they discribe as "hell". They thought that from this camp they would be able to get to Palestine. This was most definetly not the case. This was a major disappointment for them because they now did not have any hope for their families future. I could not believe how terrified the prisoners were to go and have showers once a week because they were not sure if they were really getting showers or if they were walking right to their deaths through the gas chambers. When the Blumenthals left this camp, they were certain that they were getting closer to their deaths. They were completely helpless in the fact that they could not do anything about the disturbing trip. During the train ride hundreds of people died. I cannot imagine what the Blumenthals were going through emotionally wondering if they were going to die on the train or where ever they were heading. At the end of chapter six, there is finally some good news for the Jews; they were liberated 6 and half years after being in camps.

Chapter 3 and 4

After reading chapters three and four, I wondered how the Blumenthals kept up the strength and courage to hope of one day going to a place where they could keep their entire family safe? I would have been so scared and discouraged. In the beginning of chapter three, Ruth and Walter say that "Patience" was what got them through everyday. I also think that the many people that they met through the difficult years also gave them strength becuase they all knew exactly what each other were going through. If I were reading this with a class of students I would want to know how they might have felt if they had been in Marion's place. I would also ask them what helps them get through tough times or even bad days.

Ch 2 A Small Town in Germany

After reading chapter two, I felt really sad for what Marion's family had to go through. No person should have to live in fear for being a ethnicity, having a certain religion, or for any other reason. I can not believe how many Germans and others went along with Hitler's plan. It is extremely disheartening to know how people can be uncompassionate and selfish. I cannot understand how Hitler's plan was put into action and how far it went before anyone stepped in to stop it. The Blumenthal's must have had a hard time deciding on when they should leave because Germany because they didn't want to leave the grandparents but also were in fear for their own lifes and well being.

After reading, the first chapter from "Four Perfect Pebbles", I felt extremely sad for the young girl Marion. I was in complete awe of how such a young person could go through the horrible experiences that she went through and still have hope and optimissum for the future. I thought that it was inspiring how every day in the bleak conditions that she lived that she still looked for her four pebbles as a way to look forward to the future.