Hope and mischief
Aidan Sacco
Always Running
Always Running
by Luis J. Rodriguez
Living in a place with very little positivity, it's very easy to turn one's life from good to bad in the matter of one bad choice. Many people have made terrible lifestyles for themselves but have lost hope of making a positive future for themselves. In bad areas of L.A many children grow up without parental figures in the picture which only negatively affects the younger generation.
In the non-fiction novel Always Running main character Luis explains his troubles he faced when he was younger. After living in L.A for a while since moving across the border from Mexico, Luis Rodriguez has made a reputation for himself. Since he has dropped out of school he has gotten hooked on drugs and becoming a frequent participant in gang warfare, leading him to face much physical and mental pain. Finding cheap ways to get high Luis constantly sniffs paint to escape the pain of the real world with the money he steals from people with his gang. Luis of course wants to change his ways but with now real supportive person in his life it’s very hard for him. In the story he talks about learning how to play the saxophone from classes and listening to records, playing it when he needs some time to himself. One day Luis’s dad brings him to the university he works as a janitor at. Luis would like to take some academic classes but is rejected due to his years of absences in grade school. Searching for a job Luis doesn't take this failure, because he decides to try learning a trade. He enrolls in auto body weight lifting and other such classes. After this Luis really starts focusing on himself and his future because he only wants the best for himself.
One aspect from author, Luis J. Rodriguez is his great use of perspective. His use of this really helps me as the reader to step into the main characters shoes and really feel how he does in the story. Luis goes through many troubles and the way the author describes his struggles makes it easy to understand the story and characters feelings. Luis is surprised by his brother when he runs into his room angered at him, “One day, Joe knocked on the door. I stopped bellowing on the sax, put the instrument down and peered out the window. He looked angry. For years, this look would prompt a flow of blood from the pit of my stomach. It meant I would be accused, abused, pushed around, and ordered to do something to make up for some perceived wrong”(86). Reading this quote puts you exactly in the terrified perspective of Luis as his older brother storms into his room to punish Luis for something he is quite angered about.
Another aspect from the story is the way that the main character Luis wants to turn his life around. It draws me as the reader because it shows how hopeful and striving Luis as a character, and that even though he has made some life changing choices he still has faith. Luis goes to school to study subjects, “The opportunity for me to learn something new became an incentive for attending Taft High School. At Keppel and Continuation, I mainly had industrial arts classes. So I applied for classes which stirred a little curiosity”(136) Luis really strived for something that he knew would be good for him and something that would push his life into the right direction. Since he has never studied these classes it shows he is okay with going out of his comfort zone.
As a reader the mischievous aspect of the book really draws me as a reader considering I love action. Many times in the book the characters brawling, running from police or stealing which really keeps me interested in the story and not want to put the book down. They didn't have enough money to afford food, “We rushed through the orders, then the time came to consider the bill. I looked at it, then moved my eyes toward Arnie. Arnie looked at me, smiled, but catching on changed into a frown. Now, don't look at me, he said I didn't bring any money. No money what's wrong with you man? Chicharon scolded. I thought you guys were inviting me. How was I supposed to know. Listen it's no problem, well just take the long walk to the exit and run like your mother made you”(141) Luis and his friends are clearly causing trouble as they went out for food and all forgot to take money. So they decide to ditch the bill and make a run for it out the door.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes trouble and action which is what a lot of the book is about. I personally also like the fact that there is swearing every now and then which really makes the story-line more intriguing, but may not be good for a younger child. Any teen who may be looking for hope with any struggles in their personal life may like this book. Considering the main character Luis works very hard to make himself a better person this could be an inspirational story to some.
Living in a place with very little positivity, it's very easy to turn one's life from good to bad in the matter of one bad choice. Many people have made terrible lifestyles for themselves but have lost hope of making a positive future for themselves. In bad areas of L.A many children grow up without parental figures in the picture which only negatively affects the younger generation.
In the non-fiction novel Always Running main character Luis explains his troubles he faced when he was younger. After living in L.A for a while since moving across the border from Mexico, Luis Rodriguez has made a reputation for himself. Since he has dropped out of school he has gotten hooked on drugs and becoming a frequent participant in gang warfare, leading him to face much physical and mental pain. Finding cheap ways to get high Luis constantly sniffs paint to escape the pain of the real world with the money he steals from people with his gang. Luis of course wants to change his ways but with now real supportive person in his life it’s very hard for him. In the story he talks about learning how to play the saxophone from classes and listening to records, playing it when he needs some time to himself. One day Luis’s dad brings him to the university he works as a janitor at. Luis would like to take some academic classes but is rejected due to his years of absences in grade school. Searching for a job Luis doesn't take this failure, because he decides to try learning a trade. He enrolls in auto body weight lifting and other such classes. After this Luis really starts focusing on himself and his future because he only wants the best for himself.
One aspect from author, Luis J. Rodriguez is his great use of perspective. His use of this really helps me as the reader to step into the main characters shoes and really feel how he does in the story. Luis goes through many troubles and the way the author describes his struggles makes it easy to understand the story and characters feelings. Luis is surprised by his brother when he runs into his room angered at him, “One day, Joe knocked on the door. I stopped bellowing on the sax, put the instrument down and peered out the window. He looked angry. For years, this look would prompt a flow of blood from the pit of my stomach. It meant I would be accused, abused, pushed around, and ordered to do something to make up for some perceived wrong”(86). Reading this quote puts you exactly in the terrified perspective of Luis as his older brother storms into his room to punish Luis for something he is quite angered about.
Another aspect from the story is the way that the main character Luis wants to turn his life around. It draws me as the reader because it shows how hopeful and striving Luis as a character, and that even though he has made some life changing choices he still has faith. Luis goes to school to study subjects, “The opportunity for me to learn something new became an incentive for attending Taft High School. At Keppel and Continuation, I mainly had industrial arts classes. So I applied for classes which stirred a little curiosity”(136) Luis really strived for something that he knew would be good for him and something that would push his life into the right direction. Since he has never studied these classes it shows he is okay with going out of his comfort zone.
As a reader the mischievous aspect of the book really draws me as a reader considering I love action. Many times in the book the characters brawling, running from police or stealing which really keeps me interested in the story and not want to put the book down. They didn't have enough money to afford food, “We rushed through the orders, then the time came to consider the bill. I looked at it, then moved my eyes toward Arnie. Arnie looked at me, smiled, but catching on changed into a frown. Now, don't look at me, he said I didn't bring any money. No money what's wrong with you man? Chicharon scolded. I thought you guys were inviting me. How was I supposed to know. Listen it's no problem, well just take the long walk to the exit and run like your mother made you”(141) Luis and his friends are clearly causing trouble as they went out for food and all forgot to take money. So they decide to ditch the bill and make a run for it out the door.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes trouble and action which is what a lot of the book is about. I personally also like the fact that there is swearing every now and then which really makes the story-line more intriguing, but may not be good for a younger child. Any teen who may be looking for hope with any struggles in their personal life may like this book. Considering the main character Luis works very hard to make himself a better person this could be an inspirational story to some.
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