John Steinbeck's "Travels With Charley" by Camille Murray

Websites and picture

1. How did you experience the book? It's not always helpful to talk about whether or not you liked the book, but rather how you felt as you were reading it? Were you pulled effortlessly into the book...or did you have difficulty getting into it? Why?
I liked the book. One of the things that it taught me not to judge someone for their appearance. I felt that I learned a lot more about John Steinbeck than the man who just wrote great books. I was pulled in effortlessly because I felt I could relate to his story and I liked him and the people he met. Some of the words and phrases he used were hard to understand but I really liked the story.

2. Were you happy about your book choice? Why or why not?
Yes I was happy with my book choice because Steinbeck is a great author and writer and I learned a lot about how he lived his life.

3. Which place discussed in the book did you find the most intriguing? Why do you think that was the case?
The part that was the most intriguing was when he was talking about seeing the Northern Lights and how it lifted his spirits. I think it was because of the colors and how they were aligned in the sky. It almost seemed magical.

4. What central ideas might the author be exploring-the novel's themes? Consider ideas about the nature of love, the requirements of goodness, the meaning of justice, the burden of the past...basic human issues that are at stake in the book.
The central idea of this book seems to be that the country is different than he has experienced before.

5. What do you feel you learned from this project? Please consider the book, the technology involved with producing the project, or any other aspect regarding the project.
I not got to read an entertaining book, but I also got to learn about how blogs can be used on the internet.

6. What was the most enjoyable part of the project? Please explain why you felt this way.
My favorite part of this project was the reading because I love to read.

7. What was the most difficult part of the project? Please explain why you felt this way.
My least favorite part of the project was the typing because I am not a big fan of typing, but I have to admit it did help my typing.

Interview with John Steinbeck's son about Travels With Charley

Map of My Trip

Here is a map I made of my trip

Blog Entry #12

Dear Diary,

While in Texas, I heard about a group of women in New Orleans who insulted some Negro children who were going to school. This group of women was known as the "Cheerleaders" and I wanted to go see it for myself. As I drove to New Orleans, I encountered more racism not only towards blacks, but also Jews. I did not even want to visit my favorite places, so I went to the Mississippi River and met some other interesting people.

As I drove back towards New York, I was exhausted and just wanted to get home. When I finally got near my home, I was terribly lost, but eventually found my way.

Blog Entry #11

Dear Diary,

When I got to Texas, I remembered how different Texans sound. My wife is from Texas and when she gets around other Texans, she talks with a thick Texan accent. Texas has many types of climates and regions that are all unique.

Charley got sick and I took him to a veterinarian in Amarillo who said he had Prostatitis. I had to wait four days but he was completely healed when I picked him up. My wife and I went to a friend's ranch to celebrate Thanksgiving. I did some hunting.

As I was traveling towards the South, I started to think about the racism that was still there. I thought about a Negro family I knew in Salinas, CA, the town I grew up in. We never saw them as being different than we were and never thought we were better than them.

Blog Entry #10

Dear Diary,

I traveled to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

As we drove into Arizona, I remembered how frightening it was to drive through the desert in the old cars we used to have. Now it is easier with more reliable cars and more places to stop. I am amazed by the way plants and animals are able to survive in these harsh conditions.

I got to admire the mountains a lot more. I admired the beauty of every hill we passed. I then went to Texas to celebrate Thanksgiving with my wife and friends.