AMNQ Diablog #14

"We push forward, into the unknown. Go."

This was the BEST ENDING SENTENCE!!!! It really is bittersweet and mysterious. I thought it was a great ending because it shows how the family is going to continue their travels together and I really loved how the family seemed to come together right at the end. Even Aisha stopped being so bratty and rude at the end. Though this book was a little confusing in some places, I really enjoyed it.

AMNQ Blog Post #13 (DON'T READ THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE READ AHEAD! CONTAINS SPOILERS!)

"We were the people you don't always see, flashing our polite smiles, trimming hedges, parking your cars in lots, doing the night shift. You needed us and we needed you."
-Page 151

WOW! This was SO brave of Aisha and my opinion of her was TOTALLY raised! She is seriously brave to be saying all this stuff in front of these people. And this quote is totally true. It seems like a LOT of times the lower workers don't get the attention or the pay they deserve but they are still really polite with their wide and happy smiles! :D This seems like a VERY wise quote and I'm happy for Aisha but I'm wondering if people will tell the Immigration Police. I think that they will be leaving anyways so it won't matter.

AMNQ Blog Post #12

"He pats me on the head and doesn't let me go into the kitchen with the women, but makes sure I sit right next to him. I'm embarrassed, but I like this, being the special one."

This quote REALLY stood out to me. Nadira is really starting to feel special and like she has a place in the world. I think that she is SO used to Aisha being the one with all the parental credits that she is very excited when her father is praising her and being extra nice to her (after all, she DID save them from being deported). I also think this could have something to do with Aisha being so listless that Abba doesn't really have something to praise her for, so he is turning to Nadira for a daughter to praise but I mainly think that he is praising Nadira for her bravery. I think that Nadira should be really happy. I think that this is a step in the right direction for her and her family life.

AMNQ Blog Post #11

"Something silver glints in the corner of my eye. I freeze, turn around, and see it's a stick of gum."
-page 125

I REALLY think Nadira is starting to get REALLY paranoid. I mean, it's great that she is cautious but now it seems like she thinks everyone is out there to get her. Like on page 124, she's freaking out because people can "see the money through her backpack." I think that it's good that Nadira is cautious but she seems to be getting WAY to scared for no reason and that could give her unnecesary stress that she doesn't need in these hard times...

AMNQ Blog Post #10

"Strong lungs, they would say of Abba. Strong lungs give him staying power. He's the one that always lasts."
-Page 114

This sentence caught my eye because it seemed almost a tad bit ominous. I think it may be the part that says "He's the one that always lasts," but I'm not sure. I do think that this says something about Abba and his strength in trying to keep his family together. I don't think he completely succeeded but he seems very strong and he keeps his composure even in hard times. I think that somehow, Abba seems to understand Nadira more than any other person in their family. He gave her the power to swim and somehow, it makes me think that it boosted her self-confidence.

AMNQ Blog Post #9

"This is the first time I've ever done this, but I put my arms around my sister. She feels as if she's all bones, and she's shaking. I don't know what to say. So we sit like that for a long, long time."
-Page 113

This quote caught my eye because it's really strange to me. Have Aisha and Nadira really never given each other a hug before? Even when they were really little? I mean, seriously, what siblings never ever hug each other? I fight with my brother A TON but we still give each other hugs sometimes. I thought that it was pretty mature of Nadira to take a step in the right direction and help Aisha, especially when she's falling apart like this. I think that Aisha is really completely going to lose it soon and Nadira really needs to be there for her or else Aisha could really fall into depression and that could pose some serious problems. I really think this was a step in the right direction and a step towards bringing the sisters closer together.

AMNQ #8 ------>(THIS IS THE ONE TO COMMENT ON!)<------

"After that, something shifts between Aisha and me. It's like she's opened the door and wriggled over to let me into her private little world."
-Page 90

Yes! Finally the two sisters are coming together! I'm so glad because these girls are really starting to work together to solve their problems. Also, I feel like Aisha will really need support later in the chapter from Nadira because her spirits just keep seeming to fall lower and lower and I do NOT want her to give up the fight. I think that it feels like as Aisha is becoming more and more gloomy and depressed, Nadira doesn't really do a lot to help cheer her up. I think that she could try a little harder instead of just sitting on the side and watching, which isn't doing that much help. I also feel like Aisha is starting to open her eyes. I think she's starting to realize that she may not be able to get to college unless they start solving their current problems so she is getting to work right away. I am very glad that the two sisters are starting to work together. What do you guys think? Are the sisters going to keep working smoothly together or is something bad going to happen and is one of them going to explode? Please share your ideas...