Notes+On+Group+Book+-+Once+on+This+River-

I think that Monday really would like to keep the baby because that was one of the most exciting momment her life. I feel that Monday's mother is a little unsure about her daughter because she is sooooo close to the baby. - Kyeema

I 100% agree because when reading the book and not getting to the middle of the book I noticed a character change between Monday, Monday's mother, and the baby's mother had gotten caught up in a weird momment. -Alexis

I think that the men that were inside while the woman was giving birth was very mean because it looked like he didnt care. he was being very disrespectful and treatened to give the baby away. But im Happy that th woman named the baby Monday becuase of her tradition. After i read these pages, i kind of had the sense of where the time period is. Because the place where the baby was born was a boat. I do think that Monday wanted to keep the baby because it was the first child she had caught into her hands. Im wondering who this woman is, and who those men were in the room. I think that Monday(baby) will grow up to be something completely different than any other child. I also think that Monday is going to become a pro at dilivering babies just like her mother. -Alexis

I agree with both Alexis and Kyeema. I think that it was a proud moment for Monday to catch a baby at birth, it was his first time too. Alexis' prediction makes sense. The prediction makes me wonder what kind of person Monday is going to grow up to be. The woman that gave birth named her child after Monday and I think that later on in the story the fact that the baby was named after Monday will be an affect in the story. I have a feeling that something might happen to the baby or probably when the baby grows up it will do something big that will create a change for the better. -Jessica

I agree with Jessica because more and more changes is going on in the story thats making wonder what is going to happen to little Monday. Personally, I think that if something happens to Monday (baby) the whole story is going to have a life changing effect. -Kyeema

What really makes me wonder kyeema and jessica, is the two sailors that were their in the birth room. It bothered me that shey showed no respect and it made no sense that they would even think about giving the baby away. I think Monday was confused because she thinks that the mother will be able to take care of the baby. Because during slavery time, some slaves didnt really have time for the babies... they had to finish their chores. I really hope they dont give the baby away because Monday might feel like " why would they give the baby away"? SinceMonday is young, i dont think she understands the world as much as her mother does.I agree with kyeema, Monday and baby monday might meet up one day and work together as monday and her mother use to do. I onder what happeneds next. -Alexis

Well Alexis I don't think the two sailors are really that big of an impact on the story. It was probably just a one time thing. So that shouldn't be something you should still wonder about. Ever since the birth the sailors haven't shown up in the story. However, sure it was mean for them to want to give the baby away but than again how would they be able to handle a baby on board with everything going on? Maybe there was no time for the baby. You even said it in the comment above mine that during slavery time some slaves didn't really have time for babies because of chores. Think of this situation as something similar to it. I don't think they should give the baby away though because the baby will probably have a big impact on Monday and this could be a good thing for Monday. -Jessica

I think that the mother is confused, and doesn't know much of whats going on. They have been sailing and the mother is just very clueless. I think that Monday comes from a very hard working family so she is completely capable of taking care of her mother and the baby. I agree with Alexis about how Monday doesn't really know whats going on but she will work hard if her mother tells her to, because she is obviously very loyal to her mom. -Alice

I agree with Alice because she does act that way. But what kind of work could Monday be doing? -Kyeema

Obviously her family is treated differently because therefore Monday is very responsible, this way she will get work done faster because she is use to it. -Alice

Of course Monday would be getting work done faster, but what kind of work could she be doing? Is it very hard? Can only Monday handle doing this type of work? -Kyeema

I kind of disagree with you Alice because the mother knows whats going on... not monday. When the pirates came on the boat, Monday had no idea what was going on because she didnt want the pirates to take Monday(baby). When i read that they were thowing dead bodies off the ship and into the ocean, it made me sick that they would even throw bodies off bored. Monday and her mother almost died because one of the pirates were trying to take Monday as a slave and join the rest on the boat. The big answer to all of our questions is that this is a time of slavery because in the book, there were slaves on the boat. like 11 of them. If moday didnt yell and scream, she wouldnt have gotten caught. The owner of the ship was a lucky friend of Mondays mother so they go off easy. Because they were born free. And i think the sailors kind of had a impact on the story becuase it kind of helps you on what the time period might be Jessica. But i also agree that the sailors didnt play a big part in the story. -Alexis

Alexis brought up a very important part in the story which I was going to bring up as well. I agree with you about the time period this story is in. All of Mondays American relatives were set free except for his uncle. Why out of all people does it have to be his uncle? I think Mondays mother has some kind of power or like some special tricks up her sleeve. I think this because she is the only one that can help save Mondays uncle. Mondays mom has a treasure keep sake box too with a book that changes Mondays life for ever. A lot of this seems to be all coming back to Mondays mother. Maybe Mondays mother knows something that no one else knows. -Jessica