TGC Post #4: Pgs. 129-170

SUMMARY:
The gang is on the move again! And this time, they're going to North Carolina! They are going there looking for another second chance, with their father's family, Jeannettes' grandparents. At first, their father hesitates the move from Arizona, but is convinced how much is family loves him, and goes on a cross-country road trip until they reach his parent's house. During the trip, they don't sleep in motels, rather, they sleep in their car each night (which is really in no condition to be driven at all). Also, reaching their destination, we find out exactly why Rex Walls (the father) became an atheist. Jeannette and the kids get enrolled to new schools, and without any records (which they left in Arizona, they are put in 'special' classes because the principal was ashamed at how the kids couldn't understand his thick accent. Also, Jeannette is constantly being bullies at school, because she 'looks poor', but seldom tells her parents, so they won't argue or anything like that. Later, the parents decide to go back to Phoenix (Arizona), to get the things they left behind, leaving the kids with their grandparents. When the parents arrive in Phoenix, though, they came to find that their old home had been looted, but they didn't mind. And, the parents were considering moving back to Phoenix, but Rose Mary (the mother) was convinced there were more opportunities where they were living now, in Welch. But as the Walls family finds out, fighting is a big part of the Welch community, so the kids learn to step up for themselves. During this time, also, the father starts to 'build' the Glass Castle, but with the father never home, the kids, Jeannette and Brian (her younger brother) took it to them to help out a bit. Reading also becomes a big part for the Walls family in living in Welch, because they have never had the time to read before like this. With great knowledge comes great responsibility, will the family finally make a final turn for the best?

QUOTE:
"Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy," Mom told me. "You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more." (Walls 129).

REACTION:
I kinda like these pages, it takes the family into a new society, out of their comfort zone, to a place where they really are being tested by everything around them. I'm getting the feeling the Walls family won't be going on any other 'adventures' for a while though, they seem pretty settled in Welch. I don't know what to expect! I mean, as part 2 of the novel is titled 'Welch', I though it meant 'poor', but it was actually the name of the town. (I confused it with 'whelp')