Empowerment

By the end of the novel, Rat states, “Jun – no longer Rat. My name is Jun-Jun” (p.217)

This shows that he has started a new life and that its much better than the one before.  he is no longer living like a rat.After Him and the other boys find the money, and go back to where he comes from his life goes up and he is finally happy.
Rat and Gardo took him on a journey which helped him discover his true self.  He lived the life he had always dreamed, living on a boat and fishing.

Multiple Perspectives

Hearing the different perspectives helps in the story because it shows what the different people know. It benefits us because it helps advance the mystery because it shows us things that some other characters don't know and makes us ask questions. For example when we find out about the tombstone being made for Pia Dante but then find out she is alive we ask questions like, what was the tombstone made for? and what does Pia know? Another advantage is that it makes us think more about what could of happened so we are solving the mystery alongside the boys. For example when we fin out about the coordinates that lead to the grave yard we think about what could be there and if its the money.

Family

In this story, family means a lot to the characters. In every thing they do they think about if and how it will affect their families. For example when Gardo and Raphael decide to leave behala without saying good bye to their families because they know it will to hard to leave them and that it would be safer for them if the police asked about the boys. Another example is when Raphael is taken to the jail but he doesn't tell the police about the bag because he knows that he needs to support his family. Another way that family love is shown is how Raphael lives with his cousins and aunt and helps his family pay for food.

Creating Suspense

There are many ways to create suspense in stories. Characters working against a deadline is one way. An example of this is when they got the package from the station’s locker. This creates suspense because we don't know what will be in the locker or if they will get caught by the police. Another example is when Gardo and Olivia went to prison and they had limited time to talk to Gabriel Olondriz. This is an example of suspense because we learn more about Gabriel and Jose's life and it advances the mystery. One last example is when the boys need to figure out the mystery of Jose Angelico before the policeman do. This creates suspense because we don't know who will figure it out first.

Another example of how authors create suspense is by creating conflict. Some examples are when Marco, the policeman, wont give them the bag without payment. This creates suspense because we don't know if Marco will end up giving them the bible. Another example is when Raphael is taken to the police station and interrogated by the police. This creates suspense because we don't know if Raphael will tell the police that he has the bag or if the police will drop him out the window. One last example is when Sister Olivia was tricked by the boys into thinking that Gabriel Olondriz was Gardos grandfather. This creates suspense because we don't know if she or Gabriel will get mad at Gardo.
  


Another example of how authors create suspense is by letting the readers know more than the characters. An example of this is when we know that Gabriel Olondriz isn't Gardo's grandfather, but Sister Olivia thinks he is. This creates suspense because we don't know if Sister Olivia will find out, or what will happen between Gabriel, Gardo and Olivia when she finds out. Another example is when we know where rat stole the money from but Raphael and Gardo don't. This creates suspense because we don't know what their reaction will be, if they will mad or not. One last example is when we know that Rat, Raphael and Gardo have the bag, but the police are unsure. This creates suspense because we don't know if the police will find out and get the bag.

Another example of how authors create suspense is by adding an element of surprise. An example of this is when the police officers come to behala to find the bag. This creates suspense because we want to know why the bag is so important. Another example is when the police took Raphael to the police station. This creates suspense because we dont know what he will tell them or if they will find out about the bag. One last example is when the boys run away from behala. This creates suspense because we thought that the boys would stay in behala to try and not attract attention.

In conclusion, adding suspense to a story makes it alot more exciting.

Is it okay to lie, steal and cheat?

In the book trash there are many examples of lying, stealing and cheating, some good some bad.
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An example of  good is when Raphael tells the police that he knows nothing about the bag because if he was dropped out the window then he wouldn't be able to solve the mystery of Jose Angelico and his family relied on him (Page 65)
Some more examples are when Gardo asks Sister Olivia to take him to the prison to see Gabriel Olondriz saying that he is his grandfather (Page 81)  and when Sister Olivia told Gabriel Olondriz that she knew what he was talking about when she didn't (Page 128). Another example is when Raphael, Gardo and Rat go to the train station and steal the letter from Jose Anelico's locker (Chapter 6 Part 1) 

Some examples of when it is bad are when the police officer says he will give Gardo the bible but then decides that Gardo must pay 20 thousand pesos (Page 133), or when Senator Zapanta stole lots of money and then framed it on Gabriel Olondriz (Page 104-105). All though taking Sister Olivia with him to the prison was a good idea, it was also a bad idea because if Sister said something wrong to the police then she could've gotten in trouble (Chapter 1, 3-7, 10 Part 3) "Some of our children are the best liars in the world" (Page 84) This is also good and bad. Good for the kids because then they can get what they need, but bad for the people that they are deceiving. Another example is when Jose Angelico tried to steal 6 million dollars from Zapanta for revenge, which is bad because it ended up with him being killed and the mystery being left unsolved. It also resulted in his daughter having no living relatives and being left to fend for herself. Without Jose Angelico there was no one to pay the people who gave her a place to live so she could go to school. One last example is when Father Julliard says "Its hard to keep the children attending class: we have to bribe them with food." (page 47) because sorting through the trash gives the children and their families money, so when Father Julliard bribes them then he is taking them away from their jobs just so they will go to a class.


In conclusion, sometimes it is ok to lie, like if you are in danger of if it is to make someone feel good, but sometimes it is bad, like if you are going to put someone else in danger or if deceiving them.

Fundraising

DAY 1

Our first day of fundraising went quite well and we worked very well as a group. We all contributed to our stall and didn't argue about who was bringing what. We didn't get as much as money as we had hoped but still didn't do bad for our first day. I think that next time we will choose a space with a bit more space and we will put up some signs so people know that we are selling food. It was a bit frustrating at times because people were coming over and would start talking to us in front and behind the table which made it even more cramped than it was. I hope that next time we will raise even more money than this time now that we know what to do.

Why are people poor? - By Eliza & Nima

The cause of people being in poverty is because the government makes deals with the countries by saying that they will give money to the country, when in reality the country has to give money that they don't have to the government. The country is then left in debt with army camps being set up to 'protect' them. After a while they will try and kick the government out of the country which results in two countries in war which causes terrorism and money being spent on air force and weaponry.