Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Discussion questions to come. Would you like to post a comment about this book? Tell us what you liked or disliked about it!

Comments

[James L.]

The thing I liked most about this book is how Jeannette was able to connect her mother at the beggining of the book with her mother at the end of the book. The book wasn't to long or to short and hadn't ended to quickly or to fast.

The only questions I would ask Jeanette personally, is how she was so forgiving of her parents. It seems pretty unbelievable to me that after all she went through, she was able to forgive them.

Compared to families nowadays, Jeanette's family's relationship was extremely tight, aside from her fathers drinking problem. I hear about divorces and problems within families so often and it was pretty nice for me to see that some people face their troubles together as a family.

[S.S. Ms. Schleider's Adv. 10th Grade Reading Class, Atlantic Technical Center]

I loved this book. i believe it was a very powerful book, and i loved how strong all the kids were even though they had to basically fend for themselves. The Glass Castle was a touching novel, but at the same time, humorous too. This book relates to present day families because sometimes the father isn't in the house, and the mom could be a stay home mother, and not have a job, so the children may have to take care of themselves.

[M.M, Mrs. Shlieders 10th grade reading class, ATCHS]

I think that this book was very interesting. I enjoyed how the author was the main character and guided the reader through each big and small event that took place in her life. Jeanette's life reminded me alot of my friends life. My friend always moved around from house to house and the parents never really minded on how he was doing. The parents didnt have stable jobs and seemed not to care as much as long as they are still breathing. My prediction for what happens after the book ends is that Jeanette starts to write more and spends the rest of her life enjoying what she missed out on in her childhood.

[J.C., Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high school]

I thought this book was really good because it described your childhood. I thought it took real strength for you to go through all that abuse and still be a sucessful individual. From what i read i believe that you are the strongest woman in world history. You survived a father who couldn't stop drinking. Are you going to create a sequel to the Glass Castle? I thought everything was well written and well structured.

[lp, Ms. Scheilder ADVclass 10th grade Atlantic Tech HS]

I really liked this book; even at the beginning it was interesting. I really liked it because it was how a family got through when they didn’t have a lot of money. Also how her father checked out of places.

[S.C., Ms. Schleider's 10th Grade Reading Class, Atlantic Technical HS]

I thought that The Glass Castle was a very good book. Jeanette’s personality reminded me a little of my younger sister. I think that you would have to be really strong to go through all of the stuff that Jeanette did. If it was me in her situation I wouldn’t have done half as good as she did. Not only did she make through all of the hard stuff, she still turned out to be a great person afterwards.

[S.L., Ms. Schlieder, 10th Grade Class in ATCHS]

I thought the Glass Castle was very interesting. It is the first book I can say I really wanted to read and the best part I can say is that it was a book assigned by my teacher. I have to say that I thought my own family was weird but after reading this I should not feel so bad and be grateful for what I have. I personally think that Jeanette Walls is now my favorite author. I do not think there is more to say then, it’s absolutely a must read.

[D.A]

I thought this book was very interesting. Jeannette was my favorite character because she was always positive about things even when things seemed very hard. I liked how when things got very bad they all helped each other get though it.

[D.S., Ms. Schlieder, 10th grade Adv. Reading, ATCHS]

Jeannette Walls is blessed with a talent that undoubtably captivates the reader of her magnificent, inspiring, and powerful story. In my reading class, my classmates and I have been studying the concepts of goodwill and contempt. I have always thought that in order to have goodwill, a person must be kind and soft-hearted. However, through my teacher and this book, I learned that one does not have to be exactly the nicest person on Earth to have goodwill. Jeannette showed goodwill toward her father by being strict with him when it came to drinking and the spending of the little money the Walls' had. She wanted the best for him although she wasn't very nice about it. I really wonder how life for the Walls' would have been different if Rex had stopped drinking. I agree whole-heartedly with anyone that finds this story inspiring and powerful. <3 :)

[P.S. Ms. Schleider's 10th Grade Reading Class Atlantic Technical HS]

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was about a girl who struggled in life and I can relate to that. She’s definitely an inspiration to my life because usually these kinds of people don’t make good out of their life. She has great talent in reading and writing and she took that to use. Jeannette Walls never gave up in life and she was always taking care of her siblings, always responsible for her duties. Though, I never understood why she took so long to leave after taking in so much hurt and anger.

[S.M, Ms.Schleiders 10th grade reading class Atlantic Technical HS]

I thought the Glass Castle was one of the most beautiful books I have ever read and may ever read. I loved the way Jeannette Walls was so caring and loyal to her siblings in the times when their parents used to act up. I also admire how she was very forgiving towards her parents. She had a lot of heart. I used to think my family was jacked up, and didn’t appreciate the things I had in my life. This book has changed my perception dearly and forever will. Jeannette Walls has a story to tell. This is a must read book.

[V. D.]

I felt that The Glass Castle was really good and suspenseful. Jeanette ans the rest of her siblings were very strong in surviving while living with their parents. She was able to also be to keep the story going "alive".

[B.B, Ms. Schlieder, 10th Grade Class in ATCHS]

I felt this book was very motivating. It told the story of Jeannette Walls, who struggled with a father that was drunk most of the day, a mother who’d rather follow her “dreams” than take care of her own children. She dealt with not having food for long periods of time, and even not taking showers for days. Her story is one of the most triumphant, relating to survival. It could give anyone courage to go somewhere in life, and I would suggest it to those in high school. I greatly enjoyed reading The Glass Castle.

[N.G.,Ms. Schleider's 10th Grade Reading Class, Atlantic Technical HS]

I really liked this book because it touches you by the way Jeannette Walls expresses herself. I was really shocked to hear how she had to live with a father that was an alcoholic and a mother that was very careless. This is something that it is not easy to deal with and this is why I really liked this book. I think that Jeannette Walls was brave enough to deal with her family’s situation because not every person is brave enough to go through this. I really liked this book and I hope that other people can read it, because this book will really impact their lives.

[M.T; Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high]

While I read the Glass castle I was immersed into the life of a young girl that went through the struggles that no child should go through. The neglect from her parents really hurt her while she grew up. From her father being an alcoholic and her mother only caring about herself, Jeanette went through radical changes through her life. She never truly had a place to call home for she moved around almost constantly. It was very saddening to see such a smart girl grow up in such poverty. I did notice though that her parents did love her. Jeanette had a mystifying connection with her father and he entrusted her with his hope. When Jeanette became old enough to move out she did tell Rex that she had lost complete faith in him. Even though it probably killed them both inside and diminished their connection, it was a necessary action that had to be taken. I enjoyed reading about her new life in New York and how both Jeanette and her sister survived even though they started out with nothing. It saddened me when her parents decide to become homeless. What most shocked me was when Rex Walls died because throughout the book he was portrayed as a person that nothing could defeat. He protected his family with his life and the very thing that he enjoyed most and became addicted to, killed him. I was glad to find out that Jeanette was able to find a loving husband and create a family even though she suffered so much as a child.

[K.A; Ms. Schleider's 10th grade class,Atlantic Technical High]

When I found out we had to do a "required" reading for my advanced reading class I wasn't to thrilled. I felt this way because every book I read that was required by a teacher ended up being boring or genres that didn't interested me. Then the Glass Castle was in my hands. From the summary to the cover it looked interesting so i decided to give it a shot. Once i read the first chapter i was hooked. I love the way Jeannette Walls describes every memory so vividly. Her word choice and organization of the book was incredible.Reading Jeannette's story really touched and moved me. The Glass Castle was by far the best book I've ever read.

[B.C. Mrs. Shlieders 10th grade reading class, ATCHS]

I liked the book. This story was sad and happy and funny. Bt the end i was mad and happy it was confusing kinda mappy i guess. I don't really know how it made me feel but i liked the book a lot it was strong yet good. It also had 2SHOCKING hooks at the start.

[D.A, Ms.Schleider's 10th Grade Class at ATCHS]

I really enjoyed reading the Glass Castle. Jeannette Walls had a very interesting childhood. I thought this book was so good that I kept on wanting to read further. Jeannette and her brother and sisters showed a lot of strength when they had to deal with their parents and struggle with being poor and moving around a lot. They always helped each other get through all their obstacles and they never gave up when things got bad. Jeannette was always understanding towards her family, it takes a really strong person to do that. She understood when her father was drinking excessively and her mother didn't want to leave her father. I don't think I could have been that understanding.She is somebody you can admire.

[Magleszorz]

I feel that this book very well written and very powerful. It just shows that someone that comes from a life like that can be very successful and overcome challenges such as those that Jeanette has. I can only imagine how much hope and motivation Jeanette has given people that are experiencing what she went through. She is very courageous by coming out and speaking of the life she had. It is a great book if u are going through some hard times and it lets you know that you’re not the only person that is going through a hard time. This book has showed me and my whole class how lucky we really are and I would like to thank her for that.

[J.R.]

First of all i would like to say that i really did love this book. I actually strived to finish it because it was a real page turner. Actually also i think jeannette is so brave to share this with people because it's a part of her as well as a big chunk of her life. Jeannette is super brave to tell people how her young private and family life went. Though i admire how her family was always kept together unlike families now a days were the mothe would indeed with no doubt have left the father and torn the family apart. The thing thought that would interest me is hearing this life aspect from one of the other siblings and see how they viewed the life style. The beginning also is very caoturing when Jeannette sees her mother and she gets embarrased of her and how later returns to her most remembered menory of her childhood a at just three years of age.

J.R, Ms.Schleider's 10th Grade Reading Class ATCMHS

[A.B., Ms. Schleider's 10th grade ADV Reading class, ATC high school]

The Glass Castle was a very moving book. It must have been hard for Jeanette Walls to write about her horrible childhood with an alcoholic father, three brothers and sisters, and a mother who acts like one of the children whenever she has to do work. through reading this book, I can see why all four of the children left town after high school. I really liked how they foreshadowed in the beginning about Jeanette being rich and her parents being poor. Unfortunately, though, I disliked how some parts were skipped over for a period of years. The story was very captivating and I might even read it again.

[J.R,Ms.Schleider's 10th Grade Reading Class,ATCMHS]

First of all I would like to say that I really did love this book. I actually strived to finish it because it was a real page turner. Actually also I think Jeannette is so brave to share this with people because it's a part of her as well as a big chunk of her life. Jeannette is super brave to tell people how her young private and family life went. Though I admire how her family was always kept together unlike families now a days were the mother would indeed with no doubt have left the father and torn the family apart. The thing thought that would interest me is hearing this life aspect from one of the other siblings and see how they viewed the life style. The beginning also is very capturing when Jeannette sees her mother and she gets embarrassed of her and how later returns to her most remembered memory of her childhood a at just three years of age.

[JL,Ms. Schleider,10th grade reading, Atlantic Tech HS]

The Glass Castle

The thing I liked about the glass castle was that it’s touching. Through all of the times when the father was drunk or taking their money, he still was able to love his family and protect his loved ones with his life. Also, as selfish as the mother was, I believed that she showed the children that you only get one life to live so you should enjoy it to the fullest. An interesting thing about the book was that as bad as Jeannette and her siblings were treated as children, they still had love for their parents. For instance, when they became homeless Jeannette and her siblings tried to help them get a home. This book was also great because Jeannette did not become bitter; she ended up with a good husband. And if she has children she will probably treat her children better than she was treated.

[J J]

The Glass Castle was a book that I can only describe as a roller coaster ride. The book has its moments where you feel great and some joy with how the family communicates and then in other situations you feel a sort of wonder of how crazy these people really are. But honestly I have to say the book was very well written and it was creative how she brought you through each sequence of her life and the trials and tribulations she went through. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone who I come across because I certainly believe it can make an impact in your life.

[HJM, Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high]

I thought this book was so amazing. The strength in these kids showed throughout the text. Jeannette Walls is an amazingly strong person if she can come from that childhood and transform into a great author. She is an inspiration to me, as a child who endured abuse, to go out and do whatever it takes to succeed in my dreams. I wonder how hard she worked to achieve her goal? Maybe there is another story within her efforts to become such a great and successful writer. The way she wrote her story as an almost comical drama made me keep reading. Any time something serious happened in the story she would lighten the tone with a little humor. I think the book is powerful, meaningful, and altogether a genius piece of literature.

[M.R.;Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high]

The glass castle was a very motivational for me. In my life there were similar inncidents as far as family issues.Through reading the Glass Castle it showed me that if Jeannette Walls could get on with her life so can I. I just have to find other ways to make my life better.

[M.R.;Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high]

The glass castle was a very motivational for me. In my life there were similar inncidents as far as family issues.Through reading the Glass Castle it showed me that if Jeannette Walls could get on with her life so can I. I just have to find other ways to make my life better.

[K.B., Ms.schleider 10th grade class, Atlantic Technical High School]

I thought that this book was very interesting. I felt really bad for the Walls family because of everything they had to go through. I believe that Jeannette was the strongest one because she took care of her siblings when her parents weren't around. Jeannette never gave up on anything. This book can relate to people now because not everyone has a father growing up. I am very happy for Jeannette because dispite what had happened to her as a child she still ended up following her dream and becoming a journalist/writer.

[A.K., (Mrs. Schleider’s 10th grade reading class, Atlantic Tech Center)]

I thought that this was a very strange book. It is an autobiography and yet it still sounds like it is fiction. A lot of weird things happened in this book that were sometimes hard to believe. The things that I liked about this book were the clear descriptions of the author’s memories. The author somehow managed to recall the memories of her entire childhood and publish them in a book. The whole story sounded like the author had a very strange and tough life. The characters in the story all sounded like they were very unique. Also, all of the characters had major differences from one another. For example, the mother was a lazy artist who had a teaching degree but would not get a job while the father was a hard working alcoholic who made sure his family was safe.

[A.G, Mrs.Schleider 10th Grade Reading class Atlantic Technical HS]

I really enjoyed reading The Glass Castle. Jeanette Walls's style of writing digs deep to find humor in the situations of her life. She has endured so much hardship during her life, and yet she is able to look back and laugh at it. I was so bothered by the way her parents treated their family. They were irresponsible and did not do well when it came to providing for their family. They may not have been the best parents, but they were always there for their children and they taught them how to survive. The children learned well and grew up to be very succesfull people. I'm glad to have found that all of the children made something of themselves. Mrs.Walls memoirs are inspirational to the people who also have been through hard times. It shows that anyone can overcome their past and achieve their dreams.

[p g]

i think that this book is good. i think that mostly it not a boring book on how its writen. i think its good book to read

[G.F.Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high]

It was a good book and all but I personally didn’t like it. although Jeannette Walls had many hard ships the style was not my personal taste I still might tell people about it mainly because I saw how the rest of my class seemed to be enjoying it. I don’t like the book and all and I respect Jeannette Walls for it and i can understand why people like it.

[G.F.Ms.schleider 10th grade class in Atlantic technical high]

It was a good book and all but I personally didn’t like it. although Jeannette Walls had many hard ships the style was not my personal taste I still might tell people about it mainly because I saw how the rest of my class seemed to be enjoying it. I don’t like the book and all and I respect Jeannette Walls for it and i can understand why people like it.

[TF, Ms. Schleider, 10th grade, Atlantic Technical Center]

This was one of the best books I've ever read! Usually, I hate the books I'm forced to read for school, but this one was great! This wasn't one of those boring history type of books, this had real life situations many could relate to. I would rate this.book a 10 out of 10!

[T.R Mrs Schleider]

I really enjoyed reading this book because it was about somebody who struggled in life and I can relate to that. She’s definitely an inspiration to my life because usually these kinds of people don’t make good out of their life. She has great talent in reading and writing and she took that to use. Jeannette Walls never gave up in life and she was always taking care of her siblings, always responsible for her duties. Though, I never understood why she took so long to leave after taking in so much hurt and anger from her miserble life.

[C.C; Ms.Schleider's 10th grade class, ATCHS]

This book had exciting things happening in every chapter. Jeannette and her siblings had a real rough life; her parents didn’t try their best to give them a better life that they could’ve given them. The only good thing about that was that the parents forced them into striving. The bad life she lived forced her into trying her best to live the good life. Although her parents gave her a bad life she still loved them. I find that surprising but positive.

[C.C; Ms.Schleider's 10th grade class, ATCHS]

This book had exciting things happening in every chapter. Jeannette and her siblings had a real rough life; her parents didn’t try their best to give them a better life that they could’ve given them. The only good thing about that was that the parents forced them into striving. The bad life she lived forced her into trying her best to live the good life. Although her parents gave her a bad life she still loved them. I find that surprising but positive.

[S.S]

I think the book “The Glass Castle” was the best book I have ever read in my life. This is because come parts of the book I can relate to my own personal life because I myself did not have an easy life either, and feel like me and Jeannette Walls can relate to each other. Especially the part where she had to be on her own in her school, I was in the same exact situation as her when I first moved to my new elementary school. When she finished telling her whole story in the book, I wasn’t surprised that she because wealthy and successful when she grew up, because even from the beginning she already knew what to do in her life, a great example was when she was little and she had to be the one responsible with the food money for the whole family, I think she handled that really well, until he dad took it for his liquor money, but other than that I think the book was great, and I will definitely not forget about this book, because its one of the best book I have ever read.

[I. K.]

I enjoyed the spectacular writing in the book The Glass Castle. From the first page to the last I was thrilled by the way that Jeanette Walls started the story with her present life. Then it went into something such as a flashback going through her past. It was tied all back together towards the end of the book which I found facinating. The way Jeanette Walls writes is a story within itself. The structure of her sentences were so proper and beautifully written.