Thursday, June 16, 2011

King of the Screwups by KL Going

    
 Go to the author's webpage


62 comments:

  1. Devin Davis:
    this book is good so far to me i can relate myself to this book because iv'e been called a screwup for telling people lies and then people dont trust anything you do.

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  2. I can relate to this story to myself, I personally think I screw up once in a while.

    By Nithin

    Herweck

    7

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  3. Blog #4: Well, I was somewhat satisfied with the ending of the novel but at the same time I couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed. I do not want to give too much away about the ending...but I was satisfied the way things ended up working out for Liam, however, I still felt that Liam's father may have not quite understand that Liam did change for the better.
    But then again was his father every truly there? I think this book was chosen for this award because it had kept my interest in most of the novel. I also feel that it allowed for a unique perspective into a teens life similar to the situations that Liam had been forced to go through.

    TM

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    1. Zachary T blog 2
      2nd hour

      I think your right. Liam's father doesn't really see that Liam is changing. in fact what kind of father would not go to his own son's birthday and just sends some random person to tell him that he wants him to join the army.That just really upsets Liam and makes matters worse.

      Delete
  4. Kyle
    Spencer2
    second hour

    I think this book is going to be great

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  5. Zachary T.

    Spencer 2
    second hour

    I cant wait to read this book.

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  6. Zachary T blog 5
    spencer 2nd hour

    I don't think I was that satisfied at the ending because I think Liam's dad was going to act like that any way.It doesn't surprise me that much at all.I think this book was chosen as a recipient of the Gateway Book Award because I was exited and anxious to hear what comes or happens next to Liam.

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  7. Chris O.
    Johnson 6th hour

    I like this book because sometimes there are things that i can relate to in the modern world that are somewhat the same. like when Liam pushes his father to the ultimate decision of kicking him out. But what Liam and his mom dont tell him is that he is going to live with his gay brother Aunt Pete. i think Liam has what it takes to turn his life around and actually make his father proud for once in his life other than screwing up 24/7. This book keeps me interested and i'd like to read more.

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    Replies
    1. Tyler S.
      Johnson 6th hour

      Chris, I too can relate to some of this book and how close it can be to reality and that is one thing that keeps me interested in it. I think Liam does not have what it takes to change his ways, it seems "popularity" comes too easily to Liam and that he will just give in again.

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    2. Moe W.
      Scheller 3rd

      I also agree with Chris and Tyler. I also feel that popularity comes too easily to him, but what I also think is people need to see for what he is in the inside not for what his mother does and what he looks like.

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  8. Matthew S.
    Mrs. Scheller, 6th Hour

    The setting of King of the Screwups effects Liam by giving him a new perspective on life. For his entire life he’s lived with his parents in New York, but moving in with his uncle allows him to get a fresh start. The change of setting gives Liam a chance to reinvent himself, and change the way people think about him. This opportunity causes him to try to be someone he isn’t. If I were in his position, I would take the opportunity to be myself outside of the influence of Liam’s father, because Liam never got a chance to be the person he was inside without being criticized by his father.

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  9. Moe W.
    Scheller 3rd hour

    This book is very relatable to anyone in the modern word. The setting is mostly modern, which is nice and the character Liam is very Rambunctious meaning he’s wild and such. His thoughts usually lead to him wondering why he is such a screw up and why he can’t make his dad proud of him, but as always Liam tries hard to please his dad and it fails which leads to his dad kicking him out. If I was living in Liam’s shoes I’m pretty sure I would definitely not fit in with his environment, because his father isn’t easily pleased and isn’t really happy towards anything, but his work so why would I try just Liam to get attention and make my father happy when in return I’ll just make a fool of myself and fail once again. This book is amazing by far I am happy to read this!

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    1. Dominique D.
      Scheller 3rd Hour
      Why do you think Liam’s dad has a such a big problem with him staying with “Aunt Pete”? In my opinion it seems like Aunt Pete is a pretty nice person. Do you think it is because of how feminine he is and he doesn’t want Liam to be like him?

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    2. Matthew S.
      Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour

      I agree with what you said about the setting being the biggest conflict of the book. The change of setting makes things really hard on Liam, but it also gives him a chance to either become the person his father wants him to be, or to finally be himself without his father’s influence.

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    3. Moe W.
      Scheller 3rd

      Dominique, I agree with the feminine part, but maybe it's also because Aunt Pete's father is against homosexuality. Also maybe because Aunt Pete was attracting so much attention from people with his band that Liam's dad must've gotten jealous.

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  10. Dominique D.
    Scheller 3rd hour

    In King of Screw-ups my character was on television for an interview with his parents. He kept saying things that made his parents seem like bad people or irresponsible parents. The whole time the interviewer was asking questions just to make my character say the wrong thing. Later on (a few years later) my character has a “girlfriend”. He and this girl were in his dad’s office doing inappropriate things that my character knew they shouldn’t have been doing. My character thought for sure this girl wanted to do things with him because he is successful but in the moment he didn’t care. Soon after his dad walked in to see his son and this girl sprawled out on his desk. Now he is in BIG trouble.

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  11. Liam kept making mistakes when his dad was around and his dad became sick of it and kicked him out of the house, so now he lives with his “Aunt Pete”. Liam now lives in a filthy little trailer which is not used to at all because he used to live in a nice big house, but he doesn’t even have a closet of his own now. Back home Liam was known as Mr.Popualrity, but he wants to show his dad that he’s changed , so he is dressing more like his Aunt Pete does to fit in more. If I were Liam I would probably feel a bit guilty, so like him I would try to do what I could to show my dad that I’ve my ways I deserve to come back home.

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  12. Wil S.
    Sheller 7th

    To me the setting is the biggest conflict of the book. The setting at his uncles house after he gets kicked out of his house after screwing up. His whole life he has been a screw up and been an awful. After screwing up enough his dad gets so mad he kicks him out and he is mad about living in his uncles trailer park. If you have to leave a rich life style, getting everything you want, to living in a trailer park having to do everything on your own would suck and a hard lifestyle.

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    Replies
    1. Dominique D.
      Scheller 3rd Hour
      Do you think that this could be a good thing for Liam at all? It seems like his dad always gets mad at him, so maybe they just need a break. Even though he won’t get everything he wants or live in a big house doesn’t mean it won’t be a more positive environment for Liam. Right?

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  13. Moe W.
    Scheller 3rd

    The way Liam acts to me is crazy. You don’t need to try so hard for someone who obviously doesn’t pay attention and care for all these years. I understand he wants his dad to be proud, but Liam isn’t the screw up, his father is. I just wish his father could try and appreciate all the wonderful things that happened in his life like him getting married and his son. Also his job! I don’t agree with his father making all the decisions when he’s 18. Plus they are decisions he doesn’t even want to make, but of course he has to, to make his dad proud.

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  14. Matthew S.
    Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour

    I really dislike the character of Liam’s father. He is selfish and narcissistic, yet he’s also so insecure that he has to tear down his wife and son to feel better about himself. He refuses to accept Liam for who he is, and instead tries to force Liam to be someone he’s not. He makes his wife and son doubt themselves, and completely destroys their self-esteem, making them feel like their accomplishments aren’t worth anything. He can’t accept his wife being successful, so he makes her quit doing what she loves. If I were in his place, I would encourage Liam to do whatever he wants with his life. Since money isn’t an issue, he would be able to follow his dreams without worrying about making a living. It’s the dream of many parents to have their children do what they love without having to worry about money, and Liam could have so many opportunities if his father was more understanding.

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  15. Matthew S.
    Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour

    A question that I have for everyone reading King of the Screwups: do you agree with the way Pete is taking care of Liam? Do you think he should take a more hands-on approach, or if he should let Liam find himself on his own? And do you think that Pete is being too harsh on him, or just being the guiding hand that he needs?

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    1. Wil S.
      Scheller
      Hour 7
      I feel that Pete is a good guardian for Liam. He is teaching him to be happy where he is. Sometimes you just have to move in with your uncle/aunt named Pete and it sucks but you learn a lot and come out alright.

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  16. Dominique D.
    Scheller 3rd hour
    In the book “King of Screw-ups” I disagree with Liam’s dad’s attitude. This is because he chose to kick his son out just because he messes up a lot. I don’t think that’s fair at all. Every kid and even every adult messes up. As a parent you should know that you’re going to have to deal with your kid doing things that you may or may not approve of, especially teenagers. Instead of kicking Liam out I think his dad and mom should sit him down and have a talk with him about his poor decisions and why these poor decisions make them react the way they do. Even though I don’t think they should kick him out it may teach him a lesson.

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  17. Destiny L.
    Scheller
    4th hour
    I honestly think that Liam should not be pretending to be something that he’s not just so his dad will let him move bad in his house. Liam has done many great things while living with his “Aunt Pete”, but all his dad cares about is the bad things that Liam does. I think Liam would be better off staying with Aunt Pete because he was offered a job and he is making friends and he is even trying harder than he was when he was with his mom and dad. If Liam wants to change for himself that’s fine but I don’t think he should change for his dad because his dad just focuses on all the bad things Liam does.

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    1. Wil S.
      4/21/16
      Hour 7
      Mrs.Sheller
      In this book I disagree with Liam’s dad. I disagree because his dad shouldn’t kick him out because he makes bad decisions but he should help him out and make a reasonable way to fix his problems. His dad is doing this because he sees no other option and is fed up with his bad behavior so he kicked him out. I think that Liam is just trying to fit in and wants to have friends and live up to his parents expectations. I also think his parents should love him more for who he is and not what they want him to be.

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    2. Wil S.
      Sheller
      Hour 7
      If Liam acts like himself then he will still not get his parents respect and will still be kicked out and he will still screw up. He needs to learn how to behave and not screw up so he can move back.

      Delete
  18. Matthew S.
    I completely agree about Liam father because all he does is try to tear down Liam just to make himself feel better. He wants Liam to be more like him but since he’s not he tries to do everything in his power to change him.

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  19. Destiny L. Scheller
    Matthew S.
    I completely agree about Liam father because all he does is try to tear down Liam just to make himself feel better. He wants Liam to be more like him but since he’s not he tries to do everything in his power to change him.

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  20. Destiny L. Scheller
    Matthew S.
    I think if Pete feels like Liam needs help he should sit down and talk to him but other than that he should let him do his own thing so he doesn’t come off as over protective or nosy.

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  21. Wil S.
    4/21/16
    Hour 7
    Mrs.Sheller
    In this book I disagree with Liam’s dad. I disagree because his dad shouldn’t kick him out because he makes bad decisions but he should help him out and make a reasonable way to fix his problems. His dad is doing this because he sees no other option and is fed up with his bad behavior so he kicked him out. I think that Liam is just trying to fit in and wants to have friends and live up to his parents expectations. I also think his parents should love him more for who he is and not what they want him to be.

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    Replies
    1. Reide P.
      Mrs. Scheller 3rd Hour
      I disagree. Liam doesn’t try to live up to his parents’ expectations. I do think he is trying to make friends, but he is doing it the wrong way. If he knew his dad was really mad, he should have done the right thing and focused on school and stay away from parties for a while. From what I can tell, Liam was probably trying to get attention from his father. He works so much and only really pays attention to Liam when he does something bad.

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    2. Destiny L.
      Mrs. Scheller,4th Hour
      I agree with what you said although Liam seemed to be trying to make it up to his father he isn’t taking a very good approach to do that. He even tried dressing low class but that did him no good at all.

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  22. Wil S.
    4/29/16
    Hour 7
    Mrs. Scheller
    I think the biggest conflict in The king of the Screw-ups is Liam adapting to his new life at his uncles house. After screwing up his whole life Liam has to move in with his uncle after screwing up with his dad. This is a big conflict because he had everything he could ever want. So then he has to go live with his uncle who lives in a trailer park. My reaction to this conflict is I would hate it. This is because he basically lived the spoiled life. I reacted this way because that would get hard to get used to.

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  23. Wil S.
    4/29/16
    Hour 7
    Mrs. Scheller
    To anyone reading this book, how would you feel if you got kicked out of the house by your parents? I feel like that would be awful and I would try to make my parent proud so that they would except me back into the house. So I could be back with my own family.

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    Replies
    1. Reide P.
      Mrs. Scheller 3rd Hour
      If my parents kicked me out of the house, I would be sure that nothing would happen to make them mad at me. Liam was “trying to be careful “ but still managed to miss the first day of school and get kicked off the bus for taking a cigarette. He didn’t have to take it, but because he did, his dad is very upset with him. If I were Liam, I would say, “no thank you” to the girl who offered it. Maybe then I would be allowed back home.

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    2. Matthew S.
      Mrs. Scheller, Hour 7
      I would feel the same way, and I would do everything I can to get accepted back home. At the same time though, if I was kicked out of the house just for being myself, then my parents wouldn't be very good parents if they tried to solve the problem by getting rid of me.

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    3. Destiny L.
      Mrs. Scheller, 4th Hour
      If I were in Liam’s position and I got kicked out of the house I would feel bad but at the same time I wouldn’t because Liam’s father kicked him out for 1) being a screw up and 2) being himself.

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  24. Wil S.
    4/29/16
    Hour 7
    Mrs. Scheller
    I feel that liam needs to understand that he needs to start acting better and suck it up. He is a screwup and needs to realize it and do better

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    1. Matthew S.
      Mrs. Scheller, 7th Hour
      I disagree with your comment. While Liam isn't very book smart, he's still a smart kid who can't help making mistakes. The only reason he believes he's a screwup is because of his father's emotional abuse. It’s unfair to say that he’s a screwup just because he isn’t smart in the traditional sense. Liam has a lot to offer the world, he just needs to realize that.

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  25. Moe w.
    Scheller 3rd

    The biggest conflict in the book for me is when Liam had to finally own up to his dad and tell him who’s boss. I felt like this was the appropriate way for Liam to tell his dad that he needs to take control of his own life. Also a way to show us that he doesn’t care if his father is disappointed or just doesn’t like him. I believe Liam realized that he can’t always please everyone just to make them happy, he needs to be one with himself. This story was a great book to read and I connected with it the whole way through

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    1. Dominique Dade
      Hour:3, Scheller
      I feel the same way. As a father Liam’s Dad should like Liam, even if he makes him mad. It’s not fair that Liam can’t live his life the way he wants to because his father doesn’t agree with his life decisions. If Liam doesn’t want to succeed that is his problem. If Liam’s father has told Liam what is right from what is wrong it is now on Liam to make good decisions. Maybe Liam should have went to his Grandparent’s house!

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    2. aaron t.
      mrs sheller 4th
      i feel that this post really summed up all the courage that liam had in this book it is a good post and defiantly a good writer behind it keep it up moe moe

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    3. Matthew S.
      Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour

      I agree that this was a good way for Liam to handle this confrontation with his father. It was about time for Liam to realize that his father isn’t always right, and that he has the right to make his own decisions without worrying about his father’s approval. It’s his life, and if his father isn’t supportive of him, then he isn’t what a father should be.

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  26. Reide P.
    Mrs. Scheller 3rd Hour
    In King of the Screwups, the biggest conflict is between Liam and his father. Liam is constantly making bad choices like drinking and driving and going to parties. His grades suffer from making the decisions to do it. Even after his father kicks him out, Liam still has trouble. His father gets more and more upset with him for missing the first day of school and getting kicked off the bus. Liam and his father will never make up if Liam does not become the model student he wants him to be. If I were Liam, I would feel helpless. His uncle was the reason that he missed school. His father didn’t know that. If Liam told him that, he would tell him that he is responsible or make Liam live with his grandparents that hate him.

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    1. Dominique Dade
      Hour:3, Scheller
      I think Liam is the way he is because of the way his parents raised him. They probably never made him take responsibility for his actions and that’s why he is the way he is now. I feel that Liam’s Father is a little harsh with his choices of discipline for Liam. Instead of being harsh he should just talk to Liam. I get where Liam is coming from by not telling his Father about it being Aunt Pete’s fault that he missed school. Who knows, his grandparents could be worse than his actual parents!

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  27. Dominique Dade
    Hour: 3, Scheller
    The main conflict in my story is with Liam and his Aunt Pete. In the story, “The King of Screw-ups” Liam went to a party and ended up drinking. The neighbor complained about all of the noise so the police came to the party and crashed it. When the police came they could tell that Liam had been drinking and tackled him on site. At that point he knew he was going to juevie and he was going to be in serious trouble. Aunt Pete’s friend Dino works at the jail and saw Liam. Dino ended up telling Aunt Pete instead of Liam’s parents.

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  28. Matthew S.
    Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour
    I believe that the biggest conflict in this book is Liam’s internal conflict. Liam tries so hard to be someone that his father can be proud of, but that’s just not who he is. He struggles with whether he should do what he likes and what he’s good at, or doing what will make his father proud. Pete tries to encourage Liam to be himself, but in the end it’s Liam who will have to decide what he’s going to do. Personally, I think that Liam should just be himself, and not care what other people think of him. He would be better off without his father, and he has his mother and Pete to care for him.

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    Replies
    1. this truly is one of the best posts that are on here about this book i really think this works for the book and for the whole setting on how liam cant find the right spot to be on with his dad even when he was a kid and his inner conflict definatly has alot to do with so good job matthew

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  29. Destiny L.
    Mrs. Scheller,4th Hour
    I think the main conflict of King of the Screw Ups is that Liam is trying to be the person his father wants him to be instead of being himself. He does things his father would like him to do or to be good at rather than doing what he is good at and likes to do. I think Liam should be himself instead of listening to his father. Plus he has his mother and his uncle Pete who accepts him. His mother always loves him for who he is no matter what and his Uncle Pete is always telling just to be himself even though Liam still wants to impress his father.

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  30. aaron t.
    mrs.sheller,4th hour
    i truly believe the main/biggest conflict in this book is liam and his dad because his father calls him a screwup but all he wants to do is make him proud and all the father wants to do is be able to have faith in his son but whenever he gives liam trust liam just throws it out the window because it is easier to be a screwup rather than to be a highly regarded socialite much as his dad and mom even as a kid liam was a screwup but i believe kids will be kids and if he wouldnt have planted the concept of being an all time screw up into liams mind he wouldnt have been this way in the first place or maybe im wrong and he would have turned out this way the whole time and his dads synapses are just what pushed him to do all those things much sooner than they would but the conflict between liam and his dad between father and son is the true main conflict.

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    1. Dominique Dade
      Hour:3 , Scheller
      I completely agree with you Aaron! Liam’s Dad is seems like a very negative person or maybe he just doesn’t like Liam. How can someone not like their own son though? But to me that seems upserd. Liam also has some problems of his own. Obviously he’s young so he’s not going to be perfect but some of the decisions lead me to believe that he does not think before he speaks or before he does certain things.

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    2. Matthew S.
      Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour

      Personally, I believe that Liam did nothing wrong, and it’s only his father telling him he did that makes him think that way. Liam’s father seems to be a narcissist, and is incapable of allowing his wife or son to be successful because it damages his ego. Additionally, he doesn’t like Liam being popular because he was unpopular in high school, and it kills him to see Liam to succeed where he failed.

      Delete
  31. Matthew S.
    Mrs. Scheller, 3rd Hour

    I believe that the main theme of King of the Screwups is being yourself. An example of this is when Liam starts working for Eddie. He enjoys what he’s doing, and he’s good at it, even though he knows his father wouldn’t approve of it. Liam is happiest when he’s being himself without worrying what other people think. Another example of this theme is when Liam finally stands up to his father. When his father starts criticizing him and everything he’s done since he moved in with Pete, Liam finally tells him that he’s had enough, and that he’s going to be who he is, not who his father wants him to be.

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    1. Dominique Dade
      Scheller , 3rd Hr
      Exactly! There is a possibility that if Liam wasn’t so worried about what his dad thinks , he would be way more happy and screw up less. His father seems to put a lot of pressure on Liam when really all Liam needs is his dad’s support. Although Liam is old enough to know right from wrong everyone makes mistakes no matter how old you are.

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    2. Destiny L.
      4th Hour
      I completely agree with your theme. Liam should just be himself and forget what his father thinks. He would be so much happier if he wasn’t worrying about his dad. If he wants to be a male model then who cares if that’s who he is then let him be himself.

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    3. Wil S.
      5/10/16
      7th hour
      Mrs. Scheller
      I completely agree with you. He has a bad life and should shape up and he is a nice guy if he really tries. I believe that Liam would impress his dad if he just changed a bit.

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  32. Dominique Dade
    Scheller , 3rd hr
    The main theme in the story, “King of Screw-Ups” is not to judge a book by its cover. This is the theme because before he moved in with Aunt Pete and actually got to know him and his friends Liam talked bad about Aunt Pete’s house and about the way he and his friends looked. After getting to know him and his friends he realized that he could be himself around them more than his own father. Another example is that the girl Liam almost had sex with probably thought that Liam used her until he got ahold of her.

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    1. Destiny L.
      4th
      I agree everyone screws up whether you are a toddler or a 50 year old you all screw up. Liam father obviously doesn’t remember what it was like to be a teenager or a human being in general, because everybody makes mistakes and Liam can’t be perfect and he’s not going to turn out like his father.

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  33. destiny L.
    4th Hour
    I think the main theme of King of the Screw Ups is always be yourself. An example of this is when Liam starts working with Eddie he really enjoys what he’s doing and not worrying about what his father will think. A second example is throughout the whole book Liam is trying to be someone his father would like instead of himself,(dressing differently, joining clubs),but in the end he ends up standing up to his father whenever his father criticizes everything he has done while he lived with Aunt Pete.

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    1. Wil S.
      5/10/16
      7th hour
      Mrs. Scheller
      I disagree with your theme. Even though he ended up being himself he should’ve just changed the way he acts and it would’ve been better. Liam’s problem the whole book was that he was making bad choices and if he would’ve stopped the book would’ve been much shorter.

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  34. Wil S.
    5/10/16
    7th hour
    Mrs. Scheller
    I think that the theme of King of The Screw-ups is that you can never judge a book by its cover. This may seem like a very mainstream or common theme because it is. I feel like this is a great theme because Liam is so much better than people think he is and all he is doing is trying to impress his dad. Another example of this is his aunt Pete. His aunt lives in a trailer park and wears ugly clothes but on the inside he is a great role model.

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