Chapter 8 was about Melba's second day at Central High. The president sent in his troops, the Screaming Eagles Division of the 101st. They held back the outrageous mob. Each of the nine students received bodyguards, and Melba's bodyguard was Danny. Many students did hold back their nasty insults because of the soldiers and the bodyguard, but at one point in the chapter they threw a flying stick of dynamite at her, and I'm convinced they are trying to kill her or something. At lunch some white girls did talk and act kind to her, which I thought was kind. In the end of the chapter, a reporter with the name Stan asked her if she could write an article telling them what she thought. I believe writing these articles were the beginning of her writing career.
Chapter 9 was about Melba's third day at Central High. Danny and the soldier didn't enforce as much just to see if she was able to handle it on her own, and also because it was Friday. There was a pep rally that day and that frightened Melba because there will be a stadium full of white students and she didn't have the protection of Danny. Earlier that day she was kicked around by a couple of students without Danny doing anything, and we both found out that he wasn't allowed to fight with the other students. During the pep rally she was choked by a boy. She told Danny afterwards and he informed her that she should learn to defend herself. She also mentions things like: "I couldn't imagine a 101st trooper crying or moping when he got hurt" and "...that's what it meant to be a soldier---to survive," which I think is the start of her beginning to think and act like a warrior.
Chapter 9 was about Melba's third day at Central High. Danny and the soldier didn't enforce as much just to see if she was able to handle it on her own, and also because it was Friday. There was a pep rally that day and that frightened Melba because there will be a stadium full of white students and she didn't have the protection of Danny. Earlier that day she was kicked around by a couple of students without Danny doing anything, and we both found out that he wasn't allowed to fight with the other students. During the pep rally she was choked by a boy. She told Danny afterwards and he informed her that she should learn to defend herself. She also mentions things like: "I couldn't imagine a 101st trooper crying or moping when he got hurt" and "...that's what it meant to be a soldier---to survive," which I think is the start of her beginning to think and act like a warrior.
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