Quarter Two: Blog 7

This Break, I read more of my book Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. In this section of the book, Eliza wins the state bee and begins studying for nationals. Her dad, Saul who suddenly wants to be with Eliza any second he can, offers to help her study. He takes her into his office, which Eliza has never stepped into because she wasn't allowed to, and shows her the corner he set up for them to study together. Eliza is ecstatic with all the attention her dad is giving her until she realizes that since Saul is so focused on Eliza, he stops paying attention to Aaron, her brother.

Usually, Saul and Aaron have a guitar session together after school in Saul's office. Although recently, because of Eliza's newfound spelling ability, Saul has been spending more time with Eliza and less with Aaron. Aaron, trying to be a good big brother, pretends that it doesn't bother him. In truth, Aaron feels rejected and he begins resenting his sisters success. When Saul announces to the congregation of their temple that Eliza won the district bee and is going to the state spelling bee, Aaron's quiet resentment builds and he stops talking to, looking at, and listening to his sister. The way he sees it, Saul loves Eliza more. Aaron had made the state science meet for a string of years, but his accomplishments were never acknowledged. So, although Eliza is going to the national spelling bee, her success is bittersweet because it means the loss of the already fading bond she shared with her brother.