“I know exactly when my life changed: when I looked into the face of Tamerlan Tsarnaev. It was 2:48 p.m. on April 15, 2013 -- one minute before the most high-profile terrorist event on the United States soil since September 11 -- and he was standing right beside me” (Bauman 1). Waiting at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon to try to win back his on again, off again girlfriend, Erin, Jeff Bauman has an uneasy feeling that this person is not there to enjoy himself. Stronger is an inspiring true story of a working-class man, Jeff Bauman, who becomes a symbol of courage, strength, and hope after a couple of homemade bombs go off next to him and he finds himself lying in a pool of blood with his lower legs gone. As he is being rescued, a passerby snaps a picture of him and his rescuers that goes viral, and he quickly becomes the iconic face associated with this horrific tragedy and a symbol of Boston Strong across the world. I was surprised by how Jeff Bauman could use humor in the darkest moments of this story to bring strength, hope, happiness, and lighten the mood of the situation. For many of us if faced with such a devastating loss, it would be far easier to give in to depression, and live out the rest of our life in a wheelchair. There was nothing humorous about the cowardly act and the resulting tragedy. However, it was humor that helped Jeff and his family focus on healing and recovery, so that he one day Jeff could lead a normal life. Jeff had grown up with a wisecracking family, and I believe the use of humor was significant in showing that he was not going to let this tragedy change who he was. Remaining the humorous Jeff and Bauman Strong was also important for his family’s healing. This book has changed my views on how I look at my life. I would say that my life has continued down a pretty easy path. I haven’t had any life changing events like Jeff did in the story. Because of reading the book, my eyes have opened up to the obstacles that some have to overcome, and I know that there are so many people out there that have it much more difficult than I do. The book helped me change how I view negative situations, and it showed me that happiness can be found in the darkest times. By Zach G.
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AuthorSTenth grade students at Decorah High School share how they're reading outside of their own experiences and how it has changed them. Categories
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November 2022
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