Interviewees Name: Maria Mendoza
She thinks they're alike, because, "when the tree grows, she's gonna realize that it wasn't her fault what happened", because, when the art teacher assigned it, she wanted something more creative, but when she figures out the significance of the tree, she's gonna figure out reality.
Are schools really this place that is isolating or is it just the student that isolates him/herself?
She thinks it's the student that isolates themselves, she could be out there, trying to be less isolated, but rather she stays in the background, unable to tell others, her peers, the reality of what happened.
If Melinda's parents were more involved, do you think her relationship and feelings toward them would be different? Also, would her attitude in life be more positive?
She thinks so, because, if her parents spent more time with her it would give her more confidence, but it wouldn't change her attitude, because her mind is set on telling herself that it was her fault.
What do you think of the book so far? Even though it may be a bit dramatic, is it far from reality?
She thinks no. It isn't based on real life, but it could really happen. People needed somebody to blame for what happened at the party, so they blame her. It could happen at any sort of school. She thinks this story could possibly even be written after a real life event, though she knows it isn't.
