The Color of Water

The second section of The Color of Water was better than the first section.  I actually enjoyed this section more than I enjoyed the first section.  I was kind of  confused on some parts of this book.  The part about her being a prostitute was very vague to me.  Maybe I just didn't understand it, but I didn't think that she was a prostitute.  I thought that she and Rocky were just liking each other and were about to start dating.  Also, why did James all of a sudden change from the ways of a thug to being a good child?  Another thing that was confusing about the book was why did she keep pushing her children away?  Did she just want a better life for them than she had?  Those are both good questions I had but wasn't sure about.  Also, why did Chicken Man just stand there and let that man beat his girlfriend or wife?  I realize that the soon got back together but still it was not right what he did and he should have been stopped.  Also why didn't James' mother just defy her father and graduate?  I know that it was against the Jewish religion but her future was basically on the line.  Another thing I found to be weird was when her mother knew she was pregnant but choose not to talk to her about it.  If she knew her daughter was pregnant she should have helped her to get the proper medical attention instead of just ignoring the fact?  This book has been good so far and I think I will enjoy reading the rest of the book.