The Travels of Marco Polo and Melody Brooks

By: Arial Pinion and Sydney Underwood

Marco Polo was born in 1254 and, after 70 years of traveling, died in 1324. He was an anthropologist, which means he studied people and their cultures. He was also one of the most famous travelers of the Silk Road, which is why we remember him today. As a boy, he lived with his father and uncle, who were jewel merchants, after his mother died. Although he was born in Italy, he spent most of his childhood in Asia traveling the silk road and stopping at many villages to sell their wares. Then he and his extended family went to China and visited many cities. Here, Marco saw many things quite different from his own, like paper money and fireworks. He worked for Kublai Khan for a long time. He did many missions for Kublai. He was even a governor in China for 3 years. When Marco was the captain of a Venetian gallery during a war, he was captured and taken prisoner and then released. When he finally returned to Venice, he wrote a book about his travels called “The Travels of Marco Polo”. It gave Europe good information on China and started the first European maps of Asia.

Melody Brooks was born a little differently than most eleven-year-olds. She can’t talk and she can’t walk. She is very smart, but she can’t tell anyone. Her aid has to help her do things that are unavailable in her condition. School is usually rather, difficult for Melody. But this year she gets to go to inclusion classes and hang out with normal kids. But not everyone in inclusion class is nice. For example, Claire and Molly are the bullies and are rude to everyone, including her. On the other hand, Melody and Rose are visiting the Aquarium together like normal friends. When Melody finds out about the Wiz Kids team she tries her hardest to study for tryouts, and makes the team! Then the Wiz Kids go to their first competition. After answering many hard questions, Melody’s team wins, and gets to go support the state in the finals in Washington. Sadly, Melody misses her flight and doesn’t get to go to Washington. Everything seems to fall apart after that day. On her way to school her sister was injured by a car. Now she has to use a fake leg to walk. Yet Melody moved on with her life even if every thing seems impossible.

Their Life Stories

Melody Brooks Marco Polo

1. He spent most of his life on the road.

2. He never knew his mother.

3. He has seen and heard many things while traveling.

1. She has a disabilities that makes her life very hard.

2. She spends most of her life up to this point trapped and unable to communicate with the outside world.

3. She is very young, very intelligent, and very smart.

Both have discovered things that make life much easier.

Both have to rely on other people to get what they need.

Both have traveled very far, over land and through friendship.

Comparisons

Melody BrooksShe is very smart and intelligent because she has learned lots of things through watching the educational channels on TV and she knows a lot because she studies with Mrs.V.

Marco PoloHe is very adventurous and curios because he has traveled through many dangerous parts of Asia and he likes to find out about people’s cultures.

Mrs.V

Personalities

It was a toasty winter morning in Mr. Dimming’s class. I couldn’t wait until the Wiz Kid tryouts that evening! I was practically falling out of my seat with anticipation. Then, Mr. Dimming announced, “Class, today we have a new student. May I introduce you to Marco Polo. I’d also like to remind you about tryouts this evening for the Wiz Kids team. You must be on time or I’ll start without you. Good luck!” A short dark-haired boy walked into the classroom. He wore a strange, fancy suit and carried a weird knapsack. “Hi! Ciao!” he said jazzed before walking to an empty desk. He studied me curiously, like I was a rare treasure. Finally, he asked, “What type of person are you?” Cautiously, I typed, “I’m an abnormal person.” Satisfied, he returned his attention on Mr. Dimming. Later in the hall, Marco walked over to me and actually started a conversation. He inquired, “What’s your name?” “My name is Melody.” “What is that thing you ride?” “It’s called a wheelchair. Why do you ask so many questions?’ “I’m curious about you.” “Okay, bye!” “Bye!’ The rest of the day was pretty boring and went by in a flurry, although I was pretty interested in Marco, where he came from and what his family did. Now it was time for tryouts! Kathren pushed me into Mr. Dimming’s Room and left so people wouldn’t think I was cheating. Strangely enough, Marco was there. I wondered if he’s really smart? I put my attention back to the test and began. Capital of Florida? Easy. C-Tallahassee. 285-157? Not so easy. I guessed A-128. It went on like that for the rest of the tryouts. At the end, Mr. Demming explained, “You will all get your scores tomorrow and see if there is a spot for you on the team or not.” The other kids ambled out of the room, but Marco stayed behind. He mumbled something in Italian, then calmly asked me, “Are you excited?” I nodded. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

New Student, New Friend?

It was a toasty winter morning in Mr. Dimming’s class. I couldn’t wait until the Wiz Kid tryouts that evening! I was practically falling out of my seat with anticipation. Then, Mr. Dimming announced, “Class, today we have a new student. May I introduce you to Marco Polo. I’d also like to remind you about tryouts this evening for the Wiz Kids team. You must be on time or I’ll start without you. Good luck!” A short dark-haired boy walked into the classroom. He wore a strange, fancy suit and carried a weird knapsack. “Hi! Ciao!” he said jazzed before walking to an empty desk. He studied me curiously, like I was a rare treasure. Finally, he asked, “What type of person are you?” Cautiously, I typed, “I’m an abnormal person.” Satisfied, he returned his attention on Mr. Dimming. Later in the hall, Marco walked over to me and actually started a conversation. He inquired, “What’s your name?” “My name is Melody.” “What is that thing you ride?” “It’s called a wheelchair. Why do you ask so many questions?’ “I’m curious about you.” “Okay, bye!” “Bye!’ The rest of the day was pretty boring and went by in a flurry, although I was pretty interested in Marco, where he came from and what his family did. Now it was time for tryouts! Kathren pushed me into Mr. Dimming’s Room and left so people wouldn’t think I was cheating. Strangely enough, Marco was there. I wondered if he’s really smart? I put my attention back to the test and began. Capital of Florida? Easy. C-Tallahassee. 285-157? Not so easy. I guessed A-128. It went on like that for the rest of the tryouts. At the end, Mr. Demming explained, “You will all get your scores tomorrow and see if there is a spot for you on the team or not.” The other kids ambled out of the room, but Marco stayed behind. He mumbled something in Italian, then calmly asked me, “Are you excited?” I nodded. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.

New Student, New Friend?