Rex ’ s Resilience
Pierson Reiman
Grade Six
Free Lunch by Rex Ogle is a book about poverty and the effects it has on the relationships in
families. This book is a memoir about Rex Ogle ’ s childhood and what he went through to get out of the cycle
of poverty. There are many lessons to be learned from this amazing book, including the power of hope. The
themes of poverty, child abuse, and resilience are important throughout the book, and can help Levine
Student Congress members become better people and make a difference in our community and world.
Student Congress can help people in need like Rex by educating Levine students about poverty, food
insecurity, and homelessness. Examples of this are donating to Jewish Family Service and collecting food for
other food banks around Dallas. Student Congress can also volunteer at Dallas Life Homeless Shelter and
Vogel Alcove to increase awareness about homelessness in our area. An example from Free Lunch is that
others judge poor people because of their appearance. Rex states, “ Mrs. Winstead sees the holes in my
shoes, my too small jeans, my too big shirt, my secondhand backpack, and my black eye. Right then she
decides she doesn't like me. ” (p. 19) In Student Congress, I will make sure everyone is aware of ways they
can help people living in poverty and not judge other people based on their appearance or wealth.
Another theme in this book is child abuse, and Student Congress can also help children in our
community with this problem. Rex ’ s parents both abuse him physically and verbally. Rex states, “ I wish I had
a different mom. One who took care of me, rather than the other way around. ” (p.77) Over 28,000 kids are
abused in Dallas County per year, and Levine can help this cause by raising money for organizations like
Dallas Children ’ s Advocacy Center. I can help educate my friends about children suffering from abuse and
find ways to improve the lives of these children.
The message of hope and the importance of resilience are evident throughout the book and can
help students at Levine or people in tough situations. For example, when you are in a dark place in life, you
need to find the hope for a better future. Rex, despite struggles, wants to help others and make sure
nobody feels the same way he does. Rex thinks, “ If I had money, I ’ d share it with the people who don ’ t,
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