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Poppa P’s Personal Blog

My name is Peter Popadora, but everyone calls me Poppa P. I have made a name for myself in the Maple Hills Community. Well, I guess one might even refer to me as a local celebrity. I won the lead role in my school’s Winter Musical. I also have a news segment, “News with Poppa P, That’s Me!” during the children’s hour on our town’s radio station. I sing, act, and write movie scripts. When I grow up, I want to be a big time film director and producer – the next Steven Spielberg. However, in the meantime, I will continue to develop my reputation in the Maple Hills community, and I will probably try out for the reality television show, American Star. I really don’t want to be the next American Star, but I know it would be the perfect platform to showcase my natural singing ability.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking - this guy sounds very conceited - because I’ve been called conceited in the past. However, you’re wrong! I would not consider myself an arrogant person. Rather, I simply believe in letting the facts about me speak for themselves—just ask anyone.

Well, don’t ask anyone at my school or even in my town because they are all haters. They are all jealous of me, the Great Poppa P. It’s best if you speak with more neutral parties such as my mom, dad, and Aunt Patty. Even my amateurish little sister, Paula, wouldn’t qualify as a reliable reference for me.

Paula claims she also has talent. She thinks she can sing and dance or something. I’m not exactly sure. Anyway, Paula went out of her way to slander me. She recently wrote an article in our school newspaper entitled, “Just Ask Me If You Want to Know the Truth about Poppa P.” The article was just a pack of lies. Our dad didn’t have to pay my talent agent an extra fee to represent me and our mom certainly didn’t have to “strongly persuade” the producer of the news show at the radio station that he’d better give me my own news segment or else. In fact, nothing Paula said about me in that article was even close to the truth. It took me weeks to repair my damaged reputation, but as the saying goes in show business, “bad press is still press.”

Her article only increased the public’s awareness of Poppa P.

Wondering what’s on Poppa P’s Spring Agenda? Well, I’m trying out for my school’s Spring Talent Showcase. I haven’t decided whether I will sing a love ballad or perform a dramatic soliloquy. Only time will tell. Also, I was thinking about organizing some kind of community event…no, delete that idea.

Until next time,
Poppa P

In the passage, Poppa P reveals that many people, including his own sister, don’t like him.

• Describe why you think people may not like Poppa P.
• Discuss whether or not you think Poppa P would make a good friend.
• Explain how you think Poppa P could become more likeable to others.