Meyer, Stephenie Eclipse
Little, Brown and Company New York, NY 2007
heart
Borders
$19.99
fiction
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer is the third book in her series of four, furthering the dramatic story of Bella, an average teenager, and her experiences with vampires and werewolves. The first two books involved her falling in love with Edward Cullen, an immortal vampire, fighting off the “bad” vampires, and befriending werewolves – the arch enemies of vampires. She became especially close with a werewolf named Jacob, and Eclipse mostly revolves around Bella’s struggle of choosing between Edward and Jacob. When dozens of newborn vampires begin mysteriously appearing around their hometown of Forks, Washington and killing people like crazy, the Cullens and the werewolves try their best to find them and keep society safe. When it’s discovered that Victoria, a vampire trying to get revenge on Bella for killing her friend, is behind it, the Cullens and the werewolves join forces to keep Bella safe. This eventually leads up to a showdown between all of them, with one side winning by a long shot and one crucial character dying.
Before I actually started reading this series, I assumed it was going to be kind of weird since it dealt with vampires, werewolves, and other odd supernatural topics. I gave it a shot though, and was soon hooked. Stephenie Meyer has a unique diction that creates suspense and realness like I never would have imagined possible. She describes the internal emotions and thoughts of the characters to the extent that the reader feels completely connected to them, and this level of relatability toward totally impossible circumstances is what makes her books so appealing. I would definitely recommend Eclipse to anyone looking for a unique and descriptive read. It’s concentration on romance gears it more toward girls, but the action and intensity makes it appealing to boys as well.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Perks of being a wallflower
NY Times Book Review
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By: Amanda Bayer
Heart
Borders: $14.00
The Perks of being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, an easy read that will get you hooked. The series of letters from the main character, Charlie, to an unknown person tell the story of beginning his freshman year of high school in a city near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Charlie only had one friend, Michael, who he had lost to suicide. He was thought of as weird because he was so shy and quiet. A new place with no one to help you get through it can be scary, until Charlie is befriended by Sam and Patrick, two seniors. They expose him to many different things such as sex and drugs. Throughout the novel, Charlie deals with his complicated family. He helps his sister when she gets into a lot of trouble. The message of the story is to not watch your life go by, but to start living it. Charlie changes from the beginning of the book to the end, from being shy and quiet, to one who is more confident and brave because of his experiences with the upperclassman.
Charlie, an intelligent freshman boy who is very quiet would never speak of his love for Sam, his stepsister. He is the “wallflower” portrayed in the novel which means that he is a thinker and not a doer. “Do you always think this much, Charlie? – Is that bad? – Not Necessarily. It’s just that sometimes people use thought to not participate in life. – Is that bad? – Yes.” (24) This quote explains that Charlie has not realized that he is not living his life. His character in the beginning is very quiet but also very emotional (he would get upset and cry very easily). In comparison to his character at the end of the novel, Charlie transformed and discovered who he was.
I would recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to anyone who is looking for an easy read that is also easy to relate to. For teenagers, they can relate to the everyday issues that Charlie faces such as drugs and sex, and for adults; it will give them a chance to relate also as well see the different pressures that teen’s face today.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By: Amanda Bayer
Heart
Borders: $14.00
The Perks of being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, an easy read that will get you hooked. The series of letters from the main character, Charlie, to an unknown person tell the story of beginning his freshman year of high school in a city near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Charlie only had one friend, Michael, who he had lost to suicide. He was thought of as weird because he was so shy and quiet. A new place with no one to help you get through it can be scary, until Charlie is befriended by Sam and Patrick, two seniors. They expose him to many different things such as sex and drugs. Throughout the novel, Charlie deals with his complicated family. He helps his sister when she gets into a lot of trouble. The message of the story is to not watch your life go by, but to start living it. Charlie changes from the beginning of the book to the end, from being shy and quiet, to one who is more confident and brave because of his experiences with the upperclassman.
Charlie, an intelligent freshman boy who is very quiet would never speak of his love for Sam, his stepsister. He is the “wallflower” portrayed in the novel which means that he is a thinker and not a doer. “Do you always think this much, Charlie? – Is that bad? – Not Necessarily. It’s just that sometimes people use thought to not participate in life. – Is that bad? – Yes.” (24) This quote explains that Charlie has not realized that he is not living his life. His character in the beginning is very quiet but also very emotional (he would get upset and cry very easily). In comparison to his character at the end of the novel, Charlie transformed and discovered who he was.
I would recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to anyone who is looking for an easy read that is also easy to relate to. For teenagers, they can relate to the everyday issues that Charlie faces such as drugs and sex, and for adults; it will give them a chance to relate also as well see the different pressures that teen’s face today.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Looking for Alaska
By: Stephen Gardner
Class: 3rd Period Smith
Book: Looking For Alaska
Green, John. Looking for Alaska
Dutton Juvenile
Heart <3
Portage County District Library
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
John Green, the author of “Looking for Alaska”, constructs a book with characters that are relatable to teenagers in society today. The story focuses mainly on a boy named Miles, who originates from Florida, and struggles with finding friends and his own identity. Miles is in search of something he calls “The Great Perhaps”, but undoubtly can’t envision or predict what this would be. If anything Miles believes that this “Great Perhaps” would make his life more interesting and amusing. The story starts off with a big change in Miles life, as he leaves his Florida home to attend Culver Creek Boarding School. There, he meets new people with different ideas of living than he already knows. He soon establishes a relationship with his roommate Chip, also called the Colonel. Through the Colonel, Miles is introduced to a girl named Alaska. A relationship begins to spark between the two. The relationship between the two characters is so amusing because they are so different and opposite of each other’s personalities. Alaska is a character who juxtaposes Miles’s Character, as she is seen as loud and not afraid to be herself in being judged by other people. Miles is more reserved and is not used to new groups of people and making new relationships. Altogether, the relationship Miles creates with these characters is one of the more important aspects of the novel. This holds strong up to the climax and the end when tragedy develops.
There are many literary aspects used to demonstrate meaningful plot development in this story. For when Alaska died I believe it was symbolism that Miles was moving on from being shy and reserved. As he uncovered clues behind her death the more exchange of views in an attempt to reach a decision was made amongst him and his circle of friends. I also believe that there was some symbolism in the times the characters chose to smoke cigarettes in the story as it correlated to things that were evolving in the plot, such as times of grief, and the frustration between their relationships with one another. There also is foreshadowing in this story, as Alaska foreshadows her death twice.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story because of the comical dialogue between the characters, and also the friendship and love expressed throughout the characters. The characters feelings and emotions were interesting to interpret as well. The unique thing about this story is that it is split into two parts, a before part, and after part. The before part focuses on building relationships from the beginning to the climax, where the events seem to change dramatically as tragedy occurs. The after part focuses on solidifying those relationships that were established in the before part. This makes the book a lot more meaningful and deeper in a sense of creating more plot and instinctively more emotion.
Class: 3rd Period Smith
Book: Looking For Alaska
Green, John. Looking for Alaska
Dutton Juvenile
Heart <3
Portage County District Library
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
John Green, the author of “Looking for Alaska”, constructs a book with characters that are relatable to teenagers in society today. The story focuses mainly on a boy named Miles, who originates from Florida, and struggles with finding friends and his own identity. Miles is in search of something he calls “The Great Perhaps”, but undoubtly can’t envision or predict what this would be. If anything Miles believes that this “Great Perhaps” would make his life more interesting and amusing. The story starts off with a big change in Miles life, as he leaves his Florida home to attend Culver Creek Boarding School. There, he meets new people with different ideas of living than he already knows. He soon establishes a relationship with his roommate Chip, also called the Colonel. Through the Colonel, Miles is introduced to a girl named Alaska. A relationship begins to spark between the two. The relationship between the two characters is so amusing because they are so different and opposite of each other’s personalities. Alaska is a character who juxtaposes Miles’s Character, as she is seen as loud and not afraid to be herself in being judged by other people. Miles is more reserved and is not used to new groups of people and making new relationships. Altogether, the relationship Miles creates with these characters is one of the more important aspects of the novel. This holds strong up to the climax and the end when tragedy develops.
There are many literary aspects used to demonstrate meaningful plot development in this story. For when Alaska died I believe it was symbolism that Miles was moving on from being shy and reserved. As he uncovered clues behind her death the more exchange of views in an attempt to reach a decision was made amongst him and his circle of friends. I also believe that there was some symbolism in the times the characters chose to smoke cigarettes in the story as it correlated to things that were evolving in the plot, such as times of grief, and the frustration between their relationships with one another. There also is foreshadowing in this story, as Alaska foreshadows her death twice.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story because of the comical dialogue between the characters, and also the friendship and love expressed throughout the characters. The characters feelings and emotions were interesting to interpret as well. The unique thing about this story is that it is split into two parts, a before part, and after part. The before part focuses on building relationships from the beginning to the climax, where the events seem to change dramatically as tragedy occurs. The after part focuses on solidifying those relationships that were established in the before part. This makes the book a lot more meaningful and deeper in a sense of creating more plot and instinctively more emotion.
Her Last Death
Sonnenberg, Susanna Her Last Death
U.S.A Scribner, New York, NY, 2008
Heart
Borders
$24.00
Autobiographical
The phone rings and Susan is told that her mother is in a coma after being in a car crash, but Susan doesn’t rush to her mothers bedside. Instead, she refuses to, and keeps to her daily routine. The story then unfolds into Susan’s childhood. It was 1966 when Susan sailed to America from England. When she was three, Bob Dylan lived next door. When she was eight, her mother and father got a divorce. When she was ten, her mother told her to read a letter out of a Penthouse magazine. When she was twelve, her mother gave her cocaine and taught her the difference between a drug dealer and a coke head. When she was sixteen she lost her virginity to her high school professor, Mr. Crawford. Susan’s sister, Penelope, is always been there for Susan even though they are constantly under competition. Penelope plays an important role all throughout the novel. Penelope even creates Susan to be more understanding towards her mother, which at times is hard to do.
Her mother, Daphene, is constantly doing things throughout the memoir that causes Susie to fall distant from her mother. Such as numerous times her mother sleeps with Susie’s friends or boyfriends. But when Susan grows up and is living on her own, she realizes that her mother never treated her like a mother should have. When her mother visits her and husband, her mother does nothing but embarrass Susan, which causes Susan to refuse contact with her mother furthermore.
Susanna Sonnenberg uses exciting language that expresses every detail with even more detail. Sonnenberg constantly tugs the reader from the present tense to her daunting flashbacks. I rate this 300 paged memoir with a heart. Sonnenberg’s autobiography seems somewhat outrageous, and at times, it seems like what’s going on could never happen to anyone, but it did, and you can only realize how brave and tolerable Susan was towards her shameless mother.
U.S.A Scribner, New York, NY, 2008
Heart
Borders
$24.00
Autobiographical
The phone rings and Susan is told that her mother is in a coma after being in a car crash, but Susan doesn’t rush to her mothers bedside. Instead, she refuses to, and keeps to her daily routine. The story then unfolds into Susan’s childhood. It was 1966 when Susan sailed to America from England. When she was three, Bob Dylan lived next door. When she was eight, her mother and father got a divorce. When she was ten, her mother told her to read a letter out of a Penthouse magazine. When she was twelve, her mother gave her cocaine and taught her the difference between a drug dealer and a coke head. When she was sixteen she lost her virginity to her high school professor, Mr. Crawford. Susan’s sister, Penelope, is always been there for Susan even though they are constantly under competition. Penelope plays an important role all throughout the novel. Penelope even creates Susan to be more understanding towards her mother, which at times is hard to do.
Her mother, Daphene, is constantly doing things throughout the memoir that causes Susie to fall distant from her mother. Such as numerous times her mother sleeps with Susie’s friends or boyfriends. But when Susan grows up and is living on her own, she realizes that her mother never treated her like a mother should have. When her mother visits her and husband, her mother does nothing but embarrass Susan, which causes Susan to refuse contact with her mother furthermore.
Susanna Sonnenberg uses exciting language that expresses every detail with even more detail. Sonnenberg constantly tugs the reader from the present tense to her daunting flashbacks. I rate this 300 paged memoir with a heart. Sonnenberg’s autobiography seems somewhat outrageous, and at times, it seems like what’s going on could never happen to anyone, but it did, and you can only realize how brave and tolerable Susan was towards her shameless mother.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns
Riverhead Books: 2007.
Heart
Own collection
Historical/Non-fiction
400 pages
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a story about the frailty of strong men, and the strength of frail women. Khaled Hosseini tells the story of the harsh lives of two Afghan women who belong to two total different backgrounds but are forced to share the same unhappy household. The point of view perfectly narrates their lives in tragedies, sacrifices, cruelty and hardships. Just like Hossieni’s previous novel, The Kite Runner, the story is once again taking place in Afghanistan during times of was hardships, and is about the lives of Afghan women instead of men. The two women face rejection from their families and deal with their brutal husbands. They both suffer from domestic violence, and can only find love, companionship from each other.
The story is of two young girls, Mariam and Laila. Mariam’s repeated miscarriages have ruined all hopes for Rasheed to have a son; this has caused Mariam to live in a life of torture, and domestic issues. Unwanted, unloved Mariam kept this silent until Laila entered her life. Laila’s childhood sweetheart Tariq is being deported to Pakistan. The only way for her to not feel ashamed is that she too marries Rasheed, and later gives birth to a girl. Slowly, but surely the affection and friendship develops between Laila and Mariam. Their relationship grows so strong that it prevails all differences between them, and enables them to withstand the depravation, starvation, and the harsh brutality that is constantly around them. Miriam puts all this to an end one day when the meaning of true friendship is in her hands. Mariam left her memories in the hearts of other women, who were just like herself and Laila. Others consider Mariam as bright as the brilliance of a thousand splendid suns.
The book starts off very confusing, and takes sometime to really get into it. It’s not an easy read due to the vocabulary, setting and the history that goes into the story as well. However, this book really captures the way women are treated in other countries and makes you take your freedoms for granted. You also realize how lucky you are to be living in a country who is accepting of women. It’s a very emotional book, and has its moments of intense sadness, and its moments of cruel happiness. I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone who would love to learn more about the lives of other women, and the lives different cultures.
Jacob's Ladder
By: Navraj Sandhu
Class: Ms. Smith
Book: Jacob’s Ladder.
Fiction.
Keany, Brian. Candlewick Press. 2007.
224 Pages.
Borders $15.99.
In the story Jacob’s Ladder, the main character Jacob finds him self waking up in an open field and he isn’t able to remember what happened. As he tries to figure out what is going on, he is approached by a man named Virgil and taken to a large camp-like area called Locus. Here in Locus, everyone looks the same and everything looks extremely bland. There is no diversity at all and Jacob finds out that the other children who are there do what they are told with out questions. Jacob doesn’t want to conform to the Locus lifestyle so he decides to figure what is really going on and why he is here at Locus. Jacob meets a girl named Aysha who also arrived at the Locus the same day that he did, and the two meet a boy named Toby who has been at the Locus longer than the both of them. As time goes on, Jacob realizes that they might be dead and are trapped in the Locus for eternity. However, Jacob decides that he is not going to settle for this life at Locus, he refuses to eat the spongy food, pick rocks, and continue living like he has been. So Jacob sets of with Aysha and Toby to find out what is going on and if there is any way out of it.
Overall, I enjoyed the book because it was interesting to read about the author’s perspective on death. Many people wonder about a possible afterlife, and this book shows one theory about what could happen after death. The book was easy to read and I would recommend it to anyone because it was interesting and the plot kept me engaged until the end. The story was original which helped with the reading because I didn’t get bored of it and it also made simple to read.
1984
George Orwell’s classic novel 1984 sad life story of Winston Smith, a resident of London, England in 1984. Winston’s life is constantly being monitored by Big Brother, the ruling government party that controls everything from the country’s history to its language. Winston falls in love with another member of the Party named Julia. They begin a secret affair because both know that Big Brother would not approve of their actions. Together the couple attempts to fight the oppressive rule of Big Brother by joining The Brotherhood. While away from the control of the government, Winston and Julia experience happiness and fulfillment, but their lives take a turn for the worst when they are betrayed by someone they thought was trustworthy. Through Orwell’s characterization of Winston and Julia, 1984 reveals that oppression causes depression.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has not yet read it. It gives readers a good look into history and teaches readers important lessons. I think that anyone interested in government would appreciate reading this book as well. Winston’s life and the watchful eye of the Big Brother show the effects of a controversial controlling government. The book is also fast paced and has interesting plot twists which make it an exciting read that is difficult to set down. 1984 is a fun book to read that still delivers a strong message to its readers.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has not yet read it. It gives readers a good look into history and teaches readers important lessons. I think that anyone interested in government would appreciate reading this book as well. Winston’s life and the watchful eye of the Big Brother show the effects of a controversial controlling government. The book is also fast paced and has interesting plot twists which make it an exciting read that is difficult to set down. 1984 is a fun book to read that still delivers a strong message to its readers.
Chasing Destiny
Article by: K. Solomon
Dickey, Eric Jerome. Chasing Destiny. Penguin, Ireland 2006
Heart
I borrowed the book Chasing Destiny, from my younger cousin. It is a fast pace, suspenseful, and a little dramatic of a book. Typically I like mysteries however I wanted to try a new genre.
The book is about a teenage girl named Destiny whose parents are getting a divorce. Her father is dating someone else however her mother is still trying to get their marriage to work. Destiny gets sick of her parents so she runs away for a night, she ends up getting drugged and raped. Then she comes back for her revenge on the people who drugged and raped her. The whole time the girl her father has been dating she finds out is pregnant and Destiny’s mom makes her think she is going to ruin her dad and daughter relationship she has with her dad.
The style of the book interests me because it is very fast pace and always leaves you hanging at the end of every chapter. The chapters are somewhat long but read fast, there are a few short chapters but it all goes by fast.
To me the message of the book I get is don’t try to run away from your problems, you can’t do it. They just come back twice as rough later down the line. Destiny tries to run away from her problems twice in the book, and all it does is mess her life up more. Not only with her personally, but with her friends and family, its like she doesn’t care about herself or others around her.
My over all opinion was the book was very interesting, I never knew what was going to happen next. The detail is so much where I felt in the story, it is a very well written overall great book.
Dickey, Eric Jerome. Chasing Destiny. Penguin, Ireland 2006
Heart
I borrowed the book Chasing Destiny, from my younger cousin. It is a fast pace, suspenseful, and a little dramatic of a book. Typically I like mysteries however I wanted to try a new genre.
The book is about a teenage girl named Destiny whose parents are getting a divorce. Her father is dating someone else however her mother is still trying to get their marriage to work. Destiny gets sick of her parents so she runs away for a night, she ends up getting drugged and raped. Then she comes back for her revenge on the people who drugged and raped her. The whole time the girl her father has been dating she finds out is pregnant and Destiny’s mom makes her think she is going to ruin her dad and daughter relationship she has with her dad.
The style of the book interests me because it is very fast pace and always leaves you hanging at the end of every chapter. The chapters are somewhat long but read fast, there are a few short chapters but it all goes by fast.
To me the message of the book I get is don’t try to run away from your problems, you can’t do it. They just come back twice as rough later down the line. Destiny tries to run away from her problems twice in the book, and all it does is mess her life up more. Not only with her personally, but with her friends and family, its like she doesn’t care about herself or others around her.
My over all opinion was the book was very interesting, I never knew what was going to happen next. The detail is so much where I felt in the story, it is a very well written overall great book.
Breaking Dawn
By: Amelia Louis
3rd Period Smith
Book: Breaking Dawn by Meyer, Stephanie.
Breaking Dawn. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2008.
Heart
Borders Books, $22.99
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Breaking Dawn is the 4th book in the Twilight series. From the beginning of the book, the suspense and action that was present in the three previous books is once again present. Bella and Edward's relationship is challenged by her friend Jacob, and several unexpected events that unfold early in the book. These events also challenge the relationship between the werewolves, Bella and her father, and more. A new controversial character is introduced into the text causing many conflicts for all the characters, eventually bringing all the characters together to fight a final battle that will greatly influence their future. The setting is in the Cullen’s home for the most part and it is an important factor in the text and influences many of the major events that take place. Compared to the other three books, Breaking Dawn has more unexpected events and action, however the ending is not as fulfilling as one would wish. Although it is the end of the series as of now, it is not as exciting as the series as a whole. However, anyone who is interested in the Twilight series will find the excitement they are looking for with this book.
3rd Period Smith
Book: Breaking Dawn by Meyer, Stephanie.
Breaking Dawn. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2008.
Heart
Borders Books, $22.99
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Breaking Dawn is the 4th book in the Twilight series. From the beginning of the book, the suspense and action that was present in the three previous books is once again present. Bella and Edward's relationship is challenged by her friend Jacob, and several unexpected events that unfold early in the book. These events also challenge the relationship between the werewolves, Bella and her father, and more. A new controversial character is introduced into the text causing many conflicts for all the characters, eventually bringing all the characters together to fight a final battle that will greatly influence their future. The setting is in the Cullen’s home for the most part and it is an important factor in the text and influences many of the major events that take place. Compared to the other three books, Breaking Dawn has more unexpected events and action, however the ending is not as fulfilling as one would wish. Although it is the end of the series as of now, it is not as exciting as the series as a whole. However, anyone who is interested in the Twilight series will find the excitement they are looking for with this book.
Crank
544 pages, but a really quick read
By: Ellen Hopkins
Simon Pulse
October 5, 2004
HEART
Crank; the fictional, but “loosely” true story of a girl and her perfect life until she meets the monster that will make everything crash down right in front of her. Kristina is an amazing student, living in a town far from being a town full of meth, called Reno. An eventful and dangerous trip to visit her dad is when it all started.
This book is a book of drugs, family, love, and sex. Kristina’s journey is a roller coaster and is abruptly stopped when her second personality, Bree, takes over. She has to make a decision that involves life and death itself, while craving the monster.
I needed food, sleep,
but the monster denied
every bit of it.
Playing wasted couch potato was all that I
could ask for.
And more.
Fading speed buzz, escalating alcohol,
it was all I could do to stay upright.
so I didn’t
Page 128
That one paragraph showed me everything that was going through her mind and what goes through an addicts mind. She wanted the monster so bad, and it won.
I know many different people that have read this book, from girls to guys, drug users and heavy drug users. You have to know or know of the world of drugs you will understand this book. Addiction is a very complicated and dangerous world; if you know how it is you will understand.
“Crank is indeed a monster—one that is tough to leave behind once you invite it into your life. Think twice. Then think again.”
544 pages, but a really quick read
By: Ellen Hopkins
Simon Pulse
October 5, 2004
HEART
Crank; the fictional, but “loosely” true story of a girl and her perfect life until she meets the monster that will make everything crash down right in front of her. Kristina is an amazing student, living in a town far from being a town full of meth, called Reno. An eventful and dangerous trip to visit her dad is when it all started.
This book is a book of drugs, family, love, and sex. Kristina’s journey is a roller coaster and is abruptly stopped when her second personality, Bree, takes over. She has to make a decision that involves life and death itself, while craving the monster.
I needed food, sleep,
but the monster denied
every bit of it.
Playing wasted couch potato was all that I
could ask for.
And more.
Fading speed buzz, escalating alcohol,
it was all I could do to stay upright.
so I didn’t
Page 128
That one paragraph showed me everything that was going through her mind and what goes through an addicts mind. She wanted the monster so bad, and it won.
I know many different people that have read this book, from girls to guys, drug users and heavy drug users. You have to know or know of the world of drugs you will understand this book. Addiction is a very complicated and dangerous world; if you know how it is you will understand.
“Crank is indeed a monster—one that is tough to leave behind once you invite it into your life. Think twice. Then think again.”
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
For my book, I read Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, the author of Fight Club. This was reccomended to me by a friend who has read most of Chuck Palahniuk's books, and had an understanding that I would appreciate the type of writing. The storyline in Choke was about a boy who had a rough childhood. His Mother was in and out of jail, and kidnapped him each time she returned. As he grew into an adult, his mother got sick and he put her in a nursing home to take care of her. While working in an 18th century toursite for children, he went to daily meeting for being a sexaholic. While these meetings were suppose to do him good, he only went to find girls that would have sex with him more easily. Frequently, he would choke in different restaurants to purposely have someone save him. He had many reasonings in this, and was a very intelligent thinker. The writing was in a sarcastic tone mostly the entire time, which made it much more appealing to me. I would definitely reccomend this book to anyone that likes a laugh while learning a more valuable lesson as well.
Monday, January 5, 2009
My Sister's Keeper
Picoult, Jodi. My Sister‘s Keeper. HarperCollins: New York, 2004.
Heart
Borders Books, $13.95
Teen Angst/ Family Drama
Award winning author, Jodi Picoult delivers yet another impressive and heart wrenching story, My Sister’s Keeper. The story focuses on the terrible circumstances that have taken over the lives of the Fitzgerald family. Kate was diagnosed with leukemia, while her sister Anna was scientifically conceived to save her life. After many operations for both girls, Anna begins her realization that her life was started by her parents only for the mere fact to save her sister. The story follows the entire family through an expansive court case for Anna to win her medical emancipation from her family, even if that means her sister’s life.
My Sister’s Keeper is a page turning story. Each chapter focuses on a different family members journey from the day Kate was born, to the recent trial taking place. Jodi Picoult captures each characters inner thoughts beautifully which will inevitably have you crying as you turn each page.
Throughout the entire story you are presented with many twists and turns from all parties involved. Until the last page you are never sure how any of their lives are going to end up. The end is completely unpredictable, it’s both devastating to some and life saving to others. This is one book that should not be left on shelves. Even though is incredibly sad, it opens your mind and makes you appreciate the life you have.
Heart
Borders Books, $13.95
Teen Angst/ Family Drama
Award winning author, Jodi Picoult delivers yet another impressive and heart wrenching story, My Sister’s Keeper. The story focuses on the terrible circumstances that have taken over the lives of the Fitzgerald family. Kate was diagnosed with leukemia, while her sister Anna was scientifically conceived to save her life. After many operations for both girls, Anna begins her realization that her life was started by her parents only for the mere fact to save her sister. The story follows the entire family through an expansive court case for Anna to win her medical emancipation from her family, even if that means her sister’s life.
My Sister’s Keeper is a page turning story. Each chapter focuses on a different family members journey from the day Kate was born, to the recent trial taking place. Jodi Picoult captures each characters inner thoughts beautifully which will inevitably have you crying as you turn each page.
Throughout the entire story you are presented with many twists and turns from all parties involved. Until the last page you are never sure how any of their lives are going to end up. The end is completely unpredictable, it’s both devastating to some and life saving to others. This is one book that should not be left on shelves. Even though is incredibly sad, it opens your mind and makes you appreciate the life you have.
Book Review Blog Bluhm 3 period
London, Jack. The Call of the Wild (Aladdin Classics). New York: Aladdin, 2003.
Dagger
Aurora High School Library
Cost: FREE
Genre: adventure
As the Klondik Gold Rush started in the fall ok 1897, Buck, the dog, was stolen from his upper class home, by the Gardner Manvel, Buck proves to be the strong sled dog Manuel thought, and was sold from person to person, he ended up on Fancois and Perrault’s sled dog team. Here Buck became the lead dog, but was treated poorly. Not getting enough food or rest, were only the littlest of their troubles. Once again he was sold, this time to John Torhton. John was different, he cared about his sled dogs, unlike all the others, but Buck ran away from John, into the dangers of the wild. In the wild Buck struggled to make the impossible, house dog to wild wolf transition.
In this book, Jake London, uses a lot of references to the weather and to the events happening in society. That’s why it’s important to know that the gold rush was going on up in Alaska. If he had not explained this in his text then we could not know why the need for sled dogs was high. When reading, you got to read between the lines to get the full meaning of the book. He uses a lot of interpretation in this book and I think that made the book a lot better.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read adventures stories. This book showed travels thought-out the northern part of the U.S.A. it talked about how they adapted to their surroundings, although I didn’t like this book that much, I think someone who likes adventure stories would like it.
Dagger
Aurora High School Library
Cost: FREE
Genre: adventure
As the Klondik Gold Rush started in the fall ok 1897, Buck, the dog, was stolen from his upper class home, by the Gardner Manvel, Buck proves to be the strong sled dog Manuel thought, and was sold from person to person, he ended up on Fancois and Perrault’s sled dog team. Here Buck became the lead dog, but was treated poorly. Not getting enough food or rest, were only the littlest of their troubles. Once again he was sold, this time to John Torhton. John was different, he cared about his sled dogs, unlike all the others, but Buck ran away from John, into the dangers of the wild. In the wild Buck struggled to make the impossible, house dog to wild wolf transition.
In this book, Jake London, uses a lot of references to the weather and to the events happening in society. That’s why it’s important to know that the gold rush was going on up in Alaska. If he had not explained this in his text then we could not know why the need for sled dogs was high. When reading, you got to read between the lines to get the full meaning of the book. He uses a lot of interpretation in this book and I think that made the book a lot better.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read adventures stories. This book showed travels thought-out the northern part of the U.S.A. it talked about how they adapted to their surroundings, although I didn’t like this book that much, I think someone who likes adventure stories would like it.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Disclosure
By: Adam Kozelka
Class: 3rd Period. Smith
Book: Disclosure
Crichton, Michael. Disclosure
U.S.A.: Ballantine Books, New York, 1994
Heart
Giant Eagle
Cost: $6.29
Genre: Crime Novel
Tom Sanders is a manager for the Digicom Corporation, a computer company in Seattle, Washington. With his company about to merge, he’s expecting a promotion. Happily married with two young children, Tom had big hopes for a promotion to the top by his boss, Bob Garvin. But instead it goes to Meredith Johnson, Tom's ex-girlfriend. Tom gets upset about the promotion, until a personal meeting turns into a night seduction when Meredith decides to relive her sexual fantasy and pick up from where they left off. Tom refuses and shoves her away, and gets Meredith mad. Tom’s only choice is to sue Meredith for sexual harassment. But then everyone in the company thinks it was the other way around and his boss wants to transfer him to a different division, forcing him to lose everything he’s ever gained. As the story unfolds, Tom discovers that not only is the system rigged against him, but Meredith is going to destroy his career. He has only four days to prove his innocence, save his marriage, and his job.
I give this book a heart, because it was pretty interesting. It was about 494 pages long, but it was a quick read. I would recommend this book to my classmates. It had a good ending, and the book was overall eventful.
Class: 3rd Period. Smith
Book: Disclosure
Crichton, Michael. Disclosure
U.S.A.: Ballantine Books, New York, 1994
Heart
Giant Eagle
Cost: $6.29
Genre: Crime Novel
Tom Sanders is a manager for the Digicom Corporation, a computer company in Seattle, Washington. With his company about to merge, he’s expecting a promotion. Happily married with two young children, Tom had big hopes for a promotion to the top by his boss, Bob Garvin. But instead it goes to Meredith Johnson, Tom's ex-girlfriend. Tom gets upset about the promotion, until a personal meeting turns into a night seduction when Meredith decides to relive her sexual fantasy and pick up from where they left off. Tom refuses and shoves her away, and gets Meredith mad. Tom’s only choice is to sue Meredith for sexual harassment. But then everyone in the company thinks it was the other way around and his boss wants to transfer him to a different division, forcing him to lose everything he’s ever gained. As the story unfolds, Tom discovers that not only is the system rigged against him, but Meredith is going to destroy his career. He has only four days to prove his innocence, save his marriage, and his job.
I give this book a heart, because it was pretty interesting. It was about 494 pages long, but it was a quick read. I would recommend this book to my classmates. It had a good ending, and the book was overall eventful.
Crank
By:Brendan Connolly
Class: 3rd period, Smith
Book: Crank, Simon & Schuster Inc, New York, NY
Author: Hopkins, Ellen
Heart
Borders
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
$6.99
Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter that never gets in trouble and has never done a bad thing in her life. But that all changes when she goes on a trip to visit her father who she hasn’t seen in many years. She meets a boy on her trip that introduces her to the monster: crank. She tells everyone that she meets in this new town that her name is Bree, a new identity, the dark side of Kristina, the opposite of Kristina. Bree is the person that is willing to try new things, meet new people, and do bad things that she would never do in the past. Everything in her life changed once she started to do crank, and it is never easy to turn away and just go back to your old life after you shook hands with the monster. After Bree got on the plane and flew back home, it was time for Kristina to take over and go back to how things used to be. After a month went by things seemed to be fine until Bree started to take over again. Her urge to have crank was getting stronger until the point where she didn’t care about anything or anyone, but the monster. Her family began to realize that Kristina was a new person and something was wrong with her. She started talking back to her mom, lost all of her old friends, and made new friends who were into bad habits. Then one critical thing happened in her life that made Bree realize that Kristina had to come back and Bree could no longer be in control.
This story shows what actual changes can happen to a person when they start to do crank. What you learn in health class is basic, but Crank shows you a true life depiction of how your life changes and how it destroys who you are. Ellen Hopkins also uses a very unique writing style that is almost like a two voice poem, which is something that is very different from most authors. Although this book is fiction, many of the events that happen are closely if not exactly related to things that actually happened to Ellen Hopkins daughter. Crank is a story told from a person who has experienced what it can do to someone first hand. There are so many nail biting events that keep you on the edge of your seat the whole story. All these different things that happen make it very fascinating and you always want to know what is going to happen next.
Class: 3rd period, Smith
Book: Crank, Simon & Schuster Inc, New York, NY
Author: Hopkins, Ellen
Heart
Borders
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
$6.99
Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter that never gets in trouble and has never done a bad thing in her life. But that all changes when she goes on a trip to visit her father who she hasn’t seen in many years. She meets a boy on her trip that introduces her to the monster: crank. She tells everyone that she meets in this new town that her name is Bree, a new identity, the dark side of Kristina, the opposite of Kristina. Bree is the person that is willing to try new things, meet new people, and do bad things that she would never do in the past. Everything in her life changed once she started to do crank, and it is never easy to turn away and just go back to your old life after you shook hands with the monster. After Bree got on the plane and flew back home, it was time for Kristina to take over and go back to how things used to be. After a month went by things seemed to be fine until Bree started to take over again. Her urge to have crank was getting stronger until the point where she didn’t care about anything or anyone, but the monster. Her family began to realize that Kristina was a new person and something was wrong with her. She started talking back to her mom, lost all of her old friends, and made new friends who were into bad habits. Then one critical thing happened in her life that made Bree realize that Kristina had to come back and Bree could no longer be in control.
This story shows what actual changes can happen to a person when they start to do crank. What you learn in health class is basic, but Crank shows you a true life depiction of how your life changes and how it destroys who you are. Ellen Hopkins also uses a very unique writing style that is almost like a two voice poem, which is something that is very different from most authors. Although this book is fiction, many of the events that happen are closely if not exactly related to things that actually happened to Ellen Hopkins daughter. Crank is a story told from a person who has experienced what it can do to someone first hand. There are so many nail biting events that keep you on the edge of your seat the whole story. All these different things that happen make it very fascinating and you always want to know what is going to happen next.
1984
By: Jason Myers
Orwell, George. 1984. New York: New American Library, 1949.
Heart
Borders
Cost: $9.99
Genre: satire
1984
A man by the name of Winston Smith is a member of the London Political Party in the nation of Oceania. He is under intense surveillance always. The Party itself controls everything even this new dictionary called “Newspeak”. Their laws are very different compared to ours. They are to the extreme that being suspected of thinking rebellious thoughts or having items like a diary can get someone in a lot of trouble. Winston works for the Party and in a department called Ministry of Truth. There he alters historical records so they read as the Party wants them to. As time goes on Winston develops hatred towards the Party. At work he falls in love with a coworker named Julia. The two of them fall in love and they begin looking for the Leader of the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood being a mysterious legendary group that’s goal is to overthrow the party.
The Author’s style was very easy to read other then the fact that there is a lot of difficult vocabulary per page and if you don’t like a lot of vocabulary this book may be hard for some readers to understand. The detail he uses is very descriptive and when reading it makes you all most feel as it real. The author’s Diction I liked a lot, he seemed to speak in a mature manor and I seemed to enjoy the way the book its self was written.
The Punisher
By: L. Stevens II
Class: 3rd Period – Smith
Book: D.A. Stern, The Punisher
Location: Border’s: $6.99
A book including the famous criminal catching Punisher is going from comic shops in plastic seals to just another shelf in a bookstore. But although the idea of a comic book character being in a full book is a little sketchy, the book sold rather well. Soon after the release of the book was a movie based on it. The movie did not go in depth of the Frank Castle’s tragic incident of his family being murdered by a drug lord; but it did get to the point.
The book also tells in depth all of Frank Castle’s feelings and his evolution into becoming The Punisher. After Howard Saint; a money craving drug lord rids of Castle’s entire family because of Saint’s son’s death caused by an undercover mission led by none other than Frank Castle. After Saint gets his revenge its Castle’s turn in his own way. “Not Vengeance, but Punishment.” A line Castle states to show his mood and some foreshadowing.
The book really is what you would expect when it comes to retelling the beginning of The Punisher’s story in the comic books. All that the book covers is the beginning of The Punisher to Saint’s death. I barely read books unless it’s for class and I’m lucky if I even do that, but I actuall read this whole book from start to finish. The story was perfectly timed from when you thought that the action was over more action happened. If you are looking for a book filled with action, emotion, and are into the idea of revenge then you might want to check this one out.
Nineteen Minutes
The Truth Will Unveil Itself
Picoult, Jodi. Nineteen Minutes. Washington Square Press: New York, New York, 2007
Heart
Borders, $15.00
Realism, Life and Moral Issues
455 Pages
High school is different for everyone. For Peter, it was a living hell where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. He was picked on and teased ever since he started school when he was five, and it only go worse as the years went on. Peter had enough of the pain and suffering and decided it was time to seek revenge. As only a small integral of the school's population, it took only nineteen minutes for him to kill ten people and wound many others. After many other school shootings in history, a high school was no longer an ectopic place for this terror to occur. As this story goes on, Jodi Picoult takes you through the trial and emotions of all involved up until the very last page.
Like other books that Picoult has written, she makes it very easy to picture your self in the story and become one of the characters. She shows you all of the different view points, from when Peter was five years old, to inside the locker room where the last victim was killed in front of his childhood friend Josie. All of these provide the best details possible so that the reader knows everything they can about the story. With the details and story line, she is capable of making it impossible to put the book down because of a need that is developed to know what happens next.
In Nineteen Minutes, Picoult is able to pull so many subplots together underneath the main trial in the book, consisting of new relationships being formed, others falling apart, and the ongoing pain that the victims feel. To show all of these angles, Picoult goes from different time periods in the characters' lives to show new information about the story, giving the reader some prescience to what might happen. Whether it be that the trial turns in Peter's favor, or if Josie will ever be able to tell what happened in the locker room, Picoult will keep you guessing what really happened that day until the last page.
With the combination of Picoult's attention to detail and the ongoing wonder of the story, I have to claim that this is one of the best books by Picoult that I have read. With her ability to keep you interested in the book once you think you've figured it out, only to find out it was the complete opposite, and then keep guessing the next turn in the plot shows her accomplished writing skills. I am greatful for these skills because they keep me entertained every time I want to enjoy a good book. I only hope that her skills as a writer will inspire others to make her one of their favorite writers as well.
Picoult, Jodi. Nineteen Minutes. Washington Square Press: New York, New York, 2007
Heart
Borders, $15.00
Realism, Life and Moral Issues
455 Pages
High school is different for everyone. For Peter, it was a living hell where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. He was picked on and teased ever since he started school when he was five, and it only go worse as the years went on. Peter had enough of the pain and suffering and decided it was time to seek revenge. As only a small integral of the school's population, it took only nineteen minutes for him to kill ten people and wound many others. After many other school shootings in history, a high school was no longer an ectopic place for this terror to occur. As this story goes on, Jodi Picoult takes you through the trial and emotions of all involved up until the very last page.
Like other books that Picoult has written, she makes it very easy to picture your self in the story and become one of the characters. She shows you all of the different view points, from when Peter was five years old, to inside the locker room where the last victim was killed in front of his childhood friend Josie. All of these provide the best details possible so that the reader knows everything they can about the story. With the details and story line, she is capable of making it impossible to put the book down because of a need that is developed to know what happens next.
In Nineteen Minutes, Picoult is able to pull so many subplots together underneath the main trial in the book, consisting of new relationships being formed, others falling apart, and the ongoing pain that the victims feel. To show all of these angles, Picoult goes from different time periods in the characters' lives to show new information about the story, giving the reader some prescience to what might happen. Whether it be that the trial turns in Peter's favor, or if Josie will ever be able to tell what happened in the locker room, Picoult will keep you guessing what really happened that day until the last page.
With the combination of Picoult's attention to detail and the ongoing wonder of the story, I have to claim that this is one of the best books by Picoult that I have read. With her ability to keep you interested in the book once you think you've figured it out, only to find out it was the complete opposite, and then keep guessing the next turn in the plot shows her accomplished writing skills. I am greatful for these skills because they keep me entertained every time I want to enjoy a good book. I only hope that her skills as a writer will inspire others to make her one of their favorite writers as well.
DIGITAL FORTRESS
By: Nicolas Dunlavy
Class: Mrs. Smith
Book: Digital Fortress
Brown, Dan. Digital Fortress
U.S.A. St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2004
Aurora Public Library
$7.99
Susan Fletcher is the main character, who is the head cryptographer for the National Security Agency. One day she comes upon a code named “Digital Fortress” which is unbreakable. Even NSA’s supercomputer, TRANSLTR cannot break the code. They later find out the code was written by Ensei Tankado, a Japanese cryptographer who used to work for the NSA but he was fired. He is against the agency’s intrusion into people’s privacy and wants them to go public with their technology. If they do not agree, he will auction off the passkey to unlock the code to the world. This would result in the destruction of their technology and terrorist around the world could talk in privacy without any intrusion. This leads Commander Strathmore, who is head of the cryptography department and deputy director of the NSA to send David Becker to Seville, Spain to find the passkey. The situation becomes more complex and the characters intensions change dramatically during the story as it becomes life threatening for many of them.
Dan Brown’s books can have subjects such history, religion, and science that can be very confusing, but his writing makes these very interesting subjects understandable and extremely exciting. Brown never writes a dull part or chapter in the books he writes, allowing them to be filled with travel and thrilling experiences which never allow you to set the book down.
This book definitely deserves a heart. It is as good and exciting as his famous book The Da Vinci Code and has the suspense of Angels and Demons. With 429 pages, it can be long for non-readers but the story is so well written with suspense that the pages will fly by. The ending conclusion of this book will have you astonished to which side the characters stood on and how they fooled not only the other characters in the book, but also the reader.
Class: Mrs. Smith
Book: Digital Fortress
Brown, Dan. Digital Fortress
U.S.A. St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2004
Aurora Public Library
$7.99
Susan Fletcher is the main character, who is the head cryptographer for the National Security Agency. One day she comes upon a code named “Digital Fortress” which is unbreakable. Even NSA’s supercomputer, TRANSLTR cannot break the code. They later find out the code was written by Ensei Tankado, a Japanese cryptographer who used to work for the NSA but he was fired. He is against the agency’s intrusion into people’s privacy and wants them to go public with their technology. If they do not agree, he will auction off the passkey to unlock the code to the world. This would result in the destruction of their technology and terrorist around the world could talk in privacy without any intrusion. This leads Commander Strathmore, who is head of the cryptography department and deputy director of the NSA to send David Becker to Seville, Spain to find the passkey. The situation becomes more complex and the characters intensions change dramatically during the story as it becomes life threatening for many of them.
Dan Brown’s books can have subjects such history, religion, and science that can be very confusing, but his writing makes these very interesting subjects understandable and extremely exciting. Brown never writes a dull part or chapter in the books he writes, allowing them to be filled with travel and thrilling experiences which never allow you to set the book down.
This book definitely deserves a heart. It is as good and exciting as his famous book The Da Vinci Code and has the suspense of Angels and Demons. With 429 pages, it can be long for non-readers but the story is so well written with suspense that the pages will fly by. The ending conclusion of this book will have you astonished to which side the characters stood on and how they fooled not only the other characters in the book, but also the reader.
3rd Period Book Talk
By: Andrew Cottle
Class: 3rd Period. Smith
Book: The Kite Runner
Hosseini, Khalid. The Kite Runner
U.S.A.: Riverhead Books, New York, 2003
Heart
Borders
Cost: $15.00
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Kite Runner
This story is about a kid named Amir and his time spent in Afghanistan. Amir grows up with his father whom he calls Baba. He also lives with his Ali, and his son Hassan. Amir and Hassan are inseparable, but no one is to know this because Hassan is a Hazara and they are supposed to only be servants, they are the low lives in society. As Afghanistan is slowly turning over rule to the Taliban, Amir and Hassan are separated after an incident following the running of the kites. Amir and Baba flee to Pakistan and later move to California to start a new life. Amir cannot seem to forget about his life back in Afghanistan. His life seems Unkempt now that he is in an unfamiliar place without his best friend. Baba is stricken very ill and before he passes, Amir marries a lovely woman. But news comes from Afghanistan and Amir immediately flies back there to find out some things he would have rather not known.
Hosseini has a way of writing that makes it very interesting, and keeps your attention. He tells the story from the perspective of Amir. Amir loves writing and during the book Hosseini makes certain paragraphs written in italics to show that Amir has written something that may have pertained to a dream, or foreshadow what is to come. Sometimes, Hosseini puts a flashback right in the middle of the paragraph to show that Amir never forgets about Hassan. You also see that some lines show up multiple times, and that this Insinuation helps to create an image of how things were back then, and how they change throughout the story. Meaning whoever said that must have had a big impact on Amir because he keeps going back to that concept. Another thing Hosseini does is he puts actual words from the Farsi language into the text. This allows him to express a lot of the culture within his writing.
I rate this book as a heart. The well written descriptions and the uncertainty of what was going to happen next is what caught my eye, and kept me interested in this book. There always seemed to be a mystery behind what someone says. To understand what they were saying, it was necessary to know exactly what was going on in the book… at some points; I was literally getting angry while reading because of some of Amir’s decisions. I wanted him to stand up for what he though was right, instead of just doing what everyone else thought you should. You also get a really good feel of what Afghanistan was like when the Taliban took over and people were forced out of their homes and killed for no reason. Hosseini actually points out how much the media filters out and what really goes on. He also makes it interesting because he shows it in a first hand view, making you feel like you were actually there. the book is 324 pages, but it's a fast read because it constantly keeps you engaged in the story and therefore, i rate it as a heart.
Class: 3rd Period. Smith
Book: The Kite Runner
Hosseini, Khalid. The Kite Runner
U.S.A.: Riverhead Books, New York, 2003
Heart
Borders
Cost: $15.00
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Kite Runner
This story is about a kid named Amir and his time spent in Afghanistan. Amir grows up with his father whom he calls Baba. He also lives with his Ali, and his son Hassan. Amir and Hassan are inseparable, but no one is to know this because Hassan is a Hazara and they are supposed to only be servants, they are the low lives in society. As Afghanistan is slowly turning over rule to the Taliban, Amir and Hassan are separated after an incident following the running of the kites. Amir and Baba flee to Pakistan and later move to California to start a new life. Amir cannot seem to forget about his life back in Afghanistan. His life seems Unkempt now that he is in an unfamiliar place without his best friend. Baba is stricken very ill and before he passes, Amir marries a lovely woman. But news comes from Afghanistan and Amir immediately flies back there to find out some things he would have rather not known.
Hosseini has a way of writing that makes it very interesting, and keeps your attention. He tells the story from the perspective of Amir. Amir loves writing and during the book Hosseini makes certain paragraphs written in italics to show that Amir has written something that may have pertained to a dream, or foreshadow what is to come. Sometimes, Hosseini puts a flashback right in the middle of the paragraph to show that Amir never forgets about Hassan. You also see that some lines show up multiple times, and that this Insinuation helps to create an image of how things were back then, and how they change throughout the story. Meaning whoever said that must have had a big impact on Amir because he keeps going back to that concept. Another thing Hosseini does is he puts actual words from the Farsi language into the text. This allows him to express a lot of the culture within his writing.
I rate this book as a heart. The well written descriptions and the uncertainty of what was going to happen next is what caught my eye, and kept me interested in this book. There always seemed to be a mystery behind what someone says. To understand what they were saying, it was necessary to know exactly what was going on in the book… at some points; I was literally getting angry while reading because of some of Amir’s decisions. I wanted him to stand up for what he though was right, instead of just doing what everyone else thought you should. You also get a really good feel of what Afghanistan was like when the Taliban took over and people were forced out of their homes and killed for no reason. Hosseini actually points out how much the media filters out and what really goes on. He also makes it interesting because he shows it in a first hand view, making you feel like you were actually there. the book is 324 pages, but it's a fast read because it constantly keeps you engaged in the story and therefore, i rate it as a heart.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Crutcher, Chris. The Sledding Hill
book: Crutcher, Chris. The Sledding Hill
Location: I found it in my house if you want it ask me
The Sledding Hill is a book that is told in first person, through Billy Bartholomew who, dies in the first chapter. Billy is smart, but he is a trouble maker like his best friend, Eddie Proffit. Eddie is also smart, but his brain jumps from one thing to another, in the blink of an eye so, Eddie has a problem talking in class without raising his hand. At one point Billy put a dog bark collar on Eddie’s leg so when he was about to talk Billy would shock him. Then over the summer one day Billy kicked a stack of Sheetrock and it snapped his neck. The two boys where about to go into high school where there is an English teacher named Tarter who is also a preacher. Tarter is a strict teacher, who if you talk out of line in his classroom, you would have to stand in the front of class with your arms out. Eddie’s dad and Tarter would fight Science versus Religion and Eddie believed his dad that Science is right about the creation of earth. Then one day Eddie’s dad, who owned a gas station that was the only station in town that worked on trucks and big rigs. Eddie’s dad was fixing tires one day one exploded and Eddie was the first to find him, and he found Billy but could not move the rocks. Since they both died in a matter of three months. The two boys, Eddie and Billy signed up for a class called Really Modern literature. In this class they had to read a book called Warren Peese written by: Chris Crutcher, this book has some controversial issues, and Mr. Tarter wants it banned so he uses the youth group to form a complaint about the book.
Location: I found it in my house if you want it ask me
The Sledding Hill is a book that is told in first person, through Billy Bartholomew who, dies in the first chapter. Billy is smart, but he is a trouble maker like his best friend, Eddie Proffit. Eddie is also smart, but his brain jumps from one thing to another, in the blink of an eye so, Eddie has a problem talking in class without raising his hand. At one point Billy put a dog bark collar on Eddie’s leg so when he was about to talk Billy would shock him. Then over the summer one day Billy kicked a stack of Sheetrock and it snapped his neck. The two boys where about to go into high school where there is an English teacher named Tarter who is also a preacher. Tarter is a strict teacher, who if you talk out of line in his classroom, you would have to stand in the front of class with your arms out. Eddie’s dad and Tarter would fight Science versus Religion and Eddie believed his dad that Science is right about the creation of earth. Then one day Eddie’s dad, who owned a gas station that was the only station in town that worked on trucks and big rigs. Eddie’s dad was fixing tires one day one exploded and Eddie was the first to find him, and he found Billy but could not move the rocks. Since they both died in a matter of three months. The two boys, Eddie and Billy signed up for a class called Really Modern literature. In this class they had to read a book called Warren Peese written by: Chris Crutcher, this book has some controversial issues, and Mr. Tarter wants it banned so he uses the youth group to form a complaint about the book.
By: C. Rains
Class: 3rd per. Smith
Book: the five people you meet in heaven
Albom, Mitch. the five people you meet in heaven.
USA: Hyperion, 2003.
Aurora Public Library
Cost: $19.95
Eddie's Heavenly Adventure
Eddie has been the maintenance manager at Ruby Pier his entire life. He is alone in life, his wife died several years ago and the two of them were never able to bear a child. His parents died many years ago and his only sibling, Joe died about two years ago. The only people that he interacts with are the children that come up to him and ask him to make them a balloon animal, and every time he makes a balloon dog with a smile.
One day, Eddie was walking down the Pier and looking for any problems with the coasters. As soon as he sat down, a little girl, that Eddie always sees at the Pier, comes up to him asking him to make her an animal balloon. He does so, and when he looks up he sees that a cart on Freddy’s Free Fall is hanging, off the track. He radios to the rest of his team to go up and try and fix the cart, because he couldn’t due to his injured knee. The others go up and remove the three people that were stuck in the cart, and on of the team members pulled the brake, which sends the cart into a free fall. Eddie looks down and he sees the girl right under the path of the falling cart. Eddie rushes over as quick as he could, and dives trying to save the girl. He feels a hand and then…silence.
Eddie is in heaven; that is he is in the heaven of the five people that he meets. In each of these heavens, he finds out why it is he was on earth and how these five people affected his life. But, he asks one question to each of his “people”, “Did I save that girl?”
I rate this book as a heart. The five people you meet in heaven is a normal sized book, at 196 pages, that is a quick read. Albom introduces a new idea behind what heaven is and who is there. Each new person that Eddie meet’s is someone that you would have never expected. At the end of the book, you wonder who it is you would meet in heaven, how you affected others, and finally what your heaven would be.
Class: 3rd per. Smith
Book: the five people you meet in heaven
Albom, Mitch. the five people you meet in heaven.
USA: Hyperion, 2003.
Aurora Public Library
Cost: $19.95
Eddie's Heavenly Adventure
Eddie has been the maintenance manager at Ruby Pier his entire life. He is alone in life, his wife died several years ago and the two of them were never able to bear a child. His parents died many years ago and his only sibling, Joe died about two years ago. The only people that he interacts with are the children that come up to him and ask him to make them a balloon animal, and every time he makes a balloon dog with a smile.
One day, Eddie was walking down the Pier and looking for any problems with the coasters. As soon as he sat down, a little girl, that Eddie always sees at the Pier, comes up to him asking him to make her an animal balloon. He does so, and when he looks up he sees that a cart on Freddy’s Free Fall is hanging, off the track. He radios to the rest of his team to go up and try and fix the cart, because he couldn’t due to his injured knee. The others go up and remove the three people that were stuck in the cart, and on of the team members pulled the brake, which sends the cart into a free fall. Eddie looks down and he sees the girl right under the path of the falling cart. Eddie rushes over as quick as he could, and dives trying to save the girl. He feels a hand and then…silence.
Eddie is in heaven; that is he is in the heaven of the five people that he meets. In each of these heavens, he finds out why it is he was on earth and how these five people affected his life. But, he asks one question to each of his “people”, “Did I save that girl?”
I rate this book as a heart. The five people you meet in heaven is a normal sized book, at 196 pages, that is a quick read. Albom introduces a new idea behind what heaven is and who is there. Each new person that Eddie meet’s is someone that you would have never expected. At the end of the book, you wonder who it is you would meet in heaven, how you affected others, and finally what your heaven would be.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The "Nimrod" Convention
R. Rataj 3ยบ Smith
"The "Nimrod" Convention"
The Matlock Paper by Robert Ludlum
Free in Mrs. Smith’s Room
James Matlock is a professor at Carlyle University. The campus has been suspected of being the headquarters of a heroin cartel in the northeast US. With the death of James’ younger brother, because of a heroin overdose, James already has a burning hatred of drugs. This made him the best candidate for the infiltration of "Nimrod", the cartel. Ralph Loring, head of the justice department, approaches James, and gives him all the information, including the documents found on a dead man in Turkey, which give a hint of a meeting of the cartel. Little does he know, "Nimrod" has fully infiltrated every part of Carlyle, and most of his co-workers are involved in the drug ring. When they get wind of James’ intentions, They kidnap his girlfriend, Pat, and use her as ransom.
I rate this with a heart. The Matlock Paper is a normal sized novel at 384 pages, but it’s more fast paced and it reads a lot faster. It’s a thriller with some characteristics of a mystery. It’s impossible to guess what’s going to happen next. There is nothing that can make you put this book down. Robert Ludlum uses basic language to tell an exciting story.
"The "Nimrod" Convention"
The Matlock Paper by Robert Ludlum
Free in Mrs. Smith’s Room
James Matlock is a professor at Carlyle University. The campus has been suspected of being the headquarters of a heroin cartel in the northeast US. With the death of James’ younger brother, because of a heroin overdose, James already has a burning hatred of drugs. This made him the best candidate for the infiltration of "Nimrod", the cartel. Ralph Loring, head of the justice department, approaches James, and gives him all the information, including the documents found on a dead man in Turkey, which give a hint of a meeting of the cartel. Little does he know, "Nimrod" has fully infiltrated every part of Carlyle, and most of his co-workers are involved in the drug ring. When they get wind of James’ intentions, They kidnap his girlfriend, Pat, and use her as ransom.
I rate this with a heart. The Matlock Paper is a normal sized novel at 384 pages, but it’s more fast paced and it reads a lot faster. It’s a thriller with some characteristics of a mystery. It’s impossible to guess what’s going to happen next. There is nothing that can make you put this book down. Robert Ludlum uses basic language to tell an exciting story.
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