End of semester

During the first semester , I read my current favorite book the Maze runner. I finished it about in two weeks, which is pretty good for me considering I am not a fan of reading. I also finished out the Hunger game series and read catching fire. I selected these book I think because I like a lot of action and suspense, which each of these books have. They are both very unpredictable and I think that is what caught my interest.  I enjoyed all of the Hunger games books and movies, and I knew I defiantly had to finish the series. I thought that they were both very good, and I absolutely love the conflict and plot in both of them. I am a plot fanatic, and to me the more conflict the more interesting, which encouraged me to read more, and quicker.

I feel like I did better on only putting the important things in my blog and not writing literally a whole page of one prompt. I definitely should have improved more on adding textual evidence, because I know I rarely did, and I know that would most likely enhance my post.  I feel like when I was writing about the books that I was independently reading, I had done a better job because I was enjoying writing about it, and giving my opinion rather then a book I'm being forced to read (and forced to make an opinion on). I did a more thorough job because I enjoyed the interaction in my book, and also there was less pressure knowing I wasn't going to be graded on my comprehension of it. I feel though that as the semester went on I saw blogging as more of a routine, than a weekly assignment, and make them more personal, improving my blog and making it sound less like a lecture. I definitely think my blog posts are more entertaining now then my first few, because I was writing a lecture, versus writing my opinion. I always stayed focused on my book though and posted on time, and I feel as though I really interacted with the plot and the characters, thorough my blog.

One goal that I have set for myself for next semester, would be to add textual evidence in every post, to enhance my understanding of the text. So when I next time want to make a reference to the book I can make it sound more believable or professional with this evidence. It would be pretty cool to influence someone to read a certain book, based on my reviews and I think a quote is a good intriguing way to do that. I would also like to work on sounding less like a robot in my writing, so that someone will maybe actually find interest in what I am saying. I think I have gotten better on this, but I honestly think it still sounds like a lecture and most of the time I end up boring myself. Even if I am reading a book I don't like, if I can interact with it in a positive way like that, I feel as if I could enjoy it more. Lastly I would like to working on actually finding books I like and that fit my reading level. I know that when we are not reading in class that we should be independently reading, but I can find a book sometimes, making it difficult to do so. My friend will be half way through her book and I would have just started.

Romeo and Juliet

So. I honestly do not have a book yet..... which is not good. I've been looking but there is nothing that has really caught my interest, so it looks like i'm going to have to write about romeo and Juliet. SO because this whole story (play) revolves around many many characters... I am going to look at some character prompts. So this play and its characters are working through this big main problem that no one between the two families seems to be getting along. They get in so many fights their king had to tell them that if they cause any more chaos, that they would die. So you can probably imagine that one member from each family ( Romeo and Juliet) fall in love with each other. I mean what can be more chaotic than mixing a love relationship with a hate relationship.

I have noticed that so far the characters are dynamic. To start off with, Juliet has completely changed her mind on having a love life. When her mom introduced her to the idea of marriage, she confidently shared that she was not planning or even simply thinking about someone to marry. Then when meeting Romeo at the party, she felt a lot of affection with him, and even kissed him. She is very centered and obedient as well, and she ended up kissing Romeo, which i think was different than her previous character. Secondly Romeo had his mind set on this one women who was a nun, and he had no chance with. That all changed as soon as he laid eyes on Juliet. He had his own love at first sight experience. I love the play though and this is honestly my favorite this I've ever learned in English and its actually fun! I cant wait to watch and reenact more of it.

Finishing a long way gone

I thought that A Long way gone was a great book, because I honestly love the bloody setting. I am a fan of the walking dead, which if you don't already know is extremely graphic. I feel like having the story come directly from the person who wrote it, makes the story so much better and helps the reader DIRECTLY connecting with him. This has actually influenced me to read more memoirs. Although it was hard to connect with Ishmaels situation, I was able to connect with his personality because he was able to get in detail with how he felt about him wanting to make a change. I was able to see the connection of his thought process and how he portrayed it to the public.

I feel like he kept me reading by keeping suspense. Just like as nights went by for him where he didn't know what was happening next, I didn't know what was going to happen in the next chapter. I would honestly lay on my mind until i fell asleep, as to where he would be put next, or he may run into next that might just save his life. I feel so connected with him although I don't know him, and I feel like reading this actually changed me. I hope to read more memoirs, and recommend this to any high school students that are looking for a graphic yet suspenseful read.

A long way gone text to society

Jenna and I chose to read a long way gone by Ishmael bach. This is a memoir about how a young man in sierra Leone, was forced to become a child solider at such a young age. He was forced to kill the innocent, and leave many loved ones behind. He never went back to see his family after he became a solider. This experience later influenced him to experiment with drugs. These drugs helped him stay awake, which was needed to become a solider in such harsh conditions. Imagine trying to live in the conditions that he did. Could you leave your whole family behind knowing that they were going to die. Leaving so that maybe YOU would live. Ishmael was careful to never become a rebel and to never attract the rebels. This book made me relate to todays teen drug abuse issues that we still have today. I have had hundreds of assemblies over teen drug abuse in the past years, and its all over. Its from school to at home that you see this conflict. This also helped me relate to James in the Color of water, because both Ishmael and James when times ended up getting rough, they experimented with drugs, almost ruining their lives.

There is a link that connects you to learn more about child solider. This link is actually like a summary of Ishmaels life. It talks about him specifically, and it is much like an interview. Its like a new voice outside of his book, and it helped me clarify some questions I had about certain experiences, and I would recommend it to anyone, who is reading or has read a long way gone. Also there was a statistical link, concerning teen drug abuse. This connected James's story with Ishmaels, and shows that they are not the only one. Both of them, when going through that rough time in life, did the same thing with drugs, just like teens do today. Both of these links gave me more incite about what's really happening in my book and gave me some reasons why, making both of them very helpful.

The color of water is not that bad after all

So right now we are reading The color of water by James Mcbride. To be honest I didn't really want to read this, when it was originally assigned to us. It looked like one of those boring lecture books with about a thousand pages a chapter, but it came to my realization that its not. I am actually in love with this book now! I am excited to go home and read it at night, and I think this has to do with the characters. I can relate to the characters really well, and I have thought and questioned some of the things they thought and questioned. I love how they go back and forth between Ruth (the mom) and James. Although they are from different time periods, they dealt with the same problems in just about the same way. For example Ruth's older brother Sam ran away because of unfair treatment from his parents over the years, and then when James is that age, you notice the same scenario with James's sister Helen.

I believe that James (as the author) does this to show how similar him and his mother are, when put in the same situation. Also I like how the book isn't moving super fast, its actually moving at a slower pace. I haven't seen any of the characters really "change" yet, but I know this situation cant last forever. Also I find it interesting how most of the conversations that James and his mom has are short and to the point. For example in chapter 6 (page 51) when it says, " 'Does he like black or white people better?'

'He loves all people. He's a spirit.'

'What's a spirit?'

'A spirit is a spirit.'

'What color is gods spirit?'

'It doesn't have a color,' she said 'God is the color of water. Water doesn't have a color.'" Its sometimes hard for the two to interact, because Ruth isn't all up for explaining, and James is as curious as can be. I really like how easily understandable the book is, and how James Mcbride made it so relatable, and it makes me want to go read more. Actually that's a good idea. I have to go. Have a good day though. Bye.

The Maze Runner is suprisingly relatable

I am really enjoying my book, The Maze runner by James Dashine. It is somewhat hard to understand, because they don't give away that much information, but I have been able to easily relate to it. The main character I now know as Thomas, is all of the sudden appearing in this new area he has never been to before. He doesn't know where he is or even who he is. He begins to question reality, the people around him, and even going somewhat insane. He's trying to contemplate what is current real and what isn't. Its hard trying to put myself in that situation because I don't really know what I would do!

" ' Cuz you're a newbie.' Chuck pointed at Thomas and laughed." (14 Dashiner) I picked this quote to show you because this is how I felt on the first day of high school, being the new person and not really know what's going on. I can really relate to how he feels, considering what's going on around him. I wonder why the author includes more about the setting and dialog rather than Thomas's thoughts. I predict that the character Thomas will become actually the most experienced at one point, because although its predictable, it would really say something about his character, and make him stand out more like a main character should. So far this is probably the best book I have ever read and I cant wait to read more, and I recommend this to anyone in search of a good short read.
                                                          

Just Started Reading Maze Runner

I am starting to read the maze runner by James Dashiner. I heard that the movie had come out and I saw the trailer, and it immediately caught my attention. It looked very unpredictable and looked like my kind of book. So far I don't understand the setting, and the author has not fully described what is going on around the character. You don't even know the name of the character yet.

From the trailer I predict that he will be characterized as brave and courageous, and that he may not get along with the people around him.  I am so far confused as to why the author has left him so anonymous. Its hard to make connections between this book and other books, or characters. I am actually really glad I saw the trailer because I have some what of an idea or a prediction considering the book hasen't given me anythings. Although its confusing I really like it, and I cant wait to read more.

Thematic prompts

In Closed Doors, the issue of a chaotic home, and neglecting are both presented in the real world, and in this situation. Also the problem occurring of lying and no privacy becomes an issue, between the family and the town. Lisa O' Donnell does not say much about those issues because it is narrated by the boy Michal, and from what he says you assume what is going on. I think that the Lisa O' Donnell had written this piece over a long extended period of time with a lot of thought, because there are so many different directions this could have gone. I believe she wrote it in a way that makes it suspenseful for the reader, and that keeps you thinking about it. I also believe that she is doing this because she wants to surprise the reader at the end, which is why I am so into reading it at the moment.

Lisa O'Donnell also uses different patterns when Michael is going through home conflict, to show a constant unhealthy relation in the family. I am still curious as to what the reader is supposed to take from this so far, but I am hoping to find out by reading more. Also I confused on how they are characterizing Michael, because on the outside he seems quiet and shy, yet he has very smart and creative assumptions and thoughts. Its almost as if the world seems him one way but only the reader and himself see who he truly is. I feel like the main setting is simply described though being behind a door.

Closed Doors is Defiantly a Page Turner

So the boy Michael has gone through a lot of mental debates. During the story it is said that Micheal's mom actually was flashed by someone in the park, causing her to fall and bruise/ and cut herself. Whether this is true or not this is all that is revealed by the family. Michael  only eleven doesn't understand the term or whats going on. Also why does he have to cover up the "Story with a lie? “In the morning I am full of questions. Granny folds laundry and da looks tired. I ask him about flashing. He doesn't want to tell me. Neither does Granny. They want me to disappear with my soccer ball, but I don’t. My ma has been flashed at and I want to know what it means. She’s in the hospital with a sore face and a limp. She fell hard because of this flasher. I have a right to know what’s going on and why I’m to tell everyone she fell on the stairs.” This brought character versus character conflict and character versus self, due to the young mans debating.     

The best thing about my book i think, is that I, right now, have about twenty different ideas of what could actually be going on. It keeps me thinking about the book itself constantly, and debating what Micheal is debating! It is crazy to me how real this book has gotten to me, and how I am so closely interacting with it, it is actually making reading it less of home work and more of a want to do activity. I have also been thinking of a clear symbol that would help represent the situation, and I think that would be the marks on moms face, because this is causing the conflict, and giving the novel suspicion and detail. I wish though that the author would have given more detail to the marks on moms face to maybe help me piece it together more. I can honestly say that i have never been so into a book and i look forward to reading more. 

Just Started Reading: Closed Doors

I am just starting the book known as Closed Doors by Lisa O'Donnell. This book takes place mainly in the chaotic house of a young boy named Michal. This took place in the late 1980's. They had included old style housing and parenting styles. Michal stays behind doors all the time, and try's to stay out of his parents eye as much as possible. He describes these doors as thick and very old fashioned, and worn away. The door knobs are always very loose, but for Michal its good to listen too through these doors.

Lisa O'Donnell, is the author, and I found out about this book and her through my summer reading of The Death Of Bees. This was a very exciting and suspenseful book, which inspired me to read some of her other books. She lives in Scotland, and is into writing stories about children, and their struggles. I chose this book because after my Summer reading of The Death of Bee's I realized how her work is very relatable for me and suspenseful, which makes it actually fun to read. For example have sibling issues, or stress issues at school, I could all connect to. I predict that the parents will end up neglecting their child Michal, in will lead to his internal conflict of what to do, and where to go, and even who to tell. I wonder why the parents are so loud and open about topics that could get them in huge trouble. So far this is a great book and I am excited to read more.

Summer Reading Blog

The book I read over the summer was known as The Death of Bees, by Lisa O' Donnell. In this book Lisa O' Donnell demonstrates how the will of two sisters can hold a secret strong enough to seal to lives, in order to stay together. Much like any siblings you will ever meet, they want nothing to do with each other. They are complete opposites, considering their opposite social life and interests. Marnie is the eldest of the two and makes it clear she doesn't care for rules, and honestly is living for the moment, while Nelly the youngest of the two is extremely talented with music and spends her time reading, practicing her violin, and studying, oblivious to the world surrounding them. Although they think they hate each other, within a matter of time, all they will have is each other ( due to the early deaths of their parents ). All they share is the same house, and parents but now a secret, and they find out how much their sister means to them. Many say that you never realize what you have until its gone, but (in this case) they try to realize what they really have before its gone, keeping their faith in each other, and the two siblings together.

This theme is shown when said, "I told her Izzy was dead. ‘Well that’s torn it,’ she said. I explained to her what would happen if welfare found out. She  nodded. I told her we had to bury them in the garden."  (O’Donnell 11) Also when said " We've so much at stake right now and I can't go into Foster Care, not again, it isn't safe and who knows what would happen to Nelly, they'd probably put her in some sort of nut house with her being so weird. God I hate Foster Care, you have to share rooms with girls who nick your fags and steal your clothes. The meals are food though but i hardly saw Nelly." (O' Donnell 28) This demonstrating that the would bury their own mom (Izzy) to avoid Foster Care and still be able to see each other. Plus this shows how the older sister Marnie (the narrator for this quote) thinks her sister is very different and weird but is willing to sacrifice anything in order to stay together, considering they now have no guardians or parents. 

Marnie is a very complex character due to her collision between her thoughts and actions throughout the novel. Marnie is known more as a rebel, due to her drug and tobacco use, her aggressive collaboration between her and other kids her age, and her daily appeal and attitude. Plus considering all of those, she continues to get straight A's in school. She interacts with other characters by pertaining in those activities and partying; just about anything shes not aloud to do, she partakes in. Due to her attitude of  "My way or no way" the sisters were able to stay together without being separated. This attitude created the idea of burying the parents in the back yard so they wouldn't be separated and taken away to foster care, helping bond the two sisters and develop a strong theme. This is shown when Marnie states "Hes making it too easy to stay and this makes it harder not to tell him what we're hiding in the garden." (O' Donnell 80) Lastly Marnie also is complex due to how she changes to keep the secret of her parents death, meaning she needs to become less suspicious to the public eye. This shows a few ways on how Marnie herself devolved the theme.

My article is about how the sisters at a young age were put in a rough situation, in which they had to survive. Luckily their neighbor took them in and both him and the siblings concealed unthinkable secrets, creating a safe heaven for the both of them and a good team. The Death of Bees Article

 http://youtu.be/0bM4V25D8FY