After Ever After

This six weeks i read After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick. It was copyrighted in the year 2010 and is Presented in the modern day. The main character Jefferey has cancer, and is best friend Tad, Thaddeus, has cancer as well and they go through school together not only dealing with cancer but with every highschoolers' life. Dealing with girls, school work and for them dealing with the looks they get with Tad in a wheelchair and Jeffery with a limp. I think the theme of this book is people have to be brave.

The story is told in first person and includes some frequent flashbacks to fill you in on certain things. The intended audience is Middle school aged students. In the story it talks about the struggles that Jeffery and Tad go through and not just in school but at home and with their personal friendship. This book is realistic-fiction. It gives a feel as if the story was a real story but its based of fictional characters and events. The author kept me slightly interested, although the story was a good plot and good story the writing was rather dull and i didn't feel  quite as into it.

This book made me realize a little more how hard people's lives can be and how well they can really cover up whats happening and how they feel. It may seem like everyone is fine but they have troubles like veryone else. It made me feel like i can be more brave in the real world.

I don't think i would recommend this book. Although it was a good story line i think there are better books out there with similar story lines with better writing.

Sydney Dunda

December 16, 2013

Rated: 2.7/5 **

Call of the wild

 

 

Call of The Wild by Jack London is a book were it's main protagonist is a dog. It was published in 1903 and this was its first edition cover. This book tells about the life of a dog who has been kidnapped and sold multiple times, then taken to the north. There buck is put into a sled dog team and put to work.

 

Some of the things I like about this book is that it follows the story of a dog not a person. The book is told in third person so there isn't much dialogue. This is a non-fiction book, this book could of actually happen but the probability of it actually happing of if to were happen are pretty low. I wouldn't know what to call this book, but thanks to the wiki I know its an Adventure novel.

 

This book didn't really affect me because I usually don't read this kind of books. This book did change the way I see things, that dogs are pretty awesome creatures and we should respect them a bit more. I really don't know how this could come into play in our world, maybe take care of your dogs I really don't know. This book kind of reminds of Hatchet a book about a kid called Brian try's to survive in the wild, if I do another one of these im doing that book for my review.

 

I would recommend this book but mostly to the people who like adventure novel. I kind of do like this book but it doesn't keep interest that long. Though it is a pretty good book.

 

 

Cristian Lopez

12/18/13

Rating: 4/5

 

One Of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies

This six weeks, my favorite book I read was One Of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies, and it was not only that, but also one of the best books I have ever read. This book is by Sonya Sones and it is a verse novel published in 2004 about the horrible life of a sixteen year old girl, Ruby, after her mom passes away and all the drastic changes she goes through. Personally, this book changed my perspective on things and I think anyone who is going through any type of problem should read this to help give them a different view of life.
      The author in this book decided to make it first person point of view so that the reader could really understand the depth of her sadness and give them the opportunity to look into her thoughts and feelings, and to focus on maybe less important things from other POV's that would mean a lot from hers. The audience is for teenagers and young adults, a lot of the stuff is very relatable to most of those age groups. The plot is centered on the upsetting and sick life of Ruby, while going through her mothers death also is forced to move away from her friends and her boyfriend and aunt, to live with her dad she has grown up hating. As the story goes, Ruby undergoes big changes and plot twists until she has nothing, but in the end, she finds all that time it was worth living.
     Honestly, even if you have the perfect life, I feel this story can mean something to everyone. The moral is that life is always good at the end, and I think a lot of people can learn from that.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

     Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, by Meg Medina is a realistic fiction book published in 2013. The book is based a 15 year old girl named Piddy Sanchez who changes school and now has to deal with a bully, Yaqui Delgado. She knows nothing about her or why shes mad at her, but Piddy gains no luck. Soon Piddy just find herself in more stress than ever, she gets jumped by Yaqui and her crew, and has to hide all her trouble making and skipping from her mom. Although after what seems a year in the book the theme clears up and shows that its about facing fears, being stong, and realizing who we really are.

     The book is told in first person from Piddy. I honestly think this would be the best point of view for this book because Piddy has the most action In the story. For this book the recommended audience would have to be thirteen plus. Only because of the way the author describes some sences. This book mostly falls under drama because of all the problems Piddy has with people. Meg Medina includes alot of humor in her writing and its something that really attracts audience because they will want to read more if its funny.

     This book affected me by making me realize I should stand up for myself. The book doesnt change how I see anything because I've always thought bullying has been a bad thing. It fits in our world because millions of kids get bullied ever day. Although this book did remind me of the book Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe because it has a similar theme.
   
     I honestly recommend this book because its funny and has a really nice details. Although it will get a little bit touchy at points just short disclamer. Still everone who reads this book wont regret it. I promise.



Gaby Reyna
12/17/13
Rating 4.5/5

Schooled - Gordon Korman

I decided to read Schooled  this six weeks. Schooled was written by Gordan Korman in 2007. It's about a 14 year old boy named Capricorn, who was raised on a farm by his hippie Grandma, Rain. One day his grandma fell while plucking plums and is hospitalized. Capricorn is temporarily placed in a home and attends middle school. I think the theme of this book is you will always find where you supposed to be, because Capricorn is made fun of but soon he becomes one of the most popular ones there.

Schooled is told in the first point of view of many characters. We get to see what other people think about each-other and etc, which I think is cool. Capricorn, enters school and goes through many things such as being bullied and etc. But Capricorn soon makes a huge difference on the school. The intended audience is young adults and kids. I think the genre is Young adult literature. The author keeps me interested by switching in between characters and keeping it funny. I think the author's style is very effective because kids would like funny things.

The book didn't really affect me in any way, or change my ideas of any way but It fit with my view of the world because I'm in middle school and Capricorn is the perfect example of a new kid no one cares about or pays attention to. It didn't really bring up any authors or books I read in the past.

Schooled is a very funny, fast-paced book. The only thing I could say about it is I wish their was a second book because I didn't think the ending was the best, but the characters did stay true to themselves. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a funny, quick, book.

Allen Ho
12/17/13
***** 5/5 

Among The Impostors

Among The Impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among The Impostors was written by Margaret Peterson Haddix in 2001. Luke Garner is a illegal third child that now goes by the name Lee Grant for safety. Luke has to blend in to stay undiscovered or he will be taken, tortured, then killed. For Luke, going to school, is his first time outside of his neighborhood, and he doesn't know who to trust. This is a science-fiction book because it takes place in the future.

This story is told in a 1st person point of view by Luke Garner. The intended audience is 5th to 8th graders. This book is a teen science-fiction book. The author used twists of characters, relationship between the characters and suspense to keep you interest in the book. Margaret Peterson Haddixs' futuristic style of writing makes you think this could be possible in the future. Margaret Haddix is very detailed in describing settings of the book.

This book made me feel good because Luke Garner finally went out of his neighborhood. He had always dreamed about it and now it became a reality. This book also made me feel sad because some of Luke's friends turn out to be traitors. Civilians are fighting to make third children legal once more. This book made me think of what can happen in the future because of overpopulation. If there were too many people in the world, it could cause worldwide hunger. This book made me remember a previous Margaret Haddix book, Among The Hidden. In that book, they started to tear down the forests to make room for people. If there were too many people in the world we could loose some of our natural resources.

This book was a good book. The only criticism I have is that I wish that Margaret Haddix would have gone into more detail about what was happening between Luke Garner and the other kids at the school. I recommend this book to all people. It gives a interesting plot of what could happen in the future of our world.





Tyler Sudderth
12/17/13
Rating: ***** 5/5

My Friend Flicka

        My Friend Flicka is the book I was interested in reading this 6 weeks. It is written by Mary O'Hara, and copyrighted in 1941. This book is probably action and drama because of the things that occur. My Friend Flicka is set in a small area just out of Cheyenne, Wyoming where a ten year old boy named Ken McLaughlin lives and has always grown up being around horses. But Ken was not your typical small town boy he didn't grow up making the best grades or having the happiest family, but he did have Flicka (his horse) this horse understood him like no other and Ken and  Flicka spent all their time together. The overall theme of My Friend Flicka is probably always do what you believe and follow what you believe in.
   
       My Friend Flicka is told in second person, because a narrator is telling the story. I believe the intended audience are animal lovers and people who are adventuress. The genre of My Friend Flicka is probably drama and this book fits me because I love animals and dramatic books. The author keeps me interested by having dramatic events occur and I am always on the edge of my seat about what is going to happen next in the chapter. I feel that the author's style of writing is helpful to people of all ages because of the fact that the author uses such a wide range of vocabulary.

       This book affected me because it really shows that people really do care about animals and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Animal Cruelty is a huge problem all through out the world and the fact that this 10 year old boy would do anything to save his horse really changed my prospective on some people in the world because some people in this world really care about animals and how they are treated. This book did not bring up any memories of any books I have read previously but I do hope to read more like it.

     I really like the quality of this book because of the way the writing flowed and everything made since when I read it. I think tons of people would like this book and I would recommend it to my friends who love animals and also it is a really good reading overall so I would recommend it to just about everyone.


Summer Shield
12/17/13
***** 5/5

Gone

 

Gone published in 2008 is a supernatural, horror, and science fiction book. The author Michel Grant made a series of six books this one being the first. The plot is, anyone the age 15 or older will disappear in Perdido Beach. Not only that but a giant energy field surrounds the town preventing anyone from getting in or out.

The book is told by the narrator in third person view. It follows the life of Sam Temple, the main protagonist plus a few other during the FAYZ or Fallout Ally Youth Zone, were all under 15 are trapped and try survive while finding a way to not disappear. This book is intended for teenagers as it has violence. This book got me very interesting because it has action, some horror also some suspense.

 

This book did not affect me but it did change some ideas that I had about the book. It does not fit in with anything of my personal view of the world at all. Since this book is fiction and it in involves people having supernatural power this does not bring up any memories.

 

There is not much I can criticize about this book only that some of the paragraphs or chapters were the narrator switches characters are some times a bit short. I really liked this book even though I have had it for moths and I was to lazy to read it I would recommend it to anyone.

 

Cristian Lopez
11/9/2013
RATING: 4.5/5

This is What I Did:

             "This is What i did:" by Ann Dee Ellis was copyrighted in 2007 This is a sad, moving realistic fiction story. Taking place in the present time. The main character, Logan, has been through something tragic. He hardly speaks, yet so much comes out of him. So many thoughts and feeling that aren't really there;yet seem to be. To try and help him get through it his parents decide his 2 brothers mom and dad are moving. They move to a street. That street is judge. Not too far away, but hopefully far away enough to forget, Though Logan in't too sure if forgetting is just the thing to do. This book has made me really think; You really don't know people as well as you think you know them, they can have stories that could be heartbreaking, they could be bullied, you never know what's right beneath the surface. The message i got from this book is to not listen to the rumors about someone and to not use other's opinions' as your own and to stand up for what you know is right.

           The way this story is told is interesting. It starts off in the present but has one flashback to lead up to the present, with flashbacks in between that. Although it may seem rather difficult to follow, the story is easy to follow along to. The author wants us to know how it felt from his point of view. A kid who has been through so much, and still has to face other obstacles life throws. A kid who won't tell his father because he's afraid of hurting his dad's feelings. I like that this story is in 1st person because i feel that's one of the main points of this story. To understand how someone can be thinking in situations like this. There are many instances with these situations happening so often now a days because of society. One person will say something rude to another and it can turn into something awful.The author kept me interested by having the flashbacks. I think my making it more of a memory, rather than it happening currently, it could end a part on a cliff hanger and come back to it later. The intended audience is young-adults and it can really send a message to them. Too many kids judge other ones only by rumors and things they hear from other people. Young-adults can really learn to open their eyes and realize that they don't know what could be happening to the people around them.

              This book really spoke to me; I always had the idea that you never know whats going on in another persons head or in their life, but this book really enforced that idea. I feel the world will judge people so quick, they hardly have time to really look. People are so afraid to be themselves because they know they will be judged for it. Bullying is a big deal and some may not realize it's right in front of them. And for he ones that do realize it, usually won't do anything about it. This book reminds me of a book i read "One of Those Hideous Book Where the Mother Dies" because the authors used short sentences and i feel like that reinforced the feel of them being sad and depressed.

               I love the format of this book and it really kept it interesting and exiting. The sentences tend to be short and to the point and for me i love books like that, they include detail and thought that are intentionally left out, but you know they are there, hidden between the words. His book sends a great message. The ending is when the pieces are finally coming together and will literally leave you gasping.

Sydney Dunda 
November 7, 2013
***** 5/5

What the Moon Saw - Laura Resau

    This six weeks for my outside reading project I was fortunate to have chosen a wonderful book called What the Moon Saw, by Laura Resau. The book was published in 2006, and Is a realistic fiction. The book is based in the little village of Yacuyoo, Mexico. On a girl named Clara Luna, Clear moon, she is sent to Mexico for a summer to live with her grandparents. It's her first time in Mexico and Clara is in for a huge lifestyle change. The theme in my point of view is not judge things before you even try them because you might end up liking them. For example, Clara convinced herself that she would hate Yucuyoo, Mexico before she even tried to go there. When she actually went she ended up liking Mexico and enjoyed. Another theme is not to judge people for their appearance because Abuelita found this prisoner that she ended up learning a lot about.

    The story is told in first person which means the author used words like I, me and you can hear all of Clara's thoughts. The book would mostly try to attract teens. Mostly because is based on a teenager that's going through a lot of lifestyle changes in her life. In the book Resau uses lot of details to attract the readers. For example when she explained Abuelitas life it felt like you were re-living her whole life again.

    I think out of all the biggest thing that affected me was the theme because it's really important not to judge anyone or anything. It changed a little bit of the way I think because now i feel that if I'm trying or seeing something or the first time I shouldn't judge it even if it's weird looking. The memories that came shooting right out of my head when I was realizing the theme was when I was little and I had to go to Mexico but I didn't want to because if t seemed scary and weird.

    Overall not going to lie this was a pretty good book. Details were spot on. Although at some spots I did kind of want to give up on the book because it got boring and weird. I would recommend this book to teens or even adults because it really does have some interesting Mexican lifestyle/traditional parts in the book. 

Gabriela Reyna
11/7/13
Rating: 4.5/5

Among The Barons

Among The Barons

 

The book I read was Among The Barons by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book was first copyrighted in 2003. This book is a Fiction/Science Fiction book based on a futuristic world that does not allow third children. This book is about a 12 year old named Luke Garner, who is a third child. Luke just finished summer vacation at Hendricks School For Boys. He is using a fake I.D.,  under the name of Lee Grant, to stay alive. Lee's brother, Smits Grant, comes to visit. Smits is a spoiled rich kid, a baron, who gets everything he wants and Luke has to deal with it. Smits is known as a liar and decides not to turn in Luke because he is nice to him. This is futuristic, adventurist, Science Fiction thriller about a possible tragic future that has enemy's at each turn.

The author uses the first person point of view to bring out Luke's' feelings. The plot is to escape a web of lies that Luke's' fake I.D. has created. The intended audience is fifth to eighth graders. The books genre is Science Fiction ( Sci-Fi); It is possible, in the near future, due to over population, that this could happen like it has happened in Japan. The author kept the book interesting by adding a lot of suspense and several twists. The authors' style is Young Adults and this book kept the audience interested in the characters and plot.

The book made me wonder if all barons, rich people, have the attitude that they are better than people who are less fortunate. The book helped me see that bodyguards piss people off. It changed my idea that bodyguards can annoy people more than they help. This book brought up Among The Betrayed.

This book was so awesome, if you like suspenseful, futuristic, Sci-Fi books, then you should read it!!!

Tyler Sudderth
11/6/13
Rating: ***** 5/5

The Magician's Nephew - C. S. Lewis

   The Magician's Nephew, by C. S. Lewis, is a fantasy book published in 1955. It's based around magic, and going into the world of Narnia and discovering it's mysteries. The story begins with Digory and Polly becoming friends and discovering Digory's Uncle Andrew's study by accident. Uncle Andrew makes Polly disappear into the world of Narnia while Digory wants to go save her. Their lives change as they enter a world of magic. I think the themes are Courage and Friendship because its about two friends who enter a world they don't know, Narnia.


   The story is told in a third person omniscient perspective, the narrator is not a part of the story but addresses the reader as "you" many times in the story. The plot revolves around magic of Narnia. I think the intended audience is for young and old alike. The books genre is fantasy, as I said before, it uses the idea of Narnia and magic in the book. The author keeps me interested by keeping it action packed! The author style is sometimes talking to you in the book, helping you understand it as it goes along and it is effective for it's intended audience to help them understand it more.


  The book didn't affect me that much, or change many of my ideas. It fit in with my personal world view because I have a crazy Uncle as well that might send me to the world of Narnia. I don't read many books so It brought up 0 memories of other authors or books.


   I did like this book because I like the concept of magic and Narnia. I recommend reading this book if you like these topics or want to try something new, maybe you'll read the other six books as well!



Allen Hoebag
11/7/13
Rating: **** 4/5

Peak

   

PEAK

     This 6 weeks I decided to read the book called Peak. The author of Peak is Roland Smith. The copyright date of the book is 2007. The type of book Peak is, is fiction. The book is set in modern times, in China most of the time and for a short period of time the book is set in New York City. This book is about a fourteen year old boy named Peak, who lives with his mom and two sisters. Peak is a boy who loves to climb but since he lives in the Big Apple he climbs skyscrapers due to the lack of no mountains. Peak was then caught for climbing skyscrapers and his only choices were to end up in jail or go with his dad who he hadn't seen in forever, Peak chose his dad which soon lead to greater things. I think the overall theme of my book is to never give up on your dreams even how hard they might seem.
   
         The point of view in the book Peak, is first person. I think that the intended audience is people who are adventuress and like fiction novels. The type of book Peak is, is adventure and I think that it is adventure because the book is all about climbing mountains and exploring. The author kept me really into the book because of the amount of activity that was going on always kept me on the edge of my seat on what would happen next. In my prospective I feel that the authors style is more modern so people that are under the age of 16 will understand it better.
   
         By reading this book I am encouraged to go out and try new things, because of Peak climbing Mt. Everest and the stories he has to go with it, makes me want to go out and create my own story. I think this book could relate to my life in the real world by me trying new things in different places, such as Peak did when he had to move away with his dad and Peak tried to perform a task he had never done. I have not read any other books like this one so I could not relate it to any other books I have read.
 
   
     I really like the way the author described things in this book because it really helped paint a picture in my mind. I do think that the book could have moved along a little faster and not have talked about the same thing for 10 pages. I think a lot of people would like this book and I would recommend it to most of my friends, who love to try new things and be adventuress.

Summer Shield
11-6-13
****4 stars

Wonder

For this six weeks I decided to read "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. I actually really liked this book. Wonder is about a ten year old boy, August, who was born with a face disorder. He gets bullied at his school and doesn't have very many friends except Christopher, who lives far away from him, and Summer, who always sits with him at lunch. People are afraid to touch him and always stare, point, and laugh whenever they see him. He is often sad because everyone is scared of him, but he starts to get used to it over a short period of time. He comes to find that people who he considered friends are actually fake, and he is treated differently than everyone else mainly because of his face.

In this book there are eight different points of view. The first part is August, second is Via, August's sister, third is Summer, fourth is Jack, his aquantence, and the fifth is Justin, Olivia, August's friends brother, and the next three are August again. I loved how the author layed this out, it gave me an idea of how the other characters feel about him, which made the story more interesting. This book is very inspiring and makes me feel more self-confident and thankful for my life, but it also upsets me that there are people in the world who would be so rude and judgemental just based on how someone looks. It encourages me  to want to be friends with people like Åugust, to help people feel less alone and be their friend as if they are a normal person.

The Giver - Lois Lowry

 I decided to read The Giver this six weeks, by Lois Lowry.  The book was first published by Lois Lowry in 1993; it's a Science Fiction book, based around  a Utopia that was created in the future.  It has some pretty crazy ideas, so you need to be sure you have an open mind! The story begins with a boy names Jonas, and he's about to enter a ceremony that will decide his future for him.  He's really unsure when the assembly leaves him unsure of his future, but when he finds out he'll be the new Receiver, things begin to change for him.  After reading the book, I really felt like the theme was built around the idea that all people should have the freedom to choose; we never pay attention to it, but some people in the world don't get the right to make all their own choices.
    I think that the narrator in this story is telling the story from a third-person-point-of-view.  It's a limited perspective though because we only get to see what's going on from Jonas' perspective.  The plot revolves around Jonas and his job selection, but I also think that it's a criticism on utopias--I don't get how they can be a perfect or ideal place like the definition says. But, keeping that in mind...the audience is probably for young teenagers, introducing them to some complex ideas, yet doing it in an easier way; it's definitely considered science fiction.  I think the author used foreshadowing and tension to really build up my interest, as I didn't know what was going to happen from one moment to the next. Lowry effectively created this style by using easy word choice, an interesting concept and a protagonist that I could relate to--they all helped keep my interest.
    I think the book really impacted me after reading it.  I always think that my life is hard because I've got homework or school or chores, but in reality, I should be grateful for the things I have.  Sure, I have to do some things I don't like, but in Jonas' world, they didn't have any choices on things. They had to wear the same clothes, and do whatever job was chosen for them.  I think it definitely is a world I don't want to live in.  It sort of reminds me of the world in The Hunger Games; it's a very similar style.
    I do like the book overall because it has an interesting concept, but there are definitely some things that I don't like about the book itself. I won't ruin the ending for you, but me, I didn't like it.  Definitely had issues with the way it ended. But, keeping that in mind, I think you should definitely read it.  If for anything, so you can tell me what happens, or at least what you think happens.

Mr Lankford
10/16/2013
Rating: 3.5/5