Fourth Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

Freedom Writers Diary by: Erin Gruwell. Broadway Books; ã1999

Genre: Biography

 

The Freedom Writers Diary is a true story. The Diary was put together by a teacher from Wilson High School in Long Beach CA, named Erin Gruwell. The diary is made up of her student’s journal entries from their freshman year, all the way up to their senior year and the struggles that they face every day.

 

“With powerful entries from the students’ own diaries and a narrative text by Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary is an uplifting, unforgettable example of how hard work, courage, and the spirit of determination changed the lives of a teacher and her students.” –double play publishing

 

Wilson High School is filled with gang violence, substance abuse, and racial intolerance. Most teachers at Wilson High give up easily on their students because of their lack of determination. The students were so used to everyone giving up on them, that when Ms. Gruwell was reaching out to them, they were confused and didn’t understand why. Ms. Gruwell assigned her students to write in journals everyday about the struggles they face day to day that way she could understand them more, and find things to incorporate into the curriculum that they could relate to.

 

I have never read any other books by Erin Gruwell, however this book reminds me a lot about A Child Called It by: David Pelzer. The two books are totally different but what they both have in common is that children are struggling and going through so much at such a young age. I also think that both books give the reader the same emotion while reading them.

 

"I feel as though chaos is stalking me, sliding its slimy tentacles into every crevice of my life." (P188).

 

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very inspiring, and made me realize how much I have going for me, and how there is a total different world out of South Hadley. I saw the movie ‘The Freedom Writers’ with Hillary Swank in it when it first came out back in 2007, and I really enjoyed it. The movie doesn’t even come close to how good the book was. I’m not sure if Erin Gruwell has any other books because she didn’t even really write this whole book, but if there are any other books out there like this one I would really enjoy reading it.

You by: Sarah Beaudry

Most days i smile, some i cry
i just can't figure out why?
it must be the little things you do,
the only one for me is you!

When i wake i think of your face
that second my heart begins to race.
forever i'll stay true,
the only one for me is you!

We'd talk for hours at a time
just to hear you say you're mine.
i love those crazy things you do,
the only one for me is you!

Struggles

Every day of our lives we face obstacles that we have to overcome. Some are general, others are more complex. The most important aspect of life is to achieve what you want. A person shouldn’t give up their dreams and goals because times are hard, they should just be patient and work towards what they want so they can eventually achieve them. Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Old Man and the Sea, is symbolic to struggling.

When the story first begins, Ernest Hemingway tells his reader that Santiago is an old, optimistic fisherman. He has very bad luck with catching fish. After three months (84 days) of not catching any fish, Santiago continues to fish. If all the cuts and scars on his hands aren’t enough to remind him about his failure the local fishermen are very unsympathetic and resentful towards him. "Terrance and many of the other fishermen made fun of the old man and he was not angry"(11). This passage reflects how Santiago is put down by the local fisher men because of how long he has gone without catching any fish. They go out to sea every morning, and when they return to land they have their arms full of fish. All of that doesn’t stop Santiago; he is a zealot to fishing. His determination and perseverance causes him to not react to other people’s opinions of him. He sticks to what his heart desires and what his goal is.

Santiago is three days out at sea. He is working hard trying to catch fish for him to survive off of, and for him to bring back into town. He catches a colossal Marlin that is bigger than his skiff. The old man is tired, hungry, and in pain. Through all of those problems, he pushes himself to catch this marlin and attach it to the boat. When Santiago catches the Marlin, he then has to battle off sharks so that way they don’t eat his marlin. “Fight them,” he said. “I’ll fight them until I die.” (115). This shows how determined Santiago is to kill the sharks to protect his Marlin. If he is willing to give his life for something then it shows how much he values that. It also shows how much he cares about this Marlin. It may just be a fish, but to him it is much more. It is pay off from a lot of hard work, dedication, and patients. Santiago is not about to let all of that go, without a good fight.

Throughout the story Hemingway mentions the physical pain Santiago suffers from because of fishing. Santiagos hands are old, raw, and sore from the many years of the harsh conditions of fishing. “Fishing kills me exactly as it keeps me alive.” (106).It is evident that fishing wears the old man out, and makes him very tired. Despite all of that, he has a cynical attitude. He would be miserable and wouldn’t know what else to do without going out on his skiff in the morning with a pole at hand. Santiago isn’t pessimistic about what he does.

Santiago’s character exemplifies what every person should be. Hard working, determined, and jovial. In the story he proves to people that if you set your mind to something and work hard, then you can accomplish it. Santiago was put through many struggles throughout this story, but he had to over come them. Life is filled with many struggles but what doesn’t break you, can only make you stronger.

Third Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Little, Brown and Company, 2005

Twilight is a novel that tells the story of a girl named Isabella Swan. Isabella (Bella, as we know her throughout the story), moves from Phoenix to Forks, Washington to live with her father. Bella has to start over in a new town, new school, new house, new life. She can’t find a single thing that interests her in the town, until she meets Edward Cullen. As the story progresses however, she realizes that she has fallen madly in love with a vampire.

“The novel’s danger-factor skyrockets as the excitement of secret love and hushed affection morphs into a terrifying race to stay alive…Twilight will have readers dying to sink their teeth into it.” –School Library Journal (starred review)

Twilight tells a story of young love, magic, and evil. Bella and Edward both have an overwhelming attraction between them, and they learn that they can accomplish anything when they’re together. This story reminds me of a mix between the Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling), and the book True Believer (Nicholas Sparks). The story reminds me of Harry Potter because of the magic, and mid evil creatures that are involved. However, in the midst of all of that, Bella and Edward both share such a strong, and unique love such as Jeremy Marsh and Alexis Darnell from True Believer.

While reading Twilight, I felt like I was Bella Swan. Stephenie Meyer did an extraordinary job of describing her characters, and their emotions. She made it very easy to follow where Bella was, and what she was doing. Her dialogue was very believable and kept you interested. She made each character so different and unique allowing any one of her readers able to relate to one in some way.

“I felt moisture filling up my eyes as I looked at Emmett. I barely knew him, and yet, somehow, not knowing when I would see him again after tonight was anguishing. I knew this was just a faint taste of the goodbyes I would have to survive in the next hour, and the thought made the tears begin to spill.” (391)

I strongly recommend reading Twilight to everyone! It was creatively written and SUCH A GOOD BOOK! I plan to read all of the books in the series. I think the main reason I enjoyed Twilight so much is because I can relate to Bella and Edwards relationship with my own. Edward and Bella are always there for each other but they are straight up and don’t hide things. They know what they want, and who they are. My boyfriend and I are the same way. I think that this book has made me realize not to care what other people say and to just be true to yourself and what you believe in.

lost in lies.

Ann Landers once said that “the naked truth is always better than the best dressed lie.” My mother had been telling me this ever since I was little. It was her way of re-assuring herself that I was a good kid. There comes a time in life when everyone tells a lie. Sometimes people can get away with them, and others they come right back at you forcing you to face the truth.
I was about five years old when I told my first lie. It was to my kinder garden teacher Miss James. She asked why I didn’t color in the picture of the flower garden, and I simply told her that I forgot it at home. The truth was that I had the blank outline in my backpack and I was just going to take it home and do it tonight.

The feeling I got when my teacher confronted me was unbearable. My hands started sweating, my voice was shaking and to think it was all over some stupid drawing. I hated that feeling that I got in my stomach, and ever since then I haven’t lied, well ever since my last year of middle school.

It was my first year of Junior High School, and my friends and I were on top of the world. I was captain of my soccer team, a high honors student, and was surrounded by a good covey of friends. At the end of the first semester my work load started to increase, along with pressure and stress. I didn’t know how to handle all of this, I felt paltry and lost. That was when I stared talking to Baily.

Baily had a bad reputation. She didn’t play sports, or do well in school. She never talked much to the people in our grade, she mostly just hung out with a lot of upper class men. Many people believed that Baily was malignant, when really she was just a suppliant girl. The first time I skipped class I stumbled upon Baily in the bathroom. She looked quiet lethargic slumped against the wall sipping out of her water bottle. However, the clear liquid that swished around inside was not water.

We sat in a room filled with silence. I stood there staring at the crevice that peeked out from under my foot. Baily broke the silence by holding out her water bottle and asking if I wanted any. I wasn’t that close to her, but I could smell the sent of liqour that lingered in her words. I nodded my head and reached out for the bottle. I gripped the plastic tightly and took a quick swig. After nearly choking from the burning sensation that filled my throat Baily laughed and held her hand out with a smile and said, “Hey I’m Baily.”
I made a guttural noise and then answered, “H-Hi, I know, I had gym with you last year.”
“Oh that’s right! What are you doing skipping class? Your on honor role.. aren’t you?” I shook my head up and down, and thought about what I was doing. I’m sick of people seeing me as the perfect student, the perfect daughter, the perfect athlete. I just want to be me.

After that day Baily and I started skipping classes together. When the my teachers started catching on, they called my house. Luckily , my parents are both full time lawyers so I would always get my grip on the message machine before they could. Baily introduced many things to me such as alcohol, and a good friend of mine I like to call mary-jane. I made sure that my double life was furtive.

My life was a big covert. I found myself lying to everyone, even when it wasn’t necessary. I was getting tangled up in what was the truth and what I made seem like the truth. My parents started to get a little leery when all of my old friends stopped calling. I thought that if I continued my daily routines it would only get easier, when really it only got me more lost within myself. Little did I know, my second life was going to undulate.

Baily had an older brother in college. One night I said I was sleeping at her house. The truth was that I was sleeping at her house, but she, her mom, and her dad were in New York City for the weekend. Baily’s brother called me and said he was having some friends over and having a party. I hadn’t drank all week long, and the thought of free beer made my taste buds tingle.

When I arrived at the party I saw at least 15 cars parked up the long driveway. The music was pouring out of the house, along with the stench of liquor. I walked into the house and joined in on a game of pong. Before I could even get a sip of Bud Light, a pallar, gaunt girl ran into the room and yelled cops! We looked outside and saw red and blue lights flashing from the top of 3 cop cars, and heard the shrill of the sirens. I casted my drink and joined the heard of people trying to get through the back door. I tried squeezing my way through the crowd, but someone threshed their hand across my face. I then ran upstairs to Baily's room, and crouched on down on the floor in her closet.

I stayed in the closet for what seemed hours. My right leg was starting to go numb so I stood up. As I did, I hit Baily’s shelf and all of her shoes fell down to the floor. In the matter of seconds I heard loud, big foot steps pound up the staircase. At that point I knew I was busted. That night I was taken down to the police station for my parents to come and get me.

Thinking back, the worst part wasn’t getting arrested, or having my friends hate me, or letting my parents down, it was the fact that I realized my life had been a big lie. What started into skipping class, turned into getting arrested and loosing all of my dignity. I was grounded for about 8 months, and some time after I was still being upbraided. Looking back i realize that turning to alcohal and weed didn't make my life any easier, it just made it harder.

AUTHORS NOTES:

I would like my readers to understand the main message in my piece. I believe that my plot works well in this piece, however it wasn't that easy to write. My conclusion and my falling action could be a little better. While writing them, i wasn't sure which direction i wanted to steer my story in so it was difficult. I have to add in my vocabulary words. Also any suggestions would help. I would like my reader to comment on what they liked, what they didn't and what they think i should change.

Second Quarter ORB Review

Second Quarter Outside Reading Book Review

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Washington Square Press, 2004.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is a compelling novel. in the story you meet Anna Fitzgerald. Anna lives with Sara, her mother, Brian, her father, Jesse, her older brother, and Kate, her older sister. Most sisters share clothes, and nail polish, and a couple pairs of heels if they're lucky enough to have the same shoe size. Anna and Kate are different. Anna is the product of preimplantaion genetic diagnosis to "share" her organs with her sister. Kate, Anna's sister, was diagnosed with Leukemia at age three and the doctors figured that the only way to save her was to grow a child that would be able to donate genetic material to Kate whenever she needed it. When Anna turned 13, she was asked to donate a kidney to Kate. She doesn't want to put herself through anymore pain, or procedures so she saves up and hires a lawyer to sue her parents and file a petition for medical emancipation. The Fitzgerald family struggles to stay together, and help Kate throughout her sickness. At the end of the story, Anna wins the case and gets emancipated. Even though Kate is the one who is now suppost to die because her donor has given up on her, Anna is the one whose life slips away.

The inside cover reads, "Picoult's thoughtful, thought-provoking and readable work is... arguably her best and most accessible effort to date." -The Denver Post

Jodi Picoult grabs her readers' attention and hearts and demands for interest in her writing. Although this is the only book that I've read by the author, I have fallen in love with her writing. she makes the characters so believable and realistic. They're like real people with problems, fears, and flaws.

Jodi Picoult's writing remings me of Nicholas Sparks' writing. They both write in depth about their characters, to make their readers fall in love with the characters. Also, they both typically have some kind of romance laced into their writing.

Page 210. "Leaning forward with my own napkin, I clean the small spot__but then I don't move away. My hands rest on her cheeck. Our eyes lock, and in that instance, we are young again and learning the shape of each other."

I found it very easy to relate to this story. Even though the sister i have is healthy and not dying from leukemia, I can relate to how Anna feels in not knowing who she really is and tryinf to please her parents as much as she can. I would enjoy reading more of Jodi Picoult's novels. I think that reading this novel made me appreciate my life a little more than I had before. I respect the Fitzgerald family for being so strong throughout their daughter's sickness, a long battle in court, and the loss of their youngest daughter.

"WE BE JAMMIN'" -Robert Nesta Marley

It seems like as the generations keep growing and growing, the expectations grow along with them. Whatever happened to a summer without homework and packets, or going home and playing baseball out in the yard with the kids on the block instead of sitting around studying? Sunday used to be the day for rest, and now it is just like any other day of work. People are so caught up in a world of being successful and wealthy that they start to forget what really matters to them.

As I scoop up the remaining rice left on my plate into my mouth I see the lights start to dim. It is my last night in St. Thomas with my best friend Melissa, and we are ready to have a very memorable night. I look around the little wooden shack and see people who look like they might be a little too hyper and in beach apparel. To my right is an old bar made out of wood that looks like it is going to fall apart with the next drink that is put onto its surface. The walls made up of what looks to be drift wood look as if they are going to collapse with the next gust of wind that hits them. There are scattered plastic tables and chairs, decorated in graffiti from previous guests. The wood beneath my feet is rough, and has sand filling in between every grove and crevice. 
People start to rise from their seats and waiters start to push the plastic tables off to the side, and stack all of the chairs into a little closet that is in the far corner of the room. Red and blue lights start to flash around Melissa and me, and the music’s volume slowly increases. I can feel the base of the music pound my ears, and the vibration against my body. I look down at my watch, all scratched from over the years, and it reads 8:00.
In the matter of seconds people start filling into Duffy's Love Shack. Melissa and I kick off our flip-flops into the sand, and squeeze our way through the crowd into the middle. We are all strangers to each other, but for this moment in time…it doesn’t matter who we are, where we are from, or what our job is. No one is being judged tonight, and the rhythm of the music is taking over our souls and bodies. These are the nights that will never be forgotten.

When I come home everyday he is waiting there for me. When I am down, he is always there wanting to cuddle, or let me hug him. No matter what I say, that smile on his face never fades away. Marley, my teddy bear, is truely amazing. Marley was given to me by my dance team, when they found out I was diagnosed with mono last year. He was there with me throughout my sickness, and ever since then. Marley was named after my favorite artist, Bob Marley. 
Marley has a coat of white snow that covers him. His face is plump and has two black beads for eyes. His snout is milky white, and has brown engraving in the place of his nose. Below his snout is an ear-to-ear grin. On top of his headrest two circles cut in half as ears. As you work your way down past his neck and shoulders you will see two arms with paws attached to them, which often come in use for a good hug. Between his arms is his big belly. His legs attach at his lower belly. On his butt is a tag that is red and white with the letters G.U.N.D.
While lying next to him, I smell a sweet scent of my perfumes that have rubbed off onto his fur. Marley’s coat is as fuzzy as a newly installed carpet. Touching his snow-white coat gives you a thrill of comfort. Marley’s snout has a patch of fur that is slightly smoother than the rest of his coat. The material on his snout is also on all four of his paws. Even though Marley probably only cost $20.00 the most, the comfort that he gave me during my sickness makes him worth $120.00.

I value both my last night in St. Thomas with Melissa, and my teddy bear Marley. They both are two totally different things, but the feeling they give me can’t compare with anything else in the world. They both make me feel happy, and put a smile on my face. 

 My teddy bear Marley is one of my prize possessions. I need him to fall asleep at night, (even though I am fourteen) because he gives me a feeling of comfort and safety. He is starting to get pretty haggard, and I do worry about the day that he will rip.
I value my last night in St. Thomas with Melissa so much, because we have both been through so much together, and it was one night were we didn’t have to cheer each other up, or worry about each other... we just got to let go and dance the night away. (Well until our curfew of 9:30) Another thing that made that night so memorable was that everyone was at peace. No one was fighting, there were no death stares, or people glaring at you from head to toe. Everyone was just there to have dinner, and then to dance with each other afterwards.

Even though Marley is here sitting right next to me while I finish typing up this paper, I still have that memory of my last night in St. Thomas in my heart. Both of these things bring me to a special place, where I feel safe, and accepted. Now days there aren’t a lot of things/places that allow you to forget your troubles, and relax. Whenever I see dancing or I wear my old watch I am taken back to that night, and whenever I am lying in bed, I grasp my teddy under my arm and smile knowing that “every little thing is ganna be alright.”