Analyze the Context, Meaning, or Moral of Your Book (Of Mice and Men)

Book:  Of Mice and Men

Prompt:  Analyze the context, meaning, or moral, of your book.

Straight off the bat, I want to suggest this book to anyone reading this post.  I guarantee that most of you are thinking, "Eh, I guess I'll add it to my list."  Nope, it's a book that should not be regarded in a way as that.  Read it as soon as absolutely possible, so you can get the most out of it for yourself, so you can analyze its meaning and apply it to your own lifestyle.

Now, I want to recognize all of the symbolism that's packed into this emotion mixed novel.  I'm not going to tell you how these feelings and thoughts are invoked in the average reader, as to not spoil the book for you, but I do want to evaluate all of the themes of this book.  There is a quite unique mixture of friendship, sacrifice, patience, frustration, and innocence, all packed together into a very diverse, but smooth running story.  You really find out what it's like to be true friends with someone, and the things that you should do for them, if they're in need.  I have no doubt that everyone reading this has friends, and can relate to the book in both different, and similar ways than I did.  

Another reaction of my completion of this book that I want to share, is the sadness, grief, and anguish that I experienced after reading the end of the book.  Oh my gosh, it's so incredibly hard to interpret my thoughts and put them into words without giving away the ending!  Anyways, after going through the ending, I started to realize...  The event that occurred was very tragic and awful, but the reasoning in it, was very caring and loving.  No matter how deep you have to look, or how far you have to search, to fully understand this book, you have to find the good in what George did for his friend Lenny.  Ugh, I've already said too much!

  

What made you want to read this book? Summary, and Connections (Of Mice and Men)

Book:  "Of Mice and Men"

Prompt:  What made you want to read this book? And summary.

Read it or not, I'm sure everyone who reads on a steady basis, has heard of this book.  I've heard all about this novel, how great it is, and how much I should read it, for so long, and I finally got the opportunity to start it.  So honestly, that's the only thing that pushed me into reading it, like most other books.  But now that I'm in to it, I'm glad I listened to the people who suggested it.

This book is about two men who travel together from job to job, trying to earn a profit and claim their own land.  George and Lenny, although quite different from one and other, are bound to each other in a love hate relationship.  George acts as Lenny's older brother, as he is the smaller smarter one, when Lenny is the big, tough, dumb one.  It seems as if everywhere George takes Lenny, Lenny somehow gets them kicked out.  Even if he honestly doesn't mean any trouble.  George promised Lenny's aunt though, before she died, that he would take care of him.  

I haven't gotten far enough into the book to really go into depth about its setting, characters, or plot really.  So I'm going to talk about the connections I've been able to link so far.  In my opinion, connections are one of the greatest things a reader can gather from a book, or any story, especially because each and every individual can get something out of a good novel.  When reading about the two men in this book, the first thing that came to mind, was my siblings, and my relationship with them.  I looked at myself as George, and my younger brothers and sister as a bunch of Lennys.  There were a few traits that weren't in their perfect place, but I could still see the correlation within us.  I could also see the resemblance of just these two characters in many of my friends at school, and other peers as well.  

What are your thoughts on the message of the book? (The One and Only Ivan)

I've been reading at a quicker pace lately, and in one week, I finished this book and am already well into another.  I think it was too great of a novel to not blog about though, and I really wanted to discuss its meaning.

The One and Only Ivan is about a gorilla captured and forced into harsh conditions, and his struggle to achieve a better life for him and his friends.  Ivan's goal is to get his friend Ruby and the other animals to a better place, after he realized how bad they were being treated when his friend Stella died.

This story implies and focuses on animal cruelty and what some conditions are in some places that animals are held in.  This novel is actually told from the point of view of Ivan's (the gorilla), and shows what could possibly be going on in captured animals' heads.

A story like this truly makes you wonder if gorillas understand us humans, and just don't feel the need to be like us or communicate back.  Although it is a somewhat absurd thought, we do realize that we don't come close to fully understanding another species's mind.  A new feeling of sympathy towards other living, breathing, animals that we take advantage of every day, was invoked in me while reading as well.

An additional action this novel prompted me into attempting, was putting myself in the animals' shoes.  Which in fact, is an incredibly hard thing to do in several situations.  Seriously though, think about it, imagine yourself being taken by a huge unknown animal, from your family without a goodbye, forced into a dark cold truck, and shipped to a lonely, cramped, uncomfortable cage where you'll live for several years without the right amount of food or care.  Now think about the, "happy and protected" animals you see at the zoo for your own entertainment.

In conclusion, I think this book should give each and every reader a new view on animal imprisonment, as it did for me.  Maybe now, people will think twice before they visit the zoo.  I know there isn't much of a chance that circuses, zoos, or aquariums will be abolished forever, but it's good to develop your own opinion on topics and do what you can to promote your feelings.

What is believable or unbelievable about your book? (Animal Farm)

Book:  Animal Farm      Weekly Blog:  11/17/14

Prompt:  Describe what was either believable or unbelievable about your reading.

Defend your opinion.

In the book, Animal Farm, there are many things quite unbelievable.  For example, we all realize that animals can't actually form a rebellion and take over a farm, or communicate among different species as well.  It's very unrealistic, but meaningful and symbolic as well.  You also realize that if something like that did somehow happen, humans would totally overrun the situation in a blink of an eye.

Although, when reading the book, the author almost manipulates the reader into believing that the story is possible or realistic.  In a way, the author connects the messages and plot to the real world so much, that the reader doesn't really think to critically or negatively about the book's unrealistic content.  At the time, you don't pay any attention to how realistic the story is.

Honestly, I also think that the fact that the book is as unrealistic as it is, makes it better.  The reader can think more about the topic, subject, or moral of the story and they have to look a little deeper to really get the point across to themselves or engrave it in their mind.  It also make the book a little more fun to read and more interesting because it wasn't just discussing a real life conflict.  The author molded a couple conflicts into a unique and interesting tale.

Word Choice (Animal Farm)

Book:  Animal Farm

Prompt:  Analyze the impact word choice has on the meaning or tone of text.  Analyze how dialogue or specific incidents reveal information amount characters.  Make sure to include textual evidence.

The book I'm reading right now is basically about a farm of animals that decides to organize a rebellion against their unfair ruler.  Although quite unrealistic, this book has an abundance of meaning and messages transmitted through it.  Word choice plays a big part in delivering these messages.

One thing I have to mention, is the feeling that I'm in the military when I read the book. They use all kinds of references that relate to that sort of subject like, "comrades." They also make references to different made up medals/awards for the animals and names of their battles against humanity. "We have built the walls far too thick for that. They could not knock it down in a week. Courage, comrades!" Another part of the book that gives the reader that military like feeling is, "They had won, but they were weary and bleeding. Slowly they began to limp back towards the farm. The sight of their dead comrades stretched upon the grass moved some of them to tears."  The word choice and the words' connotations used in this book are generally negative, but there are times where I get a positive vibe of teamwork and loyalty.

The characters and the characterization used to develop their personalties are built up pretty explicitly throughout the book. Occasionally, the characters' personalities are brought right out and plainly told to the reader.  Sometimes, all of the animals are being portrayed as having a specific trait among themselves that they all share.  Napoleon, one of the main characters in the book, is kind of shown as conceded, self centered, and full of himself and his power. Maybe not so explicitly, he doesn't come out and brag about how great he is, but he seems to almost abuse his power or use it to make himself look really good, even if some of his "comrades" don't notice right away. For example, in the book, Napoleon requests that this poem be made in honor of his, "hard work and dedication towards the farm's success."


"Friend of fatherless!
Fountain of happiness!

Lord of the swill-bucket! Oh, how my soul is on
Fire when I gaze at thy
Calm and commanding eye.
Like the sun in the sky,
Comrade Napoleon!

Thou are the giver of
All thy creatures love,
Full belly twice a day, clean straw to roll upon;
Every beast great or small,
Sleeps at peace in his stall,
Thou watchest over all,
Comrade Napoleon!

Had I a sucking-pig,
Ere he had grown as big
Even as a pint bottle or a a rolling-pin
He should have learned to be
Faithful and true to thee,
Yes, his first squeak should be
Comrade Napoleon!”


I must say, this very classic and popular book is written with an unexpected or even misleading simplicity.  But don't let that keep you from reading the book, in fact, it should persuade you further.  The great thing is that the book's somewhat easy to comprehend context, makes it easier for the reader to really get the messages out of the book.  If you look closely, you will find connections from all over the world and in human history.  Previous and current problems involving the government and their power are shown, along with discrimination against different types of people, and all kinds of war and real life violence connections throughout the book, just in different forms.

Reflections on Edgar Allan Poe

Our class has spent the past couple of week learning all about the author Edgar Allan Poe.  Before conducting this research on Poe, I had known very little about him juxtaposed to what I know now.  Last year, I had studied a small fragment of his famous poem, The Raven.  That was basically my main source of information.  But now, I know much, much more.

Most people know Poe for his writing, that wasn't really even famous at the time.  He published all kinds of fantastic work, some of which I've experienced, like The Raven, or The Tell-Tale Heart.  He put tons of thought and feeling into his work that no other author has matched in my opinion.  It takes the reader a good amount of time to interpret what his writing actually means to them.  Although, I think the base of all that, or what it all boils down to, is Poe's childhood and life during, and before he started writing.

As some might know, Edgar Allan Poe didn't lead a very lively and perfect childhood.  Think about these questions for a minute.  Have you ever had the feeling that you are the most unlucky person in the world, or are having a really bad day?  What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you?  Once you have thought about those questions, listen to what Poe had to go through his whole life.  Poe's mother died when he was very young, only 2 years old!  He then moved in with foster parents John and Frances Allan.  John, his father was very mean and often neglected Poe.  He might not have always been brutally beating him, but when he wasn't he didn't give much sympathy towards him.  His foster mother, who was fair to him, died when Poe was 20 leaving him with no one to care for.  Later in life, he marries his cousin!  That may sound pretty weird now, but it was perfectly normal back then.  Finally, to top of Poe's wonderful life, travelers found him brutally beat down, dehydrated, wounded, and delirious on a trail a few days before he died.  Now how do you think about the questions asked before?

One good think that comes out of Poe's life, is its impact on others.  It completely astounds me how Edgar Allan Poe transferred all the sadness, grief, and depression that followed him wherever he went, through his pen, and into his writing.  His life and background really affected how he created his work.  It's fun to imagine if his writing would be just as good if he led a great life.

Letter to Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Book:  To Kill a Mockingbird

Prompt:  Pretend you are the friend of one of the characters.  Write him or her a letter.  

First off, this letter is going to be from a boy named Dill to the main characters Scout.  It might be a little confusing to readers who haven't read the book, so I'm going to give some background information on the part of the book that I'm going to be covering.  (Don't worry, the book won't be spoiled)  The young girl, Scout, her brother Jem, and good friend Dill previously have planned to make their legendary neighbor come out of his house, but haven't succeeded.  They decided to drop the idea for a little while, but I'm deciding to bring it back.  By the way, Scout and Dill are supposedly "engaged" even though they are both very very young.

Dear Scout,

How are you doing?  I'm sorry I haven't seen you at all this summer, I hope you've been doing ok without me.  How's Jem?  Are you guys still getting along fine?  Well anyways, I've been thinking, remember the old Radley house next door to you?  I know we've kind of given up on making Boo Radley come out, but honestly, I think it'd be a lot of fun to keep that going when I come back next summer.  Ask Jem what he thinks about it.

I'm having a great time back at home, even though I'm not with you.  My new daddy says I'm growing up real fine.  I'll tell you all about him when I come back to Maycomb next summer.  Forget about me though, I heard there was a fire on your block!  I really hope you and the family are ok, make sure you tell me all about it when you write back!  

Tell everyone I said hi and sent my best wishes.  Write back, I plan to have a lot of fun next year.  

Love, Dill

PS.  I promise we will get married when I come back.

Setting (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Date: 10/30/14
Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Prompt: Describe the setting and how it is characterized

I'm still in the middle of the great book, To Kill a Mockingbird. There are tons of fantastic aspects about this best selling novel, but one of its greatest traits is its portrayal of the setting. My interpretation of this book's setting and why it's so great to me is probably a lot different than you'd expect. Usually, when a setting is great, it's described as extremely descriptive. Enough for you to leave nothing for your imagination to work on. Which in my opinion, isn't always the best.

What's great about To Kill a Mockingbird is how it has the absolute perfect balance of description in its setting. Now I'm not proposing that description is bad in a story, I'm just saying that sometimes, it's good to let your mind decide on some chunks of the story. For example, this segment of the book gives enough description to provide the main details of the setting, but lets the reader decide the rest. "Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop" So the author doesn't say, "Raindrops gloomily dripped down every windowsill in Maycomb and the sky was a dull gray with only 4 street lamps slightly illuminating the street." Nope, she lets the reader decide if he wants the rest that way. He just sets the tone.

I know for a fact, if you walk up to someone who's read this book, and asked them to describe the setting, they would have different descriptions.  Some would probably be completely different.  I honestly just love it when authors leave part of a story for the reader to determine for him/herself.  A perfect example of something like that would be the short story, "The Lady or the Tiger"  The author actually gives the reader the choice of choosing the entire ending.

Although I enjoy descriptive writing, I do think that sometimes, it's nice to be able to make your own decisions about the story.

Meeting Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird)

The book that I'm currently exploring for my 40 book challenge is, To Kill a Mockingbird.  As I venture further into this novel, I start to realize the characterization used to build up the characters and their personalities, and I feel like through the book, I'm starting to get to know the characters better.  The one character whose personality really stuck out at me as really unique was the main character, Scout.  The story is told in a 1st Person POV (Point of View) from her.

In the first few chapters, Scout is introduced as a very young, inquisitive, and smart girl who has some trouble sifting through her thoughts and putting them into words for others to interpret or understand.  She sometimes takes what others are telling her the wrong way and interprets it to mean something somewhat different.  For example, a piece of the book says, "Miss Caroline caught me writing and told me to tell my father to stop teaching me.  'Besides' she said, 'We don't write in the first grade, we print.  You won't learn to write until you're in the third grade."  (Scout thinking) "Calpurnia was to blame for this."  So Scout interprets Miss Caroline's comment to mean that it was all their cook's fault, Calpurnia, for teaching her to write.  Later in the book, Scout comes home and has a big argument with Calpurnia about how it was all her fault that Scout got in trouble.

So the reason I'd really like to meet Scout, not just for a day or two, but to really get to know her, would be to attempt to relate to her thoughts and try to understand her interesting and troubled way of thinking and communicating.  I think lots of kids have gone through times where they have trouble talking about their thoughts simply because they're having trouble understanding them as well.  Another reason would be to just relate to her and her older brother Jem's everyday lifestyle and see how different it would be to the one I share with my siblings.  The games they played, and the pointless arguments, and dares/challenges, sounded a lot like some of the things my friends, brothers, and sisters do.  Maybe when I was a little younger, like in the middle of elementary school, but their activities still sounded quite familiar.

Although, I'm fairly sure this setting or beginning that the author has introduced won't continue to be the main focus or conflict of the book, I enjoyed relating and comprehending it.  But, I'm sure I'll continue to reflect and talk about the events still to come within the story.

The Lady or the Tiger Ending

"Every heart stopped beating, every breath was held, every eye was fixed immovably upon that man.  Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right, and opened it."  At that very moment, the sun's light shone onto what lay inside of that door, the orange and black stripes of the ferocious beast that paced restlessly within the cage were revealed to the crowd.  As all of the on watchers gasped in misbelief, the man stepped surprisingly calmly back into the large amphitheater, turned his gaze back to the princess's tear streaked, grief filled face, and acknowledged her with a slight nod.  The man didn't show any happiness or anger with the princess's decision.  After that quick moment, he faced the deadly tiger that was staring him down, and then it was all over.  As the gruesome scene continued below, the princess's despair filled wail was heard all throughout the kingdom, she was drowned with sorrow as she was forced to witness her lover meet his fate below her.  The princess would never have the ability to rid this scene from her memory.

   

Direct and Indirect Characterization of The Giver

I recently completed the classic and wonderful novel, The Giver.  One of the best characteristics of this book is its characterization.  So I think The Giver's characterization towards the characters within it was great, but what really stuck out at me, was how it built up or created practically the personality of the setting or type of world that they're living in.  I know that probably sounds very confusing, but don't worry, I'm about to explain the whole thing.

First off, the world or setting that the whole novel take place in came to me as extremely dull and boring.  It seems that the author purposely made the setting seem melancholy or extremely boring once you read into the story, but at first, you think that their society is great.  In the book, a boy named Jonas lives in a futuristic society that is perceived as perfect.  The author uses a lot of description and detail to describe this community, and once you get to know it, it really doesn't seem that perfect.  No color, very strict rules, no pain (which if you think about it, isn't really that great) and no love.  They have to make all those sacrifices in order to reduce all pain from their community, and in my opinion, it isn't worth it.  I'm not going to tell you how, as not to spoil the book, but you end up realizing that we take everything for granted, and you get a feel for all the things that are missing from Jonas's community.  That's how the setting of the story is built up.

But the actual characterization of the characters in the story is important too.  First, I'm going to talk about Jonas's personality.  Jonas is a young boy around his pre teens who is starting to become very inquisitive about what's right and wrong, and he stands out among his peers.  The author develops his unique personality with statements like this.  "His feelings were too complicated this evening. He wanted to share them, but he wasn't eager to begin the process of sifting through his own complicated emotions, even with the help that he knew his parents could give."  That was Jonas thinking about his feelings during dinnertime.  I think that quote shows how Jonas had a lot of questions and thoughts that he might have been uncomfortable with sharing in his society, it brings out the inquisitive and deep thinking side of Jonas.  A second fragment from the book was this, "His mind reeled. Now, empowered to ask questions of utmost rudeness-and promised answers-he could, conceivably (though it was almost unimaginable), ask someone, some adult, his father perhaps: "Do you lie?"
But he would have no way of knowing if the answer he received was true."  That quote really dove deep into Jonas's thoughts and really gave a great example of Jonas's thought provoking mind and what went on inside of it.

1st Quarter Reflection (7th Grade)

Honestly, I think I've had a fantastic first quarter.  I don't really think there's any other way to put it, it was a great way to start off my year.  Last year, during 6th grade, I felt that I wasn't nearly as worried or concerned about my academic growth and grades.  I might not have had my priorities perfectly in line.  I was a little to hung up on conversing and socializing with new and old friends/peers.  Although I still managed to maintain A and B grades, I think I could definitely have done better.  Coming up on 7th grade, I started to understand that it was going to be a significantly large transition.  50% effort wasn't going to cut it this year.  So I decided to take my schoolwork very seriously, and strive for straight A's.  I now look back and realize, I still had fun and was able to hang out with friends, but I had now gotten my priorities straight.  At the end of the quarter, I had achieved my goal of straight A's.

There are still a couple things that I wish I could've done a little better with.  For example, my 40 book challenge.  I have a goal of reading and completing 40 books throughout this school year, and I don't think I've done too well with keeping track of that.  I've read several books so far, but I haven't really been very consistent about organizing and keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read.  The other thing is organization.  I was hoping to be just a little more organized with my belongings, but I still feel that I have been better organized than last year.

I am also trying to enroll in several extra curricular activities or after school programs such as, OAV (Our American Voice), Rachel's Challenge, and Cross Country.  I also look forward to several other sports coming up in the next few quarters.  Such as basketball, baseball, and maybe even volleyball.  I feel like these activities have helped me open up to new things and maybe stretch outside my comfort zone.  

Those were a few reasons why I think this quarter has been a great one.  Hopefully the ones to come will be just as successful.

The Giver Book Review

Title:  The Giver

Prompt:  Book Review

Author:  Lois Lowry

Pages:  0-179 (beginning to end)


I recently finished one of the best books that I've read in a while, The Giver.  It was so good that I finished it in two nights and stayed up extremely late to read both nights.  If you haven't read The Giver, I strongly encourage you to.  It's about a boy named Jonas who lives in a futuristic society or community.  Everyone is assigned a job at age 12 and Jonas receives a very rare, unique, and special job that plays a large role in the community.  What it is, I guess you'll have to read to find out.  But Jonas is incredibly curious about what the world was like before his community.  Would it be worth having the past back?

Books like the Giver are incredibly interesting to me because of their viewpoint on the future.  Some books similar to that are The Maze Runner, The Hunger Games, and Divergent.  All of which I've read.  I recommend the book for anyone within 5th/6th grade and above to read this fantastic classic.  It's quite entertaining and challenging to imagine what life would be like if we lived like Jonas and his community.

Banned Books Week Vlog (Video Blog) The Outsiders

Hi guys.  Here is my Vlog about the book, The Outsiders.

Book List Challenge

1.  The Fault in our Stars by John Green
This is one of my all time favorite books that I've read and it's also one of the more recent novels that I've explored as well.  This book is one of my favorites because of how it connected me, opened me up to, or showed me what some of the actual struggles are of someone with cancer or practically any other severe illness.  I guess I never completely understood what it was actually like to go through something like that, but this book seemed to give a pretty good example.  In my opinion, it was pretty cool to actually have a sense of the thoughts and feelings of a victim of cancer.  Another interesting piece of the story was seeing how someone with a huge problem like cancer can in fact have a love life, like in the book, and be like any other normal child besides the illness.

2.  Wonder by Rj Palacio

Somewhat like The Fault in our Stars, I liked Wonder because it showed me the point of view of someone with something like a facial disorder.  It was interesting to explore the life of a kid very different from others living in a normal setting or atmosphere.  I guess this is a lot like what I just wrote about the first book, but Wonder influenced me in a similar way by showing me the life of a special kid.  I thought it was a great story about a kid and his struggles.

3.  Unstoppable by Tim Green

Unstoppable is certainly a book that belongs on this list and that isn't just any football or sports book.  I loved this book because of how I could relate to it.  Football was probably the main topic throughout the entire novel and I really enjoy playing and watching football.  Cancer was another large topic in the story as well and I've known many relatives, neighbors, and friends who have suffered through cancer.  This book was also very interesting because of how it changed, switched, or even molded all kinds of topics together into one story.  Like football, cancer, academics, friendships, and family life.  It all fit together into a great book though.

4.  A Separate Peace by John Knowles 

This book, written by John Knowles about the friendship of two teenage boys.  I loved reading this book because of how much it reminded me of my friends and I.  It was almost like I could pick out a person from my life for every character's personality in the book.  I also liked the book because of how deeply it entered the main character, Gene's thoughts about the things he's done and about what's happened in his life or with his friend Phineas.  It was interesting to put myself in his shoes or put my friends in one of the other character's shoes.  I felt like I could connect to some of the characters' feelings and/or emotions.

5.  The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

The Divergent Series could possibly be my absolute favorite series written.  Not only is it a great and exciting fictional story, but it has a lot of meaning in it also.  For example, the community in the story is run or organized in four factions or groups of people.  There's a lot of judging and assumptions of people in the book based on these factions.  So it kind of reminded me of realistic unfairness and discrimination in the real world like judging people based on their race or religion.  That's how this series impacted me.

6.  A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

I strongly recommend this series for anyone who is looking for a descriptive and interesting series.  I think that the greatest trait about this series, is its detail.  It has the most detailed and descriptive writing that I've ever seen.  It describes everything so much, that if you opened up the book to a random page, you'd be bored out of your mind.  I love these books so much because of how you can seriously picture what's going on in the story.  Sometimes, the big words can trip you up though.  I just used context clues, and the dictionary to help me out.  So what made me have to put these books on this list, is the way it challenged me and made me think.  I can't stress enough how much you have to read these books. 

7.  The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins 

The Hunger Games Series is a third series on my book list that is definitely worth reading.  Kind of like Divergent, I really like this series because of how they give a real life problem or something related to a problem now in real life and turn it into an interesting story.  For example, in Divergent, it gave an example of discrimination, in The Hunger Games, I feel like they relate to unfairness, oppression to poor people, or fascism.  It's also a story filled with loyalty, friendship, and relationships too.

8.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

I read this book in 5th grade with my teacher, Mr. Saracini, and as soon as I started it, I loved it.  I really liked it because of how it introduced me to a topic of the past, the Holocaust.  Even though I have no idea what it was like during The Holocaust, I was still quite interested in it and its background.  So reading a story about a boy living back then, his efforts to stop the Holocaust, and what it was like, was really cool.  We also had to blog about this book while we were reading it.

9.  The Watsons go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

For a second, I thought I was running out of books.  Until this one hit my mind.  Like The Book Thief, I liked this book because of how it explained or exemplified an event from the past.  The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church was an awful and devastating event, and the book explained why and what happened very well.  They told about one particular family going to visit relatives in Birmingham right before the bombing.  What happens?  Well I guess you'll just have to read to find out.  It was really interesting to learn about something like this that had happened before I was born.

10.  The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

I recommend reading this book and watching the movie too.  But only watch the movie after you've read the book.  Or the book won't be as good.  I liked reading this book so much because of how it gives a great example of friendship.  It's an amazing story about a boy and his relationship with his friends.  Not fake friends, or, "Oh I'll talk to you every once and a while" friends, but true, loyal friends.  I have a lot of friends that I hang out with at school, or that I talk to.  But I can only think of a very few kids I would do what the characters in the book did for each other for and who would do the same for me.  

About Me

Hello everyone!  My name is Sam and this is my blog.  I'm a 7th grade student and I'm excited to start blogging.  Some of the things I enjoy doing is playing sports such as basketball, baseball, and football.  I also enjoy hanging out with friends during my free time.  I have two brothers and one sister.  I am the oldest out of us four.

When I grow up, I want to be a Marine Biologist if and study the animals of the ocean if I don't end up playing a professional sport.  Some of my goals this year are to get straight A's throughout the whole year.  Another goal is to make the all-star basketball team.  I also have a goal of reading forty books this year for my class.