Why are you interested in your book? What keeps you reading? (One Came Home) 2-9-15

Date:  2-9-15

Prompt:  Why are you interested in your book?  What keeps you reading?

Commented on:  Jeremiah T., Mia C., and Siari R.

          I'm only currently at the beginning of this book, but I feel like I will enjoy it, because of its introduction of the conflict.  I feel like in most books, the conflict isn't introduced until you're well into the book, and it can be really boring at first.  In this book, you see the problem in literally the first few pages.  I mean seriously, I can guarantee that everyone reading this has experienced a book or story that dragged on and on.

          Another positive, yet hard to explain, aspect of this book.  Is how the author leaves you a little curious or inquisitive on the up coming events.  I feel like they give you the perfect amount of information, but because they don't tell you everything you need to know, you keep reading and searching for your answers.  For some reason, when I think of this trait, it reminds me of a cat chasing a laser.  Just constantly moving forward towards a satisfaction.

          Although I'm only about 70 pages into the book, I'm really looking forward to how this story's gonna turn out, and I hope it continues and persists to maintain its attraction and good quality.

"Heat" Book Talk 2-4-15

       

          Commented on:  Anthony C., Devin R., and Joseph H.

          "Heat" is a book written by Mike Lupica, and it is considered young adult fiction.  This story is set within the last decade, and takes place in Bronx, New York.  Michael is a 14 year old boy who has an extreme passion for baseball.  Michael lives with his older brother Carlos, ever since his father passed away.  Throughout the story, Michael is forced to evade and tell lie after lie to keep him and his brother from being split up, because his father is gone.  That's the main conflict for Michael and Carlos, trying to stick together and run the apartment.  I think one of the best characteristics of this story, is that the mood can very easily change or alter, but in a flowing and sensible way.  It isn't just jolting from sad, to ecstatic, for no reason, but a conflict or problem could come up that might completely overturn the current mood, without making the plot look bad.  Alike several other sports books, this one seems to preach goal setting, and achieving goals, even in tough situations.  I feel like the author is trying to get the message to the reader, that they can do whatever they put their mind to.

          I personally really liked this book because I could relate to it and I really like sports.  It might be a lot different for someone who doesn't have any interest in baseball themselves, but because I do, I enjoyed reading this novel.  That was definitely the main reason that this book stuck out to me.  Anyone who shows interest in sports or physical activity would definitely take interest in this book, and I highly encourage others to read this novel as well.  One should want to go out and read this book for entertainment.  This isn't a book that you'll get much information out of, but it's a great, easy read, and very inspiring as well.

          

AoW Impressions 2-2-15

Prompt:  What did you learn from last week's AoW presentations?

Date:  2-2-15

          On Friday, I learned a lot from all my classmates' work and articles.  Their presentations really brought me up to date with the world and what's been happening recently.  For example, I had no idea what ever happened to Ebola!  But then I realized that doctors have discovered and have made a vaccination for Ebola, and found a way to cure it.  I also didn't know about this ISIS and Japan conflict!  Japan is negotiating with ISIS because both groups hold hostages, that are being threatened to kill!  ISIS is demanding ransom money for the hostages.

          I also learned a lot about topics that I've never really investigated in the first place.  I never really took interest to, or explored diabetes or the study of it, until I read listened to one of my peers explain how doctors and professionals are coming up with a new, quicker, and more accurate test to see if one does carry the disease.  All of these modern day events and discoveries never occurred to me or were presented to me, before these presentations.  I thought it was a really cool project and activity as a class, mostly because of how it provided learning opportunities for everyone.  I hope we can do it again, or a similar task to make AoWs a little more interesting and fun to complete.  It really motivated me to make sure I knew everything about my article.

         

What is the Main Character's Biggest Problem Throughout the Story? (Schooled) 1-28-15

Book:  Schooled

Date:  1-28-15

Prompt:  What is the main character's biggest problem throughout the story?

Commented on:  Emily B., Giovanna G., and Devin R.
       
          Capricorn Anderson, is a boy from an alternate community, who is thrown into a modern public school, due to his grandma's breaking of her hip.  In case you didn't know, an alternate community is a hippie organization or a bunch of hippies who believe in a mellow, peace, and love-like lifestyle.  So Capricorn's problem, as you can most likely predict, is that he isn't used to coping and living with other kids his age, and he hasn't been introduced to any modern technology, or equipment.

          You don't think about how bad that situation might be for some at first, but after reading about Capricorn's experience, I started realizing how complicated and confusing that could be.  I mean, imagine walking down a hallway filled with kids wearing clothes you've never seen, talking, pushing, and running, and then trying to find your "locker" which is a metal box with a "combination" on it.  Of course it doesn't sound unfamiliar to us at all, considering we've adapted to our own lifestyle over several years, but for someone who just gets pushed into it all, with no idea what their doing?  We don't have any idea of how that feels.

          The confusion is one thing, but then to be unfairly, and cruelly manipulated because of your differences from everybody else, and for you to not even realize it, I can't even imagine how out of place and different I would feel.  Many of you must have had a glimpse, at some point of your education so far, of how challenging, confusing, and scary, middle school or even elementary school can be at times.

          Reading the book seriously makes you feel bad for Capricorn, and his tough, real-world experience.  I hope anyone reading this blog gets a chance to read the book as well, so they can see how Capricorn's school journey goes.

Do You Enjoy What You're Reading? Why or Why Not? (Heat)

"Heat", is a new book that I've started reading for a competition, Battle of the Books.  So far, I've really liked it.  Mostly because of how I can make connections to the some topics of the book.  For example, baseball is one of my favorite sports or hobbies to participate in, and since this book practically revolves around the sport of baseball, I seem to get along with it very well.

Another aspect of this novel is how they have more than one conflict or event going on at once.  It's not a huge jumble of things smashed together, but it's a balanced mix.  There's different concepts being introduced to the story at different times.  A lot of good books use this trait or method, and they are usually the ones that I enjoy the most.

I mean, it's not one of those really dramatic books that makes you laugh really hard, or cry because of the ending.  I just enjoy hearing a story like this, about a boy and his life.  It does put a little emotion in you when you read, and like other good books, it gives you an opinion on what's happening.  I'm sure you've experience more than a few times, where in a movie, or book, you've said, "No!  Why would you do that?!"  Or if you know something that a character doesn't, you get so enveloped in the story, that you really want to somehow tell them about it.  That's what this book'll do to you.

I'm not very far into the book, so I have no doubt that there's more to come.  Things are just starting to build up and become introduced, and as I read further, things will start to unravel and become even more exciting.  Therefore, I'm quite excited to discover what lays in wait, in the pages further throughout the book.

Movie vs. Book & Reflection (Unbroken)

Book:  Unbroken

Prompt:  Which appealed to you more?  The movie?  Or the book?

I hadn't heard about the story of the inspiring and courageous soldier, Louie Zamperini, and his survival of WWII until very recently.  Looking back, I remember watching a commercial for the movie, and my parents started talking about what a great book it was, and that they had to go see it.  So I of course, had to ask all about the book, and why it was so great.  After they told me about Louie's story, I added to book to my to-read list, and forgot about it.

About a month later, I did something completely unthinkable.  I went to watch the movie BEFORE I read the book!!  I've rarely ever done such a thing, I always like to read the book first.  But my cousins were going to the theater, and they invited me, so I went.  I loved it!  I still regret watching the movie first, but it was fantastic.  It gave me a courageous boost of respect for veterans of any kind, I was inspired in an entirely new way, and I started to really think about how awful it must be to be in the army.  For both the soldier, and his family.  All those feelings are now being boosted even further now that I'm well into the book.

Often, a longer book will contain more information than the movie that evolves from it.  That seemed to be the case with "Unbroken"  At the end of the movie, they kind of summed up what happened after Louie returned from the war, whereas they go far into detail about his choices and what happens after.  As I've realized with many books, there are strong and weak points to both the movie and the book.  For example, the movie was much more graphic and exciting, as predicted.  But the book has more detail and is more descriptive.

People have told me that after watching a movie based off a book, they don't want to read the book at all anymore.  I've watched very few movies before the book, and there are times when the book is much less appealing.  With "Unbroken"?  No way.  The book is just as great as the movie in ways, and I'm very glad that watching the movie first didn't really spoil anything.

I hope you all get a chance to read this book soon.  I feel like every time I read a new book, I say that.  But this one's really good, and it is definitely worth reading.

When Was The Last Time You Did Something New?

The most recent time that I did something new, was when I ate a sardine for the very first time, and hopefully the last.  Before I reluctantly dropped that slimy, cold, tiny fish, into my mouth, I was almost positive I wasn't going to enjoy this.  By using my sense of smell, I developed a feeling of dread towards this sardine.  After all, I can't remember the last time I ate something that smelled awful, but tasted good.

As I consumed the small portion of seafood that lay before me, I immediately felt the urge to spit it out.  Somehow, I managed to swallow and force it down, after a gag provoking, salty, slimy, revolting, and disgusting experience.  The taste stuck with me for a few minutes after, but after that, I was fine.

Although I despise and fear this meal choice that was recently introduced to me, I encourage others to test their taste buds, and try a sardine as well.  You never know, you might like it.  You should always try new things, even if it doesn't appeal to you at first.  Plus, as odd as it is, I'm glad I got the opportunity to try a sardine.  Its both pleasant, and unpleasant memories and experience that stick with you, and build up your personality throughout your whole life.  I'm sure if you think hard about it, you'll dig up a memory that wasn't so great, and find a reason why it describes you, or maybe even why you're glad it happened.  Even if it's just a small detail or aspect.