Response About "The Help"

       I just started the book "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Looking at the cover I really didn't think this book would turn out to be interesting but the beginning sucked me in which is sort of shocking now that I think about it. It proves the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover." Anyway, in this book I was sort of confused about the way Miss Celia acts in the book. Minny is confused and so am I. I mean why does she act like that. I feel like she's had a very bad but unique past.
      She doesn't know how to treat Minny. It's almost like Minny is her friend not a maid. I feel like that Miss Celia had a different past then all the other woman. I know she grew up in a different town but that town may have had very different customs. They probably didn't have maids. I also don't think Miss Celia had a very nice childhood. She doesn't now how to do anything which means whoever she lived with did all the work. Was her childhood really bad? Is she going through depression of something?

Fahrenheit 451

              I just finished the amazing book "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. When I was starting this book I didn't think that I would like it. I felt like that it wouldn't have that much of a plot. Or it would have one but it wouldn't be that interesting. I enjoyed it so much that I think it's one of my favorite books. I just want to talk about what the author wrote about today. This book was mainly a prediction of what would happen in the future. This prediction is actually pretty close to what is happening today.
               I wonder what made Ray Bradbury write this book. Was it just for fun? Or did he want someone in the future to think about this? One thing is that the book in this world and our own world is actually really similar which is scary. Paper books aren't used that much in this world anymore. People are on their electronics all the time. Maybe, you never know, it will be illegal to keep books. Except I hope not. That's mostly it that I loved about this book.

Response on Fahrenheit 451

              I just started "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, and so far it's a really good book. I didn't really think that this was an interesting book when I saw the cover. When I started reading it, it actually was pretty interesting. It was so cool how Ray Bradbury wrote about how he thought the future would be. This book was written almost 50 years ago. His prediction is actually pretty close to what is going on today. Well, not that close but it is similar.
               One thing is that paper books aren't used that much these days. You can find books on electronic everywhere. People are using nooks and kindles. Books aren't sold that much. More people are buying these electronic devices and not buying books that much. It's possible that in the future it will be a crime to keep books.
               I don't think that it is very likely that it will happen but it might happen. Maybe in like 50 years. The only time people buy books is maybe when they need a textbook. Except that's not that often. Some people probably buy like 5 textbooks a year. Not that much. Anyway, this book is really interesting!

Qualities of One in Little Women

            I'm still reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It's a really good book. I really want to talk about one of the characters in the book. The characters in this book are so fascinating. The one that I just read about and want to talk about is Meg. The March family isn't that rich. Meg was invited to a party of the Moffats and the Moffats. Meg has only one party dress but compared to the dresses of the Moffats it was like rags. When she goes there no one pays any attention to her because of what she was wearing. She overheard people talking about her. The next day the Moffat girls came to her and said they wanted to dress her up so that her beauty would come out.
            She eagerly agrees because she does want to look pretty. After she goes down the people who praised her when she was wearing her own simple dress were shaking her head at her. They were saying how she looked better in the simple dress. Laurie the boy that Meg likes even said that she didn't look like herself in the fancy dress. He said she would look much better in the simple dress. Right when Meg heard these two comments she wanted to change. The things that the people close to her affected her so much that she got embarrassed. After she went back home she said that she learned her lesson. A few small words from the people she new her the most changed her completely on the idea of needing fanciers clothes. These days everyone is so stubborn and won't change their mind.

Character Change in Little Women

I’m still reading the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I’m not really seeing anything that important yet. Whatever I have read is mostly about the March family’s lifestyle. They have met a few people which I think will have a very important part in the book. I think in this response I want to talk about how one of the characters changed in the book. The character I want to talk about is Beth.

Beth was very scared of Mr. Laurence. She really loved music and pianos. When she went to Mr. Laurence’s house she saw that he had a piano. She really wanted to play it but something that Mr. Laurence did made her very scared to go into that house or even step in front of him when he came over. Mr. Laurence started to notice this after a period of time. He wanted to fix this so when he went over one time he switched the topic to music and kept on going. Beth heard everything and started to move closer to him. He noticed this and he told Mrs. March that if someone wanted to play his piano they could come over anytime. Beth took the chance and said she wanted to play it. Even though she was a bit scared the piano made them closer and closer. At the end Mr. Laurence gave Beth a piano as a gift because she reminded him of a grand-daughter he lost.

Beth and Mr. Laurence’s relationship changed so much. It became like a father and daughter relationship.

Strong Women in Little Women

I just started the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This book is really good so far. Except in this response I don’t want to talk about the book in general. I’m going to talk about the strongest relationships in this book and connect them to our life. I feel like the relationships that you see in this book won’t be that common these days in our life. It’s the relationship of mother and daughter and father and daughter.

In the book the March sisters have a very close relationship with their mother Marmee. Each of them are always eager to hear their mother first thing in the morning and when she comes home. If a inexpensive gift is given to them by their mother it’s much more valuable to them than any other gift. When their mother comes home they rush around to make things comfortable for her. They share everything with their mother. The thing that is shocking is that they are ages of sixteen to maybe eight. All have equal relationships with their mother. these days teenagers don’t like to share everything with their mother. They want to be independent.

The March sisters have a very important relationship with their father. Their father works far away so he can’t stay with them. The sisters haven’t seen their father in a very long time. They only hear his words through the letter that he sends all the time. In the book their father just send them a letter and he said he wants them to be perfect little children for their mother. All of them at once started to think of how they would be better for their mother. They wanted to please their father.

These relationships is not what you would find in families today. They are very rare. Teenagers now are very different from those in the book and from those back then.

Why To Kill A Mockingbird? (Final)

I finally finished the fantastic novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. From this book the thing that stood out to me the most was the last chapter. That was my favorite chapter in the book. The last chapter was mostly about Arthur Radley aka Boo Radley. It was sort of awkward for Jean Louise aka Scout to meet Boo. She always wanted to see him because he never came outside. He always stayed inside his house because he didn’t want to come outside. No one ever saw him except the doctor. He never let anyone in the house except the doctor. Scout never saw Boo but Boo always looked out for Scout.

When Mr. Ewell attacked Jem(Scout’s brother) and Scout, Boo was the one who saved them from being killed. When Ms. Maddie’s house was on fire, Jem and Scout were standing outside in the cold and Boo was the one who put the blanket on Scout. It’s like Boo always watches out his window to make sure that everyone is safe and comfortable. Now, let’s go back to the last chapter.

At the very end when Atticus was tucking Scout in for bed, Scout was mumbling whatever she recalled from the book that Atticus was reading to her. The small conversation that went on was very important. Scout was saying, “An’ they chased him ‘n’ never could catch him’ cause they didn’t know what he looked like, an’ Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things...Atticus, he was real nice....” After that Atticus said, “ Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.” I think this part related back to Boo Radley. They thought that Boo was mean before when they never saw him. Now Scout noticed that he’s really nice. Exactly what Atticus says. I think that was my favorite line in the entire book. This was definitely one of my favorite books.

Why To Kill A Mockingbird? (Continuation)

            I’m still reading the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book is taking a long time to read because sometimes I go back and reread because some parts are a little unique. What I mean by this is that I’ve never seen someone write like that in a different book. What I want to talk about today is about the relationships between Scout, Jem, Atticus, and Calpurnia. I’m starting to feel bad for Scout because Jem is going through a change and he’s acting rudely toward Scout. Atticus understands what Jem is going through and wants Scout to leave him alone as much as possible. How is she supposed to leave Jem alone now? Jem is Scout’s older brother and she needs him to talk to. Their relationship is nothing like it was before. Sort of like how people in this world are. As they get farther and farther away from each other. They don’t feel comfortable talking to people about personal things.

            At the same time, Scout and Calpurnia are getting closer. I saw a slight change in Calpurnia. Back when Scout and Jem were very close, Calpurnia didn’t like it when Scout would come into the kitchen when she was there. She would tell her to go play or something. Now that she sees that Scout is sulking around because Jem isn’t talking to her, she told Scout that she could hang around the kitchen anytime she wants. It’s a slight change but I think it is an important one. I think this is an attempt that Calpurnia is making to make Scout act more like a lady.

            Jem is saying the same thing to Scout. He keeps on pressuring her to act more like a lady. This makes their brother and sister relationship grow more tense. He’s acting like the mean neighbors who always scream at Scout. It’s hurting Scout more and more while changing her to be what she is.

Why To Kill A Mockingbird?

            I just started the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book is really good so far. I just passed the part where Ms. Maudie’s house got burned down. I’m sort of puzzled with this Boo Radley thing. Is he the one who hid those things in the tree for the Finch kids? Was he the one who put the blanket on Scout? If he is the one why isn’t he coming out to acknowledge them? I have so many questions reading this book even though it’s really good. I think they will be answered later on.

          I’ve never read a book like this before. It’s so different. One thing that is sort of confusing me is that where did the title come from? I don’t see the title relating to anything so far. I have a feeling it has to do something with the Radleys. If not I’m sure it’s something that will happen later on in Scout’s life. I have nothing to talk about this book. Only questions.

          I think I will be able to say more once I finish the book but I’m no where near it so far. So far I really like it other than the questions.

The Goodness of Grass

The beautiful grass is flowers in sight.

For when the wind blows, the thin grass quivers.

The bright green shines in the ray of the light

and white light bounces off as it shivers.

The rain droplets pile up and have to slip

but not before glistening like diamonds

and the rain droplets making the grass dip

forming upside down shapes of cute almonds.

During those days they’re never forgotten

because everyone comes out to have fun

or sit and enjoy the grass like cotton.

For it won’t stay because it has to run.

When winter comes they shrivel up and die

to come again to get ready to fly.

Lessons and Craft of Stay

            I just finished the book Stay by Deb Caletti. It was a pretty interesting book. I think there were two main lessons in the book. Before I talk about the lessons I want to mention how the author wrote this book. It was about Clara’s life only. The first chapter was the past and how she met Christian. The second was the present and how she was getting away from him. Both of these stories continued alternating by each chapter. At the end they merged into one story which was the present. It was cool how the author did this and managed to pull it off. Sometimes it was a bit confusing. At one part I was like wait, what happened before this in the chapter about her past? Overall I thought it was a good book.

                The first lesson I thought that the author wanted to teach was be careful about who you trust. A lot of books are about this and it’s a big thing. Trusting the wrong person can lead to many other problems that you might not even imagine happening to you. It was just like how Clara trusted Christian in the beginning. Towards the end of her relationship, she just wanted to get away from him and couldn’t. It was like she couldn’t be free.

                The second lesson was to improve on your mistakes. Clara went through this in the book. Christian didn’t like her to joke with others and she listened to him but only at the very beginning of their relationship. Later, when Clara went out with Finn, she was careful not to joke around with his friends at first. When she noticed Finn didn’t really care whether she joked around or not she understood that he was the right one. This might be a different kind of example but there are many other situations that you can improve you mistakes in. 

Theme of Martin Espada’s Poems Essay

Martin Espada is a famous poet.  He was born in New York in 195. He has published more than 15 books full of poems. His poems have been published in Spain, Puerto Rico, and Chile. His poems have different themes. Some of them do have the same theme but in different ways of expressing them. Some of his poems are based off of pictures or they are just experiences or moments that he thinks about probably. Three of his poems stand out to have the same theme but expressed in different ways. The three poems Revolutionary Spanish Lesson; The New Bathroom Policy at English High School; and Two Mexicanos Lynched in Santa Cruz, California, May 3, 1877 have the theme that separation is wrong because of the words that he uses in his poems.

            In Revolutionary Spanish Lesson Espada writes about how a guy feels when his name is mispronounced. He writes it from a first-person point of view. He says that when someone mispronounces his name he wants to “hijack a busload of Republican tourists from Wisconsin, force them to chant anti-American slogans in Spanish”. His description is so specific. He shows how there is a separation between the white people and Spanish or any other ethnicity. He shows that there is a border that separates the Spanish and the whites and he is writing this poem to show these whites to try to pronounce names correctly to make this border disappear. It’s like a message for the white people who make no move to pronounce someone’s name correctly.

            In the second poem The New Bathroom Policy at English High School Espada writes about a principal in an English High School using the bathroom while listening to boys talk in Spanish. He doesn’t understand what they are saying except that they are talking about him. He decides to ignore them and relax. This is another example of how there is a border between the Spanish and whites. It’s like the principal doesn’t care about the Spanish kids and he’s like speak your own language and I’ll stick to mine. It’s the principal creating the border by not trying to figure out what they are saying. If there was no border he would at least try to find out what they were talking about which indicates he cares, but that’s not the case.

            In the third poem Two Mexicanos Lynched in Santa Cruz, California, May 3, 1877 Espada writes about a photograph of forty white vigilantes lynching two Mexicans and showed their pride by crowding into the photograph. This is a very clear example of separation. It supports the fat that the whites didn’t care about the Spanish people and were proud to hang them. Except that this photograph was from 1877 which means that this was a long time ago. It’s a message for the people now not to repeat the same thing. It’s so that the separation between Mexicans and whites don’t get so strong that the whites begin to hang the Mexicans. It’s to teach a lesson.

            Overall these three poems represent the theme of separation and how it’s not right. He expresses this message in the same form but in three different ways. He shows it through history, through a first-person point of view, and an example of someone creating it. It’s an attempt to diminish the separation between whites and Mexicans and other ethnicities. It’s so that everyone respects each other and each other’s language. It’s to show everyone separation is wrong.

"Hate List" The Other Side of Bullying

            I just finished the fantastic novel Hate List by Jennifer Brown. When I first opened this book it reminded me of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. This story was a bit different but similar. I think this is one of my favorite books. At the end it gets really sad. The main character is Valerie and as the author said in her author’s note, it’s about Valerie’s story. This is one powerful novel. It teaches the importance of being nice to people and not bullying anyone.

            Nick is Valerie’s boyfriend in the story. Valerie and Nick are the quiet kids in Garvin High School. They both get bullied all the time. They started a hate list. On this hate list they put all the names of the people that were mean to them or expressed they didn’t like them. Nick kept on giving hints to Valerie about how they could get rid of the people they hated. Valerie didn’t think that Nick was serious.

            One day Christy Bruter (who was on the hate list) broke Valerie’s CD player on the bus. She told Nick the whole thing and he said that he would handle it. She didn’t really get what he meant but when they went inside the school, Nick started shooting. Valerie stopped the shooting and saved Jessica.

            Even though she was the one who stopped the shooting everyone saw her as a threat. People turned away from her and didn’t want to talk to her. No one wanted tot be around her when she went back to school. Even though she also got shot everyone thought she was involved on the plan to shoot people on the hate list. Jessica was the one who started to talk to her. She started to be friends with Valerie. As the book went on, people started to get more and more comfortable around Valerie. Her mom was the one who saw her as a threat. Her mom thought Valerie was a threat to all of the students. At the end Valerie let’s her mom go so that she wouldn’t have to worry about Valerie all the time.

            Bullying was an important part in this book. It teaches that you should always be nice to everyone. You never know, the person you bully might hurt you. You can’t read anyone’s mind. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t trust anyone. I’m trying to say that avoid this by being nice. Bullying someone just might turn around and harm you.

Gossip Girl Format

          In the novel Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar was actually a pretty good book. I thought that this book wouldn’t be that good because I’m not that interested in these types of books but I enjoyed it. It was a different type of book in two ways: what it was about and how it was written. The one that puzzled me was the way the book was written. I don’t mean how the text was laid out but how she wrote the stuff she wanted to say. This is probably sort of confusing to say.

          Usually, in most of the books I’ve read, authors say “she thought…” Instead in this book the author didn’t even write she thought or he thought. She just wrote what they thought and left it for you to guess who was thinking it. Sometimes in the book it was easy to figure out because of what they thought. In other places, I had to re-read that line a couple of times to figure out who’s thinking. It’s really awkward the way I have to phrase all of this to describe what I mean.

          I think that the author didn’t really want to get so formal. I think you’ll understand if you read the book. Other than that I thought the book was pretty good. I would recommend to girls not boys. It’s sort of like a girly book if I am thinking right. J

Response on Fallout

            In the interesting novel Fallout by Ellen Hopkins there are three main characters. The three main characters are Hunter, Autumn, and Summer. They have no idea about each other but they have one very important thing that is common between them. That is their mother. Each of them has the same mother, whose name is Kristina. Their lives are broken up one way or another. Kristina, their mother, started taking crystal meth and it broke up all of their lives.

            Hunter, Autumn, and Summer have different problems. None of them want to follow their mother footsteps but they follow in one way or another. At the end they all plan on meeting each other. They know nothing about each other except that they all have the same mother. They found out that they were siblings right before they were about to meet each other. They all want happiness but when they see their mother all they see is themselves.  

Response on "Burned"

I just finished the really interesting book Burned by Ellen Hopkins. This was a really good book. Some times it did get a little boring but that was in very few parts through out the book. I would recommend this book to anyone. The way the author writes this book is amazing. The main character Pattyn has many problems but you could summarize this into one big problem. I don’t want to give it away to those who want to read this book but there are many stages in this book with different problems.

At first Pattyn trusts the wrong person. She trusts Derek and thinks that he actually loved her but he was just using her. This led to another problem. She started to misbehave with her parents. After Derek left her when her dad found out she started yelling at her parents and behaving very badly in school. Being with Derek affected her a lot. She didn’t care about being good anymore she reacted like she wanted to.

When she moved to her aunt’s house she found Ethan who actually loved her and showed her how the world was like. She discovered the world outside of her father’s harsh rules. She lived the way she wanted and actually controlled herself. In the end her father and community ruined her life but I won’t give that away. It was a really good book and I think girls should read because I think that it teaches a really good lesson. It shows you that you shouldn’t really trust everyone.

Response on "The Bean Trees"

I just finished the marvelous novel The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. This was a really interesting book even though it doesn't look like it from the cover. (Never judge a book by its cover). In the beginning, it's about two different people in two different places. Between the beginning and the middle, they become a family and the story just becomes one. This book is about Taylor Greer (whose actual name was Marietta) and Lou Ann Ruiz and Taylor's daughter Turtle (whose actual name is April Turtle Greer) and Lou Ann's son Dwayne Ray. Taylor and Lou Ann have many hardships that they help each other to solve.

Taylor has the most problems in my opinion. Some lady came up to Taylor's car and gave her Turtle saying that it was her dead sister's daughter. Taylor didn't want to take her but the woman forced her too. When she took Turtle to the doctor later on in the book, the doctor said that Turtle was closer to three, had fractures, and that she may have been molested. Over the time Taylor was taking Turtle to the therapist, it had come to the attention of the Child Protection Services Division of the Department of Economic Security that Taylor had no legal claim on Turtle. Taylor didn't even have any legal papers or know anyone from Turtle's real family. She went out in the search of the family.

Lou Ann Ruiz doesn't have that many problems. She just has problems with her husband. Her husband left her and she can't seem to go on. He comes back once in a while and gives checks but she still loves him. He even says he wants a divorce but Lou Ann can't go on. She can't even get herself to tell her mother that she and him aren't living together anymore. She just sulks around and takes care of Dwayne Ray. When she gets a job she finally takes her mind off of him and moves on in a way. I really liked this book and I would recommend it to anyone. Just don't judge it by its cover.