♡ BLOF EIGHT ♡

Twisted

Laurie Halse Anderson

   Continuing on reading this book it's story line has changed since what I thought it would have been. Tyler's family still has many problems, but finally something good for him is that Bethany has paid attention to him. Bethany has lately been flirting with Tyler and has even invited him to a party. The problem with going to this party is that he's on probation either way he went, and at the party they talked left to a room where things escalated quickly. Tyler knew his limits and the condition Bethany was in- drunk, so he left her. A day after revealing pictures of Bethany were posted onto the internet compromising Tyler as the culprit. The police are involved and now this can add up to his record even bringing his parents to putting him into a military academy. What will Bethany think of Tyler now?
   What has occurred has left Tyler suicidal. I feel that every event that happens gathers up and effects him, and I also feel that mentally he is week. In the text it said, " I wasn't going to do it, I know it, but it was here in my hand, so easy so close." Here when this is happening he has his father's gun fully loaded with ammunition. This is important because it is evidence that Tyler is suicidal and mentally stable.

♡ BLOG SEVEN ♡

Twisted

by Laurie Halse Anderson

"Twisted" is the new book I started reading this Monday. Twisted's main character is Tyler Miller who has a major crush on Bethany Millbury her father's bosses daughter, and the most popular girl in there school. Tyler Miller did something before to catch Bethany's attention he changed he was spray painted the school with inappropriate language. Now from "nerd" to "bad boy" it seems that it earned Bethany and everyone else's attention because of this action. At home Tyler's house is dysfunctional his father has low pressure, always working, and never there for his family. Tyler's mom has migraines, has problems with Tyler's father, and has therapy with her husband. Tyler is being pushed down by his father, on prohibition, and is viewed differently by people. Hannah is more reserved she only has a bit problems with her father.
   Tyler's character seems to be changing once to book starts he turns from a ignored "nerd" to a "bad boy" this could mean he's changing into a more harmful person. His character seems to hate the choices he makes as well as his life. As stated before his family is very dysfunctional that at time he thinks of scenarios where he hurts his father like this one, "When are you going to grow up, Tyler?" One punch, a long slo-mo shot to the soft underbelly of the best to make him double over, just one punch, my fist so far inside him that the knuckles scrape his spine..." This prove that in his head he is a very violent person inside his head, and that he possibly isn't very stable.

♡ BLOG SIX ♡

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher

   I completed "Thirteen Reasons Why", this book had a melancholy vibe but kept you interested in Hannah's story. In Clay's tape which was the ninth, Hannah cleared up that Clay shouldn't really actually be on these tapes but she added him to tell him what was really going on with her at the time and so he could have view in her story. Once Clay got a look to what was going on in Hannah's head he begins saying that he really wishes that Hannah would've opened up to him at the time so he could help her. Clay feels very remorseful that he wasn't able to help her in time, or even try to get to know her more. I believe that Clay wanted to be able to help her if he could and wishes that anyone could help her like Mrs. Porter who ignored the warning Hannah was giving. Hannah said that it wasn't really so much of there fault, but it's the decision she made. In my opinion I really liked the ending where Clay notices that Skye is talking less and is taking the steps Hannah did, and he doesn't want the same story to repeat so he talks to her.
   One theme of this book may be take notice on others before it's to late, and another could be treat others how you would want to be treated. For one no one really to notice in the changes Hannah Baker was making, the signs she had, and if they did they decided to ignore and throw it aside as it was not of importance. The second theme is very important because it happens through the whole book everyone believed rumors that were put upon Hannah and never heard her out or got to know who she really was underneath all the rumors. First Justin started the whole snowball effect that kept going on and nobody tried to stop or help Hannah out. I think Hannah should've tried opening up more and express herself, I don't think she should've made this decision. If people read this book they should start watch what they say carefully so they don't start something that can hurt a person in the long run.

♡ BLOG FIVE ♡

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher

   As I continue reading the book,  Clay has been going to all of the locations on the map, and I believe he is reliving the moment he believes it would have been for Hannah when she was there. To give an example on one of the locations he went to is Tyler's house. To give a brief introduction to Tyler he was number four on Hannah's list, was a Peeping Tom that would stalk Hannah, and even took some pictures of her through the window. Clay went there to to check the place out, and that's where he found Marcus who gave him a rock to throw into the window. That action that Marcus took made Clay mad because Marcus was also on the tapes and so Clay said, "You're on the list to Marcus, so what gives you the right to throw the rock at his window." Clay's statement is true because what Marcus and the people that threw the rock that are on the list are being hypocrites for doing so because they all did something to contribute to the suicide.

   The conflict/problem so far in the book is the reason why Clay is in the tapes that Hannah left after her act of suicide. I also believe this is bringing Clay to the point where he is very perplexed on the reason he's on the tapes, he feel as if he did nothing wrong. I don't think I can believe he didn't do anything wrong so far because Marcus was on the sixth tape, he was on there for trying to do indecent things with her, and Marcus still believed he did nothing wrong. So maybe behind the back of Clay's head he knows what he did, but he is afraid what he did is a reason why she committed suicide and I believe that is the method the people on the list do so they don't feel guilty.

AMERICAN INDIAN RESPONSE

The American Indian's were marginalized by society when the white began to settle and take the Indian's land, and later on taking the Indian's kids to "kill the Indian inside". In the article it said, "Pratt believed that the children needed to completely abandon their "Indian-ness" in order to succeed in America. "Kill the Indian, save the man" . Clearly this act on the "Americans" behalf showed the Indian's they were put as a minority, were nothing in society, and could not succeed. Afterwards the Indians began to demand more rights, and that is when there voices began to be heard and the schools were shut down.

The purpose of Shanice Britton's essay the "Life on the Rez" is that Indians aren't as different as other people, and as well as their life not being stereotypical. For one Shanice cleared up in the article saying, "When people find out I am Native American, they have all these ideas about what that means— that I live in a teepee and wear moccasins and a headdress. But those are misconceptions." This information proves that she may be American Indian, but that isn't what they do all the time now. She says she takes showers, watches tv, and wears jeans like any other teen. Even though of this difference Shanice says she wants to preserve the Indian tradition, as well as its language

♡ BLOG FOUR ♡

Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher

   During Spring Break I began to read "Thirteen Reasons Why",  and it begins the suspense very fast, but catches the reader right away when Clay Jensen gets Hannah's tapes. In the first cassette on  Side A Hannah's says, "I hope you're ready; because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening these tapes you're one of the reasons why". Clearly, this remark Hannah made on the tape sparked up Clay's curiosity, and why is he on there because he does not recall doing anything wrong to her. Clay says he'd been an acquaintance of Hannah, seen around school and kissed her at a party. He has been listening to the tape and following locations on a map given by her anonymously in his locker awhile back to follow the story. In my opinion Clay has engrossed himself in Hannah's tapes and her story, and I think it's because he doesn't know exactly why he's in the tapes.
   Clay's character is not very risk-taking with anything so far through the book. For example, when Clay got the tapes and heard what it was about he could've went to the police or talk to anybody about it, but he did not. At the beginning of the first tape there was a warning that if any of the persons on the list did not give the tapes to the next person on the list another set of copy tapes would be sent out, and whatever was on the tapes about he did not want to be viewed differently. This is why I believe that Clay isn't risk taking because he could have done something about these tape since he said he had not done such a horrible thing to her. I wonder if Clay will change this aspect of himself later on in the book.

♡ BLOG THREE ♡

Courage for Beginners

Karen Harrington

    After reading "Courage for Beginners" I have realized how much courage Mysti summoned while tragedy struck at her house, and for being only twelve in seventh grade it was an enormous amount. Her father fell from a tree and was hospitalized for five months, and with a mother with agoraphobia life became very difficult for her family. Mysti knew change was coming for her and through out the book she adapted to the change that came onto her life getting the courage she needed. For example, she had never walked home from anywhere else to her home on 4520 Fargo Drive,  but everything changed and she was even able to walk to the store to buy food and supplies. I believe this tragic event was horrible, but was good for Mysti's family because her mother finally admitted her that she was really agoraphobic and why. Her life changed from day to night but with great friends to keep her emotions up in my opinion this was for the better.

    While reading the book I remember Mysti's father who was hospitalized for the entire book said, "Change is coming for us all" and I believe this was something very wise to say and it traveled throughout the whole book.  Change did come onto Mysti's life and it seemed as if it came in a very harsh and mean way, but it helped her. various times in the book this phrase would come up, and I believe it was an important life lesson for Mysti. The reason why I believe this was a life lesson for her because she wasn't use to change and it barely ever happened to her because she was always on 4520 Fargo Drive where nothing unusual happened.I believe the theme is given through this because we all know life is always going to bring us change, but we have to be able to overcome the change.

♡ BLOG TWO ♡

Courage for Beginners
Karen Harrington 

I am continuing to read "Courage for Beginners", and it has gotten to the point you now the characters well. Mysti life has been really tough without her father because her mother cannot go out to places because of her agoraphobia. They've had to eat a little bit less of their food because they're running low, and there is nobody to take them, there is but her mother doesn't like to ask for help. But when the school air conditioner breaks down Mysti walks home with Rama because Anibal and his clique are teasing her, she then realizes that she is capable of walking to places on her own. Mysti realizes that she has do something because change is coming, and she needs to catch up. Mysti is able to make groceries now, and got a haircut on her own. Mysti's father finally woke up from his coma, but will not be able to return home in a while.

There are many conflicts in this book, but to give one in particular would be Mysti's mother's agoraphobia. I believe her agoraphobia is what holds back the Murphy family from doing things normal families do. For one they cannot go to restaurants, grocery shopping, or even visit their father at the hospital. Mysti feels really bad her father has to be getting through his coma without his beloved family. The small steps Mysti is taking for her family are out of the box for her, and are acts of courage. The title "Courage for Beginners" really does explain the theme of the book which is of courage.

TOLERANCE

Tolerance: ˈtäl(ə)rəns/

noun
1. the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

I believe tolerant means to be considerate on what a person says even if you don't feel the same way. For example, if someone in a different religion shares something with me that I don't believe I can listen, share my own belief, but in a way that won't harm the other persons feelings. In that way I can be tolerant to people while listening closely on how they feel, reflect on their opinion, and know that we won't always have the same opinion, but I can still be a tolerant person. 

♡ BLOG ONE ♡

Courage for Beginners

Karen Harrington

    I have begin to read the book "Courage for Beginners" so far I have found out that the main character Mysti Murphy's mother is agoraphobic. Being agoraphobic is having a fear of crowded spaces and enclosed public areas. Mysti says she does not like change, but it seems to happen that change will over ride her future. Her father is the only one of their family that can drive and works since her mother is agoraphobic. Mysti’s father is climbing up a tree to get a towel that has gotten stuck there and falls down onto the pavement face first. Since Mysti’s mother cannot drive and is to afraid of riding in car they cannot see their father in the hospital. They get check ups on him everyday, but I feel that this is not the enough for Mysti, her mother, and sister Laura. She starts seventh grade and her friend Anibal doesn’t talk to her at school because he is trying a social experiment where he is a “hipster”. Mysti’s is not use to change but now it’s changing quicker then ever, and not in the best ways.

      I have noticed that Mysti or another character uses the word nefarious a lot, or it seems to pop out in every other chapter. The word nefarious means an action or activity that is wicked or criminal. In the text  her mother had used the word saying, “Don’t talk to nefarious strangers. Keep your eyes.” I feel that this word keeps showing up again because maybe something else wicked might happen to Mysti again like her father’s accident. I have read other texts in the book that use this word, and I feel like it has to do with something. This word “nefarious” seems pretty important in this book, because it is a word brought back up over again while not being a typical word and it shadows something bad.

BLOG EIGHT!

The Giver 

Lois Lowry 

    While finishing reading The Giver I realized how much Jonas has changed throughout the book. At first Jonas would question certain things in his community once he started his training with The Giver, but when he got the answer he’d apologize for asking the question and would agree with them. After more, and more training The Giver would explain to Jonas what happened within the community and Jonas would disagree and want change like not having Sameness. Also, when Jonas found out what a Release was he wanted a real change and so The Giver and him made a plan. Two weeks later they had a plan set out and brought it to life as Jonas escaped the community with Gabe at midnight the day he’d be released. I think that Jonas had so much courage to go find Elsewhere to set the memories he had free so everyone in the community could have them, but not knowing a hundred percent if Elsewhere really did exist. I really like the abrupt ending where you can interpret it in a way you feel is the way the book ends, because to me their really is no end but a beginning of a new future to this community.

   One theme this book carries out is to persevere. I feel like Jonas had a lot of perseverance going on while fighting to get to Elsewhere. He had to go through different climates and areas he’d never been and had to ride his bike a lot through the rough areas even twisting his ankle at one point. He’d gotten exhausted from riding the bike, was starving, and felt like maybe he would not be able to save Gabriel or find Elsewhere but would not stop and keep going on because he knew it was there and he’d be able to get there if he kept going. Jonas told himself to stop thinking of “what ifs” and kept going on never stopping. This message was very positive, and it just shows that we can do many things if we stop thinking of those “what ifs” and just go on like Jonas did because their is something waiting at the end.

BLOG SEVEN!

The Giver 
Lois Lowry   

   I am reading “The Giver”as you may already know from my last blog. Jonas had been worrying of how his Ceremony of Twelve will go, and what Assignment he’ll receive. I believe that Jonas had the whole right to be nervous and apprehensive because at the real Ceremony of Twelve they skipped him, and waited all the until the end to tell the community it was not a mistake and gave him his assignment. Jonas has become the Receiver which is a big honor since the last one they tried to train was a failure. Jonas training will be completely different from the other Twelves and painful, as the Chief Elder stated.

   While reading Jonas brought up a really good question to The Giver, he told him that he was thinking on what if Gabriel, the baby their nourishing, were able too see colors and choose his own toy? The Giver responded by saying, “He might make the wrong choices,” meaning that once they become older or Gabriel for example the might choose something that is wrong. Clearly, Jonas understood because he said, “It wouldn’t matter for a new child toy. But later it does matter, doesn’t it?” I believe the Givers short answer was very wise one for an elder, and in the community they are living in it was an appropriate one. I know that it gave Jonas the satisfaction he was looking for on why they cannot make their own choices.

BLOG SIX!

The Giver 
Lois Lowry

    I just started reading the book of "The Giver" and I feel like it is easy to comprehend. Jonas is living a "perfect society" everything is well organized. From what I can tell from the start of the story is that there are many rules in this Society. Jonas explains how his Society works, and that it goes by your age, each age brings something new you do or get. Twelve is the most important because that it when you get your Assignment which is a job that you will do until you enter the House of the Old. Jonas is Eleven, and is very apprehensive about how it will go as he said in the book. Jonas questions a lot on what he will be assigned, he feels that nothing really fits him. He very thrilled but fearful of the Ceremony in December of his Assignment but his parents reassure him repeatedly that everything will go good.
   In my opinion I feel that Jonas's character is very reflective. The reason why I believe this is because of the way he thinks so much of his future Assignment as well as things he has done before.  Some times he is thinking of the minor rules they have, and how he does not like to make them. For example in the text it said, "Everyone had known, he remembered with humiliation, that the announcement ATTENTION. THIS IS A REMINDER TO MALE ELEVENS THAT OBJECTS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE RECREATION AREA AND THAT SNACKS ARE TO BE EATEN, NOT HOARDED had been specifically directed at him" "No one had mentioned it, not even his parents because the public announcement had been sufficient to produce the appropriate remorse. In that paragraph it showed how he was reflecting on minor infraction he had made where he learned not to do it again because of the embarrassment. Jonas also reflects on mistakes people have done, and stories he has heard. I think Jonas does this because he wants to look his best for the Chief Elder, and he does not want chastisement.

BLOG FIVE!

Frida Kahlo
Hedda Garza

    I started to read the book “Frida Kahlo”, this book is a biography of a women who was a hispanic artist. In the book it says when she was younger she was a rebellious tomboy people would judge her, but she didn’t care. By this I can tell that Frida Kahlo views the world differently and had a more of a carefree persona. It then goes on  to the tragic  accident when Frida and her boyfriend Alejandro Gomez Arias were going to take a bus ride to Coyoacán. On September 17, 1925 the bus they were riding got hit by a trolley this accident almost cost her, her life with many injuries that would prolonge throughout her life. Freida began sketching after her accident not being able to pursue as a doctor/nurse anymore she began to take refuge in painting. She then went to Diego Rivera a famous painter, later to be her husband too see if she were a good painter, he said “that indeed she is a good artist.” In the book it showed a few of her paintings which are so unique and creative.

    The book “Frida Kahlo” is a biography of her life and achievements, but it does show a lot more of her personal life then other biography's usually do. What I like about this genre is that you know it’s real, that these events actually happen, and that these people, but for this book Frida overcame many obstacles of her career/life. I really usually don’t read biography’s so it is different for me when I do because it’s very complex in the writing, but I still like to read it. There’s nothing that I don’t really like about reading in biographies. I will definitely read books with this genre because I learn more and I can relate with the person’s at times, and I feel like it expands my knowledge. What I really like about this is book is Frida, and how she was very strong emotionally and could express herself deeply in her paintings so well like her painting of "The Two Fridas". In "The Two Fridas" you can clearly see how she feels about herself the two persons she is. Frida Kahlo is very inspirational, and I feel that she was a pretty amazing person.

BLOG FOUR!

Reached

by Ally Condie

   While reading my book I have taken notice on how serious the mutation has gotten and the desperation for a cure. The Pilot had a reason to be taking Cassia, Ky, and Xander together he suspects them of doing something and that they may be Society sympathizers, or work with someone completely different. The Pilot is desperate and questions them thoroughly telling them since they have been apart of the Rising major things have happened like poisoned lakes, mystery codes, and the Gallery where people shared things they made, like poems. They are all being sent to the Endstone Villages to contribute more for the Rising. Xander will be working on the cure along side Oker who is ninety and found the cure for Alzheimer’s. Once they made it to this village a bit after Ky fell still because he was not immune to the mutation. Cassia’s visits Ky every day when she’s on break from sorting. Ky can listen to them, but they do not know this. The people in Endstone are doing jus a bit more better then the people in the Society because Oker made a better supplement that they are know distributing in Society, but they are all still looking for a cure.

    Oker is a new character in the book Reached. Oker seems to be wiser at ninety years old the oldest person alive, he found the cure for Alzheimer’s, and has created a better dripping for those that are still. Not only that but he brings something important to Xander. In the book Oker told Xander this, “They’re no rebellion. They’re Society, with a different name, and they just want you and your followers.” This clearly shows that Oker is thinking differently, showing that he understands more and views the Rising differently then others would. He is explaining how the Rising is just taking over like Society did, it is no different they all want followers, and power. Xander then questions the Rising and the lies that they have given them.

BLOG THREE!

Reached 

by Allie Condie

   In my book Reached it has gotten to very intense parts. The Plague has mutated and people have been becoming still but much worse this time. Xander has figured out if people have a mark near their back they are immune to the new mutated virus. The reason why these people are immune is because when they got the Plague the Cure got it at it's weakest stage and it now knows how to react to the Plague. Cassia has been trying to make trades with people so she could trade back with the Archivist to communicate with her family. Then as Cassia realizes that the Archivists have left the museum because of the mutated virus, as she searched the museum she found the Head of the Archivists. The Head of The Archivist had a trip to Camas to see Ky and then as the Head of the Archivist told her she knew that she was the one who took her poems to pay this trip. As Cassia was going to the Gallery she saw as the removed the large walls, and Indie appeared quickly telling her she made it just in time. Indie flew her over, Xander going along. Cassia will finally see Ky.
   The conflict slowly begins to be revealing itself as the story meets more problems like the mutation. Xander has been working overtime of his shifts just to examine all his patients. Indie gets both Xander and Cassia over from Central taking them to The Risings "headquarters". They have found out of the Otherlands and that the Pilot use to take Anomalies and Aberrations to these places. Now they want to get here. But will the Pilot actually take them? Or is it just a trick? I wonder if Cassia, and Xander will bring their family. Will Indie confess to Cassia that she kissed Ky? Their are many conflict's going on in the story but by far going to the Otherlands is a major one.

BLOG TWO!

Reached

by Allie Condie

     While reading my book Reached, I have come to realized that the Rising is not playing games at all. The Rising has already invaded into Society because the Plague has set loose into the cities of Society. The Plague has reach many, and the people were dying before the Rising came in with the cure that helped many. But, the misfortune that Xander has found is that the Plague has mutated which means the previous cure they had will be no longer be effective. Everybody is in danger even the ones who already had the disease. Cassia has made a Gallery where people share, poems, song, and stories that the archivists in trading say are worthless since they aren’t antique. Since Society has been overthrown people gather here, one Archivists warns Cassia of the rumored Plague mutation and that they should be careful in the gatherings. Cassia does not believe of the mutation, and keeps going to the gatherings.

    The character in the book Ky was against the Rising, but now he is working in the Rising working as a pilot delivering cures into the cities. Ky did not like the Rising, and was helping Cassia try to find them only because he loves her. But, when Ky found a map to the Rising he did not tell Cassia because he did not want to go and he did not want her to go. Cassia found Ky about to burn the map, stopped him, and shouting at him that he was taking a choice she wanted to make away from. Ky joined the Rising for Cassia because he didn’t want to lose her again. I believe that Ky is doing this against his own thoughts is for the strong love Ky has for Cassia, and possibly even risk his own life for her.

BLOG ONE!

Reached
by Ally Condie

   So far, in my book titled 'Reached' the conflict seems to be rising sooner than expected. As I started the book I realized how everything was going pretty fast Xander, and Cassia are living within Society gaining information from the society, and working with The Risings orders. I learned that Xander switches the the tablets that are given to babies from Society to tablets the Rising has given. Cassia is meant to give Society information as well as to sort incorrectly. Ky, and Indie work within the Rising for it. Each one of them questions if the beginning of the rebellion is in action because of the signs they see. A sickness is going through Society which isn't normal as well as the Match Banquets going wrong. The beginning of the Rising is happening.
      Cassia's character is pretty fearless, and the reason why I see this trait in her is the position she puts herself in. She joined the Rising and persisted that Ky did as well she wanted to be a part of the rebellion knowing the consequences it could bring to her. First off she had to get out of Society who "knows everything" they have Official everywhere any suspicions about her would quickly get her into trouble. But she got her way out. Finding the Rising was not so easy they had to go through very difficult areas not even knowing if the Rising was actually there. Now she works in Society for the Rising it could be easy for Society to stop her if they knew but Cassia does not fear of what happens. Cassia wants a rebellion,

Goal Setting Blog

Goals

    The academic goal I have this year is to have more strategies while I work in class. Strategies I could have are asking more questions, more mental math, and focus more. How I could work with asking questions is every time something is difficult like a certain topic I could ask the teacher or someone who understands the topic specific questions. For using mental math I could study problems and work them out without the calculator and memorize the problems. The last strategy I want to have is to be focused and in class I could practice by listening to teacher and finishing work right away as I am focused.

   The personal goal I am trying to achieve is being mature. The steps I can take to accomplish this personal goal is to talk less and not interrupt people as they are speaking. I could get rid of doing childish actions in school as well as out of school. Another thing that can improve my maturity is saying less childish things to others and every time I do I will not speak for two minutes,