The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - 2/23/15

Prompt: Are the characters realistic (do they seem like they could be real people)? Why or Why not?
Author: Sherman Alexie
Pages Read: 1-51

     The main character, Junior, was born with a variety of medical problems. He also comes from a poor Indian family in a poor Spokane Indian reservation. Junior is a very smart student based on his teacher's "motivational speech" to cling on to hope because his intelligence will get him to success. After this it was decided that Junior is to leave the rez and go to a good educational all-white school. Junior's best friend, Rowdy, is what one would call angry. No, he IS angry. Angry is him. He beats up anyone and anything. Except for Junior. When Rowdy sees someone hurt Junior he would start throwing his punches. These are the two main characters so far introduced in the book.

     The characters do seem realistic. Each one has a personality/characteristic that is realistic. It is not like a fire breathing human character. The fact that Junior had a brain surgery for having too much fluid in his brain somehow makes the story a bit more realistic to me. This event is something that is possible and could happen. There are also people who are very much like Rowdy. Angry and uses violence towards others when he is feeling down. Rowdy's parents drink a lot and his dad gets abusive with him and his mom. Junior also has parents as drunks but they would never touch a hair on him. From what Junior has explained his parents are good drunks who do not want their kids to end up like them.

     Overall, knowing that there are families like this in the world makes it realistic. I could connect to their situations, well not myself personally but some people I know have parents who are drunk or who is struggling through poverty. I could connect on the personal level but it is very broad. The main character is 14 years old and so am I. That's it. Just the age... we are both human! Knowing that humans exist also give more of a realistic feel towards the book.

Comments: Athziry, Leanna, Jenna

AoW Impressions - 2/20/15

     There are many similarities between most of the articles I gathered information by my peers. ISIS is obviously a major conflict for the World. Most articles articles were about ISIS or either connected to ISIS. Even when it is not mentioned. For example, my article which was about the C.I.A buying chemical weapons from Iraq in secret and destroying them. My article never mentioned ISIS but does relate to it. Aside from my article, I was able to gain more specifics on the recent ISIS tragedy. The beheading of 21 Egyptians as a result of an attack from Egypt to ISIS's camps. A lot of terrorist action not just from ISIS but from other terrorist groups I have never heard of, Boko Horam. Then there were articles that were about diseases and the preparations of epidemics for Ebola. One article was about the negative effects with technology. An article I found unique was about language experts claiming that english should be fixed because it is improper and most of the words are not pronounced how they are spelled. The second major conflict is discrimination on many things such as gender, race, or just the features of a person. One of my peer's article's was about gender equality in Turkey. Women are not treated well there and are protesting while the government does nothing but let them get killed. Another article is centered on a 17 year old girl named Molly who was made fun of because of her features but eventually turned out to be a model. Lastly, in Russia a 16 year old homosexual male came out to his father then was sent to his grandmother who sent him to a "witch" to seek help. Eventually, he ended up with doctors who drugged his body and because of overdose he became ill and was kept quarantined. Activists freed him but later was charged of kidnap.         

     Wow. Our world could be falling apart or it may be improving. It all just depends on an individual's point of view. ISIS is something the whole world should be on a look out for. Anyone can get attacked at any moment and anywhere. I agree that there are many negative effects on technology. Though there are positive effects as well. Which leaves me awkwardly in the middle of wether technology is good or bad. English, the language, I am sure may be proper if used the right way with the right wording. It is all a matter of play on words. The spelling I do agree that most words are not pronounced how they are spelled but I need more knowledge on other languages and spelling to make a conclusion for that. Once again I am awkwardly in the middle. Equality situation in Turkey makes me realize that our country, the United States, is fortunate than other countries because we have more freedom.  I will admit the US is still going through some tough stuff. Overall, this week's AoWs made me do a lot of thinking, and I am grateful for that.

Black Duck - 2/16/15

Prompt: Do you like what you're reading? Why or Why not?

Author: Janet Taylor Lisle

Pages Read: finished 

      I did like what I read, which is strange because historical fiction is one of my least favorite genres. I always found it hard to read historical fiction because I needed background knowledge. Black Duck is different, it gives you the knowledge you need. I was able to follow along with the plot of the book. The book starts off with a young boy wanting to have his article published on the newspaper. In order for that he needs to article, of course. He decides to write about the history of Rumrunners. He goes to an old man who people claim used to be a Rumrunner. Instead, he gets a different story. Of the time he and his friend found a dead body who was a Rumrunner. When they return to the body it is gone. Which leaves many mysteries behind and takes the readers on a thrill.

    The author, Janet Taylor Lisle, creates such eerie suspense that it is amusing to have see myself reading this book. As mentioned before historical fiction is not my favorite genre. I also learned a lot with this book. I learned that there was a time when alcohol and liquor was illegal. There would be people who would try and sneak in liquor from other countries into the United States. Those people are called Rumrunners. They were considered criminals but were very secretive. This book switched my opinion on historical fiction. Sometimes, one needs to push themselves to read as book to the very end. They just have to find the right book. Now, I can read historical fiction, and maybe I will try to look for other books on the genres I consider not my favorite.

Comments: Gianna, Nik, and Steven

Th1rteen R3asons Why - Book Talk

     Hello Everyone! The book I chose for this book talk is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.  The genre of this book is realistic-fiction and mystery. This book takes place around present day. The main character is a high school boy named Clay Jenson. One day he receives a package full of tapes. Those tapes are recordings of a girl named Hannah; who committed suicide. And Clay's crush. Well before the suicide, Hannah recorded herself explaining why she killed herself. She made thirteen tapes, each tape is a story which includes a specific person as to why she committed suicide. Those people are the only one's who will listen to the tape. Well when Clay receives the tapes it is instructed of him, that he must listen to everything. When he is finished, the tapes have to be sent out to the next person that is said in the tapes. And that person must do the same. So it is like a cycle.

     Just listening to the tapes was a huge conflict for Clay. There are several stories before he gets mentioned in them. It builds up a suspense for him. Clay feels guilty because he has no idea what he has done to Hannah but just like her. The book is just a big thriller for the reader because we are put in Clay's point of view. That is what I liked about the book, the author did a good job building suspense. The theme was written out very well too. The theme is to be careful of your actions and saying. It could really affect a person and that person may end up... well dead. Overall, I think this is the type of book that everyone should give it a try because it is very creative. I will admit some parts seems exaggerated to me. Like dramatic. But everyone is different so definitely a must read. Bye!