Rules (Little bit of John Green too) : 2-17-14

Prompt: Write a summary of what you have just read.
Pages read: 1-32

     Before I begin I would like to talk about The Fault in Our Stars. I know what John Green did to his readers. He first created a huge bundle of happiness throughout most of the story. Taking a pistil he shot that bundle straight in the middle, disintegrating all that happiness that he built up. The rest of the story he little by little glued all of the pieces back together. Green did that by telling the good sides at the end of the story. Teaching all of us this huge life lesson in the end which slowly recovers us. I am not just talking about this one book though, this also has to do with Looking for Alaska. This is the unique talent of John Greens writing. You just have to be valorous to read his novels.

      (I am not so good at summaries so I want to improve my summary writing.)

     Twelve-year-old girl, Catherine just cannot stand her brother. She wants a normal life but it is very hard when her brother, David, has autism. She struggles to get her brother to wait in the car. When David asks Catherine a question like, "What time will dad come home from work?" the answer has to be either "Yes" or "No." David does not allow "Maybe" or "I don't know," but Catherine truly didn't know what time her dad will come home. She didn't think on replying to that question so in the car he threw a tantrum. Then out the window they were looking at the men outside a truck moving stuff into their new neighbor's house. Catherine's old neighbor, Mrs. Bowman, told her that the new neighbor will have a daughter around her age so that is one thing to look forward to. Catherine is always alone in the summer because her best friend, Melissa, spends her whole vacation with her dad. Now she won't be so lonesome.

     When they arrive to the clinic that is the only time Catherine gets to spend with her mom. As she colors her mom reads Harry Potter to her. Catherine has drawn almost everything and everybody in the clinic except for this 16 year old boy, Jason, he can't talk fro some
unknown reason and he is always on a wheelchair. He has this book on his lap full of words so that he may communicate with others by pointing at the words and phrases. Jason's mother is sitting next to him and notices Catherine drawing Jason. She tells Catherine to stop in an impertinent way. Catherine gets upset but Jason's face expression is unobservant so she can't tell what he is feeling. As Jason and his mother leave the clinic he caught a glance of a different drawing Catherine made and he liked it. As a generous act she gave it to him. That is the start of a new friendship for Catherine.

"Foul Kings"

Spine Poetry

   
   

     The main point of the poem is that there are these evil kings who rule most of the world. My inspiration for this poem was the first book and the second to last book. Combined it created a poem about foul kings having control. Almost in all of my own written poems I likes to leave an empty back story so that the readers may use their own imagination to fill in the missing piece. I would love to know what my classmates think what the mysterious story is, so please comment your story.

"Dead Promised Love"

Found Poetry

(In case you can't see it)

"Dead Promised Love"

Night thoughts warmed at the memory

Sweet love is dead

We're all God's people

acquaintance 

You can't be honorary

Aren't you even listening to me?

You promised

     The main point is that a person is talking to his/her dead lover. There is a missing story with an unknown promise behind this poem and can only be filled with your imagination. I drew a city underneath because of the third line and the setting of night clouds of the memories that lover is having. Nothing was really inspired to do this poem probably just the word choices this page has is what made me wonder what kind of poem I can make. Please comment what you think this poem means or what is the missing story, I would love to hear my classmates ideas!

Rules: 2-10-14

2 Voice Poem on Rules by Cynthia Lord

Why can't I have a normal life?

Remember the rule to appreciate what you have

It is hard to appreciate what you don't have

Why can't I have a normal brother?

I'm sorry

I want some attention from my parents

When are we going to the video games store?

I do not know, maybe at 5:00

NO! 

Sorry, at exactly 5:00

Ok, I can't wait!

Is there a cure for autism?

Why do people see us differently?

Look my airplane!

He causes lots of attention.

I like having fun!

I do not even get invited for parties because of him.

Parties are fun too!

He ruined my drawings!

Your drawings are ugly

I can't wait for the new neighbor

I just want a friend

I want to be the neighbor's friend

I am just worried that she won't like me

I have to say "Hi" to her that is the rule

She might not like me because of my brother

Or if a person says "hi" to me say it back

That is why I give him rules so that he may be normal

I forget the rules sometimes

Always got to follow the rules

My only time alone with mom it's when he is at the doctor's

I don't like the doctor's that much, but they are still nice.

Mom reads me a book while I draw

There are fun toys there

When we leave there I still feel lonely

I wonder who else has rules...

I need a friend to understand me

I need someone to play with me

Will no one understand?

Poem

The Fault in Our Stars - Week Of 2/3/14

Prompt: Discuss what you like and/or dislike about what you are reading.
Pages Read: 130-230

     I find this book so adorable (I am such a girl). Everything that happens between Hazel and Augustus is just perfect! Do not get me wrong, though. I am not saying this book is perfect because to me not everything is perfect. There are always some flaws in a book but these flaws are just in my opinion. Author, John Green, is the kind of author who makes small things in life seem something much bigger. Which, I value that when it comes to realistic fiction. The idea of making a book about two cancer lovers is just adoring but tragic at the same time.

     What I did not really appreciate though, was how fast the story line was going. Hazel, a 16 year-old girl with stage four lung cancer, just met Augustus, 17 real-old boy with an artificial leg whom he lost because of cancer, and they take a trip together to Amsterdam. Of course, with the adult supervision of Hazel's mother. I just feel like how can they go on a trip together when they just met. Well, I actually do not know what bothers me about that. I just feel like something is missing there, maybe like something bad to happen. There are people who have read this book tell me that I am not in the sad part yet but still, the story is dragging for me.

     What I did like about this book is how much humor it has! I find myself laughing out loud at times. Like when we do silent reading in class, it is hard for me to keep myself reticent. I also loved how John Green would describe something in the book but since it is in Hazel's point of view it would match her personality. For example when describing Augustus smile, "Deliciously crooked smile..." I thought that was creative. After reading John Green's other book Looking For Alaska and reading this book too makes me wonder what did it take for John Green to write books like these. Those two books are mostly set in teenagers point of view then there is always something tragic happening. Green then makes the stories small events into something bigger and valuable. I just really wonder about his teenage years...

PLEASE Watch the trailer

Scat - Week of 1/27/14

Prompt: What special way did the author write (for example, flashbacks, told in first person, multiple voice narrative, foreshadowing, lost descriptive words that create images of your mind, etc.)? Dis that make reading it better or worse? Explain.

Pages Read: 1-110

     This is the kind of book that is fun to read! Scat is about a science class going on a field trip expecting it to be fun but then something 'tragic' goes wrong. Their evil science teacher goes missing. No one likes Mrs. Starch but they all worry about her because she is still their teacher. It is only up to two students, Nick and Marta, to go look for her. The only problem is, no one has a clue where she might be. Mrs. Starch has no contact with people at all, she has no family members around and rumor says that her husband moved away because of her poisonous snakes. The idea of a teacher going missing is very common but author, Carl Hiaasen, does a splendid job at making this story one of a kind!

     A special way that I think Carl writes is having the point of view focus on the principle too. Most of the time is is the main character or the main character's best friend. Since he has the point of view of the principle I wonder why the author's intention was to have it on his point of view... Maybe something very surprising will happen in the book or maybe that was just to give the readers more information on how teachers are handling things with the missing teacher. I have so many predictions my my mind and I am full of curiosity. I really like how the writing of Carl Hiaasen caused me to have many questions and comments.

     Another special way I think the author writes is how he puts humor in his characters. I find this is giving the book a more realistic feel to it. Most of us, youngsters like to fool around a lot and so Carl put that in his book which allowed me to connect to the
book. Most of the time connecting to the text to self makes it more realistic and believable because you know the experience. That is why I am enjoying his book so much and I thought this was a great pick for Battle of the Books.

The Fault in Our Stars - Week of 1/20/14

FEW SPOILERS

Prompt: After reading I wonder...
Pages Read: 1-130

     "[Green] shows us true love--two teenagers helping and accepting each other through the most humiliating physical and emotional ordeals--and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach" 

-The New York Times Book Review

   
     This New York Times review explains exactly what I think about this book! Most people that being different than anyone else changes the way people see you as. I used to think that too until I started reading this book. Teenagers, Augustus and Hazel, are falling in love but the only thing in the way is cancer but that is not stopping them to be brave. Even though Augustus has already gone through pain he is not letting that scare him from vein with Hazel. Though, she is worried to hurt him because of her cancer. Their bravery is the only thing they have faith on.

     After reading only half of this book I have so many questions in my head. I am thinking how fortunate I am to be healthy. I feel so fortunate which quickly got substituted with guilt in me. That is not a pleasant feeling. Which makes me wonder if anybody else feels guilty when they read this book. Then I imagine myself in each character's position. Isaac being blind, Hazel with cancer, and Augustus with his fake leg. I think I would rather be born blind that become blind later on in my life. I imagine myself in Isaac's place by driving to the hospital to remove the cancer from my eyes but it will leave me blind. As I make my way to the hospital I would wonder, "Will I remember very color? What if someone kidnaps me and I do not even know it? If I do forget colors and shapes how can someone describe something to me? How will I learn to read?" All these questions I would have If I were in Isaac's position. A huge sacrifice to make to be healthy. The thought of suffering is worst than the suffering itself. Hazel I can already guess how she feels because the book is in her point of view. Augustus, I do not exactly know how he feels because he is in love with Hazel and she is in danger of dying so why is he putting himself in a risky zone of pain and agony of sadness. Augustus has already lost his old girlfriend to cancer, so my question is why go through this again? I just think that since I cannot imagine myself in love I do not know why Augustus would do this.

     Maybe love gets you to do stupid things from what I have heard and seen. All these thoughts, questions, and imagination inside my head is petrifying
me for some reason. If you read the book please, please, please, tell me your thoughts on the book and your questions. Please include you opinions too! The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a book that really make you think about your life and how fortunate you are. Maybe for some readers it makes them think that they are not alone in this world. I am hoping that few think that the characters in this book are more fortunate than them. I do not like seeing people suffer. I wish everybody the best of luck in their life and years to come, hopefully.

The Perks Of Being a Wallflower - Week of 1-13-14

Slight Spoilers

Pages Read; 0-213(FINISHED)

Prompt; What are two emotions the main character has felt? What made the main character feel that way?

By stephen chbosky

     My last blog post was about the same book but it was not my opinion on Charlie's life. This book changed the way I see life in high school. My prediction of what high school will be like is scary, annoying, and tiring. Mostly negative because I guess I have always heard negative comments on those four years of your life. The only good comments I have heard about high school is when you become a senior. The last year of being a high school student, then you are (hopefully) of to college. I really do hope to go to college. It would be easy to get into a good university if you went to a good high school. That means that I have to work hard to get into a good a good high school. If I don't then that is okay, I guess. I can just work extra hard to get good grades in whatever other high school I go to. My aunt, Jalissa, she is 20 and was not in a perfect high school, I would say. I know she worked really hard to get into the college she is in now and because of her inspiring hard work she is my mentor and inspiration. I have heard that freshman year is the scariest year out of all the years and I will admit I am not looking forward to it. Charlie was not looking forward to high school either he was also scared about it because he had no friends until some seniors took him into their lives and together the have an infinite moment.

     Charlie writes letters to a stranger he has never met before but has heard many good things about him. The whole book is basically made out of his letters. The letters are like a diary for him. Since it is in his point of view I know what Charlie feels. He is just a shy freshman who is barely recovering from the loss of his best friend, Michael. His whole life he has never been exactly happy in any point of his life. Writing these letters makes him release his thoughts, especially when you are writing it to an understanding person. "I just need to know that someone out there listens and understands... I need to know that these people exist" Charlie wrote in one of his letters. In the beginning of the book he says, "So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." My guess on why Charlie feels this way it is because his best friend, Michael, committed suicide over the summer so he is recovering from that. In overall Charlie feels happy and sad in the beginning of the book.

     Two seniors probably saw what Charlie was going through so they helped him get back on his feet onto his infinite feeling. "Sam tapped her hand on the steering wheel. Patrick held his hand outside the car and made air waves. And I just sat between them. After the song finished, I said something. 'I feel infinite.' And Sam and Patrick looked at me like I said the greatest thing ever." This part of the book is the most popular part. Just by having true friends made Charlie infinite. Having great happiness that cannot be measured. This has taught me that simple things like a car ride can control you. Unexpectedly Charlie has experienced sadness, and happiness. Until that one car ride has made him reach an infinite feeling.

Infinite Brightness

POV - Bill, Charlie's Teacher 
"With him life was a routine, without him life was unbearable"
- To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

September 6, 1991

     I never thought of becoming a teacher but I do know that I have always wanted to change someone's life. I guess being a teacher does change someone's life. As a teacher you get to see the different behaviors of students. Along with watching the behaviors of students I get a glimpse of what might happen to them in the future. It is mostly my guess or prediction of their future. One of my students who I know their future clearly is, Charlie. Even though at first he wasn't doing so well in his essays I still gave him the A's on his report card because I could see the brightness in him. I am giving him books separate from the advanced english class so that he could learn on his own and so he may improve his writing in his own speed. He is only a freshmen but I know Charlie is able to build on his work if only I push him a little. I told him his sentence structure needs some more building into it. Ever since I told him that I have seen his improvement very quickly. I gave him his first B on an essay. When I gave Charlie back his graded essay on Peter Pan, he had a face of shock but elated at the same time. Then I realized that Charlie might not notice his improvement on essays. Which might make him even more proud of himself. As I have said before Charlie has an infinite future ahead of him. Do not get me wrong, during his coming-of-age story he will have some problems along the road but he will overcome it. Like when he told me about his sister being slapped by her boyfriend I knew I had to take action if Charlie would not. I just hope that there won't be any problems between her and Charlie. If there is well they can't stay mad at each other forever, right? I know I had problems with my siblings too but we always got over it. I did not think he has many friends either, until I saw him 'hang out' with some seniors, Sam and Patrick. Which makes me wonder who were his other friends in his school when he was in eighth grade. Middle school seems so much smaller than high school, so I am assuming Charlie must have had at least one friend. I am sure he did but I wonder what happened to him. My guess is that he probably moved to a different school.

October 16, 1991

    There is a certain point in our life where we all go "bad," as you would say. This happens mostly when you are a teenager. Well I never truly have gone bad. The only time I have done something bad that even my parents got mad at me would be when I slacked of on my schoolwork. Yes, I know, I lived on the wild side. I know what kind of mischief teenagers could get into, not only because I was one of them because I am a high school teacher everyday surrounded by teenagers. I do not mean snoop on someone but I accidentally overheard some students in the hallway talking about performing in a Rocky Horror Picture Show. What are these kids getting into now? I trust Charlie, that is why I told him to call me by my first name, Bill, outside of class. I am just hoping that he also will make good choices. The students who I overheard are also friends of Sam and Patrick, the seniors I mentioned earlier. If they are friends with Sam and Patrick then they must know Charlie. I don't mind them being with Charlie it's just probably one of those moments we are as teens. Teenage years are hard to grow up in. Well, that is only in my opinion because I was actually bullied when I was in school. My wife makes fun of me because of that. You could say that my wife is a bully to me sometimes but its actually just sweet teasing because of the stories I told her about my bullying experience. Charlie has already gotten in his first fight here. It was not his fault though, he was just trying to defend himself. A witness told the truth, that Charlie was only trying to defend himself. It actually turns out that he was been bullying Charlie. At least he stood up to his bully, I wish I could've done that.

November 5, 1991

     What surprised me the most about Charlie was that when he told me about his sister being slapped he asked me a very smart question. I have never thought about it but it is very true. He asked me why do we love people that are bad for us. "Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve," was what I said, which really surprised me because I am not that kind of person to say stuff like that. I also think it is a very wise answer. I wonder how many people would agree with me because I know there are some arrogant people out there in this huge world. The reason why I am wondering this is because I know Charlie has been through a lot. Especially with what has happened to him when he was a child. Actually just last year he has been through a lot. Not that long ago one of his middle school teachers came to this school to see her students from last year. Most people from that middle school end up coming to this school. Well when she came here she told me what happened to his best friend, Michael. He committed suicide last year. Charlie is holding up great. Which also leaves me wondering about the poem he had in his notebook. I caught a glimpse of the poem in his notebook. I saw the words “slash” and “wrist” and the last line which said, “because this time he didn’t think he could reach the kitchen-”  I might be thinking about it in a wrong way but that is just my guess.

December 22, 1991

     Charlie has experienced many different things. His childhood, Michael's death, and other even more personal things. Though, his brightness never died. It kept going because I could see it in his eyes. There is no end to his brightness. When I told myself I want to change someone's life, I wanted to do something even bigger than being a teacher. We always turn out to be something we weren't expecting to be. I do not think Charlie knows what he wants to be. He sees things and he understands them. With this talent that he has, he can change many lives! When he is older I hope my prediction will come true and he will change hundreds of people’s lives. He must help them. I think the only way Charlie could do that is with a book. Just a simple book of his thoughts. Something simple and nothing, could become something. His writing has showed so much common sense and his thoughts are beautiful. I think he could write a book someday. I truly think that. He has more than potential in him than he thinks. Charlie, a normal average student. That is what you see him on the outside. Charlie, a student with infinite brightness in him. That is what he really is on the inside.

I imagined my character young because I figured he would be more understanding with Charlie.

 Here is the suicide poem  and this is the video for the poem. Enjoy!