Reading Response

Critical thinking question: How does this story address the points of view (perspectives) of other groups, especially those who usually don't get to tell their side?

    So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti is about a girl named Brooke who has a very big crush on a boy who hardly knows she exists. I chose this critical thinking question because Brooke is just a regular teenager that no one pays attention to. This book is written in a very unique point of view (Brooke's). People may think that she's just a geek with no social life and no problems, but she like most teens does have a social life. The boy Brooke has a huge crush on, Scott moves to New York. Brooke decided that she should follow him and go to New York too, since her dad lives there. In New York she learns many important things in life.
    Brooke is just a regular teen, as I said before. She's one of those quiet kids in school who never talks and that's what makes the point of view in this book unique. Brooke is like all other teens, she crushes on boys, she goes shopping, but no other girl would follow her crush all the way to New York from New Jersey. Brooke decided that since Scott was moving to NY she would go and live with her dad in NY. She was convinced that Scott and her were meant to be together. "But then there's The Knowing. I know that I belong with Scott" (Colasanti 21).  According to Brooke, "The Knowing" was always true. This is something very unique about Brooke, I highly doubt another teen would have this theory.
    Brooke is a very unique girl who learns things in very unique ways. She moved all the way to New York because her crush moved there. You wouldn't believe all the things she learned in NY. She met new friends and people she could trust. NY became more of a home to her than anywhere else. She knew that she could trust people there. In NY she learned not to take things for granted. "If you're lucky enough to find that person, never let them go" (Colasanti 21). In the end this person was not Scott it was a person she met in NY, John. She knew she had found the right person because he loved her and she trusted him. Brooke found the people she trusted by following her crush. Everything happened in its own way.
    This book is about a teen girl that is very unique, she finds her home in a very unique way. Brooke is a teen that has a typical lifestyle, no one would expect all this drama to be in her life. This book was written in a very different point of view that not a lot of people would be expecting.

Independent Reading Response

Critical Thinking Question: What really hard things are happening in this text? Are these things happening in the world now? Where?


    I read the book, Teen Angst? NAAAH... by Ned Vizzini. This book is an autobiograhy of Ned Vizzini's childhood. Vizzini grew up in Park Slope and lived a normal life, one kind of like the life we live now. He does have to go through a few hard things in his life but he overcomes them. He was always a great literature writer. In school, he was an outcast. He was known as a "geek" or "nerd". Vizzini wrote this autobiography when he was nineteen.

    Ned wrote about most of his phases of childhood, from when he was nine to when he was nineteen. Ned was an A student. He was always studying because according to him, it was fun. Ned went through some rough times. Peer pressure was one of those times. Ned went to camp every summer. One summer the boys in his camp were smoking, so he decided to try it out. He tried it because the other boys were doing it. It didn't taste the way he expected it to taste. According to him it tasted "raunchy", and he "got very dizzy and began hacking ". Peer pressure was not only a problem then but it still is now. Many kids get influenced to do many bad things now-a-days because of other kids doing the same thing, or because other kids are making them do it. Peer pressure usually takes place in school, but as you saw here it can take place anywhere.

    Over one summer, while Ned was in high school, he met some "hobos" or street people on east 4th street. He would spend most of his summer with these people playing dominoes. The "boss" of the block, Poppy would bring endless supplies of beer for the people that played. Ned would play and even though he wasn't at the legal age for drinking, he would still drink and get drunk because he had an endless supply of it. The influence he was given from these older people was horrible. He was given the idea that drinking at such a young age was a good thing. Many kids get influenced by adults now-a-days and some adults can influence them in a positive or negative way. Many adults have influenced teens and kids to believe that it is okay to smoke and drink. This happens all over the world and these things can easily sicken people.

     In conclusion, the autobiography, Teen Angst? NAAAH... written by Ned Vizzini and about Ned Vizzini, includes many of the hard things and problems that society is facing now. Some like teen drinking and smoking. Ned was a social outcast, but in the end, he succeeded in life and became a succesful author. 

Monday Muses

                                          Monday Muses 

    Over the summer, my family and I took a trip to Europe. When we first got to London, we arrived at the Heathrow Airport. I was amazed and I was so happy. In London we saw many things. We saw the Buckingham Palace and we rode on the London Eye. On the London Eye we saw the Big Ben, it was beautiful. We also visited Greenwich and we saw the line that separated the world. After London we took a train to Paris, France. In Paris we visited the Eiffel Tower and my father, his friend, and I went to the top of it.  We also visited the Palace of Versailles which was amazingly gigantic and beautiful. We also went to the South of France where we stayed in a cave. The house was literally a hole in a mountain. In the South of France we went to the house of Leonardo DaVince and we saw all the inventions that he invented. We also saw the tombstone of DaVince. Then we took another train to Amsterdam. In Amsterdam, we visited the house that Anne Frank and her family were hiding in during the holocaust. We also visited the Van Gogh Museum. After Amsterdam, we flew to Stockholm, our last stop. In Stockholm we visited a palace and took many hikes. We also saw the first Ikea ever built. Then we flew home. This was my trip to Europe, and it was the highlight of my summer.

Argument Essay Draft #2

                                               Argument Essay

             Peer pressure has been happening in most schools all over the world. Access to the book Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard should not be banned because it includes valuable life lessons, some like not to give in to peer pressure, not to steal or take things that aren’t yours, and to achieve your goals. There is a part in the book in which there is peer pressure, but the teen being peer pressured stands up for herself and her friends. The book includes other valuable life lessons that kids all around the world can relate to. The book is basically about teenage girls that once had a very “good” friend, Alison. One night she disappeared and they never found out what happened to her. People have tried to ban this book because they think that it contains inappropriate actions. The book does not contain inappropriate graphics or nudity.

             The book Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard is about four teenage girls; these girls have to go through many hard things in their life. They had made friends with the most popular girl in school and she was their “best friend”. They spent quality time together and they loved being with her, although sometimes she could’ve been a bit pushy and bossy. Then Alison DiLaurentis their “best friend” had disappeared. They went through lots of trauma. On top of that, they had been getting weird IM messages from an anonymous person claming to be “A”. This person was threatening them to do the things they were told in these IM messages. This person also new all about their secrets that only Alison new. The girls lost contact after the disappearance of Alison, but “A” was bringing them closer together. This is a good book about teenage girls and it teaches valuable life lessons.

             People have tried to ban this book because they believe that it contains parts where there is sexual intimacy and inappropriate actions. It does contain a part where there is sexual intimacy but it does not show graphics or nudity, and it barely has any foul language. Research and opinions from other articles support my counterclaim that this book shouldn’t be banned. The article, “Darkness Too Visible” by Meghan Cox Gurdon is about banned books. Meghan wrote, “Reading about homicide doesn’t turn a man into a murderer; reading about cheating on exams won’t make a kid break the honor code” (Gurdon 1). This shows that in Meghan’s eyes even if a child reads an inappropriate part of a book, it won’t influence or make the child the thing she/he reads. The video, “Book Under Fire,” talks about the thought that classic books or all time favorites shouldn’t be banned. They believe that the banning of books shouldn’t be because of the opinion of one person. The article “The Banned Books We Have Loved,” by Jenn Doll states that some people want to ban books for ridiculous reasons. Some of these are racial reasons.

             This book shouldn’t be banned because it teaches young kids valuable life lessons, some like not to give in to peer pressure, not to steal or take something that isn’t yours, and to achieve your goals. In the beginning of the book, before Alison had disappeared, the five girls were having a sleepover. Alison had wanted to hypnotize the girls but they didn’t want her to. But as always, they gave in and let her. Alison then made them close their eyes and she turned off the light. None of them wanted the light off, but they were too scared to say anything. Spencer decided to stand up.

Spencer put her hands on her hips. ‘I want it lighter. Maybe everyone does’ Alison looked at the others; they still had their eyes closed. ‘It doesn’t always have to be the way you want it, you know, Ali’ (Shepard 13).

Spencer stood up against peer pressure and defended herself and the girls against Alison. She didn’t give in to the peer pressure. The book also influences kids to get good grades. Spencer got a really high grade on her PSAT test. “She read the PSAT results six times before it sunk in. She’d gotten a 2350 out of 2400.” (Shepard 124). Spencer had gotten really good grades, which could influence kids to get good grades. The book also influences children not to steal things. “They have you on tape shoplifting some items from their store. Tapes from various other mall security cameras tracked you out of the mall and to your car…” (Shepard 91). This could teach kids that you shouldn’t steal, rob, or take things that aren’t yours because you will always get caught.

             In conclusion, access to the book, Pretty Little Liars shouldn’t be banned because not only does it not have inappropriate graphics or nudity but it also teaches valuable life lessons. It’s about teenage girls that go through many problems but in the end, they’re just like us. They go through peer pressure and almost every kid in the United States has gone through that. They are also in high school which is what most 8^th graders will be in next year. The book kind of shows us a part of what high school will be like. To conclude everything, this book shouldn’t be banned; there are no logical reasons for this book to be banned. 

Argument Essay Draft #1

                                         Argument Essay

             Peer pressure has been happening in most schools all over the world. Access to the book “Pretty Little Liars” by Sara Shepard includes valuable life lessons, some like not to give in to peer pressure. There is a part in the book in which there is peer pressure, but the teen being peer pressured stands up for herself and her friends. The book includes other valuable life lessons that kids all around the world can relate to. The book is basically about teenage girls that once had a very “good” friend, Ali. One night she disappeared and they never found out what happened to her. People have tried to ban this book because they think that it contains inappropriate actions. The book does not contain inappropriate graphics or nudity.

             The book, “Pretty Little Liars” by Sara Shepard is about four teenage girls; these girls have to go through many hard things in their life. They had made friends with the most popular girl in school and she was their “best friend”. They spent quality time together and they loved being with her, although sometimes she could’ve been a bit pushy and bossy. Then Alison DiLaurentis their “best friend” had disappeared. They went through lots of trauma. On top of that, they had been getting weird IM messages from an anonymous person claming to be “A”. This person was threatening them to do the things they were told. This person also new all about their secrets that only Alison new. The girls lost contact after the disappearance of Alison, but “A” was bringing them closer together. This is a good book about teenage girls and it teaches valuable life lessons.

             People have tried to ban this book because they believe that it contains parts where there is sexual intimacy and inappropriate actions. It does contain a part where there is sexual intimacy but it does not show graphics or nudity, and it barely has any foul language. Research and opinions from other articles support my counterclaim. The article, “Darkness Too Visible” by Meghan Cox is about banned books. Meghan wrote, “Reading about homicide doesn’t turn a man into a murderer; reading about cheating on exams won’t make a kid break the honor code.” This shows that in Meghan’s eyes even if a child reads an inappropriate part of a book, it won’t influence or make the child the thing she/he reads. The video, “Book Under Fire,” talks about the thought that classic books or all time favorites shouldn’t be banned. They believe that the banning of books shouldn’t be because of the opinion of one person. The article, “The Banned Books We Have Loved,” by Jenn Doll states that some people want to ban books for ridiculous reasons. Some of these are racial reasons.

             This book shouldn’t be banned because it teaches young kids valuable life lessons, some like not to give in to peer pressure, not to steal or take something that isn’t yours, and to achieve your goals. In the beginning of the book, before Alison had disappeared the five girls were having a sleepover. Alison had wanted to hypnotize the girls but they didn’t want her to. As always, they gave in and let her. Alison then made them close their eyes and she turned off the light. None of them wanted the light off, but they were too scared to say anything. Spencer decided to stand up. “’Spencer put her hands on her hips. I want it lighter. Maybe everyone does’ Alison looked at the others; they still had their eyes closed. Spencer wouldn’t give in. ‘It doesn’t always have to be the way you want it, you know, Ali’” Spencer stood up against peer pressure and defended herself and the girls against Alison. The book also influences kids to get good grades. Spencer got a really high grade on her PSAT test. “She read the PSAT results six times before it sunk in. She’d gotten a 2350 out of 2400.” Spencer had gotten really good grades, which could influence kids to get good grades. The book also influences children not to steal things. “They have you on tape shoplifting some items from their store. Tapes from various other mall security cameras tracked you out of the mall and to your car…” This could teach kids that you shouldn’t steal, rob, or take things that aren’t yours because you will always get caught.

             In conclusion, access to the book, “Pretty Little Liars” shouldn’t be banned because it not only does it not have inappropriate graphics or nudity but it also teaches valuable life lessons. It’s about teenage girls that go through many problems but in the end, they are just like us. They go through peer pressure and almost every kid in the United States has gone through that. They are also in high school which is what most 8^th graders will be in next year. The book basically shows us a part of what high school will be like. To conclude everything, this book shouldn’t be banned; there are no logical reasons for this book to be banned.

             

Monday Muses

    The song, "Cups (Pitch's Perfect's When I'm Gone)" by Anna Kendrick inspires me to appreciate the things I have. It shows me that I'm going to miss the things that I have when they're gone. The song talks about all the things people will miss about another person if they leave. Anna sings, "You're gonna miss me by my hair, you're gonna miss me everywhere," this not only shows that people are going to be missed when they're gone but also that some of the most minor details in a person are the things that are missed the most.
    The song also shows me that I'm loved and people will miss me when I'm gone too. During most parts of the song, she says "You're gonna miss me when I'm gone." This shows that she believes that people will miss her when she's gone. That they will miss her by many things. She also sings, "When I'm gone, when I'm gone," which indicates that she's the one that's leaving and the one that will be missed. These things make me believe that I am going to be missed when I leave. People will miss me by many things. They will miss me by most of my minor details, like my talk, or my walk.
    In conclusion, this Anna Kendrick and this song, inspire me to always appreciate the things that I have because when I'm least expecting it, they might leave. I might not know how much I love that person or thing until they leave.

Theme: Life of Pi

The theme of the book, "Life of Pi", by Yann Martel is to never give up, to keep on trying because if you try hard enough you will succeed. The main character of the book, Pi Patel survived something that could have killed him. He survived because he never gave up and he kept on trying. Pi's parents owned a zoo, and they were soon going to move to Canada. They moved on boat with all of the zoo animals. While they were at ocean, there was a big storm. It was night time and everybody but Pi was sleeping. Pi went to explore but instead, when he got to the deck he was hit with a gigantic wave of wind. Pi was hit with something he was never expecting. Soon enough, he was stranded in the middle of the Pacific ocean on a lifeboat with wild animals.

Pi survived this because he never gave up, he kept on trying to stay alive. Pi didn't think that he would survive, he didn't know what was ahead of him but either way he kept on trying and never gave up. For example, in the book, Pi says that "I was giving up. I would have given up-if a voice hadn't made itself heard in my heart. The voice said, 'I will not die. I refuse it. I will make it through this nightmare. I will beat the odds, as great as they are. I have survived so far, miraculously. Now I will turn miracle into routine. The amazing will be seen everyday. I will put in all the hard work necessary. Yes, so long as God is with me, I will not die. Amen.'" This shows that Pi believes that if he tries, he will succeed and trying would just be a daily routine. Pi knows that when trying, something good will always come out of it. Another example in the book is when Pi is fishing for anything to eat. Whenever he would get something, whatever it was, he would be so happy. In the book, Pi says, "I fished with a variety of hooks at a variety of depths for a variety of fish..... Success was slow to come, and when it did, it was much appreciated, but the effort seemed out of proportion to the reward." This shows that Pi highly appreciated what he got because whatever it was, was like a luxury. Even if he wouldn't get anything he would still keep on trying and put lots of effort into it.

In conclusion, the theme of the book, "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel is to never give up and to always keep on trying because in the end you will succeed. Pi went through something very horrific but he still kept on trying and at the end he succeeded. He was stranded on a lifeboat with a wild animal in the middle of the Pacific ocean and he still succeeded, he found land and he got along with the wild animal during the whole time he was at sea.

Angela's Ashes

The book “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt is a memoir told by a boy named Francis. The book starts off with Francis as a three year old. This little boy had to go through many things in his life. He has had to go through things that not many three year olds have gone through. He was the first of five children. He was always expected to act more mature than his age. He has had to go through poverty. His father was a drunkie and he always drank all of the work wages. He almost never brought money home. Francis was a very strong kid.

Francis was a strong kid, he went through many hard things yet he still succeeded in life. He was expected to act older than his age and he still went through with it. He was very smart. Since he was the oldest of five children he was always left to take care of them. The memoir states, “Malachy and I take them to the playground”. This shows that not only him but even his younger brother is expected to act older than his age. They have to take their two baby brothers to the playground and care for them. They have to give them food and change their diapers. At this time Francis is four and his younger brother Malachy is three. Changing diapers and taking care of two babies are very big responsibilities for those ages.

Francis was also a very strong kid because he went through poverty yet again, he still succeeded. Sometimes, he, his mother, and siblings were left with no food at all. They were left like this because their father would drink all of the money and there would be none left for them. The memoir states, “She sits at the kitchen table talking to herself, What am I going to do? till it’s late and Dad rolls up the stairs singing Roddy McCorley.” This shows that, that night the father didn’t come home until the middle of the night singing and drunk. He didn’t bring home any money. The memoir also states, “I wish I had something to eat but there’s nothing in the icebox but cabbage leaves floating in the melted ice.” Poor Francis was left with nothing to eat.

In conclusion, Francis was a really strong kid and he went through many hard things in his life. Even though there were so many obstacles in his life he still succeeded. He always looked at the bright side of things.

Summer Reading Book Response

The book, "Money Hungry", by Sharon G. Flake is about a girl named Raspberry that lives in the projects with her mom. Raspberry has had to go through many hard things in her life. She knows what she needs and she's a very clever girl. Raspberry is very money hungry and she would do anything to get her hands on money. She thinks that money is the solution to everything.

Raspberry is very money hungry and thinks that money is the solution to everything. She thinks this because she used to live in the streets. She has had to go through so many things in her life and she is only thirteen years old. She knows that with money she would be able to have a normal life. Have a normal house and be happy like a normal person. That is why she would do anything to get her hands on some money. Raspberry also wants her mother to be happy. For example, in the the book she says "So every night, when we lived in the van she [her mother] would sit in the driver's seat, look up at the stars, and tell me how things was gonna be. ' One day', she'd say, 'we gonna have our own place. With a family room, and a fire place'." Raspberry wanted her mom to be happy and get what she wanted. She knew that the more money she raised then the more she could give to her mom and live a better life. Raspberry is also money hungry because, she was once told something from and old man. She was told, "Money won't never do you wrong" . When she was told this she would never get it out of her head. She would try even harder to make more money.

In conclusion, the book "Money Hungry", by Sharon G. Flake is about Rasberry and her obssesiveness towards money. She has many motives to make money but she just over reacts whenever she has a chance to make money. She has had lots of hard things in her life but she never gave up.