Literature
We have read two books over the course of our school year. One of these titles includes The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. It depicts a young girl named Esperanza surviving in the run down Chicago slum in the 1960's. As the book progresses she begins to grow up, and mature. Until finally, she reaches her ultimate goal of becoming a writer. I thought it was an interesting book, as it used vignettes instead of conventional chapters. It kept me interested as she progressed, and grew. Overall it was a good, and enjoyable book, and I recommend it to any reader looking for strong character development.
We also read another book titled The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This story, like the last, depicts a young boy named Arnold 'Junior' Spirit, living a troubled life on the Spokane Indian reservation. He lives his life with a medical condition that leaves him stuttering, and a severe lisp. He is often made fun of by the rest of the kids on the rez, and attends a failing high school. Throughout the story he has endure hardship, loss, and a new school. Where the only other Indian is their mascot. I really enjoyed the book, it told an honest, and believable story that moved me, and made me more grateful for what I have. This is probably my favorite over the two, and I highly recommend it.
Another book we have read is The Art of Racing in The Rain by Garth Stein. Told through the perspective of a dog named Enzo. He witnesses the life of his owner Denny, and the lives of his family. Denny, a race car driver. Struggles through several challenges in his life, including the loss of his wife Eve, fighting for custody of his daughter Zoë. I was really moved by this book. It has taught me valuable lessons, in life including the most memorable quote "Your car goes where your eyes go." This quote is repeated throughout the book as its meaning is personally significant. Its a great book, and it packs an incredibly touching story.
We also read another book titled The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This story, like the last, depicts a young boy named Arnold 'Junior' Spirit, living a troubled life on the Spokane Indian reservation. He lives his life with a medical condition that leaves him stuttering, and a severe lisp. He is often made fun of by the rest of the kids on the rez, and attends a failing high school. Throughout the story he has endure hardship, loss, and a new school. Where the only other Indian is their mascot. I really enjoyed the book, it told an honest, and believable story that moved me, and made me more grateful for what I have. This is probably my favorite over the two, and I highly recommend it.
Another book we have read is The Art of Racing in The Rain by Garth Stein. Told through the perspective of a dog named Enzo. He witnesses the life of his owner Denny, and the lives of his family. Denny, a race car driver. Struggles through several challenges in his life, including the loss of his wife Eve, fighting for custody of his daughter Zoë. I was really moved by this book. It has taught me valuable lessons, in life including the most memorable quote "Your car goes where your eyes go." This quote is repeated throughout the book as its meaning is personally significant. Its a great book, and it packs an incredibly touching story.
The last assigned book we read was Romeo and Juliet by the renowned William Shakespeare. This book is famous for its complexity and reading difficulty. The story details two families caught in a feud between each other. The Montagues, and the Capulets. Romeo, a Montague has just been rejected, and is seemingly heartbroken. So his friends sneak into a Capulet masquerade. While he was there he met Juliet, a daughter of the Capulets. They both fall in love with each other despite their rival families. As the story goes, tensions heighten to unbearable limits, and everything plummets to a tragic ending. The book was actually very interesting, and its something that everyone should read at some point in their life.
After that we were given a chance to read our own book. The book I chose was none other than Escape From Furnace: Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith. Detailing the story of Alex Sawyer, a troubled kid who got sucked into crime and theft. And as it always goes, his career was foiled with one last job. But he wasn't apprehended by traditional police. These, people. They were different.
After that we were given a chance to read our own book. The book I chose was none other than Escape From Furnace: Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith. Detailing the story of Alex Sawyer, a troubled kid who got sucked into crime and theft. And as it always goes, his career was foiled with one last job. But he wasn't apprehended by traditional police. These, people. They were different.