Vanishing into the book Vanishing Girls

Hey Guys! So during the ever so thrilling PARCC testing week, I read the book Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver. Lauren Oliver is the author of the Delirium, Panic and Before I Fall. All of which are very popular young adult books. Vanishing Girls is different from other books I have read. It has a surprising twist at the end of the book. I will not spoil it for you. You're welcome.

One thing the author does is set the book up in a unique way. In this story you get two perspectives. One chapter would be from Nick's point of view and the next chapter would be from, her sister, Dara's point of view. Not only does it switch perspectives, the chapters each switch the time period. This way, some chapters are from "Before" the accident in February, and other chapters would be from "After" the accident in July. The puzzle of the accident is enhanced by the different techniques that Lauren Oliver uses. I have no idea how she did it! The inner detective in me definitely comes out while reading this. Vanishing Girls reminds me of the book We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.




I think that Lauren Oliver is a very talented author. When reading this book, I noticed that a lot of figuration language was used. But, she uses it in way that doesn't feel forced. For example, "The sun is relentless, like a gigantic magnifying glass, and I feel like an ant sizzling underneath it. The audience is nothing but a blur of color." (Oliver 205). With the use of figurative language, you get a good picture of what is going on. The author has a way of making you feel like you are a part of the story. I think this book was very well written.

Not only does the figurative language paint a good picture for the reader. This book has real pictures incorporated through out the story. I think it is an interesting approach that isn’t commonly used. To the side are the pictures that are incorporated through out the story.

When reading this page-turner, you get immersed in the story. I couldn't stop reading! It really felt as if I were there with the characters, trying to solve the mystery of Madeline Snow. I was there trying to figure out what happened to Dara. While reading this book, I did predict a twist to be coming, but I was truly shocked to find what the twist was. I highly suggest reading this book! You will vanish into the story of Vanishing Girls. Unfortunately my “vanishing” has caused me to loose my reading rights for the rest of the school year. I guess my mom thinks that studying is more important that reading…

Blog Post #7

Sarah Dessen

I know that with testing coming up, we all need a silent reading book. I recommend any book by Sarah Dessen. But not if you are boy. Sarah Dessen books are the Chick-flicks of reading. There are two types of people when it comes to these books. There are the "Ugh, they are all the same." And there are the "I LOVE SARAH DESSEN" type of people. I am the 2nd person. If you've never read any of her books, start with one and see if you like. Then read another one and decide if you want to enter the world of drama, romance, humor and uplifting messages.

Something really cool that Sarah Dessen does is tie all of her books together. After reading them, you notice that there is always something connecting each of the books together. It is a giant web of craziness that is so awesome. How she manages to do it, I do not know. It shows you how everyone around you has this whole life, and another story that you have no idea about, because you are in your own story. But in the end, we are all connected.

The first book I read by her was Lock and Key. Although I think they are all great, my favorite has to be The Truth About Forever. I'm very excited for her new book that comes out May 5th called Saint Anything . On sarahdessen.com it says "...Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans."

Hope everyone has a good week of testing and finds a good book to read!

Blog Post #6

Book: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

During my staycation this spring break, I read The 5th wave. At first I was a tad hesitant in reading this book. I had seen it many times at the bookstore and passed it by. You'd think the "soon to be a major motion picture" would draw me in, but it didn't. But, my dad ended up getting it and reading it for himself, so when I found myself very bored over my uneventful spring break I decided to give it a go. I mean who doesn't love aliens taking over the world right? 

Turns out, the book was really good. I was wrong. It wasn't the same as every other teen fiction/sci-fi book that is out right now. It was actually very creative and well written, with a lot of twists and turns. The author used a lot of figurative language, but it was not in an annoying, overdone way. For example: "Sometimes in my tent, late at night, I think I can her the stars scraping against the sky." 

I really like the characters voice in these books. Cassie is very sarcastic and she makes very serious and scary situations somewhat funny. For example: "Run=die. Stay=die. Sort of the theme of this party." and "This place can't be heaven, it doesn't have the right vibe." Overall, all of the characters really draw you into the story, making this a really great book.

The book is set up so that it changes perspectives for different sections of the book. So one part we will be following one character for a few chapters, then a different character for the next section. At first I thought it was confusing, but then I ended up really liking it. It is cool to watch it all come together. 

I would defiantly recommend this book. It was very entertaining. Plus there is a sequel. And, they are coming out with a movie for it. Chloe Grace Moretz (who played Mia in If I Stay) will be playing the main character Cassie in The 5th Wave movie. I can't wait for it to come out. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! 

Columns

Columns

This week we were assigned to read pages 1-14 in the columnists packet. Here are my thoughts and observations from each of columnists:

Mike Lupica: So I immediately recognized Mike Lupica's name from the dozens of sports books that my brother obsesses over. His columns were much longer then the other ones I've read, and I saw how they were more serious than comedic. They are also targeted towards more of the sports fans. He includes dialog and shorter paragraphs. I really liked his column on the Boston Marathon. I know, it must be shocking that a high schooler would actually like any column that has three pages worth of writing. I think it was a great to give recognition to all those who were involved. It was an inspirational piece that I'm sure touched many people who read it when the column came out. 

Robin Givhan: Robin Givhan is a name that I am not very familiar with. His columns were also more serious that comedic. His columns were geared towards people interested in fashion. I noticed how Givahn uses a lot of figurative language and rhetorical questions. He used varying sizes in paragraphs. I personally didn't like these columns as much, but the second one did make me look up what Kate Middleton's wedding dress was...

Dave Barry: Dave Barry's columns were my favorite out of the 3 writers. I liked his more comedic and entertaining style. He uses a lot of figurative language and sarcasm. My favorite column was The mother of all parties.  I thought this one was very funny. My favorite part was when he said, "It's the kind of nightmare you think always happens  to other people, but never to you." when he was talking about another girl having a Little Mermaid themed party. Dave Barry uses longer paragraphs and he throws in a couple of short 1-2 sentence paragraphs. I think his stories are very entertaining a relatable. Who doesn't love a short and sweet, funny piece of writing?

Fahrenheit 451 Theme Handout

Fahrenheit 451 Theme handout

Elise Wexelblatt, Grace Tang, Serena Troung, Shashank Reddy, Olivia Jounge, Elena Polasko

Theme: Individual self-expression is important.

Timeline:

• Montag is solely focused on his job and won’t listen to anyone else
• Montag meets Clarisse and sees how she expresses herself
• Montag begins to see how pointless and meaningless his life is
• He feels trapped in society and wants someone to listen to him
• Montag meets Faber and learns what expression is
• Montag begins to express himself and rebel against the government
• He finds people who will listen and he begins to express himself

Quotes:

• “He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back.” (Bradbury 9)
• “We must all be alike. Not everyone free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal.” (Bradbury 55)
• “I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if i talk long enough, it’ll make sense.” (Bradbury 78)
• “He would be Montag-plus-Faber, fire plus water, and then, one day, after everything had mixed and simmered and worked away in silence, there would be neither fire nor water, but wine.” (Bradbury 99)
• “Yes, thought Montag, that’s the one I’ll save for noon.” (Bradbury 158)

How is this theme important to our understanding of the story?

This theme is important because we can see how certain individuals will risk it all to express themselves in a broken society where expression is blocked.

How does this theme connect to modern-day society?

In modern-day society, we have easy access to expressing ourselves, and that expression is an important part of our daily lives.

I Was Here

Book: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Unfortunately, over the long 10 day weekend, my family did not have a vacation planed... But, while being locked in my house, I managed to read the new book by Gayle Forman, I Was Here. Forman is the author of the If I Stay books. 

I Was Here is about a girl Cody, trying to find her way after her best friend, Meg, commits suicide. When Cody is asked to go clean out Meg's dorm room, she comes across many people and things she had no idea about. Looking deeper into Meg's life, Cody discovers that there might be more to Meg's suicide than she thought. 

I thought this was a good book. It was a great mixture of mystery, tragedy and romance. It was your typical dealing with a loss story, but I still think it was entertaining, a good read and sends out a great message about life. As you can probably assume, it was depressing at times but also funny and uplifting at others.

We see the title of the book come into play closer to the middle of the book. It says, "New stuff was always being scrawled over the old, though one line, Meg's favorite, remained gouged into the metal: I Was Here. She loved that. 'What more can you say, right?' she'd ask." (99) I think that is a great title for the book and really good supporting detail in the story. Although it is a simple statement, it holds a lot of words behind it.

When reading the Author's Notes section at the end of the book, you can see the true meaning of the story come out. Forman explains that she got her inspiration for this story from a girl named Suzy who suffered from depression and committed suicide. She also tells us that,"... majority of people who take their own lives-90 percent or more- had a mental disorder at the time of their deaths." Gayle Forman then reaches out to those who are suffering from depression or going through a dark period in there life. She gives names of multiple websites and numbers for help lines that will help people in need. She also says, "Life can be hard and beautiful and messy, but hopefully, it will be long." I think it is really awesome how she is reaching out to the readers. Although it is just a story, it holds a lot of meaning and reaches out to people in the real world. I Was Here sends out a very inspiring message that allows you to see not only into the lives of the characters, but also into the lives of real people.

Blog Post #2
Continuation of Fahrenheit 451


As Mrs. Phelps walked home from Montag's, she looked up when she heard the the roar of jets from above her. Its melancholy, long withdrawing roar, Retreating, to the breath Of the night-wind... She could not get that poem out of her head. Mrs. Phelps could not stop the constant stream of tears from flowing out. For some reason, she felt worried. And that was not something she did. As she watched the receding lights of the jets, images of Pete kept flashing before her eyes. Mrs. Bowles rubbed her back and whispered reassuring, meaningless words into her ears. But it was as if she wasn't even there. For the first time, Mrs. Phelps realized that she was lonely...

Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain...  "It's all true." Mrs. Phelps whispered. She didn't wan't to be lonely anymore. She didn't wan't to be independent anymore. She didn't want to have a fourth marriage. Mrs. Phelps pushed Mrs. Bowles hand off her back and walked faster.
"I will see you later," she said sternly and went on her way. She couldn't stand all of the fake surrounding her. Why hadn't I realized this before? In desperate need for something real, Mrs. Phelps kicked off her fancy fake heals and started to jog to her house. The unfamiliar burn in her lungs was comforting. As the constant stream of tears slowed to a stop, she realized that her "happiness" was just covering up her sadness.

Mrs. Phelps stumbled into her house panting heavily. The hum of the walls filled the house. She forgot to turn them off before she left that night. She walked into the wall room and turned around as she watched the fake smiles look down at her. She went to the main consul and slammed in on the ground. The people on the walls fizzled out into blackness. "Well, thats a start..." Mrs. Phelps said as she walked out of the room and didn't turn back.