Every child dreams of a better world where all their dreams come true. But no child could want what Coraline Jones found behind the door in her parlor. Neil Gaiman's Coraline sent chills up my spine with a tale that kept me interested until the very end.
The theme of Coraline is to be thankful for what we have, and to realize that anything that seems too good to be true, most likely is. Coraline dreamed of finding a place where everything was great. She dreamed of a world where her parents were more caring, her neighbors didn't constantly mispronounce her name, and her life was full of adventure. Coraline got just what she wanted when she went through the door in the parlor of her house one night, which normally lead to a brick wall, but now lead to a world just like her own, only better. Or so she thought.
The characters of Coraline are extremely static, but that is done on purpose by Neil The world behind the door is controled by the "other mother," a seemingly perfect version of Coraline's real mother, but it turns out, the other mother has kidnapped children before. She lures the children in with a vision of a perfect place, almsot just like their own life, and she steals their souls. The other mother just creates the other characters in the world to suit her needs. They have whatever personality she gives them. Nothing more, nothing less. Very static.
Coraline is a great book, although for some this book might be a little chilling. Coraline is also a quick read. I would recommend this book to readers of all ages, however I would advise parents to pre-read this book before allowing nightmare-succeptible children to read.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
What Makes a Leader a True Leader?
What makes a leader a true leader? The question is simple, the answer can be very complex.
No matter where we look in life, we always have someone to answer to. Employees answer to their bosses, bosses answer to their bosses, and so on an so forth. But, the differences between a leader that we just answer to because we have to, and a leader which we respect and want to follow are very distinct and obvious.
A true leader is someone that inspires people to follow them. They must be bold, eloquent, and make people want to respect them. To be feared is a quality some leaders strive for, which true, does force people to serve, but as soon as the fear factor is gone out of the situation, people will refuse to follow.
For a person to be a true leader, they must be willing to listen to other people, and willing to be wrong. If someone leads with the attitude that they are always right, never doing anything wrong, they are believing a lie, and how can they expect others to believe them when they won't
even admit to the problem?
There are many qualities that are needed in a person to be a true leader, but out of them all, the most important quality is the willingness to learn. If a leader is not willing to learn, nothing will change, nothing will improve, and all being leader will have done for that person is earn them a title.
To be a leader is not for the fainthearted, but if taken seriously and done right, many people have the potential to be a great leader. If they only listen, and learn.
No matter where we look in life, we always have someone to answer to. Employees answer to their bosses, bosses answer to their bosses, and so on an so forth. But, the differences between a leader that we just answer to because we have to, and a leader which we respect and want to follow are very distinct and obvious.
A true leader is someone that inspires people to follow them. They must be bold, eloquent, and make people want to respect them. To be feared is a quality some leaders strive for, which true, does force people to serve, but as soon as the fear factor is gone out of the situation, people will refuse to follow.
For a person to be a true leader, they must be willing to listen to other people, and willing to be wrong. If someone leads with the attitude that they are always right, never doing anything wrong, they are believing a lie, and how can they expect others to believe them when they won't
even admit to the problem?
There are many qualities that are needed in a person to be a true leader, but out of them all, the most important quality is the willingness to learn. If a leader is not willing to learn, nothing will change, nothing will improve, and all being leader will have done for that person is earn them a title.
To be a leader is not for the fainthearted, but if taken seriously and done right, many people have the potential to be a great leader. If they only listen, and learn.
Julius Caesar Book Review
What really happened in the minds of the conspirators that murdered Caesar? What could have resulted from this tradgedy? Shakespeare's Julius Caesar took me back to the days of the Romans, and showed me an intersting possible story behind the actual events surrounding Julius Caesar's death.
The theme of Julius Caesar is that every action has a reaction, or consequences, and we must deal with them, weather good or bad. Throughout the play, Brutus, the main character, is constantly faced with decisions to make, and he always seems to make the wrong one. But, even though Brutus makes mistakes, he has to live with the consequences, which could even cost him his life.
Julius Caesar is set in Rome, at the time before, during, and recently after Caesar's death. Most of the play takes place in the city of Rome, however in some of the battle scenes, some characters are followed while fleeing from Rome.
The main plot of the story revolves around Brutus, a prominent man in Rome, held in high esteem by Caesar. Brutus is convinces by a man named Cassius and other conspirators to plot to kill Caesar, because they are afraid Caesar will cause the fall of the empire because he is "too ambious." After Brutus and the other conspirators murder Caesar, Mark Antony, sometimes refered to as Caesar's right arm, instigates a war between the conspirators, and those still loyal to Caesar.
Full of tradgedy, death, sorrow, suprises, fights, and conspiracy, Julius Caesar is a classic work of literature which is intersting, although some readers might find the play difficult to understand, as a result of being written in the old English of Shakespeare's time. I would give this book a thumbs up. However, some readers might grow weary of having to double back frequently to be sure they understand what is going on.
The theme of Julius Caesar is that every action has a reaction, or consequences, and we must deal with them, weather good or bad. Throughout the play, Brutus, the main character, is constantly faced with decisions to make, and he always seems to make the wrong one. But, even though Brutus makes mistakes, he has to live with the consequences, which could even cost him his life.
Julius Caesar is set in Rome, at the time before, during, and recently after Caesar's death. Most of the play takes place in the city of Rome, however in some of the battle scenes, some characters are followed while fleeing from Rome.
The main plot of the story revolves around Brutus, a prominent man in Rome, held in high esteem by Caesar. Brutus is convinces by a man named Cassius and other conspirators to plot to kill Caesar, because they are afraid Caesar will cause the fall of the empire because he is "too ambious." After Brutus and the other conspirators murder Caesar, Mark Antony, sometimes refered to as Caesar's right arm, instigates a war between the conspirators, and those still loyal to Caesar.
Full of tradgedy, death, sorrow, suprises, fights, and conspiracy, Julius Caesar is a classic work of literature which is intersting, although some readers might find the play difficult to understand, as a result of being written in the old English of Shakespeare's time. I would give this book a thumbs up. However, some readers might grow weary of having to double back frequently to be sure they understand what is going on.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What's in a Name?
My name is Crist Scott Blackwell Jr., a name made up of many parts, that have been passed down throughout my family for generations.
Crist was my father's paternal grandmother's maiden name. The name Crist was originally spelled Christ. This was not an unusual way of honoring an admired figure in the 1700s. The name was originally the last name of my first ancestor on my father's side to enter the United States from Bohemia, named Rudolf Christ. When his son was born, the "H" was taken out of the name.
Scott, my middle name, is also a family name on my father's side. Scott is my father's middle name. This name was also the name of one of my father's ancestors named after the famous general Winfield Scott.
My name has been passed down throughout my family for generations, and he has great meaning to me and my life. My name will also help me always remember the rich heritage of the Blackwell side of my family.
Crist was my father's paternal grandmother's maiden name. The name Crist was originally spelled Christ. This was not an unusual way of honoring an admired figure in the 1700s. The name was originally the last name of my first ancestor on my father's side to enter the United States from Bohemia, named Rudolf Christ. When his son was born, the "H" was taken out of the name.
Scott, my middle name, is also a family name on my father's side. Scott is my father's middle name. This name was also the name of one of my father's ancestors named after the famous general Winfield Scott.
My name has been passed down throughout my family for generations, and he has great meaning to me and my life. My name will also help me always remember the rich heritage of the Blackwell side of my family.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
"Missing" Review
Running away from home is something children do on a daily basis, although most come back. Derek, however, never came back from running away. Catherine Macphail's Missing kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book.
Maxine Moody knows her brother is gone. She just wishes her parents would come to accept that fact. Time has passed since Derek left the house one morning after an argument with Mom, and never came back. Maxine feels invisible, her parents are forever preoccupied with trying to find Derek. But, one day when a policeman tells the family they have found Derek's dead body, Maxine thinks everything will possibly go back to normal. Then the phone calls start. Someone is calling the house claiming to be Derek, and Maxine is freaking out. Is Derek really alive? Could someone be playing a cruel prank? All of these questions are answered in the Missing.
The characters of Missing are Maxine, her parents, a bully at school, Derek (maybe), and some of Maxine friends. The characters are mostly static, although sometimes we wonder if some characters might have something to hide.
Missing is set in Maxine's hometown, although the story speaks of possible places Derek might have been before he "died," which are all over the world. The author does a good job with one of the places where a phone call was supposedly placed from, a graveyard, from a phone right next to Derek's grave.
I would recommend Missing to any reader, although this book is somewhat of an easy read. This book will keep readers wanting more, never a dull moment. Missing receives a two thumbs up from Crist Blackwell.
Maxine Moody knows her brother is gone. She just wishes her parents would come to accept that fact. Time has passed since Derek left the house one morning after an argument with Mom, and never came back. Maxine feels invisible, her parents are forever preoccupied with trying to find Derek. But, one day when a policeman tells the family they have found Derek's dead body, Maxine thinks everything will possibly go back to normal. Then the phone calls start. Someone is calling the house claiming to be Derek, and Maxine is freaking out. Is Derek really alive? Could someone be playing a cruel prank? All of these questions are answered in the Missing.
The characters of Missing are Maxine, her parents, a bully at school, Derek (maybe), and some of Maxine friends. The characters are mostly static, although sometimes we wonder if some characters might have something to hide.
Missing is set in Maxine's hometown, although the story speaks of possible places Derek might have been before he "died," which are all over the world. The author does a good job with one of the places where a phone call was supposedly placed from, a graveyard, from a phone right next to Derek's grave.
I would recommend Missing to any reader, although this book is somewhat of an easy read. This book will keep readers wanting more, never a dull moment. Missing receives a two thumbs up from Crist Blackwell.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Being Thankful....
Ten Reasons/purposes for the Tanksgiving season.
1. To See Family
2. To remind us to be thankful for all we have
3. To remind us of when the pilgrims arrived
4. To Give people a break from work and school
5. A time for shameless overeating
6. Gives family a chance to reconnect
7. Gives people time to recouperate and recover
8. Gives stores a time to prepare for the Christmas rush
9. Gives people time to do Christmas shopping
10. An opportunity for more Potlucks and fellowship
1. To See Family
2. To remind us to be thankful for all we have
3. To remind us of when the pilgrims arrived
4. To Give people a break from work and school
5. A time for shameless overeating
6. Gives family a chance to reconnect
7. Gives people time to recouperate and recover
8. Gives stores a time to prepare for the Christmas rush
9. Gives people time to do Christmas shopping
10. An opportunity for more Potlucks and fellowship
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey is a self-help/improvement geared toward teens of the 21st century. The book covers seven habits that, if developed properly in the lives of teens, will contribute to a more successful and happy life.
My favorite habit in this book would have to be habit three. Although habit 3: put first things first is my favorite, this habit is also the one I need to work on the most. Putting first things first involves many things, because there are multiple parts of the process to implementing this habit. First, an individual finds out what type of person they are, then what type of person they need to be. I am a procrastinator. I am not as much of one as I was in the past, but procrastinating is still a problem I struggle with. I must always remember to keep my goals in mind (another part of another habit, go figure) and also be sure to decide what things are important enough to me and be sure to commit myself fully to them.
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens was a good read, although somewhat hard for me to get through, because I'm not very into self help books. But, for a teen who needs some help sorting out their life, feeling like everything is a crazy mess, this work of Sean Covey is right for them.
My favorite habit in this book would have to be habit three. Although habit 3: put first things first is my favorite, this habit is also the one I need to work on the most. Putting first things first involves many things, because there are multiple parts of the process to implementing this habit. First, an individual finds out what type of person they are, then what type of person they need to be. I am a procrastinator. I am not as much of one as I was in the past, but procrastinating is still a problem I struggle with. I must always remember to keep my goals in mind (another part of another habit, go figure) and also be sure to decide what things are important enough to me and be sure to commit myself fully to them.
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens was a good read, although somewhat hard for me to get through, because I'm not very into self help books. But, for a teen who needs some help sorting out their life, feeling like everything is a crazy mess, this work of Sean Covey is right for them.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Facebook: Friend or Foe?
Facebook. Every teenager seems to have a page on this website. To us, Facebook is the ultimate way to keep up with all the people in our lives. To others, Facebook is a way to meet new people. And for some, this site is just a meaningless time-waster that keeps them from the more important things in life. There are several pros and cons to this social networking site.
Pros to using Facebook:
1. Facebook helps users expand their social networks to meet other people.
2. Facebook is a way to communicate when there might not be any other opportunities to do so.
3. Facebook is a way to keep up with people that live far away.
4. Facebook lets friends check up on other friends and see how they are doing.
5. Facebook has many fun applications to mess with to occupy free time.
Cons to using Facebook:
1. Facebook is addictive.
2. There is a level of uncertainty for privacy when using Facebook.
3. Some people use Facebook as a tool for procrastination.
4. Harassment can also occur on Facebook.
When all is said and done however, even knowing the pros and cons of Facebook, I enjoy using Facebook, but also admit there is somewhat of an addictive quality to this networking site. In the end, however, the decision needs to be left to each individual.
Pros to using Facebook:
1. Facebook helps users expand their social networks to meet other people.
2. Facebook is a way to communicate when there might not be any other opportunities to do so.
3. Facebook is a way to keep up with people that live far away.
4. Facebook lets friends check up on other friends and see how they are doing.
5. Facebook has many fun applications to mess with to occupy free time.
Cons to using Facebook:
1. Facebook is addictive.
2. There is a level of uncertainty for privacy when using Facebook.
3. Some people use Facebook as a tool for procrastination.
4. Harassment can also occur on Facebook.
When all is said and done however, even knowing the pros and cons of Facebook, I enjoy using Facebook, but also admit there is somewhat of an addictive quality to this networking site. In the end, however, the decision needs to be left to each individual.
- "To each his own."
(Suum Cuique)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Book Review #6 Gathering Blue
Hundreds of years into the future, Earth of today no longer exists. A whole new world where the color blue is lost, people are starving, and rely on a song sang once a year to remember their past, is created by Lois Lowry in this amazing book. Lois Lowry's Gathering Blue took an interesting take on what the future of earth might end up being.
Kira, a girl with only one usable leg, has just been orphaned when her mother died of an unknown illness. In Gathering Blue Kira relies on her skill of weaving and embroidery to survive. The plot of Gathering Blue has a few twists that will keep you turning the pages.
Like other Lois Lowry books, Gathering Blue is set in the future, on Earth, except the earth has gone in a different direction than most people believe. The people live in a village, and are ruled by a council. Every year the people gather to hear a song, sung by the singer, which tells of the downfall of earth and how this new village arose from the destruction. Kira, is selected to be the person who will take care of the robe, worn by the singer each year. The robe tells the story of earth and all the history of the people who now inhabit our planet. The robe is vibrant and beautiful, but...the color blue is completely absent. On top of everything, Kira is responsible to fill in the blank part of the robe with what the council tells her will be in the future.
The characters of Gathering Blue are somewhat static, we find out most all we know about Kira and the other characters usually in the first chapters where we meet them. Most of the story is focused more on plot than characterization.
Overall Gathering Blue was a good book, but not my favorite work of Lois Lowry. I would recommend this book to fans of Lois Lowry's books, but I would say that some of her other books are better.
Kira, a girl with only one usable leg, has just been orphaned when her mother died of an unknown illness. In Gathering Blue Kira relies on her skill of weaving and embroidery to survive. The plot of Gathering Blue has a few twists that will keep you turning the pages.
Like other Lois Lowry books, Gathering Blue is set in the future, on Earth, except the earth has gone in a different direction than most people believe. The people live in a village, and are ruled by a council. Every year the people gather to hear a song, sung by the singer, which tells of the downfall of earth and how this new village arose from the destruction. Kira, is selected to be the person who will take care of the robe, worn by the singer each year. The robe tells the story of earth and all the history of the people who now inhabit our planet. The robe is vibrant and beautiful, but...the color blue is completely absent. On top of everything, Kira is responsible to fill in the blank part of the robe with what the council tells her will be in the future.
The characters of Gathering Blue are somewhat static, we find out most all we know about Kira and the other characters usually in the first chapters where we meet them. Most of the story is focused more on plot than characterization.
Overall Gathering Blue was a good book, but not my favorite work of Lois Lowry. I would recommend this book to fans of Lois Lowry's books, but I would say that some of her other books are better.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Book Review #4 & 5 Catching Fire
Imagine being thrown into an arena where killing every other person in that place was the only path to survival. Imagine co-winning that contest with a friend only because the whole society believed you were a lovestruck couple bent on getting out together or dying. Then imagine being thrown into that arena again. Suzanne Collins' Catching Fire took me on a wild ride of adventure and imagination.
Katniss and Peeta have just won the hunger games, an annual display of blood and gore used by the Capitol, the main city of this country called Panem, to scare the "districts" (somewhat like states), into submission. Normally only one victor emerges, having killed all of the other candidates, but in an attempt to both win, they attempt to commit suicide together so the Capitol would be forced to crown them both victors. The Capitol was not happy. That is what happened in The Hunger Games, the first book in the saga, Catching Fire is the second chapter in the Hunger Games saga.
Catching Fire is set in a country called Panem, a new place which rose out of the ashes after the United States fell into chaos and fell to destruction. There were originally 13 districts, somewhat like states, which all bowed to the Capitol, the main city in this new land. But, when the 13th district rebelled against the Capitol, district 13 became no more. Now there are 12 districts, each specializing in making a good for the use of the rich Capitol, while the people of the districts lie on the fence between starvation and survival.
All irony aside, Catching Fire has the theme of standing up to the man, if you will. The people of Panem are on the verge of rebellion, and the flame started by Katniss and Peeta has just enough power to ignite an inferno of rage inside the hearts of this country's people.
I would recommend Catching Fire to anyone who likes a good futuristic "What if?" book and enjoys being suprised. Catching Fire, like most other books I read, will glue readers to the edge of their seats, and keep them waiting for the next chapter in the Hunger Games saga.
400 Pages -- 2 Books
Katniss and Peeta have just won the hunger games, an annual display of blood and gore used by the Capitol, the main city of this country called Panem, to scare the "districts" (somewhat like states), into submission. Normally only one victor emerges, having killed all of the other candidates, but in an attempt to both win, they attempt to commit suicide together so the Capitol would be forced to crown them both victors. The Capitol was not happy. That is what happened in The Hunger Games, the first book in the saga, Catching Fire is the second chapter in the Hunger Games saga.
Catching Fire is set in a country called Panem, a new place which rose out of the ashes after the United States fell into chaos and fell to destruction. There were originally 13 districts, somewhat like states, which all bowed to the Capitol, the main city in this new land. But, when the 13th district rebelled against the Capitol, district 13 became no more. Now there are 12 districts, each specializing in making a good for the use of the rich Capitol, while the people of the districts lie on the fence between starvation and survival.
All irony aside, Catching Fire has the theme of standing up to the man, if you will. The people of Panem are on the verge of rebellion, and the flame started by Katniss and Peeta has just enough power to ignite an inferno of rage inside the hearts of this country's people.
I would recommend Catching Fire to anyone who likes a good futuristic "What if?" book and enjoys being suprised. Catching Fire, like most other books I read, will glue readers to the edge of their seats, and keep them waiting for the next chapter in the Hunger Games saga.
400 Pages -- 2 Books
Book Review #3 The Giver
What would happen if our world collapsed? What if a group of people changed life forever, and worst of all, left us none the wiser? Lois Lowry's The Giver kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
The Giver is set on Earth, in the far future, where after all the wars, trauma, and heartache, the people of the world have decided to take all the memories away and put them into the minds of one person, The reciever of memories. When Jonas, a 12 year old boy is chosen on his 12th birthday to be the new reciever of memories, the whole village gets turned upside down.
The Giver focuses a lot on becoming an individual and stepping out of the box when everyone in life seems to be part of a never ending stream of sameness. The theme of this book is that no matter what happens in the world, there are certain fundamental aspects of life, that without, life would cease to have meaning for many people in society.
This book is most definitely written in the same way most of Lois Lowry's books are. She takes a twist on the reality of today, throws the world into chaos, and then brings to life a new and crazy world out of the ashes.
The Giver is a must read book for people of all ages, teaching a fundamental lesson to our youth: To have a good life with meaning, we must endure the hardships together. This book will have readers on the edge of their seats all day and begging for more at the conclusion.
The Giver is set on Earth, in the far future, where after all the wars, trauma, and heartache, the people of the world have decided to take all the memories away and put them into the minds of one person, The reciever of memories. When Jonas, a 12 year old boy is chosen on his 12th birthday to be the new reciever of memories, the whole village gets turned upside down.
The Giver focuses a lot on becoming an individual and stepping out of the box when everyone in life seems to be part of a never ending stream of sameness. The theme of this book is that no matter what happens in the world, there are certain fundamental aspects of life, that without, life would cease to have meaning for many people in society.
This book is most definitely written in the same way most of Lois Lowry's books are. She takes a twist on the reality of today, throws the world into chaos, and then brings to life a new and crazy world out of the ashes.
The Giver is a must read book for people of all ages, teaching a fundamental lesson to our youth: To have a good life with meaning, we must endure the hardships together. This book will have readers on the edge of their seats all day and begging for more at the conclusion.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Book Review #2 "The Time Machine"
Is time travel really too far fetched to be possible? Can this amazing feat truly be obtained in the power of mortal man? H.G. Well’s The Time Machine dives head first into this pool of ideas and puts an interesting spin on the topic of time travel. The Time Machine truly broadened my idea of what the future might be like with the vivid details and sky high tales of what the earth might be like one day.
The Time Machine seems to take place in the mid to late 1800s in London, England. This book however, as the name implies, does jump around in the time stream. Although throughout most of the book the time traveler is in relatively the same place, he is not, however, in anywhere near the same time period.
The time traveler, we do not get more of a name than that, begins the story by having a get together with some peers to discuss the possibility of his machine. Then, at another meeting, he announces that he has traveled through time. The time traveler then spins a tale of amazing proportions, telling of the earth in hundreds of thousands of years. The reader learns about the whimsical and carefree over-world people, the Eloi, and the animal-like primitive under-worlders, the Morlocks. The time traveler learns a great deal about these people in the quest to recover his stolen time machine.
The Time Machine encourages readers to think about the future. This book also gives a broader range of more imaginative ideas than most literature of this kind. Times are changing, and we, the readers, decide how time unfolds.
I would recommend The Time Machine to fans of science fiction. Although the vocabulary is somewhat above the average level for a teenage read, teens will most likely find this book interesting.
The Time Machine seems to take place in the mid to late 1800s in London, England. This book however, as the name implies, does jump around in the time stream. Although throughout most of the book the time traveler is in relatively the same place, he is not, however, in anywhere near the same time period.
The time traveler, we do not get more of a name than that, begins the story by having a get together with some peers to discuss the possibility of his machine. Then, at another meeting, he announces that he has traveled through time. The time traveler then spins a tale of amazing proportions, telling of the earth in hundreds of thousands of years. The reader learns about the whimsical and carefree over-world people, the Eloi, and the animal-like primitive under-worlders, the Morlocks. The time traveler learns a great deal about these people in the quest to recover his stolen time machine.
The Time Machine encourages readers to think about the future. This book also gives a broader range of more imaginative ideas than most literature of this kind. Times are changing, and we, the readers, decide how time unfolds.
I would recommend The Time Machine to fans of science fiction. Although the vocabulary is somewhat above the average level for a teenage read, teens will most likely find this book interesting.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Book Review #1 "Thirteen Reasons Why"
Why do people commit suicide? Could life really be that bad? Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why catches my attention because this book takes a very tough and controversial topic and shows readers the sometimes untold story in the tragedy of suicide.
Clay, the main character gets a set of tapes, which he finds out have been recorded by a girl, Hannah, before her recent suicide. Clay soon discovers that these tapes chronicle all of the events in Hannah’s life that led up to her decision to kill herself, but the catch is: Someone only get the tapes if they’re on them. That means he must be one of the thirteen reasons why. . . Right?
This story takes place all over the town in which Clay lives. Hannah provided a map with the tapes telling the listeners where to go at the right time to help get the full effect of what she has to say. This addition of changing scenery really does add to the magnitude and emotion that pulsates out of this amazing book.
Thirteen Reasons Why really makes readers think, and causes the them to realize that actions toward others do matter. If a person is hurt by another individual, soon events can lead to a domino effect and make that person’s world seem to be crashing down.
Without a doubt, I recommend Thirteen Reasons Why to any reader in the world, especially high school students. This book truly makes the reader think about how the everyday actions that are just blips in our memory can have a catastrophic effect on the persons toward whom those actions are carried out.
Clay, the main character gets a set of tapes, which he finds out have been recorded by a girl, Hannah, before her recent suicide. Clay soon discovers that these tapes chronicle all of the events in Hannah’s life that led up to her decision to kill herself, but the catch is: Someone only get the tapes if they’re on them. That means he must be one of the thirteen reasons why. . . Right?
This story takes place all over the town in which Clay lives. Hannah provided a map with the tapes telling the listeners where to go at the right time to help get the full effect of what she has to say. This addition of changing scenery really does add to the magnitude and emotion that pulsates out of this amazing book.
Thirteen Reasons Why really makes readers think, and causes the them to realize that actions toward others do matter. If a person is hurt by another individual, soon events can lead to a domino effect and make that person’s world seem to be crashing down.
Without a doubt, I recommend Thirteen Reasons Why to any reader in the world, especially high school students. This book truly makes the reader think about how the everyday actions that are just blips in our memory can have a catastrophic effect on the persons toward whom those actions are carried out.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Blogging for Beginners
Well, this is my first blog post. And I don't know really what to type. So, I guess I'll just explain my idea of what a blog is/should be. I view a blog as somewhat of a public journal, if you will. A place for an individual to be able to post his/her thoughts and feelings for other people to see.
In my point of view, if used correctly, blogging can be a useful and informative if used the right way. However, some people today use blogs as the ultimate source of information, and view all of the said information as fact. Which is false, blogs are statements of opinion by people, and an individual can choose to agree or disagree with that as they will. I find it very annerving when someone reads a post on a wall or blog, and then confronts the author, saying something along the lines of "How could you write something like that?" when instead, the individual could take the opportunity to discuss their perspective on the issue which was written about.
In a way blogging can be considered a sign of the changing times. Our parents may have had journals to write their personal thoughts in. But nowadays, teens tend to lean toward blogs more than actual paper journals.
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