I read The Goodness Gene. I liked the questions the story makes you ask yourself. The book reminded me a bit of Fahrenheit 451. I liked how it was similar to how life would be like if Hitler had succeeded. Will's struggle to not give in to his desire for fame and power brought out his character. If you like thinking about life's questions I would recommend this book to you.
I liked Born in Sin, written by Evelyn Coleman. This book is about how an African American girl named Keisha pursues her dreams of getting into Avery University and becoming an Olympic swimmer. In order to accomplish her dreams, Keisha has to go through many obstacles. Keisha almost gave up when more conflicts arose. Fortunately, with support and help from her family, Keisha fulfills her dreams. I would definitely recommend this book because it teaches me never to give up on something that I dream of in my life.
Twilight is a fantastic book. I recommend it to girls but it's great for boys too. Bella, the main character, meets Edward, a vampire and they become girlfriend and boyfriend. The book tells of how they manage their relationship. Edward yearns for her blood but he loves her at the same time. Bella has to be careful around him or his vampire side can present itself before her eyes. The ending of the book is great. There is much action. It takes place in Forks, but also Phoenix, Arizona. Bella is a teen with separated parents. Edward is a 17 year old vampire who has been around for over a century. I recommend it to people who like romance, vampires, or action.
The novel Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver, weaves together three stories, all occurring in the same Southern Appalachian town. My favorite was the story of Lusa, a city girl brought to the town by her farmer husband who struggles to fit in among her vicious sisters-in-law. I loved Crys, Lusa's niece who things that she is a boy. Lusa's trials were very poignant.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Clips from Teen Summer Reading 2008 - Ortega Teens Say...
I really enjoyed reading this book (The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel) because it was different from the books I usually read (romance) and it was down to earth. The author was really good at setting the book in a different time that’s not familiar to us and yet making it come alive. I really liked the idea that humans used to be like animals and had the memory of their whole evolution once they were born. I also liked that the characters were more focused on survival relationships and status rather than material things. I recommend this book to serious readers because it has some adult issues and long descriptions that sometimes get confusing.
New Moon and Eclipse were excellent follow ups to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight because of the introductions of new characters, new plot, and new conflicts. Meyer cleverly combines the aspects of real live and the concept of werewolves and vampires into an ordinary girl’s life.
If you ever had a boyfriend, or need one, then try reading Absolute Boyfriend. Though it may not help you get a boyfriend, it gives you all the drama that any relationship has. Only difference is that this boy is a robot which looks like a human boy (Knight) and was sold to Riiko by a shady salesman (Gaku). It has tons of teenage drama and it also taught me to never trust shady businessmen.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde was literally laugh out loud funny. The humor is well-timed and very British. This is definitely one of my new favorite plays! And plays are quick reads, too (hence it took me less than 2 hours) but still are great pieces of literature.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: This book made me sick to my stomach in a good, social-change way. The descriptions of the Chicago meat packing plants are gory and the descriptions of Jurgis Rudkus’s agony are heart wrenching. The ending was unnecessarily tedious but put a face to the sometimes exaggerated communism.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I enjoyed this book again, although I’ve read it before because it speaks out about poverty. In the story, Sara Crewe, the main character, is starving. She finds some money on the ground and buys 6 buns. Then she sees a girl that looks hungrier than herself and she gives 5 of the buns to her.
New Moon and Eclipse were excellent follow ups to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight because of the introductions of new characters, new plot, and new conflicts. Meyer cleverly combines the aspects of real live and the concept of werewolves and vampires into an ordinary girl’s life.
If you ever had a boyfriend, or need one, then try reading Absolute Boyfriend. Though it may not help you get a boyfriend, it gives you all the drama that any relationship has. Only difference is that this boy is a robot which looks like a human boy (Knight) and was sold to Riiko by a shady salesman (Gaku). It has tons of teenage drama and it also taught me to never trust shady businessmen.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde was literally laugh out loud funny. The humor is well-timed and very British. This is definitely one of my new favorite plays! And plays are quick reads, too (hence it took me less than 2 hours) but still are great pieces of literature.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: This book made me sick to my stomach in a good, social-change way. The descriptions of the Chicago meat packing plants are gory and the descriptions of Jurgis Rudkus’s agony are heart wrenching. The ending was unnecessarily tedious but put a face to the sometimes exaggerated communism.
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I enjoyed this book again, although I’ve read it before because it speaks out about poverty. In the story, Sara Crewe, the main character, is starving. She finds some money on the ground and buys 6 buns. Then she sees a girl that looks hungrier than herself and she gives 5 of the buns to her.
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