Anthem Book Review

Equality 7-2521. Doesn't sound like a name, does it? In the world in the book, Anthem, it is a sin to think words no other men think and put them down on paper. In this society everything is run by the World Counsil..

Junior vs Senior

I am very exited to be finishing up my junior year. Only one more year! Although this is a very exiting thoght, it is also a very scary one. Having to worry about getting grades up, taking the ACT, and getting to college will all provide challenges up ahead.

Eleven years of school has been a long journey that is coming to a close. I've learned many valuable lesson's, which will help me become successfull with hard work and dedication.

I am looking forward to college after next year of high school. I hope to go to U of A like my sisters have, but that could change in the next year. I've had a very fun junior year, and cant wait until this time next year.

Research Essay Thoughts

My research paper has taught me very much about the measures humanity will go to get what they want. Thinking about going through waterboarding is a very scary thought to even try to imagine the horrers of this torture tactic.

Waterboarding is a topic that I never would have though would happen in such a democratic system that our country has. That means that the people have the rights, and no unfare tactics should be used to squeeze confesion out of people, while seriously damaging their bodies and minds.

My topic related to the theme because if a person was ever faced with waterboarding, they would be staring the fate of dehumanization in the face. Luckily now there are new laws againsed this terrible tactic, and waterboarding horrible effects.

Book Review 2: Night

The Holocaust was a very low point in human existence. Many people lost their lives, no just Jews, but the Jew's had it very tough. Elie Wiesel's, Night is a first hand experience of the camps and ghetto's that were experienced. The style of this book is very realistic. Elie Wiesel was a Jew during World War II and was forced to leave his home with his family. This book is written by him, and you I felt the pain and suffering of this horrifying dissaster page after page. Elie Wiesel is the main character, since it is in his poing of view. He is fifteen years old, and has a younger sister and both parents. When transporting to a new work factory by the Gustapo, Elie get's sepperated from his sister and mother. The rest of the character's at the work camp are, like Elie and his father's, Jew's and see very many horrifying sites no human eyes should ever see. This book can connect with anyone who can reads this tale. The terrors and cruelity done to these innocent creaturews connected with me on a personal connection, and I had no previous idea how terrible the conditions were for Jews. This book just opened my eyes on how terrible the Hollocost was and amazes me that man-kind would put other human beings through such pysical and emotional stuggles. I recommend everyone to read this book, to open people's eyes on how terrible the times were.

Book 1: Don't Give Up...Don't Ever Give Up: The Inspiration of Jimmy V--One Coach, 11 Minutes, and an Uncommon Look at the Game of Life

Jimmy V. was not just any basketball coach. He was a fighter. When times got harder, that just meant it was time to work hard for Jimmy. Jimmy V. lost his life to cancer in 1993, but before he passed away he gave an unforgettable speech, best known for the line "Don't give up, don't ever give up". Jimmy V. struggled to walk up the stage but when he spoke everyone listened to his message, and Justin Spizman's book discusses that very speech. The theme of this book is as blunt as the title. Don't ever give up. The message, being delivered by Jimmy V. is not just as simple as those 4 words, but something that is necessary in life. Jimmy V. had many struggles in his life and his battle with cancer was just one of them. He also led the N.C State Wolfpack to a NCAA National Championship in basketball as underdogs. The setting of this speech was at the 1993 Esspy's and Jimmy V. won the award because of the "V Foundation" which was designed to help pay for cancer research. It is just one of the great gifts that Jimmy V. left behind and is doing great deeds for cancer research. The style of this book is a flashback, and much of the book is the lyrics of the speech. The author just points out many lessons from the speech that Jimmy V. delivered before he passes away from bone cancer. I would recommend this book to anyone because I feel anybody could find help in this book and teach many valuable life lessons.

Cause/Effect

Cause: Gas prices skyrocket, almost reaching 4 dollars a gallon and people have less money.

Effect: People have trouble paying bills
Effect: People have trouble supporting a family and keeping food around
Effect: People try to make more money because times are becoming harder

Book 5:The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Do you ever look at the color's of the cars the pass by you in the morning? Maybe you notice but probably don't think twice about thos cars, and would never dream the color of the car passing you having an effect on your day. Christopher Boone is a little different, and judges how good of a day he is going to have by the cars he passes by. Sounds a little odd, but Christoher has a logical reason for all his weird rituals. Mark Haddon's, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time showed me an entire different way of thinking, and was a great book.

The writing style of this book was very interesting and wasn't like any other book. Christopher decided to lable the chapters in prime numbers, instead of the traditional 1,2,3. The style of this book is very unique but kept me interested. Christopher wrote the tips that Siobhan, his mentor, taught him.

Christopher is the main character, and the book is in his point of view. He lives with his father, because his mother died. Mrs. Shield's is Christoher's neigbor, and whose dog was killed at the start of the book. She is divorced to Roger Shield's who plays a big role in the book towards the end. Sibhan is Christpher's help at school, and helps him get to A-Level math. Christopher plans to make an A on them.

The book is set in Swindon, which is a town pretty close to London. Christopher spends most of his time at home or school. He takes an adventure to London on train, which makes for an entertaining part of the book.

I would reccomend this book to anyone of all ages. It was easy for me to read, and I think anyone would enjoy this book.

Book 4: Perks of Being a Wallflower

The book, Perks of Being a Wallflower was a book that I honestly could not put down. Charlie starts the book off being a shy kid with no friends, who has lost his best friend to suicide. The story takes you on an adventure with Charlies new friends and the adventures they take. Stephen Chbosky's, Perks of Being a Wallflower is easy to read and relate to, and is a very fun book to read.

Charlie, the main character, lives with his parents and his older sister. His older brother has gone off the college to play at Penn State and hopes to become a NFL player. Charlie is not very close with his other family, like grandparents and cousins, but was very close with his Aunt Helen who has passes away, and left him with some shaky memories that surprised me, to say the least. Charlie makes friends at the beginning of the school year, and the closest to him are Patrick and Sam who take Charlie under their wing and are close friends to him.

The style of this book is very different. Charlie is writing letters to someone who he doesn't even know. Charlie has just heard good things of this person, and thinks that the two would get along very good.

The setting of this book ranges from days in high school, to the golf course tee box, and even to the doctor about some serious issues with Charlie's sister. Charlie even has a great adventure through the "tunnel" which is a very amazing part of this book.

I would recommend this book to most people, but not people with closes minds about some things mentioned in this book. This book is very entertaining, but is very different, which I loved but some people may not like.

Book 3: The Catcher in the Rye

Holden Caulfield is not just the average seventeen year old boy. He's been kicked out of school after school, and as you can expect, doesn't like his new school Pency too much either. Holden has an opinion on everything and I like that about him. J.D. Salingner's The Catcher in the Rye related to me in many ways, and thats why I feel this is one of my favorite books.

The theme of this book, in my opinion, is simple. Growing up isn't easy. Holden has very strong opinions on his teachers, other students, and just about anything you could imagine. Holden doesn't like very many things, or his teachers, and flunks out of Percy. Now he's let down his parents, and it won't be jolly when they recive the letter that tells he's kicked out.

The Catcher in the Rye is a very down to earth book, which is what I like most about the style. This book will make you laugh very much, but at the same time, made me rethink things in a new way. This book was very easy to read and is written in the point of view of Holden.

The setting of this book took me on a ride, from the dormitory at Pency to all over the streets of New York City. The book also was set at Holden's house shortly, and even two of his former teachers house. The setting of the book is very interesting because Holden doesn't stay in the same place throughout the entire book long at all.

The Catcher in the Rye would be a book I would reccomend to many, many people. I would mostly reccomend it to a friend, or someone close to my age, but I also think adults can enjoy The Catcher in the Rye as well.

Stars: 5
Pages: 241

Theme Word of the Year: Improvement

My theme word for 2011 is improvement. I only have 3 more semesters of high school left, so now is the time to kick it into gear and get things ready to graduate and get into college.

This past semester my grades slipped dramatically and now I have some catching up to do. My grades are my number one priority for improvement.

I also want to improve my relationship with my family and with my friends. I feel like there are certain people that I've lost contact with in 2010, and I really need to improve on becoming a better son, brother, and friend.

Book 1 and 2:The Innocent Man

What if you were convicted for a crime you had nothing to do with? Pretty tough. How about being sentenced to death for something you had nothing to do with? Sounds unheard of to me. John Grisham's The Innocent Man grabbed my opinion because it was a true story, and I liked this book very much.

Ron Williamson, the main character of this book, at one time had it all. He was the next Mickey Mantle and was drafted to play baseball straight out of high school. After alchohal abuse problems and many other life problems Ron's life was turned around. Dennis Fritz was one of Ron's friends and they would go out together to clubs to drink and party. The other main character would have to be Debbie Carter, who was murdered.

The style of this book shows both sides to the story, which is one aspect of the book I like the most. It is a true story, which makes it even more interesting to me with pictures of everything that your reading in the middle of the book. from the begining, the book tells somewhat what really happened, which I liked.

The theme of this book is that you shouldn't just judge people on their behavier. Everything has to be based off facts, and nothing can just be based off what people think. Of course, everyone will make their judgements about people, but nobody should ever be able to be convicted of a crime off these.

I would for sure reccomend this book to anybody.

Stars: 3
Pages: 431

First Blog Post

Its January, so that means cold weather. I hate cold weather in every way, besides the fact that we got to miss school the first two days of this week for snow. Snow days are some of my best memories growing up.

I remember my first snow day when I was really young and didn't like the snow that much. I would always get cold and never put enough clothes on to stay warm. But the older I got, the more I appreciate a snow day.

This snow day me and a few of my friends tied sleds to the back of my truck, and pulled them in my pasture. Sledding was very fun, and I cannot wait until the next snow day!