So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane

Some Spoilers


Theme:


     In the book, “So You Want to Be a Wizard" by Diane Duane, Nita, doesn't know what to do with the bullies at her high school. She doesn't want to fight back because she feels its no use. Although, the second time they pick on her they take her pen. Something that is very significant to her. She hopes to have some ready for them in case they want to plot against her. I think that the main theme is to have moral courage. Nita lacks of moral courage. I observe how she reacts and she wants them to know she feels a certain way. There is a difference between wanting revenge, and wanting someone to know you have been offended.

   

      I observed that when Nita got the book she that about maybe there was a possibility of her defeating Joanne. She feels she has the need to get her back for what she did to her. She tells her self which is better revenge or courage, she knows the answers and what she has to do, but she isn’t to so compromising. She has the power to distinguish what is right and what is wrong, but she won’t do it. She doesn’t want to be like Kit, who is also made fun of. Kit and Nita begin to bond, and they both discover that they both had seen the "So You want to be a Wizard" book. They think that maybe they can find a spell to help find Nita's pen, and to stop the bullies from offending both of them.

      Their mission is to find someone ese who deos wizard craft.and help Nita regain more confidence in herself with  out using any "magic", Nita still had that feeling that all this was a game until a unknown force helped her regain her pen. Giving in to help yourself and others depends on you. You have to make that change so others can make it for themselves. Sometimes you need someone to support you along the rough bumps in life. I infer that by the end of the story, Nita would be a new person with a  more stronger and wiser mind. Once in a while there is always  a life changing experience, to change that person attitude or personality. To help define and shape life and even there conscience.

Sarah McLachlan- World On Fire (Response)

   In the song "World On Fire" by Sarah McLachlan, Sarah gives an insight on how money is spent o needed in other countries. Money has different levels of value. I think it shows how other people would be grateful for the money we take for granted. For Example, we receive 20 dollars here, and in another country, 20 dollars could pay 1/10th of a school year. McLachlan shows how much a regular music video costs, and how that money used for the video, could be used in a different way to benefit those in need. Think it was very appreciative for her to do that, because mot many are well informed on the devastating poverty lines and problems among other human beings.

     It also shows us how we spend money without knowing its value. You can say we sometimes we throw money away. Instead of throwing that money away it could help keep someone from being hungry. How we take things for granted. We have a home safe and sound. Some children sleep on the ground, on streets, cold and they can’t do much about it, they are only children. It’s heartbreaking to know a 8 or 9 year old is working for a living when they could be in school having more bigger job opportunities. But they cannot because they don't have enough money to pay for tuition. Here the school is free, yet some drop out. These children would love to take the place of the person who decides to drop out of school, because in the long run they will get something out of it.

      It’s like the old saying "You don't know what you have until it’s gone." What if you were to be in their lives for a day? Wouldn't you be glad to have the life you are living in? Yet some ignore it. I think the video could reflect to others appreciate what they have while it’s still there. It also gives an inside on how much money videos, actors, producers can cost. Even though that money could be sent to a place for example Kenya, to help water bases for water and agriculture, or for schools for kids to have a paid tuition for the year.

The Unnameables by Ellen Booraem

Some Spoilers


Cross Book Inquiry: 

   

    In the book The Unnameables, Medford Runyuin and his best friend Prudence Carpenter, also know as Prudy, are nearing Transition. Transition is when All the young community is approaching maturity. Medford and Prudy have to give up all their childhood memories, even the most closest items.. Anything that contains any significant  childhood importance must be burnt.


        I find there is a connection between the book The Unnameables by Ellen Booraem and Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. In The Unnameables, Medford has a secret he hides beneath his bed.His carvings. Which could banish him off the island. Lia also has a dangerous secret that could ruin her life again. Cassie, Lia's ex-best friend died in a hotel room alone. Lia doesn't wan to be left alone. Fingers begin pointing toward Lia. Her loved ones hoping she wouldn't end up like Cassie. But Lia, couldn't help it; She wanted to pretty, and pretty meant skinny. It could even send her back to where she considered hell: Therapy. Medford and Lia have secrets that they cannot reveal because they would be disunited from there loved ones. Medord doesn't want to be vanished. He has heard  legends about those who have vanished. Both charcters demonstrate that they are brave and are willing. But, inside there slowing begin crushed by what will continue after they leave.
       
         Both books portray the same theme: being different from others. Medford and Lia don't want to be pointed out by everyone else. As the story progresses, Medford loses his only friend  after Transition. Prudy becomes a sophisticated talker. She begins to act "mature". In the book, being mature after the Transition is a law. Medford is alone. He can't tell Prudy because she will tell everyone else banishing him from the island. If Lia had told anyone, she would have been sent to therapy.. both of the characters hide their secrets so they don't lose what is closest to them. In the end, both characters realize they where being foolish. Hiding something did not change anything.It was useless. They had to reveal it because  who knew if they weren't the only ones? Lia was not the only teenager on the path to anorexia. And Medford wasn't the only one making Unnamble things. If someone had just spoken up, it would change many things. Medford and Lia were leaders. Even though, it had taken them time to truly think what they where doing, all they needed was a leader to look up too. There leasers were bad influence. They both became the good influenced leaders.