Crank by Ellen H.

In Crank by Ellen Hopkins, Bree/Kristina doesn’t understand what she has done wrong. Besides smoking crank, getting hooked up to it, and sleeping with someone else’s boyfriend. Bree/Kristina has a complicated emotion. She feels she is ready to have her father back into her life. He wasn't there when she was young, but she knows her Father doesn’t deserve to see her, but she knows for a fact that there could be a change. No matter what he did or what he has become she still has hope that, maybe there could be something that could bond them together. Kristina found it; it was crank that brought her father and her together.

When she began to change into Bree, she had never noticed anything different. She was still Kristina. After a while did she realized she had begun to socializing with different people, lying more, and got punished more and more often. She is not sure whether to lock up Kristina or let Bree be an essence of her.

There were a significant number of poetic structures that stood out. Some structures having to do with her reality, others with her mind and thoughts. The techniques that were used a lot were changing the placement of words or changing the margins. Changing the way things start can add a different level of understanding to the text. In one chapter, the title began descending into a train of thought. There were words set to the right of the page; if the poem was to be read from top to bottom a shorter poem could be created.

A poem inside another poem; the emotions and switching back between Bree’s thoughts and Kristina’s innocence also add another emotion to the story. Reading the real family’s experience and the “cover-up” story (Crank) there is not much of a difference. Someone actually went through what Bree/Kristina went through which is why the poetic structure adds emphasis to the story.

This book is very appropriate for middle school students because it gives than an insight to the real world. Not everything is what they want it to be. There is a coming of age moment that they have to go through for it to shape their personalities and life styles; reality is that sometimes things are tough. Elle’s point in writing this story was to teach people the difficulties and struggles people have to witness. If parents want to keep their children blinded from reality, how will the children mature? If they think everything is perfect and happy, then they have yet to learn not everything is flowers and roses, but not everything is dangerous either. It should be allowed in middle schools, to open up the minds of those who have yet to learn.

You Always Remember.

Rachel always kept herself locked up. Her feelings all went into a blue bottle. After her Aunt's death she realized that there was no need for hiding who she was. She was black and danish and no one could tell her otherwise; she was a new person. Rachel's grandmother was not fond of her mother because she was a "ho". After being caught in bed by grandma with Anthony Miller, a very close friend, Rachel has a moment of realization. She wants to be something; mean something special to someone. 

She wants to belong to someone, but not this way. This moment she is having with Anthony Miller is a replay of her mother and her father. Something she never excepted to do or become. When she helps out at the community center, Brick, who was Jamie who was really James, talks to her. She has no idea who he is, but she has a comfort around him. They go out with their friends and as they bond more Rachel begins to let herself go, be more free willing. She becomes a different person. Her resolution is to go, faraway. Farther then her family went.

There was a new beginning for Rachel. The person that brought her that wellness was Brick. He gave her hope. Something she had lost many years ago. After keeping so much emotions locked up in an imaginary blue bottle; Rachel changes her way of thinking and being. There is more hope in Rachel then she has ever had. A good way the author showed this was through the swans. Towards the end she reconnects with the Danish part of herself and with her own self. The swans were a sign of hope and wishes for the future. The awns take steps, one two, three, four. It then lets its wing catch the air. Its hard to tell if it will fly now or continue running; its a the final step that she will never know.

There was a new face and day to Rachel's life. She had not known who Brick was. A tall, muscular, 25yr old man. Drew (Aunt Loretta's husband) had found him barely surviving. As Brick explained to Rachel what had became of him and how he had ended up there, she had sympathy for him. Little did she know he was actually 17 years old and had lived downstairs from where she had lived. He saw the flying bird fall; Rachel's brother, Robbie. Rachel wishes so much that she could just turn around and find them all eating at the table, Robbie reading his comics, Mor cooking, Pop getting ready for their day's celebration. Even though Rachel could not have all this, she learned to cope with it. Just like she had learned to let her feelings go, she also learned to get used to things that could not change. She had this growth in her that had happened, mentally and physically. 

Hidden Beneath Layers

As we grow up, we realize certain things we never realized as a child. In the book, the Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow, Rachel has to face a new life, one she cannot handle by herself. She has to move in with her grandma; a complete stranger to her. As the years go by and she grows older, she realizes she cannot be who she wants to be; she has faced the fact that she is black and she has blue eyes. She has many unwanted realizations that she makes as she grows older.  As Rachel began growing up with 2 female leaders, grandma and Aunt Loretta both are coming from the same blood but they have very different and compelling minds.

In the beginning, Rachel cannot comprehend why she is being differentiated from the other students. She cannot get used to living in Portland with her “grandmother”; a person who she knows nothing about other than her scent.  Portland is the place where Rachel has to stay for the rest of her life. Rachel has learned not to mention her family in the house. Her Grandma was not very fond of her mother, or her father. Rachel’s father was grandmas’ son, something she knows too well to not miss. She also begins to forget what her family used to look like; she cannot remember the Danish words her mom once spoke to her, her mother and father’s face, and Robbie, her brother.

Aunt Loretta begins to hang out with Drew, her new boyfriends/tennis player. Aunt Loretta has a positive effect on Rachel. She helps Rachel when grandma gets moody or tries to offend her parents. Aunt Loretta is more calmed and patient. Rachel as a teenager now looks up to Aunt Loretta.  A young and beautiful woman she is and the luck she has. Rachel wishes she was beautiful and was charming like her aunt, but in her mind she isn’t. Rachel still has not realized it doesn’t matter what she looks like, it matters who she is on the inside, her emotions and her personality tell it all; not her looks. Her beautiful eyes also tell story, one that is hidden inside a blue bottle.

The blue bottle. Whenever Rachel got mad or upset, instead of crying she would place it in an invisible blue bottle. One she kept well hidden inside of her. As a young girl she would always cry because of those who made fun of her, she would hide her emotions and anger as often as she could. As she got into high school, she learned what questions to answer and who to respond too. All her anger and frustration was put into that blue bottle. Now no one would ever realize she was broken, hurt. She was a lifeless soul who lived during the day. She thought she was nothing more than a waste of space. If only Aunt Loretta was still alive to encourage her, maybe she would continue. But this was something she had to figure out by herself, from innocence to experience. 

Chasing Brooklyn

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder is a book that goes back to back to two different characters. There are two narrators to be specific. Brooklyn and Nico were affected by Lucca’s death. Lucca was Brooklyn’s boyfriend and Nico’s older brother. Their lives were changed drastically, but yet they didn’t know that they felt the same way. Not knowing to distinguish what they needed from what they wanted can be bad. Brooklyn only needed someone to talk to, but she also wanted Lucca to be alive, and Nico was the closest person around.
Lucca and Brooklyn loved each other. They were inseparable. But fate had other plans for them both.  A car crash split Brooklyn in two. Her boyfriend died, and her brother living, barley making it out alive. Sometimes when she was alone, or when no one listened to her, she sometimes wished Gabe to be dead not Lucca. Lucca had been a best friend to her, someone she could rely on, he gave her the strength and power she needed. Brooklyn didn’t believe she could get out of her bad a year ago, and looking at her now, she is walking, going to school and talking to Nico.


Brooklyn wants to believe she can go through all this. She believed Gabe was strong. He didn’t stay to long. He left her. She was truly alone. But she is not being strong. Gabe sent her so many signals. The book her diary anything that could help her figure out what she wanted. Yet, when some offers to help her, she turns them down. I think Brooklyn should figure out what she truly wants so she could no longer have nightmares, and only then can she live peacefully and have moved on with Lucca and his absence. 


The distance between Nico and Brooklyn was a factor that caused them to be helpless toward their losses. If Lucca’s “ghost” had not asked Nico to help Brooklyn, then maybe they would both been helpless. Brooklyn was on the edge of doing something out of her control. She was getting more and more scared of the world around. Gabe only wanted her to know that he loved her and wanted her to gain her strength; Gabe was not trying to haunt her, he was trying to revive the pact that they both of them had promised: to help each other through the pain. He made Brooklyn realize she should not let fear control her, like the fear had controlled Gabe, causing him to commit suicide. 


Lucca and Gabe wanted the best for everyone, especially both of them. They needs some help to regain the bravery they had had. This was the only way that would work. The result helped bring two families together. The fight over loss was over, Brooklyn and Nico had won. 

Frozen in the Present

Some Spoilers!

In the book “Th1rteen R3asons Why” by Jay Asher, Hannah Baker was a girl with many problems. She was always something to talk about in school. But, one thing that no one knew was that she was planning her death. I think that Hannah’s reasons for committing suicide where really complicated. She sent tapes to all those people who took a part in her suicide. Each reason she described in the tapes were very personal to the person she spoke about.

            Hannah was always talked about. She felt the need to isolate herself sometimes. Isolate from all the rumors. I think that If Clay, or someone had been able to keep up with her, they could have saved her from committing suicide. But still, Hannah had many problems she faced. So, to demonstrate those “responsible” for her death, she sent tapes; those tapes that would change each individual life forever. Each moment she shared with that certain person became the times she grew closer to her own death. Anxiety, anger, betrays, disbelief, and hurt; that was what every person in the tape had brought to her life. One over another until she could no longer sustain with all this swelled up in her. And what better way to release this emotions?  

Suicide was the best way out of the black hole that sucked her deeper and deeper. She no longer wanted to be humiliated by the rumors, nor be betrayed a best friend who believed rumors, but she also didn’t want to push away or be pushed away by the only person she could connect to. Yes, that is where Clay Jensen comes in to play. The tapes were to be heard at different locations. So, clay followed each location, one by one he discovered what each location contained. I think that what Hannah wanted to accomplish was very mysterious. She led each individual to the location where something had happened. Each location brought them deeper into the black hole she once was.

I think it was a really brilliant idea for the book cover to contain a replica map of the map that was described in the story. I wonder what would have changed if Clay had helped Hannah, and had gotten closer to her. Would she have changed her mind? I think if Clay had been more of a helpful person, and less nervous he could have helped her think of a way out of this stress that did not include committing suicide. But, another part of me says maybe she truly had no hope I herself. Even though if she had no hope, she could have tried again, one last time, for a hand to reach out and help her, instead of isolating herself from those around her.

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Some Spoilers

Appreciation: 

I am in the middle of reading Hold Still by Nina LaCour. The story revolves around Caitlin’s point of view on Ingrid’s death. Ingrid was a close friend of Caitlin. Catlin has a deep depression from her friend’s loss. She honored their friendship and was heartbroken when she learned about what had killed Ingrid.

The few things I appreciate from Hold Still by Nina LaCour are the characters powerful emotion. I appreciated how the author made her story craft like diary. It helps give an insight on what Caitlin felt and it could be compared to other teens that have felt out casted by someone’s death or are labeled as mentally ill by the attitudes and opinions on her conduct. What if someone lost their friend or sibling? Would you consider someone crazy or mentally ill for missing that person and going through memories that were left of them? Sometimes its society that can ruin what is and what people think they see. I appreciate how the author tried to have as minimum of stereo types as possible which made the story a deep form the heart kind of story; and very narrative to what Caitlin felt.

Caitlin shows the stages of what happens to people, such as teens and what happens when someone beloved dies. The girls had made a promise to be together, but they were separated by death. It also shows how people can get back on track after a terrible incident. Restarting life after being “frozen” by emotions and thoughts was complicated for Caitlin. It was hard for Caitlin to return to her normal life. She stayed in a paused life while everyone else moved on. It was tuff for her to move on. This was reflected in her notes and thoughts on life.

I think by the end of the book Caitlin will be stronger than she was before, and she will be able to realize how to go through her agonizing moments remembering Ingrid’s lost. How to keep from breaking down or by not tormenting herself got her father than she imagined.

The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver #2

Some Spoilers


Theme: 

   I am almost done reading The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver. The book is about a demon trapper named Riley Blackthorne, who has to become a demon trapper master after her father.  All the demon trapper masters are males. If Riley joined the committee of demon trapper masters, she would be treated differently because she would be the only female in the committee. The theme that was shone a lot was differentiating between a male and a woman’s given powers and powers that were fought for.

   Things could have been different. Riley could have continued her life as a regular teenager in high school; yet she chooses to become a demon trapper. The levels of professionalisms in being a trapper are hard, but Riley is determined to be legendary like her father. Beck needs to help Riley choose her job, but Riley has such freedom that she chose it herself. Having a man as an Instructor is hell for Riley. But, she doesn’t realize that she had the choice of becoming what she wanted, it wasn’t assigned. Harper, Riley’s instructor is a dominant person. He wants to tower over people, even his colleagues. Riley is more of a free person who won’t be tossed around, she is not used to being ordered around.

    Riley takes advantage of the fact that she has to choice of choosing what she wants. A century ago, Woman were not able to do what they wanted, they had to be hidden in the shadow of men. A century ago Woman had not been given the right to vote. Now, People take that for granted, similar to how Riley takes her choices and decisions for granted. Riley can change Harper’s perspective on dominance. As well as being dominant, Harper is also an abuser. Riley can help cut out his actions, and enforce him to make better actions for his colleagues, instead of abusing them. This act also includes men and woman who do not have the same rights.

    I think that Woman and Men should be treated equally. This is something the world is trying to sustain. If people were more willing to change their beliefs or were willing to see the “bigger picture” or dilemma, things would be very different for woman, men, and children; in fact it would be make a different world for all humans.. However, not everyone has the “real eyes to realize real lies”.

The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver #1

Some Spoilers


Conflict:

I am reading The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver.  I am half way through the book, and things are beginning to complicate. Riley, the main character is being trained to be a Demon Trapper Master. Riley is the Daughter of the well know John Blackthorne. Riley’s mother had died of Cancer. The only persons eh confided that was still alive was her father. The book has many issues from the “Real” World, but it evolves around Riley’s determination and her doing things solo.

I noticed that riley is a person who prefers to keep her feelings to herself even though this can harmful to her mental stability. She has to find a way to continue life. She cannot “stay” upset forever; as much pain as it is to lose your last parent and her last support. She was told to continue her father’s footstep; but, she wanted to be in her father’s footsteps, to learn how to be a good demon trapper like him. I hope that the struggle Riley is making will help her to continue her life, and her job as an apprentice; soon to be a Demon Trapper (Master), like her father. Riley always hated when adults would act like they could fix everything. They couldn’t fix everything and they knew that. This was the same phrase her mother had said before she had left Riley alone.

If Riley was not as stubborn as she is maybe she could use help from beck. Riley’s father had been beck’s teacher and co-worker at the same time. Blackthorne had given beck another look at life; he had been able to change beck’s life. Beck also felt upset about his master’s death. I believe that  if riley was less regretful and  more understanding, maybe they both could go through this depression state that both were in. if both put  Their forces together, I believe that maybe both would be capable of finding the Demons Grade Three and Five.

Riley was used to her Dad being late, but she knew he was going to be there. Know, she knows his never going o be late again. He is simply gone. 

Uninvited by Amanda Marrone

Some Spoilers


Protagonist:

Jordan has more of a neutral personality. Even though her actions are strong, she goes along with her actions and their consequences.  Jordan is trying to sort out the things that happened with Michael. She had split up with him and then he died a couple of months alter. Jordan’s reaction wasn’t so pleasing either. I think it is best if Jordan began sorting out her problems first, before getting wasted or smoking a joint. She has to try to work out things with her family and then her close ones. Then, she will have the power to confront Michael and tell him to leave.

Jordan has the decision of letting Michael inside. However, when Jordan invited Michael in it was too late. He had other plans for her. She was risking her life and Lisa’s life. I think that maybe if Jordan had chosen Michael’s need over her selfish isolation, maybe she could have convinced Michael to leave, rather than for him to bite her. Jordan had rejected Michael which could have triggered Michael to unleash his anger towards Jordan.

I think the only reason Michael had come back to Jordan was because she had been closest to her. Michael had been with almost half the student body. He was clever enough to know who was weak and what their weak points were. Thinking more about it, it would be a possibility that Michael only went to Jordan; because he knew she would have the weakest link to restrain herself from letting Michael in. She was going to give in, one way or another. Jordan thought if she let Michael in, maybe all her problems would end.

She didn’t understand what Michael truly wanted. Michael wanted revenge for Jordan rejecting him. He knew ah once Jordan gave in, she would beg for him to come inside, into her house, being the only thing to save her from her miserable and pitiful life. She should have continued and ignored him until he left, or confront him and let him inside the first time he had appeared. Things could have been differently between Michael and Jordan; Jordan could have restarted the old friendship she had had with Lisa. 

Everwild by Neal Shusterman

Many Spoilers


Antagonist:

"Everwild" by Neal Shusterman is the second book in the Skinjacker Trilogy. There really isn't a main character, the story switches between two perspectives. The most frequent perspectives are from Nick "The Chocolate Ogre” and Allie "The Outcast". Allie's partner, Mikey, also the great "McGill" has returned to his original form. Allie has mastered skin jacking. Skin-jacking is when an after-light (ghost) enters a human's body, or as after-lights call it, a "fleshie". Allie enjoys skin-jacking, she has begun to do it more frequently which is causing her to do it on a daily basis. Mikey, Allie's partner, cannot skin-jack. He implores Allie to stop skin-jacking because it is turning her selfish. Mikey was taking lessons from Allie on how to become less selfish and more caring. Allie is doing the complete opposite now since she started skin-jacking more.

         

 Mikey and Allie have found a group of four boys who also skin-jack. Allie has some hope that maybe they will understand how she feels, and she is trying not to be selfish. The only thing these boys do is skin-jack. It’s the only thing they do. Mikey, does not agree with Allie. Allie thinks it would be a good idea if she skin -jacked to help find her parents. Mikey is afraid of Allie leaving him for her to find her parents. Allie makes it clear she won’t leave without him. This is the only reason Mikey is convinced by Allie. He knows she is a powerful mind as well as a strong "promise keeper". He contends with her and he wants them to not separate.

In some parts of the book, Mikey does become an antagonist. He strongly disagrees with Allie's actions. Allie knows she has to fight Mary High-Tower, even if she is Mikey's older sister. Allie and Nick both hope they will meet again. Neither of them knows that they are heading to the same state. If Mikey can control himself, maybe he can learn to skin-jack to understand Allie's enchantment in skin-jacking. However, if Allie is too observed into Skin-Jacking, Mikey will have to find Nick to help Allie quit or at least lesson the times that she skin-jacks.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman (Reading Blog Post #4)

Some Spoilers

Appreciation:

        My appreciation for The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman, is how she emphasis her points. Honor doesn't agree with her parents actions. As the story progresses and honors parents are taken she wishes her parents would return. I appreciate how the author, Allegra Goodman, makes all her character’s actions return to them, even the bad ones. Honor sees what can happen to her if she doesn’t follow the rules.

       Honor wanted her parents to get a job, and be more a normal family "like everyone else". This label is what Honor relies on. She judges her parents on their actions. She doesn’t want her parents to do anything that could be "dangerous". Honor is in her own little circle of perfection. When I think of the story, I think of how Society is against anyone who does things other people wouldn’t do. Even though it is broad in the story when you connect it to the outside world, you can get many examples for the main point I found.

      After Honor’s parents are taken, Honor realizes that trying to make her parents “perfect” was useless. She should have made each memory with her parents precious; Rather than arguing with them and reprimanding them to make them “like everybody else”. Now she wishes her mother and father would return. She wishes more than anything to be with her parents. She wishes she could go wash clothing with her whole family. Together and united. I like how Allegra Goodman makes her points very strong. As well as Helix’s parents, both couples where banished one after another. Both parents where brave enough to be different. 

Fade By Lisa McMann

Some Spoilers


Conflict: 
     
            In Fade, i think it is great the fact that Janie is finding someone she can relate to. She thought she was by herself and that she was the only one with the power of dreams, but she finds security with Cabel knowing she is not alone. I like how she strives to move along with her life even though something is wrong with her. She is fearless and strives towards her best, morally and emotionally. I like how Janie’s situations sets a strong example for anyone who wants to move forward with their lives after something drastic but cannot do it by themselves. Everyone deserves a second chance. No one’s perfect, why? Because we are humans, not computer operated machines.


            Janie is on the verge of discovering what makes her dream power so special. This is another conflict for her. She is unsure whether she wants to know who is responsible for her dream power. She thinks maybe it will be a serious and brutal discovery. I think this could be related to someone who cannot comprehend what is happening, thereof making it harder for them to take in the information. Sometimes it can be emotionally hard.

             Janie has a 3^rd conflict where she has to discover, first, who is the teacher that is dreaming about a student, and does he or she want. It is something she is not pleased to do, obviously. But she sees a dream of another student who is being sexually assaulted by a man. Janie suspects it’s a teacher she knows. She is more stunned when her Chemistry Teacher, Mr. Durbin, drives her home and does small favors for her, for ex: brings her book bag from the nurses’ office where she forgot it earlier in the day. Mr. Durbin also drivers her home while she gets groceries.

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.

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.