Chandler Snyder’s Comments (group member since Aug 20, 2014)

Chandler Snyder’s comments from the BDCHS Advanced Reading group.

I give “The Boy on the Wooden Box” by Leon Leyson a 4 out of 5. I give this book this rating because even though it was not my type of book, it still was very interesting and touching book. This author also used many strong writing techniques to structure the book like it is.

This book starts off with Leon Leyson (The main character) starting his life in a small village located in Poland. During this time, Leon lived a fairly carefree life, filled with children games like playing in the river and exploring with friends. However, at the age of 8 Leon’s family moved to Krakow for his father’s new job at a glass factory. Life was still good for Leon but that all changed when the war started. Leyson’s father knew that it would be safe to stay in Poland when the Germans invaded so he decided to leave his children in Krakow but his eldest son would be sent back to their home village ahead of the Germans. However, Leon’s father returned early after rethinking his decision with abandoning his family. His eldest son was sent to their home town alone. Nonetheless, the father was arrested shortly later and sent to a local prison, leaving his family without food or money.

When Leon’s father was released from prison, he returned broke and without a job. Although, he was able to get a job shortly after when he opened a locked safe for a German factory owner. He worked for hard for his boss, Oskar Schindler. Although, he received no payment for his work. However, it let his family stay in Krakow, safe from the Germans. A while later, remaining Jews were moved to ghettos at the edge of the city by the Germans, these ghettos were so crowded that there was disease and sanitation problems. Yet, they managed to stay alive until the Germans decided to purge even the Ghettos. Meanwhile, German were trying to find “volunteers” to move into new ghettos in the countryside. However, they were eventually forcing Jews to board trains going to these ghettos. The Jew who managed to escape these ghettos told stories of nightmarish concentration camps. This caused fear and panic in the Jews, and no one wanted to board the trains. However, Tsalig, Leyson’s older brother was forced to go on one without a chance of escape because his girlfriend was on the train as well.

Eventually, the Germans cleaned out the ghettos, forcing all of the Jews to go to the concentration camp, Plaszow. Leyson faced many difficulties in this camp, and was scared for his life. However, he soon after discovered that Schindler had composed a list of workers he requested to be transferred to a sub-camp, at his factory. Even though his name was not on this list, he demanded to be taken and was allowed to go. He worked for this factory for a whole 8 months. Fortunately, the Germans started to lose the war and started fleeing from Poland, and the factory was to be eventually torn down and moved to Czech. Leyson’s family was one of the select few allowed to go, and when the war came to an end Schindler gave ever Jew a leaving gift after their release, he then fled to America. This gift contained a bolt of clothing and a bottle of vodka so they may trade after the release.

The story then ends with Leyson’s family excluding his brother and sister moving to America while his brother and sister moved to Israel. Leyson went to serve in the military and achieve a higher education. He later became a teacher for about forty years and married, bringing two kids into the world. The theme of this story is either desperation or suffering, as it revolves around the pain and suffering that the Leyson’s and all Jews suffered through in the Nazi Regime.

Overall, this book was a very interesting novel that I really enjoyed and also informed me very much. Additionally, this book taught me of the conditions and suffering that the Nazis put innocent people through.

I gave Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card a 5 out of 5. I think his book deserves this rating and more, it is the best sci-fi book i have read. I think this book was outstanding, and has a fantastic writing structure. Not only does this book have all of these positive things, it also is my favorite genre of literature, which is science fiction.
Ender’s Game is written about the future. A future after the first bugger attack, and nearing the next one. Buggers being Ant-like giant aliens who want to take over earth for themselves. Ender’s game also has many settings, as the book revolves around space. This book starts off on earth following the main character….. Ender Wiggins. Ender is the third child of a family of geniuses, and is selected by international military forces to save the world from destruction. However, in order to join the international military, he needs to be watched by them with a monitor, and have tests taken. Ender’s siblings had to do this same tests, but both of them didn't make it. Ender’s sister, Valentine, Doesn’t mind this. However, Ender’s brother, Peter, despises and hates Ender because of this, and will never forgive him for making it. While this is happening, Ender’s is also getting savagely beaten by a gang of Bullies. To stop the bullies, Ender is forced to brutally beat the leader of this crew of bullies in order to save himself. Unlike the bullies, Ender could not protect himself from his brother. His sister Valentine also could not save him. However, Ender was saved from his psychopath brother, who doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Ender was saved by Colonel Graff of the international fleet, who came to take him away to place Ender has been dreaming of: Battle school. This being an incredibly good thing for Ender, but also a negative one. For example, Ender won’t have to be tormented by his older brother, but also will have to leave his beloved sister, Valentine.
Battle school is located far, far away on a ship. While on the way to Battle School, Ender demonstrates his understanding and intelligence when it comes to space, and gravitational effects. When Ender arrives at Battle School he is part of the beginners which are called Launchies. During this time, Ender makes little friends, even with his intelligence. This intelligence serves Ender Wiggins greatly throughout Battle School. For example, before anyone else, Ender and another recruit named Alai learned to maneuver without gravity. After this, Alai and Ender became close friends, which allowed Ender to fit in better.
Ender later learns about the computer games, and even though he doesn’t know, surpasses everyone else’s ability to play one of them. Called the mind game, and the Commanders take notice of this ability. Shortly after, Ender is promoted to the next rank, Salamander. While he is there, he becomes friends with Petra Arkanian, the only girl in the Battle School. She is very helpful and gives lessons and practices with Ender for the War-games. The War-games are training for real war, and in the War-games everyone has a pistol and a suit. If you are shot by the pistol on everywhere but the chest, that body part freezes. However, if you are shot on the chest you are completely frozen. This game takes place in a huge anti-gravity dome called the battle dome. The battle dome has two sides and obstacles in between the sides. The objective is to freeze the whole enemy team, or to pass a player through the enemy entrance, Ender then uses this information and helps his former Launchies by teaching them what he learns. However, it is not all good, because. Ender’s army commander does not like ender and doesn’t not want him around. Luckily, Ender gets moved to another army, called RAT Army. Ender enjoys this Army because he has a good commander, and he also does very well in the Battle Games. Even though Ender gets resentment from this, Ender still teaches the Launchies. Also, Ender later gets in a fight which results in him hurting 4 other boys who attacked him. Later, Colonel Graff visits valentine (Ender’s sister) in order to make her write Ender a letter, to help Ender. Ender grounded himself and became saner. This also helped Ender become better at the mind games, which relieves his teachers.
To show that Ender is improving, he later becomes a Commander of a new army. His army is mostly made with his old Launchies. However, one of the Launchies is smaller, and far brighter than the rest (just like Ender). His name is bean, and he shows his determination during practice in the Battle Room. In order to show Ender’s commanding skills, they are given a extraordinary amount of battles in the Battle Room, with advantages given to the enemy’s in every battle. However, Ender takes the win every battle, even versus his old Commander Bonzo. Bonzo gets humiliated by this, and attacks Ender in the shower room. However, Ender is forced to Fight back which ends badly for Bonzo. Ender is then upgraded and transferred to Command School.
However, before he gets moved to command school he is granted a short vacation. While Ender is on vacation he is visited by his sister, Valentine, although things between them have changed. Ender is later taken to Eros, which is the International Fleet command takes place. While ender is there he is introduced to his lifetime hero, Mazer Rackham. Mazer Rackham was the hero of the second bugger invasion, Mazer Rackham saved mankind. Mazer Rackham gives Ender many simulation battles against the buggers. He fights these battles as the commander of the International Fleet and with his friends at his side. Overtime, the games increase in difficulty and it became to take a huge toll on Ender. While Ender is fighting these simulations, he researches the Bugger race. Ender learns from this that they are a highly evolved race that can communicate instantly. Also, they have extreme amounts of resemblance to gigantic ants, as they have a queen and look like ants. However, at a great cost Ender wins the final battle, and later realized that it was real. All of his battles were real, and not simulations, He had destroyed an entire race. He was used, Ender’s Friends knew it and even Ender knew it. However, Ender saved Humanity from any more invasions from the Bugger race. Ender faced a confict/problem of trying to become a commander and to save the human race. However, he did not solve his problem the way he wanted to. He solved it without even knowing he was doing so.
I believe Ender’s Game has many themes. One of these themes is Isolation equals individual strength. This is a theme because it is very evident throughout this story. Ender was isolated for the majority of the book, which improved his individual strength, and lead up to Ender winning the war. Another theme is friends and enemies, this is a theme because Ender faces many enemies and friends throughout the story. A final theme evident throughout this story is Sometimes you have to lie. I believe this is a theme because if they told the truth to Ender, there is a possibility that Ender could have lost the final battle, with all of the stress.
I also learned a lot from this story. Something I learned was that you can become stronger if you believe in yourself. Also, telling the truth and being honest is not always the best choice. Over-all, I enjoyed this story very much, as it had a great plot-line and set of characters, this book is in my top 5. Have some comments I have for this book is that it is defiantly the best sci-fi book I have read, and is a must-read.

I give “What if?” by Randall Munroe a 5 out of 5. I gave it this rating because it was an extremely intriguing book, which is written in a style of hypothetical questions and their scientific answers.
Randall, a former NASA employee, started writing XKCD comics after leaving NASA in 2005. Which were hilarious comics that offer a witty take on the world of science and geeks. With nearly a billion page hits, Randall decided to open a section call “What If”, to tackle a series of impossible hypothetical questions. Later, these questions and their answers were compiled into a novel. “What if” was written in the format of questions and answers, which means the setting in these answers vary, as they were not relevant to the questions. Some of the most common setting were, The Earth, our Moon, and various other places in between. There are no main characters in this book, as the only people mentioned were either relevant to the questions or asked them. For example, Max L asked how much physical space the internet takes up. On the other hand, there is a problem/solution, and this problem is to fulfill human curiosity. He solved this problem by answering many hypothetical questions, and doing it in a logical, and scientific way. The theme of this story is to explain the laws of science in a way that the readers will feel more intelligent after reading it. With chemistry, physics, geometry Randall leaves no stone unturned in the quest for knowledge. Overall, this story teaches many scientific equations and answers to absurd hypothetical questions, which are completely unnecessary, are still interesting to know the answers to. Some examples of stuff I learned include, what would happen if you make a periodic table out off each element. Every row has a different effect, the first row, Hydrogen and helium would both float up and disperse. Second row, includes some toxic elements, and some elements floating away, like the first row. The third row is where it starts getting dangerous, with elements like phosphorus, and sulfur, fluorine and chlorine which all are dangerous and react able to each other. As it goes on to row 4, 5, 6 and 7 where it gets extremely dangerous fast. With this being only one of the questions answered in this book. Also, I enjoyed this story very much as it was very intriguing to me, because it was written with many components that I enjoy, which include, science, hypothetical questions, math, and much more. Overall, this story was written by a hilarious genius, formally from NASA, and his serious scientific and mathematical answers to impossible hypothetical questions.

I gave “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams a 4 out of 5. I think this book deserves this rating because it was a very well written book that put a comical spin on the universe. This novel also gave some perspectives on what other intelligent beings would see earth as.

This book takes place in many places throughout the Universe with earth being one of them. Other than that, they go through many spaceships and planets. Characters in the novel include the main character 30 year old Arthur Dent A.K.A Earthman, Ford, and Ford’s Cousin Zaphod Beeblebrox, Trillian as well as many other minor characters. This story starts on earth in the 1970’s with Arthur in his house, before he realizes it’s about to be destroyed by the city in order to build a freeway. Later he discovers what is going on and he lies in front of the bulldozer; in order to stop them. Not only does Arthur get his day ruined by this he also gets told by his friend Ford Perfect about a huge problem, that earth is soon to be destroyed. As a solution to this problem, Ford discusses the logistics to leaving Earth alive. He then later discovers that his “friend” Ford Perfect was just an alien stuck on earth for more decade. To add Arthur’s confusion, Ford continues to tell him that everything he knew was wrong. Right before the earth is about to be destroyed by the Vogons (an alien race) they board a Vogan ship. While their Hitchhiker journey has just begun so Ford discusses the basics of what he does. One of these topics include Vogans, Ford tells Arthur how they are “one of the most unpleasant races in the galaxy—not actually evil, but bad-tempered, bureaucratic, officious and callous”. Eventually, they get caught by the Vogans, and they throw them into the void of the lifeless space. With 30 seconds to live and a 22,079,460,347 to one chance of getting picked up in this time, they got picked up by a ship called “The Heart of Gold”. When they are picked up Arthur is introduced to 2 new characters Zaphod’s companion Trillian, and a depressed, and extremely intelligent robot, named Marvin. This new group gets acquainted with each other, while Zaphod explains what he is searching for. The great Magrathea a legendary long lost planet that is told to be a tale. But against all odds, in the “Heart of Gold” they found Magrathea, Right were Zaphod calculated it would be. To add more to the recent events, the long dead planet Magrathea shoots defense heat seeking missiles at their ship. After surviving this onslaught of missiles, they land on Magrathea. When they landed, they spotted a crater, and at the bottom was a tunnel. Zaphod and his companion went to explore with Ford, while Arthur and Marvin stayed to keep guard. In their visit to Magrathea Arthur learns that Earth was just a Super-Computer made to solve the question of life, the universe and everything. Unfortunately this plan was cut 5 minutes short when the Earth was destroyed by Vogons. In order to repeat this process of creating another Earth, The Mice who created Earth require an inhabitant of Earths brain. So naturally Arthur declines this deal and they all escape Magrathea. On their way away from Magrathea they stop at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Some of the many themes of this Novel include, we are not alone, The Absurdity of our lives, Loss, Art and Culture change. These are some of the major themes of this absurd, but very interesting and comical Book.

I also learned a lot from this book, including how vast and amazing the Universe is. This book gives a comical and absurd perspective. For example in this book, Earth was a Super-Computer created by Mice, which are a highly intelligent species, along with dolphins. Another thing I learned from this book, is how likely it is that we, as humans are not the only species in the Universe- because of the vastness. On the other hand, I really enjoyed this Novel, because of how interesting and comical it was. Overall this story was an interesting, comical, absurd, and enjoyable story.

I give the novel “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers a 4 out of five. I gave it this rating because it really gave a perspective on the judicial system. Its construction really interested me because it makes it feel like a boy actually wrote it, not an author. Which allows me to connect with the protagonist more. Overall, I enjoyed the story of “Monster” because of the perspective it gave, along with the concept of the writing.

“Monster” takes place in New York, and was about a sixteen year old teen Steve Harmon, who in the eyes of the judicial system is a murder. Written mostly in first person this book starts off in the middle of the storyline and goes back and forth through flashbacks. He is accused as being a lookout for a robbing of a local Harlem drugstore in which the owner was murdered. Steve accused accomplices were James King, Richard “Bobo” Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz. They were all being prosecuted by Sandra Petrocelli, while Steve’s Defense Attorney is Kathy O’ Brien.

While the story progresses Steve writes a journal that switches between screenplay and journal entries. Steve wants to create a movie named after what he was called by the prosecutor “Monster”. Steve has to prove himself to the jury, prove that he is not guilty. As he faces life in prison Steve goes through many hardships. Steve eventually perseveres and proves to the jury and judge that he is not guilty. Yes, I learned what it would be like to be on trial for murder, as a young teen. Yes, I enjoyed this book as it gives a very interesting perspective on the judicial system. Overall, his book was a very interesting story of what it is like to be a teen, who is on trial for murder.