811 Reviews discussion

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

In the thriller novel The Vioce On The Radio by Caroline B. Cooney was about a girl named Janie. Janie found out that she was just kidnapped by her parents that she was living now. She also found her real family. Now Janie is trying to balance her time with both of her family. Janie also has a boyfriend named Reeve. Reeve is in a different college. Reeve thinks that college life is very hard so he wanted to become a famous radio dj. When he got famous it was because of Janies story. That's when things went down.

I like this book because It is interesting. This book teaches to tell the truth. I recommend this book to everyone who loves thriller. I just didn't like the part when Reeve talked about Janies personal life on the radio.

In the realistic fiction novel Green Angel by Alice Hoffman was about a girl named Green. Green was her name because she was really good in gardening. Green doesn't really talk to other people and she is very shy. Green was always cover in the shadows of her sister Aurora. One day when her parents were going on a trip for the day they had to leave someone behind to watch the house and their garden. They left Green because she was more responsible than Aurora. Green got really mad and didn't say goodbye to her parents and sister when they left. So she ran up to the hills with Onion her sisters dog and waited till they came back. When she reached home the house was on fire and her family wasn't there. Thats when everything went down.

I like this book because this made me realize to cherish every moment because you never know what could happen. Like green she didn't get to say her last goodbye to her family. She didn't get to have her last hug and kiss to her family. This book is really dark so I would recommend this to the people who like realistic and a bit of thriller fiction and romance. I am glad that at the end of the book Green healed and became her old self again.

In the realistic fiction nove Bottles Up by Jaye Murray is about a boy named Philip. Philip doesn't liked being called Philip he likes to call himself Pip. Pip is addicted to drugs. His dad is an alcoholic. and his mom is always tired because of the medicine she takes. Pip's father always yell or hurts him or his brother. So Pip is the one who stands up as a father in his family, especially for his brother. Everything became better for him when the principle blacked mailed him that if he doesn't go to his classes he will call his father. Pip is afraid of his father. And the principal asked him to go to a support group. thats when everything changed.

I liked this book because it taught me that what children see is what children do. I learned this because Pip's younger brother started to try drinking alcohol because of his father. And he also tried Pip's drugs. One conflict was Pip vs his friends because his friends always push him to do drugs even though they know that he has to keep clean for his support group. Another one is Pip vs his father because instead of going to his brothers games, dropping off and picking up his brother, Instead if his father Pip is the one doing those things.

The book Last Summer with Maizon was about a girl named Margaret. Maizon is the only best friend of Margaret. When Margarets father died from a heart attack she was there for her. But when her father died that was the day when Maizon got accepted to an expensive boarding school. That whole week was the worst week of summer in Margarets entire life. But will Maizon come back or will she like the new school?

I liked this book because I can relate to it. When I left the Philippines I also felt sad when I got separated from my best friends and my family. I would recommend this to everyone because I feel like everyone can relate to this book. Why can't Maizon go back to her school with Margaret? Isn't it impossible that Maizon didn't have friends in Blue Hill? Doesn't there neighbors work? Why are they always there baby sitting Lil' jay?

In the book Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys, a girl named Lina was taken from her home along with her Brother, Jonas, and her Mother. N.K.V.D arrested her family for disobeying the Soviet Unions ways of life. Lina and her family were used almost as objects moved from placed to place around Europe to concentration camps and farms. Throughout her abduction Lina swears to herself and family she will bring them back to her home country.

I loved this book because it was a real eye opener to readers. During these times the N.K.V.D were terrible and ruthless to human lives. One step out of line, anyone was at risk for danger. I would recommend this book for strong readers that are able to deal with mature subjects such as death, loss, slavery, and even prostitution, but it's an amazing read that deserves way more awareness than it has now.

In the book Prom, by Laurie Halse Anderson, Ashley is a normal high school stupid who honestly never cared for prom, or anything for that matter. However one day her math teacher stole all the prom money, her friend Natalie devastated from the experience begged Ash to help her put things on track. Next thing Ashley knows is she's forced in helping Prom work again, maybe it won't suck.

This is was very funny and entertaining book to read. Instead of a normal happy-go-lucky teenager she was surprisingly normal for a romcom and could easily relate to the readers. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes funny teen fiction novels.

In the book Divergent Veronica Roth, Beatrice is a young girl born into a faction of personality she has nothing in relation with. In a new government people are placed in factions of personality which citizens are assigned to jobs and a way of life. However Beatrice is different, she doesn't relate to one faction but to all five, which means she can manipulate the simulations, that also means Beatrice is a divergent, a threat to society. She chooses to keep this a secret and join dauntless, but the government is on to her.

I loved this book and not only because its futuristic but the overall plot was fantastic. The biggest aspect of the text would be the character development in Tris, in the beginning of the book Tris used to be extremely quiet and never spoke up about her feelings, now she fights for the rights of not only herself but others too.

In the book Marked by P.C. Cast , Zoey is marked by a vampire tracker after school one day, her best friend, and her family are disgusted by her new abilities that were given to her. Forced out of her (extremely) Christian family, Zoey turns to the House of Night to train herself on how to be a vampire.

This book a was a new and entertainment to me because i've never read something like it. I liked it because it was a good mix of action, romance, and comedy all in one book. The biggest conflict in the book would mainly be Zoey accepting herself for who she is and being able to control herself and her powers.

In the book Torment by Lauren Kate,
something seems to be different during this lifetime and Daniel is determined to keep Luce safe from forces of the dark Angels and also herself. Then he teams up with Angels and demons in eighteen day truce to find her when Luce is sent away from Daniel for her protection. Luce is going to School in Northern California where (immortal) students didn't make the chose to be evil or angel. Daniel also decided make Luce discover the truth on herself by herself.

This book took it to a whole another level from the first one. It was exciting to learn Luce's past because we only know about her and Daniel now in the present. I also enjoyed her being around other paranormal students which is almost letting her learn how life is for the angles and demons. Luce's biggest struggle throughout the book would mostly be figuring out her love for Daniel and why she didn't choose anyone else throughout all her many lives. I would recommend this book for everyone who loves a cool mystery sifi novel.