HFM discussion

For the final book review, please do the following:

1. Initially, write the title of the book with link and the number of pages of your book.

2. Overall, be sure that you are writing a persuasive review about the book. Discuss answers to questions such as, “What do you think about this book?” and “Would you recommend this book to others? If so, who? If not, why not?” The review should focus on your reaction to the book—positive, negative or both.

3. In order to receive full credit, your book review must be at least 250 words.

4. Remember that you need to use 3 vocabulary words in this journal post. Please bold/italicize/capitalize.

5. Remember that you need to include a short, meaningful quote from the book.

6. Remember that you need to include some sort of rating about the book.

7. Remember that the review must be written with a persuasive tone.

8. After you have completed the review, in 3-5 sentences, respond to another group member’s posting.

True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall
True Notebooks pages 1-330

I read the story True Notebooks and I strongly recommend this novel to those who are interested in inner and outer emotions of young juvenile offenders. I am very ELATED with this book that I rate it a five out of five. This novel gave me a good insight of how young boys life’s change drastically for the bad choices that they make. But it shows that parents take a huge role in why these INREPID boys in True Notebooks end up in prison. This book is an eye opener to those who don’t see juvenile offenders as human. Even though these kids have committed crimes their still people that need motivation, guide ness, and security. These are three values that these young boys don’t have and people need to understand that their minds are sometimes corrupted by others. This book gives no preview of what crimes the boys committed because the main focus is on their feelings and where their life’s are heading. The author was very METICULOUS about what background life story of each boy to add in the novel. He made sure that these young boys got the chance to be heard and he accomplished that. One quote that really got me really emotional was the on stated by Kevin and he said, “Dear old friend, North Star” (Salzman 326). This quote was meaningful to me because Kevin one of the characters stated that he had no friends or family that followed him around like the north star in the sky. And he declared Mark Salzman his north star. This showed that Mark not only helped the boys to be heard, but he also became a great friend.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
198 pages

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has a very capricious story line which made it enjoyable. While reading Speak I realized that it was way more intense than I initially thought it would be. I would give Speak four stars out of five because it had a really good story line but it took some time to get into. I really liked this book because it had a powerful message being sent to girls that encourages them to speak up for abuse or wrong doings that has happened to them. Fortunately, I have never been a part of a traumatic situation so the emotions of the character were alien to me at first. However, Anderson did a great job explaining the Melinda’s situation which makes it easier for readers like me to recognize her torment. I also really liked Anderson’s use of symbolism that she expressed in Melinda’s ongoing art project of trees at school. I think that it gave the book a deeper meaning and it makes it more interesting to read because you get to think about the symbolism along with what is literally happening in the book. Melinda thinks about her tree and says, “If this tree really lives someplace, that branch better, drop soon so it doesn’t kill the whole thing.”(pg 196) This quote is significant to me because I know Melinda is not only talking about her art but she is relating it to her life as well. She understands that if she does not let go of the past it will only her more. I would really hope that others readers got as much as I did out of this story. I love when authors write the story so well you are able to feel the emotions of the characters. Much like in Speak, I felt stressed when bad things kept occurring to Melinda and elated when things ultimately worked out for her. I would recommend this book to girls only, ranging from around eighth grade to any adult female.

Francisca wrote: "True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall
True Notebooks pages 1-330

I read the story True Notebooks and I strongly recommend this novel to those who are interested in inner..."

True Notebooks sounds like a book I would be interested in reading. I think that when books characters lives are an extreme contrast of your own it makes it interesting because it gives you insight into a different life. I also really like your quote because it is not very long but it explains a lot at the same time.

Hilary wrote: "Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
198 pages
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has a very capricious story line which made it enjoyable. While reading Speak I realized that it was way more i..."

Speak sounds like the kind of stroy I would be intersted in reading. I also enjoy reading stories that contain information of the experiences that some characters go through. I can't relate to the situation that occured in Melinda life, but it sounds so trajic. I am very intersted in reading this book.

The Weight of Silence
Heather Gudenkauf
The story of two young girls disappearing and two families bind together to bring them back home not only to learn that they were harmed by those so close to them. The shocking REVELATION brought SKEPTISM to the two families. I thought this book was interesting trying to figure out who were the ones who had taken the two girls from their home in the middle of the night. The suspense of trying to figure out who had taken Petra because the story only gave brief clues throughout. The book got me a little frustrated and mad at times because the mother of Calli was so ignorant that she did not want to believe that her husband could have been the one to abduct their daughter she needed the police to CORROBORATE that it was true.
What I learned from this book is to never live or be with a man that physically or mentally hurts me. Why? Because if he does it to me he is surely going to do it to my kids and I don’t want my ignorance of forgiving him or taking him back if he does that to hurt my kids the way it hurt Calli. I mean the mother should have known she should have talked to her daughter she should have been there for her by her side instead she was by the side of a man who didn’t care for her. Calli’s mother had to learn the hard way of what a simple decision can do to change you and your families life. I learned that if I ever get married my kids come first no matter what.
My reaction of the book was shocking. I could believe the out come of the book. I am glad on how the parents both handled the situation. They both stood of for their children. I would recommend this to other students specially women because I think many girls get so caught up in love that at one point they don’t even know what their doing. For example, the movie Precious really showed the message that the book was giving. They both have in common the power that love has and how blinded they do things to the ones they love that hurts them and for ever changes them.
I would rate this book 4 stars. The book was both suspenseful and sad it taught me a lot and I think others can learn from it. I think that any one can relate to it whether their the parent or the child that is being abused.
My favorite quote would have to be when Calli says, “Ben”. She finally says ;something after along time of silence she can finally speak. Although, everyone takes it the wrong way and thinks that he was the one to do it and by saying his name she was accusing him of everything but she was not. She just wanted to save her brother so badly that it was a name a word she had to say.

Hilary wrote: "Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
198 pages
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has a very capricious story line which made it enjoyable. While reading Speak I realized that it was way more i..."


Speak sounds like a great I think I will read it over the summer since I am not going to take classes. I think it sends out a great message to all girls who have been abused.

Francisca wrote: "True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall
True Notebooks pages 1-330

I read the story True Notebooks and I strongly recommend this novel to those who are interested in inner..."

Interesting point about what these boys are missing--security, etc. Nice job with this review.

Hilary wrote: "Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
198 pages
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson has a very capricious story line which made it enjoyable. While reading Speak I realized that it was way more i..."

This book sounds so compelling. As women, we all need to be aware of these issues. Well done, Hilary.

Maria wrote: "The Weight of Silence
Heather Gudenkauf
The story of two young girls disappearing and two families bind together to bring them back home not only to learn that they were harmed by those so close..."

Great detail with this review, Maria.