the diviners

The diviners by Libba Bray

     When chose this book it seemed interesting and mysterious. The main character Evie was sent off to live with her uncle to live in the streets of New York. The story takes place in 1926’s the time of flappers and bootleggers. When Evie arrives she is forced with secrets and power. The same dreams are still haunting her.

      Evie has special powers to know the secrets of people. All she needs are personal items of theirs. When Evie tested her powers on her mother it shocked me how a parent couldn’t treat their children equally. I think Evie deserved to be sent off to New York as a punishment. When she arrives to meet her uncle will she get herself involved in crime and murder? Her nightmare creates drama and somehow tells the future. Evie learns what its like to be a New Yorker. She faces thief’s murderers and others with powers just like hers.

     I feel uneasy about the book it creates delicious suspense. When I go further and further into the book I realize that Evie isn’t alone. I also like how the author includes the victims and their personal memories of how they came to die. I think it’s ironic at how I can connect with Evie especially because im learning about the 1920’s in social studies. I can also connect with Evie because I like to hang out with my friends and family.

until i die

Until I die by Amy Plum

When I read this book I thought it was adventurous and daring. The main character Kate falls in love with an immortal reverent. Throughout the story Kate stresses bout her boyfriend and her own life. While she grows older he stays young. But when Kate encounters dangerous criminals called the numes she realizes that she and Vincent can’t be together…forever. Even when Vincent promises to stay forever she knows it won’t last.

            My thoughts on this book were that it’s romantically tragic. But it’s actually sad when Kate grows older to expect death. Kate gets betrayed by her best friend who is also an immortal reverent violet. Violet plans to take over Paris. Violet takes advantage of Kate. For example violet invites Kate to movies just to talk about her boyfriend’s strengths and weaknesses. She also works with the numas, giving away information to take over Paris with her as their leader.

            I expect Kate to be loyal and proud because she defeated violet. But I can understand why she’s sad in the end cause of Vincent’s death. She also must be confused by violets confusing betrayal. She never expected violet to do something like that. I was completely caught off guard when violet shows u as the enemy. All this time when Kate has been having fun and making the most of her and Vincent, violet secretly planned to sabotage them. If I were Kate id wouldn’t trust anyone but Vincent. Since Paris is full of evil and danger.

          In the book Night by Elie Wiesel, the main character Elie was taken from his home to be transferred to a concentration camp. He was separated from his mom and sister left with only his dad. When he and his father boarded a train heading towards the concentration camp, they meet a lady named Mrs. schachter and her son. She and her husband have been separated and she’s losing hope. She starts imagining a fire when there isn’t one.

           One thing that surprised me the most was that when Elie’s father asked politely for the bathroom the guard slapped him furiously on face. When Mrs. Schachter starts hallucinating I was shocked at how people treated her. They hit her just to make her be quiet. People started treating them differently and more harshly. I understood why Elie said he was 18. He wanted to seem able to work and in good work condition.

          I feel that Elie doesn’t deserve torture. The punishments are harsh and unruly. Innocent people were killed and hurt. I feel emotional towards the action of the guards and Elie’s family. There’s no reason for them to be hurt.

Maus by Art Spiegelman

               When I read this book I was surprised at how the author could fit humor and inhumane stories together. Maus is a graphic book full of crises and tragedies that Jews had to face. When I got up to the parts where the characters Anja and Vladek had to hide in bunkers and hidden trapdoors just to hide from germen solders I felt as though I was in the book with them. Jews were easily killed and no one stopped them. In the book artie the son of Anja and Vladek writes about the story that his father faced.

Along in the book Artie adds personnel stories making the story seem more humorous and realistic. The problems they faced seemed horrible and the way they were treated was rude. When Vladek saw the Jew being hanged I noticed that Germans tried to strike fear into the Jews. When the Jews started to wear masks to conceal their faces it showed me that Jews had to take precautions when in public. I also noticed that throughout the story punishments got worse and worse. It started when Jews had to use coupons to buy food. Then they were forced out into the street. Finally they were sent to concentration camps.

I feel that germen people believed the rumors about Jews and those they were ringing down society. Hitler influenced everyone that Jews were a bad thing. I felt sorrow when Jews had to be forced out of their own homes. People shunned Jews because they thought they brought trouble from germen soldiers. I think that no one deserves this kind of treatment. The book is overall good and it is full of adventure and excitement.

                                                                       Walk Away      
   I heard this song when I was growing up. After buying an old album of Kelly Clarkson’s songs I stumbled upon this one. Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson is an intense loud song. The song is mainly about how there are problems in relationships and sometimes you just have to walk away. Maybe the answers to problems are to walk away.

        “you think im stupid but the truth is that its cupid, baby loving you has made me this way, so if you don’t have an answer, why are you still standing here… just walk away” this lyric in the song shows me that love can make you think in ways that people can take advantage of. It also means that the guy in the relationship should just walk away too cause it isn’t worth it. “So before you start defending baby stop all your pretending” this means the guy isn’t as innocent as he is. Hes just trying to make her think he’s innocent when he’s defending himself. These quotes mean that if you don’t have anything to say then you should just leave.

         The song is meaningful with relationship problems. It also makes time fly by fast. I like it because the song tells me I have a choice to stay or leave. In my opinion the song means that people do have a choice. I thought the song was rhythmic and soothing.
                                                                   "Walk Away"

You've got your mother and your brother
Every other undercover
Tellin' you what to say (say)
You think I'm stupid
But the truth is
That it's cupid, baby
Lovin' you has made me this way
So before you point your finger
Get your hands off of my trigger
Oh yeah
You need to know this situation's getting old
And now the more you talk
The less I can take, oh

I'm looking for attention
Not another question
Should you stay or should you go?
Well, if you don't have the answer
Why are you still standin' here?
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Just walk away
Just walk away
Just walk away

I waited here for you
Like a kid waiting after school
So tell me how come you never showed (showed)?
I gave you everything
And never asked for anything
And look at me
I'm all alone (alone)
So, before you start defendin'
Baby, stop all your pretendin'
I know you know I know
So what's the point in being slow
Let's get the show on the road today
Hey

I'm looking for attention
Not another question
Should you stay or should you go?
Well, if you don't have the answer
Why are you still standin' here?
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Just walk away
Just walk away
Just walk away

I wanna love
I want a fire
To feel the burn
My desires
I wanna man by my side
Not a boy who runs and hides
Are you gonna fight for me?
Die for me?
Live and breathe for me?
Do you care for me?
'Cause if you don't then just leave

I'm looking for attention
Not another question
Should you stay or should you go?
Well, if you don't have the answer
Why are you still standin' here?
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Just walk away

If you don't have the answer
Walk away
Just walk (walk) away
(Just walk away)
Then just leave
Yeah yeah
Walk away
Walk away
Walk away

                                              Horse meat found in hamburgers

     People discovered that there have been horse and pig meat tainting hamburgers in Britain and Ireland. Even though the hamburgers pose no threat to people it has been taken off shelves. 29% of the burger contained horse meat. The author makes it sound dramatic and draws the reader in. “this raises concern in relations to the traceability of meat ingredients and products entering the food chain” this phase from the article means that the Irish authority tried to raise concerns of the reader and those people affected by it.

     9 out 10 burger samples have been found to have low content horse meat. The author made it sound like that even if it contains horsemeat it has small amounts of horsemeat it shows that it’s still a big number and outrage. Pig and horsemeat are contained in some burgers in Ireland or Britain. There is no clue of how the tainted meat got there.

     I feel that the author put people’s opinions because he wanted the reader to see how people were affected by the contaminated burgers. Tesco one of the pulling all their tainted meat off the shelves for further inspections. Different kinds of meat have been in the same processing in plants. But there was no explanation of how it got there. I think people should be more careful with what their eating or cleaning.

                        Horse meat found in hamburgers in Britain and Ireland

       People discovered that there have been horse and pig meat tainting hamburgers in Britain and Ireland. Even though the hamburgers pose no threat to people it has been taken off shelves. 29% of the burger contained horse meat. I think the author makes it sound dramatic and draws the reader in. "This raises concerns in relation to the traceability of meat ingredients and products entering the food chain," means that the Irish authority tried to raise concerns of the reader and those affected by it.

      9 out of 10 burger samples have been found to have low content horse meat. The author made it sound like that the unsafe food putting lives at risk. Pig and horsemeat are contained in some burgers in Ireland or Britain. There was no clear explanation of how the tainted meat got there.

       I feel that the author put people’s opinions because he wanted the reader to see how people were affected by the contaminated burgers. Tesco one of the factories in Britain and Ireland started pulling all their tainted meat off the shelves for further inspections. Different kinds of meat have been in the same processing in plants but there was still no explanation for how the horsemeat got there. 

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight

          The main character Hadley realizes love at first sight is possible. She’s late for her father’s second wedding, who knew missing four minutes of her flight would change her life forever. She meets this boy named Oliver and falls for him. I think love at first sight is possible but unexpected. It’s absurd and it gets me wondering if Hadley picked the right guy.

         When I read this book, I felt lost at how someone like Hadley could fall for someone within 4 minutes. According to me love is the most confusing and weirdest thing. Love should be unexpected at times. But Hadley learns more about Oliver. To her, he seems polite and intriguing.

         When Hadley heads to her dad’s wedding to her new stepmom, she realizes that she has to see Oliver again. I think this proves that he means something to her. I feel that Hadley should loosen up and open her eyes to what’s around her. I find it weird that Hadley and Oliver have a connection made within 4 minutes. Im my opinion love is not supposed to make sense or be normal but it’s unique. 

Black City by Elizabeth Richard

The main characters Natalie and Ash hid their forbidden love from the government and army. Ash is a dark magical creature while Natalie is human. When an outbreak started killing all the Darkling’s including Ash’s mom Natalie and Ash try to find out the cause. I think that their love is truly powerful because it’s illegal to love each other. Natalie realizes that Ash isn’t human but he isn’t a monster either. I think it’s dangerous for them to be together but then they will have to try and change the people of the city’s mind.

          

             I don’t know how they’re going to turn out in the future because of their forbidden love. But I think its sweet that they love each other even though they are different.  But when Ash gets in trouble for killing a tracker to save Natalie’s life he has to be executed it was heartbreaking to see Ash almost die. But it’s strong for Natalie when she brings him back to life with their love.

                         

             When I finished reading the book I felt hope for the city and hope for the love that they had. I felt sad that the war had only just begun for them. I noticed that there was a lot of betrayal in the book. I also noticed that people only cared for themselves to survive. I felt that they was a deeper meaning to all the fighting and war between humans and darklings.

                         The wish by Gail Carson Levine

In the book the wish Wilma Sturtz bumps into a witch who grants her wish to become poplar. The thing I find interesting was that being popular doesn’t really matter a lot to me it seems stupid that someone judges other for their appearances. Some people don’t even know each other well and yet they judge them. I think Wilma needs to realize who she actually is.

           

I also think people should accept who they are and live happy. Also that people shoudnt judge each other even with their flaws. Wilma realizes its different to be popular but she misses her old life. I think this is a good choice because its who she is and she accepts it. I find this inspiring and that there’s a moral of the story. In my opinion its better to be yourself than faking perfection.

          

  I think that you shouldn’t change yourself to get someone to like you or be really popular. Cause doing something that makes you happy is worthwhile and time fly’s when you’re having fun. It angers me to find that someone who I barely know judges me. But they don’t understand. Its not worth being perfect having flaws makes you unique.

 The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

              This book made me open my eyes to see the world in better/worse place. The Lorax pointed out the flaws and consequences while the business man ignored the drastic effects. In the end the man didn’t realized what he had until it’s gone. This shows that the environment is important to many animals and even people/ imaginary creatures.

              

            I think it’s actually ridiculous and trouble causing to wreck something beautiful and graceful. If I were the business man I would listen or even care to realize my effects on the environment and how it affects everyone even me. It doesn’t seem thought provoking to actually destroy something without realizing how drastic it can affect him. It’s sad to not notice something until it’s gone. I feel hopeful towards the end of the book.

           

              I feel hopeful because there’s still a seed which could bring back will be the creatures. It seems like it’s not the end yet and eventually things normal. It’s sad that the business man couldn’t save any trees cause of his greediness.              

           Crewel by Gennifer Albin

     In the book crewel a certain girl named Adelice is chosen to rule and have power over arras, her land. She can weave time and nature without a loom. This makes the guild, which is the group of people deciding how people should live, powerful and curious. There are many spinsters that can weave but Adelice is special because she can weave with or without a loom. But she doesn’t want to serve the guild. But she’s already playing their game whether she wants to or not.

          Im confused by Adelice’s  decision because she gets to have power and fancy things she never had before. But I find out why she refuses, she wants her parents back and her sister is a complete stranger. With her parents both gone she has no hope but getting Amie, her sister back. This proves that what Adelice and her sister have a strong relationship and it proves that Adelice would trade any silk gown for her sister back. I find this heartwarming and fill me with questions. Will Adelice ever get her sister back?

          Also Adelice has many enemies including her ex best friend and her instructor maela. I think that Adelice should lay low for a while waiting for the right time to strike to get her sister back from the guilds dangerous clutches. And when Jost met Adelice I think they clicked more than when she was with Erik. But marrying Erik brings trouble from maela who also crushes on Erik. Adelice shouldn’t mess with Maela even though Adelice is more powerful.

In the end Adelice needs to play dumb in order to survive and find her sister. I find this disturbing that the guild forces and controls people. They should have their own choices especially if Adelice wants to be a crewel.

A curse as dark as gold

By: katrina lin

The main character Charlotte Miller needs a way to pay off the bank. Her father borrowed money and then years later he died. She left with her sister Rosie. It turns out the mill she owns has a curse on it. She has to save it or else she would run out of money and cannot pay the money to the bank.

She knows there is a curse on the mill. For example there was a ghost in the mill. Also there was a sign meaning of bad luck. Finally her friend Harte a worker fell off a ladder when rebuilding the wheel that is used for the mill.She got someone to work for her but he is a stranger .he can spin straw into gold and more. She should not trust him. For instance he is a stranger. Also he can lie to her and Rosie. He only wants little things like the ring, and watch.

Charlotte fell in love with a man named Randel Woodstone. But can she trust him. Because he was talking secretively with her uncle. Also he wants to know everything about her. Charlotte only knows the truth.

So even though the mill is saved from buyers and actions. Charlotte has more to face until the end. I think the only reason that charlotte saved the mill was for her father and trying to redeem him. Also when charlotte marries Randel they both realize that they aren’t meant for each other. I think this is because of the troubles with the mills and the make believe curse.

chinese cinderella

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah is a true story of how a daughter wanted to make her family proud came true. The main character Adeline other died shortly after giving birth to her. She has 2 older brothers and 1 older sister. She also has 1 stepbrother and 1 stepsister. Her father remarried to niang a mean strict stepmother.

I think all Adeline is trying to do is bring honor to her family. For example Adeline brings medals home every week for them to notice her and be proud of her. I think that her only friend that supported her was her aunt baba. Aunt baba kept all of her report cards and tests locked up and the key was always worn around her neck, showing a sign that her aunt baba cared about her scores. I think that aunt baba was proud of Adeline and loves her very much.

I think when the family got a dog Adeline really wanted to be Jackie the dog because he was treated better than Adeline. Also I think it’s unfair because Jackie gets delicious treats and is fed better than Adeline. The family loves the dog more than her because her father always plays and takes care of Jackie better. I think Adeline is jealous because Jackie never gets in trouble or beaten.

But Adeline’s life changes when she enters a writing contest. She wins 1^st prize and her dream is to go to college and become a writer. Her father lets her go college but makes her becomes a doctor instead of a writer. But I think she is happy that they are proud of her. Even though she wants to be a writer she’s happy just to be going to college.

So Adeline finally made her family proud of her from all the medals and winning the writing contest. I think she earned her family’s trust and they are proud. Adeline realizes that she did make her family proud of her.

     In the book Beastly the character Kyle is cursed to be a monster without any one to love him. The witch who cursed him will only lift the curse if he finds someone to actually love him. Kyle meets lindy a girl who doesn’t care about appearances and they find themselves deep in thought and they gradually fall in love. Kyle’s time is running out before he stays a monster permanently. Lindy realizes that Kyle is soon a sweet kind guy who gives her space and freedom to live. Beastly by Alex flinn

     I think this book is just mainly based on how an ordinary person can see to love a monster. It seems as though physical appearances doesn’t matter and the personality of the heart does. It’s strange to me that people wouldn’t think that they themselves are ugly. I can relate to this because im not the prettiest person in the world but I know someone will always love me for being me. I see kids my age around me calling themselves ugly when they are beautiful in every way but they just don’t see it. Making your appearance seem better isn’t the same as the true feeling in your personality.

     It makes me wonder how do people live with themselves thinking that they are going to be lonely forever leaving themselves to be shunned or just drama attracted. In my eyes no one is beautiful or ugly and we all have flaws that make you be yourself. It’s your person and you shouldn’t let anyone change that. Some people think that beauty is everything I see beauty as just a mere problem in life. If everyone realized they didn’t have to be better than they are now the word beautiful wouldn’t even exist because it just is another difference to people that separates us.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

In the book Everneath  the character Nikki Beckett vanishes mysteriously without a trace and now shes back to live her life again. No one knows where she had been but only she cole. Knows cole is a guy who basically took Nikki to an underground cave where they spent hundreds of years sleeping in. but it wasnt a hundred years it was just a year. Jack Nikki’s boyfriend broke his heart looking for her and now that shes back he is overjoyed. Nikki only has a year until she has to go back underground and never come back out. 

She could become a queen of the dead with cole but her heart remains with jack.

I think that Nikki has a tough decision to either diee with jack or live as queen. She loves jack and she cants bare to leave him. Cole is a bad influence on Nikki he messes with her mind it seems as though cole actually likes her though. He seems overprotective because of her. I think that Nikki actually has two guys who just love her. But for cole its more of a power thing he just wants to rule the world.

It is heartfelt to be torn across love and power. The author made me feel like I was Nikki herself and how she felt was nerve wrecking if I were Nikki I would feel broken and that I would just be with those who love me. And that’s exactly what nikki did.

Rippled by Mandy Hubbard

In the story Rippled the character lexi is cursed to be a siren. As a siren she must quench her thirst in swimming in her own solitary lake. When she accidently kills her boyfriend steven drowning him with her melodious voice. A year has passed since it happened since she killed…. She blocked out her friends and family to protect them from her. She thinks shes a monster and no one will be her friend. Until cole comes around cole was stevens best friends.

He helps her realize that shes still there and he wants her to hold on to what she still has.Cole brings out the best in lexi and helps her notice the beautiful side in life.cole saves her from falling in love with the wrong guy and lexi gains some of her friends back.

In the end of the story lexi curse is lifted thanks to cole. I think the moral/lesson in this story is that even a monster could find love and to never give up. And that theres love for everyone even if it died it was still and always will be there.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

In the book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon the character Minli lives in china where it has a poverty setting. Money is hard to find and Minli is determined to find riches for her mom and dad. She received 2 coins for her birthday and a foreign trader comes selling goldfish around her town. She spends 1 of her coins on one of the goldfishes hoping it will bring luck to the family. When minli’s parents found out she spent her money on a worthless fish they were distressed. They thought it was a waste of money to spend it on something like a fish because they barely make 2 coins.

What minli learns that this is not an ordinary fish…..it’s a magical talking fish. The fish tells a myth of the old man up on the moon who grants people wishes. So minli sets out to find this man, she travels far and wide to find him. She meets new friends like a boy with a buffalo, a king, and a dragon. The dragon is an important character too because even though most dragons can fly he cannot. So he sets out with minli to find the old man to ask him how he can get to fly.

In the end of the story, minli finds the old man but the thing is that he can only answer one question. So minli asks the old man..Why can’t the dragon fly? The old man replies that he should remove the stone that’s stuck on his head. So minli does and she realizes that she doesn’t need money to be happy. The dragon is thankful and carries her home. She takes the stone home as a remembrance. Her parents are glad she’s home and happy. But..Minli realizes the stone wasn’t a stone it was a dragon pearl. The pearl is worth many jewels and riches.

So even though minli didn’t asked her question she got her fortune. The moral is that you don’t need money to be happy. Love from your family is all you need to survive. It seems lucky that even though she helped a friend she got something back in return