The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Catching Fire, a fiction book, made by Suzanne Collins, came out September 2009. For the 75th annual Hunger Games all the winners must compete including Katniss and Peeta. President Snow made the special occasion like this because Katniss is causing an uprising in the districts and Snow wants to find a way to kill her. When Katniss and Peeta are training for the games, Haymitch makes friends with other victors who are helping the uprising and will protect Katniss. In the book Katniss fights for what she believes in. The book is told in a 1st person point of view. You are reading the story from Katniss’ side. Katniss and Petta are chosen again for another Hunger Games. Katniss is starting a rebellion against president Snow because of her actions and everyone thinks this could be an opportunity to gain control and end the Hunger Games and make everything equal. Before Katniss goes to the Hunger Games, Haymitch makes some acquaintances that will protect Katniss. As the game starts a few things happen that might change the future. This book is intended for kids and teenagers between about 9-15. The genre is science fiction and fits in the book because none of this is true but it could happen and takes place in a real place. The author keeps you interested the entire time by leaving you on cliff hangers, describing everything amazing, and by making the so interesting you want to keep reading. The author’s style is a serious tone and intense and likes to write longer paragraphs. This does effective the authors intended audience because younger kids may not like longer sentences or paragraphs and don’t have patience but could help older kids who like and enjoy it because of the mystery and suspense. This book was a great book and made me want to read more and the last book to the series. When I read the book it didn’t change what I thought about it because I thought it would be an excellent book and it was. In a way it fits in with my personal world view because of all the wars going on. I can see a war happening with USA vs. USA, which could cause something bad like the Hunger Games to start. This book didn’t make me think of any other book or author because it is so original and one of a kind. Some amazing things about the book are how the author describes everything and it helps to let the reader imagine things easier. Also the way the author sets up the book. There are so many cliffhangers where you have to keep reading and don’t want to stop and how he ended the book set up the last book really well and I can’t wait to read it. This book was an amazing book that I loved a lot and I think everyone should read it and the whole series. Lawton Phebus 7th period 10/11/13

Tamar

This six weeks I decided to read Tamar by Mal Peet. Candlewick Press published the book in 2007. It’s a historical fiction book about WWll that takes place during the Hunger Winter of 1944-1945 in Nazi-occupied Holland. This book trades off between 2 different time periods as well 1944-45 and 1995. Tamar and Dart are British operatives that are parachuted into Holland to help piece together the fragmented Dutch resistance into a unified force. The second Tamar is Tamar’s granddaughter, his namesake born 50 years later. Her grandfather was a big fan of puzzles and riddles and when he dies he leaves her a box of different objects (money, maps, half finished crossword puzzle) that all connect in some way. In her part of the story she tries to figure out what the underlying message is that he’s trying to tell her. You may find yourself slightly confused it you don’t pay attention to what time period you’re in, but it isn’t that difficult to keep track of.  I would say the theme would be discovery; the characters in both time periods were all trying to discover something whether it was war plans or a message from a dead relative.

It mainly trades off between the point of view of 3 different characters Tamar, Dart, and another Tamar.  It’s nice because since it’s written from mainly 3 different points of view you get to connect with multiple characters, although on different levels. The plot is mainly Tamar and Dart trying to unify the Dutch resistance into an allied force that will make more of an impact against the Nazis. Tamar in 1995 is trying to figure out what her grandfather is trying to tell her through the articles that were carefully left in the box. I think the author wrote this for teenagers, it enlightens you about some of the horrors of the Second World War, but in a story that makes it not as intense. The author uses foreshadowing and a wavering story that makes you want more, and want to figure out what happens. The author uses words that are not difficult to understand but a concept and story line that is different and intriguing, as well as creates characters that you may not be able to relate to but is written so that you want them to succeed.

The book affected me because it made me realize how good I have things compared to how people were in the war. Even Tamar in 1995 had her challenges even though she wasn’t alive during the war, her dad left her when she was ten, and then her grandfather dies and he was like another fatherly figure that stepped in when her father wasn’t there. People in the war had to deal with the Nazis which in and of themselves was a challenge, they feared for their lives daily, they were starving, didn’t have enough clothes in the winter to keep them warm, didn’t have enough food.  It didn’t change any ideas or beliefs or ideas that I held previously, but I am glad that I don’t have to live through that. It did remind me of “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry.

I did enjoy reading this book, but I found some parts of Tamar’s (1995) story boring at times. The author seemed to have most of his creativity on Tamar (1944-45) and Dart. However even though it was slightly boring I was still able to finish it quickly which means it was still an enjoyable book and not boring enough for me to avoid reading it. It was a different take on WWll that I haven’t read before and it was well written. I would recommend this if you like books on WWll. 

Abi Pitman

10/10/2013

4/5

Chupacabra by Roland Smith

I chose to do my report on Chupacabra, a science-fiction thriller by Roland Smith. The copy right date is October 2013. It the third installment of the Cryptid Hunters series that started in 2004.
When Marty O'Hara receives word that his once thought twin, Grace Wolfe, was captured by her Grandfather and brought to his private estate. Grace's Grandfather is a billionaire who wrought his fortune by building a series of  "zoo's" filled with the rarest animals in the world. Noah Blackwood (Grace's Grandfather) appears to be a wildlife conservationist, but actually poaches animals for his zoos. I think that the theme of the book is that family is more important than anything.
    The story is told from the perspective of many main characters. The book is marketed to teen readers. I think the general genre would be science fiction and the book fits in to this because it is about science and technology that do not currently exist.
    The author writes in a style that creates a lot of suspense, and I think this is effective for the marked audience. I don't think that this book effected me much, and certainly did not change my world view. This book reminded me of other books from the same author.
   This a good book was an enjoyable, however I would only recommend it to people who had started the series when it first came out.


JOSHUA WRIGHT
11/10/2013
**** FOUR STARS

Tupac Shakur Dylan Snelson

Tupac Shakur-Dylan Snelson

my book was published in 2008 and was written by Clifford w. Mills. Tupac Shakur is the number one selling rapper of all time and his legacy is one to remember. In this book i read about Tupac's life, and what inspired him to become a rapper. This book also talks about the struggle that Tupac's mother went through when he was born and growing up. This book doesn't really have a theme because it is a biography.

        

The book i read is told in a third person story and talks about Tupac and all the people who affected his life. Tupac was first signed by interscope records but later went to death row which is another major record label. Tupac was a person who lived life on the edge  and was accused of a sexual based abuse charge. Tupac was later shot in Las Vegas on September 7, and died on september13 of 1996.

This book impacted me quite a bit because i had only looked as Tupac as a musician and not a real person. This book made me think of the in a good way because of how he persevered through everything. This book also showed me some stuff about Tupac which was bad. I was not very pleased when i read about all the crimes he committed, but then again a lot of rappers do stuff like that.

This book is great and i would recommend to anyone who likes music. This book is just great mainly because it is about the greast rapper of all-time. Not only do I recommend the book but his music too. I think that the author could have added more about Tupac's music and what inspired it.

Dylan Snelson 

11/8/13

6/5 stars ******

Mind Games

I have recently read Mind Games by Kiersten White, copyright 2013. It is an interesting novel about sisters Fia and Annie who get sent to "a special school" when Annie appears to have physic abilities. Right Annie accepts Fia, who's gut feeling is always right, knows that is the wrong choice. They later find out that Fia is right, when they discover that the owner, Mr. Keane is evil and force Fia to do horrible things, and have to find a way out; which proves to be hard, when he has feelers, seers, and hears who can feel your emotions, see your future, and hear your thoughts. The theme in Mind Games is always go with your first instinct and never trust anyone, even your own sister.

       This story is told from both Fia's and Annie's point of view; every two chapters it changes. The plot of this book is Fia is being forced to do things and kill people so she goes crazy in a way and tries to figure out how to escape without Annie being harmed. Mind Games is a young adult fiction book with a little bit of mystery. Hence they young adult genre this book is targeted towards young adults, specifically girls. They author keeps you interested by constantly changing the story and adding in lots of plot twists. Kiersten White's style consists of lots of plot changes and twists with all types of figurative language and literary elements. I think that this style of writing is very effective in keeping the target audience interested.

     This book personally made me very mad with the way that it ended; which was with Fia stabbing Annie, so that Annie could go with the "good guys" and Fia could be free. That makes me very sad because I would have just escaped with my sister or brother and stuck together. But there is also a second book, so I think that they will meet up and beat Keane. This book reenforced how I would act if I was ever put in a situation like this.This book reminds me of the Prophecy of The Sisters trilogy by Michelle Zink. In those books twins Lia and Alice fight for the world, one is good and one is bad. Also White and Zink have very similar writing styles.

Overall I would recommend any teenage girls to read Mind Games. Although I feel it almost sounds like a rough draft and could have used a little more editing, it had very good plot.

Shelby DiSorbo (your favorite)
11.7.13
Rating: *** 3/5
         

The Fault In Our Stars by: John Green

     I decided to read The Fault In Our Stars for this six weeks. The book was first published by John Green in 2012. It's a Realistic Fiction book, and is basically a simple yet moving love story with a twist, but is also able to make the reader break into short bursts of laughter, so be prepared! It all starts with a teenager suffering with terminal cancer in her lungs and is forced to join a support group, where she meets a boy she quickly falls in love with. Throughout the story they are making hilarious remarks on seemingly depressing situations and eventually the two teens fall in love, sticking together through the ups and downs of cancer and life in general.. I think the story and theme really revolve around the concept that anything good can overcome anything evil, no matter how big or small. In this case, the evil was obviously a big complication, but Hazel and Augustus's love for each other overcame it in every way.

     The story is brilliantly told, and done so in third-person-point-of-view. The narrator was Hazel, so the readers would only get to know exactly what she was feeling, and not so much what every other character was thinking and experiencing at the same time. Hazel goes through all of these conflicts and experiences that are not particularly pleasing, but she doesn't seem to phased by them after she meets Augustus, who also deals with the whole cancer situation pretty well. Also, the two are literature nerds so they are always talking in lengthy, heavy worded sentences, but non the less this book is probably targeted towards teens and/or young adults. Though i had some trouble understanding a word here and there, the author kept me so interested i literally could not put the book down. He was always throwing in a a joke or funny comment within all these serious situations that it was hard NOT to laugh after every other page. Green also has an interesting style... he made a conflict appear and then when it got better, everything seemed to get better, then one little thing went wrong and it was like a line of dominoes from there. As tragic as it sounds, it really works, and it's something that teenagers also crave when reading. They want problems and solutions and jokes and love and hatred and John Green was able to throw everything into one book.

     Honestly, the book had me over thinking everything. I felt like the whole world just kind of tumbled down and crushed all of my previous thoughts and inferences. It made me realize a few things that i hadn't thought about before as well. It showed me an inside perspective of cancer patients, or more like one patient specifically, and that introduced me to the idea that there is more to cancer than getting sick, making a charity, and dying, which is what Hazel hated. She hated the thought of everyone looking at her like she was a charity case, ready to be disposed of at any moment in time. And of course now i feel like I hate it when people think that too, because all of what Hazel had implied makes so much sense. Also,because i had relatives with cancer, that whole idea made them seem that much more spectacular of people. They were always happy and carrying on with life with a grin on their faces, just like Hazel and Augustus had. Everything i thought i understood about sacrifice and lost and illness to that extent was diminished and replaced with new ideas and that's actually pretty weird, to have all of your thoughts replaced with completely new ones.

     Anyway, the book overall was absolutely fantastic and hilarious beyond belief and so moving that i cried at the end. And don't try to tell me that you didn't/wont cry when you read or will read this book because you are either lying to yourself or you have no soul. It just has such a great plot ans story line as well as it is beautifully written its hard to think of any reason to hate it.The only thing i didn't like about it was the ending. i hate sad or unresolved/cliffhanger endings it bothers me so much but other than that it was great. I recommend that you go straight to target or Barnes and Nobles and buy this book now because you will probably love it so why not.

Taylor Johnson

11/7/13

RATING: ***** 5/5

Lord of the Flies By: William Golding

The book Lord of the Flies was written by William Golding and was copyrighted in 1954. This book is of the genre classic literature and is a very intense adventure consisting of a group of English school boys who survived a plane crash and must learn to survive on their own without any adult supervision due to the fact that all adults involved in the plane crash didn't survive. The boys create their own "society" with rules and a leader. Through all that happens in the book some of the boys become in a sense terrorists because they are savage and take what they want no matter the cost. The main theme of this book is Civilization vs.  Savagery.

Lord of the Flies is told in a third person point of view although sometimes I am skeptical as to weather or not it should have been told in third person at some times though because if the book was told in first person you could get insight from one character but, I guess that it is better told through third person. The intended audience would be people who are interested in survival and adventure stories. The book fits into the field of adventure fiction although it could also be classified as classic literature. It fits there because the story takes place on an uninhabited island where the group of English boys have to learn to survive on their own and adventure all over the island to find resources such as food and water. The author kept me interested in the book by his interesting and "old-timey" choice of words as well as his explicit content of the boys murdering one another. The author has a very psycho-analytical approach to modern day thought of his time.

The book affected me in the way that I had to think very deeply about the flaws of life and how they could be traced to the initial defects of human nature. This changed how I thought of human life as a whole. The book had me thinking very critically about my beliefs toward life. I mean I knew that human kind had many, many flaws but not until I read this book did I include savagery into my interpretation of human life. This book reminded me in a few ways of the series Escape From Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith. It did so in ways like how boys are having to  rely on each other for survival. In Escape From Furnace, a teenage boy is locked away in the highest security prison and he amongst the boys he is locked up with have duties around the prison and even though they are kept in line by murderous and terrifying adults they still rely on each other to not die.

This book was insanely interesting and at times may bore you but in the end I am very glad I read Lord of the Flies and given the time I would read it again. I recommend Lord of the Flies for anyone who seeks a thrilling book.

Michael Shapiro
11/07/13
RATING ***** 5/5

Flush by Carl Hiaasen

 

 This six weeks, I decided to read Flush by Carl Hiaasen copyrighted in 2005. This book is a fiction chapter book. Flush is a mystery, suspicion,and a little bit of comedy. There are two kids named Noah and Abbey Underwood/Paine. They have a simple, yet cautious mother and a deranged father, who whenever he sees something that doesn't seem right in his world, he does anything, risky or not, to fix it. Flush is about the two kids, Noah and Abbey, who try to help their father, who is pleaded guilty for sinking the Coral Queen, a boat who is owned by a selfish and rich man named Dusty Muleman. The two kids meet with a lady named Shelly, who used to work on the boat and later got her job back there, to flush down 34 bottles of purple dye to show that the Coral Queen was dumping harmful waste into the ocean, where there is aquatic life. The theme of the book is standing up for yourself no matter what. Noah and Abbey's father was pleaded guilty when he really wasn't, and Mr. Paine continued to try to prove that he was right.

   The author's point of view is first person and third person. He uses I, me, my,etc. as well as he, she, they, etc. for the characters like Abbey and Mr. Paine. When it's talking about Noah, he is using first person. For example, "I wasn't proud that my dad was sitting in jail..." (Page 46) Also, when it's talking about Abbey, Shelly, or the mother, it is in third person. For example, "She says he's got a tendency to get over-excited, which is the understatement of the century." (Page 5) The intended audience is everyone who enjoys a good story. The story has a bit of comedy and sarcasm along with suspicion and mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a good book. This book is a comedic and suspicious book because the characters joke a lot between each other, but also, for example, when Mr. Paine is pleaded guilty instead of Dusty Muleman, a lot of mystery goes around. The author kept me interested by including suspicion and comedy in one story. He also kept you wanting to read more by including cliffhangers. Those are the kind of books that I like to read. I love a mix of general fields. The author's style is a mix of funnies and puzzlement at the same time. I think it is effective towards the intended audience because if there is anyone who likes this sort of style, then they will most likely enjoy the story. 

  The book has not effected me because I have read stories like this and have almost always enjoyed them. For example, I have read all the Diary of A Wimpy Kid books which include numerous amounts of general fields, and I have enjoyed them all. One idea that changed when I was reading was at the beginning, I actually believed that it was Mr. Paine who sunk the boat, but later, I found out that it was actually Dusty Muleman. In this world, there are many times when you think it is someone's fault when it's actually that one person's fault. I have seen it everywhere, and I think that you should find the facts before you accuse someone, especially when the punishment could be death. This has appeared in many books that I have read. For instance, in the Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Dally was accused of something that was actually another gangs's fault.
   I thought this book was really good especially when there was a plot twist. There was a great use of vocabulary and the author was really good with describing the scene. I wish this book could have been longer just to find out what might have happened after the grandpa left. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story and a mix of fields. If you are someone who likes cliffhangers and sitting on the edge of your seat then you will most likely enjoy this book. Also, every person has their own backstory which also got me really interested. For example, the grandpa, Grandpa Bobby, was classified "dead" in South America, when really he was as alive as a happy dog. He then takes a late night boat to Florida to announce to Mr. Paine and his family that he was alive. If you like stories like this, then this is your go-to book.


Nadia Soufi
11/7/2013
RATING: **** 4/5

Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

Book Project

Lauren Schulke

7th period Advanced

 

I read the book Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan. This book was a realistic fiction and the copy right date was 2012. This book was a bout a girl and her friend creating a fake kidnapping to get into a better college. Tn this story two girls are intent on getting into a good school. They figure that the only way to do this is to drw attention to themselves. THey end up staging on of the friend'skidnapping. The overall theme was deception.

The point of view was from Finn, one of the firends. The girls fake a kidnapping, but something goes terribley wrong and they charge an inncocent person with murder. Finn origanally thinks it was a mistake, but realizes a couple years later that her friend, "the victim" of the kidnapping, actually st himup. I think that the intended audience is mainly teenagers. This book's genre is probably realistic factio becaue it's a stiuation that really could happen, but it didn't. The author provides many sensory details, but she sometimes gets caught up in them and drags the story out.

This book shocked me that people would go this far just to get a good education in college. Although intresting, this book is a bit to extreme to be real so I didnt really change my personal view poit on the siuation. This book isn't actually like any other book that I've read becuase the subject  matter is very unique.

This book was generally pretty good, but at the end it was a bit rushed. I would definately recommend this to anybody looking for an exciting book.

Lauren Schulke
11/6/13
RATING: **** 4/5

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander

            The book Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins was copyrighted in 2003. The novel is a fantasy book that suggests that there is another world underground. In the beginning of the story, Gregor and his baby sister Boots fall into a hole that takes them to the Underworld. Gregor wants to go home but he decides to fulfill a quest that he believes will help him find his father. After obstacles of evil rats and spiders, Gregor is about to get his father when one of his quest mates fights against him. In the end, Gregor defeats the rats and the spy, saves his father, and returns home. The overall them of the novel is that you should always stick with your family no matter what and to be loyal to your friends.

            The story is told in 3^rd person point of view. The story is told as the event is happening rather than it being a memory. The first part of the book starts with Gregor dwelling over his father that disappeared and not being able to go to summer camp. Gregor suddenly finds a portal in his laundry room that takes him to the Underworld where he meets the underlanders who take care of Gregor and his little sister Boots. The underlanders tell him that they believe he is the savior and that he can save the underworld people. Gregor decides to join the quest and believes that he might be able to find his father. The main character meets many creatures while on his journey and some of join him on his quest. In the end, Gregor saves his father and returns to the Overland. The audience of this novel is intended for kids and teenagers. The general genre of this book is fantasy because the setting is in a make believe world and the animals can talk. The author makes the story interesting by adding a lot of action and conflict. Suzanne Collins likes to write about adventure and it is effective to the audience because kids like to have adventures.

            Gregor the Overlander affected me personally by giving me hope that miracles can happen. For example, when Gregor found his father, it was almost impossible that the family members would see each other again but it was a miracle that they did. The book helped me understand how little kids work because it talked a lot about Gregor’s little sister Boots. This novel was very similar to the lightning thief book series by Rick Riordan because both of the main characters are kids, they both discover new creatures and they both go on a quest.

            I thought that the novel was one of the most entertaining books I have ever read but it was not a very challenging book. Harder vocabulary should have been included and the message should have been deeper. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a fantasy story and I would defiantly read the sequel to this book.

Tab McCarty

11-7-13

RATING ***** 5/5

Steriods - Pumped up and Dangerous

I decided to read Steroids - Pumped up and Dangerous. It was written by Ida Walker and it was copyrighted in 2008 by Mason Crest Publishers. This book is a non fiction book about the science of steriods. The book uncovers the truth that these steriods can have life long effects on the body. It also includes how the steriods effect athletic performace. The theme was is it's not worth risking your life by the steriods to increase athletic performance or appearence. 

The story is told by dividing up the different steroids and talking individually about their effects on the body and by telling stories of people who have used them. Many athletes wanting to increase their athletic performance use steriods. Steriods can increase muscle mass, lessen fat, and help your body recover quicker. The intended audience is middle school aged kids. The book provides information about the steroid without using medical vocabulary that is hard to understand. The genre is non fiction. The book fits into non fiction by providing factual information about these dangerous drugs. The author kept me interested by stating the reasons people use these steroids and how they impact athletic performance. The authors style is telling the main facts of the drug then writing bullet points of smaller facts.

By reading this book it made me wonder why people take steroids. It doesn't sound like the benefits are that great compared to the negatives. I never thought of potentially taking steroids in the future, but after reading this book I was a bit grossed out by these drugs. Just thinking of the possibly life long effects makes me sick. It's not worth risking your life. In sports taking performance enhancing drugs is against the rules. Players who test positive receive suspensions and sometimes even get fined. I think if I were to be a collegiate or professional athlete it would be hard for me to cheat like that. I would want to accomplish greatness on my own. I would want to see how good I was through nothing but hard work and dedication. This book made me remember the article about Lance Armstrong using steroids and winning all these races while doping. He also lied to a bunch of people about not doping when he really did.

I really liked how the author organized the book. It flowed along nicely. I would recommend this book to teenagers into athletics.

Ben Kurio
11/4
Rating: *** 3/5

Lord of the Flies by: William Golding

Lord of the Flies
My book is called Lord of the Flies by: William Golding that was copyrighted in 1954. The book is fiction and adventurous. Some school boys from England are involved in a plane crash. All of the adults died and the boys where stranded on the island. The boys made their own society on that island by making rules and choosing who would be the leader. Some became savages, and some followed more civilized rules.The theme is that no matter how proper you might be, if that's how you grew up, you might become someone you are not under certain situations.
     
The point of view would be 3rd person, but the way the author describes the book makes it feel like 1st person. One of the main characters, Ralph, is described in the book a lot so it made me think the book was written in 1st person. The intended audience would be someone who likes books with adventure, mystery, and drama. A lot of drama. The reason why it fits into adventure is because of when the boys explore the mysterious island. The genre mystery fits into the book because of the mysterious behavior of the boys acting like savages. You don't really know why they would act like that in the first place. Drama is included in the book because of when they kill each other because of the fear of "the beast" on the island (which is actually made up). The author really kept me into the book because of how descriptive he is when he describes the scenery of the island and characters. For example, "The shore was fledged with palm trees ... against the light and their green feathers...the ground beneath them was a bank covered with coarse grass, scattered with decaying coconuts and palm saplings."  I also enjoyed when the school boys lost their innocence by killing and hunting, etc. The author's style is obviously very descriptive. It is effective because it really makes you feel like you're there.

I thought the book really affected me. I made me look at the world differently when it comes to human behavior. Even though there is a government in our society, it doesn't mean just adults could create one. Something as simple as young school boys from England could create their own society. Even though they thought they were proper and civilized, their dark sides emerged when adults and rules no longer existed. I can't imagine how traumatizing it must have been for the small children that were involved. The book that most relates to this would probably be The Hunger Games, but instead of having a restrictive government, this story involved no government. However, both books show that under extreme conditions, human beings can either act civilized or savage. 

This book was very interesting and sad because first of all, the killing involved was terrible and second, the fake and scary society that they created pulled me into it. I recommend to read this book if you are interested in adventure stories and the study of human nature.

Ariana Ledezma
11/6/13
Rating: ****.5 4.5/5      

Zak Turner- The hunger games

"The Hunger Games"

Zak Turner

Our story takes place some time in the future in the country of Panem, formerly known as the continent of North America. Katniss Everdeen (whose point of view the story is told from) is hunting in the forest with fellow rebel and childhood best friend, Gale. Just by stepping out of her designated district's boundaries, Katniss risks a lot. You see, North America of the Hunger games is not the North America of today, where freedoms and basic human rights has come to be expected, at least in the United States. Katniss and Gale live in one of the 12 districts in Panem, the name of there particular district being, district 12. However this isn't the regular, illegal hunt in the woods, in the blind spots of the Government mandated cameras, for Katniss and Gale. This is there last hunt before the selection ceremony of the "Hunger Games".

 

The Hunger Games is a propaganda tactic that the government of Panem (commonly referred to as District 1 or the Capitol) uses as an annual reminder of the war of District 13 vs. the Capitol. The war begun when protests arose  in District 13  because of the over baring ways of the Capitol. Everyone in the district was killed as a result of the protests and was used to send a message to many of the other mistreated, poor districts in Panem,(such as District 12) as in "don't even think about it". The Hunger Games  consists of a girl and a boy between the age of 12 and 18 for each district. The contestants or "tributes" are essentially picked out of a hat, board the next train to the game's arena, and spend the next couple weeks of there life in a violent, terrifying, televised (and glorified) battle to the death. Winners bring pride and wealth to there district, and are treated like celebrities amongst the ruins of there vanquished peers.  In richer districts such as 1,2 or 3, competing is an honor while in poorer districts, a death sentence.

 

As Katniss and Gale finish up their hunt and their criticism towards the Capitol and their glorification at the loss of 23 lives, they must make there way back to there respective homes to prepare for the selection process of the Hunger Games. When  Katniss returns home she reassures her little sister, Prim, that it is only her first year of eligibility for the games and that they rarely pick "first years". After the two sisters have finished preparing, they walk alongside there mother where they are later lead to lineup on the girls side of kids who are eligible to compete. After a short video shown by the Capitol about the "unavoidable" tragedy in district 13 the drawings begin. Form the boys: Peeta Mallark. From the girls: Prim Everdeen. After a loud protest put up by Katniss, she ends up volunteering in place of her little sister. before Katniss departs for her first and most likely last time, she gets a quick 3 minute goodbye to her family.  As she boards the train she meets her co-hoard, Peeta and her mentor, Haymitch A.K.A the first and last person from district 12 to win the Hunger Games. After a parade of all the tributes takes place in he capitol, some training and a little bit of schmoozing the games have begun.

 

For Katniss, from he moment she touches ground in the arena, she is in an already hopeless situation. She is a scrawny girl (but gifted archer) competing against bigger stronger kids, many of whom have been training for this moment there entire life. AT the end of day one there are 11 deaths, none of which are Katniss, however with little food or  water death cannot be that far away. Katniss eventually takes shelter at the top of a near by tree only to be discovered by a group of tributes who have formed an alliance, one of which is none other than her fellow district-man, Peeta Mallark. Miraculously, Katniss manages to narrowly escape death by dumping a hive of genetically mutated wasps or "Tracker Jackers", on the band of tributes. Over the next couple of weeks, Katniss faces many obstacles such as fires, Tracker Jacker wounds and near starvation, while still managing to make a few friends on the way. She finds a little girl from district 11 named Rue, who she quickly befriends and is described to have reminded Katniss of her own little sister. The friendship does not last very long as Rue is later killed. One by one the tributes die off  and it is down to the final four when there is a major rule change in the middle of the games...

 

The rule explains that instead of the traditional one winner, if 2 tributes remain but are from the same district they may both walk out of the arena as winners, Katniss instinctively goes to find Peeta, and does so successfully while Peeta explains that he never intended to hurt Katniss, back with his original alliance. After Katniss aides Peeta in healing his wound, they spend the next few days hiding out in a cave while they fake a loves story (in order to gain the sympathy of sponsors, who may send them food, medicine or other supplies). Later, a proposal is made that the remaining tributes may retrieve supplies that they need in the center of the arena. Katniss and Peeta find themselves in the midst of a winner take-all battle vs. the now only other remaining tribute, Cato of district 2. Katniss uses her superb archery skills and kills Cato with Peeta and her the only remaining tributes who are now waiting for the victory music to start playing until...the speaker comes on  again and informs Peeta and Katniss that there has been another rule change and there can only be one winner now. In an act of defiance against the Capitol, Peeta and Katniss prepare to simultaneously eat a batch of poison berries, until they are once again interrupted and told that they are both winners.

 

The victory music plays throughout the arena and the 2 victors accomplished the impossible by returning home, however they cannot begin to process what this act of defiance against the Capitol will lead to, but for the time being they know, they're safe for the first time in a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This six-weeks I decided to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. This book was copy written in 1999 as a fiction book and recently was made into a movie. This book is about a shy high-school freshman named Charlie, who stays to the sidelines and doesn’t have many friends. The closest friend he had committed suicide. When he thought he had nobody, Patrick and Sam show up and show him how great he really is. Charlie faces many challenges his freshman year, but with the help of his new friends he learns how to appreciate life by enjoying the little things. Charlie has a vast knowledge and a great taste in music, but he doesn’t see that in himself. In the end everyone who is close to him helps him realize how great he is, and how he needs to be able to care about himself and not just worry about everybody else. After I read this, I decided that the theme was to be yourself; whether that means being the jock, the cheerleader, the queen bee, the nerd, the freak, or the “nobody”. It doesn’t matter what other people thought about you, only what you see in yourself.     

            This story is told from the first-person point-of-view. Charlie tells the story by writing letters to a mystery person about everything that he experiences and feels. The plot is focused on how Charlie can’t hide his love for Sam and how he misses his aunt Helen; this causes Charlie to question his life many times in the story. The intended audience is teens and young-adults, because the setting takes place in high school and many of the conflicts in the story are relatable for this age group. The genre is realistic fiction and teen drama. The book fits into this category because even though it’s a fictional book, it has many believable themes and conflicts in it. The author kept me interested by adding unexpected plot twists. For example; right when Charlie’s life starts to get better, a setback happens. The author’s style is to write about common experiences in everyone’s life. This is effective for the author’s intended audience. The things he writes about happen to everyone at least once, but each of us thinks that we are the only one out there that thinks or feels that way. This book tells us differently and encourages us not to think of ourselves as useless or helpless, but as unique, original, and worthy.         

            This book affected me because it talked about losing someone and about feeling lost. I have experienced both of these things, so the book really connected with the way that I feel. At one part I started to cry because Charlie was experiencing a great deal of pain and the author described it in such a way that it was almost impossible for me not to cry. This made me better understand why the author wrote this and why Charlie felt such pain. This fits in with my own personal world view, because I believe that everyone has a second identity and they can choose whether or not to show it. The hidden part of us is where we express pain, sadness, and love. It did not bring up memories of other books or authors that I have read, because I think it’s a unique book and there is none like it that I have read. Every book I read I think of differently, so it is very hard for me to relate it to another book.

            I thought this book was as sad as it was happy. It was a beautiful book that shows both love and life. I didn’t think it had any flaws or “slow” parts, but that’s because for me, it was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I strongly recommend this book because I think anybody my age, both male and female, could find this an interesting and relatable book. You may not like it as much as I did, but it’s definitely a book to try.

 

Madeline Jones

11/6/13

RATING: **** 4/5