With war come many casualties. Whether they are actual deaths, or just an end in some way, the casualties are unavoidable. This is proven to Annie Sinclair, a half-Irish Virginian girl during the Civil War. The theme of this book, along with the characters and setting make for a fascinating read. L.M. Elliot’s Annie between the States draws the reader into a Civil War world unknown to many.
First of all, the theme of this book really gives the reader something to think about. With the war comes confusion and disarray. Annie was a loyal Virginian at the start of the war. But progressively through the war, Annie finds herself questioning the idea of slavery and the practices that some southerners believe heartily in. With witnessing bloody battles, men dying, and the change in her younger brother, all of which was caused from the war, Annie learns that loyalty to ones state may not necessarily mean agreeing with their beliefs and actions.
Annie was a great heroine in this book. She entertained me and touched me at times. Her stubbornness and independence reached out to me and reminded me of what I could be. Also, Laurence, Annie’s older brother reminded me of my older brother, David. It is really easy to relate to Annie in this book. She practically grows up over the course of the book, so I can see how she has changed throughout time. Her bravery and extreme courage inspire me to be a better person, to stand up for what I believe, and to live life, no matter what may come my way.
Lastly, the setting of this book helped to bring understanding of the Civil War and what it was like. Virginia was a good place to set the book in. Virginia was a big war spot during this time, so the points of view of the families in Virginia show how the war really affected the people during that time. Hickory Heights, Annie’s Home, also gave way for hideouts and raids. This made the book very interesting.
With many conflicts, internal and external, this book was intriguing. The thought that some events similar to those in the book actually occurred during the Civil War is down right appalling. If people can be so malicious during war, I fear another Civil War or a war on our homefront. Elliot brought about a very entertaining story full of conflict, death, and even love.
499 pgs
Friday, October 16, 2009
Book Review for Touching Spirit Bear
Everything in life is either a circle or can be solved with a circle. Or at least that’s what Circle Justice members believe in the exciting book, Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson. To begin with, I found myself reaching out to the characters in this book. Also, The setting really helped to bring this book together. Lastly, I could relate to Cole in a sense (scary, I know). Ben Mikaelson’s Touching Spirit Bear touches most who read the book and makes for a good inspiration.
The characters in this book, for instance, go through a lot along the way, and make for an inspiring story. Cole Matthews had a rough childhood, with alcoholic parents, one of which beat him, and one who ignored all the troubles. It was no wonder Cole turned out to be an angry, merciless teenager. It turns out that Cole has gone through a lot and has a lot of change ahead of him if he wants to stay out of jail. He is stubborn and wants to con his way out of trouble. This makes me want to reach out to him. Whether I’m reading the parts about his past and want to reassure him, or I’m reading about his troubled mind and old, angry ways and want to push him to change, I can’t help but reach out to Cole Matthews.
The setting of this book really brought everything together. With the remote island in Alaska, it really shows how alone we can be at times, and how that can change us. Sometimes we have to lose everything to realize what we actually had. The setting also made it possible to show how stubborn Cole can be, and how arrogant. Cole thought he could swim in the ocean to the nearest island and escape his punishment. Also, the setting made it possible for the spirit bear to show up on the island. The spirit bear being on the island shaped the way the story unfolded and made the book as interesting as the book got.
Lastly, I can relate to Cole. Cole has a troubled past with parents that didn’t necessarily live up to expectations. I haven’t had the best experiences with my parents either. This part of the book taught me a little about myself. Also, Cole was so stubborn, he wouldn’t even let himself cry. Even with all the emotional scars Cole had, he still wouldn’t let himself cry. If I’m in certain situations, I won’t let myself cry either. I can be really stubborn about some things too. That’s a common descriptive word given to me. Also, Cole lost a lot along the way in this book. Maybe Mikaelson was trying to teach us something. Along the way, I have lost too. But, like Cole, I managed to make it out all right with a little outside help.
With real meaning behind every event and characters that I’m drawn too, Ben Mikaelson’s Touching Spirit Bear drives the reader forward. Also, this book gives a new sight on teenager’s thoughts and a new hope for many. After reading this book, one only feels optimistic. Ben Mikaelson has a large heart, as is evident from this book.
The characters in this book, for instance, go through a lot along the way, and make for an inspiring story. Cole Matthews had a rough childhood, with alcoholic parents, one of which beat him, and one who ignored all the troubles. It was no wonder Cole turned out to be an angry, merciless teenager. It turns out that Cole has gone through a lot and has a lot of change ahead of him if he wants to stay out of jail. He is stubborn and wants to con his way out of trouble. This makes me want to reach out to him. Whether I’m reading the parts about his past and want to reassure him, or I’m reading about his troubled mind and old, angry ways and want to push him to change, I can’t help but reach out to Cole Matthews.
The setting of this book really brought everything together. With the remote island in Alaska, it really shows how alone we can be at times, and how that can change us. Sometimes we have to lose everything to realize what we actually had. The setting also made it possible to show how stubborn Cole can be, and how arrogant. Cole thought he could swim in the ocean to the nearest island and escape his punishment. Also, the setting made it possible for the spirit bear to show up on the island. The spirit bear being on the island shaped the way the story unfolded and made the book as interesting as the book got.
Lastly, I can relate to Cole. Cole has a troubled past with parents that didn’t necessarily live up to expectations. I haven’t had the best experiences with my parents either. This part of the book taught me a little about myself. Also, Cole was so stubborn, he wouldn’t even let himself cry. Even with all the emotional scars Cole had, he still wouldn’t let himself cry. If I’m in certain situations, I won’t let myself cry either. I can be really stubborn about some things too. That’s a common descriptive word given to me. Also, Cole lost a lot along the way in this book. Maybe Mikaelson was trying to teach us something. Along the way, I have lost too. But, like Cole, I managed to make it out all right with a little outside help.
With real meaning behind every event and characters that I’m drawn too, Ben Mikaelson’s Touching Spirit Bear drives the reader forward. Also, this book gives a new sight on teenager’s thoughts and a new hope for many. After reading this book, one only feels optimistic. Ben Mikaelson has a large heart, as is evident from this book.
Icecream!!!
Last night, I was craving something sweet. Upon looking in the freezer, I found some pumpkin pie icecream. I also found vanilla icecream and whipped topping. I was ecstatic. I mixed the findings and enjoyed the results. Before yesterday, I didn't even realize pumpkin pie icecream existed. If you haven't discovered pumpkin pie icecream, you must. This icecream has quickly leaped to the top of my favorite list.
Other icecreams on the favorite list of mine include; vanilla, cookie dough, and cookies 'n cream icecream. These are all very delicious and satisfy any icecream lovers needs. My friend, Jason, and I have dreams of a big icecream party. If the companies keep inventing such intriguing flavors, are dreams just might HAVE to come true.
Other icecreams on the favorite list of mine include; vanilla, cookie dough, and cookies 'n cream icecream. These are all very delicious and satisfy any icecream lovers needs. My friend, Jason, and I have dreams of a big icecream party. If the companies keep inventing such intriguing flavors, are dreams just might HAVE to come true.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Book Review on Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
In a world where everyone is pretty, or waiting to turn pretty, nothing could go wrong. That's what most pretties-to-be believe in Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. One pretty-to-be (ugly) Tally Youngblood can't wait to turn sixteen so she can get the operation to make her a pretty. Things start to get complicated the closer the operation date gets. Tally learns she has to help track down runaway uglies and rogues, or never turn pretty at all. To Tally, this is a fate far worse than death. Scott Westerfeld's Uglies pulls the reader into a futuristic world full of pretties, uglies, and dark, hidden secrets of the city.
To begin with, the characters in this book are very different from normal humans today. The main character, Tally, was one I could relate too and believe in. Tally is an eager teenager who just wants to turn pretty so she could be like everyone else. She is very determined also. She endured a trip out in the wild, all alone, just to find the smoke, or lose her chance at turning pretty, something she has dreamed about her whole life.
Also, the setting of Uglies is very futuristic and isolated. Each city is independent from one another. They rarely interact with one another. The city is divided into regions, one for each "type" of person. There is Ugliville for young people from 12 to 16 to stay in dorms while waiting on the operation and the trip across the river to New Pretty Town. New Pretty Town hosts the new pretties while they party and enjoy themselves. Next is Crumblyville, where Middle Pretties, their young children, and late pretties live. This region of the town resembles a suburb. Lastly, there sits a region unknown to many; Special Circumstance Headquarters. Special Circumstance Headquarters is compared to a FBI or CIA headquarters, but much worse. Uglyville isn't the only region in the city with ugliness in it.
Lastly, the plot of this book was heart pounding. I was interested and thinking the whole time I read. Tally has to find "the smoke" a camp or runaway uglies and rogues, or she can't have the operation to make her pretty. This may not seem that interesting, but Tally's new best friend, Shay, ran away to the smoke. Upon finding the smoke, she is suppose to set off a tracker to alert Special Circumstances of the location of the smoke. This means betraying Shay and everyone else in the smoke. Tally struggles over her obligations. She wants to turn pretty, but is she willing to betray people to do so? Through the struggles Tally goes through, the readers share her emotions and fights (internal and external).
With the author's characters so different, yet emotionally similar to present day humans, readers are drawn into the book. The futuristic setting sets the stage for the story and shocks people at the idea and the possibilities. The plot brings all thoughts together to make for a good story and a satisfied reader. I commend Scott Westerfeld on a work of literature that not only pushes human beliefs, but also entertains the reader.
To begin with, the characters in this book are very different from normal humans today. The main character, Tally, was one I could relate too and believe in. Tally is an eager teenager who just wants to turn pretty so she could be like everyone else. She is very determined also. She endured a trip out in the wild, all alone, just to find the smoke, or lose her chance at turning pretty, something she has dreamed about her whole life.
Also, the setting of Uglies is very futuristic and isolated. Each city is independent from one another. They rarely interact with one another. The city is divided into regions, one for each "type" of person. There is Ugliville for young people from 12 to 16 to stay in dorms while waiting on the operation and the trip across the river to New Pretty Town. New Pretty Town hosts the new pretties while they party and enjoy themselves. Next is Crumblyville, where Middle Pretties, their young children, and late pretties live. This region of the town resembles a suburb. Lastly, there sits a region unknown to many; Special Circumstance Headquarters. Special Circumstance Headquarters is compared to a FBI or CIA headquarters, but much worse. Uglyville isn't the only region in the city with ugliness in it.
Lastly, the plot of this book was heart pounding. I was interested and thinking the whole time I read. Tally has to find "the smoke" a camp or runaway uglies and rogues, or she can't have the operation to make her pretty. This may not seem that interesting, but Tally's new best friend, Shay, ran away to the smoke. Upon finding the smoke, she is suppose to set off a tracker to alert Special Circumstances of the location of the smoke. This means betraying Shay and everyone else in the smoke. Tally struggles over her obligations. She wants to turn pretty, but is she willing to betray people to do so? Through the struggles Tally goes through, the readers share her emotions and fights (internal and external).
With the author's characters so different, yet emotionally similar to present day humans, readers are drawn into the book. The futuristic setting sets the stage for the story and shocks people at the idea and the possibilities. The plot brings all thoughts together to make for a good story and a satisfied reader. I commend Scott Westerfeld on a work of literature that not only pushes human beliefs, but also entertains the reader.
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