Parvana in The Breadwinner

Hola, reader! Today I’d like to talk about a book I read in my English class called The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. It is about an eleven year old girl named Parvana living in Kabul, Afghanistan under Taliban rule. It talks about the struggles she faces before and after her father’s arrest (which is in the beginning of the book). I found this book to be entertaining since it is in the perspective of Parvana and also educational for the reader because they learn more about the living conditions of Afghanistan in this period of time. But enough about that, let’s get on to the main reason you’re here!

Towards the end of the book, Parvana goes into a crumbled, ruined building to find shelter from the rain outside. Later on in the chapter, she hears a girl crying nearby. Immediately, she rushes to her side and tries to calm her. Then she openly tells the stranger at the time her secret of dressing up as a boy. This confuses me because she doesn’t know who the person really is, why she is there, and her views on the secret Parvana told. Also, she is not supposed to tell that to anybody (except her family who know already), let alone a stranger! Why would she do that? I guess she was trying to make the girl feel better but she didn’t think that through apparently. This was not a smart choice of Parvana’s in my opinion because a Taliban solider or citizen could have been walking nearby coincidentally and heard the conversation being held.  Parvana wouldn’t even know that happened considering it was pitch black outside during the conversation (if the person didn’t approach her).

Thanks for reading!

Strength in Before We Were Free

Hello, reader! Today, I would like to connect a book I am reading for my Social Studies class called Before We Were Free, to a newly launched, viral music video by Katy Perry. First of all, this particular book is a pretty good book in my opinion. It had a kind of slow beginning, and slow patches, but I feel that it is really coming together now that I am approaching the climax of the story. This story is about a 12 year old girl, Anita de la Torre, and her family living in the Dominican Republic during the time of a dictatorship (1960’s).  Anita lives a pretty good and stable life until people from her family start fleeing from the Dominican Republic to the United States. As the book progresses, you later learn that she was always thought to believe that their dictator, El Jefe (The Boss), is a good person until she gets other strong opinions from her political activist uncle, Tio Toni, parents, and  neighboring diplomats, The Washburns. Before We Were Free captures the essence of secrecy, an unstable government, and point of view from a child’s perceptive.

There is one part of the book were Lucinda, Anita’s sister, receives flowers from El Jefe. This is a terrible thing because El Jefe has a dirty reputation in the Dominican Republic for taking pretty teenage girls and making them whatever he wants because he is a dictator. What he does with them was not straight forward in the book, but it makes you believe that he rapes them. Obviously, it was something as atrocious as that based on the family’s reactions. Anita is so upset, confused, cautious of men now considering the previous incident. She says that she wants to cut her hair, change into men’s clothes, and change her identity to become as equal and respected as a man is there. This connects to the music video, Part of Me by Katy Perry because the video revolves around becoming equal, showing that she has integrity, strength (physically and mentally), perseverance, and courage by joining the army after her boyfriend or fiancé cheats on her. In the video, she does cut her hair, changes into masculine clothes, and covers any feminine parts of her body like how Anita wants to. Katy, in the video, becomes this “Joan of Arc” character that Anita strives to be and describes throughout the book.
I feel that this is an important topic to share to the female sex especially and I am glad that both of these pieces of media or communications are famous and respected. Thanks for reading!

Part of Me by Katy Perry

My Perspective on Let America Be America Again

Hello, reader! Today, I’d like to share my opinion and evaluate a poem and time we learned about in our English class. It’s called Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes. Previously in English, we have been looking at his poems and studied the rhyme scheme, figurative language, and finally evaluated it. When I was looking at it closely, I found some lines very interesting. The way he puts his point across fascinates me. Actually this whole conflict that took place in the US appeals to me! That is why I decided to write about it.

I think that one of the things I like the most is learning about is how the people of this time reacted to all the events that surrounded them. At first I had this idea that all the African Americans hated what the White people for what they had done to them all those years, becoming more aggressive and wary of them. But by reading the lines, “But opportunity is real, and life is free.” and “Must bring back our mighty dream.” He doesn’t seem aggressive or wary at all. In fact, you could look at it as if he’s being positive to working together and reaching their final destination of equality. I feel like this is a very bold and wise way of thinking.  Now, I do understand that some people did believe violence and hatred towards other races was right but Langston Hughes and others easy to idolize at the time were very courageous and smart because they knew that the way others treated them was not right to repeat. In many cases that I’ve seen recently like in the movie The Help, the character Abilene had a very respectful poise to negative comments and same goes to Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Langston Hughes. By realizing this, it makes me feel proud of these role models. That they could make positive decisions even though nasty events and words came their way. 

After I’d thought and thought about this piece of writing, I wondered how I would react if I was put in their position. Now that I think of it, I think I would just be as nasty as they were to me since they would put me in such misery and rage. It’s just remarkable what these people did.

Thanks for reading!

Hazel in the Son of Neptune

Hello reader! Today, I have another connection for you. Now, you might have noticed that it is not on the book, House of Scorpion. I have recently finished that book and I’ve started The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. So far, it is a fabulous book and I highly recommend it. Honestly, considering the amount of books I’ve read written by him, he is an amazing author and I recommend any of his books. Even the books I have not read, I’ve heard great reviews from my friends and classmates. Well, back to the book, I would like to talk about a new character the author has introduced to the series. Her name is Hazel Levesque and she has an interesting story about her godly parent and her mortal parent.

In the story, she explains how Pluto comes to convince her mother not to leave for Alaska. Unfortunately, they do leave because Queen Marie (mother) doesn’t believe him since she thinks he gave her daughter a curse and left them. Later in the book, she also mentions how this was a terrible action and it leads them both into terrible things. Although, something she also says, is that she never met Pluto before that moment nor asked her mother about him before. When I read this, I thought that maybe if she asked her mother about him or her curse, she’d get a clearer picture of both sides and eventually have an opinion about leaving for Alaska. Since Hazel never asked, she can’t say to her mother that she’d like to stay for certain reasons. If I was Hazel, first, I think I’d be curious as to who my father was and my background. I suspect Hazel is just not curious or she didn’t want to bring up the subject because she wasn’t ever fond of her father. If you look at Percy Jackson though (another character in the series), he didn’t want anything to do with Poseidon (father) but he still knew key things as to why he left and more. I just can’t understand why she never brought it up even if it pains them both. I feel like it’s something they should have covered as a family. She could’ve had an effect on her sad future if she did.

Thanks for reading!     

Chacho in The House of The Scorpion

Hello, reader! I’m about three chapters away from finishing the book, The House of the Scorpion and I’m excited that I’ll finally get to read the ending shortly. This book is different than others then I’ve read in the past. The book is divided into categories based on Matt’s (the main character) age. Since I am finishing the book, I am reading the category, La Vida Nueva or The New Life. This book is so unique because in this category completely different problems occur then the rest of the book although it still ties in with the original conflicts and plots from previous chapters. Along with new plots, come new characters, one I’d actually like to talk to you today. His name is Chacho and he is a Lost Boy from Aztlan.  

            Chacho is one of my all time characters in the book because of his complex personality. He can come across extremely tough, stubborn, and hostile but yet have good intentions and sympathy for his loved ones at the same time. Here is one example of Chacho’s behavior: “Jorge paced back and forth, whisking the cane. Any second now he’d break into a run. He stopped. He gathered his strength for the initial blow. He lunged forward- Matt hurled himself at the Keeper. He drove his head into Jorge’s stomach and tore the cane from the man’s hands. Jorge reeled back, gasping for breath. Matt brought the cane down hard on his shoulder and then used it to force the Keeper to the floor. Chacho came out of nowhere and threw himself into the battle, pummeling Jorge with his fists. “You- hit- little- kids!” At this moment, I can see why some people might take Chacho’s actions as violent and wrong but deep inside, I feel like he’s doing it for a good cause. He’s trying to save his eight year old friend from a beating by their master. Even though he is using force, he is trying to save his friend. Also, there was time where the same friend, Chacho, and Matt were eating and the Keeper (master) prohibited Fidelito (friend) to eat. So, what Chacho did was stare intensely at another boy and boy was so frightened that he gave him half of his lunch. Then, Chacho gave it to Fidelito. This might be seen as bullying, but I also see it as again helping out a friend.

            This might be a weird comparison but Chacho can be compared or similar to the characteristics of a sea urchin; tough, scary, and harmful on the outside but soft on the inside. Alright, thanks for reading!

Two Similar Instances in Two Different Books

Hello, reader! I'm still reading House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer and I'm beginning to like it better. I am getting deeper into the suspenseful parts which make the book more interesting. One of the juicy parts I've come across, is the answer to the question: Who and Where is Maria's mom? She is never mentioned in the book... *SPOILER ALERT* If you read on, Matt then figures out that Maria's mom is not dead (which Maria thought) because of the book Tam Lin gave him. That Senator Mendoza made up this lie to make up for her leaving because of their divorce. Later on, Matt then tells Maria about his discovery and the way she reacts is the connection I'm writing about for you today.

When Maria is told, she is confused, devastated, aggravated, and tons more emotions fill her up. She cannot believe that her father and sister (Emilia) had been keeping this huge secret from her since she was a toddler. The fact that Senator Mendoza lied to Maria about her mother's death is depressing although, in many movies and books I've read including divorced parents, this lie has also been told to their children. For example, I read a book called The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon in 5th grade. The main character, Christopher goes on this adventure to find the murderer of a neighborhood dog. *SPOILER ALERT* On this adventure, he then realizes that his mother is not dead (a lie told by his father) and she had been trying to reach him. I included this because there is a connection between these two books. In both books, these character's reactions to the news, makes them both absolutely crazy. Frankly, I think they have every right to be because for the longest time they could never communicate with their parent thinking that they had passed.

Personally, I think this a disappointing action of both fathers in the two books. I do realize that divorce is difficult, but pretending that they are dead is over doing it. To raise a child well with divorced parents, I feel they should try to have as much communication between both parents so they still feel at home even though they might not be close in distance. If not, thinking that one of your parents is dead, is one of the worst feelings in life. Since the parent told this lie, and the child(ren) found out, I feel like they might do something stupid or wrong.

Thanks for reading!

Predictions in The House of the Scorpion

Hello, reader! I've read more of the House of the Scorpion and I still like it. While I was reading, the chapter I started was when Matt, Maria, and Tom go to the hospital. Now in the beginning of the chapter, it makes you think that Matt and Maria will make up after what happened at the party. But what really happened is  all three of them go through the hospital looking for the cat (this part wasn't very relevant. That's why I did not include the cat part) and end up at the room of MacGreggor's clone. By seeing the clone, Maria was traumatized, witnessing a troubled and ferocious clone screaming his heart out.

I predict that since Maria has seen what a typical clone looks like, she won't be able to be around or stay friends with Matt. I feel that she will be reminded that Matt is a clone too, all these bad memories will rush back to her. Hopefully, my prediction is incorrect because I really like Matt and Maria as friends. Unfortunately, at the point I am now in the book, it seems that Maria will be scared of Matt.

Now, if you read more into the chapter, Matt then talks about what he thinks of doing. This is the quote: "It wouldn't do Matt any good either, except to convince her he really was a beast." He also talks more about showing her that he is a beast later on. Personally, I don't think this could help Matt. The only reasoning I can come up with is by showing her he is a beast, Maria would then want to help him since they were good friends. He would hope that it would conquer her fears towards clones and towards himself.  But actually, I think it would be better for Matt if he did the opposite.

Celia in The House of the Scorpion

Hola, reader! I've recently started a new book called The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. So far in the book, the main character Matt, is imprisoned in the Big House and is treated miserably by Rosa and everyone else in the house.

Well, for a couple chapters while Matt was in the locked room, I was wondering where Celia was (his guardian). She instantly just disappeared for about two chapters. When she finally figures out that he has been held in the Big House she rushes to him and is relieved. She also says that she was told that Matt was with El Patron and had no idea that he was here.

But what is confusing to me is that El Patron has been known to have a bad reputation and is a hostile person. This quote proves my statement:"I'll tell you this: El Patron has his good side and his bad side. Very dark indeed is his majesty when he wants to be." They also comment on his rage and how it is frightening. How can Celia be content with leaving her "child" with an aggressive and dangerous man? How is she fine with potentially hurting Matt's saftey? When Celia said this in the book these were the questions that I asked myself.

Well, thanks for reading. Adios reader! :)

Depicting a Conversation in Mockingjay

Hey followers! Today, instead of presenting a prediction or asking a question about my choice book, I'd like to depict a very sly conversation between President Snow and Katniss. This chapter made me think so much that I had to read it more than once. I found key sentences to prove my reasoning (that he is lying). I hope you agree with me. This connection almost made me have a debate with myself!

Before, even reading this chapter you get Katniss' perspective on Snow. That he is a ruthless, untrustworthy, and sneaky person. Whenever he pops up in the book you make a bitter face since he is mostly the cause of all Katniss'  problems.  That first puts you in a postion to not fall for any word that comes out of his repulsing mouth.

But there are lines that he said that made me think twice about. For example, here's a quote from the chapter: "And there is no reason for me to destroy a pen full of Capitol children." Well, he would do it anyway during the Hunger Games gladly. The fact that there Capitol children might trick you. But in the previous chapter, Capitol children were bombed by parachutes. Rebel medics and assistants (including Prim) came into help them but then where bombed as well. If the had they would've had the chance to save them, wouldn't they favor the rebels more now? That there own group won't even help them in desperate times? And then you have to think again. Has the Capitol ever been simpathetic or helpful in this book. The answer is no. Another reason to not trust President Snow.  Also, I wanted to show you this quote. "I'm sure he wasn't gunning for your sister, but these things happen." He was about to create a big chance that Prim would die in the Hunger Games. Thanks to Katniss, she volunteered to be victor in the Games instead.

There would almost be no conflict in this book if it weren't for Snow. That why this conversation makes me confused. Its hard to believe someone like this and how there are two sides to his statements. Thanks for reading!

Hunger Games Trailer :D

Hey followers! I went on YouTube the other day and saw this video that said "The Hunger Games Trailer". It was awesome to see the book I'm reading become a movie. Now, I can compare my visualizations, predictions, questions from the book to the movie. Maybe even give my opinion if I see it. Hmm, this is starting to sound like a very interesting connection! So here's the trailer link. Its epic.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-5ANq4sAL0

Peeta during the Games

Katniss walking towards the area with Peacekeepers

Katniss and Gale (movie)

Pessimistic Attitude in Catching Fire

Hey there, followers! I'm sorry if your reading this post and your sick of me rambling on about The Hunger Games series. Unfortunately, you'll have to sit through another response about the second book, Catching Fire. By the way, I've finished the second book and I'm in the beginning of the third book. I guess that means a new book will be rolling in shortly! This connection
is about the attitude Katniss portrays in the book.

In this section of the book, Katniss is reaped to come back to the Games but this time around its Quarter Quell. This happens every 20 or 25 years and its basically another Hunger Game on top of the annual Hunger Games. The twist that President Snow adds to the 75th Quell is that the victors from previous years will fight to the death. This includes Katniss and Peeta.

In The Hunger Games (the first book), Katniss is determined to return to Prim no matter what. In Catching Fire, she is very pessimistic about returning to District 12. You understand my statement through this quote "This time I don't have the slightest hope of return."

I understand that this is a very frustrating and devastating time for her but she has to push that all aside to return back home. And this is not the first time Katniss has to mature and grow strong instantly. You read many instances like this when she has to provide for the whole family, for example. Doesn't she realize that if she gets killed in the Quell, her family will have to go back to there poor lifestyle scraping for food and water? They would have to also go back to there old house since the new one would be revoked. Prim would have to take over Katniss' duties in the family even though she has very little expirence in the Hob or hunting. Katniss has less of a chance of being the victor by being this pessimistic all the time then being determined like in the last book. She already has a slim chance with all these experienced murderers. But she has to remember that she made it through the  last Games and put her priorities straight. Thanks for reading!

Narrative Perspective in The Hunger Games

Hello there, reader! My connection this week is kind of different then other ones I've done. I was assigned a topic by my teacher which is to identify the perspective in The Hunger Games. We have been learning a lot about perspective (1st, 2nd, 3rd Person) and this is my identification on my choice book. By the way, I have just finished the Hunger Games if you haven't read from my "What I am Reading...." post.

I think that the Hunger Games is told in first person from Katniss' perspective.. Katniss always refers to herself using "I", mostly in the book. This is a quote that proves that the book is in first person: "I guess this is true, but I can't help feeling upset about it to the extent that I'm afraid I might cry and I remember everyone in the country is watching me so I just bury my face in Peeta's shirt.". Did you notice how she uses I, me, and I'm? These are all in the first person category.

Even though the book is told from Katniss' perspective, it can be kind of difficult to pin-point if the book is told from third person limited or first person. Here's an example of that: Although from what Cato said, Peeta's on his way out.". There are a few sentences like this but mostly the book is using I so I knew it was first person.

There is also a lot of description of body language. This is also a way that you can tell the feelings of a character and possibly the perspective of a text. You understand more about body language in this quote: "And this time, it's me who leans in. Our lips have just barely touched when the clunk outside makes me jump.". This makes you infer that they have feelings for each other.

Since the book is in first person, we only get Katniss' opinions about things they cover in the book. There is a part in the book (in the beginning) that she talks about her mother almost giving up on there family after Katniss' father died. That Katniss had to provide for Prim, Mother, and herself by having to sneak pass the gates to hunt and trade in the black market. She was angry because her mother said that she would find a job and bring revenue to the family but she ends up not leaving her bed because she's so devastated about the death. If we got Mother's perspective there might have been another reason for what she did.

I think it would be an interesting twist to make the book third person omniscient instead of first person. I would really like to read Gale's perspective during the Games to see his thoughts while the relationship between Peeta and Katniss occurs. Is he upset or happy for her? Thanks for reading my post! :)

Allies in The Hunger Games

So far in Hunger Games Katniss has made an alliance with Rue a girl from District 11. I believe that was a very good, strategic move on Katniss' part (also Rue's!) and Katniss needs things like this to help in the Games.

First off, Rue has been very trustworthy in the Games lately. In this quote you see the trust and bond between the two of them: "Rue has decided to trust me wholeheartedly." and "If she'd wanted me dead, all she had to do was disappear from that tree without pointing out the tracker jacker nest."

Secondly, she has a lot of general knowledge especially about agriculture. Did you know that District 11 was the district that specializes in agriculture? Well then, it makes sense. Katniss does mention how the Gamemakers purposely put poisonous berries in the field but Rue can identify them well. That is sort of a bonus for Katniss. Also, the Gamemakers manipulate the Hunger Games to make them more interesting. For instance, they made a huge forest fire around Katniss' camp to try to eliminate her. Since Rue is has a strong background in agriculture, it is easy for her to make natural, homemade remedies for any wounds as she did for Katniss' burn.

Lastly, Rue can be very surreptitious. When Rue and Katniss, met again in the woods she already knew all about the Careers whereabouts, supplies, and "members". That is good for the both of them to make a strategic plan.

I really like their team in the book. I admire Rue, I think she is an interesting character. In my previous blog post, I talked about the government in Panem. I also predicted that the Panemians might have demonstrations. I predict that both Rue and Katniss would participate because they say negative things about the government in there dialogue: "Rue's eyes widen. "Oh, no, we're not allowed to eat the crops. They arrest you or something? I ask. "They whip you and make everyone else watch, says Rue." Alright, thanks for reading my blog post!

Government in The Hunger Games

Today, I would like to talk about a world connection I had while reading The Hunger Games. The government and the Capital are like governments today. There are countries in the Middle East and other places with a large population of low income families like the Everdeen's.

They dont have much freedom of say...opininon as you read in this quote: "If I'd stood even a ghost of a chance, it vanished when I sent that arrow flying at the Gamemakers. What will they do to me now? Arrest me? Execute me?" and also "What really scares me is what they might do to my mother and Prim, how my family might suffer now because of my impulsiveness." Not that I'm saying what Katniss is doing something right in this moment, no. What I am trying to state is that if she does something or rebel she would have major consequences from the Capital and Gamemakers. Thus, not very much freedom in Panem.

Rebellion is my next point. I believe the Capital holds the Hunger Games because they are trying to get the "do not rebel and don't go aganist us" point across to the younger society. This is like Egypt and Libya and how they went against their dictators and rioted. Unfortunally, in some countries the dictators or leaders did not tolerate this well. This is also shown in the quote. I think this is called dictatorship and it is similar to Panem's government.

Now, that I have compared Panem and the Middle East there is one simialrity with the Middle Eastern countries. Most of them had protests. Will Panem or District 12 have one now or later in the books? It seems that Katniss is not happy with there descions (I predict also Gale) and I bet others think the same way.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

          Currently, I am reading The Diary of a Young as you might of read from the title and my previous blog post. Well, now I am close to being mid-way and I am puzzled about one thing. Anne keeps mentioning that she wants to mature faster or go through puberty sooner. For instance in this quote, you''l understand what I am trying to convay or state. "I forgot to mention the important news that I'm probably going to have my period soon. I can hardly wait. It such an momentous event."
           Now in the book Anne also mentions that she is having many conflicts with her mother and she is not too keen about her as she says in this entry. "I'm the opposite of Mother so of course we clash. I don't mean to judge her; I dont have that right. I 'm simply looking at her as a mother. She's not a mother to me- I have to mother myself." My question is Anne talks about maturing and becoming older and is excited for it. Does she feel this way because she wants to stand up to her mother more? Does she feel that being older allows her to speak her mind?
          So far I am enjoying this book. I'm interested to read the end. Maybe my question will be answered soon.

What I'm Reading.......

Currently, I am reading The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank---Abandoned for now

Also The Hunger Games By: Suzzane Collins--- Finished

The Year of the Dog: Grace Lin----Finished

Catching Fire By: Suzzane Collins---- Finished

Mockingjay by: Suzzane Collins--- Finished

The House of the Scorpion by: Nancy Farmer--- Finished

The Son of Neptune by: Rick Riordan----- Finished


Before We Were Free by: Julia Alvarez------ Finished


The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis----- Finished