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)