Weekly Blog for 12/15/14 The Death Cure

º Do any of the characters feeling change as you’ve read? Explain why or why

not.

º Describe your least favorite character and explain why. Describe your most

favorite character and explain why.

º Describe the major conflict. What side are you on?

     
     In the book Thomas's feelings change drastically because of his feelings towards WICKED and Teresa. Thomas discovered that Gally, WICKED's puppet (not actually a puppet but like they were controlling his mind and body), didn't actually want to kill Chuck he was forced to by WICKED with some micro chip that was inside of his head. Thomas is very anger, enraged even at WICKED and his thoughts to bring WICKED down increase. He becomes angry and sad towards Teresa because after Brenda, Newt, Minho, and Jorge escape the type prison they where in the discover that Teresa had fled WICKED on a berg with group A and B without them. 

     My least favorite character would be Rat Nose because he is the one that gives them horrible information and watches them inside the trials. He also gets very mad if they try to escape and sometimes orders guards to drag them away (that is very mean and I guess it would hurt). My favorite character would have to be Thomas because he is the main character but also because he has been a great person to every one in The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure. He is friendly and yet he protects all of the Gladers like they were his family. He helped them escape the maze, he helped them escape from the Scorch, and he helped all the Gladers figure out more about whats going on and what WICKED is. 

       

       In the book, the major conflict would be that there is a disease that has been infecting all of the earth that is called "The Flare". WICKED, a group of scientists that have been obsessed with getting the cure for "The Flare" gather kids that are immune and not immune to the disease and put them into trials like a maze with monsters that eat you alive or a city where everyone was infected and had gone beyond crazy, also trying to eat you. WICKED has put them here and many have died because of them causing a burning hatred between the Gladers (the test subjects) towards WICKED. I would chose to side with the Gladers because the amount of pain and suffering WICKED has done to each Glader is horrible. I would also chose to side with the Gladers because WICKED is just sick. The way they think they are doing good is just terrifying. They erase your memories, they leave you in very scary places, and they wouldn't care if you died or not because they think that with the surviving group that remains, they will make the cure to The Flare off of their brain blue prints or reactions. They are even, happy that kids have died and that to me is just sick. 

Blue picture is Thomas's quote.

Pale-ish picture is Minho's quote. 

      

Weekly Blog 12/8/14 The Death Cure

º Would you recommend this book to friends? Why or why not?
 ºIn few paragraphs, summarize what you read today.

     I would recommend this book to my friends because I think this book is filled with excitement and action from the main characters. Also how the author wrote the book with more detail than necessary makes it a really good book to read any time. I also just in my opinion would recommend the book because of how the author lets the characters react, I think its exciting to know what Thomas, Brenda, Newt, Minho, or Teresa are going to do especially since they don't trust Teresa that much in the beginning. 

     In what I have read so far, Wicked had put Thomas in isolation for about four weeks. He has been let out giving fresh new clothes and has had to get the chance to meet the other Gladers again. The scientist that has been telling them information since the beginning of the Scorch trial, tells them that the tests are over. He also tells them that they can have their memories back (They all had their memories removed temporally because of the trials, in the first book). The Gladers start to group up and some disagree with getting their memories back and some are totally up for it. Of course Teresa over there immediate says yes by saying "WICKED is good".

     Newt, Thomas, and Minho are the only ones that choose not to get their memories back. Brenda runs up to Thomas and tells him a message to only trust her and another person who has not shown up in the book as of yet. Newt, Thomas, and Minho are taken into a small type apartment where they are to be kept until they are summoned for the tests which take place the next day. The "rat man" or (the scientist that has been telling them information since the beginning of the Scorch trial) Wakes them up telling them they have to get their memories back like it or not. Thats about all I've read so far and I think I left myself on a cliff hanger which its terrible because this will eat at me all day until I read again tomorrow. 

 

Weekly Blog 12/1/14 The Scorch Trials

• Analyze how your feelings change as you read this story and why.

• Discuss why you like or dislike what you are reading.

      My emotions have been changing quite a lot in these 1-214 pages that I have been reading in The Scorch Trials. I was really sad for the main character Thomas and in all honesty almost started crying at how heartbreaking the part in the book was. It was about this girl named Teresa (which if you haven't read the first book The Maze Runner then this may be a bit confusing, little back ground information: Teresa came into Glade *the place that the glader's lived* as the last and only person to enter. Keep in mind, no girls had ever been into glade so this caused craziness. Long story short, Thomas feels a connection to her and they start to form a relation ship.) They stuck together, got out of the maze and they where put into a camp but they separated Teresa from the boys. She disappears and they can't find her. Yet when Thomas goes into the room type of thing when there in the desert after escaping the camp she's there and they hug and kiss *again I had said before, a relationship* but then Thomas had to leave her behind and run but not without saying "Teresa I'll find you."

     It also made me very happy however that she was still alive and that maybe she would be through out the book trying to reach Thomas. It made me feel very nervous when they were inside of the camp and the creepy scientist told them they had gotten the disease called the "Flare" that had wiped out almost all of the world's population and left crazy psycho people called "cranks" that once the disease got to far inside the brain it made them crazy until they lost everything basically their humanity. I felt excited as well when they went to search the room Teresa was kept in the found a boy named Aris that had the same relationship to another girl but she was killed. I got excited because I found out that Aris could take telepathically as well (Thomas and Teresa could talk telepathically just like Aris and his best friend Rachel, so in some way Thomas and Aris could talk to each other?) 

     I like what I'm reading because it gives so much emotion and I love the way that I'm worried for the main characters so much like I will literally scream in my head and start biting my nails when they take a wrong turn or put them selves in danger. I like what I'm reading because I like to read these types of books, the ones that make you go to the edge of your seat making you just want to read quicker to get to the good part. The Maze Runner Series has been such good books even if I have only read 1 and currently reading number 2. I have a friend that has been telling me how good book number 3 is and I can't wait to start it. 

Weekly Blog 11/17/14 The Maze Runner

• Do you like what you’re reading? Why or why not?

     In the book The Maze Runner so far I have enjoyed it/reading it because of the detail that the author puts in it. Like for example the boy or Thomas explains what he sees when he first arrives and is out of the elevator, "The floor of the courtyard looked like it was made of huge stone blocks, many of them cracked and filled with long grass and weeds." Further on "A large grove of trees filled the final corner; the closest one looked crippled and close to dying. I like that the author uses detail because it helps me think of what this place could look like. This also helps me think of what the emotions or feelings could have of the place that their in like negative or positive the way the author or the character describes it.

     I also like what I have been reading because I like the way that the author choose the word choice for the guys. Secondly I also like how he scatters similes all around the book, "I told ya, shuck-face, a shrill voice responded. He's a klunk, so he'll be a slopper no doubt about it." Its a bit confusing how they talk but I think further more in the book they will explain. "A few trees surrounded it, their roots like gnarled hands digging into the rock floor for food." I really enjoy reading these similes because it also gives me a mental picture of what they could be saying. 

     Finally, I also enjoy what I'm reading because mainly the main idea of this book. That a mysterious person brings guys to this isolated place where there are doors that lead to a ginormous maze. To me it sounded very interesting and many people said that the movie was great so I thought this was the next best thing (I haven't seen it). This was also the first time I have read any other book other than from the author Laurie Halse Anderson so that was also very exciting to me as well. 

Weekly Blog 11/10/14 Catalyst

     The author uses specific word choice that involves science. The author specifically states in the back of the book that "Kate manages her life by organizing it, as logically as the periodic table." She (Laurie Halse Anderson) makes the main character 'Kate' say instead of just saying that when you die you go to heaven she would be you are being split of from your atoms and those atoms will go on into oblivion. She talks a lot like this. Its a bit difficult to understand but I personally have read two other books from her so I can understand what she means. I think that this affects the mood and tone because it makes her more smart and sophisticated when she talks like this and all of her friends are not so smart but they keep up with her. This also changes the tone because she never talks its more always in her head so we the readers can here what shes saying but the people inside the book like her father, have no clue. Which makes her a type of shy and quite girl. 

     Her mothers death changed Kate a lot. It made her shy and reserved, and she never wants to talk about it. "Is this what it was like when mom died?" Toby asks (Toby is her little brother). I open the freezer slowly. "Don't you remember?" "No". A bit later in the book " I open the freezer door and talk to the skim milk. "Because I wasn't there, okay? You want to know what I remember? I remember running out if the church. I was wearing black patent leather shoes and I ran down the road and I got blisters and I kept running ..." also a bit further... "By the time they found me, Mommy was burred in the ground. I didn't see it happen, I don't remember okay?" This affected her life and gave us more information about her because it shows that she is closed off. She doesn't like talking and I'm guessing expresses her feelings some other way. This made me sad and I can't imagine the pain that her and her dad would be feeling. 
  
     MIT the college she applied to (the only one) rejects her. This reveals information about her because it shows her shes scared, afraid and anxious that her only school rejects her which they later do. In the book it states "I open it badly. A jagged opening. The letter is brief, murder bu stiletto, a thin, sharp blade: "We regret to inform you ... thousands of qualified candidates ... not a reflection on your abilities ... many opportunities elsewhere ... Sincerely ..." The need to vomit vanishes. Dead girls don't puke. My father picks up the letter and envelope from the floor. He says something I can't hear. When I don't answer, he looks in the envelope. Maybe the real letter, the acceptance letter, is hidden in there, written in invisible ink on invisible, space age paper. Or it's a Cheshire cat letter and it will materialize any second now. Somewhere deep in that envelope are my registration instructions, my financial aid package, and a handwritten note from the cross country coach." A bit further ... "I wish I were three feet tall and he could pick me up and he still had a beard and he wore cotton sweaters that felt soft on my cheek and I could cry it all away and I would wipe my tears on his shoulder and I could suck my thumb and suck the end of my ponytail and he wouldn't tell me only babies did that and he would rock me on the front porch with the wind coming clean from the north and he would sing nursery rhymes with made up words like Mom used to and he could teach me the alphabet again and how to walk and how to run and maybe I would do better this time." This means she was very scared that they could reject her and they did. 

     Teri's son, Mickey's death. This revealed information about Kate because after Mickey's death Kate feels sorry for her and tries to spend time with her, she also gets to know her better and they become some what friends. In the book it says that "Here." I hand it to her. "I want you to have this. It fits you better. But I'm keeping the necklace." "You should sell it, get some cash." "I might." "Thanks." Later on... "You can't slack if you're going to work with me." I wont. I promise." This shows us that they both are being kind to each other and that she wants to be friends with Teri who was her nemesis. 

Reflections On Poe

     Poe's life had many tragedies. Hes real mother, brother and foster mother and his wife in later days all died from tuberculosis. He was robbed during the night by his own family (cousin). His father sent him to college without enough money and had to gamble to pay. He even burned his own furniture as a last resort to stay warm. His foster father got remarried and never told him. He left Poe out of his will when he passed away. Rumors has spread that Poe was in a relationship with another married women and all the people kicked him out of the city. He had suffered through a lot, and I feel really bad for him.

     I think that all of his life and his tragedies effected him life because if he didn't have such a hard life maybe his writing could have been more cheerful. Maybe all those events triggered something in him that just made him write such dark things. It could have been a way for him to release all that sadness he doesn't show but puts it into writing instead. With all that had happened to him, I would write about sad and horror like things to. I think we all would in someway release our sadness kind of like how he did. 

        There are many similarities of living in the 19th century vs. the 21st century. One could be that we all live in our own separate homes. Another could be that we all go to school and get an education. Also our basic life style was similar like how we talk dress, where we eat, (of course there a bit different because the 21st century is more advanced). Also, the times are similar because we back then and now had the same type or style of our economy and our government. 

      There are also many differences of living in the 19th century vs. the 21st century. One could be that we have better technology then them, (like the Mac book Airs or Touch screen TVs for example). Also we have more advanced clothing, (before women wore dresses and men suits of such, and now women can wear skinny jeans etc. and men can wear shorts, v necks etc.) Also we have the same concept of our government but it has advanced a lot, (like the first African American president and now also that women are trying for president). The 1800s and the 21st century are both great times and we should appreciate that humanity has made it this far.

Weekly Blog 11/3/14 Catalyst

• Are the characters realistic (do they seem like they could be real people)? Why or why not?

• Summarize what has happened in the book so far.

     

      In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson many things have happened so far in the book. Kate the main character has recently been rejected from the school she wanted to go into, MIT. Her friends have been worried about her since she doesn't talk to anyone, not after everyone gives her pity stares and they all say to just accept a safety school from your list. The thing is Kate only applied to MIT. Even after she is still in denial and more then anything wishes that MIT would admit they rejected her by mistake. On top of that she has to share her house with the person she dislikes, Teri, the schools bad girl. Teri is making her life miserable. Also in the story you find out that Kate has an addiction for running and now its becoming a bad thing. She sneaks out at nights stays up late because of her insomnia (Its a disease where you can't go to sleep). Thats about how far I've read into the book. 

      I think that the main character 'Kate' from Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson would be considered realistic. I think this because she is just like any other girl frustrated that she did not get accepted into the college that she wanted to go into. She also does not get along with a girl from her school which is very realistic because we have all had that one person we never liked. I think that she is very realistic because it is possible for kids to lose their parents at young age just like she did, she lost her mom when she was only just a kid. She has a group of friends like any kid would have, she also is in a relationship which at the end of high school, most people should have.

      I think that the second main character 'Teri' from Speak also would be very realistic. I think this because some people can be like Teri, the bad one. The one who doesn't care and smokes. Someone who most people would stay away from because people would be afraid. In the book she starts warming up to Kate which should be normal because they do tend to spend a lot of time together now that the Litche's family (Teri's last name) have been living in Kate's house because there house was burned down in a fire and is being rebuilt. Like I said Teri's life could be like someones else out there (not the exact same but you get what I mean).

Weekly Blog 10/27/14 Speak

º Does the title fit the story? Why or why not? 
º Do you like what you’re reading? Why or why not?
º Describe your least favorite character and explain why. Describe your most favorite character and explain why.

       
       I think that the title "Speak" fits the story because the whole book is about Melinda being scared and lonely and not wanting to actually speak because she is afraid. I think that this also fits because usually she doesn't tend to speak anymore and usually just nods yes or no or in fact just puts her head down when teachers talk to her. Finally I think it fits because in the ending she starts to become more confident and happy, so gradually she beings to speak again. Its an inspiring book for young girls like me. 

       I liked what I was reading because it helped me change the way I look at people and to not just judge them without getting to know them. I also liked the type of word choice that Laurie Halse Anderson used in her writing. Thirdly I liked how Anderson made the book Melinda's first person because it adds more feeling to the book. Also I liked what I read because it makes you feel so connected to the book, like when shes sad it makes you sad because all you can do is sit an read not knowing what is going to happen next and I think that Is thrilling to everyone that reads her stories. 

       My least favorite character would be Andy or as Melinda refers to him as "The Beast". He is my least favorite character because he sexually abuses Melinda at a party before high school starts which makes Melinda call the cops resulting in everyone hating and ignoring on the first day. In the story they describe him as, very wealthy, is good looking, and that he's very charming. Also that he as seen in Melinda's eyes like a monster that followers her every move, everywhere. My favorite character would have to be Melinda because even if sometimes she is very depressing she is still a girl that just wants to get through high school without any problems. In the story it never really describes her, only that she used to be bright and cheery but that changed after the night of the party when after that she became sad and depressed, not wanting to speak anymore. 

Weekly Blog 10/20/14 Speak

Draw 4 objects that represent your 
reading. Write a sentence for each, 
telling what each item says about 
what you’ve been reading.

  1. A Dead Tree
 In the book, for Melinda's art project she must draw, sculpt and "become" a tree, a living tree but the only thing she comes close to is a dead rotting tree. I think this represents what I'm reading because Melinda is a shy quite girl that in reality always hangs out by herself. She in very depressed and always takes darkly about eveyone. She is always thinking the worst. Its only close to the ending that she is allowing her self to become more open and friendly. Its also how she thinks about her life, with all the traumatizing things that have happened to her, she doesn't see herself alive. 

  
  2. A High School
 This represents what I'm reading because the whole book is basically in side of her high school and all the problems that he faces inside of it and even when she is outside. This helps me visualize what she was seeing and I couldn't imagine being ignored and hated like she was. This also represents the reading because the book describes most of her fears and guilt inside the school where its like she is imprisoned and she cannot escape. 

  3. A Rusted Bicycle 
 I think that this represents  how sometimes she can work just fine like a bike, but sometimes when it gets rained on and forms rust, your not able to pedal as easy as it could of been before so I imagine Melinda is just like that. I can imagine this because sometimes she has her ups and downs like when she was struggling to tell someone of the traumatizing event that happened during the summer.I also think that this represents my reading because the book makes you feel bad for her, like I have personally never gone through as much as she has gone through but it makes you think how would you react if you, or I was in that situation?

  
 4. The main character from Wonder
I think that they both go through something difficult, August going through the tough time with his health and facial problems just like Melinda is going through her tough time with being hated and ignored (Its worse then how it sounds). They can relate and it helps represent what I'm reading because readers that have read Wonder will know what the difficulties that he goes though. 

 

 

New Ending To "The Lady or the Tiger"

     Every heart stopped beating, every breath was held, every eye was fixed immovably upon that man. Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right, and opened it. I shouldn't have done it. I shouldn't have tricked him. Why must I have been so selfish. I had known what would happen to him if anyone found out and yet I did it anyway. I can still imagine the gleaming girl in that dark cage waiting inside for her prince charming to swoop her away, off her feet. Yet when I look back at it, a silent tear rolls down my face, remembering the cold hard fact of what I had done and what went with it.

*Flash Back*

     I watch with horror as he finally pulls the door open and the beast springs out. I cant stop the tears that flow down my face as he is brutally killed in front of me and the whole crowd. Blood, that's all I could see when I here a mournful cry as they take away the tiger and reveal the beautiful maiden as she is running towards my lover. Tears streaming down her face thinking of what could have been.

*Flash Back Over*

     Back then we were both heart broken. Back then I wasn't thinking. She was able to move on and find her true prince charming. While I was still mourning. I never moved on. I sometimes ask my self if it was worth it. The question I ask my self every day, of every hour however, is why. Why could I have done something that horrible to any person at that, that only deserved the best out of life. That question I will never be able to find the answer, but I probably never will. 

*The End* 

7th Grade First Quarter Reflection

     During this first quarter of 7th grade I have achieved many things and learned many things. I have successfully made it through the quarter with just 1 B which I am very proud of. My most difficult classes I would say are math and Lit/La class. In Mrs. Larson's class i have learned many things such as annotating, the way to blog, objective summaries, and how to cite you work. I personally think in just this first quarter I have learned way more then I did in 6th grade.

     For my 40 book challenge so far I have read 1 book and I am half way on my 2nd book. Forty Books seems like a lot but I hope I can catch up in the new quarter so that I can achieve this goal. Both the books that I read and are currently reading are by the same author, Laurie Halse Anderson. Not to stray off topic but she is a very good author that expresses great word choice for her characters. For my 2nd book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson I am on page 164 so I am about over half way done with the book. 

     I have gotten way better with my blogs because I actually never had a blog. I think I am expressing myself more and it helps to sometimes let go of those feelings in writing. Currently I love to blog and I hope I can make one out of school so I could express my feelings a bit further. Mrs. Larson has done a great job teaching all of us and I hope to learn more things from her. I also love the was that she is not to strict with us but just enough to put us in our places to make sure we don't goof around.  

Weekly Blog 10/13/14 Characterization In My Current Book

     In the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson we are introduced to the main character Melinda, who has gone through a very traumatizing event. The first thing we see from Melinda is when she says at the very beginning of the book, "It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache." We can tell from this that she is scared or nervous to go to school.

     This helps with character development because the main character Melinda is feeling low of her self so that makes her attitude and her actions slow and gloomy. Melinda is the type of girl that would rather stay home and do nothing all day. She has so much guilt that she explains further more into the book. In the story her character develops from being okay, sad, to depressed, and even sadder if possible. She wonders through high school looking for someway to fit in when everyone around her doesn't even notice her. She looses many friends so it also effects her development. Her parents are also arguing all the time and its close to divorce. During the book I discovered that really all she wants is to be a kid again. For all her worries to go away.

     I could tell all this thought pages 1 to 144 because the author specifically tells you that just like any other kid, she wants to be normal. She can not do that because she did something that made everyone hate her. I can't spoil the book! After just reading half of the book I'm ready to say that I think she can not be happy anymore. She puts way to much time afraid someone or something will hurt her its got teachers, counselors and even her parents worried about her. This book could really affect your life just like it did mine. 

In the book on page 4 she wrote "I wasted the last weeks if August watching bad cartoons. I didn't go to the mall, the lake, or the pool, or answer the phone. I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with. I am an outcast." This helps me know that she is conflicted with not knowing anyone and that she is very conflicted with being here, I personally think that she doesn't want to be here for a greater reason.

Book Review (Wintergirls)

Book Review:

Wintergirls

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

     

     The book Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson shows how Lia struggles to over come her case of anorexia (is when a person has an eating disorder or does not like to gain weight, like they have a fear of it). Lia and her best friend Cassie have known each other since that they were kids. When Lia and Cassie start to play a dangerous and deadly game of who can be the skinniest. Times past and now that Cassie is dead her ghost is haunting Lia for not answering her phone when Cassie was calling Lia right before she dies. Watch as Lia tries to overcome Cassie and live with all the problems going on in her family. 


    I really enjoyed this book because it shows how even through you could be having a really hard time, there always a light at the tunnel for you to reach out to just like Lia does. This book really impacts my life because after all that Lia's been through it teaches me that life's not a game and you should never just quit even if you are sad or depressed. I would totally give this book a 10 because even though it took a bit to understand how Laurie Halse Anderson lays out her writing, it was also very hard to put down the book. I would have finished it sooner but with all the homework I get its very challenging to do so. Over this is one of my top 10 books and I hope ever one reads this book because it can change your life like it did to me. 

Banned Book Week Virtual Read Out

The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

Top 10 Book Challenge

1. Wonder By R.J. Palacio
         
     I love Wonder because it shows how we see through first person how August shows perseverance.  He shows how he went through 5th grade and even though there where times when he couldn't handle the name calling, the more hurtful words he still in the end made it through. I learned from this book to never judge a book by its cover but in case its never judge boy by his face. This impacted my life because it changed how I looked at people with disabilities and to not make fun of or laugh at people who are challenged with it.This is why I like this book, I can relate to this story because a kid from when I was in 4th grade had a disability in my class and no one made fun of him. If anything they helped him.

2. The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
    
     I really enjoyed The Hunger Games Series because it was a thrill and a great adventure to be able to read about what Katniss and Peta did in the 'Games'. There all really good summer books and when I was reading these I couldn't stop for the life of me. This influenced me because it taught me to go for what you believe in and do not think any of your ideas are not true. 

3. Skinjacker Trilogy by Neal Shusterman (Everlost, Everwild, and Everfound) 

     This book (Everlost) starts off the main characters Nick and Allie when they awake in a world where there not dead yet there not alive and accepting the fact that there "afterlights". Join both of them in there thrilling adventures as they both investigate this new world to both of them. I like these books because they are very interesting and in my opinion I like these types of books for me so when I found this I was so excited. These books impacted my life so much because it showed how they were so curious and wanted to explore the new world, just like I would hope to travel the world someday.

4. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
     
     This book starts off with Karana and her brother Ramo who are on a deserted island with their tribe. I really enjoyed this book because it showed how even through she was alone, she managed to survive and pull on. I first read this in 5th grade while in my reading group and I ended up reading ahead because I was so anxious to read the ending. This story has effected my life because it taught me to never give up just like Karana never did even when she was forced to live on the island by herself.

5. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
    
     The Giving Tree is a children's book and gives great advice. This book is about a little boy that meets a tree and becomes friends with it. The tree starts to love the boy and gives him everything that he asks for even if that means taking all that she has ... all to make him happy. I think this book can help teach people/kids a very important lesson, to never take advantage of anything. It could always end badly or you could come out sad and lonely just like the boy now a man felt at the ending of the book.

 
6. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett   

     This book is about a little girl called Sara that suffers through many problems/difficulties that no girl should go through. This book was one of the first books I read as a fifth grader and I couldn't tell you more how much I loved it. I guarantee that young 10 year old would love that book just like I did. This book affected be because it shows how even in the darkest moments, it can or could get brighter just like how Sara's life did. 

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth
    
     This book is about a young girl named Beatrice or later known as Tris turns out to be Divergent (or with many different groups she could belong in). Its then when she decides to go to Dauntless and her journey begins. I love reading this book because just like all the other books I have put so far, to me they are just so interesting I just can't keep the book down for long! I also enjoyed this book because I loved how The Hunger Games was so similar to it. I loved The Hunger Games Series so no doubt I loved this book as well. It affected me because the book shows that sometimes you are different and you have to accept it, don't think that its bad just because other people think it is.

8. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
     
     I love Charlotte's Web because shows how friendship is very strong and in wilbur case, very ... very strong. his book is about a young pig named Wilbur who makes friends with a spider named Charlotte. I think this book is very saddening yet heart warming at the same time. Things like this actually make me cry. This is another book I read as a fifth grader and it also was in my reading group as well. This affects me because I have friendships that go way back and I hope there real and will last just like Wilbur and Charlotte's.

 

9. The Host By Stephenie Meyer    

     The Host is very interesting in the fact that the theme/ story plot behind it is very intriguing. Also during this book love was a huge factor due to the fact that there were two girls in the same body that liked two different guys. I read this book last year and I saw the movie in theaters. Overall I enjoyed it. This book affected me because it showed how even in the same body, two different minds and bodies can learn to comprehend and work with each other.

 
10. Holes by Louis Sachar   

     This is one of my all time favorites due to the fact that it I enjoyed how they all went to a camp to dig holes. It starts out with a kid named Stanley is accused of stealing a pair of shoes that were for charity. He is then sent to a type of prison camp were they dig holes. I enjoyed this book because I have never been to a hole digging camp/prison thing but I could imagine that it would be real. This book impacted me because it shows how sometimes people get accused of doing something  they didn't, but still taking the consequences.