Nonfiction Reading Response

"Some teenagers think that speaking up [for] women's rights or human rights is not their job to do. They usually consider themselves as people who have fun [and] take selfies, but I think it's important that teenagers take active roles in speaking up against injustice and inequality," states Malala Yousafzai from the article "Malala's Mission" by Alessandra Potenza. This article talks about how 15-year-old Malala, fights for the right of education for girls.  She talks about how the Taliban took over Swat Valley, where Malala lived. The Taliban then imposed harsh interpretation of Islamic law, banning TV, music, and girl's education. Although, Malala had refused.

The author of the text, Alessandra Potenza talks about Malala's life and what had led to her fighting back in the first part of the article. It then mentions what had happened after Malala has gotten shot. It states that "Malala now 17, survived the attack, and she and her family fled to England" after this incident happened.

The author then asked Malala questions. One question that she asked was "What would you say to the members of the Taliban who tried to kill you?" and Malala replied "I always say [of] the Taliban that my campaign is not just to speak against them, but my campaign is for education, which definitely goes against their views" and more. This shows that Malala doesn't want revenge, but she is still going to fight for what she believes in such as girl's education

Overall this article shows Malala's story and how it came to be. It was very inspiring, yet educational and interesting. It had a meaning to it, which was to fight to what you think is right, no matter what your age is.  In my opinion, I think that Malala does have a point about that message.  We should fight for what we believe in, no matter what age we are, because we have rights and opinions jsut like everyone else does and we shouldn't let people step on us. In the end, I think that this is a very important article and everyone can learn from reading it.

Looking For Alaska Reading Response

Some people don't make friends easily. Others find friends that are exactly like them, but the best friends are the ones that you never would have expected to become friends with.  In the book, "Looking For Alaska" by John Green, it talks about how weird it is to meet people that aren't at all like you, but somehow become friends with you.  Some people have gotten this book banned because they find it inappropriate since it has explicit content such as sex, alcohol and smoking. However, this is really not the focus of the book and it shows kids what the real world is like along with things that are considered right and wrong. The main focus of the book is that life is hard, but you have to enjoy the best of it. I think that this book should not be banned because of those reasons. The book also shows how the characters in the book have rough lives and use cigarettes as a way to block the negative parts of their lives out, such as Miles, Alaska and The Colonel.

One example, is that The Colonel seems to like to smoke, especially when he starts to talk about his life. He always asks for a cigarette when he talks about himself and his mother being poor.  He doesn't seem very emotional when he talks about it.  I think he uses it for comfort. One example is when he talks to Miles about his life and says, " I hate rich people" and then asks for a cigarette afterwards which shows that he uses tobacco to drown his sorrows in.

Another example is when Alaska is talking to Miles about smoking. She then talks to Miles and says, "I don't smoke for fun, I smoke to die" which is very sad.  She is basically saying she intentionally smokes so she will die as soon as she can. This shows that Alaska not only uses tobacco to block away her depressing past, but to try to get rid of her pain and suffering by killing herself.

THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH SPOILS FOR READERS WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK! READ WITH CAUTION!

The last example is when Alaska has already died and Mile's becomes depressed and feels like giving up. He then uses smoking to make himself feel better. When he is smoking alone, he says to himself, "You can't just make me different and leave, because I was fine before, Alaska. I was fine with just me and last words and school friends, and you can't just make me different and die."  This shows that Miles is again using smoking to get rid of or to hide his pain, even though it does not work.

In the end, Miles, Alaska and The Colonel all just use smoking to block the pain away. Sometimes this works, though most of the time it doesn't. Sometimes it can just make it worse. I think that teens in the real world try to use drugs and alcohol and especially smoking in this situation and other bad things as well, just to help get rid of the all the bad things in life, but they can also get rid of the good things in life which is more important then trying to get rid of the bad things in life. So I think that teens need to help find other ways to help themselves look for ways to cope with good and bad things and to figure out where they belong in life...without smoking. It's just part of living that things are both good and bad and nothing is perfect, which is why this book should not be banned.

Sources of Light Reading Response II

In the book, Sources of Light, I noticed that there are six character Archetypes.  Star-crossed Lovers, Mother figure, Mentor, Trickster, Scapegoat and the Shapeshifter.  The Star-crossed lovers are Samantha and Stone, the Mother figure is Samantha's mother, the Mentor is Perry, the Trickster is Samantha's grandmother, the Scapegoat(s) are African-Americans, and lastly, the Shapeshifter is Willa Mae.

The Star-crossed Lovers are Samantha and Stone because Samantha is poor while Stone is rich.  Neither of their parents really accepts their love for each other although they really do love each other.  There is one part of the book where Samantha is about to kiss Stone, but then is stopped by her mother when they are at the school dance.

The Mother figure is Samantha's mother because she teaches Sam what is right and what is wrong.  She really gives her opinion to Sam.  She also gives Sam a lot of advice and tips.  One example is when she says to Sam that what most white people do to black people is wrong and it's not about what they look like, but who they are as a person. However, I can understand that she is best at being a Mother figure because she is always there for Sam who does not always make mature decisions.

The Mentor is Perry because he gives Sam the camera that she then uses to inspire her. She then does so many things that are new to her all because of that camera and him.  One example is when Samantha did a project on the "Essence of Louisiana" and she gets a poor grade even though she deserved to get a higher score.  Perry then tells her, "That teacher doesn't know what she is talking about.  Who is she to even be a teacher with her kind of opinion?”

The Trickster is Samantha's grandmother because she is very funny and is a silly lady. She makes everyone laugh and smile.  A tease she says about the KKK is, "What idiot decided to take a white blanket and poke two holes through it, that's a ghost not a racist group uniform."

The Scapegoat(s) are African-Americans because they are not treated equal and are definitely mistreated.  They are always accused and blamed, even for things that they clearly did not do.  One part in the book is when some black people go into a diner and are eating, but it is not what they call a colored diner (it's strictly for white people only).  A few white men come in and start a fight and one man takes salt and pours it right on a black woman's head.  The lady just kept on ignoring him and pretended that he wasn't pouring salt on her.

The Shapeshifter is Willa Mae because she changes from a shy, quiet, but independent woman to a very outgoing, brave, strong woman when she needs to be. For example, she talks back to a white woman about how she is not going to be treated like a slave, but then becomes quiet when the authorities arrive.

In conclusion, these are the character Archetypes I have noticed in the story.  I think that these characters fit perfectly with the Archetype that they are.  Together they all work to make the entire story interesting and believable.

Sources of Light Reading Response

In the book, Sources of Light, by Margaret McMullan,  the main character, a young girl, Samantha, moves to a new town with her Mom soon after her Dad died. Her Mom's new friend, Perry gives her a camera of his to capture the essence of Louisiana. Samantha does so, but then begins to face many problems such as racism, popularity, and poverty along with losing her dad. Samantha changes from being an outcast to then being very popular in school and then being a very unliked person.
 

In one part of the book, Samantha talks about this really shy, poor girl and starts to bully her in many ways, even though Samantha is poor herself and just hasn't told anyone. Samantha then finds out that girl almost killed herself and stopped attending the school. Samantha then starts to realize that she has changed much and isn't being her true self.
 

In another part of the book, Samantha tells her friends that she hates her black maid (even though she really likes her maid) and tells them how she doesn't do any work and has no respect and loyalty that she should have towards white people. Samantha regrets that she said that, but of course she can't take it back. Soon after, when Samantha has her friends over her house, they talk about it and Willa Mae (the maid) overhears them and gets offended and doesn't talk to Samantha anymore. Samantha then is really sad and furious with herself for saying all those mean things about Willa Mae.
 

Lastly, there is a part in the book where Samantha has a huge fight with her Mom about why they are so poor and how she wishes her Dad was there. Samantha says that she hates her Mom and hates her life and is being very ungrateful in that part. Samantha and her Mom make up afterwards and do talk to each other about how they miss her dad. They also talk about how they each could be better in some areas of their lives.  Samantha then soon becomes more herself again and is no longer popular, but that does not matter to her anymore.
 

Overall, Samantha did change and became a very unliked person. She was very mean and ungrateful, as well as disrespectful and a bully. However, inside, she never liked what she did and she only did it to get more attention from everyone. Samantha then became herself again and more like the person she used to be and she starts taking pictures again. She apologizes to the girl she bullied and Willa Mae. She learns to love her life and decides that she wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

The Catcher In The Rye Summer Reading Response

In the book, The Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden Caulfield, has just found out that he has failed his semester in college which means that he will be kicked out of the school once it is over. Knowing this, Holden goes to New York City to have a good time until his parents receive his letter on the upcoming Wednesday saying that he will no longer be attending school.

Holden is a very odd, but interesting character.  I believe that something was bothering Holden throughout the entire story, although I never knew exactly what it was.  I just knew that there was something bothering him. Holden does some pretty weird stuff and makes stupid decisions.  I think that Holden just wants the good side of life and is trying to ignore the bad side.

One part of the book that shows that Holden wants the good side of life is when Holden takes the elevator to his suite in the hotel and the elevator guy Maurice offers him to spend time with a prostitute. Once she comes to his suite, Holden doesn't want to do anything except talk. Once she finally agrees to just talk, Holden starts asking her a personal question like where she is from. He wants to get to know her and her life and not do anything else, but he still pays her. I did find that kind of nice and it shows that he wears his heart on his sleeve. Sadly, he gets the bad part of life because even though he paid her, he didn't pay her the price she was claiming it cost to be with her. Maurice had lied and said to Holden that it was five bucks to be with her even thought it was ten. She leaves and then comes back moments later with Maurice who beats up Holden while Sunny the prostitute gets another 5 dollars.

Another part of the story that shows that Holden wants the good side of life is when he is on his date with Sally. Sally is a girl that Holden has known for quite a while. Towards the end of the date when Sally and Holden are having drinks, Holden starts to talk crazy to Sally about how he wants to run away with her to go live in a cabin in the beautiful outdoors and forget about how bad the real outside world is. Of course, Sally says that's crazy. Holden then says shes a pain in the butt. She gets mad and leaves him.

Lastly, towards the end of the book, Holden decides to sneak into his parents apartment and goes to see his little sister Pheobe. Once he arrives, he quietly goes to his sister's room and wakes her up. Once she awakes, she gives Holden a hug. They ask each other questions and have a huge conversation with each other. Holden mentions while talking with her that he pictures himself in a dream of his about how there are a thousand little kids playing in a big field of rye and there are no teenagers or adults besides himself. If any kids go towards the cliff where they can get killed, or fatally injured, he catches them before they fall. That is all he wants to do with his life.  He wants to be the catcher in the rye. He admits its crazy, but he wants it to be real. While I find it crazy myself, I also think it's nice and heroic.

Overall, this is what I had been talkng about earlier. Holden wants only the good side of life and not the bad side. Realistically, most of us know that's not how life goes. You need the bad side or else you won't know what is the good side of life. This book was different than most I have read because it was very quirky. At first, I did not think I would like the book, but the more I read, I started to enjoy and love the book. This was one of the best and all time favorite books I have yet read. I loved it!