false 0 14 14 true 5704562 read 0 true 4861641 currently-reading 0 true 4861640 to-read <![CDATA[Social added 'Twilight']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72219584 to: Twilight (Twilight, #1) by Stephenie Meyer
by Anonymous Student

How we define monsters will determine how we define ourselves. Consider the past. Our villains were once Russian and now they're terrorists. At one time, minorities like African-Americans, played the roles of street thugs. Who we choose to target makes a big difference.

In reading Twightlight, it was interesting to see the take on the vampires. We see the enemy as somewhat bad, but still a little gray. Dehumanized but still a little human. The reader is confused, wondering if love can redeem someone who is essentially considered evil. The vampires in this book aren't night prowlers out sucking blood for the fun of it. Rather, they are mislabeled and misunderstood. Not inherently bad, but neither good.

More than that, though, the author lets us see how society creates the myths that surround a group. For example, in this series, the vampires rarely suck human blood. They also don't melt in the sun. Yet, society, because they do not know vampires, cannot understand them. That which you don't understand you villify. That which you villify you'll eventually want to destroy. Then you'll understand less, villify more and destroy more.

Sometimes I feel like a vampire. I'm not Gothic or Emo. I don't dress in black. But I'm misunderstood. People see me and judge me as a monster because I don't have papers. They call me an illegal alien. And that's the exact point. Alien. Foreigner. Misunderstood. They think I'm irresponsible and lazy, because of my age. They think I'm a sinner for who I am attracted to.

If tons of kids are going to read Twilight, I hope they get beyond the love story. Instead, I want them to see how we judge people. How we lob insults at them. How we alienate and judge them. I want them to see whether love can conquer misunderstanding and ignorance.
]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Lord of the Flies']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55913723 to: Lord of the Flies (Paperback) by William Golding
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'The Pearl']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53112134 to: The Pearl (Paperback) by John Steinbeck
by a student

I'm not such a great student. Reading never came easy to me, so I was suprised by how much I liked this book. The themes of money and imperialism made me think a lot about Mexico and what it means for an immigrant who thinks they have found a "pearl" when they come to America. Then, they lose their family. They find that this place is not what it was cracked up to be. ]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Incantation']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53112005 to: Incantation (Hardcover) by Alice Hoffman
by Stephany G

"Some people say, save yourself and save your life. I say, be yourself and save your soul." If one were to read this quote on would think of a wise man that had gone through many difficult situations, but this quote was of the lips of a young teenager, sixteen years of age to be exact. Incantation is one of the most intriguing yet realistic books in the market to date, showing the intensive life of many people during the period of Jewish hatred (1500).This book uses elements in literature that makes the readers seem like one is experiencing this as well with the main character. At the same time it provides history, life lessons, magical twists, which make it not only pleasing to the senses, but you practically can't lay eyes of it. I completely suggest everyone from young to elder to embark upon this expedition that will leave you in awe and open yours eyes to our world's reality.

Incantation purpose was to experience the truth behind the lives of hidden Jews and how a simple fact can change the lives of you and the people in your surroundings, which can reveal the truth about others. In the beginning of this tale Estrella believes she as a person knows who she is a daughter, granddaughter, sister, beloved. Her best friend since young infants had always been the person who cheered her gloomy days and were tighter than ever. After seeing a horrible turns of events in result of hatred, like the burning of sacred books it got her thinking of what her country has come to. Estrella finds that truth about her family and who she is, a hidden Jew. Since the dangerous situation of being a Jew has raised in Spain their family had hidden who they are from friends and her. She is told that her true name is actually Esther and the many things they practice is the Jewish tradition.In addition to that she is passionately in love with Andres (Catalina's cousin) yet she knows that their love is hopeless. As she is a Jew and she is not allowed to speak, eat a meal, let alone marry a Christian. Her best friend has always dreamed of the day when she marries Andres who unlike her father feels he will provide a better future. Once Catalina discovers their love she does the worst thing imaginable betrays her dear friend by turning her family in to the authorities. When her grandfather and Estrella begin to bond more than ever he gets taken away from his family members. Sadly he dies beaten to death and Estrella knows she now needs to escape to Amsterdam.During her journey with her grandmother and Andres she learns that her mother and brother were burned to death. She sees Catalina for the last time and can no longer see the friend she loved, all she saw was a human filled with jealousy and hatred. She is now looking upon the stars that she will never see again in hopes of remembering those of her native land. Being so close to Amsterdam she can now imagine her future life where she can calmly continue her traditions and she will later be the one to pass her knowledge by recalling her past experiences, and pleading to the other generation to remember her past.

This top quality book included character that you as the readers will never forget, the characters in this story were what made this book meaningful. The main character, Estrella (Esther) is very wise for her young age and is exposed to horrible things that help her grow as a human being. Abra, Estrella's mother, was more than a mother, but someone Estrella could always confide to and she was amazing beautiful in the inside and out, not to mention she created art with her hands. Louis, Estrella's brother, was very intelligent and spent most of his lifetime in a seminary studying to become a priest, which would of gained justice for her family and other Jews. Andres, the love of Estrella's life, was kind, humble, handsome, and the one who got Estrella and her mother through the difficult journey. Catalina, was Estrella's friend until her horrid betrayal and jealousy overthrew who she was and became a hard, cruel person. Grandfather, was a wise men cold at first towards Estrella, but later on sees her potential and helps her become educated, which was rare at the time. Grandmother, Estrella fearful towards her, but later on she is the only strand of hope that leaves her Grandmother alive. These character together, for the exception of Catalina, create a bond at the worst of times and although many family members dies there history lived on.

Incantation shows the side of a person who's life was changed for the Jewish hatred surrounding her. For a piece a literature to be meaningful and make complete significance it's preferred to speak of only one side of the subject. This book is bias towards the side of Jewish people who suffered plenty throughout their life time. In order to tell the story of a person who experienced predicaments in life it would be confusing if the author were to tell both sides of a topic such as this because it would seem as it wouldn't be such a large problem in life. In this case the bias used wasn't a the truth hidden from the public, but more of a simple improvement in this book. Bias is used in everyday life to support our opinion, but those biases can either be a lie to blind one from reality or a great element in literature.

This piece of literature in my opinion was like a time travel to the important events of history. Incantation includes the cruel punishments that Jews experienced in Spain. For one the other perspective of something similar to a Holocaust, but in Spain rather than Germany. It also informed the readers of the kind of sacrifices Jews had to make in order to pass their traditions and religion onto the future generation. Incantation compared to other books available shows the beliefs of a Jew and what the limitations to their religion that doesn't allow them much freedom or they are given the horrible penalty of death. Knowledge is life and Incantation particularly expands our knowing of history and common life in general. ]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Among the Free']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53111945 to: Among the Free (Shadow Children, Book 7) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
By Antonese

How is Among the Free like the Holocaust ? Can it become our future?

Stopped dead in your tracks as you hear the loud banging of the door followed by a horrible sound of scary men who call themselves population police. Once you hear that chills run down your spin as you go into hiding. At the same time you family is trying to erase any evidence that you were there. You crouch down in a small space in the dusty attic. So many thoughts are racing through you mind as you hope you don't get caught, you pray that they don't find you. At a long inspection they finally leave and you are free to come out of hiding.As horrible as that sounds this is a usual procedure for Margret Patterson Haddix's characters in her book Among the free ( from the series shadow children).

The Shadow Children series is a futuristic based book about a society where the government only allows two kids per family due to droughts and famines. In the book Luke Garners is a twelve year old boy has never experienced life outside of his house because he is a third child. Now after getting a fake ID and posing as Lee Grant he is going to risk his life to take down the population police. After reading this series question popped up in my mind. Is Among the free like the Holocaust? Could this eventually become our future?

Like the Holocaust , many people were killed in Among the free. Innocent people died because they were born 3rd. In the book they would hire what they call population police to get rid of (kill) 3rd children. Population police were so big they could have been considered an army. The Population Police were equivalent to the Nazi. They killed and controlled Innocents. That would mean the third children were equivalent to the Jewish back during the holocaust.Among the free is a very powerful book. In my opinion the whole series is addicting, but as good as it is what would it be like if it became reality? With the way things our going in America, I'm honestly afraid of our future. Droughts and famines were the reason for this incredibly insane law for less population. People got this crazy idea that third children were the reason. Although the population is getting bigger I don't see a better reason to destroy a human being.

Even with the crazy accusations of this fictional book, could people (presidents mainly) be inspired by this. Possibly even think is is a great idea?Could this possibly be our future? Could America be taken over in these preposterous thoughts? Could Among the free and another holocaust become our future? Could we those millions and lose our freedom? Just the thought scares me out of my wits. I guess we will just have to see what the future holds for us!

]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53111921 to: Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps (Paperback) by Andrea Warren
by Angela

In the book Surviving Hitler we basically learn the Story of Jack Mandelbaum a boy who starts the age of fourteen is send to a Nazi Work camp where he spends 4 years of his life.As you get more into the book you see how his life progresses in the horrible inserts of the Nazi Camps.I think this book is really down to earth and is something we can all relate to the lost of someone we love only in his case it is everyone he loves.This book is so comprehend-able you will feel as if you were there because of the great word choice the author Andrea Warren uses.While you are reading this book you will experience all sorts of emotions from sadness to happiness and excitement.
The book starts out in Gdynia Poland where Jack along side his father,mother,sister,and brother live in their nice apartment.Then it goes from there to many different caps where he is faced with some of the most harsh living conditions that any human being could go through.This book shows many of the things that the prisoners of these camps had put up with.I think this book is a very inspiring story that shows how nothing is impossible if there is faith,hope and a motive.I mean really if Jack could survive all of the things he survived I think the least he deserves is that his story is heard and is paid attention to because it is in stories like this that we learn what being human is and what is really important in our lives.After all Jack did start out with some of the things we all have a home, a family,and a normal, free life but he ended up with nothing.He didn't have his family, he didn't have his home, he didn't have his freedom, the only thing he had was his faith and his passion for life.

I think there is at least one thing every body can learn from this book wheter it is that all it sometimes takes is will, to how to look at the atrocities in the past and learn from them, because something like the holocaust could happen at any moment at any place all it would take would be someone who really hates a kind of race or religion to get other people to follow.I guess there are really no words to explain how much this book captivated me by the end of the book it was like if I had been there, I mean the imagery, the words, everything about this book makes it feel like if you were there seeing all of this.I feel like I know exactly what the Barracks look like just by reading about them in this book, the wooden sticks lined up in rows all over the wall supposedly set as beds or the nasty stew that was made with all the left over rotten things from the Officers stew.This are just some of the things you will learn about life in a Nazi work camp when you read this book.So if you are looking for a great motivating, exciting story read Surviving Hitler by Andrea Warren! ]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53111835 to: The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century (Hardcover) by Thomas L. Friedman
Overall, the book is good. It's interesting. It's helped us to understand globalization. However, it's a little too pro-globalization and fails to recognize the pull of geography. Also, it's been a little long for many of the students. ]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Private Peaceful']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53111790 to: Private Peaceful (Hardcover) by Michael Morpurgo
by Cesar

I am reading the book Private Peaceful for my intervention class. I am not yet finished reading it but it's a great book of a young boy growing up on the country side. It starts out that he is at the war and as every chapter passes he says something about the current moment and remembers his whole life for the rest of the chapter. His childhood just keeps going on and years pass until when he is recruited to the army. He remembers the days he has spent and the horrible battles he had fought. He has gone through many things but might have something big coming up.

Based upon what I've read so far, I have not yet been disappointed or bored. You are always reading and just wondering whats going to go on next. Also for me I had the anticipation for him to finally grow up and go to the war. He starts remembering his life from when he 1st goes to school until where he currently is. So the anticipation builds through his life to where he finally goes to the army.

I would recommend this book to just about anybody. It has a good solid story with all kinds of topics. If you are into the whole war thing like me it is good since it builds up to that moment. It has some somewhat love story kinda going on in this book. It also gets you wondering how it would have been to grow up back in the early 1900's. So I highly recommend this book since I don't necessarily like reading and I loved he book so if you got some time read this book.

]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Night']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53111690 to: Night by Elie Wiesel
Night is a story that the narrator is telling. He is telling how his life was as a teenager and it starts as most memoirs do with small stories from childhood. His religion was Jewish and he knew that there were many things that other people were accusing them as but he didn't care after all. But then there was one night that one of his friends Mosh had come back. He came back terrified and he was always telling stories of where he came and how scared he was. His stories were horrible but as bad as they were people didn't believe him so he started to give up and stop warning them of what happened. He would just weep instead.

Then one night came that his father was called and he was told that German soldiers were going to come and get all the Jews so He had to warn all the Jews to get their stuff ready. And in the neighbor hood that they lived in there were allot of Jews and They knew where they lived. Some Jews were Scared but others seemed like they didn't care. None of them knew where they were going or what to take with them. They didn't even know if they were going to come back. The next days there were German solders everywhere taking the Jews.

They were taking the Jews to concentration camps but they didn't know that. People couldn't fathom the horrors that stood in front of them. Once they got there they split the women from the men. They made them men do back-breaking work and they had to take of all their clothes and be like that in the cold. The Germans were so cruel to the Jews and they if they did something wrong they would sometime kill them.

So, at the half-way point, I am wondering who lives and who dies. I wonder if Eli (the narrarator and main character) will be reunited with his family. ]]> <![CDATA[Social added 'Fahrenheit 451']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/53111634 to: Fahrenheit 451 (Paperback) by Ray Bradbury
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