So I just finished reading this really good book about a girl who is an illegal immigrant just like the rest of her family. It made me think of many new ideas. It showed me how many people have so many different lives. Not everyone can always understand your story if they don't really get what that story is. They can't even talk to anyone about their problem. It's almost like they're barely surviving in a locked up cage. There's no way to get out without endangering themselves.
Nadira strikes me as a very strong character although her uncle just views her as a fat and lazy girl. Just because she doesn't always show how strong she is doesn't mean that she isn't strong inside. How can she even be strong if she has to watch out for every word that comes out of her mouth? For her, I think it feels like she's being watched every second of her life. And if she makes a single wrong move, her whole family could get deported. All her family can do is cling on to the hopes that they can just get their papers as soon as possible without any problems. With every hope comes problems. But not every problem comes with a solution.
There are some parts that I really feel are unfair. One part that stuck out to me was how people viewed Muslims after 9/11. It's like everything changed so fast after that one day. And I guess I can kind of feel how Nadira feels because I'm also Muslim and I don't really think I would be able to work with how hated I would be. It's like, she wants to find a way to fix the way of thinking that people have. But really, you can't do that. They are their own person. And if someone makes a suggestion for the better, it'll just go ignored and not cared for. Nadira feels that the idea of acceptance is very foreign to some. But she can't do anything to fix that way of thinking.
Her father was detained for months. How does it even feel to have your own father taken away from you? Nadira can't think of any way to try to save her dad. She has no control over what the laws that immigration police abide by. It's as if everything that has happened to her just happened without her control.
I thought this was a very deep and inspiring book. It really spoke to me. It shows a lot about a girl's life that has to be accepted whether she likes it or not. But now, she can decide which way she wants to take control of.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Maniac Magee
This is a book that I have read many times. It is one of the saddest books I've ever read as well. Maniac Magee is not a maniac. This is just what people labeled him because he runs around all the time and he is homeless. He has no parents because they died in a car accident.
I would feel horrible if I were in Maniac Magee's place. His real name is actually Jeffrey. So I would feel horrible because it's hard for me to imagine not having any parents. I'd feel so lonely all the time. There'd be no one to come home to. There would be no one to hug. No one to ask you how your day went. Parents are the people you trust from the moment you come into the world. So what happens when you lose them? You just feel even lonelier. Jeffrey has nothing to do but run away from his aunt and uncle.
Jeffrey becomes known as this Maniac because he runs around town by himself. This is what people do. They label you without trying to know who you really are. Yes, that's cliche. But a lot of things are only cliche because they are very important. People just assume things about you without actually ever talking to you. I don't know how you can even try to change that.
Sometimes you need to give people a chance to prove themselves. You need to not judge them based on appearance or just from what people say. Those things are all very superficial and don't take in account how that person really is on the inside. Small things like this hurt. And they affect what people think of themselves.
Jeffrey has had a very hard life. He doesn't deserve to be called a maniac. He doesn't deserve to have no parents. He doesn't deserve a lot of bad things that just happen to him. But he needs to find a way to overcome all these obstacles. No one said it would be easy though. It'll take time. Time and effort. And hope.
I would feel horrible if I were in Maniac Magee's place. His real name is actually Jeffrey. So I would feel horrible because it's hard for me to imagine not having any parents. I'd feel so lonely all the time. There'd be no one to come home to. There would be no one to hug. No one to ask you how your day went. Parents are the people you trust from the moment you come into the world. So what happens when you lose them? You just feel even lonelier. Jeffrey has nothing to do but run away from his aunt and uncle.
Jeffrey becomes known as this Maniac because he runs around town by himself. This is what people do. They label you without trying to know who you really are. Yes, that's cliche. But a lot of things are only cliche because they are very important. People just assume things about you without actually ever talking to you. I don't know how you can even try to change that.
Sometimes you need to give people a chance to prove themselves. You need to not judge them based on appearance or just from what people say. Those things are all very superficial and don't take in account how that person really is on the inside. Small things like this hurt. And they affect what people think of themselves.
Jeffrey has had a very hard life. He doesn't deserve to be called a maniac. He doesn't deserve to have no parents. He doesn't deserve a lot of bad things that just happen to him. But he needs to find a way to overcome all these obstacles. No one said it would be easy though. It'll take time. Time and effort. And hope.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Jacob Have I Loved
In this book, there are two twin sisters. Even though they are twins, they are very much different. Louise is the more tomboy-ish type and Caroline is the more feminine type. There are many things in this book that interest me. Two of which that are very important to me are how the twins' parents treat each daughter a different way. The other thing is how Call, a young childhood friend of theirs chooses to marry Caroline rather than Louise.
It really intrigues me how the parents of the two girls treat each daughter with a different manner. They give Caroline more opportunities to live her dream. They listen to her whenever she has anything to say. But when it comes to Louise's education they are more reluctant to take care of business. I can't imagine how Louise would feel. It's like, the worst feeling to have it seem like your parents love you sister more than you. It's not like Louise's parents hate her. They just feel as if she doesn't need all the opportunities that are given to Caroline. Just because she isn't as talented as Caroline doesn't mean that she can't go away to college. Everyone treats Caroline with delicate care because she is very talented, very pretty, and very naive. But everyone expects Louise to just do her own thing. They do not encourage her to pursue her dreams as she would please. All Louise wants is to get the same attention as Caroline. I feel like Louise feels like she has to consider her actions because people have created standards in which she must follow. She's the one always going fishing with her father and doing guy jobs while Caroline is the one wearing girly dresses and the one getting music lessons. At one point Louise was sick of having rough hands from all her hard work. All she desired were soft feminine hands like Caroline. How does it feel to have your parents give your sister more attention than you? Louise has never had anyone give her attention. She says that only when she was born before her twin that she got only a few minutes worth of attention. After that, it was all about Caroline.
It makes me so angry to think that Call chose Caroline over Louise. He chose to marry Caroline instead of Louise. After all the times that Louise and Call spent together throughout their childhood and more after that, how could he choose Caroline? They hardly ever even talked. It frustrates me a lot because it's as if people just forget about others so easily. You can't do something as preposterous as that if you truly cared about that person. He didn't do the right thing by choosing Caroline. Just because she is a little bit more successful than Louise doesn't mean she is better than Louise. If Louise had the chance to be successful, then she would have gone above and beyond what was expected. But she never even go that kind of attention. She never got the chance to prove herself to others.
I would never want to be in Louise's place. But then again, I would never want to wish this kind of problem upon someone either. Louise is a really good person. If only she was given the chance to show that she would have been even better than Caroline. Caroline doesn't deserve to always be the better daughter. Louise actually helps the family by making money. But Caroline? All she does is live her life from the money that is not even hers.
It really intrigues me how the parents of the two girls treat each daughter with a different manner. They give Caroline more opportunities to live her dream. They listen to her whenever she has anything to say. But when it comes to Louise's education they are more reluctant to take care of business. I can't imagine how Louise would feel. It's like, the worst feeling to have it seem like your parents love you sister more than you. It's not like Louise's parents hate her. They just feel as if she doesn't need all the opportunities that are given to Caroline. Just because she isn't as talented as Caroline doesn't mean that she can't go away to college. Everyone treats Caroline with delicate care because she is very talented, very pretty, and very naive. But everyone expects Louise to just do her own thing. They do not encourage her to pursue her dreams as she would please. All Louise wants is to get the same attention as Caroline. I feel like Louise feels like she has to consider her actions because people have created standards in which she must follow. She's the one always going fishing with her father and doing guy jobs while Caroline is the one wearing girly dresses and the one getting music lessons. At one point Louise was sick of having rough hands from all her hard work. All she desired were soft feminine hands like Caroline. How does it feel to have your parents give your sister more attention than you? Louise has never had anyone give her attention. She says that only when she was born before her twin that she got only a few minutes worth of attention. After that, it was all about Caroline.
It makes me so angry to think that Call chose Caroline over Louise. He chose to marry Caroline instead of Louise. After all the times that Louise and Call spent together throughout their childhood and more after that, how could he choose Caroline? They hardly ever even talked. It frustrates me a lot because it's as if people just forget about others so easily. You can't do something as preposterous as that if you truly cared about that person. He didn't do the right thing by choosing Caroline. Just because she is a little bit more successful than Louise doesn't mean she is better than Louise. If Louise had the chance to be successful, then she would have gone above and beyond what was expected. But she never even go that kind of attention. She never got the chance to prove herself to others.
I would never want to be in Louise's place. But then again, I would never want to wish this kind of problem upon someone either. Louise is a really good person. If only she was given the chance to show that she would have been even better than Caroline. Caroline doesn't deserve to always be the better daughter. Louise actually helps the family by making money. But Caroline? All she does is live her life from the money that is not even hers.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Hunger Games
This book really spoke to me. I think that it is a beautiful book and the way that it capture's a reader's attention is amazing. So many things are going on in this book. There's the relationship between Gale and Katniss. Then there's the bloody Games in the arena. And then there's the fact that Katniss is willing to show everyone how she is not afraid to rebel because everything that the Gamekeepers do is not fair.
The relationship between Gale and Katniss strikes me as promising. But there are so many things that stop them from showing each other how they really feel about each other. Like how the Capitol is watching their every move. I wish they could just let all their affection pour out. I don't even know how I would feel if someone was watching me every minute of the day just so I don't do anything that would displease the people of the Capitol. I feel that there is a limit to where Gale and Katniss's relationship can reach. If they go beyond that limit, their lives and the lives of their loved ones will be threatened. How can a person live under those circumstances? How can you even love someone under so much surveillance? I can understand how hard it must be for Gale and Katniss even though they both already know deep down the amount of love they have for each other.
I have no clue what the Gamekeepers are thinking when they set up the Hunger Games in the arena. It's just hard to imagine people finding entertainment in watching innocent people lose their sanity, and even worse, get killed. They wouldn't be laughing if they were the ones being thrown into a deathtrap. Just thinking about it makes you shudder. A tribute for the Hunger Games must need to have so much courage in order to face the challenges of the arena and the people out to kill them. But sometimes, it's hard to find that courage when you're about to get killed. I don't think there is any way to put a good spin on the idea of losing your life just because you were chosen by some lottery. Even kids have to go and compete to stay alive. When I'm reading about how resourceful most of the tributes are, it makes me think about myself in that situation. I can't imagine myself being in that situation. I feel like if I were in Katniss's place, I would die faster than you could say murder. It's not right for someone to choose when you die. No one should have to fight for their life.
I feel that since Katniss tries to rebel against the Capitol and the Gamekeepers, it shows how they can't stay in charge forever. People are not in favor of watching others die. If more and more people rebel against those in charge who are making these decisions, then eventually they will have to give up with the Hunger Games. Change will only come if you show that you can be in power too. That your thought counts as well when it comes to the lives of innocent people all around you. Nobody wants to see their loved one going into a place where they are getting ready to, basically, die.
I truly enjoyed this book and I'm continuing the series. It shows how evil people can be when they have the power to do whatever. How they can make really bad decisions where they don't think of anyone else but themselves.
The relationship between Gale and Katniss strikes me as promising. But there are so many things that stop them from showing each other how they really feel about each other. Like how the Capitol is watching their every move. I wish they could just let all their affection pour out. I don't even know how I would feel if someone was watching me every minute of the day just so I don't do anything that would displease the people of the Capitol. I feel that there is a limit to where Gale and Katniss's relationship can reach. If they go beyond that limit, their lives and the lives of their loved ones will be threatened. How can a person live under those circumstances? How can you even love someone under so much surveillance? I can understand how hard it must be for Gale and Katniss even though they both already know deep down the amount of love they have for each other.
I have no clue what the Gamekeepers are thinking when they set up the Hunger Games in the arena. It's just hard to imagine people finding entertainment in watching innocent people lose their sanity, and even worse, get killed. They wouldn't be laughing if they were the ones being thrown into a deathtrap. Just thinking about it makes you shudder. A tribute for the Hunger Games must need to have so much courage in order to face the challenges of the arena and the people out to kill them. But sometimes, it's hard to find that courage when you're about to get killed. I don't think there is any way to put a good spin on the idea of losing your life just because you were chosen by some lottery. Even kids have to go and compete to stay alive. When I'm reading about how resourceful most of the tributes are, it makes me think about myself in that situation. I can't imagine myself being in that situation. I feel like if I were in Katniss's place, I would die faster than you could say murder. It's not right for someone to choose when you die. No one should have to fight for their life.
I feel that since Katniss tries to rebel against the Capitol and the Gamekeepers, it shows how they can't stay in charge forever. People are not in favor of watching others die. If more and more people rebel against those in charge who are making these decisions, then eventually they will have to give up with the Hunger Games. Change will only come if you show that you can be in power too. That your thought counts as well when it comes to the lives of innocent people all around you. Nobody wants to see their loved one going into a place where they are getting ready to, basically, die.
I truly enjoyed this book and I'm continuing the series. It shows how evil people can be when they have the power to do whatever. How they can make really bad decisions where they don't think of anyone else but themselves.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Daughters Break the Rules
I find this book very fascinating. It really magnifies the problems of a girl who has this very busy dad, who is, by the way, one of the richest people in the world. He has no time for her. Ever.
I think that family is so very important for a person. Carina never really expects much from her dad. She's learned that he doesn't really have the time for her. It really bugs me that he can't even set aside a little bit of time to spend some quality time with his daughter. After all, she is the only kid he has. He even fought for custody over her. What's the point of having her under his custody if he doesn't even have the time of day to ask her how she's doing in school?
Maybe it isn't his fault that he doesn't have any time for her. Maybe he just has so much work to do that he has no free time. Bu that's not an excuse. Or maybe he does lover her. He just isn't the type of person to show his love. Maybe he doesn't even know HOW to show his love. But it's just not right. Whenever him and Carina go on a trip, or vacation, he always ends up leaving for a business trip or an emergency meeting.
What really makes me mad is that he feels that money is the answer to everything. He has let money overcome the love and affection that his daughter needs. He actually thinks that just because he gives Carina money and lets her buy anything she wants that he's being a good father. Like, what are you tying to do? He said "Haven't I been a good father to you? I've payed all your credit card bills." That doesn't do anything. Money just blinds you.
You cannot let money change the course of your love for your daughter. A kid deserves some attention and affection from their parent. A thousand dollar dress will never be as valuable as the love of a parent.
I think that family is so very important for a person. Carina never really expects much from her dad. She's learned that he doesn't really have the time for her. It really bugs me that he can't even set aside a little bit of time to spend some quality time with his daughter. After all, she is the only kid he has. He even fought for custody over her. What's the point of having her under his custody if he doesn't even have the time of day to ask her how she's doing in school?
Maybe it isn't his fault that he doesn't have any time for her. Maybe he just has so much work to do that he has no free time. Bu that's not an excuse. Or maybe he does lover her. He just isn't the type of person to show his love. Maybe he doesn't even know HOW to show his love. But it's just not right. Whenever him and Carina go on a trip, or vacation, he always ends up leaving for a business trip or an emergency meeting.
What really makes me mad is that he feels that money is the answer to everything. He has let money overcome the love and affection that his daughter needs. He actually thinks that just because he gives Carina money and lets her buy anything she wants that he's being a good father. Like, what are you tying to do? He said "Haven't I been a good father to you? I've payed all your credit card bills." That doesn't do anything. Money just blinds you.
You cannot let money change the course of your love for your daughter. A kid deserves some attention and affection from their parent. A thousand dollar dress will never be as valuable as the love of a parent.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Model
The book I am reading right now is called Model. This book really shows all the things that new models have to go through. There's the good and then, as usual, there's the bad.
I feel that Cheryl is enjoying all this because she is now a MODEL. It's like a step towards being famous and known all over the world. But then you have to think about all the criticism these models receive and then it's not all fun and games and look beautiful. You have to work really hard in order to impress all those who made your dream come true for you.
I think it's like that with all careers. You can't just expect everything to be laid out for you in life. You have to go searching for what you love to do. You have to work at it. This is what makes people strong. If everything was already laid out for people, then they would all turn out lazy.
Cheryl is ready to work her butt of for this modeling career but she realizes that things aren't going to be easy. If I were her, I would be nervous about doing photo shoots and fashion shows. But that's the difference between her and others, she's not afraid to do what she loves.
Cheryl is the strongest character in the book. She can really shine. You need to be strong in order to succeed. You can't just let other people trample. you because you should just keep in mind that it's your dream. It's your goal.
I feel that Cheryl is enjoying all this because she is now a MODEL. It's like a step towards being famous and known all over the world. But then you have to think about all the criticism these models receive and then it's not all fun and games and look beautiful. You have to work really hard in order to impress all those who made your dream come true for you.
I think it's like that with all careers. You can't just expect everything to be laid out for you in life. You have to go searching for what you love to do. You have to work at it. This is what makes people strong. If everything was already laid out for people, then they would all turn out lazy.
Cheryl is ready to work her butt of for this modeling career but she realizes that things aren't going to be easy. If I were her, I would be nervous about doing photo shoots and fashion shows. But that's the difference between her and others, she's not afraid to do what she loves.
Cheryl is the strongest character in the book. She can really shine. You need to be strong in order to succeed. You can't just let other people trample. you because you should just keep in mind that it's your dream. It's your goal.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Alex's Blog! http://alexstutt5.blogspot.com/2011/12/girl-in-translation-appreciation.html
I thought that this piece was very beautifully crafted, as are her other posts. But this one stood out to me the most partially because it was so fantastic/elaborate and partially because this is on my most favorite book in the world.
I have read this book before and I just fell in love with with. I agree with Alex when she talks about how hard it is for Kim to sort of lead a double life. I also wish she could have both Matt AND go to college. But in life, there's always that one situation where you just have to make a choice based on what is important to you. Yes, Matt is important to Kim, but college is the key to the layout of her whole life. But there will always be those pangs of regret when Kim thinks about Matt and how she could have led a wonderful life with him.
Alex talks about how you should consider others when you're choosing which direction in life you will go. For example, she talks about how Kim really doesn't want to leave Matt for college, but college is the only way she can help her mother rise out of all the hardworking and suffering. Choosing college is her way of saying that she is not a stupid immigrant. That she can do more than is expected of her. I think that is very important because in life, people always feel that they must go above what others expect of them to prove that they can do it. To prove that they are trying to make the best of whatever their situation is. To prove that they don't give up.
I'm thinking about how immigrants can be taken advantage of in many ways, even by people who are close to you. Like Kim's aunt. She would always act as if she actually wanted the best for Kim and her mom, but all along, all she did was make things worse for them. You just, you can't do that. How much hurt do you want to cause for someone so innocent? Why? What would be in it for you?
I feel that the way that Alex's blog is set up is very reasonable. The way each paragraph almost fits into each other like a puzzle is pretty organized. All in all, I feel that Alex did an amazing job with this post. Keep it up!
I thought that this piece was very beautifully crafted, as are her other posts. But this one stood out to me the most partially because it was so fantastic/elaborate and partially because this is on my most favorite book in the world.
I have read this book before and I just fell in love with with. I agree with Alex when she talks about how hard it is for Kim to sort of lead a double life. I also wish she could have both Matt AND go to college. But in life, there's always that one situation where you just have to make a choice based on what is important to you. Yes, Matt is important to Kim, but college is the key to the layout of her whole life. But there will always be those pangs of regret when Kim thinks about Matt and how she could have led a wonderful life with him.
Alex talks about how you should consider others when you're choosing which direction in life you will go. For example, she talks about how Kim really doesn't want to leave Matt for college, but college is the only way she can help her mother rise out of all the hardworking and suffering. Choosing college is her way of saying that she is not a stupid immigrant. That she can do more than is expected of her. I think that is very important because in life, people always feel that they must go above what others expect of them to prove that they can do it. To prove that they are trying to make the best of whatever their situation is. To prove that they don't give up.
I'm thinking about how immigrants can be taken advantage of in many ways, even by people who are close to you. Like Kim's aunt. She would always act as if she actually wanted the best for Kim and her mom, but all along, all she did was make things worse for them. You just, you can't do that. How much hurt do you want to cause for someone so innocent? Why? What would be in it for you?
I feel that the way that Alex's blog is set up is very reasonable. The way each paragraph almost fits into each other like a puzzle is pretty organized. All in all, I feel that Alex did an amazing job with this post. Keep it up!
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