The Hunger Games (Catching Fire)

Question 5.

The main character, Katniss is very brave, and independent. She puts her family as her first priority, and she's the one who takes care of her mother and sister. Katniss would risk her own life for them, in order to keep them safe. Her hobby is hunting, as her talent is shooting arrows. Being in the woods is the happiest she would ever be. I am very unlike her because I'm not brave at all, and probably wouldn't do all the things she did for her family. She's close to them, and I'm not. I dislike being in the woods, because I don't really like nature (like forests, mountains etc.). I am independent though, like Katniss, but definitely not compatible with her because I wouldn't know how to hunt for food. It's really interesting to read about her because she's so humble, and smart. I envy her.

Collins, Suzanne. "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." Scholastic, Inc: London. 2009. Print.

Rating: 5/5

- Read the whole novel

New words: abyss, inevitable

abyss - immeasurable space

inevitable - sure to occur

Thirteen Reasons why

Question 14.

I don't like the character, Hannah Baker. She suicided and made tapes for the people who caused her death/why she suicided, and I think the reasons are really stupid, and pointless. For example, one of the reasons is because a boy was rude to her. And he was "one of the reasons."

Asher, Jay. "Thirteen Reasons Why." Penguin Group: New York. 2010. Print.

The Hunger Games

What ideas or issues are explored? What is your opinion about the issues?

Poverty and world hunger/starvation were the major issues that were explored by Suzanne Collins. Two people from each district are chosen to enter a reality TV show where they basically kill each other, and the last one/two who survives will be awarded in their district, like receiving food and supplies they need. Katniss lives in a very poor district, where a lot of people go to sleep with an empty stomach. She brings food to the table by going hunting, and she has to sell what she hunts or trade for bread/other supplies. Her childhood has been taken away from her because she spends her life hunting, and trying to survive, taking care of her sister and mother. I think that it's very inspiring how Katniss, a teenager is able to do so much, she keeps her family living and she is so talented in hunting/using bows and arrows. It's very impressive and she must be a very strong young woman to be living in poverty, yet still alive.

Collins, Suzanne. Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press. 2008. Print.

L.A. Candy

How is this text similar or different to other things you have read?

This text is very similar to a lot of other books that I read when I was a few years younger, as the language is easy, and it's a very girly book. What was different is the plot, I have never read a book about girls getting discovered and their experiences of being a reality TV star. It is written by a real reality TV star herself, which I find to be very interesting.

L.A. Candy. Lauren Conrad. United States of America. HarperCollins. 2009.

Interpersonal Relations. Bookstore.

Rating: 1.5/5

- Read entire novel

- New words:

Inevitable - Situation that is unavoidable

Ambushed - Act of lying in wait to attack by surprise.

Winsconsin Gunman Shoots Himself after Standoff

12. What is an exciting or horrifying or sad or funny part of what you have read?

I think what was horrifying about this article was how Sam (the guy with the gun) acted all normal at times, and then suddenly he would shoot something, scaring everyone again. The fact that the people in the classroom were able to chat and everything while Sam has a gun in his hand was odd, and like the writer said, it was a mystery how he had no reason at all to threaten his classmates, he had no alcohol/drug use, and no suicide note, so it's interesting why he did what he did.

- Read the whole article

- Rating: 3/5

- Magazine Article

Bianchi, Jane. "Wisconsin Guman Shoots Himself After Standoff." Seventeen. October 2011: 152.

THE LOVELY BONES by ALICE SEBOLD

Question 1:

The opening of the book is odd, it's not like any other books. It's an introduction of the main character, her name, birthplace, age, and the fact that she was murdered, and missing. Even though the introduction is so simple, it's effective, because it's kind of creepy, but attention grabbing because it's mysterious. She goes on about her life before she died, her hobbies, and everything. This was a dead person narrating, which is very different and interesting.

THE LOVELY BONES by ALICE SEBOLD

Question 1:

The opening of the book is odd, it's not like any other books. It's an introduction of the main character, her name, birthplace, age, and the fact that she was murdered, and missing. Even though the introduction is so simple, it's effective, because it's kind of creepy, but attention grabbing because it's mysterious. She goes on about her life before she died, her hobbies, and everything.