Character Connections between books

This year, I have read many books that are inter-related. They are either similar because they have the same genre, the same story line, or have the same character roles. I thought the characters in the books Crank by Ellen Hopkins and the book Things Change by Patrick Jones have similar character roles. In Crank, the main character was Kristina. Kristina eventually changes into this new person named Bree. She used to me a perfect girl who got the perfect grades, and who made her parents proud. But, when she got involved in the "crank" and a new group of people, her life changed and she could not control it. In Things Change, it talks about this girl named Johanna and how her life changes when she meets Paul. Before she met him, she got straight As, she respected her parents, and had a close relationship with her friend. But when got in a relationship with Paul, her main focus was to make him happy. And if she didn't she would get in trouble by him. In both books, people and certain things are what impacts the main character's life to change. People are the ones that influence Johanna and Kristina to act differently, which is outside there comfort zone. The main theme in both books is "change" and how character transform and develop from entirely different. In the beginning, they are innocent and towards the end, they are evil and dishonest. Also, both novels helps people to deal and understand life. They are fictionalized books. The main connection is that the outside world is a big target that can change one's mind.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold Entry #1

I just started reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold this week. It is a fantasy book. It is about a fourteen- year-old girl named Susie Salmon and she is in heaven. As she looks down at this new strange place, she tells the story of her past life and her death. After her death, she watches how her life goes without her. She sees her school friends spreading rumors of her disappearance, her family hoping that she will be found, and her killer covering up his tracks. In the beginning, Susie explains how her death started. The murderer was Mr. Harvey, a neighbor. He tricked her to come into his cornfield. Then he raped her and she died. It was not that clear of her death. But after death, her family found one of her elbows and some of her school papers. Later, as months pass without finding her, her parents marriage started falling apart, her sister started becoming a stronger person and her baby brother started understanding the meaning of "gone". Through her time in heaven, she discovers that it is just like her school. She starts to meet new friends and counselors. Whenever she wants something, it will be there. But, the thing Susie really wants is to go back to Earth with the people she loves. As time passes by, her father started a risky quest to find the murderer. This is mostly the plot of the story.

I really like reading the book. It is different from most stories because it has a different story plot and it has a different genre that I usually do not read. So, reading fantasy helps me experience a new reading style. It is very interesting how it is a mystery to find the murderer. I can't wait to read more and tell you more in the next blog.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Entry #2

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls was an amazing book. It was one of the greatest memoirs that I have read so far. This story is very moving and emotional. It tells the story of how a family who is poor tries to raise their children. This book is written through the perspective of Jeannette, who is one of the children of Rex and Rose Mary Walls (parents). So, Jeannette has four siblings. One child actually died at birth. But, later on in the story they get another child. The story is basically about how the family runs away from place to place like nomads so that they don't have to pay their bills. So, the children don't go to school because their parents teach them everything. But one day, their money runs out, and they wander their way to West Virginia, a mining town. And Rex Walls, the father does everything he can to escape. So he starts drinking. Then he steals money from the grocery story and disappears for days. As their family escalates, Jeannette has to find a way to support her siblings and find a place a place to stay.

The story is interesting and definitely sad because it shows how their parents don't really show much love for their children. The way their parents just leave and don't come back shows the lack of care they have. I think the most fascinating part is how Jeannette tells her own story in a positive way and how she describes her parents with a positive attitude. This story is definitely moving and I recommend anyone who likes memoirs or nonfictional books to read this one. You will truly love this story!

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Entry #1

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, is an amazing book so far. It is about the Walls family and how they live their life. This book is a memoir and is written from Jeannette's perspective. Jeannette is one of the four children of Rex and Rose Walls. So, the book starts out with a foreshadowing part. It shows Jeannette and her husband live in an apartment and how she is so embarrassed of her parents. For example, her parents started digging in the garbage looking for food and resources. It was really embarrassing for Jeannette. Then the book goes into a flashback of Jeannette as a child. So, when their family ran out of money they started wondering around, looking for where to live like nomads. They did this because they didn't want to pay the bills. The west from California to Virgina and different places. Then they landed in this dessert. Since, they are children they didn't go to school. Their parent taught them everything. Their dad was a generous. he taught them math, science and geology. Their mom provided food and everything. In the end, their dad promises to build them a Glass Castle to live in.

I personally like this book a lot. the writing structure is really good. I like how it went from a foreshadowing point to a flashback point. But, I feel like their parent s really don't care about their children because their was one part in the book when their was a sandstorm the desert and their parents didn't protect them. I hope to read more soon and to write more next time.

Things Change by Patrick Jones Entry #2

Things Change by Partrick Jones was a great book. While reading this book, I felt so bad for Johanna and her encounters with Paul. When she started fighting with her parents, the words that came out of her mouth was unbelievable. I would of never thought, she could be so mean.

In the end, Johanna did lose everything especially her life because Paul had abused and bruised her so much that she was able to survive barely. Sher friend Pam, but made some new ones like Kara. But throughout the book, Pam was with her the whole time even though she did not feel like talking to Johanna.

I really thought the cover of the book told the whole story. It showed the rose petals and the blood. This is both a good and bad thing. The blood shows how Paul abused and tore Johanna's heart. But, the rose symbolize the happiness that both of them shared.

I was kind of confused in Paul's last letter to his dead father, he promised to change one last time. But, when I read the epilogue, it showed that this girl, Sarah that Paul liked was seen with a black eye. So, in the end he never did change.

I was so moved and interested in this book. I read it the whole time and could not stop reading. This book was so interesting that I even felt the emotions that Johanna had. I would rate this book with a nine out of ten. I strongly recommend anyone to read this book especially if you like fiction.

Things Change by Patrick Jones (Blog Share)

Things Change by Patrick Jones is an amazing book that I read. It is a teen fiction book. The story is about this girl named Johanna and how her life changes when she meets Paul. So, before she met Paul, she was perfect. She got straight As, she respected her parents and spend a lot of time with her friend, Pam. Paul is this abusive student-body president. At school, Paul and Johanna started becoming great friends. As their friendship grew, Johanna learns that she has to make Paul happy all the time because if she doesn't she will end up with having these bruises. And as she spends more time with him, she loses everything from her past. This includes her grades, her best friend Pam, and her relationship with her parents. Most of the time, she starts getting into intense fights with her parents. Johanna starts considering Paul's happiness to be more important than her family, her friends, her grades, and her safety.

This book is mainly about change and chances. And how people promise to change, but never really does. Johanna gave many chances for Paul to change and he never did. He was very abusive to her and many other people.

One interesting part of the book is when Paul writes a letter to his dead father saying "I know you; I know everything about you. I listen to your music and I live your life, but I will be better than you, I will change, and Johanna will take me back". (Pg. 210) This quote tells how Paul finally sees his mistake and decides to change.

The title of the book is called Things Change. Its kind of ironic because in the end of the book, Paul never does change. The cover of the book is very creative. The red circles are supposed to be blood and rose petals. These are two things are considered to be symbolic and is seen throughout the book.

This book is a easy read and is easy to understand what is happening throughout the text. I suggest people who like fiction, to read this book. This book is found in the Independent reading list under teen fiction.

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs Entry #1

Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs, is a memoir book. It is a true story about a boy named Augusten Burroughs, whose mother gave him away, so that he can be raised by her psychiatrist. He was very odd and strange. At the age of twelve, he was living in a dilapidated Victorian, which is a quiet house. Throughout the time, the doctor/psychiatrist, Mr. Finch, showed disturbing feeling towards Augusten. There, he didn't go to school and lived without rules. For example, the Christmas tree stayed there until the summer. Basically, this story is telling how a boy struggled to survive in extraordinary circumstances.

The story starts out with Augusten's parents arguing every single day. So, their parents went for counseling with Mr. Finch. Since, his parents were fighting more often, they eventually got divorced. So, his mother went to Mr. Finch to discuss her emotions and how she should act around Augusten. Throughout, the time, he met Hope, Mr. Finch's daughter. They had a few conversations and all. Then, they visited Mr. Finch's house. So, far the book is great.

My reaction to the main character:

I really feel bad that Augusten ( the author and the main character) who went through this childhood where his parents argued, divorced, and how he never really had friends because his mother pulled him away from all of it. I suggest anyone who likes memoirs to read this good book because it will tell how a boy with no one around him faced life.