Delirium

                                Delirium

   
      Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, is a great story about a girl named Lena, who's fighting between her heart and her society.In this future world, love is considered a disease, called amor deliria nervosa. The book begins with Lena counting the days until her brain surgery, to make her immune to falling in love. Lena looks at herself as an in between girl, not pretty, but not ugly. Since Lena's mom committed suicide, because the brain surgery didn't work on her, and they had done the operation on her 3 times and were coming to do it again, Lena lives with her aunt. Lena meets a guy  named Alex, who makes her question whether or not love is a bad thing. When Lena's best friend show signs of being a rebel, Lena gets scared, but she ends up going to an illegal music party with her. As she's about to leave, someone calls her name, Lena turns around to find Alex, they talk, and she agrees to meet him the next day. Lena feels safe around him, he has the procedure mark, he told her he was safe, and he couldn't giver the deliria, or could he? When they're swimming at the beach , Alex tells Lena that he's an Invalid, and lives in the Wilds. After Lena forgives Alex, and stops caring about what her society thinks of her, or if she is labeled a sympathizer they decide to run away together and live in the Wilds. When they meet to gather supplies, the police catch them, Lena is taken home, and put on lock down, but where did Alex disappear to? When Alex comes for Lena on a motorcycle, they escape, they drive to the city's border, Alex convinces Lena to jump over the fence when the motorcycle is in midair, telling her he'll jump right after her. When Lena gets over the fence she sees Alex, he's not jumping over the fence, he's being attacked by the police, Alex is dead, but before he is engulfed by the attackers, he tells Lena to run. That is what the book Delirium, by Lauren Oliver is about.

      Lena is a very interesting character. She obviously doesn't think very much of herself, she always talks about how she isn't ugly, but not pretty. Lena also cannot make up her mind, should I be with Alex, or not, or, should I break the rules? Frankly, I think Lena is a bit of an annoying character to read about. Lena is not good under pressure, "Sometimes I feel as though there are two me's, one coasting directly on top of the other: the superficial me, who nods when she supposed to nod and says what she's supposed to say, and some, deeper part, the part that worries and dreams and says 'gray.'" (Oliver,  ) Lena has dark hair, and her birthday is on September 3. I think Lena is afraid of authority in beginning of the book, because she never does anything wrong and does everything her aunt says, and doesn't act like a normal teenager. Also, when she does do something wrong she acts like she's murdered somebody, but by the end of the book, she's breaking all the rules, and sneaking out, which, I think, makes her less annoying of a character to read. That's what Lena, the main character in Delirium, is like.

       One theme I found in the book is sacrifice. I think sacrifice is one of the themes in the book because Lena sacrificed her whole life to be with Alex. She gave up her family, who would never approve, just to be with him. Also, she gave up the fairy tale of a perfect life with no problems, she could have kept on living the life she was, then had the procedure and she wouldn't even know what love felt like. If she had never agreed to meet him, then she wouldn't have had to go through the pain of losing him, but she sacrificed that too, her emotions, and she gave them to Alex.  Now the biggest sacrifice of all, Alex gave his life for Lena, He knew she would make it far into the Wilds if he distracted the police, he gave his life, knowing she would get to keep hers. That's why I think sacrifice is one of the themes in the book, Delirium.

      I thoroughly enjoyed Delirium, by Lauren Oliver. I found it to be entrapping, and hard to put down. Although some people may look at it and say it's too long, it goes by fast, and when it's over you want more. Even though I found Lena's character whinny and annoying, Delirium was still a really good read. Overall, I thought Delirium was a complete page turner. I would recommend this book to girls looking for something good to read, and doesn't mind a 450 page book. I think this book would appeal to almost any girl, because it has a little bit of everything in it, romance, sci-FY, and action. I enjoyed Delirium and hope to read more books by Lauren Oliver.

      Lauren Oliver has written a lot of books. First of all there's Pandemonium, the second book in the Delirium series. Then there's the third one, Requiem, which comes out in March next year! Lauren Oliver has also written the books Before I Fall, Hanna, Annabel, and Raven. I hope to read some of her other books and will definitely finish the Delirium series. I like Lauren Oliver's style of writing, I find it poetic like and easy to read. Those are some other books by Lauren Oliver.

Website for picture: http://empowermoments.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/no-love.gif

I am Poem

Book of a Thousand Days

Book of a Thousand Days

"Book of a Thousand Days," by Shannon Hale, is a great tale about a young mucker named Dashti. Dashti finds work as a lady's maid, and on her first day on the job she finds herself locked in a brick tower where the only connection with the outside world is a small metal flap in the wall to dump their waste. They were locked in the tower because of Lady Saren's refusal to marry Lord Khasar, a man she thinks is a monster. After 3 long years of being locked in the tower Dashti finds an escape, they leave the tower and travel to Song For Evela, the realm ruled by Kahn Tegus who is also the man Lady Saren is secretly betrothed to. They decide not to tell him that Lady Saren is there and pretend to be mucker clan sisters and begin working in the kitchen scrubbing pots in Khan Tegus' house. Lady Saren forces Dashti to say she is her, and also tells Dashti the reason she fears Lord Khasar so greatly, which is because he turns into a wolf at night and sneaks into realms and kills the people living there and destroys the realm. Dashti defeats Lord Khasar, but soon faces death when Lady Vachir, Khan Tegus' betrothed before Dashti said she was Lady Saren, wants Dashti's blood for destroying her betrothal to Tegus. Khan Tegus convinces the honored chiefs to let Dashti keep her life even though she faked nobility. Since Lady Saren was betrothed to Tegus first she has the right to betroth him she keeps her right to betroth Tegus, but exacts it for Dashti and they get married. That is what "Book of a Thousand Days" is about.

One theme I saw in the book was strength. I think strength is one of the themes in the book because Dashti showed a lot of it throughout the book. She had to have a lot of strength to do everything she did. She showed strength when she defeated Lord Khasar. I have strength, but have not needed to use it in situations like Dashti did. That is why I think one of the themes in the book is strength.

Another theme I saw in the book was love. I think love is one of the themes in the book because Dashti's love for Saren and Tegus outlasted all the challenges it faced. Dashti faced death several times yet she still stood by her Lady's side. Dashti loved Saren like a sister and how I love my family. Dashti was very loyal to Saren and she loved her. That is why I think one of the themes in the book is love.

I enjoyed "Book of a Thousand Days." It was a fairly short book and although it had a bad start, I thought it had a really good ending. I think the book was pretty boring at first, but was really interesting later. I would recommend this book to kids that wouldn't mind reading a book that gets off to a slow start. Overall, I thought that "Book of a Thousand Days" was a good book.

I got this photo from:http://www.yabooklove.com/2011/04/book-of-thousand-days.html

Fever 1793

Fever 1793

"Fever 1793", by Laurie Halse Anderson, is about a young girl named Matilda who lives in Philadelphia and during the summer a lot of people are infected with Yellow Fever. Matilda lives above her family's  coffeehouse, which she helps run alongside her grandfather, her mother, and their cook, Eliza. When Matilda's mom is infected with Yellow Fever, Matilda and her grandfather flee to the country where the air is clean. However, when they are about to enter the country they are denied access because Matilda's grandpa is coughing from the heat and is accused of having the fever. They are stranded and Matilda's mom and Eliza think they are safe in the country. While they are seeking help, Matilda blacks out. Eventually, Matilda's grandfather finds a hospital, the Bush Hill Hospital, a hospital for fever victims. Matilda is treated there and when she is strong enough to leave, her grandpa and her head back to Philadelphia, they come back to an empty coffeehouse. Matilda's grandpa is killed by thieves who are robbing the coffeehouse. Matilda later finds Eliza, who is treating fever victims and stays with her, they go back to the coffeehouse and start to run it again, and when everything is good, it gets better and Matilda's mom returns. She is very weak and can't run the coffeehouse anymore. That is what "Fever 1793" is about.

One theme I saw in the book was survival. I think survival is one of the themes because people in Philadelphia  all try to survive Yellow Fever. Also, Matilda and her mom do survive the fever. The whole book is based upon surviving the fever although not everyone does. I have survived many things in my life, but nothing quite as dangerous as Yellow Fever. That is why I think survival is one of the themes in the book.

I really like "Fever 1793". I thought it was very interesting and enjoyed reading it. Although it gets off to a slow start, when the action happens, it's really good. I think a lot of kids would enjoy reading "Fever 1793" because it is an adventurous book about Matilda and her battle to stay alive. I think a lot of students should read this book and not stop because it is a little slow in the beginning.

Laurie Halse Anderson has written more books than just "Fever 1793. I really liked the book and want to read more of her other books. A few of her other books are: "Speak", "Forge", "Chains", "Twisted", and "Catalyst". All of her books sound good and I hope I read some of them. I really enjoyed "Fever 1793" and like Laurie Halse Anderson's writing. Those are some of the other books that Laurie Halse Anderson has written.

I got this picture from: http://meredith26443.edu.glogster.com/glog-2539-9142/

Science Systems Essay: A Letter to the Human Body Corp.

Science Systems Essay: A Letter to the Human Body Corp.

Dear Human Body Corp.:

I hear that you are trying to fire me, the Nervous System. Even in my wildest dreams I could not believe that you would do something as thoughtless as that. Well, I'm sending you this letter to remind you of all the wonderful things that I do for you. First off, without me you would be an emotionless freak with no possibility of having any part in music. Also, you wouldn't be able to speak, write, read, or solve problems, and lastly you would die without the Nervous System. So, don't fire me or all these terrible things will happen to you.

If you were to fire the Nervous System you would become an emotionless weirdo who can't do music. One consequence in firing me would be that you can't even tell what you're feeling! Can you imagine that? Not being able to feel happiness, excitement, etc. Well, that's the price you'll have to pay if you fire me. Also, you wouldn't be able to take part in any type of music. Don't fire me, or you'll turn into an emotionless weirdo who isn't able to play music.

Don't fire the Nervous System, or you won't be able to speak, read, write, or solve problems. If you fired me you wouldn't be able to go to school. I know most people would think of that as a good thing, but let's think about your future if you couldn't get an education/ read, write, or even speak; obviously it's not good. You wouldn't be able to make friends or speak to the ones you have! Also, you wouldn't be able to read so if you're the kind of person who loves to read books don't fire the Nervous System or your reign of reading will be over forever.

Lastly, and I can't stress this enough, you would simply be dead if you fired me. First of all, you wouldn't be able to breathe. Secondly, without the Nervous System your heart wouldn't know how to beat. Lastly, you couldn't eat or drink because you would have no control of your body. So I suggest, if you want to live, not to fire the Nervous System.

If you fired the Nervous System you would end up emotionless and unable to do any type of music. Secondly, you would be unable to speak, read, write, and solve problems. Lastly, you would not be alive without me. So, if you want to be a dead, emotionless freak who can't even speak, read, write, or do music then be my guest, but if not then don't fire the Nervous System.

                          Sincerely,
                          The Nervous System

I got this picture from: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/introb.html

January 19

January 19       

        It was Sunday morning January,19 2009. The sun was shining brightly which was unusual because the weather hadn't been good for a while. Even though it was bright outside, it was not a bright day. My mom and aunt had gone over to my grandma's house because she had not called yet, something she always did on Sunday morning to see how the morning was, before going to church. My cousins had come over, Breezi, Jonah, Douglas, and Chava. My mom and aunt were gone for a while, we tried calling, but never got an answer. We could all sense that something was wrong. We called again and finally got an answer.
        "Where are you guys?" I asked, relieved we got an answer.
        "We're at grandma's house," my mom answered quietly.
        "What's taking so long?"
        "We'll be home soon, OK?"
        "OK."
        After a while we heard the door and we all ran over there, anxious to see where they'd been.
        "We're home!" called my mom
        "Finally," Chava called back.
        "Kids, sit down," my mom suggested. My aunt was crying and my mom had red eyes.
        "What's wrong? Why are you guys crying?" asked Jonah.
        "I'm sorry, but grandma died in her sleep last night," my mom said, her eyes starting to tear up.
        "What?" said Douglas, stunned by the news we had just gotten, although we were all kind of expecting it.
        "I'm really sorry," said my mom.
        My grandma and I were very close, my whole family was. We went to her house almost every day. When we were sick we would always go to her house for the day and lay on her couch. My whole family loved her very much, but we eventually got used to having her gone. For a while, all of us were sad and didn't want to see pictures of her, but eventually we liked to look at them and think about all the fun times, and hear stories from our parents. For the first little bit it wasn't all that sad because it didn't really seem real, but as time went by and we realized that she was really gone, it was really sad. I miss my grandma, but my family still has good times without her and we wouldn't have had those good times if we just thought about the bad and wished she would come back.    

I got this picture from: http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/grandma-and-grandpa/4/

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

How Angel Peterson Got His Name is a great extreme stunt book about some teenagers (The narrator, Angel, Wayne, Alan, Emil, and Orvis) who live in a small town in northern Minnesota who do crazy stunts with bikes, kites, skis, and skateboards. In every stunt that these teens do they always get hurt in some way. Like when Angel Peterson broke the world speed record on skis he ended up flying into a bunch of snow. Along with getting hurt when all of these stunts are tested the teens end up doing what they said they were going to do. Like when Emil decided he wanted to fly his huge target kite made for the Second World War, he did get to fly his kite, but the problem was he flew with his kite. All of the stunts were started by the same question "What exactly would happen if they did that?" Unfortunately, all of the stunts had the same outcome and the kids get hurt while performing them. That is what How Angel Peterson Got His Name is about.

One theme I saw in the book was taking risks. I think taking risks is one of the themes because the kids took a lot of risks to do the stunts that they did. I saw the kids take risks from the possibility of catching themselves on fire to being killed by a bear in a wrestling match. When Wayne and Orvis were hitching rides from cars on their skateboards, they would ride up to a car, hold onto the bumper, and then crouch down really low so the driver couldn't see them. They took the risk of being run over by a car because they were hitching rides from them. I have taken risks before, but not like the ones in the book . That is why I think taking risks is one the themes in the book.

I liked this book because it has good humor and the stunts were very interesting. I liked how the teens kept doing more stunts even after the outcome of the stunts before it. Overall, I liked the book and think that a lot of other kids would too. I would recommend How Angel Peterson Got His Name to kids who would like to read a very adventurous book. This book is not very long and has good humor for kids in middle school. I think a lot of students would like this book and would be happy that they chose to read it.

Gary Paulsen has written so many other books then just How Angel Peterson Got His Name. A few of the other books he has written are My Life In Dog Years, The Winter Room, Dogsong, and Hatchet. I have read Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers by Gary Paulsen. I found it to be a very interesting story about a dog named Cookie and her trainer and the adventures they have together. Gary Paulsen has written a lot of great books and I have enjoyed the ones that I have read so far and hope to read a lot more.

I got this picture from: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2917.How_Angel_Peterson_Got_His_Name