Over the summer, you were asked to read at least two novels of your choice.
1) Briefly tell me what you read, including the titles and authors.
2) I want to know what you liked about the books, what you learned and, more importantly, what matters to you about the book's content.
*Make sure to adhere to proper conventions and proofread your response. If, for some reason, you did not read two novels, tell me about two novels you have read and answer the above.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
During summer I read the "Maximum Ride" Series by James Patterson. Once you start reading them you can't stop. Their great books, I loved the story plot and it just got better each book. I like to read fiction novels and these books were great for me, they told such imaginative stories that kept you interested. I liked them so much I'd read one in a day.
ReplyDeleteThe first book i read over the summer was 'Shock Point.' It is, basically, a weird twist on the typical "i hate my stepdad" story. Truth be told, this was not a book of choice rather the only spare book my sister had on the plane, so i cannot say the book held much important content for me. The second book i read was 'Flight #116 is Down!' It was about a big jet crash in a small town. It had alot of different points of veiw, so you felt attached to all the characters. Sadly, though, not all of them survived the night. I think that is an important part, because no matter how much the person deserved to survive and get help, the resuce workers had to help the people who actually could survive. "Flight #116 is Down!" was quite moveing (and i couldn't put it down) and important to me.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I read "Keeping Faith" by Jodi Piccoult and "Circle of Friends" by Maeve Binchy.In "Keeping Faith" I liked that the book kept me reading and it had many unexpected twists. I learned about many different people's views on god and religion.What mattered to me about the book's content was that is wasn't only about a little girl seeing god, it was also about her growing up and facing normal everyday problems. What I liked about "Circle of Friends" was that it was about best friends and they kind of remined me of my best friends. I learned a lot about what life was like for women in the early/middle 1900's in Ireland. What matters to me in the book's content is how the main characters treated each other, it made me think about how act around my friends and family.
ReplyDeleteOver this summer, I read the novels "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan, and "Stormbreaker," by Anthony Horowitz. The novel by Rick Riordan was about the fifth adveneture of a teenage boy in the city of New York. The twist is there are Greek mythology and fantasy envolved throughout the novel. The second novel, by Anthony Horowitz, was about a 14 year old boy who was sent on a secret mission (as a spy) to uncover the secret behind a mysterious computer, the Stormbreaker. I really enjoyed the first novel due to its adventure and how one could relate. It also envolved teenage problems and actions typical of the age. I cant say I really learned much besides some Greek Mythology which I don't know if it is anything useable. I can't really determine if the novel ment anything substancial, but it does show a relationship between the future and the past and how it would interact. The second novel I did not like very much because it didn't really ever grab me. I learned how to think beyond one's normal ability when in a tough situation. This matters because one needs to be pushed out of there comfort to come to a solution.
ReplyDeleteThis summer i read several books, all the Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling books and "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. My favorite part about the harry potter books is the fact once i start reading them i can't stop this is due to the fact they are suspenseful and action packed. The harry potter books also showed me love is the most powerful magic. What i liked about the book thief is how is told from a unique perspective, death. This book also showed me some more of the horrors of Nazi Germany
ReplyDeleteNathan Ducey
This summer, I read the book "Flags of our Fathers" by James Bradley and Ron White. I also read "Wild Man Island" by Will Hobbs. To start, "Flags of Our Fathers" was the story of the famous flag raisers on the island of Iwo Jima in World War II. I really enjoyed this book as I am very interested in World War II. In, "Wild Man Island" a young boy from Colorado goes on an Alaskan canoe trip. When he learns they are going past the site his father died at, Andy, knows he has to visit it. He soon is stuck on an island where he has to cope with his surroundings to survive. I really liked both of these books especially, "Flags of Our Fathers" which was definately the more mature book out of the two I read. It really shined a new light on the battle of Iwo Jima as it was very discriptive. "Wild Man Island" was definately a book for a younger group of readers but I still did like the book. Hobbs really had a great way of describing the "wild" and was a refreshing breath of new vocabulary. Overall I would definately recommend these book to anyone that enjoys good reads.
ReplyDeleteReed Hicks
Last summer I read the books, "State of Fear" by Micheal Chrichton, and "Debt of Honor" by Tom Clancy. I liked how both books took some thought to follow and how some parts were complex. With these books I learned more about our government and how they interact with the general public along with other nations. These books made me more aware of how our country is run.
ReplyDeleteI read two books which I thoroughly enjoyed over summer break. First, I read "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. It is in the genre of historical fiction. I loved the characters and the plot. It made me realize how reading used to be a passion and that I should appreciate it more. Liesel (the main character) stole books and read them over and over. She needed and wanted to read books. Today's children usually only want to read books.
ReplyDeleteThe other book I read was "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown. It is a thriller that keeps you on the ede of your seat. Other than the names of historical landmarks, I didn't learn from any lessons or events. There really weren't any morals except for the usual: Not everything seems like it actually is. Even though I didn't learn an excessive amount, I loved the book and recommend it to lots of people.
Over the summer I read a book in the Alex Rider series called "Sotrmbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz. I liked how a kid only a couple years younger than me completely took over a terrorist organization and defeated the bad guy. I also liked all of the action and violence. I learned to never give up and I'll always try your best. I realled liked how ALex cared about his dad's death enouh to try and get revenge and save the world.
ReplyDeleteThe second book I read was a book in the Cherub series called "The Recruit" by Robert Muchamore. I like how James, the main character, bounces back after getting in a lot of trouble to being one of Cherub's best spies. I learned to learn from my mistakes. I realled cared about how James wanted to change his life.
I read "Running the Amazon" by Joe Kane and "The Pyramid of Success" by John Wooden over the summer.I liked "Running the Amazon" because it contained exhilarating adventure in an area that has rarely been explored. I learned how simply the Quecha live in the Andes, how unforgiving nature can be, and how unwavering determination can accomplish anything. Learning about our wide world and the people and land within it was most important to me. In my second book, "The Pyramid of Success", I liked how John Wooden proposed a trustworthy way to reach true success. I learned how to achieve success in a proficient way. Knowing how to reach what I think is success was most important to me.
ReplyDeleteMitch Albyn
The first book i read this summer was called "The Cleaner" by Brett Battles. The second was "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. Rowling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Cleaner" because it was an action packed book that kept me reading. I learned that no matter what the circumstances, anyone could use a friend. I especially enjoyed "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" because even though it's set in a different land, it relates to our lives so much. It talked a lot about even in the darkest of times, there is always light in someone. I also very much enjoyed the action and suspense that the book holds in its pages. The one thing i love most about books is that they keep you reading. If they have an enticing beginning, the reader will want to keep reading. I as well enjoy reading about stories that tell about the persons' life so you van see how they relate to you and see how you can solve problems and become a better person.
ReplyDeleteOver the summer I read "The House of the Scorpian" by Nancy Farmer. It is about a boy named Matt, who finds out a secret about himself. He finds out that he is a clone. The book takes you through his life, from when he was created until he is fourteen years old. I really enjoyed "The House of the Scorpian" because it was a different type of reading than I am used to, though the beginning is kind of weird and does not make sense at first. From this book I learned that life has it's ups and it has its downs.
ReplyDeleteAnother book I read over the summer was "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. This book is about a family, the Fitzgerald's. The Fitzgerald's consist of two daughters, Anna and Kate, one son, Jesse, a mom, Sarah, and a dad, Brian. Kate his Leukemia and Anna was born so she could give donations of bone marrow to her sister. Anna gets fed up with having to always having to donate to her sister and files a law-suit against her family. This is a very well-written book, I enjoyed it a lot. From "My Sister's Keeper" I learned that you never know what you have until it's gone.
Over the summer I read "Lock and Key" by Sarah Dessen and "Peaches" by Jodi Lynn Anderson. I definitly enjoyed both books all the way through. In the book "Lock and Key" the main character, Ruby, has been abandoned by her mom. She, unwillingly, goes to live with her sister, whom she hasnt seen for years. This book really made me greatful for the wonderful family I have. Ruby is used to looking after herself and not relying on anyone else for anything. This book taught me that nobody can coast through life by themselves. I learned that its ok to ask for help in situations that are difficult for me to face alone. I also learned that sometimes the people who need the most help might not know they need it. This book was filled with meaningful advice and left me thinking evey time I put it down.
ReplyDelete"Peaches" was a bit of a lighter read. 3 girls who barely know each other end up spending their summer at failing peach orchad to work. I really enjoyed this book because of the humor and the unexpected twists that kept me interested. I learned that the best of friends can come from the most unexpected of people. I also learned to never be afraid to take a chance and stand up for something that I believe in.
Over the summer I read "Where the River Ends" by Charles Martin. This book was about a lady who is dying from cancer and how her husband tried to fulfill her last ten wishes. Although this book was very sad, which I did not like; but moreover it was hopeful showed and the beauties and pains of life. I also liked the lesson I learned while reading "Where the River Ends"which is that life is too short not to live it to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteAnother book I read over the summer was "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. Robert Langdon is wrongly suspected of murdering a French man who is the leader of the Priory of Sion. Despite a rather disappointing and confusing first few chapters I enjoyed this book because it was very exciting and made me want to find out what happens next. I didn't really learn any "all-important" life lessons, but I did pick up a few fun little tid-bits of information and random trivia that are nice to know.
Over the summer I read "Animal Farm" by George Orwell and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by JK Rowling. I enjoyed both books for two completely different reasons. The reason why I liked "Animal Farm" so much is because of the historical reference to the rise of commumnism in the world. As the animals take over the farm they change ideals and leaders. The author really tries to tell the reader how communist ideals are formed which I really love. The reason I liked "Harry Potter" so much is because it was action packed and kept you guessing. Jk Rowling does a brilliant job of making you believe one thing is going to happen then suddenly changes the entire outcome. I didn't learn much from "Harry Potter" besides the power of friendship and how that can overcome any evil. On the other hand I learned a great deal from "Animal Farm". One thing I learned was how communist beliefs are born in a new country and how some influential leaders strive for more power. What really mattered to me in "Animal Farm" was to never become a leader through fear because in the long run it will always backfire. Nothing in "Harry Potter" really meant something to me except what I had already said about friendship. So, the two books I read over the summer were fun and educating reads.
ReplyDeleteWell let me start off saying that reading was not the first thing on my list to do over the summer, but once I started reading "Speaker for the Dead" and "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card I was grateful for being required to read because I enjoyed it so much. Although both books are by Orson Scott Card and are in the same series they have completely different feels yet I enjoyed both. "Ender's Game" was action packed and filled with war and battle scenes. There were multiple times in the novel when a discovery would drastically change the story which is why I couldn't put it down. After "Ender's Game" I was hungry for more Orson Scott Card so I immediately hunted down the sequel, "Speaker for the Dead". When I first started reading I found it very boring compared to "Ender's Game" because it had none of the war and battle scenes but I kept reading thinking it would get more intense. Well, it didn't any more exciting until the last thirty pages but I soon openned my mind to the important, yet often disguised, lessons Orson Scott Card wrote eloquently into his novel. While reading this book I had many revelations about the power of observation and empathy. Reading may have knocked off a couple items on my list of activities for the summer but Orson Scott Card made reading worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteOver the summer I read a few books by Mary Higgins Clark. I read "No Place Like Home" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." Her books are so mysterious and lead you on about certain characters when the real criminal is hiding in the shadows. She uses so many different words that reading her books improves my vocabulary. Even though her books are fictional, she makes it seem like somewhere in the world these people really exist. After reading "No Place Like Home" I had to read the rest of the books she had written. They pull you in and I have now read maybe 7 and want to finish her series someday but she had alot of books! I think if younger teens wanted to read her books and can handle mystery then she is a good author for them. She is appropriate and not very gory. I think she is definitely my favorite author because of all her wonderful books.
ReplyDeleteOver the summer I read "My Sisters Keeper" by Jodi Picoult and "The Anatomy of Wings" by Karen Foxlee. In "My Sisters Keeper" I liked the creative plot line. This story contain some many different aspects. It had a love story, and comic relief at times, it even had suspense. I thought it wouldn't be possible to cram so much into a book without making it to much to handle. Somehow Jodi Picoult was able to do it. I learned from this book that the love between sisters can make them do something they never thought they would. I have two sisters and I am not sure that I could have done what the main character in this book did. What really matters to me about the books content is that it shows you the book from many different perspectives. Jodi Picoult makes many metaphors that make me look at a normal situation from a more reasonable aspect. The second book I read, "The Anatomy of Wings" by Karen Foxlee, has become one of my favorite books. It is insanely well written, and had a unique plot line. My favorite part of the book was the melancholy feel throughout the novel. This book taught me a lot. It was also about a sister doing something for her sister, because of the love between them. Although in this book the main character is also trying to get something for herself; she went about it so that she didn't get hurt when she didn't deserve to. This book taught me that even though she helped herself she did it in an admirable way. It taught me that sometimes its okay to do something for yourself - especially when you deserve it. What matters to me about the books content is that I am able to look at a very sad situation and take light from it. This was one of the saddest books i have ever read, but because of the way Karen Foxlee wrote it I was able to see the silver lining within her writing.
ReplyDeleteRiley Welch
Over this summer, I read several books, "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger, "Fallen Angels" written by Walter Dean Myers, and some of the "Redwall" series by Brian Jaques. I found "The Perfect Storm" to be a little boring, but I as continued it began to become more intriguing. Around half way through the book it began to get suspenseful. By now all the introductions and backgrounds are over and the book actually begins to tell the story of what happened out at sea. In the end it had a very chilling ending and made me wonder what happened to them. It really was up to my own imagination to speculate what occured, the book can only go so far to tell the facts in order to stay reliable and there really is no certain fact of what happened to the crew. I really enjoyed this book and actually learned quite a bit about the sailing and rigging of a fishing boat. I also came to realize that industrious fishing is actually a very dangerous job and in the book Junger wrote that industrious swordfishing is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. The second book, "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers, was about the Vietnam War. Myers made it really feel like you were there by the way he described everything in first person and actually described the main character's emotions. This book really brought me into the war and how even though we fight for "good" (good is dependent on that person's point of view) we still kill many on the way. The last few books I read were in the "Redwall" series. These books were more of a fun, quick read and did not have a very big lesson to it but I would still suggest them as a fun, quick read.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I read "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd, "The Truth About Forever" by Sarah Dessen, and "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. My favorite out of the three was "Speak." I thought it was a very well written book. Anderson did a great job of capturing how a freshmen would feel about high school after calling the cops on a party at the end of summer. I also like how the book teaches you that sometimes you need to speak up and that you cant keep everything bottled up. That somethimes you just need to tell someone something that know one else knows but you.
ReplyDeleteI also liked "The Secret telling Life of Bees." I think Kidd did a great job on this story that took place back in the 60's, about this family of African American women, who are bee keepers, that take in a white girl and her house keeper into their home. I really like how she describes the bees and everything else so vividly. I like that she makes a point that it doesn't or shouldn't matter what color you are, even back then when racial discrimination was a much bigger thing than it is today.
The last book I read this summer was "The Truth About Forever." Dessen talked about high school and how you try to be perfect at everything, from classes and homework, to dressing and talking. She also talks about how one summer can change everything, such as losing old friends and gaining new ones.
These books are now all my favorites! I highly recommened these books to anyone and everyone.
I read My Sister's Keeper (Jodi Picoult) and Twilight (Stephenie Meyer) for summer reading. In My Sister's Keeper, I loved how the each chapter was a different perspective. I thought it was a good way to see what each person was going through. I wish it would have had more than one chapter through Kate's eyes. I learned that I found oncology fascinating and to be grateful that my family isn't sick. I learned that cancer is not just something that happens every once in a while. It is a big issue that not only affects the patient, but the patient's family as well. It is a lot harder to get into a remission than I origianally thought and the symptoms of a relapse are terrible. This book really was close to me because I love my little sister with all my heart. I don't know what I would do if I found out she was sick. My Sister's Keeper has made me more concerned about these serious illnesses distroying kids futures.
ReplyDeleteI was not impressed with Twilight. I didn't belive it required a lot of thinking to understand it. I like books that are thought provoking. It just seemed very redundant, "Edward is in love with Bella and Bella's in love with Edward but they can't be together because he's a vampire." Not to mention how cheesy it was. I guess I'm just not one for romance novels. Or fantasy, I like stories that are realistic. However, after a bit of thinking, I did learn from this book. It shows that you need to use your feelings and logic equally when faced with a difficult decision. When I was reading about Bella's first day at school, I could really relate because although I didn't move for nine years, I did change schools more than most people do. I had felt all of the feelings she was. Most of the book was about emotions. I do acknowledge and display emotion, but I don't go overboard publicly. Reading the book almost made me feel like I do when I see someone being dramatic in the hall. Now that I have read Twilight, I finally know what everyone is talking about, but I'm not usually in the convorsation too long- when people hear my opinions on it, they usually walk away!
Over the summer I read "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom and "Someone Like You" by Sarah Dessen. What I liked most about "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" was that it showed that the mistakes you make in your life, whether they be small and insignificant or huge and life changing, mold you into the person you are. And that everything you do affects someone else. I learned that (I know it's cliché) you should learn from your mistakes and not agonize over the big ones.. The moral of the story was “life is too short:” that was the most important message to me. What I liked most about "Someone Like You" was that it really portrayed the importance of having great friends. I learned that you want to find that one really good friend that you can rely on. What was most important to me was that no matter what happens in life, you can always trust that one friend to help you.
ReplyDeleteOver this summer i read "Hiroshima" by John Hersey which i started at the end of last year but only got into it by a couple chapters. This book as i read painted clear images on how awful the outcome of the atomic blast was and its effect on all 400,000 people of the city. it had the stories of six people all who survived the blast and there stories from the morning the bomb fell to where they are now or there final resting place. i enjoyed this book because of the fact that i can learn what happened from the other point of view.
ReplyDeleteThe other book i read was "I Am America and So Can You" by Steven Colbert. it doesn't sound like a "read" but I think a 230 page book is a "Read". This book go's through all of the authors views on almost everything involved in the average American life. This also can be a guide book on how you can be a true American. This book came from the humor section so i think its mostly a joke because he poses as a major republican and American hero, but my mom told me he is a Canadian and libertarian, also he didn't write the book most likely. I enjoyed this book for the laughs but also there were some parts of it that spoke truth.
Over the summer I read "The Associate" by John Grisham. This story is about a young lawyer whose past comes back to haunt him at the beginning of his career. I liked the plot in "The Associate" because it was well planned and had many surprises that I did not see coming. I learned that knowledge is power and that sometimes going against your better judgement and telling the truth at the right time can help save your life. For me, the most important lesson is to be aware of your surroundings and circumstances and how they might jeopardize your future, including your career. It becomes evident that being in the wrong place at the wrong time can alter your life forever.
ReplyDeleteThe other book I read was "The Caddie Who Played with Hickory." I enjoyed this book because I am a caddie and I love to play golf. The caddie in this novel had to beat the world's greatest golfer, Walter Hagen. The caddie's challenge was playing with hickory clubs, the hardest type of clubs to hit. The main themes in the book are perseverance and being able to make the right decisions. In the book, the caddie, Tommy O'Shea, is faced with decisions that will effect his life forever.
This summer I read "Lucas" by Kevin Brooks and "Anna's Story" by Jenna Bush. I enjoyed "Lucas" because it got me thinking about just life in general. The main character always thought about things in a different and more in depth way. She was always observing everything around her. The lesson I took away from this book was always look beyond the obvious, when you are looking at a person or just at a road. Reading "Anna's Story" was probably the fastest I have read a novel and not because it was short. I couldn't put this book down. It was very fast paced and eventful. From one hardship to another this book was nothing but reality which is why I liked it. From this book I learned to not take my life for granted. I have a much better life than this girl and I didn't always realize it.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I read "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks and "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer. I loved The Notebook because it was a very realistic love story about that time period. I learned that when someone you really love is going through a hard time, you stick with them through it, just like Noah did for Allie when she had dementia. What's most important to me about this book is that it's a very deep and meaningful story and not cheesy, sappy and predictable. The other novel I read this summer was Twilight. I never expected to read Twilight because the culture shock that came from the books and movies is completely overrated. Twilight was a different concept from The Notebook because it was very unrealistic. Even though it was unreal, I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to. There is a thrill that comes with this book as you read it. It comes up with things that you don't expect and you end up liking it. I learned from Twilight that when there is someone you truly love, you make sacrifices in your life for them. The most important thing about this book is that it is completely what you don't expect and it is a lot better than the movie. With both of these novels I have read, I have learned that love is not just handed to you. Love is something that you fight for and work at because it is not easy.
ReplyDeleteOver the summer I read "Night", by Elie Wiesel, and "Black Hawk Down", by Mark Bowden. "Night" taught me much about the Holocaust and the hardships all the jews faced. I liked how this book was very descriptive like how crowded and gross it was to be in a wagon on the way to a concentration camp. Many families were split apart and you should cherish the moments you have with your family because you never know when they could be gone. The second book I read was "Black Hawk Down" which was extremely hard to put down. I learned about the losses of fellow soldiers and how any mission could go wrong. Something that was showed to me in the book was that you should help friends because they would do the same for you.
ReplyDeleteDuring the summer I read "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom and " The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks. I enjoyed both of these books very much. In " Tuesdays with Morrie" it really touched my heart and helped me realize more about the things that happen in life and why sometimes even the worst things are ok. The thing that I liked most about the book is the meaning it projects about life. I learned that you should really embrace the time that you have on this earth because it is not eternity. In " The Notebook" something that really matters to me in this book is love. Once you have that love you should never let go of it because you may never find the same love again. Something that I really liked about this book was how it was written so that you get the story while they were kids and as adults even to their dying point. Both of these books really touched my heart and I highly recommend them.
ReplyDelete