Annotated Bibliography

Ebscohost. Web. <http://web.a.ebscohost.com/novp/detail?vid=2&sid=fbd745d7-5e94-41a6-8047-a91aa7179670@sessionmgr4004&hid=4209&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#UI=096612&db=neh>.

This review from NoveList Plus summarizes the novel Bridge to Terabithia with extensive vocabulary and understanding of the novel, though they didn’t comment on neither the content (i.e. age group, violence, language, etc.) nor the value. The author of this review covers the storyline and the events that occur with detail, but their lack of depth into deserving topics such as the era, setting, character, etc. leave readers with an inability to evaluate whether or not they would be interested in reading such a book. The summary includes Jess’s progression from being "that crazy little kid who draws all the time”, to dealing with life through his imagination, to being the fastest kid in his grade. When it comes to the structure of the review, some grammar/ spelling mistakes were made but the overall outline was accurate and noticeable. For those who are questioning whether or not to read this novel won’t have to, for the author explains the complete novel ‘spoiling’ the ending and twists that occur. For those who are doing research or are simply looking to understand what they just read, they will be grateful for such a review.

Sova, Dawn B. "Bridge to Terabithia." Banned Books: Literature Suppressed on Social Grounds, Third Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2011. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 20 May 2016 <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=241145&SID=5&iPin=BBSO3059&SingleRecord=True>.

This review from Bloom’s Literature was well written but had little depth. The review covers some of the book’s awards, the author, and storyline but has no information on the story’s target age group, lessons, or meaning. When summarizing the story, the author included that May Belle’s Twinkies were stolen but not a whole scene where he goes to a museum. The author picked out moments that they found vital and didn’t allow the reader to be the judge of what is important. Generally the summary included a lot of information about the basic storyline but no in depth reviews were shared. As a summary of the book Bridge to Terabithia, the author of this review used descriptive vocabulary to build the story’s mood and storyline in only two paragraphs. This was well written but, to be efficient, it need more connection between the characters. The author has the story but little structure was there to connect the towers of life-lines.  The review also mentioned nothing of the era/ year. This would affect a reader's decision to take note of the book in situations such as a school project and/or comparison between other works of text. Overall, the review was descriptive and covered a lot of the required material.

The Great Gatsby

 Recently in class, we have read and watched The Great Gatsby. It's a story about a wealthy man, named Jay Gatsby, that does so much for the love of his life. The book is written in the point of view of this man's neighbor, Nick. I found the book to be incredible. each scene was described as the mood and each page was consisted of poetry. Just the analogies were so captivating. The story was basic, with romance, conflict, death, and parties. In other words, a good book for everyone.

      The movie was not unlike the book. It was from Nick's point of view but it was focused on him recalling the story in a novel he writes. I enjoyed this way of telling the story because it allowed Nick to explain his emotions in the scenario, helping us to understand the mood. But contrary to that, it made the emotions biased.

F. Scott Fitzgerald developed characters well in terms of back-stories and personalities, making the book easy to follow. The movie was so much like the book that even a majority of the lines were directly from the book. I don’t know about you but I absolutely dread when I enjoy a novel and then the movie destroys it *ahem* Percy Jackson *cough, cough*.

I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good read. With the lessons portrayed and the enhanced drama, I found I couldn’t put it down. When you think of the older novels that are written way back when, you usually aren’t as interested because it doesn’t touch the topic of today’s problems/ scenarios. But The Great Gatsby unexpectedly mentioned these problems just in a translated form. Overall I give this novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald a huge thumbs up.

Reinventing Yourself

In class we were given a list of things to talk about/ answer and I decided to put a few of them on my blog. So, well, here they are.

2. Employment- what is your dream job? How long have you been in this field?

My dream job right now is to become a well known author that has respected work. I know this is a far fetched dream so realistically/ meanwhile I hope to just write. Whether it's in journalism, criticizing, or teaching English. When I was in elementary school, I really struggled with finding my gift. Everyone was either really good at sports, art, math, etc. But I was always lost. Come grade 8 we did a project in creative writing. I did really well on it and was quite proud. In future writing assignments I did just as well. That's when I knew what I wanted to do forever and I've been writing for fun ever since.

6. Setting- describe where you live.

In 15 years I'll be 30. It's a crazy thought. By that time I hope to have a steady income and a working husband to help pay for these dreams. I've always had a vision. A blue farmhouse with a subtle yellow for the door and window shutters. A white picket fence around the front yard and a beautiful garden. A stone path to the front porch and children playing in the yard. I feel like a lot of nature would be so inspiring for my career but I don't like driving 45 minutes to get to the closest store. Honestly I don't mind if I don't get to live where I want to because as long as I have a family, I'll always have a home.

7. Satisfaction- are you happy? Why/why not? Who is responsible for your feelings?

I believe that I will be happy. With people that love me and minimum conflict/drama, life would be less stressful and more bearable. With a daily routine that allows my family to live a healthy lifestyle and please God, I see no reason to frown. Of course I do love a little excitement once in awhile ;). I think I would be responsible for my feelings. Isn't everyone responsible for their feelings? Doesn't everyone chose how they think/ their opinion on a situation. In a strong relationship I don't think I'll ever hit rock bottom though I may slip a few times.

Personal Essay

So this is my personal essay. It's kinda simple and kinda boring but hey, here it is.

Grey Art

The world is dull. Day after day you awake to the whistling of your alarm clock, dress in your ashen clothing, attend your barren school, return to a prosaic home, and repeat. Laughter is rare and tears are endless. Entertainment is an unknown word that sounds foreign to the tongue. Joy is only found in the nature created by God’s hands. This place you live in is cold, it's lonely, it's without the beauty of art.

Art includes poetry, novels, comics, short stories, music, dance, theatre, baking, winemaking, photography, films, cinematography, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpting, and more. Even the clothes you are wearing right now were fabricated by art. The books we read and the colours we see, the movies we watch and the characters in the screen… That's art.

Art is defined as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” In the world we live in everything has beauty. Good things can even come from our tears; and without it our world would be dreary and colourless.

Now think about what makes you happy, what you're passionate about. Does it include separating yourself from reality? Letting the music move you or putting your mind on paper? ‘Cause that's art. If it was gone one day, would that not make the world achromatic? I don't know about you, but I would find that quite despairing.

guess what I'm trying to say is that we NEED art. Without it words, such as contentment and satisfaction, would be nonexistent, as opposed to today’s imponderable. We would frantically search for happiness in the darkest of things.

Art is born from imaginations which is spawned from inspirations. The stars in the sky shone, making the artist twist reality and paint it on a canvas. The child lost his teddy bear, making the author absorb reality and write it in a book. The heart was in pain, making the poet fear reality and recite it in a haiku. These everyday things are crafted into something beyond what they are and that is what makes it beautiful, intriguing, inspiring.

Art is also important when raising a child. It allows them to grow their minds and express themselves. It may be their words turned into a painting or their thoughts listening to a song. Books/novels have impacted most, if not all, of us. At school the plays we present and the books we read, they all were envisioned. As children we’ve all played with dolls or trucks, using our imagination and creating stories/scenarios/art.

Personally I love to write. It's my way of expressing how I feel and venting my thoughts. It's an art that helps me escape day to day anxiety. The art of writing is passion of mine, without it I feel like the world be overwhelming; simple tasks would be hard and the world would go grey. So you dance, you sing, you write. You let art take away your worries.

When it comes to careers, art is the focus of a lot of professions. Without art unemployment would be through the roof, people content with their jobs would be few and productivity would dwindle. I love to write, I aspire for it to become my career. I would struggle in a career that involves mathematics or the sciences because it is not in my interests. Art is also a source of our technological achievements. The detailed designs of our compact phones; the organized layout of our city’s streets; the appetizing foods that touch our tongues each day; these are things that we take for granted without realizing the time and art put into each product.

It's not always things we can hold in our hands though. In the end God is the true artist. Through the sunsets at night to the pattern on the maple leaves. With his power he makes no snowflake the same, each one shaped differently. That's art. He created all of the beauty around us, the stars in the sky he placed there by hand and the songs of the birds he composed. He is such an amazing artist that he created us all uniquely and beautiful in his eyes. And because he created us in his beauty, we have the instinct to reach and yearn for art.

In conclusion, art is very important when defining us as humans. Art is what makes us happy; it allows us to express ourselves, it has got us to where we are today, and God intended it this way. Personally, art has influenced my life immensely and I know it has for other people. All in all, art is important, it affects our daily decisions, and without it the world would be grey.

Why I Changed My Book

     For my English class we are required to read a classic novel and a coinciding novel written by a present day author. I originally was reading Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, but found it to be a little too long in order to finish it before the time recommended. I found the book to be entertaining, intriguing and someday I hope to finish reading it. But with other projects awaiting my attention, I thought it best to read a shorter novel.
     The Bridge To Terabithia is a children's novel by Katherine Paterson about two children who escape the reality and harshness of life by creating a magical kingdom where they spend their free time. It is a quick and easy read that can be interpreted in many ways.
     Over all I found it to be a creative and heart warming story. I was constantly intrigued and captivated be the turning of the events. In the end I was content with the way that Paterson (the author) concluded the story but was also hoping for more.
     This novel already has a movie made based on it, though I have not seen it yet. It stars Josh Hutcherson and Anna Sophia Robb. I think that after reading the book, and being amazed, I don't believe the movie will give readers the same amount of satisfaction. Usually, after watching a movie based on a book, I find myself eager to remake the movie because of how poorly it portrayed the story.
     I would recommend The Bridge To Terabithia for any age. This simple book will entertain those who appreciate the release from reality that stories bring us.

Macbeth Break

     Characters

     "I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell." ~Macbeth

     Recently I have begun to read Macbeth in my English class. So far, a Scottish general, Macbeth, has been promoted to become the third in line to be king. He struggles with the thought of killing the current king in order to lift him higher to the thrown. His wife, a persuasive and power thirsty women, convinces him to take action and that is where we are at.
 
     Macbeth is a fast paced, Shakespearean novel that has plenty of foreshadowing. Shakespeare's use of suspense is admirable and I find his choice of characters to be satisfying. Macbeth is a Scottish war general that is looked upon highly. He is also called the Thane of Glamis and the Thane of Cawdor. In the beginning, he is a respected character that has decent morals, but as he contemplates killing the king, we see his hesitant yearning for power.

   The king is referred to with adoration and is known to me a wise and humble king. Macbeth speaks of how the king is loved by the people and for him to kill him would be unjust; but his wife has other thoughts.

     Lady Macbeth is introduced as a conniving women who has no courtesy for others. Her determination to kill the king for her own benefit shows the heartlessness of her thoughts. This character, though cruel, is crucial. Her harshness is the part of Macbeth that wants the king dead whereas his guilt is the opposed.

     All of the characters so far, have played an important roll in drawing the story together. I am intrigued with the story and hope to post more.

      

Characters

Today I am officially done 100 pages of this 600 page book, Great Expectations. So far it is the story of a young boy, named Pip, living day by day in the 1800's. Pip was 'raised by hand' by an abusive sister, Mrs. Joe, and her understanding husband, Joe. Come Christmas dinner we meet the people that bond and pass the time with his sister.
Uncle Pumblechook is suddenly introduced in this scene, a character who is regarded as a proper gentlemen, who fears higher power, and who bends over backwards to gain appreciation from those above him. He displays this at Christmas by giving Mrs. Joe a bottle of wine, but the minute that a general arrives, he takes back the gift and eagerly gives it to him.This is also proven when he orders his nephew to spend time with Mrs. Havisham.
 Mrs. Havisham is not a well known character yet. She is described as a pale woman with white hair who lives in a home without light, and is dressed in a fading wedding dress. When Pip first arrives at her home, we learn of her wealth; she lives in the Manor House or Satis, "which is Greek, or Latin, or Hebrew, or all three- or all one to me- for Enough House." Mrs, Havisham's only request for Pip was for him to play, I find this to be a peculiar proposition.
After returning from Mrs. Havisham's dark and dusty home, Pip is questioned by Uncle Pumplechook and Mrs. Joe about his experience. When he gives simple responses he is abused. I find this to be a harsh environment to be raised in. Mrs. Joe is portrayed as a cruel lady who is pale and stick thin, the author gives us no reason to like like her. It is Joe, her husband, that softens her image for a time when he describes how they met.
Joe is the amazingly good guy so far. He supports Pip through all of the ups and downs. He seems like the only character that understands Pip.
These characters are only beginning to develop their stories and I am excited to learn more about their history and personalities.

First Thoughts of Great Expectations

     Recently I have begun to read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It is a classic book that's title is familiar to most. Charles Dickens is a merit earning author who has many well known books. Though I have just begun to read this work of literature, the story is slowly pulling me in.
     The book is dated in the 1800's, so reading descriptions and conversations may present a challenge. Personally, I read quickly, so I found this historic way of speaking, a challenge to read at my normal pace
     Charles Dickens has many award winning books including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, and many more. According to Publishers Weekly, Great Expectations is considered one of Dickens' finest pieces of writing.
     This book has more of an educational purpose as opposed to a 'fun' read. So far, I found the book to be subtly building suspense, through introducing a character as a convict, but I am not at the edge of my seat in excitement. Already by chapter three, the social lessons of not to take what is not yours and to not speak to strangers, were displayed by the predicament that the boy was in when he was forced to seal from his sister.
     So far I am enjoying the novel and the peculiar combinations of characters. I like how the author describes the atmosphere and creates a mood so vivid that I know the characters' past without being told.
     I would recommend this book for older audiences (15+) because of the challenge to follow the story due to the author's way of speaking.