The Pact
George, Sam and Rameck grew up in Newark, New Jersey in the 1980's. They are african-american. None of them had a father that was continuously at home, one's mother was addicted to cocaine, another never received a substantial education. All grew up relatively poor - gunshots and sirens filled the streets, fights and drug deals happened around every corner, and their families went weeks at a time with no electricity. The Pact is their story - their struggle to survive in a hostile environment, with little to no hope of a stable future; living a life where many people around them never finish high school, and commonly resort to crime just to get by. However, in their senior year they make a decision that will change everything. A pact. A pact to become doctors.
This book is powerful, moving, and inspiring. A story - a true story about three men that grew up in the ghetto and beat the odds. Already I can tell this book has had a great impact on me like it has for so many others. It gives me the determination and drive to be successful and conquer my dreams. After all, they grew up in poor and dangerous areas drained of hope and did something no one thought they could; As Logan students, we have been given an opportunity they never had - if they can do succeed and lead rich and happy lives coming from worse circumstances than us, why can't we?
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Freeverse Poem
Suddenly I stop to think. I stare deep into the crisp piece of paper before me, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation. I start to grapple just how fast my life is moving forward - I am plunging into a deep unknown abyss powerless to stop it. Eighth grade? About to leave Logan? Applying for High School? It feels like it was just yesterday that I was wondering what my final year at Logan would be like. Now I am in it - facing big decisions about my life. The truth of it hits me like a frigid blast of air. At the same time I can't help but wonder what direction my life is heading - will I be able to cope with the challenges? What will I be like? When will all this work pay off? Does it ever get easier? I slump down onto the couch lost in my own thoughts.
My thoughts eat away at me. My parents always tell me that everything will work out - that it will be okay in the end. How do I know they are right? Even scarier; what will I do when they are gone? The warmth and reassurence of their words crumbles away. Suddenly I start getting nervous - trying to come up with a reassuring answer to all these questions. I blink, and return to reality. All these worries are a long ways away - and all the adults in my life have gotten through them, why can't I? I calm down a little bit. There is still that nagging question like a thorn is my side - What is this all for? Why work so hard?
Then I realize that there is not simple black and white answer to this, like many things. I could choose to look at it like Tallahassee from Zombieland and think that enjoying life is about the little things. Or, look at it from no particular persons point of view and think that at the end off your life all your work and accomplishments will pay off - but old people really don't seem that happy. Suddenly I realize that there could be a completely new answer - that there is no answer to why people choose to keep on going like one that you could write on a test - or maybe the answer is specific to each person and that answer is true to them and makes sense to them. Maybe the answer to why people keep on going is meant to be found out as you progress through your life. I am only a thirteen year old after all, no one asked me to have an answer to the question people have probably been wondering for thousands of years.
Maybe if we just will ourselves to go on with another day, day after day, we will find joy in our lives, and eventually find that answer. I then start to think of all the wonderful things I could do. I could compose music that brings people to tears. I could write a book that has all the answers to my questions. I could raise children and teach them those answers - or watch them learn them themselves. I could change the world in ways no one ever thought was possible. I have a sudden bright, warm and powerful feeling - hope.
I understand it will be hard - life is hard. But I know that in the end, I will be happy that I willed myself to go on day to day, and I will continue to find joy and light in my life, and do things I am proud of. Then I look at my watch and realize I have homework so I get up to go grab a soda before I head up to my room.
My thoughts eat away at me. My parents always tell me that everything will work out - that it will be okay in the end. How do I know they are right? Even scarier; what will I do when they are gone? The warmth and reassurence of their words crumbles away. Suddenly I start getting nervous - trying to come up with a reassuring answer to all these questions. I blink, and return to reality. All these worries are a long ways away - and all the adults in my life have gotten through them, why can't I? I calm down a little bit. There is still that nagging question like a thorn is my side - What is this all for? Why work so hard?
Then I realize that there is not simple black and white answer to this, like many things. I could choose to look at it like Tallahassee from Zombieland and think that enjoying life is about the little things. Or, look at it from no particular persons point of view and think that at the end off your life all your work and accomplishments will pay off - but old people really don't seem that happy. Suddenly I realize that there could be a completely new answer - that there is no answer to why people choose to keep on going like one that you could write on a test - or maybe the answer is specific to each person and that answer is true to them and makes sense to them. Maybe the answer to why people keep on going is meant to be found out as you progress through your life. I am only a thirteen year old after all, no one asked me to have an answer to the question people have probably been wondering for thousands of years.
Maybe if we just will ourselves to go on with another day, day after day, we will find joy in our lives, and eventually find that answer. I then start to think of all the wonderful things I could do. I could compose music that brings people to tears. I could write a book that has all the answers to my questions. I could raise children and teach them those answers - or watch them learn them themselves. I could change the world in ways no one ever thought was possible. I have a sudden bright, warm and powerful feeling - hope.
I understand it will be hard - life is hard. But I know that in the end, I will be happy that I willed myself to go on day to day, and I will continue to find joy and light in my life, and do things I am proud of. Then I look at my watch and realize I have homework so I get up to go grab a soda before I head up to my room.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Pact
The Pact
Non-fiction
George, Sam and Rameck grew up in Newark, New Jersey in the 1980's. They are african-american. None of them had a father that was continuously at home, one's mother was addicted to cocaine, another never received a substantial education. All grew up relatively poor - gunshots and sirens filled the streets, fights and drug deals happened around every corner, and their families went weeks at a time with no electricity. The Pact is their story - their struggle to survive in a hostile environment, with little to no hope of a stable future; living a life where many people around them never finish high school, and commonly resort to crime just to get by. However, in their senior year they make a decision that will change everything. A pact. A pact to become doctors.
Non-fiction
George, Sam and Rameck grew up in Newark, New Jersey in the 1980's. They are african-american. None of them had a father that was continuously at home, one's mother was addicted to cocaine, another never received a substantial education. All grew up relatively poor - gunshots and sirens filled the streets, fights and drug deals happened around every corner, and their families went weeks at a time with no electricity. The Pact is their story - their struggle to survive in a hostile environment, with little to no hope of a stable future; living a life where many people around them never finish high school, and commonly resort to crime just to get by. However, in their senior year they make a decision that will change everything. A pact. A pact to become doctors.
So far I really have nothing bad to say about this book. More than that, I highly recommend it. Most books we read are for pleasure - for the fun of reading them. This book not only engrosses you, but it could potentially make a large difference on your life. It is inspiring, and motivational - a story about how three men managed to beat the odds and claw their way to the top. I very highly recommend this book.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Where the Red Fern Grows
Where the Red Fern Grows
Wilson Rawls
Billy lives in the Ozarks. He lives with his Mom, Dad, and his three younger sisters. When he is ten years old, he decides that he wants to own a pair of redbone coonhounds that he could hunt with. He sees an add in a magazine for redbone coonhounds for 25 dollars a pop. He decides to get the money himself. He works hard for a couple years, buys the dogs, and walks all the way to a nearby town to pick them up. His work was worthwhile however - because Billy soon finds that his dogs are talented, and smart. Together they will do great things.
I suppose this book was too young for me, but I picked it up because I have been hearing about it forever and everyone else read it a while ago so I decided I must read it. It was a good book, I think I would have enjoyed it more a couple years ago, but it was nice to read it. It was sad, and funny, and heartwarming, and it had a pretty interesting plot. It was kind of an adventure type story. I would recommend it, but I am sure many of you have read it, and it is a little young for our age group.
Wilson Rawls
Billy lives in the Ozarks. He lives with his Mom, Dad, and his three younger sisters. When he is ten years old, he decides that he wants to own a pair of redbone coonhounds that he could hunt with. He sees an add in a magazine for redbone coonhounds for 25 dollars a pop. He decides to get the money himself. He works hard for a couple years, buys the dogs, and walks all the way to a nearby town to pick them up. His work was worthwhile however - because Billy soon finds that his dogs are talented, and smart. Together they will do great things.
I suppose this book was too young for me, but I picked it up because I have been hearing about it forever and everyone else read it a while ago so I decided I must read it. It was a good book, I think I would have enjoyed it more a couple years ago, but it was nice to read it. It was sad, and funny, and heartwarming, and it had a pretty interesting plot. It was kind of an adventure type story. I would recommend it, but I am sure many of you have read it, and it is a little young for our age group.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O'Dell
If you looked at the island from above it would appear to be a big fish sunning itself an the sea. Hence the name the island of the blue dolphins - or perhaps the name comes from the blue dolphins that cluster around the island. The island has little plant life, and the rocks are smooth from the driving wind and current. The inhabitants of the island are the citizens of Ghalas-at, a native american village. It is at least forty-five leagues away from Santa Barbara and the Californian coast - and many of the villaigers have never even been off the island, which is why they were shocked when a great ship with billowing white sails came to their island. It took the villagers away to the east - but one girl was left behind. Her name was Karana, and she had grown up on the island - but until that day, had never lived there alone... or been so lonely. Would the boat ever come back? would she ever see her family again? would she survive all alone?
I was sitting alone in my room on Thursday night, having the unlucky fortune of forgetting to get a book from school. I searched my room until I found this book - so I had to read it. The story was rather depressing, and the writing style was flat and uninteresting. The most interesting thing about it was that it is based on a real island, and a real girl who was stuck there for eighteen years. Ouch. It was also a little young for me, and anyone else in our class. I would only recommend it if you find yourself stuck without a book on a Thursday night like I was. Other than that scenario which I would try to avoid if I were you, don't read this book.
Scott O'Dell
If you looked at the island from above it would appear to be a big fish sunning itself an the sea. Hence the name the island of the blue dolphins - or perhaps the name comes from the blue dolphins that cluster around the island. The island has little plant life, and the rocks are smooth from the driving wind and current. The inhabitants of the island are the citizens of Ghalas-at, a native american village. It is at least forty-five leagues away from Santa Barbara and the Californian coast - and many of the villaigers have never even been off the island, which is why they were shocked when a great ship with billowing white sails came to their island. It took the villagers away to the east - but one girl was left behind. Her name was Karana, and she had grown up on the island - but until that day, had never lived there alone... or been so lonely. Would the boat ever come back? would she ever see her family again? would she survive all alone?
I was sitting alone in my room on Thursday night, having the unlucky fortune of forgetting to get a book from school. I searched my room until I found this book - so I had to read it. The story was rather depressing, and the writing style was flat and uninteresting. The most interesting thing about it was that it is based on a real island, and a real girl who was stuck there for eighteen years. Ouch. It was also a little young for me, and anyone else in our class. I would only recommend it if you find yourself stuck without a book on a Thursday night like I was. Other than that scenario which I would try to avoid if I were you, don't read this book.
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