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.

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.

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.

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.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

John Boyne

Bruno was nine years old when he walked into his room in Berlin to find Maria packing up his things, even the secret things that were in the back of the closet and were nobody else's business. His mother informed him that they would be moving away, because his father had very important job and the fuhrer needed them to go - although Bruno could still not place exactly what his fathers job was. He liked his house, and didn't want to leave - especially once they arrived at there new home. It was in the middle of nowhere, and had only three floors instead of five. Bruno was forced to unpack his things, (with the help of Maria, the maid) even the the secret things that came from the back of the closet and were nobody else's business. His new home was terrible, and he didn't even know why he was there - but the most frustrating thing was that he was very lonely and there was a bunch of kids in a large camp only fifty feet away from the house. They had a huge fence around them, and they all wore striped pajamas - he didn't understand why he couldn't go play with them. Why were they on that side of the fence? Why was his family here? and why did all the people on the other side of the fence appear to be so... sad?

If you haven't already figured it out, this book takes place in Europe in the early 1940's. One of the many things that makes it so interesting is the fact that it is from the perspective of a nine year old German boy, a naive nine year old German boy. His parents try to shelter him from the atrocities that are happening a short fifty feet away from their home, while he tries to understand just what is going on. While your reading it you know the whole time what is happening to the people on the other side of the fence, but Bruno still does not see what is happening right before his eyes. Throughout the book, the author gives subtle hints as to what is going on inside of the camp through Bruno's point of view - which makes it terrifying, saddening, and intriguing all at the same time. I love the writing style - it's amusing, almost lightening the whole situation. It's the holocaust through a child's eyes - which makes you re-examine the whole topic. The book is a quick and easy read, but makes you think, and asks a very important question: Why are people on different sides of the fence? and because of those reasons, I highly recommend this book.

Life As We Knew It

Life As We Knew It

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Science Fiction

It was a normal Wednesday for Miranda and her family. She took the bus to school, went to classes, and went to swim practice after school. Her Mom picked her up, and they invited Mrs. Nesbitt over to watch the meteor hit the Moon. People gathered in their yards with their lawn chairs and picnic blankets, having no idea what would happen at 9:37 that evening. There was something the astronomers hadn't calculated correctly - when the meteor hit the moon, it was pushed closer to Earth. Immediately the tides raised and lowered to extreme levels across the globe, killing millions. Earthquakes and freak storms ravaged the planet. Electricity was lost. Phone lines down. Grocery stores ransacked. Chaos in the streets. It was the beginning of the end.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was intense, exciting, and sad. Many post-apocalyptic novels take place after the cataclysmic event, which makes this book stand out. It also seemed very realistic which made the fear very real. This book is not a very difficult read, and I think it would be suitable for anyone in the class. I would definitely recomend this book.

Forgive me, Leonard Peacock

Mathew Quick

Drama

It's Leonard Peacock's eighteenth birthday. It's also the day Leonard will kill his former best friend, and then kill himself. No one remembers his birthday, not even his mother who he barely sees. Before the murder-suicide, Leonard must give presents two his four best friends; Meaningful presents to show them how much they meant to him. He goes throughout his un-remembered eighteenth birthday dishing out his personal items - secretly hoping someone will save him, even notice him - before he ends it all.

It's hard for me to describe my emotions on this book. It was powerful, intense, and thoughtful. In the book, the main character discusses deep topics - like if adults are really happy with their lives, and if life ever becomes worth living. That being different is okay, admirable even; and that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. This is a good book - thought provoking, and has increasing tension and intensity throughout. It is on the mature side, featuring somewhat adult language, references and themes, and the book is pretty dark; but nevertheless, I would highly recommend this book.

Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell
Non-fiction

This book focuses on real life examples of outliers. People that go beyond the rest of the population, people that are more than just normal - particularly focusing on success, talent, and just groups of people that are abnormal. It talks about why some become successful and other don't - why people are talented and others aren't. The book focuses on a different outlier each chapter, talking about Bill Gates, the Beatles, etc. I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is entertaining and very interesting. I learned a lot, and enjoyed reading the book. It is a relatively easy read, it is informational, thoughtful, and entertaining. I would recommend this book to just about anybody; but especially people who enjoy non-fiction.