We Can't Handle The Truth (right now)

I am now reading Impluse by Ellen Hopkins. It is about three different characters who all know each other because they are in the same mental hospital but for different reason. They all have their own deep dark secrets that sooner or later are going to be revealed. The book is great don't get me wrong but it is pretty graphic and soft subject. I have heard stories about these books being banned and at first didn't get it. My opinion was the same as other kids we deserve to know the truth but I see and just like that saying says "you can't handle the truth". I am not saying we should never know but I believe kids should be introduced to such subjects in high school.

“Act
on your impulse,
swallow the bottle,
cut a little deeper,
put the gun to your chest.” 

That quote says a lot already. The quote is pretty much telling you to do what you think is right but saying it in such a graphic way. Ellen Hopkins is a great writer and I love renters that go into detail but this is to much. "Cut a little deeper". These books are in the schools of 11 year old children who aren't exactly mentally prepared for such adult stuff. I am not saying we're babies but we should have to face this sad reality yet. This isn't a adult speaking this is a kid who lives the lives most kids do and even I say this a little to much. Another example is is that the characters are high schoolers. Which shows this is something you deal with in high school so let the students read it in high school. We can't handle the truth right now.

“I tattered their wings and tore off their legs, joint by joint, watched them crawl in circles, like little lost infants, untill they decide to die.”  Woah! Now this has lathing to do with age it's just straight out graphic. I like watching horror moines but for some reason reading it makes it worse. In another part of the book Conner one of the three teens has finally admitted to his therapist in one of their sessions how he had intercourse with a teacher. In that scene it gets very inappropriate. He asks the women if she wants to know detail on there sex moments. Little things that Goethe women sexually aroused. Then he states them and it gets bad. I think the worst way to learn about sex is from a book. That is kinda a family moment you're supposed t share. I know that sounds weird but it is true.  

I think a way to solve this problem is let the parents decide if children should be allowed to read these books. If you want the book the parent has to sign. A lot of kids probably disagree with me but, this is just my opinion 

Not Expecting That One

I just recently started reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I am only half way through so I can't give you the whole summary. All I know is that a child named Piscine Patel who is very passionate about all religions lives in India and under goes a major life change. When his family, who are zookeepers decide to move to Canada. They take the animals put them in cages and emigrate to Canada. Sadly the ship and Pi is left alone with a hyena, orangutan, a wounded zebra and a 450- pound Bengal tiger. Soon all that's left is him and the Bengal tiger alone on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. The only reason I read this book was because I wanted to see the movie too. I never thought it would have such a big affect of me and change my thoughts on things. This book has affected me more than any other book I have ever read. No lie.

One of the ways this book has effected me is my thoughts of zoo's have changed. In the beginning of the book Pi talks about animal in captivity. Saying that they like no change and that being in a safe stable environment makes them happy and they don't mind. I always thought animals were so sad in a zoo. For all the obvious reasons being away from family and there home. The book helped me realize that they adjust and sooner or later learn to love their new home. Pi used this example which I thought was really good. "If you take a human out of their home and say your free they will probably curse you out and go back inside". That is what really changed my mind. I am still not exactly sure if animals should be in zoo's but Pi helped me realize that they could actually be happy.

Another way this book has effected me is my thoughts on religion. I have not really decided what choice I want to make about religion I kinda have ignored the topic. Seeing how passionate Pi is about the topic makes me wanna join in, I guess at least think about it more. Pi joins three religions at the same time (Hindu, Christianity and he becomes a Muslim). I don't understand how someone can be so committed to all these religions, I already go to sleep in church I do not think I could handle three religions. In my opinion everybody has to have views at least. I believe that's what the book taught you do not have to be apart of a religion but at least have your own views.

Never did I ever think that this book would really make me think. My teacher (shout out to Ms.Robbins) told me I could write a good response about this book because it is very philosophical. I do not exactly know what that means but this book did make me think. It kinda makes you reflect on your life and what not. Very interesting and I recommend this book to others.

In conclusion, Pi Patel has effected my life a lot more than I supposed. I defiantly cannot wait to see this movie and then I will be cable to compare.

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Comment seriously give me feedback.

Excepting Being Gay Is Like Doing Dishes

I just read a book called Am I Blue? by Bruce Covillie. It is about a kid named Vincent who gets bullied for being gay, A book with such a controversial topic must have a strong internal and external conflict. I believe the internal conflict is that he was not excepting the fact he might be gay and the external conflict was him getting bullied.

I think that was the internal conflict because it was not until the end of the book Vincent excepted he might be gay. "No", I whispered, starring at my bluish face". That was when he realized in and he was in denial. I would be pretty shocked to if I found out I was a lesbian."When I meet the girl of my dreams or Prince Charming". That was when he excepts the fact he could be gay. It must be hard to except something as big as that. Especially since he gets bullied for it.

I thought the external conflict was him getting bullied. I  had some trouble finding out the external conflict because it was surprisingly not that obvious in my opinion."It started the day Butch Carrigan decided I was interested in jumping his bones". See in my opinion it looks like this thing is gonna be about bullying but later you realize what it is really about.

I loved how Vincent handled the whole conflict. He did not get angry or lash out, he seems pretty calm. If I found out something as shocking as that I would go crazy and probably start crying. Not saying I am a homophobic. If your used to something all your life then a dramatic change happens and it is something you can't deny or ignore no matter how hard you tried, I would be a little upset. It is not easy to connect something like this to your life since I have never had such experience but, I'll try. It is like when I do dishes, I deny it and ignore it until it starts adding up and I can't ignore it anymore then I have to do the dishes. I know it is a weird comparison but it was the only way it could work with me.

In conclusion, Vincent handled both conflicts very well. Internal not excepting being gay and external being bullied for it. Now for the hard question are you blue?

Who's Your Cheerleader?

 I recently read a book called Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Bradbury. The book is about Joby a 14 year old drummer boy in the Civil War specifically the battle of Shiloh. In the beginning he is frightened and afraid because he has no protection but "raw youth". Soon after the generals encouraging words Joby learned his importance in the army and how he was "the soul of the army". Sometimes you need a little push to realize your potential.

  Joby at first might not seem to be a very relatable character but, once you kind of read between the lines you realize how is just like any other kid. He has fears just like other kids and he also needs encourgament just like other kids. If the general did not give Joby those words of edvice he probably would not have done his best and would have let the army down.

  Like Joby everybody needs a cheerleader someone that helps you and is supporting you. It might not have been obvious but most cheerleaders aren't the general was Jobys cheerleader. Since Joby was a runaway he never had family support so it must have felt nice to have someone there when you needed. My cheerleader in my life is my family and friends. They tell me truth, encourage me to do my best, most of all show me my true potential. When I am scared or doubting myself my friends and family are there to motivate me.

 Now that I am in 8th grade I am going to need a lot of motivating and help because monologues and SHSAT stuff. Me and Joby might not need to motivated for the same reason but I know what it is like to be scared and having someone be there to encourage you.

       In conclusion, who is your cheerleader?

     

It's Kinda A Funny Story By Ned Vizzini

        I am reading a book called It's Kinda A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini about a high schooler suffering from depression who checks himself into a mental hospital.  I believe the problem is starting resolve the main problem at least. He has checked himself into the hospital and starting to eat and sleep well again. But that is the obvious problem I think the real problem, the real reason for his depression that problem has yet been solved or even uncovered so I feel I am getting close but, I still awhile to go. So far though the book is really good pretty funny too.

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different

            I recently read the book Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different. For all the people that 

have lived under a rock for the past decade Steve Jobs is the one of the creators of Apple the computer 

company. The book was a biography about the amazing Steve Jobs, how he achieved success and how he 

had to face the difficulties of that. While reading the book I was shocked to find out  interesting facts good 

and bad about Jobs. Many of those interesting facts I will speak about in this blog post. 

          

            One of those facts is that he was adopted. His real mother Joanne Schieble was twenty-three when 

she found out she was pregnant. Her father did not approve of her being pregnant and not married. So to 

please him she moved to San Francisco and was taken in by a doctor who cared for unwed mothers and 

set-up adoptions. After the baby was born Clara and Paul Jobs adopted him. That was something I never 

knew about Jobs and was shocked to find out such a thing. For some reason I always assumed he was one 

of those already rich college graduates who did not struggle at all to reach success, but he actually was not 

even close to that. I suppose had not put much thought into the idea.

            

            Now here is the crazy side of Jobs I never knew. While he was working at Apple in the beginning 

stages of the company he had a weird way of eating. Someday's he would fast and not eat at all, other times 

he would just eat vegetables and with these meal plans for some reason he would not take a shower. Yes it 

is true and in my opinion very weird. Sooner or later that had stop people would constantly make 

complaints. I was very surprised to find out a soon to be billionaire refused to take showers.

            Another thing I learned about Jobs showed how dedicated he was to his baby Apple. In 2008 his 

health problems began to worsen because the disease was spreading into his liver. This caused him to 

become uncomfortable and in pain. Also the combination of cancer therapies, strong pain medicine and his 

weird food habits made it difficult for him to eat well. He began to lose weight, but he still continued to lead 

an "innovation machine". Being the smart man he is I am shocked he would ignore his health problems like 

that and choose to still eat the way he did which was not helping his health problems. I could understand how 

he  is constantly stubborn but when it comes to your health you can't choose to not listen to the doctors 

because you don't want to. I do think it was sweet how he still went to work no matter what happened cause 

Apple was his baby.

            In conclusion, these are some of the new facts I learned while reading this biography about Steve 

Jobs. This book really helped me because I think I will never see Steve Jobs as the same person anymore 

sadly it took me this long to find it out. R.I.P. stubborn, interesting, and very intelligent Steve Jobs.