Reading Response to, "No Mans Land" by S.T Underdahl

There are certain feelings that you may get when you think of something or someone. For example, when you think about your old teddy bear, you may feel warm and happy inside. Therefore your teddy bear symbolizes warmth and happiness.

The book, "No Mans Land", by S.T Underdahl, is about a troubled and effected soldier who returns home from Afghanistan. Brian, the soldier,once was known as the charmer, and the perfect gentlemen. He was once seen as a star football player and a great inspiration to his younger brother Dov. But after the sights and experiences he had in war, he came back a whole different person. A drunk, a loser, and a loner. He suffered greatly from post traumatic stress. Hallucinations haunted him constantly. His brother Dov, who was always known as the weird one and the one who wasn't going to amount to anything, turned into the more stable brother. As he met new people and blossomed as a person, Brian on the other hand was struggling. Through out the book Dov shows things that symbolize something to him, and so does Brian. Objects, animals, places and death can all symbolize strong emotions. 

After Brian returns home, he got into the habit of sleeping with a pistol in his arms. This pistol makes him feel secure. It promises him that whatever happens he will be ready for it, even though he isn't in Afghanistan anymore. The pistol symbolizes security and comfort. It also symbolizes a piece of him that is still in Afghanistan. Brian also has hallucinations that he is still in war. These Hallucinations are extremely vivid and take control over his mind and body. They symbolize the parts of war they he can't get out of his head. These things from war, he will never forget. 

Dov on the other hand, has a pet gecko. Brian his brother gave him the gecko. Dov talks to his gecko as if he is a real person. He expresses his feelings towards his gecko. His gecko symbolizes a wonderful friendship. When his gecko dies, his death symbolizes a great relationship that is gone. And a part of his brothers old behaviors is gone. Dov also received anonymous poems from his friend Miranda. These poems symbolize her mysterious love for him. It was her way of expressing her feelings to him. 

Anything can symbolize a strong emotion, and everyone has something that symbolizes a good feeling and a bad feeling. Teenagers excpecially experience symbolism. They connect or relate to certain things or people and they hold many things close to their hearts. Teenager, due to there hormones and mood swings,  tend to have deep feelings towards many things and because of many things. Symbolism is everywhere.

Fiction Reading Response on, The Glass Castle", by Jeannette Walls

Everybody has had the epiphany that your parents may have flaws and make mistakes, and not keep their promises. Parents are humans, and they are bound to mess up just like everybody else. As a child, you see your parents as idols and perfect people, but they are not.

The book, "The Glass Castle",  by Jeannette Walls is a remarkable memoir that takes a look into a dysfunctional, uniquely vibrant  family. Jeannette's mom was a  free spirited person who did not want the responsibility of raising a family or taking care of a drunk of a husband. Despite his dishonesty and his foul behavior, he seemed imaginative and fearless to his children until they grew up and saw what a monster he was.  Their mother on the other hand was soon seen as immature and irresponsible. Jeannette and her siblings learned how to take care of themselves and protect each other from the many harms of the world and their situation. Coming to the point where you start to see your parents flaws is very hard to comprehend. 

You may sometimes feel hate, disgust and disappointment towards your parents. Jeannette and her siblings faced many of these emotions because of their parents actions. Jeannette and her sister saved up a lot of money so they could escape and go to New York. Their father stole it, and lied about it. Her sister was furious and refused to talk to him. Her and her sister experienced anger. The countless times Jeannette's dad gets drunk and her mom stayed in bed all day she felt disgusted that her they  are this way. Also when they decided to live homeless in NY Jeannette felt  grossed out by them and ashamed. Lastly when Jeannette's father broke a promise or her mom quit a job, she felt disappointed. She feels like her parents should be more responsible and mature. They should think about their kids well being and their future.

Parents can become very disappointing, and you may not always agree with them and their choices.  Your teen years are the peak years for truly getting to know who your parents are. It may seem tough to cope with them, but they are your parents,and you can't make them change. It is important to understand that just like you, your parents will make mistakes. Also if it seems as thought they don't care for you, don't worry because there is someone out there who will.

Nonfiction Reading Response :)

In the article "Food Fight" by Unknown, tells readers about the powerful protest that happened in the Netherlands. 1000 dutch teens spent an hour or so of their day pelting each other with tomatoes. They did this to show Russia that they are mistaken for thinking they can boycott fresh produce from Europe. The Boycott caused way more overripe fruits and veggies then the Netherlands needs. Although this was a protest most people were having the time of their life flinging tomatoes at their friends. The unknown author wanted to make the readers side with the Netherlands.

The author explains how Europe and the United States imposed trade sanctions on Russia for annexing crimea and supporting Russian rebels. This piece of information was used to make people dislike Russia and dislike how they run their country. Therefore making them supportive of the Netherlands, Europe, and the USA. Also the author made the little tomato protest seem pleasurable and exhilarating. This makes the readers feel the urge to join in too. This feeling of exuberance will ultimately make the reader think that the Netherlands  are correct in having a protest, what they think, and therefore side with them.

After I read the article I realized that other countries other then the USA are having struggles with each other. I also realized that Russia and Europe trade. One thing that I thought when reading was... what are they to do will all the smooshed tomatoes? As I kept reading I learned that the leftover sludge was going to be processed into organic renewable fuel. I did not even know that was possible. All in all, I side with the Netherlands due to the great way the author wrote this article.

Response to "Darkness Too Visible"

The article, "Darkness Too Visible", by Megan Cox Gurdon is a persuasive nonfiction article about how young adult books are too inappropriate and dark for teenagers to be reading. Megan Cox is pushing for readers to side with her in thinking they should have a limited selection of books. She explains how this generations books are far more revulsive and skeptical than books in past generations. What teenagers are  reading now may seem gruesome to many parents and adults. Some may disagree but others are on her side.

Megan gave many examples of "inappropriate" books. One that she mentioned was called "Shine." This book contains sexual assault, drinking, homophobia, and crystal meth. Megan Cox used these key words to frighten the reader into thinking young adult books are completely detestable. Megan also addresses other possible things you may encounter in young adult realistic fiction, such as sex, drugs, and free language. These words are used to make the reader have a negative feeling, which lead them to think young adult books are incongruous and out of place in the hands of teens.

Megan clearly wants to influence the readers to go against young adult books. I strongly disagree with her. I think that if a parent thinks a book is unsuitable for their son or daughter, they have the power to confiscate it. In other cases where a parent is liberating and the child believes the book is adequate , they should have the right to read what they want without a problem. If you did somehow ban young adult books from teenagers, many people including me would be fuming with outrage.

Reading Response: "The Moon and More", by Sarah Dessen

Reading Response / Blog Post                                                                 
Najal Judd - 806

Life is a gift. You will never know what opportunities are out there unless you let your fear go and follow your heart.

I know that my family and I have made many decisions in our lives that have either benefitted us or have not. But in the midst of tough times we breathe and with confidence and knowledge we conquer the issue at hand.  You may sometimes fear your future, but all you have to do is embrace it and stay optimistic. It is your life and you are in control of the path that you take.

            The “Moon and More,” by Sarah Dessen is about a small-town girl named Emaline. In the midst of her hectic summer working and preparing for college, a student named Theo, and his so called boss from New York pay a visit to Colby in hopes of making a movie starring a famous artist who lives in town. Surprisingly Emaline becomes a large part of the production. Due to the long days spent with Theo, working on the movie, their perplexed relationship grows stronger. As she learns new things from him, she finds answers to the big questions lingering in her life. This book is meaningful for teenagers because it gives insight to the struggles and decisions we may come to experience.

            Not long after Columbia University accepts Emaline, her father tells her that he can not pay for her tuition. The promise he has kept since the beginning of High School. Emaline’s father has never been fair to her and the rest of her family. This was the way he thought he could make it up to her, but like many other times he failed to do so.  Despite Emaline being furious she starts accepting the fact that she will be attending the community college fifteen minutes away. As a result she stops aspiring to her dreams and thinking about her future. But as she meets new people she realizes that there are so many opportunities that she was not chasing and she becomes aware that there is more that she can do with her life. This demonstrates to teenagers that even though you do not get what you want, you still should make the best of it. For example, if you do not get the job that you have interviewed for but instead you have to accept a second possibly lesser job that in the end this may benefit you nevertheless.  This could prove to be frustrating and irritating but the result can be positive if the person uses all that they are given and stays open and inspired. Never stop dreaming about a bright future, because if you do, you will miss out on what life has to offer.  Just like Emaline almost did. 

            Later on, Theo’s boss whom is hated offers Emaline a job. Theo advises Emaline not to take it because of his constant struggles with his boss. Emaline is conflicted about whether she should listen to her boyfriend, but finally goes with her gut and decides to do it. Luckily Emaline scores many new opportunities, and experiences much more then she would have otherwise. Soon after, Emaline finds herself on an airplane headed to New York City, where she discovers a whole new world, as well as new people, new things to see, and a different atmosphere.  This turning point in Emaline’s life is meaningful because it shows that she trusted herself and did what was best for her.  This sentiment is exactly what all teenagers should take into account within their own lives as they are being challenged with the many decisions while maturing.

            Emaline ends up realizing that knowing about different parts of the world and different places is a beautiful thing. The author states, “ The thing is, you can’t always have the best of everything. Because for a life to be real, you need it all: Good and bad, beach and concrete, the familiar and the unknown, big talkers and small towns.”(pg. 435) Emaline has struggled with this concept but as she grew as a person and stepped out of her shell, she realized she will need to experience the new in order to gain what life has to offer. Teenagers have and will always come to a point in there lives that they will be faced with a decision or are trying to find out who they are, where they belong, and where life will take them next. The most important lesson to learn is that you have complete control over what you decide to do and where you decide to be. Being exposed to different places and experiences will only benefit you and will spark new relationships and opportunities.

            Sometimes I wonder, what if someone planned out my life for me and told me exactly how to live? I would never be able to do the things I have dreamt of doing. I would never be able to make my own choices. My life would not be considered mine. It would be considered someone else’s. This brings me to realize that I should never let anyone take advantage of me, or push me to do things that I think are wrong for me. Our lives belong to us and only us.  “The Moon and More” has and will bring this point up for many teenagers who read it, which will help shape the their lives. It will provide a guide to the hardships and the life changing decisions we might come across in our futures. This book has given me an open feeling about transitioning into adult hood. Trust yourself and make decisions based on what and who will benefit you. Go with your gut and follow your path. Fear should never stop you. You should crush it and absorb the many things that are out there instead. Never cease to learn and discover. You should live a life filled with joy and sorrow, approval and disapproval, love and loneliness, gain and loss, and everything else in between because you will not always experience the good but also the bad. For a life to be lived to it’s fullest you will need both to learn and to thrive.

Reading Response, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" By Jenny Han

Najal Judd 806
     
 The book,"To All The Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han is about a teenage girl, named Lara Jean and her mysterious love letters that she writes. She's written one for every boy she has ever loved, including her older sisters boyfriend. She keeps all her letters in a secret box, so nobody can find them. She  keeps  these letters for her eyes only until the day all five of them get sent out to all five boys. Her love life changes from ordinary to completely dysfunctional. This book is a riveting and dramatic book based truly on the out of control life of a teenage girl, which many people can relate to. It is one of those books that you cannot put down. 

Jenny Han does a marvelous job at entertaining young adult readers. She makes Lara Jeans Character take on so many obstacles, and finding out how she overcomes them is one of the many reasons I loved this book. Also The way Jenny described  so many different characters and so many different emotions is one of the reasons why I couldn't stop reading. This book is filled with very complex characters such as Lara's sister and Peter, the boy she comes to love. Reading this book made me experience the same emotions the characters did. The book in a way, took me inside of it. I felt as if i was part of the story. 

All in all. "To all the Boys I've Loved Before", was extremely well written and very thought provoking. The characters came alive and the theme was very clear. All the characters were so relatable, which makes it even a better read. Although this book may not be popular to all audiences, it is the perfect book for someone who is looking for a fun, exciting and dramatic read.