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Litspiration Challenge #2

Description:

 This is a scene from the book The Gathering. It is meant to show the prologue. I think that this event in the book is what drives the book. On the right it shows Serena, having the life sucked out of her, and on the left is Maya. In the book it says that she felt something like a hand around her leg, pulling her down. She is also pulled under for a while and the thing doesn't let go until she hits the bottom. To draw this was incredibly tough for me because I am personally NOT an artist so this drawing took me quite a while to finish. I will not say whether Serena, or Maya, die. For that, you will have to read the book!

Divergent Book Review (Peer Review)

Divergent

Book By: Veronica Roth

Book Review By: Maitri P.

            “One choice can transform you.” This line, which can be found at the back of the book, is what drew me into reading this book. That, and Aidan’s amazing review! Aidan stated that “Divergent is an amazing example of character development”, and I couldn’t agree more. He also stated that “the message of the novel was good conquering evil”, but I feel that it was more about finding yourself and the journey you take in order to show who you are. As I was reading I came across a quote that read, “I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent.” I think that is the first time she states that she is Divergent without being scared, and to me it shows that she has finally accepted herself as who she is. Aidan said that the theme of this book was very similar to the theme of The Hunger Games. I think the theme of The Hunger Games was about the differences between the individuals, and the state while Divergent has a theme of the constant struggle that every human being goes through, thinking what you are expected to think, or following your heart. Overall, as I stated in the beginning, Aidan’s book review is what pulled me in to actually read this novel, and I am certainly glad that I did.

            Divergent led me to think about my society, and how I would feel if I was born into a society like the one displayed in the book. I started to wonder what faction I would fit into and if I would truly be able to leave my family and let my faction be what defines me. I felt that the society in the book was really restraining and I couldn’t help but wonder how individuals would be able to live in the separate factions, and how there weren’t many people with divergence. That was my favorite part of the book, because it caused me to think deeply about my surroundings and helped me make connections with the world around me. Veronica Roth created the character of Beatrice very dynamic, which I feel, helps to make all individuals connect with her. Many times in the book she would become a very strong-headed individual and yet, in another part of the book she is still a teenage girl trying to find where she belongs. I thought that factor is what helped individuals connect with all of her characters. The plot of the novel was obviously well thought out but had many unexpected twists and turns. When I got really into the book and would predict something, I would usually find something that I never predicted would happen. To find out what I am talking about, you have to read this amazing book and of course, the sequel is available now (Insurgent). Divergent is a book for anyone who is willing to take the time out for it, because it can take you a while to read, but I can assure you it is a book worth your time!

The Mark Of Athena Book Review (Peer Review)

The Mark Of Athena

Book By: Rick Riordan

Review By: Maitri P.

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            Mark of Athena was on of the best books from the Percy Jackson series. Some points that Heather talked about are the characters and the role they play in the book. For starters she mentioned two of the main characters and how their personalities were incredibly diverse. I felt like that made a major contribution to the reason why so many individuals enjoy this book. There was a variety of evidence that was provided showing how different the characters truly are, from their names to their, they were completely different but somehow they still became friends. Heather also mentioned that the whole novel revolved around the journeys that Percy and Annabeth had gone through. Personally, I believe that the novel is not only about those two individuals, in fact it revolves more around all seven of the characters, their struggles and their relationship with each other, which were constantly spoken of throughout the book.

            I felt that the author did a remarkable job on this novel and it is definitely something that you should read. The theme that the author has embedded into the novel really touches people’s hearts, whether they realize it or not. It reminds you to never loose hope, and indicates that nothing is impossible. Throughout the book, the quest of the seven heroes provokes many challenges and arises many dangers, yet they always manage to overcome what is thrown at them. Since this book is one of the many books of it’s series, I feel that it is exceptionally important to find a connection between each book and to make the ending of each suspenseful. Rick Riordan has always managed to do exactly that. Unlike other novels, Riordan didn’t lag when it came to the rising action. He succeeded to keep it suspenseful throughout the book, which never lets you put the book down. The best thing about this novel is that people, of basically all ages, can connect with this book. Whether it is the fantasy, the suspense, or the emotions presented, people will always feel that they have become a part of the narrative so I definitely recommend you read the Percy Jackson series and make your way up to reading The Mark of Athena.

Litspiration Challenge

Playlist for Miranda (From Life As We Knew It):

Titanium By: David Guetta – I think that this song shows how she may feel with all the death that is around her. She may feel like she is undefeatable but scared. She may feel left out because there is no one there. She may feel like all those who left her abandoned her.

Stronger By: Kelly Clarkson – I think that the chorus is sort of boosting her confidence. Again it talks about how she is completely alone. It is mainly just the chorus though, the rest of the song is of a break up. 

Lights By: Ellie Goulding – The dark could be the death around her. “And so I tell myself that I’ll be strong.” Again a huge motivation. Throughout the book, Miranda faces a lot of hardships, I would show her this song.

Wide Awake By: Katy Perry – Wide awake could mean that she is one of the only ones alive. Her eyes are still open, she isn’t dead. “Dreaming too long” She didn’t realize what she had, hence the title Life As We Knew It. It shows that dreams don’t last forever and I think that she can relate to this song in more ways than one.

Feel Again By: One Republic – In this book, Miranda’s dad goes away. I think that this is sort of saying don’t worry, he is ok. You will find other friends and your life will start again.

We Are Young By: FUN – I think this shows that she may show what she wishes to do. Just cut loose and have fun but she knows that she can’t. Not anymore. I know that a lot of people like to find their dreams hidden in songs…

My Heart Will Go On By: Celine Dion – This would apply to everyone missing someone in the book. Her whole family could relate to this song. It is the sweetest and saddest song I have ever heard and I think that it truly relates to Miranda’s situation. I think that this is saying to always have faith which is something that Miranda would really need.

Burn It Down By: Linkin Park – The chorus could be talking about her hope that she builds up with so much effort but it just gets destroyed. This is a song of her life.

Waiting For The End By: Linkin Park – When you read the book and listen to this song, it is as if they based this song on the book or vice versa. There is only one difference, which is that Miranda didn’t want to forget what her life used to be like. She wants the memories to stay with her.

Skyscraper By: Demi Lavato – Her biggest fear. Losing one of her family members. I guarantee she feels just like the song. She would be begging for god to break her instead of one of the only people she has left. Also it has some abandonment in the song. She could be feeling like that because of her father leaving her family.

My Immortal By: Evanescence – Again I feel like this talks about how she may feel abandoned. With death all around her it is obvious that she feels pain. If you see your friend/family’s body in a pile of forgotten, you have to feel pain.

Hit And Run Book Review

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Hit and Run

By: Norah McClintock

Book Review By: Maitri P. 

At first glance, Mike McGill was just an ordinary rebellious boy. No one would ever guess the horrors and loss that he faced. Four years before, Mike’s mom was killed in a car accident. Mike, furious at the police for not solving the mystery of his mom’s death, starts to wonder whether or not her death was an accident… or a murder. With the help of an unlikely ally, Mike starts to investigate his mother’s death again.  Little did he know what he was getting himself into…

Hit and Run was very enjoyable read for me, especially the mystery factor. One of the things I really enjoyed was that the characters were realistic and very relatable. It was something that any normal kid with an ambition would do. I think that it is quite sad that these sorts of things do happen to kids all over the world with there being nothing they can do about it. I believe that the theme that the author was conveying was to always have faith. Mike faces many challenges throughout this book but he never wonders off track from his goal. There is also a very strong message embedded in the text. It shows the importance of your family and how important it is to be with the right kinds of people. This is one of the few books that I actually enjoyed that was about teen issues and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery novels.

Life As We Knew It Book Review

Life As We Knew It
By: Susan Pfeffer
Book Review By: Maitri P.

When news stations first alert the world of an asteroid about to hit they Earth, no one expected any big changes. No interest was shown and no preparations were made. Miranda, a 16 year old girl, was just one of these people. However when the asteroid did hit, disaster struck. With the moon so close to the Earth, chaos spread and almost all life on Earth disappeared. That’s when she knew the life that she loved, the life that she knew, was gone. Forever.

I have to say that this is my absolutely favourite novel. The emotion and the suspense that was present throughout the book wouldn’t let me put the book down! The main audience for this book would be teenage girls but that doesn’t mean that everyone can’t enjoy it. Even though all these disasters are occurring all over the world and Miranda has to worry about whether or not her family would find food on their plates, her actions and her thoughts were very much like an ordinary teenage girl. I think that the theme of this novel was the value of life. There were constant hints of the value of life. It showed that death was definitely the easier choice but in the end life would prove it’s importance. In the text I read about piles of death everywhere, full of bodies that had been forgotten. It also talked about how hard life was. Even though it didn’t say in the novel, I think that all individuals would have preferred life even with all the hardships that you would have to face. You should definitely read this book, I promise it is worth your time!