Blog 8 "Heat" 4th Qrt.

So later in the story Michael was chosen to join a little league baseball. He played a full game and got over 50 pitches. Michael was the pitcher for the New York Yankees. Michael was such a good thrower. Some say that he had a hand of a god due to his throwing. Michael won multiple games and was recognized in his family and his father told him that he can do it. Most people would think that he is just some 12-year-old kid. But he had an arm of the professionals.

I think the theme of this story is "Don't give up on your dreams." Because Michael thought he was just an ordinary kid and just had a good talent. His dad and his friend plus his brother gave him influence or motivation to keep trying. For example in the story on page 60 it states, "You can do it..just a little motivation." This proves that people tell Michael that he can do it.

Blog 7 "Heat"

So later in the book Michael tells he escaped or ran away from Cuba where he came from. Michael tries to forget all that happened. As well he tries to sign up for baseball and become part of the little league. Carlos, his older brother, gives him motivation to do what he likes or wants to do in life. Michael chooses baseball. Michael has never had a crush until one day he seen a gorgeous girl named Ellie. He tries his best to get with her but fails at the same time.

I have a connection to this book because I loved baseball all my life. Its what I want to do in my life and go places or national. Michael does too, but, there are many cons. Such as, no birth certificate, young, orphan, and not in school. The only pro that I know can happen is that he can believe in himself and could do it. So that is my connection. Michael, although, may not have everything but has faith that he can be something with motivation to do it.

"The heat" 6th blog

The book I am reading now is "Heat" so far I am introduced to a character named Michael. In the beginning a fast runner was running away from a girl. He had stole a woman's purse. The book is in 3rd person because it explains the surrounding or setting. And after someone speak cause after someone says something it doesn't say "I said". So the runner got hit in the back of the head by Michael and was caught by the police.

I predict later that Michael will be drafted into a professional base-ball league. Why is say this is because on page 6, "...you will make it to the world series, like the brothers Hernandez did." This proves that Michael will possibly get drafted or better. So that is my prediction for this book. So then I will have to wait to see what will happen next in this book.

"Hole in my life" 4th quarter 5th blog

Overall for my book "Hole in my life" is a very intense and frightening book. The reason why I say so is because from what Jack Gantos has seen such as rape, killing, beating, and escaping. Jack thought he could make a little bit of a career in prison. But most of the time he was targeted for rape but so happened to be protected by a police officer. Jack was writing his experiences but in the end he could not take the book because it was prison property. So he left it. But at the same time when he left it. I think another prisoner will read it and feel what he went through.

In the end I'd say the theme of the story is "After all, life goes on". The reason why I'd say this is the theme is because even though Jack went to jail and witnessed so many things, he knew that life would go on. When he was sent to jail he was there everyday and life went on. But the big day came along and he was free. The title had the theme in a way. "Hole in my Life" this title shows that Jack Gantos had a gap or a mistake in his life. But he went on. After all, life goes on. I like this book because it shows even though you go through troubles, life goes on.

"Would we be killed" response

Native Americans were marginalized by many ways. One of the reasons were because how they look, act, dress, talk and because of their culture in general. They felt like they didn't exist because schools tried to take away the culture within them. For example on page 13 it states, "I was not Pratt's plan to simply educate these children and teach them English. He also planned to 'civilize' them---to strip them from traditions and ways of life." This proves that the Americans tried to take or to extinct the Native Americans. But in the end not all of the children lost their culture.

I wanted to compare Luther Standing Bear's to Shanice's life. They were the same because they both went to school and had to take away what they had dear to them and that was their culture. Another was that they were forced to go to school. But different because Luther Standing Bear had lost all of his culture but very little left. But Shanice had more of Native American inside her and wanted to go to school. She felt like she had everything but just not where she originally was when she was born. 

Blog 4 "Hole in my life" 4th quarter

Jack revealed later in the story that he was a drug dealer in New York city. But Jack wanted to go to college and have a nice life filled with all sorts of things. But alas, the police or the agencies caught up to Jack and his partners. Which was then thrown into jail for who knows how long. Jack and his partners sailed drugs named hashish. Hashish is another name for marijuana. They sailed the drug using a yacht. Now, depressed and unfortunate, Jack tries his best to look up to things and tries to see the better once he gets out of jail.

I had a connection with Jack on page 69. The reason is I see that Jack is trying not to get himself involved with danger. I used to think that danger would be over and quick easily. But turns out karma can get you at any moment. Like for Jack he was taken to jail for what he had done. "And even if I had a good job it would take me years to save that kind of money. But now I could do it in six weeks and all for little work and lots of adventurous fun I was ready. My heart was pounding. 'Count me in,' I said, smiling. 'I'll go home and start packing." This proves that Jack didn't know what he was getting into. Which proves that money can take you over and it can control your whole life.

Blog 3 "Hole in my Life" 4th quarter

So far in the book I am introduced to a writer named Jack Gantos. He is an aspiring writer looking for something cool, dramatic, thriller, and intensity. Jack worked at such a bad place or a dead end job he said. But he set foot with someone who played him and served up to 6 years in prison. He is now showing how he got their in the first place. And writing about it while he was in prison. That is why he claimed the books name to be "Hole in my life." Jack made a big mistake for what he did to get to this place in life. I will read more to find out what he will do next.

I predict later in the story that Jack is gonna try to escape from the prison. The reason why I say so is because he looks like he need to have another chance outside. To me I've read that people kill each other with cafeteria materials. I think Jack is trying to avoid it. For example on page 4 it states, "Fear of being a target of irrational violence haunted me day and night. The constant tempo of that violence pulsed throughout my body and made me feel small, and weak, and cowardly." This proves that he is trying to leave without a cut, bruise, scar, etc. So I will have to read more of why he feels this way of this jail.

Blog 2 "No small thing" overall 4th Quarter

Overall I think this book is very hard or very upsetting. Because through out the story Nat tried to make his family happy. Nat's family is poor and have really nothing. The reason is because Nat barley had $90 and his mother had no job. She couldn't afford electricity. Nat tries his best to keep his sisters happy by buying a White stallion, Smokey. Doing so they think it keeps them hope until the end of the story. This book makes their family feel lonely and not noticed. Nat's father left them because of Nat's mother and left them with nothing.

In the end of Nat realizes that not all things will make you happy. Even if they are the smallest things. Smokey always made the kids happy and made them feel safe. I thought of it as an angel saying "Don't lose hope". But in the end Nat lost that angel to get money. But Nat thought he can go and realize that not all things should be worth everything. This book has plenty of themes and I think this one hit it the most.

Tolerance

Tolerance: The ability or willingness to allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

I can be more tolerant by not judging anyone based on what they believe or like. Tolerant, to me, means to accept the fact that this person or thing is like this. I should not judge on what they do and why they do that. I have hated gays when I was younger. But then when I started to learn more I began to forgive them and other things. I should not judge someone for what they believe or like. Anytime someone says "You're gay" I look at them and say "Do you know what those sorts of people go through?" And from now on once I see a gay or anything else in existence I'd give them a smile and continue. I wish people would accept one another and be more tolerant. Words can ruin ones life. But saying certain things on what they believe in is so rude. I personally think that people would be more tolerant and stop trying to change people on what they believe in.

4th quarter blog #1 "No Small Thing"

The book I began was "no small thing" This book so far is very emotional. So far I realized that there is a family that is poor and has barley any money to have food. Probably even have electricity. Nat is the main character and is the middle child of 2 sisters. Cid is 14 and Queenie is 9 years old. while Nat is 13. The siblings have found a horse for sale and want it so they can have fun and feel like they have hope. They leave their house for a long journey to have this horse. One gotten the horse is was a pony, a white stallion. The pony's name is Smokey. From there the story begins.

The conflict within this vert story is Man-vs-Self. Reason is because Nat does all he can to make his family happy and proud. He goes through so much trouble to get where he is now he had to walk a long way to get a White Stallion (Smokey) and face his little sister nearly getting paralyzed. I'd claim this is because on page "29" it states, "Queenie's eyes flutter some more. I put my arm around her waist and pull her up. Her face twists in pain. Her lip is cut and bleeding. When I finally get her to stand, I see that something seriously wrong. There is a lump on her collarbone, and skin has already turned blue -- from the blood underneath I think." This proves that he went through so much trouble to make his Sisters happy as much as possible. 

Alabama Moon 8th blog

Moon got himself in trouble with a police officer and has been taken to jail. Moon struggles trying to get out of the Pinson jail. But finally escapes with 2 people Kit and Hal. Hal is tall and skinny and Kit is small but a little sick. 3 of the kids fight their way through the forest and try to reach Alaska. For example in the book it states, "Anything we want. Deer, Rabbit, coon, turkey, acorns, pine needle tea, huckleberries, thistle, cattails, poke salad. Theres everything you could want out here. " This proves that Moon was convincing them that it will be ok to go to Alaska.

I remembered when this one time I tried to convince my friends to come to the woods with me so we can catch fish. It was hard convincing them considering they were 20-21. Just like when Moon tried to convince Hal and Kit to go to Alaska with him. For example in the book it states, "Hal looked around at the others and then back at me.' 'Come over here with me and Kit," I said "I've got something to tell you." This proves that he tried to convince them into coming to Alaska.

Alabama Moon 7th Blog

I have recently found out that the boys name is Moon. Moon went away from home far as possible but a police officer stopped him. Trying to escape was captured and fighting back toward the police officer. The police officer was more stronger and taken him to jail. Moon scared and not knowing what to do next felt terrified. But on the bright side he thought prison was amazing. For example on page 49 it states, "Jail was the best place I'd had ever been. They had good food and a comfortable bed and a sink with running water and a flush toilet." This makes Moon feel different than the outside world and when he lived in his old home. He enjoyed the jail and wanted to be their but had to resume his mission. 

In the future I think Moon will get revenge on the Officer Sanders and it would feel terrible for Moon for killing someone who could help the law. In the book it states on page 57 , "I've got another gun, you know! I've still got Pap's hidden away with some bullets! You'll be lucky if I didn't shoot you dead!" This proves that Moon wanted his revenge and wanted to shoot him dead for what he said of his father. 

Alabama Moon

In the book Alabama moon the 10-year-old boy's father fell into the water. Pap broke his foot and his bone was sticking out. The boy had no worry. He knew what to do. But he had to do it fast before it was too late. For example on page 17 it states, "Seeing bone and blood and wounds were nothing to me. I dealt with them mostly everyday killing, skinning, and butchering animals. I only hesitated so that Pap would tell me what to do." This means that he had to do what he could or else bad things would happen.

I had a connection to this book when I read that quote. It made me remember when I was helping my dad work and he cut himself and we had no aid. So I used a tissue that was on the floor and I was worried that it get infected. But luckily it didn't. The reason why I think this is because on page 17 it stated "We saved everything. Even a bloody sock could make a rag to patch clothes." This made me think of that time with my dad. I did all I can.

*New Book* Alabama Moon

In the beginning we have met a 10-year-old boy without a name. He had special training with his Pap. A type of training to survive on his own. The plot of the story is the 10-year-old boy to Reach Alaska here his type of people are. So when his Pap died he was now on his own. Although he will feel memories and some struggles from what I can predict. This 10-year-boy will have quiet the adventure. I will wait to see where he will go next.

Later on the book I predict he will that he will be caught by someone. Possibly meet someone that want to travel with him. This ten-year-boy in the book he says that loneliness will crush his will. But his Pap trained him not to feel any and just let it pass. Even though the boy never knew what it felt like to love another person besides his parents.

Stephen King On Writing Overall

This book overall explains how you can do things just by a little inspiration. For example on page 220 it says "The truth is most writers are needy. Especially between the first draft and the second, when the study door swings open and the light of the world shines in." This show that just because your new to writing. Doesn't mean you should just give up. Lots of people do now a days and Stephen does not want them to. He explains what they feel because he felt the same way. 

I found the theme of the story as feel free when writing. Let your mind flow of imaginations and see where it takes you. On page 276 it states, " What follows is revised copy of this same opening passage --- its the story putting on its cloths, combining its hair, maybe adding just a small dash of cologne. Once these changes are incorporated into my document, I'm ready to open the door and face the world." This quote states that many people think of nice and peaceful things to admire or inspire their day. I think this book made lots of influences to many people. 

Stephen King On Writing

Stephen King On Writing so far is very descriptive. He makes me want to write something as well. King makes good sense of what he talks about and why he does it. In his future or after his childhood he talk about writing and how he got inspiration from other books or stories. For example on page 160 it states "Stylistic Imitation is one thing, a perfectly honorable way to get started as a writer." This shows that he gets inspiration from other books.


I have realized that he makes good connections with other stories. He explains that you could start anywhere. Anywhere that makes you comfortable. In the middle of the story he makes a explainable fact in the paragraph above. ""Stylistic Imitation is one thing, a perfectly honorable way to get started as a writer." This quote makes you know that you can start anywhere. Just a little inspiration can go a long way.

Stephen King On Writing

                        In the recent chapters of "Stephen King On Writing" He was explaining that pain was just one thing. He wants a theme to be out there for everyone to see or feel. There was this one chapter where he was saying how he felt when he used the bathroom at the wrong place. He used poison ivy to clean himself up. It did not end well and a very bad infection go to him. But in the mean time while that was happening he felt that life is pain. You feel it everyday even when you don't know it. He makes his movie of pain and sometimes he makes movies where he remembers where such acts happened in his life. He makes his theme of pain and how you should get over it.

                         His theme can explain that even though you have pain through your life; shouldn't mean you should forgive or forget it. He can make very explicit details of how he felt through his past and how they can connect today. As well as his family makes him go through tough times but he manages to make it out and feel good about it. I will have to read more of why or how he made his books and movies today.

Stephen King On Writing

My recent connections to this book so far is that Stephen went through a lot in his childhood. But all that pain came to a resolution to his life today. I go through a lot of pain when I was way younger. But at the same time I feel like pain can help me become stronger and even smarter. As well sometimes he describes how he doesn't remember the scene and thinks it was just a dream. To me I can connect how sometimes those sense make you feel like you were in just a dream. But in the end it  actually happened. This book so far is very interesting on how he made his career today.

My interests in this very book is that Stephen himself does not care of pain. I am always wondering why. I can as well can connect to this because even though I feel pain I still go on. Later I can relate how it felt. It feels good and it feels bad. It can be hard to forget the pain but, it should never stop you from what you want to do and what you want to be.

3rd Quarter and 2015 Goals...

My goals for the 3rd quarter is to bring books home and to study for high school and for exams for this quarter. I will achieve this goal by asking teachers if I can bring a work book home and see what high school is gonna be like. It would help me because it would assist me in my school grades. I would take 2 hours of study time and the next day and so forth. One day I would be smart and get excellent grades. Grades have been a big part of my life for a while. Lately they have been not the best. So I want to make them the best I can. Hopefully my goals will be achieved.

My personal goal is to wake up early and clean up the house. Maybe go for a little run to get my day going. As well as to eat healthy. I can achieve these goals is by making a certain time to wake up and to sleep. Rest is major thing in the human body. I would have to leave out the unhealthy stuff out and more healthy things. I would also have to help out with the house so it can stay organized if not life will be crazy. It would take lots of time to get this daily basis going. But I would also have to request some help from someone who does this so they could get me going. [[[[[[[[[i

2 Winter break book

The book I have read this winter break was "Hunger Games Catching Fire" author is Suzanne Collins. The genre is fiction. The main character is Katniss Everdeen. Recently, Katniss has won the 49th annual hunger games. But now all of the government in the Capital dislikes her. She tries to ignore it but they the put her in another hunger games. Katniss fighting for her life must stay alive to win again. But she cheated by breaking the game from the top. Then it ends form there not knowing what will happen next.

This book has many predictions. One of them I predict was at the end. I thought they would kill her for what she had done to the game and to many others. I predict that they will set her free and maybe end the hunger games itself. I also predict that maybe the government will go after Katniss's family or something. I will find out when I read the next book or chapter.

Winter break blog

The book I have read was "The Polar Express" the author is Chris Van Allsburg. The genre is fiction. The Polar express is a family favorite. The young boys name was not given. This book was taken place in the 1950s. This young boy wakes up to find a mysterious train. A conductor appears, asking the young boy to go on a journey to the North Pole. The young boy think its just a dream and sees other children going the same way. While traveling, lots of obstacles such as Deer blocking the railway, ice frozen over the railway, and steep hills going in and out. The young boy finally realizes that it was not a dream. 

This story has many themes. The main one that they mention is "You have to see, to believe". The reason is because this kid does not believe in fantasies. The young boy then sees Santa, and realizes he finally needs to see to believe. This young boy has seen many things that are myths and fantasies. The theme could explain a lot to the world today. The theme is stating that you should go out into the world and see fro yourself. Even if its something you don't believe in.