Touching Spirit Bear Book Review

Anger is a dangerous chain and when it is started, it doesn't stop. This single emotion alone can destroy many lives and for Cole Mathews, the process is continuing to become more intense. With no mercy, anger is controlling Cole's life and soon causes him to hurt someone seriously. When Cole nearly beats Peter Driscal to death, strict consequences are to be made. Cole Mathews is sent to a deserted island, miles away from his home, in Alaska. When Cole is surviving in the wilderness on his own, he has an encounter with something that will change his life forever, the Spirit Bear. Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear is a touching story with extremely vivid details. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading about nature and conflict.

The Choice Book Review

Does true love always end in tragedy? For Travis and Gabby, love is something insignificant and unnecessary, until they meet each other. After only three days together, they know what they have is amazing. Travis and Gabby are truly in love. The choice, by Nicholas Sparks, will show you how important every minute really is. This book is a beautifully written romance novel that I recommend to anyone interested in suspense and, of course, love.

My Sister's Keeper Book Review

Brought into this world for one reason only, Anna is destined to save the life of her older sister. She was a special baby, created to be the perfect donor for her sybling, dying of a blood cancer. Living with a family member diagnosed with leukemia is the farthest from normal and all attention is always given to the sick child, Kate. How does it feel to grow up carrying the burden of your sister's life on your shoulders? Anna Fitzgerald knows this feeling, more than any other. As much as she loves her sister, though, and wants her time on Earth to be as long and lasting as possible, she wants the chance to be herself. She wants to discover herself and be free for once. When Anna releases the secret, there are some who strongly disagree with this change, especially her mother. How can you save yourself and someone else at the same time? You can't. Anna has to face a decision that will change life for herself and her family forever. Jodi Picoult's ironic twist to this story completely amazed me and will continue to amaze others all around. I recommend this book to anyone because it is too wonderful to miss out on!

Speak Book Review

What is it like to be taken advantage of and degraded by a monster? Melinda Sordino, of Speak, is a rape victim who lost her voice after such a traumatic violation. Not only was Melinda’s spirit broken by the rape that occurred at a high school party, but by everyone around her who turned their backs on her in unison. No one but Melinda knows what really happened that night at the party and with no voice, she can gain no help. Laurie Hassle's, Speak, is a story of a struggling teenage girl looking to find her voice once again. Although it is filled with heartache for this young girl, it is an inspirational read as well. I recommend it to high school students, first and foremost, because it will be easiest for them to relate to the character.

Time to be Thankful

We all know that Thanksgiving is, of course, a time to be thankful for what we have. When Thanksgiving is here, we forget about the stress of our daily lives and gather together to share our gratefullness. We have learned, long ago, about the Indians and the Pilgrams and how they put aside their differences and appreciated each other. We know about the dinner they shared together and therefore, many of us have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of our own. Not only is the food wonderful, but also the time spent with our loved ones. Being the cook and the maid of the day isn't too fun but working together to cook and clean makes it better!

Bullying

In most instances, one might say that bullying is always a negative way of dealing with things but this is not always true. Bullying can indeed hurt and scar people for life. It can end friendships and relationships forever. It can also teach victims to face their fears, or push them into doing the right thing.
Bullying another individual is, of course, wrong. We have learned from the time we could walk to treat others as we w0uld like to be treated. Bullying is down right mean and if a person has any moral values at all, they simply know better. A bullied victim can easily be effected for life and their life can be ruined by hurtful words or actions of just one person.
Although bullying is definitely considered a negative thing, it can sometimes be a positive aspect. A bullied victim could be encouraged to fight their inner fears created from abuse. With help, they could overcome all of their fears. They could become mentally invincible!
Another positive way of looking at bullying is the peer pressure of it. A victim could possibly be pressured into doing the right thing. Maybe the bullying isn't all for a bad cause. It could be coming from a helpful source.
Bullying, overall, is a pretty controversial subject. It can be evaluated in so many different ways. Bullying is typically a bad choice and a negative way of coping with feelings but sometimes it might deliver help to someone in need.

Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Katie Fisher is an Amish girl through and through, and in her Amish world everything is perfect. Perfection cannot last forever, though, and soon enough Katie's world comes crashing down, all due to the dead baby found in her barn.

Katie swears that she did not give birth to a baby, but all of the evidence points to her. When the outside world drags Katie into the court of law to serve justice, so many intense changes at 0nce make her head spin. One woman, Ellie Hathaway, is willing to do anything to prove that Katie is innocent.

Is even anything enough, though, when an innocent baby has been cheated out of life? No one knows how he died or who could have caused it, but for some reason Katie Fisher is the only girl that seems to fit into the puzzle.

Jodi Picoult's mind boggling mystery had me on the edge of my seat all the way through! I reccomend this book to someone who enjoys mystery, as well as a little bit of romance. This book is also very interesting to someone who does not know much about the Amish culture.

Copper Sun by Sharon M.Draper

By the age of only sixteen, Amari has been through more than most individuals. She witnessed her loving family die, along with almost all of her entire village. Every one that she knew died, if not physically then spiritually. Everything Amari knew was taken from her. She was repeatedly beaten and brutally raped. After everything Amari has been through so far, her journey has just begun and spirit stays strong.

Violated in every way possible, Amari hasn't seen an ounce of respect from anyone. Amari is alone and afraid but she'll never let it show. Her spirit cannot be broken and her inner strength cannot be taken away. When everything else has been stolen from her, she still holds onto her dignity.

Amari now attempts the impossible, the unthinkable, escape to freedom. Sharon M.Draper's Copper Sun broke my heart with it's sad tale. It intensified my appreciation for every past slave and for that reason I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This story is one that we all need the opportunity to read and learn from.

Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

How would you feel if you were held prisoner for something you know in your heart you did not do? Convicted of a sexual assault crime that he did not commit, Jack St.Bride was set on clearing his name and regaining his right to freedom.

Unfortunately, it's hard for the local community not to side with the local preacher's fifteen year old, soccer star daughter. When convicted of such a crime, not only do you lose every ounce of freedom, but everyone in your life. After eight months in prison, walking free but alone, Jack has no where to go. Stumbling into the small town of Salem Falls, Jack has no doubt in his mind that he will set things straight again and be okay.

Somehow, that's not quite what happens. Could Jack really be so unlucky as to go through a likewise conflict? No matter what happens Jack St.Bride does not give up on himself. He's survived it before, so why not now? Jodi Picoult's Salem Falls grasped all of my attention with it's heartbreaking story. Jack has no one but himself but for him, that will be enough to pull through.

Our changing world

Over the years in our society, we have come a long way with our technology. Now, in 2009, Batesville's students have personal lap tops in class to complete assigned work! I was delighted to hear this news and I'm sure everyone else was, as well. I am really excited that I will have the opportunity to type some of my work, rather than write it all of the time! That can get pretty old.

Although there are numerous advantages to our growing technology, there are also some down sides. For instance, family time has gone from a three course meal at the dinner table and a game of cards to grubbing on some pizza in front of the television or computer. My sister, who is eleven, already has her own cell phone! She even texts me while we're in the same room. I predict that years from now we will not be teaching our children to write in school, but to type!