Monthly Archives: November 2024

Suspense Journal/ Short Story #1

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Okay just for an explanation, my English teacher last year made my class do this game where we wrote a short story in the span of 5 minutes. I liked the game so much I started doing it for fun. I’m starting with the suspense genre. My first suspense tool that I’m using is isolated setting:

It was well past midnight and Chris was sitting in his apartment living room.

The images scattered across the floor still made no sense to him. His eyelids struggled to stay up as he stared at the seemingly impossible to solve puzzle. It was eerily quiet, which scared Chris more than he would like to admit.

Then a faint ticking noise started coming from his dining room. Adrenaline pumped through as he began to imagine all the things that could’ve created the noise. His heart pounded in his chest. Chris’s parents always swore that it got easier but, with his nerves, living alone would always seem to be scary, especially at night. He knew better than to say anything. Whenever he had watched horror movies with his friends he always thought it was funny when the main character said, “Hello?” as if the thing that is trying to kill them would answer.

He slowly stood up, heart racing, and took small, quiet steps until he reached the kitchen. The noise grew louder and louder with each step he took. He reached his shaking hand to the light switch and pressed it as silently as he could. The ticking noise seemed to grow louder than a car horn. The lights filled the dining room and there was… nothing. Nothing except a small envelope that was tucked away into a cupboard, the corner peeking out. He crossed the room, looking around with paranoia. He picked the opened the envelope and read it quickly. It said, “Can you find me?” with a small cartoonish picture of a clock at the bottom corner. The ticking noise filled the whole room and Chris covered his ears.

Although I wanted to continue the time did run out and this is where Chris’s story ends.

Gleanings For the Hungry

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Imagine being followed by the scent of peaches everywhere you went. That’s what it was like serving at Gleanings for the Hungry, a Christian volunteer camp in Central California. Their main goal is to feed both the physically and spiritually hungry through shipments of dried peaches and nectarines. These are distributed to poverty countries all over the world, along with excerpts of the Bible.

Our youth group went there in July. It was a 6 hour drive, and we would be spending 6 days there although it was open all summer. When we got there, I was immediately hit with the sulfurous fumes from their plant. The weather was oppressively hot, maintaining an average of 110 degrees all day.

We got settled into our cabins, which were separated by gender. Inside were 10 pairs of bunk beds, and we would be sharing with the other churches and families. Soon after, we went to the dining building to get an overview of how our day would be like. At 5 am, we would do 1 hour of field work before the sun came up. Then, we would work in 4 shifts of 2 hours in the plant, turning peaches for the machines and sorting out the bad ones. In total, 9 hours of work a day.

My week went exactly like that. Every day, we got up early to work our shifts, taking breaks in between to eat lunch or snack. After we were completely finished with the work shifts, we cleaned ourselves up. Everybody was splattered in juice and chunks of nectarine. Crickets hopped around the bathrooms.

After work, we had free time. We happened to be at Gleanings during National Slurpee Day at 7/11, so we drove there to get free slurpees. Other days, I mostly spent time in the game room, bonding with members from the other churches. There was pool, ping pong, and card games. You could go out to the volleyball and basketball courts to challenge your friends, or go swimming in the pool. Or, you could walk around the plot of land, hiking up the surrounding hills to see the view of the far away city. Towards the end of the day, we had dinner and chapel. I got to hear amazing testimonies from some of the Gleanings’ staff.

In total, Gleanings was a blessed experience. It was the subversion of my expectations that made the experience all the more worthwhile. I thought we would be exhausted and irritable after all our work. Not to be mistaken, we were exhausted, but our smiles were as bright as the sun.

If you’re planning on going, I highly recommend it. Especially if you’re on the fence about Christianity or you’re looking for a good service opportunity. Just remember to pack clothes you’re not attached to. After Gleanings, those clothes are not recovering.

Earn Community Service Hours!

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Looking to earn more community service hours? Join us this Tuesday for Teen Volunteer Club!

We’ll be meeting in the children’s area of the library from 6-8 pm. This month’s activity is helping prepare materials for the seed library.

This group is open to teens in grades 7-12 and meets on the second Tuesday of the month. No registration, application, or training required.

See you there!

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

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I Must Betray You is a historical fiction novel, encompassing the struggles of a 17-year-old boy, Cristian Florescu, living within the communist regime in Romania, who is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer on the American family his mother cleans for. Feeling trapped and overwhelmed by his anxiety, Cristian captures his oppressive life through expressive poems within his personal journal. Soon, he chooses to use his role as an informer to his advantage and fight in the revolution to overthrow the communist dictator.

The main developer of the plot of this novel is the nuance of relationships that Sepetys establishes between Cristian and several other characters. For example, Cristian’s relationship with his older sister Cici marks the development of his anxiety and the major theme of betrayal within the novel. Throughout the novel, Cristian suspects the people who surround him to be informers just like him; however, through doing so, he virtually creates an emotional distance, isolating himself and jump-starting an overflow of anxiety. Cristian never suspects Cici as he sees her as the only person he can trust and has always been there for him. Unfortunately, Cristian soon uncovers striking deceptions in Cici’s character that cause him to shun their relationship.

Cristian’s discovery regarding Cici highlights this book’s most impactful message: in a world where you can’t trust anyone, it hurts the most when you are betrayed by those you did trust. Even the strongest relationships can fall apart, but ultimately, it is the truth that sets you free.

Not only does this novel unveil an inspiring moral, but it also sheds light upon a chilling and emotional aspect of European history not often acknowledged. The 1989 period of violent civil unrest in Romania is captured in the development of Cristian’s character as a teen boy who succumbed to a life of confinement to a young adult who fought for a liberating future to pursue his dreams as a passionate writer.

I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy historical fiction novels and readers who don’t. Its fast-paced storyline and escape into a fantasy that incorporates real historical events create a highly intriguing reading experience that I believe readers of any interest will enjoy. Through heartbreaking revelations and action-packed moments, Sepetys truly captures the inspiring impact that teenagers can make upon their society.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Solo Leveling

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Solo Leveling is an action anime based on a light novel. It has one season and a second season set to release in late 2024. Solo Leveling is set in a world threatened by monsters; the only people who can fight the monsters are people with magic called hunters. The story’s protagonist is Sung Jinwoo, who was born with barely any magic but gets a second awakening after dying in a dungeon. Thanks to his second awakening, Sung Jinwoo gets the ability to upgrade his stats such as his speed and strength and to gain other special abilities just like in a video game. As you continue to watch the show you get to see Sung Jinwoo gain more power and fight many powerful beasts.

At the show’s beginning, the audience gets introduced to the main character who was given the nickname by his coworkers of the world’s weakest hunter. The first important thing we see the protagonist do is go into a dungeon with a group of other hunters. Very soon after, we discover that it was a double dungeon that had two dungeons, one of which was so dangerous that it killed almost every hunter that went into it including Jinwoo. What happens next is that he gets a reawakening and is given the ability to become more powerful through hard training. After discovering this we see Sung Jinwoo train hard each day until he becomes powerful to kill the beast who would’ve killed him instantly before. As we continue to watch the show we see Jinwoo become one of the most powerful characters we see in the show and watch him fight beasts such as knights and a three-headed dog.

Watching this show gave me a lot of fun. It had many qualities that fit my interests. These qualities include magical beasts, character development, and a powerful and likable main character. As I continued watching the show I gained more respect and started to understand the protagonist more and more. I also enjoyed the world-building the show provides. Getting to see how this world works was life-changing for me because of how bizarre and creative it is. The show also did a great job of showing how much Jinwoo changes throughout the show. For example, near the beginning, he fights some beasts he is no match to, but near the end, he runs into them again and doesn’t struggle to beat them. Therefore, Solo Leveling has many characteristics that people find fun and enjoyable.

Overall, Solo Leveling was a great piece of entertainment. After I finished an episode I immediately wanted to go to the next. It also had moments that had me on the edge of my seat making me wonder what was going to happen next. Once I finished the show it had me wishing season two would come quicker. I highly recommend this show to anyone even if they’re not familiar with the Anime genre. 

-Matthew R

Should Cellphones be Banned in School?

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Starting in 2025, the LA Unified School District will be enacting a ban on cellphones at school. Cellphone bans are nothing new; in May of 2023, the state of Florida passed a ban on phones in school as well. While some people support these bans, others are more reluctant. In this article, I will be breaking down both sides of the case on phones in school.

Why we should ban phones: 

  • Phones are considered highly addictive. A scholarly journal published by the National Library of Medicine reported that on average, 16% of adolescents are addicted to their phones. In addition to this, addicitoncenter.com states that, “A recent study scanned participants’ brains with a phone addiction and discovered a change in their brain’s grey matter. According to the researchers, the physical shape and size of their brains resembled that of drug users.”
  • It’s a distraction. Since phones are addictive, students can easily be distracted by their addiction in class. Even if they aren’t addicted, it’s hard to resist a buzzing phone. “Approximately 40% of public schools report moderate to severe negative impacts on student learning and on teacher and staff morale when students use their electronic devices without permission. Many teachers report that students being distracted with their cellphones is a major problem in their classrooms… The presence of smart phones may reduce cognitive capacity, especially for those highly addicted to their phones, and notifications disrupt focus and attention. Further, there is a negative association between time spent on smartphones and academic performance,” says KFF (affiliated with Kaiser Hospital).” A common reason for cellphone bans is the high risk of distracting from schoolwork, in turn reducing grades. 
  • They are harmful to mental health. The National Institute of Health says that, “Numerous studies have found that addiction and depression often go hand in hand, and that addiction increases the risk of depression and is an important predictor of depression. A 4-year follow-up study confirms that Internet addiction is a stable cause of depression.” Increased awareness about student mental health have led to concerns about the impacts of smart devices.

Why we shouldn’t ban phones:

  • They are a learning tool. While phones can be distracting in class, they can also be great learning tools. “Cell phones give students access to tools and apps that can help them complete and stay on top of their class work. These tools can also teach students to develop better study habits, like time management and organization skills,” claims Oxford Learning.
  • Cellphones are a way for schools to help students prepare for adulthood. Statistics show that around 97% of the adult population possess cellphones in the US. Even if phones may be a distraction, students need to learn how to responsibly use these devices so that they can be successful as an adult. “A research scientist in the center for Health and Happiness, argues that more flexible classroom policies [regarding cell phones] can create opportunities for teaching tech-literacy and self-regulation,” explains Harvard Gazette
  • Helpful for communication, especially in emergencies. Another reason many parents cite for keeping phones in class is the purpose of communication and safety. Many phones have built in tracking devices that parents use to keep track of their kids. In addition, phones can be very useful in a school emergency as they possess the ability to contact emergency services. “We aren’t texting our kids memes or asking them what the latest TikTok trend is,” National Parents Union president Keri Rodrigues says in a statement. “Cellphone bans fail to take into consideration the tragic, real-life scenarios that unfortunately play out all too often in schools. And schools have yet to improve communication with us.” 

In conclusion, there are many pros and cons to having cellphones in schools. There is no right answer for how to proceed on this policy. Only time will tell if phone bans even end up being effective. What do you think? Should phones be banned in schools?

Bungo Stray Dogs

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Bungo Stray Dogs, created by Kafka Asagiri and brought to life by the illustrations of Sango Harukawa, presents a bewitching narrative set against the backdrop of Yokohama. This anime film was released in March 2018. A third season aired between April and June 2019. A fourth season aired between January and March 2023. A fifth season aired from July to September 2023.

The story orbits around the Armed Detective Agency, a cadre of remarkable individuals endowed with extraordinary powers to unravel endless mysteries. At the forefront of it all is Atsushi Nakajima, leading the agency through a maze of mysteries and challenges, bravely facing each enigma and obstacle head-on.

The series contains elements of mystery, action, the supernatural, and even some humor interwoven seamlessly in a world where select individuals possess extraordinary abilities, known as “Gifted.”

As the tale unfolds, readers find themselves irresistibly drawn into a captivating world where every unexpected turn feels like a personal invitation to unravel the secrets alongside these characters. Choosing your favorite character is inevitable, like picking your favorite ice cream flavor. And let’s face it, there’s always that one character who’s not quite your cup of tea—a bit like that quirky neighbor you pretend to be busy when they knock on your door. Of course, my favorite characters are not my friends, so we fought over that sometimes. But it’s all in good fun.

The vivid streets of Yokohama pulse with life, mirroring the complexities of the individuals who roam its pathways. With each chapter, anticipation builds, urging readers to join the characters on their journey of discovery and adventure, where surprises lurk around every corner, just waiting to be uncovered.

A unique element of Bungo Stray Dogs is its incorporation of real-life literary figures as characters, such as Osamu Dazai and Ryunosuke Akutagawa, making the series stand out more. Harukawa’s artwork in the manga is gorgeous and a great inspiration for me as a student of anime art. The series excels in creating a storyline that keeps readers engaged, with each arc getting better each time. Whether you’re a mystery, action, or literature fan, Bungo Stray Dogs is a thrilling manga series full of surprises.

Just like many of my fellow anime lovers, I was utterly hooked on this series. Every Wednesday after school couldn’t come fast enough because that’s when my friends and I would huddle together to watch the latest episodes. It wasn’t just a show; it was our thing, our particular time to bond over something we all loved. We laughed, gasped, and shared in the excitement of each new plot twist. Those moments were some of the highlights of my week.

If you are new to anime and manga, the adventure begins in Bungo Stray Dogs. This series isn’t just another story; it’s like finding a treasure chest with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. When you think you’ve cracked the case, another one just as mysterious awaits you and beckons you deeper into its spellbinding narrative.

The great news is that Bungo Stray Dogs is available at the Mission Viejo Library. So grab your siblings, friends, or anyone who shares a love for anime and dive into the world of Bungo Stray Dogs. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t regret. You’ll be satisfied whether you’re turning the book’s pages or watching the series.

Happy Anime!
Bella H.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom – A short overview

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Tuesdays with Morrie is a moving non-fiction book about Mitch Albom’s favorite professor, Morrie Schwartz giving Mitch a “final class” on lessons in life. It is a book about how to navigate love, work, community, and family about how to forgive and lastly, it talks about the fear of aging and death.

In Morrie’s deteriorating health, he and Mitch met every Tuesday and talked about everything from the world, to feeling sorry for yourself, and from marriage to modern culture. One big topic that was personally moving was their talk about regrets. One of life’s biggest regrets tends to be not living life to its fullest. Morrie advised Mitch not to chase after money like Mitch had been doing, and instead, to focus on his life, and family, and to have an impact on his community and live for a meaningful purpose to not regret his life when his time eventually came.

Another piece of advice given to avoid regret was to forgive. Talking about his personal experience with his friend, Morrie advises Mitch not to make the same mistake as he did and to not focus on his pride or vanity and then regret his chance to forgive. Before anything, however, he talks about how you should forgive, understand, and be truthful to yourself. They even talk about how in modern culture, people run after money and forget to find their own opinions, and desires, forever running after society’s perception of them.

Finally, although sometimes hard to face, death is an inevitable truth that was talked about unflinchingly in this book, and as Morrie said, “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” “Truth is, once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” This book completely changed my perspective on life and death. Many don’t really believe – quite understandably – the inevitability of their death until it’s too late, and to really live, Morrie says, you must accept the fact and ask yourself that if today was your last day, are you really doing everything you want?

Overall, I found this book to be really meaningful and life-changing. It gave me new standards to live by, and I would recommend it to everyone interested because it includes many lessons that I think could fit all ages.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Aru Shah and the Song of Death

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In the mythological fiction novel Aru Shah and the Song of Death, we learn about Hindu mythology, alongside action pact scenes that are fun to read. This book is also a great sequel to the previous book; Aru Shah and the End of Time.

By reading this book, one will learn much about Hindu mythology. For those who are not familiar, the series is all about a girl named Aru Shah who goes on missions to save the world, and she meets Hindu legends along the way. A couple examples of these legends are Lord Hanuman, the rishi Valmiki, and asura, who are like demons in Hindu mythology.

This book is filled to the brim with action. There are many combat and exciting scenes in it. Fighting is a major theme in this novel, since the Pandavas: Aru and her sister’s souls, were great fighters during their respective time. All in all, if you are looking for an action book, this is a great option!

Lastly, I just wanted to point out that this book is a great sequel to the previous book in the series: Aru Shah and the End of Time. This is because of the numerous familiar characters reintroduced to the novel. Some examples are Mini, Boo, and Lord Hanuman. There were also some new characters introduced, such as Aiden, the rishi Valmiki, and Brine. To sum it up, this is a very good series in general, and I would highly recommend it.

In conclusion, Aru Shah and the Song of Death is a great novel because it teaches the reader about Hindu mythology, has a lot of action, and is also a great sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time.

Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Movie Review: 10 Things I Hate About You

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  • SPOILERS AHEAD

10 Things I Hate About You is a teen romance film that is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare The Taming of the Shrew. It takes place in the late 1990s at an American high school, following Cameron James, a new student played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A guide takes him around the school, explaining the different cliques and how they work in the high school hierarchy. Cameron then sees Bianca Stratford, which then kick-starts the conflict of the movie. Bianca, a sophmore, is not allowed to date unless her outspoken, feminist older sister, Kat, does.

Cameron then goes on a journey to find somebody to date Kat, who everybody thinks of as a shrew, a bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman. They enlist the help of a narcissistic, student model Joey, who is attempting to court Bianca, to find somebody for Kat. They pick infamous bad boy Patrick Verona. The rest of the movie follows Patrick trying to woe Kat, while also getting bribes from Joey and information about Kat from Cameron.

Joey bribes Patrick with more money to take Kat to prom, but she is still angry with him for rejecting to kiss her when she was drunk. In response, he organizes an elaborate celebration with a marching band and embarrassing himself to ask her out. Kat reveals to Bianca her past with Joey and why she is trying to protect Bianca from him. Bianca listens to her sister’s side , but is angry at her for not allowing her to make her own decisions. Kat sees how much this affects her sister so she then agrees to go to prom with Patrick to allow Bianca to go. 

Bianca decides to go with Cameron, instead of Joey. This angers Joey and he reveals the arrangement between Patrick, leaving Kat heartbroken. Patrick surprises her with a guitar to apologize and her father allows for her to attend her dream school, Sarah Lawrence. 

Overall I would give this movie a 9/10! It is a beautifully done rom-com and great adaptation. Even though Patrick is being bribed, we can tell throughout the movie he feels guilt for it and even tries to give the money back at some points. It is a little bit sad because we know his alternative motives , but aside from that, I think it’s beautiful in the ways Patrick tries to charm her. He does this by learning her favorite bands, respecting her battle for autonomy, thoughtful dates, and embarrassing proposals of love. I think it really speaks to how his understanding of her deepens throughout the movie as he gets to know her. I can emphasize with Kats complete rejection of conformity that allows for her to have a clear understanding of herself and how this could demonize her to other people.

I enjoy how they explore Bianca’s character, and that even if she presents more girly, it is clear she is not completely naive and clueless. She understands Joey’s intentions and gains revenge for her sister by beating him up at the end of the movie. I think the position the father has put them in makes for an interesting plot, but is completely unfair and causes unnecessary tension between her and her sister. I think it speaks to the prejudice women have faced in attempts to assert themselves in society. 

I believe some of the cliques in this movie to be harmful and stereotypical, but I believe the can be looked past in remembering Shakespearean dramatics, the time period the movie was made, and for plot continuation. 

I would recommend this movie to those who are looking for a strong women protagonist, a heartwarming rom-com, or a look into 90s teenage life. 

10 Things I Hate About You is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.