Author Archives: Gwendy M.

Book Review and Summary: Gregor the Overlander

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A couple of weeks ago, one of my youth group leaders talked about the book Gregor the Overlander. Since it is summer, I’ve been trying to find new books (and book series) to read. So, I decided to embark on Suzanne Collins’ series, The Underland Chronicles. This series starts with Gregor the Overlander.

Spoilers Ahead!

The book begins by introducing the main character, Gregor, an 11-year-old boy who lives in New York City with his mother and two sisters (Lizzie and Boots). Two years ago, Gregor’s father mysteriously disappeared without any word or trace. Most people believe that his father is an absentee; however, Gregor knows that his father will never leave his family. Because Gregor’s father is gone, he takes on many other roles, such as caring for his two-year-old sister, Margaret (fondly called Boots).

One day, Gregor evades his nosey neighbor by going to the laundry room to clean some clothes. He takes Boots with him so she can get out of the apartment. After dumping the clothes into the washer, Gregor discovers Boots has disappeared. He panics but then sees an open grate where Boots has fallen into. Gregor quickly climbs into the grate and falls. Little does he know that the open grate is a portal to the Underland, a mystical world.

After falling down the grate, Gregor is immediately abducted by life-sized centipedes. It is at this moment that he realizes this land is magical. Luckily, the centipedes (aka crawlers) are not evil and bring him to Regalia, the city where Underland humans live.

Gregor first meets Luxa, the 11-year-old who is to be crowned Queen. Her grandfather, Vikus, guides Gregor and his sister to the palace, where they will be kept. Later in the day, Gregor attempts to escape Regalia and go home. However, he is almost killed by the giant rats guarding the exit (the rats and humans are rivals). Fortunately, some humans (including Luxa, Vikus, and her cousin Henry) save Gregor and his sister from the rodents.

When the siblings return to the palace, Gregor finds he is entwined to a prophecy called “The Prophecy of Gray.” Through this prophecy, Gregor is supposed to save the humans of Regalia, who are endangered by their enemies, the rats. At first, Gregor refuses to go on the quest to fulfill the prophecy. But he learns that his father was captured by the evil rats. So, he decides to undertake the perilous prophecy.

The book continues with Gregor, Boots, Luxa, Henry, two crawlers, two spiders, and a peaceful rat going on the quest and eventually fulfilling the prophecy. Ultimately, Gregor and Boots reunite with their father and return home.

My Rating: 8.9/10

At first, I had doubts about this book since it was written for a younger audience. However, after reading this book, I can say it was worth the read. Suzanne Collins made the plot entertaining to read. Each page was full of fun twists and turns and made me anticipate each outcome of the prophecy. I didn’t expect the book’s ending, which pleasantly surprised me. Overall, this book was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to all age groups.

Pride and Prejudice: A brief summary and review

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This semester, my English class read a classic British Literature novel called Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen wrote this book during the 18th century, which was at the tail end of the Enlightenment. In Austen’s novel, she commonly critiques the status of women, social classes, and marriage through the life of the Bennet family, particularly Lizzie and Jane Bennet.

During this time period, the role of women was primarily domestic, and their main purpose was to keep the home. Meaning, that it was essential to be married as a young woman to be a part of society. The Bennet family consists of 7 people; Mr./Mrs. Bennet, Jane (22), Lizzie (20), Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. Since there are no sons in the family, the Bennets have to marry off their daughters.

The book starts off with Mrs. Bennet anouncing that a rich young man named Mr. Bingley has moved to the town that the Bennet family lives in. This is exciting because it provides an opportunity for one of the Bennet girls to be married. In addition to Mr. Bingley moving to his estate called Netherfield, his close friend Mr. Darcy moves along with Bingley’s two sisters.

A couple of days after Mr. Bingley moves, the upperclassmen of Merrytown attend a ball.  Jane immediately catches the interest of Mr. Bingley, whom everyone admires. However, Mr. Darcy is immediately disliked by everyone–especially Lizzie. After the ball, Jane and Bingley become closer, and it looks as if she is going to be proposed to soon. Mr. Darcy also slight interest in Lizzie, who does not notice due to her feelings of pride and prejudice. The situation of Bingley proposing to Jane does not last, and the Bingleys and Darcy leave Merrytown.

Meanwhile, the Bennet family is visited by Mr. Collins, who will inherit the Bennet’s estate and fortune once Mr. Bennet passes away. Mr. Collins proposes to Lizzie, who rejects him due to numerous reasons. Mrs. Bennet is furious, seeing that the chance of marrying one of her daughters is taken away. Numerous events happen (it would be too much to summarize), but in the end, Lizzie gets over her feelings of prejudice against Darcy and they get married. Jane and Bingley also get married. The story concludes with a satisfying and happy ending.

Personally, I loved this book and found it to be entertaining to read. The hardest part about reading this classic was keeping track of all of the characters because there are many. Despite this, I found Pride and Prejudice humorous. The multiple plot twists helped to make this novel enjoyable to read. Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was learning about the 18th century; I feel that this book is a good representation of what life was like back then. Overall, this was an excellent novel to read, and I would recommend it to those who want to get out of their comfort zone.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Best Beaches in Southern California

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As Spring Break comes to a close, I reflect on all of the great memories I had over the past week. For me, Spring Break is a time to hang out with loved ones and to relax. The best place to do both of these things (in my opinion), is meeting up at the beach. As a local, I try to go to the beach as regularly as I can. There is no better feeling than taking a dip in crystal-clear water on a hot, sunny day. Below are four of my favorite beaches to visit in the springtime and summer.

  1. Heisler Park: This is my all-time favorite beach to visit. Most people and tourists flock to the main beach in Laguna. However, Heisler is more tucked away and less crowded. I’ve found that this beach consistently has clear water. Another perk of this beach is that you can also explore tidal pools and rock formations on the beach. The waves at Heisler Park can vary in size; sometimes they are mellow but quite frequently there are bigger waves. Tip: There is free parking across the street, and the walk isn’t far at all.

2. Treasure Island Beach: Though Treasure Island can often be busy at times, it is still one of my favorites to go to. This beach is very picturesque, the small staircase you walk down brings you to a beach with panoramic views of the ocean. Personally, I enjoy this beach because you can typically find an area to sit in since there is a lot of space. Like Heisler, Treasure Island has pretty water. Note: when I went to this beach, the waves were fairly small.

3. Salt Creek: Located in Dana Point, Salt Creek is one of the most popular beaches to go to in SOCAL—and for a good reason. I love this spot for watching the sunset and eating dinner. Salt Creek has a large grassy area where you can see many people having small picnics. If you enjoy walking or running, this is the beach to go to; there is a trail that goes along the beach. (If you want to run on the beach, it is about 3 miles from point to point.)

4. Victoria Beach: Victoria Beach is located in Laguna Beach (you can’t go wrong with Laguna). After parking, head down a small street that leads to Victoria Beach. When entering the beach, it looks like any other beach. However, if you walk down further to the right, you’ll see a medieval-esque tower that faces the ocean. Along your walk to the mini-castle, there is a small man-made pool that can be fun to wade in. One con to this beach is that it is very touristy; and extremely frustrating to find parking. Sometimes, you’ll have to park far away which will include a hilly walk to the beach. Nonetheless, Victoria Beach is stunning to visit and should be a staple when visiting beaches.

Places to visit in Kauai, Hawaii

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Kauai is one of 137 islands in the state of Hawaii. Also known as the Garden Island, Kauai is revered for its lush landscape with steep cliffs that meet aqua-blue water. I had the privilege of visiting this island last June for about a week. Prior to going on this vacation, I researched this island and found it to be extremely helpful when wondering what to do or see. When going to Hawaii, most people flock to Oahu; and while this island is pretty and has amazing food, Kauai is remote and prettier (in my opinion). Below are places and things to do if visiting Kauai.

Beaches

  1. Tunnels Beach – This was my favorite beach on my visit to Kauai. If you are looking for a place to snorkel, Tunnels is the place to go. At Tunnels, the coral was huge and there was a large variety of sea life. The best part of this beach is the view of the mountains in the background with the beach at your feet.
  2. Anini Beach – Located in the northern part of Kauai, Anini Beach is known for being a family-friendly beach. The water at this beach remains shallow for about 30 feet out. However, the best part about this beach was the amount of turtles. When I was snorkeling, I believe I saw turtles 15-20 times. Another pro about this beach is that there is a lot of shade so beach umbrellas aren’t needed.
  3. Hanalei Bay – Hanalei Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Kauai to visit–and for good reason. At this beach, you are surrounded by panoramic views of golden-sand beaches and a range of mountains. Also, there is a pier that you can jump off of for fun.
  4. Poipu Beach – This is another family-friendly beach on the south shore of Kauai. Poipu Beach is great for snorkeling and relaxing. A con of this beach is that it is always crowded. However, if you are in the area of Poipu, stop by this beach.

Hikes/Other Activities

  1. Kalalau Trail – Hiking is a major activity that you HAVE to do in Kauai. This particular trail stretches 22 miles in length (you have to have a permit to do all of it). I only hiked to Hanakāpīʻai Beach which was 4 miles round-trip. This hike was so beautiful and the views along the coast were gorgeous. After the beach, you can hike to Hanakāpīʻai Falls (8 miles roundtrip). Overall, Kalalau Trail is a must-do when visiting Kauai.
  2. Waimea Canyon – Waimea Canyon is named the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and was formed from the collapse of a volcano. The unique terrain of this canyon is an attraction you should see. I believe that you can hike this, but my family and I just drove to different lookouts to see the Canyon.
  3. Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour – As a chocolate fanatic, I was so excited to visit this Chocolate Farm. While you can book a tour to explore the farm, I just went to the gift shop. At the gift shop, an employee gives you a chocolate lecture where you learn about the origins of the cacao and try the products. I’ve tried a bunch of chocolate in my life and I can confidently say this was the best chocolate I’ve ever had. Lydgate Farms makes their chocolate in small batches which was evident considering how delicious the chocolate was.
  4. Na Pali Coast Boat Tour – Last but not least, you NEED to go on a Boat Tour (or helicopter tour) to see the Na Pali coast. I would recommend going with the company Captain Andy’s and booking the “Na Pali Raft Day Expedition.” On this boat tour, we went through sea caves, snorkeled, ate lunch at an ancient fishing town, and saw the Na Pali coast. This was hands down my favorite memory from the trip. The Na Pali coast is breathtaking and the water was the color of blue Gatorade. In addition to doing cool activities on this tour, you’ll learn much about the history of Kauai and its people.

Places to Eat

  1. Wishing Well Shave Ice
  2. Kenji Burger
  3. Wailua Drive-In

Photos

Tunnels Beach

Na Pali Coast

Wishing Well Shave Ice

Anne Frank–The Diary of a Young Girl

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On a spring day in May, in the year 1940, German Nazis stormed the Netherlands. The persecution of Jews quickly escalated, forcing many Jews to evacuate or go underground. One family, the Franks, went into hiding like thousands of others. Anne Frank is known for writing a diary that captured the horrors of World War II and her experience underground.

Reading this book, or diary, was exceedingly somber. In her diary, Anne highlights the constant fear, boredom, hunger, and threat of living life as a Jew. Despite the seriousness of the situation Anne is in, readers notice how cheerful and clever she is. Although she is put in the worst situation possible, Anne continues her fight for life in her ambitions to learn and become a writer. Even though she died as a young woman, she is a significant symbol of life, dreams, and the future. After reading this novel, I’ll admit that I was humbled to take everyday life for granted. Anne Frank’s Dairy is a wonderful commentary that is filled with her amusing, inspirational, and courageous thoughts that touched the hearts of millions.

November 1, 1944, was Anne’s last journal entry; the reason for the discovery of her family is kept as a long-lost mystery. One of her lasting passages reads, “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart,” showing the depth of her optimism regardless of her circumstances (Frank). 

Anne Frank’s Diary is a masterpiece that everyone should read once in their lifetime.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Starter AP Classes to Take

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When exploring classes to take, you will likely come across AP Classes or advanced placement classes. These classes are college-level courses that you can take in high school for college credit. While each test is different for every subject, most tests consist of multiple choice, free-response, short-answer, and essay questions. Tests are typically taken during May, and scores are released in July. AP tests are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. If you receive a score of 4 or 5, you can gain college credit.

One AP class that is easy and manageable is AP Human Geography. I took this class as a freshman (usually it is a freshman class) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found that the content was straightforward and easy to understand; more significantly, it was interesting as well. In AP HUG, I learned about how humans are arranged and the ways in which they interact with others and the environment. At first, this class was challenging to me; however, later in the year, it became one of my easier classes. For me, the hardest part of AP HUG was the multiple-choice questions (compared to AP World they’re easy), and the note-taking which was long and extensive. However, if you diligently study and work hard in this class, you’ll fly through the exam. The multiple-choice questions can be tricky at first because many of them are stimuli and based on models. I believe I received a score of 72% on the first test from the MC’s. One tip that helped was doing test corrections and reviewing the things I got wrong. Although I did horribly on my first couple of tests, I did well on the exam–so don’t worry if you get a bad grade on tests. To conclude, this AP class is great preparation for future classes and an easy way to get college credit.

Helpful Sources

  • Mr. Sinn on Youtube
  • Crash Course Book on AP HUG
  • Princeton AP HUG book

The second AP class that I would recommend taking is AP World. Unlike AP HUG, World focuses on all of the major global events from 1200 AD to the present day. In comparison HUG hones in on the 21st century. Since AP World teaches students about most historical events, it makes the course difficult because there is much to remember. Additionally, the exam is made up of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, free response questions, long essay questions, and a document-based question (essay); this makes the extremely exam lengthy. Because the exam is long, it is difficult to remember all of the content. Another difficulty is that the multiple choice questions are challenging and have trickly answer choices. While you will face these hardships on the AP route, it will strengthen your test-taking skills + knowledge. You should take this class if you enjoy history and practicing writing skills.

Helpful Sources

  • Hiemler’s History on Youtube
  • Crash Course Book on AP World

Best Running Shoes 

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When working out or running, it’s important to find shoes that are comfortable and prevent injuries. After running for many years, I’ve found many brands with good-quality shoes that last a while. Currently, my favorite brands are Hoka and Asics; I also would recommend buying shoes from Brooks and Saucony.

  1. Hoka: In the past 3 years, Hoka has become one of the most popular athletic shoe brands. Not only are their shoes comfortable, but they are stylish and cute. When shopping for running shoes, you’ll quickly find that most are ugly. However, Hoka has nailed making great running shoes that are also pleasing to the eye. 
  • Clifton 9’s: As of now, I own the Clifton 9’s; these shoes are extra cushiony–a necessity for me because I have shin problems. Additionally, the Cliftons are versatile for everyday walking, running, and exercising. Like all of Hoka’s shoes, this model comes in multiple color choices ranging from blue to pink. 
  • Rincon: If you are looking for a shoe that is very light, the Rincons are a great choice for you. These shoes are more narrow in shape but can also be used for walking, running, and working out. One con to these shoes is that they are less popular, so fewer color choices are offered.
  1. Asics: Personally, this is my all-time favorite brand for running shoes. I’ve found that Asics sells shoes that are both lightweight and cushiony. In comparison to Hoka, I believe this brand is slightly better quality. (My brother has had issues with the tongue of the shoe tearing on his Hoka shoes.) Next season, I hope to get Asics again because I miss my old shoes.
  • Gel Nimbus: These are THE BEST shoes you’ll ever buy for running. My favorite thing about these shoes is that they have gel in the sole; this allows for a cushiony experience while still maintaining the lightness of the shoes. Asics are great shoes for people who have foot problems by providing great support.
  1. Brooks: When I first started running, this brand was where I got my first pair of shoes from. Overall, I think that Brooks is a solid company with good shoes. Their shoes are comfortable and are made of good quality; however, I feel that these shoes feel too chunky. While I prefer cushioned shoes, Brooks was too cushioned for me and felt heavy when running. Despite my opinion of Brooks, my mom loves this brand and only buys running shoes from them. My experience with this company has been great, but there are other shoes that I prefer. (Also, their colors aren’t as cute as Hoka/Asics.)
  • Ghost 15: Very cushiony and great for running on pavement, very supportive for shins and knees. This model is great for road running, walking, and trail runs.
  • Glycerin 20: I was actually contemplating between buying this shoe and the Gel Nimbus when I was shopping for running shoes (the only prohibitor was the price). The Glycerin is great for feeling light and airy on runs, making each step feel supportive. Inside the shoe, the interior is plushy enough to mold a secure fit.
  1. Saucony: Last but not least is Saucony, I’ve never owned a pair of running shoes from them–only racing flats. Despite this, about 6 people from my team own Sauconys and rave about them. I’ve tried on my friend’s shoes and can testify that they are exceedingly comfortable. One of the Seniors on my team has had these shoes since her freshman year because they are reliable and pleasant to run in.
  • Triumph 21: Again, I have never owned these shoes before, but the Triumphs are Saucony’s most popular shoes (so they must be good).

Does Technology Help Us?

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When I was reading the news the other day, I saw that Apple has announced that they have made a ‘mixed-reality headset’ computer called Apple Vision Pro. This product is scheduled to be launched in early 2024 and is said to create an immersive experience between the real world and everyday apps. With Apple Vision Pro, users can have apps open in the spaces they are in.

Technology has many benefits, including making the world more interconnected. But, with technology like the Apple Vision Pro, how can we be sure that humans will continue interacting in person rather than online? With new technology being introduced, will we choose the convenience of Facetiming people or having in-person conversations? While there is no problem calling others, humans are created to interact with the people around us (in person).

New technology prohibits everyday interactions that used to happen before technology. If someone buys something from Starbucks, they can purchase it online or at the counter. Nowadays, most people prefer buying items online, which is more convenient. However, people lose that small interaction with an employee or another stranger. At first, losing this small interaction may seem insignificant, but this can cause harmful effects over time, even as extreme as social isolation.

Future generations need to understand the importance of human interaction. How will they grasp that technology hurts us rather than helps us? And how will society function appropriately if no one has in-person interactions because of increased technology? I believe technology should be limited, especially with advances in virtual reality. In virtual reality, people can ‘own’ as many objects as they want (money, clothes, homes, etc.). Of course, these ‘objects’ are figments; however, to many people, VR offers more than their real life. With the increased use of virtual reality and its attractiveness, will humanity start to live in a virtual world? While this might seem extreme, many articles have been made on this topic.

I believe that there is a chance that people will start to live in VR sets. The average human willingly spends 7 hours a day on technology, so it is highly plausible that future generations will live in VR. This is disturbing because the government can easily control our communities by monitoring content and promoting propaganda. A news article by Global Shakers says that a new company, Stratuscent, is developing technology to synthetically replicate smells from around the world. (For instance, if someone visited Paris in virtual reality, they would be able to see and smell Paris for how it is in real life.) I thought the author brought up a good point; he said, “And when that happens—how long before there’s no distinction between virtual reality and reality?” (Romer). If technology offers these opportunities on one device, people will not want to live in real life. People will not realize what is real and what is not.

Technology has the power to change the world positively, but we must be wary that it does not consume us. With this information in mind, I hope to end this article by causing you to ponder whether technology will help or hurt our society.

Best National Parks

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Over the years, my family has visited many national parks. Below you’ll find a small list of my favorite parks (worst to best).

5) Arches National Park

I visited this park in the year 2021, during the summer. Arches is located in Utah, near the town of Moab. This national park is gorgeous and full of hikes that range in mileage and difficulty. I liked this park because the arches were huge in size–I’ve never seen arches that beautiful and colossal. Some other pros about this park are there are many scenic drives if you wish to not hike. One HUGE con to this park is that it gets insanely hot during the summer. One of my memories from this trip was hiking in 100 degree weather at sunset time. Despite the hot weather, you should make a visit to this gorgeous park. Though this national park is beautiful, there isn’t much to do besides hike to the arches. Moab, the surrounding town is nice but small, so plan your visit to be around 3 days.

My Hiking Recommendations:

  • Delicate Arch (most popular and my favorite!)
  • Double Arch
  • Broken Arch

4) Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park was one of the recent national parks that I traveled to. I believe I went to this park in June or July. Glacier is located in Montana and spreads to the border of Canada and the US. Since I visited this park in June (or July), there were MANY fires, so most of the lakes and mountains were too smokey to see. Glacier is known for its icy-blue lakes; I was able to see maybe one or two. But, because of the fires, the lakes appeared gray. Despite this, I enjoyed this national park when we saw a glimpse of the huge mountains. Also, I remember seeing black bears, grizzly bears, and other wildlife. Glacier has great hiking trails and scenic drives; one of the most popular things to do is to drive through the Road to the Sun–which goes through most of the park. Known as the Europe of the United States, Glacier is a beautiful park to visit.

Awesome Hikes/Things to do:

  • Avalanche Lake
  • Hidden Lake
  • Highline Trail
  • Road to the Sun

3) Olympic National Park

My third favorite park is Olympic National Park, located in Washington. This park is extra unique because it has three different: rainforest, forest, and the ocean. I enjoyed this park because there was a variety of places to visit. The fact that Olympic Park has different biomes was extremely interesting. Personally, the rainforest ecosystem was my favorite, because it was lush and had amazing trees. If you are looking for a unique park to visit, I would recommend Olympic. A perk to this area is that there are delicious cherries in the summer; you can’t go to Olympic without eating them!!

My Hiking Recommendations:

  • Mount Storm King 
  • Hurricane Hill 
  • Hall of Mosses Trail 
  • Hole-in-the-Wall 

2) Zion National Park

Coming in a close second is Zion National Park, also located in Utah. I’ve visited this park twice, once in the winter and once in the summer. There are so many good things to say about this park–I love it so much. In my opinion, Zion is the best park to drive through. When you enter the gates, you are greeted with cosmic mountains that are unlike any other mountains I’ve seen. Zion houses a myriad of hikes, each with its own treasure. One of the most popular (and dangerous) hikes is Angel’s Landing. Although my parents did not let me finish the hike, the end of Angels Landing provides a 360 view of Zion. However, this hike is extremely challenging (it is all uphill until the lookout), and at the end, there are drops on each side of the path. The narrowest part of Angel’s Landing measures 24 inches–keep in mind there is traffic from both sides. Even though I have visited this park twice, I would like to go again (and try Angels Landing).

My Hiking Recommendations:

  • Angels Landing
  • Scout Lookout
  • The Narrows
  • Weeping Rock

1) Grand Teton National Park

My all-time favorite national park is Grand Teton, found in Wyoming. I would say this is my favorite park because of the beautiful mountains, lakes, flowers, and wildlife. One of my memories of going to this park was seeing a mother grizzly bear with her three cubs. Besides the wildlife, this park has AMAZING hikes with waterfalls, huge trees, and great views. Known for its jagged (and snow-topped) mountain peaks, Grand Teton is filled with gorgeous sights to see. A memorable lake to visit is Jackson Lake, which reflects the mountains in the water. I went during the summer, and at Jackson Lake, I remember there were many wildflowers around the perimeter of the lake. That, along with the backdrop of the mountains and its reflections made this park my favorite of all time. Whenever you are looking for an adventurous place to go, I couldn’t recommend Grand Teton enough.

My recommendations:

  • Jackson Lake
  • Jenny Lake Trail
  • Cascade Lake Hike
  • TA Moulton Barn (you NEED to visit this landmark!!!)

A Quiet Place–Movie Summary & Review:

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SPOILERS AHEAD!!

A Quiet Place is a movie which is set in the future where the population of the world has dwindled to an unknown number. Strange creatures have inhabited the earth and hunt people (and animals) by sound. Any sound from dropping a blender to stepping on a leaf will be heard by the aliens and will result in death. The name A Quiet Place is drawn from the need to be quiet and not utter a single noise. This movie is about the Abbott family’s silent life in the countryside of New York. The family consists of Lee (father), Evelyn (mother), Reagan (deaf daughter), Marcus (son), Beau (son), and a newborn baby (son). Since one of the children is deaf, the family communicates with sign language.

The opening scene of this movie is of the Abbott family traveling to a nearby pharmacy to get medicine for Marcus. During this scene, the youngest child Beau finds a toy rocket with batteries. Lee takes away the toy but soon after when the parents walk out of the store, Reagan hands the toy to Beau (who secretly grabs the batteries too). Later, as the family is traveling back home, Beau turns on the toy which makes a loud noise. Seconds later, the strange creature kills the young boy in front of everyone’s eyes.

Fast forwarding to months later, the mother is weeks from giving birth to a new baby. After the movie shows the Abbott’s typical life on the farm, Evelyn is days from childbirth. A series of events (stepping on a nail and dropping a picture) leads Evelyn to accidentally attract an alien to their farm. This happens all the while her water breaks. Unfortunately, Lee (the father) is gone with his son fishing while this happens. When he and his son get back, they quickly discover that Evelyn is having trouble giving birth. So, they create a distraction so that the mother can give birth. A couple of scenes later, the kids are being hunted down by a creature and the father sacrifices his life to save them. The movie ends with the rest of the family finding a way to kill the aliens.

Usually, I hate watching horror movies with jumpscares and scary moments. However, this movie was not scary at all. I found that it was entertaining to watch since the characters are very likable. The concept of having to live in silence was also provoking to think about. Overall, I would recommend this movie to those who want to watch something both interesting and suspenseful. 

A Quiet Place is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.