Author Archives: Kaylie W.

Book Review: How to Save a Life, by Sara Zarr

Posted on by

how_to_save_a_lifeJill MacSweeney, a seventeen-year-old trying to find her place in the world, desperately wishes for her life to go back to normal. But ever since her father passed away, she can’t help but feel angry at the world and isolate herself from everyone who tries to support her—her boyfriend, her best friends, even her own family. And when her mother chooses to adopt a baby, Jill feels as if she’s trying to replace a lost family member. Can she accept her mother’s decision and embrace this sudden change in her life?

Mandy Kalinowski, on the other hand, has experienced firsthand what it feels like to grow up unwanted and be raised by a mother who never actually loved her. So when the nineteen-year-old Mandy becomes pregnant, she vows to provide a better life for her baby and find someone who will love her for who she is. Will Mandy be able to overcome her doubts and fears to find that “perfect” family for her and her unborn child?

Written by Sara Zarr, How to Save a Life is a novel that teaches readers about the meaning of life and love. Jill and Mandy are two distinct characters who both show signs that they are “lost.” In the end, they unexpectedly realize that they need one another in order to “find” themselves again. Since I normally prefer the sci-fi, dystopian, action/adventure genres, this realistic, heartfelt fiction book was not in my usual range of interests at all. To be honest, I’m not quite sure why I decided to read this book. However, it turned out to be much more than what I expected. I would certainly recommend this novel to anyone over the age of fourteen (due to some explicit language), even if you aren’t a fan of realistic fiction like me!

-Kaylie W., 10th grade

Book Review: The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan

Posted on by
Reply

joy_luck_clubInsightful, heart-warming, and beautifully crafted, Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club portrays mother-daughter relationships that must endure both generation and culture gaps. Each of the four Chinese-immigrant mothers narrates their past of growing up in China and immigrating to America. They also describe their struggles to raise daughters who won’t forget their Chinese heritage and values, as well as the legend of their mothers. On the other hand, the four American-born daughters strive to separate themselves from their mothers and find their own identities in America.

While reading, you will learn to be open-minded, as this will allow you to enjoy and understand the intended overall meaning of The Joy Luck Club. The novel teaches many important lessons that include being accepting toward different cultures, never judging someone from just their appearance, appreciating your parents, and being grateful for all of the opportunities we have in America. Many countries’ cultures are very different than the American culture, so we must always respect their customs. In addition, each daughter views their mother as weak and embarrassing to be around in the beginning. Once they begin to listen and see their mothers in an entirely different light, they discover that their mothers have experienced and sacrificed a lot for them to grow up and have a better life. This also leads them to be thankful for all the opportunities they are able to have, unlike their mothers, who grew up in China. All in all, both mother and daughters learn to discover the true meaning of love and come to accept each other for who they truly are.

I would definitely recommend this touching novel to anyone over the age of fourteen, since some mature topics are discussed. I especially recommend The Joy Luck Club to mothers and daughters because it will remind you of the significance of the unbreakable relationship and how important family is. Amy Tan is a remarkable author, and through her writing, she is able to weave a series of short stories into one complete, fulfilling novel.

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Book Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne

Posted on by
3

boy_striped_pajamasFriendship. A simple word that possesses a significant meaning. True friendship is something that is difficult to come by and may arise in the most unexpected way. A friend may share laughs with you or tell you that they love you. But a real friend will have a mutual understanding with you that will allow them to tell you their deepest, darkest secrets. A real friend will always be there for you through thick and thin. And they will be able to put aside their differences to see and accept you for what you truly are.

Written by John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is one of the most compelling stories you will ever read. Nine-year-old Bruno is a child living in Nazi Germany with his parents and older sister. When his father, a military man, accepts a new important job, the family is forced to move from the city to an isolated, mysterious place in the countryside that is surrounded by Nazi soldiers. But strangest of all is the fence—the place where fate brings Bruno to meet a peculiar boy dressed in a pair of striped pajamas.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is truly a wonderful book that is well-written and ultimately shocking. It is narrated by Bruno, a naïve child who does not really understand what it going on. At times, this made parts of the book a little confusing, so I had to infer and use past knowledge to figure out what was going on. For example, Bruno says that his family is moving to a place called “Out-With,” which really means Auschwitz. However, this unique narration was able to convey the overall message with even more meaning.

By exploring the beauty of innocence and the desire for friendship, it makes the story even more chilling and unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone over the age of twelve, as it does cover the time of the Holocaust in Germany. For those of you who have read The Book Thief and don’t mind stories that don’t always have the perfect ending, this book is for you!

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Book Review: Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

Posted on by
1

mice“The best laid schemes of mice and men go often awry…” (from “To a Field Mouse” by Robert Burns)

Of Mice and Men, whose title comes from the poem mentioned above, is a novella set during the Great Depression that describes the difficult life of workers on a ranch in California. George Milton, a small, intelligent man, and Lennie, a large man who is also mentally challenged, have formed a tight friendship and have come to depend on one another. The two men dream of one day owning their own land, with their own farm and livestock. When the pair acquires a job on a new ranch, everything seems to be going exactly as planned, until a flirtatious woman suddenly throws their lives into chaos.

In my opinion, the characters in the book are what make the plot so interesting and intriguing. George and Lennie are exact opposites; George is quick-witted, while Lennie isn’t able to comprehend as swiftly. I was specifically drawn to Lennie, due to his childlike innocence and need to please everyone around him. Lennie’s naiveté is best illustrated through his love to pet soft things, such as mice and rabbits. While Lennie does cause a lot of trouble for his partner, George can’t stand to leave him, since Lennie is such a nice person who doesn’t intend to hurt anyone. For this reason, I empathized with both of the men and wanted them to achieve their goal.

John Steinbeck is one of the most renowned American authors of the 20th century, best known for his realistic fiction works. Although the writing in Of Mice and Men is not very complex, Steinbeck is able to thoroughly describe the plot. In addition to painting a vivid image in your mind, he portrays numerous themes throughout the book such as friendship and the power of dreams and hopes. Another theme that Steinbeck depicts is the strengths and weaknesses of mankind.

Of Mice and Men is certainly one of those classics that everyone must read at least once in their lifetime. I consider it one of my favorites because of all the different plot lines, and how it displays the nature of humanity. Even though this novella is on my Top 10 Classics List, I would only recommend it to anyone eighth grade and above, due to its strong language and mature subject. However, once you have read it, I can guarantee that it will lead you to question your behavior toward people who are different, your own morals, and how the ethics of society can really make a change, good and bad, in a person’s life.

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Series Review: The Divergent Series, by Veronica Roth

Posted on by
Reply

divergent_coverWritten by Veronica Roth, the Divergent series is an irresistible trilogy that’s full of action, suspense, and (for you girls out there) romance! The series contains three books titled Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant.

Set in a future world that has been destroyed by the human nature of greed, ignorance, and cowardice, society is split into five factions: Abnegation for the selfless, Candor for the honest, Amity for the peaceful, Dauntless for the brave, and Erudite for the intelligent. The series follows sixteen-year-old Beatrice (nicknamed “Tris”) Prior who learns that she has an aptitude for more than one faction. This is called “Divergent,” and is extremely dangerous. In order to reveal the secret kept from her city, Tris embarks on a dangerous journey with the help of friends. Along the way, she must protect herself from those who threaten to kill her for her Divergence, as well as discover the true meaning of sacrifice, facing your fears, and being brave, honest, and selfless.

After reading the first book in the series, I was captivated with the storyline and became attached to the characters. I especially loved the process of Dauntless initiation, as well as the many plot twists that made me keep reading and finish the book in two days. Insurgent was a little confusing and boring at times, but the cliffhanger at the end really made me eager to keep reading. After months of eagerly waiting, Allegiant finally came out in October 2013! And to be honest, I was very disappointed and angry that Veronica Roth finished the trilogy that way (you have to read it to find out). Although Allegiant clarifies all of the mysteries and unknown questions in the first two books, the mind-blowing finale had me curled up in a corner sobbing for hours! (ok, maybe not) How could the author do something so cruel to her readers? But after reading the third book over again, I was able to realize that Veronica Roth actually wanted to teach us a life important lesson.

I would rate the Divergent series a 9.5 out of 10 and would highly recommend it to anyone over the age of 13, whether you’re a boy or girl. Make sure to read it in time for the movie adaption coming out on March 21, 2014!

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Posted on by
3

mockingbird_coverWritten by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those classics that everyone reads at some point of their lives, whether they choose to or are forced to read it for school.

Set in Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930s, To Kill a Mockingbird is about the adventures of a young girl named Scout Finch and her brother, Jem. Their innocent childhood of playing games and making up stories is suddenly threatened when their father, Atticus, decides to defend a colored man in court. Throughout the novel, Scout and Jem try to maintain faith in humanity, as well as try to understand the human nature of good and evil.

Many themes are apparent throughout the book; however, the most important are the theme of morals and good versus evil. Many characters struggle to distinguish between right and wrong. Atticus is a wonderful example of an honorable and ethical man, who teaches readers to be open-minded and to not judge others because of the color of their skin.

As the novel goes on, readers will become attached to the many characters, including Atticus, Scout, Jem, their neighbor, Boo Radley, and their friend, Dill. In my opinion, Boo Radley is the most interesting character in the book. Due to the number of scary rumors, the children are both constantly afraid and fascinated by him. Boo is a man of mystery, and his secret isn’t revealed until the very end of the book.

I love the fact that the novel is narrated by a naïve six-year-old girl, since it shows the story in a point of view that one is not used to seeing in serious, realistic fiction. Because Scout is so young, she describes the plot from her perspective, without really comprehending the importance of the numerous events. This makes the reader actually think, and try to put together information to get a better understanding of the true meaning of the novel.

I first read To Kill a Mockingbird in seventh grade and I certainly enjoyed it. I have read it over and over again, each time gaining more understanding of the characters and overall message that Harper Lee conveys. Now, it is my favorite classic because it is deep, funny at some parts, and teaches many important life lessons. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone over the age of thirteen, and can completely agree with English teachers that To Kill a Mockingbird is “the best book ever!”

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Series Review: The Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore

Posted on by
2

i_am_number_fourWhen most people think of aliens, they imagine a green Martian with antennae and gigantic eyes. They usually don’t imagine an alien as a normal-looking teenage human being who has amazing super powers.

Like most science fiction books, The Lorien Legacies, written by a pseudonym under Pittacus Lore, is an ongoing series that’s full of action, suspense, and (for you girls out there) a little romance. The books are titled: I am Number Four, The Power of Six, The Rise of Nine, and The Fall of Five. The fifth book in the series is expected to be published in 2014.

The series is set in a modern day world. The planet Lorien, which is similar to Earth, has been obliterated by another race of aliens called Mogadorians. The only Loric to survive are (supposedly) nine teenagers, called the Garde, and their Cepans, who are assigned to protect their chosen Loric. Seeking salvation, the nine teenagers have come to Earth to train for combat. Their goal is to be able to destroy the Mogadorians and reclaim their home planet in time. They are each named after a number and possess amazing abilities called Legacies. Protected by a unique “charm”, the Garde can only be killed off in numbered order.

The first book in the series starts off with the story of Number Four, which means Numbers One, Two, and Three have already been killed by the Mogadorians. As the series goes on, readers will be able to meet more members of the Garde. This series is one of my favorites because the main characters are often faced with very difficult decisions and have to struggle through a number of life-threatening moments. Because they are only teenagers, the Garde sometimes don’t know what the right choices are. In the beginning, they constantly argue because they each have different views and personalities. The Garde has to learn to rely and trust one another, sort of like a team.

I would rate the Lorien Legacies a 9.5 out of 10 and would highly recommend it to anyone over the age of 12 who enjoys sci-fi and action. There are many surprising moments that will surely keep you in constant suspense and on the edge of your seat!

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Book Review: Perfect Escape

Posted on by
1

perfect_escape_cover“We all knew what Grayson’s ‘difficulties’ were. Grayson’s difficulties dominated his life. And Mom’s and Dad’s. And mine” (4). Written by Jennifer Brown, Perfect Escape is a realistic-fiction novel that explores OCD, the pressure for perfection, and the ups-and-downs of a sibling relationship.

Her whole life, Kendra has felt restricted by her older brother, Grayson, whose OCD forces him and his family to live a very controlled life. Kendra has always been expected to be perfect, but when a cheating incident threatens her reputation, the pressure of perfection becomes too much. In her car, with Grayson asleep next to her, Kendra unexpectedly decides to run away from it all.

Kendra seems like a very likeable, intelligent, and strong-willed character, although she has some problems that become more noticeable as the plot develops. We see how hard she is on herself, as well as how OCD can affect one’s family. Grayson is a genius, but he has a severe mental illness, and I actually felt bad for him at some points. On their little road trip, Kendra and Grayson get a chance to bond together and see each other’s perspectives.

When I first started reading Perfect Escape, I was a little doubtful and didn’t know what to expect. However, it turned out to be a very intriguing book. It was different from most YA books because it really didn’t have a love story. In addition, the book was deep, with many underlying plots and themes.

Overall, I found this book to be very enjoyable, emotional, and humorous. I loved how it made me connect and sympathize with the characters right away. I thought this book was the perfect blend of happy and sad, and its heartfelt tone made me almost cry at the end. Perfect Escape was definitely a great read, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone over the age of thirteen!

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Book Review: Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

Posted on by
4

gone_with_the_windSet in mid-nineteenth century Georgia, Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind is one of the most unforgettable stories of all time.

A charming and obstinate sixteen-year-old girl, Scarlett O’Hara is the belle of the County. Like the rest of the South, she is used to a pampered lifestyle, where slaves wait on her twenty-four hours a day. All she does is dream about Ashley Wilkes, the man who she is madly in love with. When the Civil War begins, Scarlett and the rest of the South must give up their spoiled lives. At the same time, however, she must win Ashley’s heart and fight to survive one of the most brutal wars in American history.

Gone with the Wind is not just a story about love; it is also a very informative book that teaches readers many valuable lessons. Scarlett stayed strong and fought bravely throughout the war. Her conduct teaches readers determination, perseverance, and optimism. In order to survive, she gave up her old life and even picked cotton like a slave. Because of this, she learned to appreciate what she had in life, although she eventually became greedy because of fear.

As the book goes on, readers will become attached to the many characters, including the headstrong Scarlett and the sardonic Rhett. In my opinion, Scarlett is a spoiled, greedy brat who doesn’t care about anything except herself and money. I thought Scarlett got what she deserved when Rhett mocked her all those times and when the town treated her like an outcast. However, I still felt a connection to Scarlett, and actually felt sorry for her at the end of the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gone with the Wind, and it will always be one of the greatest classics of all time. As the Chicago Tribune says, Gone with the Wind is “fascinating and unforgettable! A remarkable book, a spectacular book, a book that will not be forgotten!”

-Kaylie W., 9th grade

Event Recap: Kaleb Nation on Social Media

Posted on by
2

Kaleb_Nation01On Wednesday, May 22nd, a very special guest visited the Mission Viejo Library and spoke to teens of all ages. Kaleb Nation is a well-known author, YouTube personality, and successful entrepreneur. He hosted his first radio show at just 14 years old, published his first book at age 20, and is the creator of websites with over 10,000,000 hits. In addition, he creates YouTube videos with over 50 million views and 73,000 subscribers.

harken_coverKaleb began his presentation by telling the audience how his unique story began a few years ago. Curious and wanting to be different, he played a prank on his friends that was based on the famous book series, Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. Little did he know that this small action would lead to his future fame and success. The prank immediately went viral online, and this prompted Kaleb to create TwilightGuy (a website that explains the Twilight series from a guy’s perspective). This subsequently opened the door to his weekly YouTube videos, which led to Kaleb becoming the author of the Bran Hambric series and his latest novel, Harken.

Although Kaleb claims that he is an introvert, his style of presentation connects strongly with his audience and shows a very vibrant and outgoing personality. His overall motto and message to the audience was “small things lead to bigger things.” He also pointed out that we should always be careful of what we say online. Things that you post on the Internet can never go away and you never know who will see your posts. As Kaleb advises, always ask yourself, “If 20,000 people suddenly saw this, would I be ok?”

Kaleb_Nation02In order to become successful, he stressed, “You need to be different, be a voice for people like you, and be a brand, or way of presenting yourself. You need to set yourself apart from others, and most importantly, just be you!”

Kaleb Nation is a very interesting and unique person. At just 24 years old, he has become a very successful person in social media. I thoroughly enjoyed his informative presentation and felt that his speech delivery was hilarious. For those who will leave a digital footprint, Kaleb Nation definitely gave valuable insight on the new world of social media!

-Kaylie W., 8th grade