Movie Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

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**this review will contain spoilers**

I would say I’m a hunger games fan as I had not only read the series once but twice and I’ve watched each movie a countless number of times. I actually had read the The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes before I went to go watch the movie to fully prepare myself for what was going to come.

The book follows along with Coriolanus Snow, now known as President Snow of Panem. Viewers get to see his progression of how he becomes associated within the Capitol and what sets him to later become President. Coriolanus Snow would be perceivably an outlier within the Capitol with his family being relatively poor, his parents dead, him living with only his cousin Tigris and grandmother also known as Grandma’am.

Coriolanus Snow is picked to become a mentor in the iconic and annual, 10th Hunger Games. Dean Highbottom, the creator of the Hunger Games assigns all 24 mentors to the 24 tributes; Snow ends up pairing with performer, Lucy Gray Baird from District 12. Lucy Gray is seen as this eccentric character especially at her reaping ceremony with her wearing this rainbow dress, stuffing a snake down the mayor’s daughter, singing, it goes on. Snow hopes that Lucy Gray’s entertainment will come of value for those in the Capitol to enjoy her presence and sponsor her throughout the Games.

As the Games commence, tributes are slowly killed off one by one within this arena and a victor is left, being Lucy Gray. After the games, Lucy Gray is returned to District 12 to continue her performative personality by singing with her band, The Covey. However, Snow is left to become a Peacekeeper because it was found that he had cheated within the games to help Lucy Gray win. He is originally sent to District 8 but manages to switch his post to District 12 in hopes to see Lucy Gray and rekindle the romance that was evident when the Games commenced.

Now with both Lucy Gray and Snow in District 12 they live out this fantasy of a perfect life between the two of them but Snow gets caught up in troubles he’s made–lies, cheating, murders, etc. Lucy Gray and Snow head out to a cabin near a lake to settle for the night as they trek to leave District 12 and escape to a place without Capitol control but all the troubles Snow has been caught up in are slowly being pieced together by Lucy Gray. Lucy Gray makes up an excuse to leave the cabin and Snow feels suspicious and tries to find her but she has fled. He goes crazy being fed up with this paranoia and knowing he lost the one person who he had trusted.

Snow’s journey has just started as he returns back to the Capitol and to presume the life that he always strived to get. With his close friend, Sejanus Plinth dead, the Plinths take Snow under their wing as almost like a “replacement” son. Snow now heir to the Plinth fortune, he has an opportunity to truly succeed in the Capitol life which is evident he does so in the trilogy where he is the President of Panem.

That was a brief summary of the movie, but there is so much more that hasn’t been said. I think the only way to truly understand is just by watching the movie itself, especially with it being 2 and a half hours long. I will say even knowing the plot of the movie beforehand didn’t prepare for seeing it come to life and I felt emotionally attached for days on end. FYI there are a few jump scares so just stay prepared!! Honestly, you don’t need to watch the other Hunger Games movies before this one but it would be recommended because it gives you the background you would want to know to fully understand the little hints and details within The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

-Madison C.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

September 30 Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angels Angels

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Today I went to an Angels game with my mom and my baby sister. This was a typical Angels game that we got a lot of autographs near the bullpen and in the players parking lot. I got to the line a bit late than last time but i was able to get autographs by many players.

Oakland Athletics Starting Lineup:

  1. Ryan Noda: First Base
  2. Zack Gelof: Second Base
  3. Brent Rooker: Right Field
  4. JJ Bleday: Left Field
  5. Shea Langeliers: Catcher
  6. Jordan Diaz: Third Base
  7. Carlos Perez: Designated Hitter
  8. Nick Allen: Shortstop
  9. Esteury Ruiz: Center Field

Game Result:

Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels

7-3 Athletics Win

Baseballs and Autographs from Players and Coaches:

  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Athletics Quality Control Coach Marcus Jensen.
  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Angels Pitcher Davis Daniel.
  • An baseball from Angels Catching Coach Drew Butera and an autograph on the baseball by Angels Catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
  • An autograph on my baseball glove by Athletics Bullpen Catcher Wilkin Castillo.

Fun Facts about Ryan Noda

Ryan Noda is a 27 year old who first got drafted to the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2017 as a first baseman then he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020. Then he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. Ryan Noda attended to Great Community High School and he went to University of Cincinnati to play baseball.

Their Eyes Were Watching God Review

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In my 10th grade ELA class, we read the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. This story includes the themes of love and identity. The main character, Janie Crawford, reflects on her entire life throughout the story. She explains the restrictions of her childhood to the constant desire for love in her adulthood. As an African American, Janie has to frequently deal with discrimination and racism, but she continues to persevere.

Janie’s friend Pheoby Watson sits on Janie’s porch and listens to her story. She describes her grandma (Nanny) and the limits she placed on Janie. Nanny lived through slavery and emphasized security and protection. She valued safety over following dreams, contradicting Janie’s beliefs. Nanny forced Janie to marry an unappealing man named Logan Killicks since he can offer stability. Killicks does not provide the sense of love that Janie desires, and the relationship shortly ends. Janie’s next man, Joe (Jody) Starks, takes her away from Logan Killicks and charms her. They stay together for almost 20 years, and Jody promises a life of prosperity. However, he attempts to remove her identity, and Janie learns that she also wants freedom. Finally, Janie meets Tea Cake, who seems to be the love of her life. Tea Cake offers more than just wealth and status: a sense of kindness that Janie had never experienced. As Janie matures, she accepts his flaws and continues to love him. However, when he gets rabies, she is forced to shoot him as he attacks her.

Janie shows levels of growth throughout the novel. She begins to value herself and her identity much more. The story represents the African American community and brings attention to the issues they face. Hurston uses countless examples of figurative language to further illustrate Janie’s struggles to readers. She wants to prove the importance of following your dreams and maximizing your happiness. Their Eyes Were Watching God is a great example of the power of love and identity. It is a great piece of literature that has many twists and turns throughout Janie’s life.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

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John Lennon, a hit member from the group “The Beatles” was pronounced dead due to Mark Chapman’s assassination. Mark Chapman, a deranged fan of The Catcher in the Rye felt as if he was identical to the main character, Holden Caulfield. Mark Chapman had killed John Lennon because he believed that he was a phony, a huge theme in the book.

The Catcher in the Rye is a book showcasing the main character, Holden Caulfield, wandering around the streets of New York and trying to understand what he wants to do in life. The book is still extremely relevant to people today as it demonstrates teenage emotions in the real world and an extremely realistic picture of someone who has lost something important. Holden Caulfield’s thoughts are all over the place in the book and to some it may feel like a bunch of words on a paper. Though to others, it’s realistic, it’s all of his thoughts as a teenager and it really represents the struggles of just being a teenager in between childhood and adulthood. Holden represents our uneasy feeling of walking off a cliff into becoming an adult and having to leave our childhood behind. Holden represents how us as teens would deal with grief and hardships without any guidance. Holden is a cry for help and he teaches us the truth about how much a guardian really means to someone so young.

Why aren’t we doing anything to stop growing up? Why has everyone turned so fake recently? What are we really meant to do? Many questions similar to these are brought up in the novel and it’s very intriguing and beautiful to watch someone we can all relate to try to figure out the answers. The book is relatable to all people. For those who are teens, it really clicks with you and gives you a sense of connectedness, like you aren’t alone. For those who are older, it brings back those teenage years and will definitely bring back the teenage self that still lives inside of you.

The Catcher in the Rye stands out to me because of all the emotions I went through while reading it and the feeling of realization when I found out that all of his thoughts really meant something and all of the subliminal messages inside of the novel. While re-reading the book you can really see all of his cries for help that you may not have picked up before and all the symbolism you may have brushed off. The Catcher in the Rye gave me a whole new understanding of books and a new perspective on the meanings of books.

So why was John Lennon really assassinated? Was it really because of The Catcher in the Rye? In all honestly, I don’t know. What I do know, however, Mark Chapman feared Lennon’s fame and really believed he was just a huge phony.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.

Teen Volunteers Sought for Summer Reading Program

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Have fun and earn service hours!

Mission Viejo Library seeks energetic teen volunteers ages 13-17 to help with all aspects of the Summer Reading Program. The annual Summer Reading Program is a library tradition that instills a lifelong love of learning by encouraging children to read and participate in events over the summer.

The 2024 program begins on June 15 and runs through July 31. Teens interested in welcoming families, explaining the program, enrolling participants, and awarding prizes can sign up now. Shifts are 2-3 hours and volunteers must attend a one-time orientation on Zoom.

Applications are available here and at the children’s and “ask here” desks at the library. For more information, email ohoward@cityofmissionviejo.org.

Tips to Study for the AP Test

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Test season is almost here already, and that means that the AP Test is coming up soon as well. The AP test can sometimes be a lot to study for, so here are some helpful tips that helped me and will make studying a breeze.

1. Buy a test prep book.

One thing that I found helpful when studying for the AP test is to get a test prep book. This contains a condensed version of the material found in the course, so you can review the material from the whole year and then test your knowledge of the material. A good place to get these books is from Princeton Review.

2. Review your notes.

Another strategy that I found helpful when studying was to review my notes from the year. It can sometimes be hard to remember topics that were taught at the beginning of the year, so reviewing can be helpful especially if you have forgotten some of the material.

3. Study the important topics.

Another useful strategy I found for studying is to review the most important topics or areas of the course first before covering other subjects as well. Spending more time on larger topics can be helpful and is a more effective way to review for the test as well.

4. Take practice tests.

One of the best ways to study for the AP test is to take practice tests. Practice tests can help you to study better and know what material to focus on while you are studying. They can also help you to take the test more effectively, and I personally found them very helpful. Some good places to find these practice tests include College Board and Khan Academy.

5. Make a study schedule.

Another approach you can take to studying is to make a study schedule and to plan out your studying. This allows you to plan backward from the date of the test, and spread out your studying into more manageable blocks over a longer period of time. This also ensures that you are well prepared for the test and are not rushing to study.

6. Make flashcards.

Another method of studying that I found useful was making flashcards. Making flashcards can help you to remember important materials, especially formulas and vocabulary. It is also helpful for quickly reviewing concepts, and helps to prepare you for the test as it gives practice with giving answers for a question format.

7. Use AP College Board resources.

I also found that the AP College Board online resources were very helpful for studying as well. These resources include content reviews and topic quizzes, as well as AP Daily videos, which are daily reviews of material covered in the AP courses, all of which are very helpful when reviewing.

These are some of the important ways that you can make your studying for the AP test much easier and more effective as well, so be sure to try these tips and tricks before your next test!

Heading to the library? Teen Test Survival Kits, created by the Mission Viejo Library Teen Advisory Board, are available to pick up at the library.

The Great Gatsby Movie Review

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I first heard of this movie when listening to Lana Del Rey’s song, “Young and Beautiful,” which features all throughout the Great Gatsby. I know it’s recommended to read the book first and watch the movie after, but it was too late for me to resist when it began playing on my TV.  

The Great Gatsby is a classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald with themes of love and letting go of and holding on to the past. In 2013, a movie rendition was released starring Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. The movie begins with Nick Carraway at a doctor’s appointment where he begins to write about how he became friends with Gatsby. Gatsby is a rich business man that throws parties for everyone and anyone who wishes to stop by. No one really knows who he is, but when Nick is invited personally to Gatsby’s party he finds out who he is and all his secrets.

The Great Gatsby was a pretty good movie, although I cannot say how accurate it is to the book. Nick acted as the storyteller throughout the film which changed how the story progressed and how information was revealed. I really liked the way Nick told the story and how it correlated to the way it was filmed. It was fun to piece together the puzzle when new information was revealed as the story went on, since it’s told through Nick’s point of view. I found it interesting that it was an outsider’s point of view, showing the thoughts and emotions of a person who would usually be considered the side character. I also loved to see how helpless Nick was to Gatsby, and how even though Nick was the one to always be there for Gatsby, Nick was still pushed to the side and never was the important one. I loved how Nick found his sense of purpose and want, no longer just the simple side character, but someone with depth and a more interesting life.

Another thing I liked was how this story was not your usual romance. I liked how it didn’t have the same happily ever after that most stories and movies today chase. The only thing I can say without giving away too much, is that The Great Gatsby is a tragedy. For most characters in the movie, their endings are not what most would consider happy; the best it got was bittersweet. It was very shocking to see their endings, especially when Gatsby, the main character and name of the title, didn’t actually get what he wanted in the end. While some may find sad, tragic endings disappointing, I found these to be very fitting and enjoyable to see. 

I thought The Great Gatsby was a great movie. I really enjoyed how it was told and the plot overall. Despite this movie having been released over ten years ago, it was a superb movie that hopefully captured the full story of the classic novel properly. Now after having seen The Great Gatsby, I’m excited to get the chance to read it. I think that this movie is great for older audiences and recommend it to those in that age group, so they fully understand the little details in the storyline. 

-Nicole R.

The Great Gatsby is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

Book vs. Movie: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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Clary Fray believed she was a human, also known as a mundane, who possessed the unique ability to see Shadowhunters, half-angel warriors who protect humans from evil. However, after her mother is kidnapped, Clary discovers that she is a descendant of past Shadowhunters. Seeking to save her mother and the Cup from a Shadowhunter named Valentine, Clary teams up with Jace, Alec, and Isabelle to enter the Downworld.

  1. The Demon in Clary’s Apartment
    • Book: Clary kills the demon with a Sensor.
    • Movie: Jace kills the demon instead of Clary.
  2. Simon’s Kidnapping
    • Book: Simon drinks a blue cocktail, turning into a rat and accidently being taken away by a vampire
    • Movie: Simon is purposefully kidnapped by the kidnappers to lure Clary into a trap. He is never turned into a rat.
  3. Portals
    • Book: No training is required to use portals.
    • Movie: Shadowhunters must train to use the portals or else they will lose their santiy and be lost in limbo.
  4. Jocelyn’s Pregnancy
    • Book: Valentine was unaware of Jocelyn’s pregnancy for years.
    • Movie: Jocelyn is seen heavily pregnant in a flashback with Valentine and her first child.
  5. The Cup
    • Book: Valentine successfuly steals the Cup.
    • Movie: Clary tricks Valentine with a fake replica and keeps the Cup.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. City of Bones is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story

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THE SPIDER WITHIN: A SPIDER-VERSE STORY is a newly released short film that is based within Sony’s animated Spiderman universe.

While many believed that the film would simply promote Spiderman: Beyond the Spiderverse, the third entry in the series, the film is entirely separate with its own story and themes. 

In the climax of the film, Miles sees his torn mask across his room and becomes overwhelmed with his past failures. His anxieties eventually become too great, and physically manifest themselves into a giant spider. The color palette shifts to a red tone as Miles attempts to battle his stress head-on in a stunningly animated sequence. The combination of the constant clicking noises from the spider and the dark music also helps create a tense atmosphere. Like the previous two full-length movies, this short film shares the same style of bright cell-shaded animation.

Throughout the film, Miles’ anxiety is represented in a variety of ways. In addition to the physical monster, Miles’ spider-sense accidentally triggers, even though there is nothing that poses any danger to him. This false alarm was directly caused by Miles’ current state of uneasiness. 

Even as Spiderman, Miles Morales is not safe from the daily stresses of being a good student and son. The film promotes mental health awareness by showing that everyone can become overwhelmed. Miles resolves his issue by opening up to his father about his problems.

Many who struggle with similar mental health issues often do not seek help, whether it’s due to fear or pride. However, the example of Miles shows that even “strong” people can benefit from help. Less than a week after the short film’s release, it has already raised over  $5½ million dollars to the Kevin Love Fund.

Animal Farm Book Review

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Imagine fighting to overthrow a corrupt leader, just to end up with someone even worse. Last year in Sophomore English class I was required to read Animal Farm by George Orwell. This book is an allegorical novella reflecting the events of Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution. At the time, I was taking an AP European History class, so this book really impressed me as a history lover.

Animal Farm depicts the story of a farm where the animals overthrow the farmer in hopes of a more egalitarian animal-run society. However, when they are able to overthrow their masters, their utopian vision does not seem to be their new reality.

The main theme throughout Animal Farm is power and the desire to obtain this power. The novel depicts how a revolution for better living can quickly turn into a state where citizens have less power than they started with. The allegorical style can be viewed as a simple breakdown of the events of the Russian Revolution and the novel almost acts like a history lesson. It’s important to note the controversy Animal Farm has sparked. Many institutions banned the novel as it was considered “communist propaganda,” while some simply disliked the novel as they believed it provided a negative view on socialism.

Regardless of public opinion, I thought Animal Farm was a very interesting novel and I was captivated throughout my whole reading experience. I would recommend this novel in particular to anyone who knows or has learned about the Bolshevik Revolution as it makes the book 100 more times enjoyable to analyze and identify the parallels. Watching the tone of the animal leadership shift was absolutely page-turning, and I think any fan of history would truly enjoy this novel!

Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.