The Outsiders: Some Spoilers Ahead!

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Yesterday, my class finished a classic novel called The Outsiders. Of the many classic novels I’ve read, this one was really deep for me!

The book starts off with the rivalry between two gangs: the Socs (pronounced soashes, not socks!) and the Greasers. The Socs are the wealthy rich kids, throwing parties almost everyday and “jump” Greasers for fun. The Greasers, however, are the poor kids with all the “rough breaks” but they are one big family and look out for each other. They don’t look for trouble with the Socs unless one of their gang gets jumped.

The story follows Ponyboy, the youngest of a Greaser gang in his neighborhood. Both his mother and father died in an unfortunate car accident, and has been living with his two brothers, Sodapop and Darry, ever since. However, it’s reassuring to know that the three of them aren’t alone throughout this adventure; they have friends who help them along the way.

For me, the novel was really heart-warming and bittersweet! I don’t want to spoil the entire story, but the ending took me by surprise! Additionally, I love how the Outsiders makes allusions to poems and books. Throughout the novel, S.E Hinton connects to Robert Frost’s poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”, and Gone with the Wind to enhance the plot of this book! If you ever decide to read this book, the amount of allusions you will find will shock you! Heads up however, there is A LOT of slang in this novel! Sometimes, I was reading the book, and I had to stop and ponder on what the words meant, for example, one of Ponyboy’s friends asked Ponyboy, “Ain’t you freezing to death Ponyboy?”, and Ponyboy replies with “You ain’t a woofin”. Just make sure to bone up on your slang vocabulary before reading! I would most definitely recommend this book to people who need a reminder of the good in life!

Happy Reading!

-Alia Charles, 8th grade

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (Book Review)

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The book, It Ends With Us, dives deeper into Lily Bloom’s life, a businesswoman, who tries to let go of her past and focus on her future. Lily is constantly reminded of her past in her present-day life and is challenged with the people she meets and the people who return into her life.

The story revolves around her first love Atlas and her new love Ryle. Lily and Atlas were young and in love and promised to return to each other after certain events had separated them. Lily and Ryle however, met later on in Lily’s life, and found themselves growing closer overtime.

Lily’s life is starting to come around as she opens her new business, finds a new best friend, and develops a closer and better relationship with her mother. Yet hardship comes her way as Lily finds out more about Ryle and gets too comfortable with the fact that his version of a relationship is too different from hers. She juggles with the idea of what other people might think of her relationship as she grows in fear of him over the course of months. This leads to her acknowledging where she stands and relates to the abusive relationship between her mother and her father.

Throughout the book you might find yourself wondering, why doesn’t Lily just leave him? How could she make that choice? Why can’t she let go of her past? Well, Lily wonders the same things in most chapters and is able to find an answer and solution to them all by the end.

I personally loved this book, it is very well written and leads the audience in a different direction than most books. The book itself entails a rollercoaster of emotions for the readers. I disliked the intimate/in depth scenes of Lily’s relationship that I skipped past but overall, it was hard to put this book down and I loved the story line so much that I have continued reading onto the sequel!

*Be advised this book is for older readers*

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

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Mab Churt, Osla Kendall, and Beth Finch are an unlikely trio. All from very different backgrounds, connected by one mysterious letter, calling them to action.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn captivated me in its pages. This historical fiction novel shines in how Quinn wove her meticulous research into the plot. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a book that you can’t put down.

The story takes place at the start of World War II where women are called to action to help with the war. Not in the field, but as spies. Spies behind a desk, cracking codes. As I read further down the chapters, the rich history of Bletchley Park was connected with both stories of love and grief.

Mab Churt continues to wow me in everything she accomplishes despite being from the lower east end. Her heartbreaking secret will leave you in tears by the end of the novel. She certainly will jump off the page and you can easily envision her as a strong female heroine.

Osla Kendall, a cunning and smart debutante shows off her skill at espionage and shines in every situation she is in. Her relationship with a certain prince of Greece ends in tragedy but also hope. Read the Rose Code and dive into her secret relationship with the future king of England.

Beth Finch is a girl who has been lead in her abusive household to be homely and slow all her life. She has been stuck with her overly religious mother and push over father for too long. When the letter than Bletchley Park comes, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Beth slowly climbs up the ranks at the Park and becomes one of the greatest codebreakers.

This story is interesting as it has two different timelines. Alternating between 1940 and 1947, it shows a completely different story and the end of Bletchley Park. One of the girl’s story ends in confusion, one ends in a mental asylum, and one in a never ending road of grief. The trio of never ending female solidarity shatters into pieces as a traitor rips into the Park. Will they ever find who it is and rescue their friend from the sanitarium? Will they ever forgive and move on from the momentous secret that was exposed? Read the Rose Code by Kate Quinn to find out.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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**this review may contain spoilers**

I have recently gotten back into reading after being on a month long reading slump with no desire to read, I decided that it was time for a genre switch. Fourth Wing is a romantic-fantasy novel that follows Violet and her journey entering Basgiath War College.

Typically 20 year olds are the main occupants of Basgiath whether they choose to be a Healer, Scribe, Infantry, or Rider. Violent Sorrengail has always had expectations among her being the youngest of her family with her two older siblings, Mira and Brennan being excelled riders as well as her mother running Basgiath War College. Violet seemingly passes through the entry to the Riders Quadrant, a lean bridge that can lead to a 200 foot drop if slipped upon.

Violet, along with her fellow cadets have to overcome challenges in order to survive it til graduating. Three more years of survival. The most important part for Riders is bonding with a dragon in order to gain a signet (a shared connection between a rider and a dragon). However, matching with a dragon isn’t as easy as it may be said and involves respect as well as strength.

The book consists of Violet’s first year at Basgiath War College under the Rider’s Quadrant and the different friendships, enemies, lovers, she faces. The riders are split amongst four wings with 3 sections within each wing and 3 squads within each section. A relationship begins to form between first-year Violet and Fourth Wing leader, Xaden Riorson. However, these two have clashed without even knowing with each other, their parents have gone through rivalries of their own.

Fourth Wing encompasses components a fantasy novel should include but also touches on romantic aspects frequently which is exhilarating for a romance reader! I think venturing out to romantic fantasy actually is what I needed because I was obsessed after reading and even decided to re-read Fourth Wing. Those trying to get involved within fantasy, I would check out Fourth Wing because even though the writing isn’t complex, it allows new fantasy readers to grasp the storyline easily.

The book happens to end a pretty big cliffhanger that made me questioning myself for days but luckily this book is a part of a five book series that is slowly but gradually releasing. Yarros’ next book, Iron Flame releases on November 7th, 2023 so if you don’t like cliffhangers just start reading near then!

-Madison C.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Hugo’s Thanksgiving – A Short Story

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They say you are what you want. This became true for 12-year-old Hugo Stevens as he became addicted to eating mashed potatoes. The addiction began Thanksgiving Day at 4:17 pm on November 25, 2022. Hugo’s Uncle Aleck (who lived with him) was allergic to potatoes. However, he did not attend Thanksgiving Dinner and stayed in his guest house, as he was suffering from a hemorrhoid. 

The doorbell rang, and Hugo opened the door to his new cousin, Willa, who recently married into the family. In her hands was a large pot filled with mashed potatoes. Willa carefully lifted the lid and showed him the dish that he made. A savory, buttery scent wafted into the air, and Hugo’s mouth watered. Unable to have self-control, he stuck his finger into the mixture and promptly licked it. “HUGO,” Willa said as she scolded him. Before she could say anything else, Hugo took the pot out of her hands, grabbed a spoon, and started devouring it. Willa and Hugo’s other family members gasped and began shouting at him. His mom reached over to grab the pot, but Hugo turned the other way. Eventually, Hugo’s dad commandeered the pot of mashed potatoes and sent him to his room.

Hugo lay on his bed and sighed. I want more mashed potatoes, he thought. Suddenly, he heard a tap on his window. Hugo recoiled at the noise and slowly approached his window. An old woman stared into his eyes, and Hugo yelped. He started to back out of his room, but she held a pot with mashed potatoes and smiled, pointing to the pot. Immediately, Hugo opened his window, thanked the woman, and grabbed the mashed potatoes. She hobbled away, and Hugo began to dig into the pot.

5 minutes later

Hugo scrapped the last bits of the potatoes from the pot and sighed in satisfaction. As he slowly walked to his bed, he felt a popping sensation on the surface of his skin. Mashed potatoes oozed out of his skin, and Hugo yelled and ran out of his room to the dining hall. Everybody screamed when they saw Hugo. Curiously enough, Uncle Aleck decided to pop in for a visit. Uncle Aleck dropped to the floor at the mere sight of mashed potatoes. Hugo’s parents, cousins, and grandparents rushed to the floor. During all of the commotion, Hugo tripped on the floor rug. The mashed potatoes from his body flicked and fell on Uncle Aleck’s leg, which grew swollen. Uncle Aleck’s breathing grew shallow, and the light in his eyes dimmed as he breathed his last breath.

Eventually, the mashed potatoes embedded in Hugo’s skin went away, and he lived the rest of his life in a rehabilitation center that attempted to end his potato addiction.

THE END.

Angels vs Detroit Tigers

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Today we went to the Angels game against the Detroit Tigers with my mom and my baby sister. The stadium was giving out Mike Trout bobbleheads. In my opinion, you should take the route like this below when the stadium is giving things out.

The route in the stadium:

  1. Get in the stadium.
  2. Show the tickets to the crews.
  3. Get the giveaways from the crew. It is better if you buy more tickets because then you will have more giveaway goods.
  4. Go to a place where it isn’t crowded.
  5. Put everything in a backpack, then it would be as hard to carry around the giveaway goods and other personal things.
  6. Head to the place where you can get autographs and wait for players and coaches to come.

Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup:

  1. M. Vierling: left Field
  2. S. Torkelson: First Base
  3. K. Carpenter: Right Field
  4. M. Cabrera: Designated Hitter
  5. A. Lipcius: Third Base
  6. Z. McKinstry: Second Base
  7. J. Báez: Shortstop
  8. J. Rogers: Catcher
  9. P. Meadows: Center Field

Game Results:

Detroit Tiger vs. Los Angeles Angels

12-2

Balls and Autographs from Players and Coaches:

  • A ball from the Detroit Tigers Bench Coach, George Lombard.

Near the end of the game, a position player came and started to pitch. Usually, when position pitchers pitch they throw very slowly, normal pitchers throw around 95 miles per hour but position pitchers throw around 60-75 miles per hour.

A Teen’s Guide to Travel Light

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As the excitement of my upcoming three-week trip to the East Coast grows, I am eager to explore its beautiful landscapes and immerse myself in American history. To make the most of my journey, I’ve decided to travel light with just a carry-on bag, inspired by the idea of traveling light and free. Packing efficiently is challenging as I only like to live with many things I’m accustomed to. Determined to conquer this problem, I’ve developed some savvy packing tips for teens like myself to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience.

The first thing on traveling light without less is choosing the perfect bag to accompany me on this adventure. After careful consideration, I settle on a compact yet durable carry-on bag that’s roomy enough for at least four outfits and two pajamas, with room for undergarments and a compartment for extra shoes. It must also comply with airline size restrictions and comfortably carry my belongings throughout the trip. Its various compartments and pockets promise to keep me organized, which is essential for someone like me who can be a bit messy. 

As I sit down to create my packing list, I realize that being organized is half the battle won. Pen in hand, I carefully jot down all the essentials I’ll need during my three-week stay. From comfortable clothes to versatile accessories and travel-friendly toiletries, my list serves as a roadmap for my packing adventure, ensuring I will notice all crucial items.

Choosing the right clothes is the most critical part of my packing journey. I opt for neutral-colored pieces that I can easily mix and match, allowing me to create various stylish outfits without lugging around an overloaded bag. Lightweight and wrinkle-resistant fabrics promise comfort and ease throughout my trip, regardless of the East Coast weather throws my way.

As a technology-loving teenager, I can’t leave home without my gadgets. But carrying multiple devices can add unnecessary weight. Inspired by the idea of traveling smart, I decided to rely on my trusty smartphone, a multi-purpose marvel that serves as my camera, music player, and communication hub all in one, making my bag significantly lighter.

Rolling my clothes instead of folding them becomes a packing revelation for me. It saves space and keeps my clothes wrinkle-free, so I can leave the plane looking fresh and ready for the adventures ahead. The simplicity of this packing technique makes me wonder why I hadn’t adopted it sooner.

Organizing my travel documents has become a top priority. My passport, ID, boarding passes, and reservation confirmations find a secure home in a travel organizer, ensuring they are easily accessible whenever needed. This sense of preparedness brings a comforting peace of mind on my journey.

I remind myself to keep my makeup and accessories minimal and versatile. Travel-sized makeup items fit perfectly into my carry-on. I select a few essential accessories that can enhance any outfit I wear, reducing the clutter in my bag to allow me easy travel.

With my carry-on bag carefully packed, I realize ample room for souvenirs and mementos from my adventures to the East Coast. Knowing I won’t have to worry about exceeding weight limits on my way home brings a sense of relief, allowing me to focus on embracing the experiences that await me.

As I eagerly anticipate my carry-on adventure, I feel empowered knowing that I am traveling light and free. With my well-organized backpack and savvy packing choices, I am ready to explore the beauty of the East Coast, create lasting memories, and embrace the joys of travel without the burden of heavy luggage. 

Traveling with a carry-on can be liberating, allowing you to embrace a lighter and more carefree journey. I hope you are inspired to pack light on your next travel. With these packing tips, you can embark on your adventures with ease, organization, and a sense of preparedness, making your trips more enjoyable and enriching. So, pack light, travel smart, and embrace the freedom of carry-on adventures. Here’s to an incredible journey filled with wonder, growth, and traveling light!

Happy travels!

Bella H

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

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Recently, I have read Howl’s Moving Castle which is a fantasy novel about a young girl named Sophie who is the oldest daughter of three daughters. The story surrounds her adventures and encounters with evil spells, wizards, and witches. She must handle the heartless Howl, a fire demon, and the Witch of the Waste in order to break an aging spell. The novel is a wonderful mix of magic, romance, and humor that anyone can enjoy.

I personally loved the romantic and fantastical aspects of the story. I also love Sophie’s characters, as she is portrayed as a headstrong and independent girl who trusts herself and her own decisions. I love the humorous aspects of the story as well and I believe Jones did a splendid job of combining comical and romantic themes in the novel. The novel always kept me on my toes and is overall an exciting and engaging story I think everyone should give a read.

Unfortunately, I did not like the initial character of Howl in comparison to the Studio Ghibli movie, however I think his character development is an aspect of the story many will find enjoyable.

Overall, the story is filled with lovely imagery and descriptions, beautifully written characters, and an interesting plot. It’s engaging and truly transports you into another world while reading.  Personally, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short read!

Kaiya T.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

1989 (Taylor’s Version) Review

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Taylor Swift: 1989 (Taylor's Version) Album Review | Pitchfork

In 2014 Taylor Swift released her album 1989, which was the mark of her full transfer to pop after being a country singer. It received a lot of praise and it brought out so many emotions that her fans absolutely loved.

She has been rerecording her albums to regain control of her older music and on October 27, 2023 she released 1989 (Taylor’s Version). The album had all of the re-recorded versions of her 1989 songs, but also some new songs called Sl*t” Say Don’t Go, Suburban Legends, and Now That We Don’t Talk. The new tracks she added were amazing but I believe that they didn’t fit the 1989 “vibe.” To me, the songs were too “chill” and they didn’t have the feel of 1989. Taylor Swift is fully capable of making a completely new album including those songs rather than adding them to a re-recorded version of an old album. I am also highly aware that many fans disagree with me, for I have had many small arguments with my friends on this topic. 

All in all, I truly loved this album and I think that Taylor Swift has really achieved so many great things in life.