3rd Quarter Reading List

I read 4 books, the equivalent of 10 books.

• Before I Fall (470) 2 books
• Nineteen Minutes (464) 2 books
• Wuthering Heights (320) 3 books
• Tess of the d'Urbervilles (384) 3 books

Nineteen Minutes
The tiny town of Sterling seems tranquil enough, until a brutal school shooting, killing ten, occurs at the local high school. Josie goes to school on an apparently normal day, but ends up living a nightmare as she witnesses death and destruction around her. Not only is the day horrible, but the shooter is the least likely person she could have thought of: nerdy, former best friend Peter. Peter is quickly taken to trial to Josie's mother Judge Cormier, who is later removed from the case, and Josie should be the perfect witness; except for the fact that she can't remember anything about the shooting. Peter's parents Lewis and Lacey constantly antagonize over the past, trying to remember what they could have done to send Peter to such violence. They wonder endlessly about what they could have done differently. Jodi Picoult's novel is a truly touching story that explores the world of bullying, and the concept of truly knowing a person.
I enjoyed this book so much because it was written from so many different perspectives and allowed me to really get to know all of the characters well. Every person thought so differently and had their own opinions, and it was cool to be able to think from the shooter's point of view as well as the victims. Most books about a touchy subject like this shy away from the bad guy's thoughts, but this book delved right into the heart of the shooter. I also liked the book because so much research was put into it. Picoult always researches endlessly for her novels and the research always makes the book so much more accurate and heart-warming.

Where Do Your Loyatlies Lie?

After reading this article about a California woman who killed her sister-in-law, I began to think a lot about family ties and what being a family truly means. The article reminded me of a book I recently read, True Colors, about a family that becomes pitted against each other in the face of trial.

In this novel, the Grey sisters are a tightly bound unit that has always stood opposite of one person: their distant and hard-hearted father. They always loved each other more than they could express, took care of each other, and let nothing come in the way of their friendship. Then a stranger comes to town and threatens to ruin everything that the Grey sisters have with one another. When feelings are kept secret, secrets are revealed, and revelations of terrible consequence are unveiled, the three become hostile, and it seems possible that they may never be a united force again.

These two texts made me think about my family, and I began to ask myself many questions: what could lead me to separate from my family? What would they have to do for me to turn my back on them? Would I stand beside them, whatever the circumstance? Would they ever abandon me? Would we ever let any person get in the way of our relationships? And if we did become enemies, would we ever be able to forget and be a family again?

I am very glad that I came across these writings, because they got me to think about my loyalty to those I love and how far I would go to protect them. I am very grateful for my family and friends, and know that I would do almost anything in my power to keep them from danger or to help them, but at the same time I know that there are certain things that I would not be able to overlook. But until I have to face one of these events, I will just enjoy my relationships with those around me and stay fiercely loyal to them, and hope that they do the same for me.

Socks: The 12 Sentence Story of Two Girls and Their Laundry

Brea and I were sitting on the floor, our laps covered in clean laundry, our hands folding countless shirts and socks, and our voices ringing with laughter as we worked. I was being responsible and collecting all my clothes; Breanna was not. My sister, the slacker, naturally neglected some of her work load and would not fold and put away her socks. I chased her across the house, through the halls, behind the furniture, around all the rooms, trying to force her socks upon her. She finally ran into her room and locked the door in my face. Big mistake. I warned her that I would find a key or that I would kick the door down or that I would go tell Mom. My threats were numerous, but my simple action stood alone. With a quick thrust of my foot, a harsh blow to the door I dealt. Who could have known I would leave behind a hole? I gasped and panicked and thought and schemed. The story I invented, the speed with which I said I had tripped, the immediate belief that my mother had in my story got me off the hook and got Brea to take her socks.

An Abundance of Idiots

I love a good laugh, whether it be a giggle or a breath-taking, tear-conjuring, belly-aching outburst of hilarity. So, naturally, it is no surprise I fell head-over-heels in love with the video series on YouTube entitled "Autotune the News." My favorite episode, number six, is filled with a myriad of wonderful things: singing, dancing, jokes, clever editing. This video though, and many other in the series, have been debated as possibly offensive to those who are featured. It is true that many people in these videos, especially politicians, look like--well, idiots. But did the makers of these videos really make politicians look any more idiotic than they manage to do themselves?

Ranging from west coast to east coast, from north to south, from federal to community, America's government systems have been inflated with politicians who probably should not have been elected. And sadly, in these cases, they were the lesser of two evils. Comments I cannot believe have been said, actions that should never have been taken, choices that do nothing but hurt the politician--and these people are still getting mad at those who taunt them?

There is Sarah Palin, who I could go on about for years, who makes up words and then posts Tweets defending her mistake. Hey, if Shakespeare could do it, why can't she? Then we have people like Rod Blagojevich. Oh dear. Trying to sell a Senate seat? Really? And if that doesn't make him look idiotic enough already, his hair certainly does. Then, of course, John McCain...Is it really necessary to break into a Beach Boys song during a meeting? Also, I would hate to be the one to break it to John Boehner, but using profanities in the middle of a Congressional meeting is not professional. Especially when that meeting is being broadcasted on C-SPAN.

I have also noticed that politicians sometimes seem to have a hard time staying on topic. It is not that difficult: Just answer the question. This video even states, while Congress members have gone off on a tangent about something irrelevant to the topic, that they "thought the bill was about the climate."

I know that everyone does something a little stupid every once in a while, but I am thinking that some of these politicians need to pack their bags and whatever little pride they have left and get out of the career of politics. Either that, or they need to learn to not be surprised when their speeches end up on Saturday Night Live.

2nd Quarter Reading

This nine weeks, I would like to read Vanishing Acts, The Kite Runner, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Our classroom library has the two latter books I want to read, but the I have not found the first here. Luckily, my friend Hallie owns Vanishing Acts and she lent it to me. I actually am going to read it on her recommendation.

I decided that I wanted to read the The Kite Runner after I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I loved the book so much and it greatly affected me, and immediately after finishing it, I knew that I would have to find the other famous book by Khaled Housseini and read it.

Referring to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I had no desire to read the book until it was recommended to my English class by Mrs. Huff. Granted, I had no idea what the story was about, but after the brief synopsis of the novel, I discovered that I really want to read it.

2nd Quarter Annotated Reading List

Cook, Robin. Shock. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001. Print. (336 pages)

Deborah Cochrane and Joanna Meissner have spent many years at Harvard, and the only thing left they have to do to gain their doctorates is to complete their thesis papers. The two long to have the money to travel to Venice for a year to work in tranquility,while also having a bit of fun, but they have no idea how to attain the funds. They soon learn that the Wingate Fertility Clinic is offering $45,000 for egg donation, and they convince themselves to donate for Italy money. When Joanna and Deborah return to the U.S., they become obsessed with finding out what happened to their eggs, but when they call the Wingate Clinic to ask, they are informed that all records are confidential and that they are not allowed the information they seek. Seeking answers, the two women assume new identities, change their looks and accept jobs working at the clinic. Their plan is to hack into the computer systems and get the information they want and then to disappear, but they soon find out that there are some strange things going on at the clinic. They decided to investigate what is actually going on, a decision that could put them in grave danger.
A huge theme of this book is human cloning, and while I knew that cloning is possible I never really thought about the technology behind it or the viability of human cloning. The book goes into great detail about the exact process of creating a clone, from the first step through the growth and development of the creature. I really did find myself truly astonished while reading of the human clones in the novel, and I thought back to research I did about cloning when I read Brave New World. I learned that human cloning is thought to be nearly inevitable, and that really the only thing holding it back is the debate of morals and ethics.



Hannah, Kristin. True Colors. New York: St. Martin's, 2009. Print. (491 pages)

The Grey sisters, after their mother's death, banded together, becoming the best of friends. Their cold father Henry cares not about his children, only for the land of his ancestors and his impeccable reputation. Winona, the oldest, is the smartest, a bookworm, who endlessly searches for her father's approval. She grows up to be the best lawyer in town, hoping that her reputation will spark a sense of pride in her father. Aurora is the middle sister and the family peacemaker. She tries to keep everyone happy, even when she is miserable and hides her own pain. Vivi Ann is the youngest and the jewel of the family. A naive dreamer, capable of immeasurable love, she is doted on by everyone she comes in contact with. Vivi Ann's life is perfect, at least until a stranger arrives in town. When Vivi Ann falls in love, the man Winona pines for is crushed, Aurora's marriage starts falling apart, and a horrible crime shatters their tiny town, the bonds that have held the sisters together for years become broken and threaten to never mend themselves. Everything changes as the sisters become pitted against one another in unimaginable ways. Their loyalties are tested and they learn all about having enemies, forgiveness, and what it means to really be a family.
Throughout the book I tried to decide which sister I was most like, but I ended up not being able to choose. Like Winona, I am a bookworm who studies hard in order to please my parents. Like Aurora, I try to keep the peace between my siblings. Whenever a fight breaks out, I am the one standing to the side trying to get everyone to calm down. I tend to try to make others happy even if I am feeling down or angry. I am a hopeless dreamer like Vivi Ann. I am constantly wishing for something more, for something to fulfill my life, for a future of happiness. But even though I have things in common with each, I am also unlike all of them. Unlike Winona, I am hard pressed to keep a secret. She never tells anyone anything, and my problem is keeping my mouth shut. Secrets are just too good to keep.(I can do it though, if I have to, if I'm asked to.) Aurora keeps everyone else happy but hides her own anger and misery. I am the complete opposite, because if I am mad EVERYONE knows it. Apparently, I have this angry face that I make when I am mad. Also, because I can't keep a secret, I end up telling everyone that I am mad and why. Vivi Ann, though big-hearted and lovable, is weak. Her joy and hope is easily crushed and she finds it hard to make a bounce back. I, on the contrary, am a fighter. I try hard to always stay strong, not just for myself, but for those around me.



Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead, 2003. Print. (372 pages)

Amir has a happy childhood in Afghanistan, always having fun and playing with his closest childhood friend, Hassan, whose face makes up the entirety of Amir's first memory and who also happens to be the son of Amir's father's servant. Hassan always protects Amir, warning him of danger, accepting blame, and taking hits from the neighborhood bullies. But even though Hassan is subjected to much insult and injury on Amir's behalf, his loyalty never wavers. That is until he is hurt in the most unimaginable way: rape, witnessed, yet not stopped by Amir himself. Though Amir can never be certain, he suspects that Hassan knew he saw what happened, because after that awful day their relationship is never quite the same, and eventually Hassan and his father leave Amir's household and the two boys never meet again. Amir grows up, moves to America and marries, and is one day called by an old, dying friend from his homeland. This friend tells him of Hassan's death and the capture of his young son Sohrab by the Taliban, and as a last request of Amir, he asks that Amir do all he can to save the boy. So as a final apology to Hassan's memory, Amir veers away from playing the role of the saved to paying tribute to the one who used to constantly save him.
The setting of the story was slightly shocking to me. Set in Afghanistan, the difference between the way I live and the way Amir lived was huge. People there used sticks with notches carved into them as credit cards, the children were out of school for months during the cold,snowy season, and the culture was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Later in the novel, after the Taliban took over rule of the country, Amir's old hometown was almost in ruins. People were executed in the street every day, and women had virtually no rights. Knowing that people actually had to live in conditions like that, that a person could walk out of their house at night to see someone being shot, that a woman had to wear a burqa that covered her from head to toe if she wished to leave her house was foreign to me, and as I read the book I became very thankful for the environment I live in. I realized how fortunate I am to live in a pretty safe country, how fortunate I am to not have to worry daily about death and terror. Above all, I was thankful that I live in a country where, as a woman, I have equal opportunity to the men around me, and that I am given all the same rights.

Independent Reading Reflection

I will not lie, this class did not do much to improve my reading habit, because I have had a regular reading habit for a long time. For several years now I have set aside time right before I go to bed to read. I enjoy reading very much, and have always valued it, so I always find time to fit in a chapter or two.

Overall, I would say that my reading selections are pretty balanced. Some texts I read lightly and for fun, but other times I really think about the meaning of the story, or the connections it has to my life or world. I find myself trying to analyze different ideas and themes, and I must admit that I kind of enjoy it(it makes me feel smart). I indulge in a "candy" read every once in a while, but lately my choices have been more advanced. A mix of classics, adult novels, and even some nonfiction have found their way to me. I have also become proud of myself for keeping up with the news via online papers or the Daily Guard. As I have gotten older, I have also become more interested in current events, world news, or even just random subjects, and have found myself searching them online to read about them and create a knowledge basis for them.

I have to say that I do not really enjoy inking my thinking. I never have, so I commonly forget to write something down when I think it. I will stop reading for several minutes a time to think through something about the text, but I hardly ever think "hey I should write that down." I do see the advantage of recording thoughts though, because it allows one to go back and look at what he or she was thinking, instead of forgetting quickly.

For next quarter I would like to improve my think-inking. I would like to be able to read something, make a connection, and immediately write it down. I think it would be lovely to have a journal to revert to weeks after I have read a book and to make connections from that book to another text. I know that I will definitely work harder at that next nine weeks, and I already have several books that I want to read that I can journal: The Kite Runner, Vanishing Acts, and Nineteen Minutes, among others.

Socratic Seminar Reflection

I must admit I was apprehensive about the Socratic Seminars my class participated in, mainly because I was positive I would be able to come up with nothing to talk about. Thankfully, I actually found talking quite easy; I seemed to have more ideas than time to discuss.

Preparing for this seminar allowed me to think deeper about the text, and therefore understand it better. I had discussed the novel some with my friends, but knowing that I actually had to come up with ideas, questions, and opinions forced me to really think hard on what I had read. Analyzing the novel really opened my eyes to so many thoughts I had never considered before, such as: Can someone truly be happy without having what makes them unique?

I found it odd at first to have people challenge my thoughts or opinions without being able to turn the discussion into a debate. In one of the seminars, my group talked about the lack of individualism in the Brave New World civilization. I thought it was disturbing because I find it hard to believe that all on Earth would ever sacrifice their uniqueness for the happiness of mankind. My idea was challenged though by classmate Sadie Duke, with her saying that the people would not have had to sacrifice their individualism, just that of the future generations.

I felt as though I communicated pretty effectively in the seminar, in conveying my ideas and listening to others opinions and considering them. My biggest fault may have actually been talking to much. I talked with some classmates later about it, and apparently in my first discussion I was talking for a about half of the allotted time. I guess I just came over prepared. Staying quiet when I had so much to say was definitely a difficulty for me. The aspect I most enjoyed about the seminar was being able to loosen up in a classroom setting, which are usually very controlled and ordered, and to simply have a discussion with my friends about mine and their personal views. The pressure of school work seemed to lift off my shoulders when I was in the circle, and I did not even feel like I was in a class; I felt as though I was just having a conversation with people around me.

My communication skills, I learned, while not perfect, are not bad at all. I have always known that I can talk well. I seem to get across my point, explaining myself well, while not dilly-dallying around the subject. I strive to be concise. My listening skills, I feel, are better than many, though once again, not perfect. My mind is almost always open to hearing others' ideas, because I know that I want others to listen to mine. The biggest fault of my communication skills would probably be my desire to turn a discussion into a debate: In fact, when Sadie challenged my idea, our discussion was actually on the brink of turning from dialogue to debate. If someone disagrees with me, I love giving examples, data, all kinds of support for my argument, although I do always respect the other's opinion. I have never, for instance, told anyone that their opinion is stupid or invalid.

I generally really liked the seminar, though a few aspects seemed to be a bit awkward. Sitting in the middle of the room surrounded by classmates, for example, puts a great deal of pressure on the people in the center. I felt as though we were cornered and being stared at. Which I suppose, we were being stared at. The only real problem I had was how we collected everyone's score sheets at the end. By giving them to the actual person scored, they could look and see what everyone rated them. That was definitely awkward! I pretty much shoved their sheets in their hands and ran away really fast, even if the scores were really good.

A Socratic Seminar, in my opinion, benefited the class more than a unit test would have, because we had a chance to discuss the book and share our own interpretations of the text. By receiving many different views, we were able to modify our own opinions and allow them to grow and mature into a multi-angled assessment. I, personally, would not object to another seminar, especially if it is in the place of a test!

1st Quarter Annotated Reading List

Brown, Dan. Deception Point. New York: Pocket, 2001. Print. (556)

In the presidential race, two true candidates remain: The current President Zach Herney and Senator Sedgewick Sexton. Sexton has built his whole campaign on the absurdity of the massive overspending of NASA, and is supported by their constant mess-ups and failures, but Herney stands behind the organization. So when a NASA satellite discovers a priceless treasure buried in the Milne Ice Shelf in the Arctic Circle, Herney is ecstatic. To verify the authenticity of NASA's discovery and to play a role in boosting Herney's campaign, intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton, who happens to be the estranged daughter of Senator Sexton, is called to the Arctic. Along with two civilian scientists Michael Tolland and Corky Marlinson, Rachel finds that the discovery may not be valid at all, but a clever deception. But before she and her friends can report the find, the three are ambushed by a force of assassins. Running for their lives, Rachel, Michael, and Corky desperately try to uncover the full truth and get the information to someone who can reveal the truth to the president. But when the president suddenly finds himself on the list of possible conspirators, who can the three trust?

I found myself unable to put this book down, it was so intense! I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the novel. I particularly enjoyed one of Dan Brown's stylistic elements: He threw twists and turns at the reader very often. This strategy added much color and excitement to the book, giving outcomes that were very unexpected and changed my view on the whole story. I feel as though Mr. Brown knows me personally, because I have a particular weakness for books that end chapters with cliffhangers, that hurl surprises at the reader, that present an outcome so wild that it causes the reader to almost gasp aloud. It was definitely the fast pace of the novel that drew me in, and I look forward to the next time I pick up a Dan Brown novel.

Johansen, Iris. Deadlock. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin's, 2009. Print. (374)

When artifacts expert Emily Hudson and her partner Joel Levy travel to war-torn Afghanistan for a U.N. mission, the two and their crew fall under brutal attack. Emily and Joel and held hostage for weeks by a man who is out to find the key to a legendary treasure. After multiple failed attempts by the CIA to find Emily and Joel, Jon Garrett is hired to retrieve them. Garrett's services have been called upon in the past, by a multitude of agencies. His orders are always the same: Complete the mission, no matter what. Garrett is too late for Joel, but he rescues Emily and soon finds himself helping Emily on her own personal mission: Revenge. Seeking her captor and the answers to the puzzle of the legend treasure, Emily accompanies Garrett on the most dangerous journey of her life.

The book was great regardless of relatability, but I found myself thinking about the book very frequently because of the connection I felt to Emily. Of course, I have never been attacked and held captive, but Emily's toughness resonated deeply with me. I have always had a tendency to shove aside feelings or memories, and to just determinedly push through a trying time or situation. Also, Emily's concentration and determination to get revenge remind me of the same qualities I see in myself when I set myself to a task, such as doing a huge pile of homework, or finishing a personal project. I always love when I am able to relate so closely to a book, and I can definitely imagine reading this book a second time.

Picoult, Jodi. The Tenth Circle. New York: Atria, 2006. Print. (416)

When Trixie Stone falls in love for the first time, she is ecstatic. Her life is perfect. She is dating Jason, a boy that every girl wants, she is the highlight of her father's life, she has perfect grades, and is popular. Then, suddenly, her universe is shattered by a single night. The fourteen-year old Trixie beings to accuse her first love of rape, of ruining her life. Jason, of course, denies the accusation, and goes head to head with Trixie in a case of he-said-she-said. Trixie's father Daniel, who is always so nice and calm, who never gets mad, suddenly turns wild with anger, and vows to do anything to protect Trixie. Trixie, once so popular in school, turns into a social pariah because everyone believes she is lying, and even her best friend will have nothing to do with her. Trixie goes on a whirlwind journey as she tries to escape the boy that broke her soul and heart and tries to find a way to reinvent herself after a traumatizing event, while her father desperately tries to keep his strong and ever-present bond to her and solve his own problems with anger.

The Tenth Circle was a very unique book, unlike anything I have ever read before. The novel tells a story in the traditional way of words, but incorporates a graphic novel as well. At the end of every chapter a segment of the comic is presented, with each chunk collaborating with the occurences of the story in the previous chapter. When I first picked up the book I was confused, wondering what in the world a comic was doing in a book, but after starting reading, I came to love not only the story, but also the format in which it was presented. I also enjoyed the author Jodi Picoult's trademark of ending every story with an unanticipated and baffling twist. Whenever I read one of her books, I spend the whole novel trying to think of the most bizarre ways she could end the book, trying to guess the twist. I have hardly ever been right. This book did manage to really get me thinking deeply about crime and varying viewpoints of an action, and the ties of family that can hardly ever be broken

Abundance: Pink's Purpose

Abundance, from Pink’s A Whole New Mind, takes on a jesting, yet slightly astonished tone as he delves into the mind of the average human and attempts to unveil America’s obsession with all things material and the inability to actually be fulfilled by those possessions. An outlandish amount of space is dedicated to holding meaningless objects that will soon be owned by the public. Staples, “a 20,000-square foot box”, while huge, has nothing on Best Buy, which happens to be larger than an entire neighborhood block. It seems outlandish that such space could be needed for a simple store, but apparently Americans not only need items from these places, but they need a choice of twenty different brands of said items. Pink’s choice of words to describe these stores, especially the phrase “arms race” to describe the selection of TVs at Best Buy, intrigued me, and led me to agree with his slightly taunting manner as he expressed the preposterousness of today’s demand for product. Better yet to express humor, even wastebaskets and toilet brushes can now be purchased designer! The extraordinary abundance spread through the country has led to desire for the aesthetically pleasing, simply because the greater supply there is and the more money people have, the more they look to appearance rather than function. In fact, beauty has become so important that even candles, which serve no actual purpose now that electricity is the “norm”, bring in a whopping $2.4 billion annually. But unfortunately these eye-catching knick-knacks carry little significance, because even as the population has acquired a great number of possessions, “pursuit of purpose and meaning has become an integral part of life.” We long to know our purpose, why exactly we were put here, but alas, even as we buy out the entire country, our questions are never answered.

Can I Please Get Some Scotch Tape?

This 1944 ad displays a woman dropping her lunch all over a crowded bus. There is a solution to her problem: a small strip of scotch tape to hold the package together. But because of World War II, the woman will not be getting her tape anytime soon.

The advertisement is presenting to the citizens of America that Scotch tape is currently unavailable to the common household, because all that is produced is being sent to production lines for the war, or to seal ration packages for soldiers. The ad is not promoting consumerism so much as it is promoting patriotism and support for the men fighting overseas. In bringing out these powerful emotions, the ad shows instances of the three main types of rhetoric persuasion: logos, ethos, and pathos.

In prime example of logos, while the ad tells the people that they are not going to be buying any Scotch tape soon, the creators of the ad managed to slyly mention the different types and practical uses of the tape. They use the ad not only to apologize to consumers, but to promote their product for the future. By reading the ad, it can be learned that Scotch tape creates a variety of tapes-"sealing, holding, identifying, masking"- and is good for "mending torn book pages, sealing packages, and doing a hundred and one other jobs quickly, easily." The ad also talks of the soldiers' use of Scotch tape, and many people would decide that if the government trusts the tape enough to use it, that it would be logical to assume it is good tape, and they would buy it too.

The credibility of the product being advertised is very quickly established in the ad because it is used by American soldiers. The use by soldiers can be interpreted as both logos and ethos. If a product is good enough for the government, it is good enough for the people. Later in the ad, a wide variety of uses and places that the product is used is mentioned. By mentioning that the tape is used in homes, offices, and stores, it is shown that the tape can be used in all settings, and not just for common, everyday, easy jobs. Therefore, the tape becomes more trustworthy. At the bottom of the ad, the manufacturer is mentioned. In advertising, even the name of the company producing a product can greatly influence the buyers opinion, so if the producer is a well-known and highly trusted company, the product may sell infinitely better than if the company is not well-known.

The ad is very strongly oriented around the technique of pathos, as many different examples of this persuasion is used throughout the ad. The desire of the American people to do their part in the war was overwhelmingly huge, with women beginning to enter the workforce, men going to fight, and countless people buying war bonds. Everyone was eager and happy to be able to do whatever they were able to in a time of dire need. Companies across the country sent supplies to soldiers, Scotch tape being one of them, and the action would immediately cause citizens of America to approve of the product, simply because the company producing it is doing their part to help in the war, and therefore doing their part to save the lives of the many men fighting for freedom. Family members and close friends would appreciate the gesture that Scotch made when they decided to stop selling to Americans so that they could give their resources to a very important cause. Not only did Scotch donate supplies, they also used their own money, when they were not profiting very much, to create an ad apologizing to their customers. The politeness and consideration of the action would touch millions of people, and would cause people to place the company in a warm place in their hearts. The words "invest in victory, buy war bonds" would bring up a swell of emotions in anyone who had sent someone they loved into the heart of the war. The ad basically says that if the citizens buy war bonds, that they are helping to win the war. A victory would be sought out by all citizens, and they would be overjoyed to find a way to contribute to a victory.

I found the use of color in the ad to be very symbolic. When the ad was printed in 1944, the magazine it was in would not have been full color. In the forties, only select areas of print were colored, so the editors had to make significant choices as to which areas were to be outstanding. The red of the woman's suit highlights the conflict of the ad, immediately bringing people's attention to the fact that if she had tape, she would still have her lunch. The red manages to capture attention and focus in on the heart of the ad. Not only does it center attention, but the color choice, in collaboration with the subject of the ad, can bring about a strong sense of pride in the country of America. Setting in motion the feeling of patriotism would be a key objective of the ad, because it is not only saying that Scotch is used by the soldiers, but also promoting the sell of war bonds.

More often than not, ethos, pathos, and logos are used in collaboration with one another instead of individually. This 1944 ad promoting Scotch tape manages to fit in examples of all three, promoting the product from emotional and logical standpoints, and establishing the credibility of the now world-renowned Scotch tape.

We Should All Be a Bridge

While browsing through some old newspaper articles online, I discovered “Woman, 22, Sacrifices Her Life to Save Her Friend in a Hit and Run.” Upon reading the title, I was automatically intrigued. The woman’s selflessness and love stood out in a world full of hate and crime, selfishness and greed, and so of course I read the article.

The article dives right into a heart-touching subject, asking how far an individual would “go to save a friend.” For New York City resident Erinn Phelan, the answer was as far as need be. Phelan pushed her friend out of the way of an oncoming car, taking the hit for herself. The friend survived with little injury, while Phelan was left brain dead, and her family had to make the unbearable decision to disconnect life support.

If laying down her life was not enough by itself, Phelan also had wishes to be an organ donor. Before life support was removed, arrangements were made for donation. This young woman’s generosity was not only present in her last moments, but was shown throughout her life. Phelan was a member of City Corps, a smaller, more local version of the Peace Corps.

This article reminded me of an old Simon and Garfunkel song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The song basically conveys the message that the singer would be willing to help out a friend whenever, wherever, with whatever. My favorite lyric of the song is “I'll take your part when darkness comes, and pain is all around. Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.”

It is comforting to think that I have friends and family who love me enough that they would help share my burden in times of darkness, that they would willingly take some of my pain to make me feel better. After all, they know I would do the same for them, because regardless of who we are, we all need a bridge over troubled water even if just to “ease our mind.”

Modestly Proposing Controversy

During my slow days of summer vacation I found myself antsy for something to read, and I stumbled across the essay “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathon Swift while half-heartedly looking at The Shelf.

I began the essay and immediately felt deep sympathy for the poor population of eighteenth century Ireland and, in turn, respect for the author who expressed concern and desire for a solution to the common problem of poverty. I read and awaited his proposal that he claimed would put an end to the starving children and mothers begging on the street, to the lack of food for all classes of the population, and to the thieving that was being performed every day with no indication of a scruple on the thief’s behalf. I literally felt my jaw drop and my breath stop as I comprehended what exactly the author was suggesting as he stated that “a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled.”

I apprehensively continued, and was soon comforted after realizing that his essay was satirical and he did not intend to seriously propose cannibalism as a source of food. The most indicative phrases of satire were those which spoke of the treatment of landlords to their tenants, which through later research, I learned was a comparison to the treatment and actions of the British government. His support of the subject also seemed undermined, and his willingness to contribute to the food supply seemed slight by his closing statement of “I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.”

During the introduction of the essay, I thought of the state of our nation’s economy and the resulting increase of unemployed and homeless Americans, who have turned to begging on the streets or any other means by which to gain some money. The controversy of cannibalism also got me thinking about the big controversial concepts of the present generation. Abortion was even mentioned in the essay, which to this day, remains a constant struggle between the political parties of America, mostly based on morals, ethics, and foremost, religion.

Swift’s satirical and unexpected approach to solving the problem most likely captured the attention of the public better than a direct observation to the struggles of the city and the author’s actual ideas of help for the situation. Swift’s outright sarcasm in the essay even compelled me to wonder how many other pieces I have read with a similar style: saying one thing but in reality meaning something quite different.

The Lasting Effects of Pain and Suffering

Sarah Dessen’s novel The Truth About Forever reveals the entire world of grief and suffering. Macy finds herself drawing into her shell after her father dies right in front of her. She wants nothing more than to be able to grieve for him, but knows she must let no one see her in her “weak” state. Grief is one of the strongest emotions that humans feel, and when we grieve, the core of our being is never the same again.

Macy seems to be a symbol of the very idea of grief, of how to deal when someone dear is lost. Her actions and feelings tell the world how people react to loss, and her internal struggles represent those who are less open of their feelings. Macy’s life is eventually changed drastically by her grief, and she knows she can never go back to who she used to be.

I was able to relate to this book greatly, because I too lost my father. I knew exactly how the protagonist would feel as she sat through the funeral, organized her dad’s possessions, and slowly began to understand that she would never see him again. In many ways, I could almost see the book as a story about my life, instead of a fictional character’s, because I too was irreversibly changed by what I felt.

The theme of grief in the book also reminded me of another text: the poem “The Grief of a Girl’s Heart.” While the grief of this poem may not be over such an extreme matter as death, it is no less real, as the suffering is clearly painted throughout the work.

This story not only taught me much about emotional pain, but also how to face it. The book helped me realize that I had my own problems to work through, and with some of the events in the book, even gave me ideas that could work for me. I know I will never be the same again, but at least I can be a better version of the new me.

Annotated Photo

This in me, in eighteen words. Click to learn more.

Of Mice and Men

Detail Analysis
In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses parallels in his first paragraph to help outline the main characters and their actions throughout the story. His incredible use of foreshadowing helps us to know the characters before we have even met them.

"the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green." The area is green, representing the idea of being young and new. The river is deep, showing its strength and the dependence placed on it. Lennie is the green character, acting like a young child and seeing everything as new. George could be represented as being "deep," because his thoughts run deeper and have more meaning, and Lennie is dependent on him.

"slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains." The mountains are "strong" and will always be there. The rocks are, in a sense, an extension of the mountains. Lennie is physically very strong and will help George, and George could be said to be an "extension" of Lennie, always staying with him and helping him through life.

"a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway." The path is beaten and worn, constantly walked on and relied on by people to get from one place to another. Both George and Lennie are beaten down and worn. Lennie is constantly walked on because he is not very bright and does whatever his is told. George is worn down by taking care of Lennie for his whole life. Lennie always relies on George to help him travel, to get him from one place to another.

Tone Analysis
In Of Mice and Men, the tones of helplessness and obligation convey the dependence of Lennie and George's dedication to him. Several quotes throughout the novel support the tone words.

"I forgot again." Lennie's memory is constantly a hindrance to him and George. He forgot almost everything that happened, and had to repeat things several times to remember them. George would always repeat his instructions to Lennie to be positive that he would not forget them. "Oh, so ya forgot that too, did ya? Well, I ain't gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again." George made sure to never remind Lennie of bad things he had done in the past, in fear that he would repeat his mistakes. Lennie though, did not understand why the things he did were bad. He had to be told whether his actions were right or wrong. "I ain't sayin' he's bright. He ain't." "He's my...cousin. I told his lady I'd take care of him. He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid." George constantly told lies to protect and help Lennie. He lied to the boss of the ranch they went to work at so that he could secure a job for Lennie, and help him to make a living. Without George to speak for him, Lennie would not be able to get a job, and therefore would have no money for food, clothes, and other necessities.

George obviously feels some sort of obligation to Lennie if he is willing to lie to the ranch boss about him. He cared more about getting Lennie a job than getting caught lying to the man. Lennie: "I can go away any time." George: "No--look! I was jus' foolin', Lennie. 'Cause I want you to stay with me." George thought that he had to help Lennie, and would not let Lennie run away to live alone in the woods. George wanted Lennie to stay around, and George felt as though he needed to help Lennie. Also, George stayed with Lennie, never abandoning him, even though George understood that leaving Lennie behind would be the easiest path to take. "We're gonna go in an' see the boss. Now look--I'll give him the work tickets, but you ain't gonna say a word. You jus' stand there and don't say nothing." George thought he should help Lennie secure a job and make a living, going far enough to talk for Lennie and create a charade of Lennie's real past.

Theme Analysis
I believe that the theme of this book is that, in some small way at least, we are responsible for helping to look after humankind. I would agree, in a sense, with the statement "I am my brother's keeper." The tones represented in the novel give support to the theme. George's feelings of obligation towards Lennie parallel the theme, showing that many people do feel as though they need to help others, and take care of their fellow humans. Lennie's being helpless shows that everyone needs some help at some point, and when they are weak or feeling down, they need someone to lean on who is willing to be nice and offer a hand.

Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange was quite an exceptional photographer. Her photos were inspiring and often filled the gazer with awe. A series that really caught my eye were the set of Migrant Mother pictures. She saw a young woman with several children in a lean-to tent just sitting on the side of the road, and immediately asked the woman to allow her to take pictures. Dorothea managed to capture the sorrow and hardship forced upon the family during the Great Depression. I felt, in a way, connected to the mother, because I could hardly imagine the terrible times that she had to go through, trying fruitlessly to provide for her family in a time when money was virtually nonexistant in the middle and lower classes.

The photos made me stop and think about all the things that Americans take for granted everyday. While many around the world do not even have enough food or clean water, we walk around all day texting, or listening to iPods, checking Facebook, or trying on our newest(fashionable) clothes for all our friends to see. Our lives seemed to be ruled by possessions, while others fight for life everyday. After thinking about the photos, I immediately became much more thankful for all that I am lucky enough to have.

Animal Farm

In the book Animal Farm Orwell used animals as characters, instead of humans, to tell a parallel story of the Russian Revolution.

A big reason, in my opinion, the Orwell may have used animals, is because the use of actual humans to parody the revolution may have greatly offended many. Humans may have taken it as a more direct insult to their race, and the book would very likely not have been as successful.

Even though Orwell used animals, he applied very human-like qualities to them that allowed them to be related to. Humans could identify themselves with different animals, and could even forget the fact that they are actually animals. The story was very well conveyed, and the themes of the story were well represented and debated throughout the book.

The Giver

Over the past year, I have been required to read a number of books with all kinds of messages. Some books have been about who we are as people, others science fiction with clues to the future, but one of the most touching and well written stories we have read is Lois Lowry's The Giver.



Jonas is an Eleven, and he is very anxious about the upcoming ceremony of the Twelves. In his world, turning twelve means growing up. It means slowly leaving the world of childhood and entering training for a future occupation. Jonas attends his ceremony to learn his future job, but is shocked when his identity number is skipped at the assignment. But he need not worry, because he is soon announced as the new Receiver of the Memory, the most honored position in all of the city. Throughout his training, memories of olden times are transmitted to Jonas, and he is given all the pain and suffering and all other unknown emotions that were known in past times, but not in his own.

Themes of controversy were represented throughout the book. Choice and freedom was a big issue between Jonas and the Giver. After the idea of choice was presented to Jonas, he began to wonder why the people in the community were not allowed to make their own decisions, such as their occupations or their spouse. He debated with himself over the pros and cons of choice, thinking that it would not be safe for people to decide because they might not make the right decisions.

Another controversial issue brought up in the book was euthinization. When a person in the community became to old, or if a newchild was not acceptable, the were released. Everyone in the community viewed this as wonderful for the old and sad for the young. In their minds, the concept of release was just a transport to another community. Jonas learns later that during release the life of the person is taken away, which introduces him to the concept of death.

The Giver was an exceptional, life-changing book, and I would recommend it to anyone, young or old.

A Closet Cross Examination

DA: So Miss Bray, I see that your closet is quite...unorganized.

NB: Uhm...yes sir.

DA: I see here that you have repeatedly stored uncommon closet items in this space for several years now.

NB: Yes sir. I suppose I have.

DA: Do you not find anything odd about that?

NB: About what, sir?

DA: Miss Bray, could you tell me what this is?

NB: It is an unpacked box, sir.

DA: Hmm...suspicious. And could you tell me what is in it?

NB: Just some stuff from my old house.

DA: You mean to tell me that after living in this house for three and a half years, you still have not unpacked all of your belongings.

NB: I guess not.

DA: Hmm...suspicious. And these clothes...could you tell me where they were stored.

NB: I believe they were just sitting in my suitcase. Oh, and those were thrown on the shoe shelf. And that shirt was on the door knob.

DA: So it is true that you don't actually place things in your closet in a controlled manner?

NB: Well, yes.

DA: Upon entering your closet, we also found a roll of duct tape, an abandoned Mr. Potato Head, and a witch's hat. Tell me Miss Bray, are you a witch?

NB: Not that I know of.

DA: Well then why do you have a witches hat in your closet?

NB: I am not sure sir...

DA: Hmm...suspicious.

Hope to Me

a song warms my very
being

the music flowing through
my soul

and the words piercing
my heart

Celebration

I find cause to celebrate when I have worked hard to pull something off. Since January, I have been working hard every day on my part in The Sound of Music. I would walk around my house going over my part in the music that I sang, or I would run through my lines in my head.

All of my hard work paid off, because recently my high school performed our play. We had great audiences each night, and no matter what little snags we ran into along the way, we always got to the end with great results. Though I am extremely sad that the play is over, I am happy that my friends and I were all able to try hard enough to have a wonderful show.

I Wear the Mask

I wear the mask like everyone else,
Hiding my face, hiding myself.
While on the outside I may revere,
Inside I am angry.

A merry melody I am ever singing
My voice forever and always ringing,
But what I am thinking is not like
The song that everyone else hears.

Happy every day, all the while
Staying tied together with a smile,
But as my emotion bottles up
I am slowly coming undone.

Even if I am hurt and sad,
Depressed, vindictive, sometimes mad,
My mask smiles on all the time
To protect everyone else

Disclaimer: I am not depressed. I do not have anger issues or schizophrenia. I just don't tell people when I am sad or angry(most of the time).

St. Patrick's Day

If you know me, then you know that I am NOT at all, in any way, a festive person. I never dress in holiday attire and get easily annoyed with people who do get "in the spirit." So I am sure you can tell I am not lying when I say that this morning when I put on my green shirt I was not even almost thinking about it being St. Patrick's Day.

Every year on this day I am swamped and crowded by a sea of green. And I don't like it. I have worn green on this day very few years, and if someone pinches me for not wearing the color... I typically pinch them back, regardless of if they are wearing green or not. So really, to be quite honest, St. Patrick's Day is not a big deal at all to me. It is just another day of the year of which everyone just happens to look the same.

At least I will admit my less-than-stellar view of this holiday, but you can call me a grinch if you want. (At least then I would be green[[:)

Persuasion

The persuasion technique that I use most in life is pathos, appealing to the emotions. Some of the circumstances I have used the method in include:

1. Convincing my mom to order something from a fundraiser. - Many fundraisers make their way to my family, especially from band. I can always convince my mom to order something by telling her that ordering helps the band get new equipment, and helps us travel. She knows I love band, so she loves band as well.

2. Getting myself ungrounded. - Once my mom grounded me from going to an event in town, but I let her know that I had already agreed to give a ride to friend, and that if I did not get to go, neither did the friend. Eventually, her sympathy and pity for the friend won out.

3. Getting a new puppy. - I told my parents that I felt left out because all the other children in the family had their own pet, and I did not. I guess they felt bad for me, because I totally got a new dog.

Others use this method in life all the time. One of the most common ways this method is used is in advertisement. Publicity agencies use this method all time to try to convince people to donate money, or help out with a special cause. Hospital ads use pictures of sick children to appeal to the emotions of people to get them to donate money for supplies or research. Charity organizations use sad stories of people whom they are trying to help to convince others to pay for food, or books, or whatever else the charity is asking for. Pathos can be seen everywhere, everyday.

That Summer

In everyone's life, there is a time when everything changes, when a person's view on life is heavily altered. For Haven, the time was that summer. The one when her sister got married and she was reunited with her sister's ex-boyfriend. Sarah Dessen once again drew my attention with her novel That Summer.

Haven is a fifteen year old girl who is extremely insecure about her height. Falling at 5 '11, she is always trying to crush herself down, not only literally, but emotionally as well. Haven's world is turned upside down when her father leaves her mother and marries the local weather girl, and Haven starts searching for an escape to which she can run. She manages to find her escape in a twenty-one year old boy named Sumner Lee. Sumner, an ex-boyfriend of Haven's sister Ashley, managed to change Haven's life once, but can he do it again?

The theme of the story is tyring to learn to deal with and accept the obstacles that life has dealt. Life is, without a doubt, hard, but with the help of people who care, nothing is too much to handle. Another theme is the inability to avoid change. Change is inevitable, so people might as well try to live with it instead of trying to make things the way they used to be.

The character who intrigued me the most was Sumner Lee. the college student once dated Ashley, the older sister of Haven, but now constantly saves Haven from her thoughts and struggles. Every time Haven begins to feel overwhelmed by her life, Sumner is suddenly in her sight, instantly making her feel better with his personality and spontaneity. I can relate myself to Sumner because I am constantly on the go, often not even knowing quite what I am doing or where I am headed. I can also relate myself to Haven, though, because often when I find myself overwhelmed or faced with too much to handle, I look to my friends for guidance and strength.

I would recommend this book for girls of any age, because it is a life changing story that can offer advice to any age.

200 pages

Call of the Wild

Though I expected to dislike the book very much, I actually felt my attentions captured by the book The Call of the Wild. The not-so-perfect life of Buck intrigued me, and I surprised myself by trying to relate to him, and even felt sympathy for him.

I liked the author's writing style even though it was quite different from what I am used to. Jack London wrote extremely well, and made his words easy for everyone to understand, even though he had an exceptional vocabulary and used it often. His tone was always well conveyed in any and all parts of the story.

The Call of the Wild represents our thematic unit Taking a Stand. Buck takes many stands throughout the course of his life. He opposes Spitz, and managed to gain leadership of the pack of dogs. He takes many stands not only to benefit himself, but to benefit others and to please his masters. In my opinion, the most admirable stand Buck took was refusing to sled on with Hal, Charles, and Mercedes. He was exhausted and hurt, and he knew that the ice on the river would not hold. His taking a stand resulted in him saving his life and being united with his final master, John Thornton, whom he loved with all the passion in the world.

My favorite character in this story was John Thornton. He had such a passion for Buck and his faith in Buck never failed. Out of Buck's many masters, John was the most kind and John treated him the best. Buck never felt mistreated, unloved, or uncared for. Thornton had a great charisma about him, and was an overall wonderful character to add to the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone, male or female, young or old. The story teaches lessons about survival, strength, struggle, and love, never ceasing to add a bit of fun along the way.

Olympics/Commitment

Though I have already committed myself to doing my school work, I would be willing to make a commitment to try my hardest in school. I realize that my performance in high school will follow for the net several years. It will matter when I try to find a summer job, when I apply to colleges, and if I try to get an internship somewhere.

I always do my homework and I make sure to study all notes that I take. Even though my high school career will end in just a few years, I am committed to working hard throughout the course of my whole education. College won't be any easier and will affect my future just as much as, if not more than high school.

Winning

Winning does not always mean just being the best. Defeating the opponent is not always most important, because a person can never truly be a winner unless he or she acts as a winner should. Winners should be kind and caring for others, and should always be concerned about his or her attitude while competing. Bad attitudes are never attractive, and as a person of whom others will admire and look up to, winners should set good examples. Winning can do much more than just please. It can inspire, encourage, boost confidences, and teach lessons. Winning also is not always about coming out on top in a game or sport. It could be about intelligence, wit, courage, perspective and attitude, behavior and performance, a person's walk through life, or love.

I am most proud of winning the respect and trust of my mother. By having this, I know I have been not only a good child, but a good person to everyone. Respect and trust from a parent to a child must be earned and then kept, and for me personally, it is often hard to keep. I know when I mess up, I am risking the respect and trust, but I try to always work out my mistakes and keep the trust.

My Stressful Week

Playing a part in the school play and going to Beta convention might just kill me. Not literally, of course, but it really is extremely time consuming. This week is going to keep me so busy that it is very likely I will not get any sleep. In case you are wondering what exactly is going to have me so busy, I will share a run-down of my week.

Playing Sister Berthe in The Sound of Music, I have subjected myself to countless hours of rehearsal and singing. I have practice right after school on Monday for two hours, and then have another two hour practice on Tuesday night. Also on Tuesday, I have Beta convention practice.

I am also lucky enough to have to wake up super early two mornings in a row this week. On Wednesday I will be attending Beta practice before school and on Thursday you can find me at play practice at a lovely six a.m. I have to leave school after first period on Thursday because I have a doctor's appointment in Little Rock. Lucky me.

On Friday I am going to Beta convention and will get back from the trip at around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. I just want you all to know that if I yell at you this week, it is because I am stressed to breaking point. It is nothing personal.

Because I am positive that I am not the only one stressed, click here for a little information on how to keep your stress levels down

Lock and Key(Taking a Stand)

Sarah Dessen once again touched my heart with her book Lock and Key. Over and over, Sarah Dessen's novels have spoken to me and told a story that I can completely relate to, and I love that about her work. Her unique writing is so easy to connect with and she always has a different story to tell.

In Lock and Key, Ruby Cooper lives a very dysfunctional life. Her mother can hardly keep a job for more than a few months and when she does snag a new one, Ruby is constantly dragged along to help. Ruby's mom is always going on spur of the moment trips, leaving Ruby alone for several days, but when her mother disappears and isn't seen or heard of in weeks, Ruby comes to realize that she has been abandoned.

Ruby tries her hardest to keep up with the rent and bills, but eventually her and her mother's landlords find out that she is a minor living alone. Social Services is called and Ruby ends up living with her older sister Cora and her husband Jamie.

Though Ruby tries her hardest to keep people at a distance, in fear of being hurt or abandoned again, she finds herself making friends and growing ever closer to the cute neighbor Nate. Ruby sees Nate's life as perfect, as she rides with him to school every morning and helps him with his errands, but she soon comes to find out that his past is as checkered as hers, and that his rough way of life may not be quite over yet.

Ruby had always thought that the need to independent of everyone was the most important quality to achieve. To her, owing anyone anything was weakness. But as she lives with her sister and brother-in-law longer, and as she learns of Nate's rough reality, she begins to worry and care deeply for others, and she gives in to her own need to be helped. Not only does Ruby allow herself to be helped, she begins to feel a burning desire to help others.

This book contained several themes. The first theme is to get to know people and to allow them to give help because nobody can carry all of life's load on their own. No one should be naive enough to assume that they can do everything by themselves. A second theme in the book is to take a stand for what is right or what is believed. In this novel, Cora and Jamie take a stand and bring Ruby to live with them after they learn that she has been abandoned. Later, Ruby also takes a stand and makes Nate let her help him after he has rejected her assistance for so long. Ruby's friend Olivia also takes a stand with her cousin Laney. Laney wants to run a 5K but Olivia knows that it may be too dangerous for her. Olivia tries her hardest to keep Laney safe.

I would recommend this book to girls of any age. It helped me to realize the importance of allowing myself to be helped when I think I have to carry a burden by myself. It also helped me to realize that there are always options out there, and that there simply are not just too many locks and not enough keys. We always have the keys we need, we just might need a little help looking for them.

422 pages (2 books)

Taking a Stand, Simba Style

Between great childhood classics such as The Lion King and Hercules, who can say that Disney movies do not teach children valuable lessons? When I was small and watched these movies I, of course, did not directly interpret the lessons being snuck into the entertainment. But now, looking back on all these films, I can clearly see several lessons, morals, and lifestyles being covertly taught.

In the popular Disney movie The Lion King, Simba is convinced to run away from his home by his very own Uncle Scar. Scar convinces Simba that he is directly responsible for the death of his father, and Simba, frightened by what the rest of the pride will think about that, flees from his pending responsibilities of being king. The young lion runs and finds a home with a misfit meerkat and warthog, Timon and Pumbaa, and does not think about his home until his long-time friend Nala crosses paths with him while hunting, but also bearing bad news. Scar ended up being a total jerk as a king and let the hyenas have free reign throughout the kingdom and Simba, upon hearing this, makes his way back to Pride Rock.

In the end, Simba confronts Scar for his rightful place as king of the pride, but Scar is unwilling to go down without a fight. Simba wins(because of course in the movies the good guy always wins) and gains his right to rule.

Simba's taking a stand affected so many characters, from himself to his friends to his family. His mom was incredibly happy to see him again, as was his best friend Nala. Timon and Pumbaa rejoice for his victory, and though they are not lions, they join his pride. But the most outstanding result of his taking a stand was that he found out the actual cause of his father's death, putting an end to the guilt he felt. He was able to reclaim him rightful place in the circle of life(haha, pun intended) and was able, of course, to live happily ever after

Taking a Stand, Natasha Style

Taking a stand is not always easy, but surprisingly it does seem to be easy for small children. I had no problem standing up for a cause or standing up to a bully when I was young.

When I was only four, my sister and I were playing after church with some other kids around our age. There was one boy(who will remain unnamed to save him embarrassment, because many of you know him)who was extremely rowdy and really loved to pick on little girls. On this particular day he decided that it would be fun to pick on my sister Breanna.

Big. Mistake.

He would not leave Brea alone and she was getting really upset, so naturally I was there to help. Now I am not saying I handled this the right way, but seriously, I was four. I ran up to this kid, who is two years older than me, punched him as hard as I could, and then yelled at him to leave my sister alone. It was definitely the wrong action to take, but it worked. He left Brea alone from then on. Brea was obviously pleased and, unlike my parents, she did not care that I had just hit a kid. I got into a bit of trouble, but I think it was worth it in the end after seeing my sister's face when she finally just got to relax and play without having to worry about being bothered.

Taking a stand is extremely important in our world. Everyone needs something to believe in, and there is no point in believing in it if we are not willing to defend the belief. I would like to encourage everyone to take a stand for something they believe in, although I recommend doing so in a nonviolent way. (I learned my lesson [[:)