After Ever After *SPOILER ALERT*

           I have just finished reading After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick. It's a very great book. It tells the story of Jeffrey's life from his point of view. Steven his older brother finally rebelled and went to Africa to join a drumming circle. That left Jeffrey alone facing his problems. Jeffrey is in 8th grade and has to take a massive test to pass the grade. he doubts that he'll pass but he still tries with the help of his friend Tad. I think Jeffrey is Smart in his own way.
           Jeffrey is smart in his own way because he tricked his parent. Jeffrey has a girlfriend named Lindsey. Jeffrey was supposed to be going to Tad's house to be tutored. But instead he would sneak over to Lindsey's house. I would say that you would have to be smart to pull it off. Also he and his friends start a "revolt". I would guess that you would have to have some brain cells to pull that off.

Pendragon 2

           In the very epic book Pendragon 2 the main character is Bobby Pendragon. He has to save all of Halla which is everything everywhere from the destruction of Saint Dane. In this book he travels to Cloral and meets his friend Spader. He travels with his Uncle Press until he dies in this book. I believe that Bobby is a strong character because he became the traveler by taking Uncle Press's position and also when Uncle Press dies he overcomes it.
           Bobby is strong because he took his Uncle's position as traveler. Becoming traveler means fighting Saint Dane and risking your life for it. You would have to give everything up. Nothing would ever be the same in your life. Also Bobby is strong because he overcame his Uncle's death. At the beggining he would have just gone home and cried and cried and also curse his life. But he grew up and let his uncle go. That is very strong.

John Carter of Mars

              I am continuing to read John Carter of Mars. It is a really good book with exciting plot twists. John was transported to Mars. When Martians found him he became prisoner. He adapted to the Martian culture rather quickly. This led me to believe that he was an incredibly intelligent person. I know because he was a prisoner of Mars but yet he became a chieftain. Also he learned to read Martian thoughts and emotion. He is truly incredible.
             John Carter is intelligent because he became chieftain. In Martian culture only the best warriors could become a chief. Since John was a prisoner no one would ever think of him a strong. But he proved himself by becoming the first prisoner chief in the history of Mars. I also think that he is smart because he learned to read thoughts and emotions. Martians had this ability to read others thoughts. John was taught and learned quickly. He could read others thoughts but no one could read his.   

This I believe.

This I Believe Essay

By Jose Guzman

            Spouses screaming at each other over an argument. Kids crying because of the noise that their parents are making. That’s what lead me to believe in this. What I believe in is that one is better than two rather than the other way around.

            It is important to realize that people are different and work differently. Some people do better if they work alone while others like being in groups and working together. Well, I am not one of those people. I like to work by myself because I don’t like relying on other people to do their part. I would rather have the responsibility.

            I remember when I was in fifth grade. I was assigned a social studies project. I had to research a topic and make a project basically. My teachers said that everyone required to have at least one partner. I was so sad. When I was assigned my partner I thought that it wouldn’t be bad, that we would get through this. Of course I was wrong! He was so irresponsible. He did ten percent of the work while I did the rest. At the time I was really mad. If I could I would have freaked out and do stuff that I would never think of. This is one of the things that got me thinking that when our teachers, parents and mentors say two is better than one that they are lying.

            Also another time was when I went with my dad to court to change my last name to Guzman. I entered to be received with screams of parents, fighting about things that are happening in their lives. I saw kids crying and saying “ mommy don’t scream” and “ daddy”. I asked my dad why are they fighting? He responded “ because they can’t work together son. They want to be by themselves”. At that moment in my life, I examined my past. I realized that my dad didn’t have anyone to fight with but himself. No partner to bicker with. My dad acted as my dad and my mom, and he seemed happy with it. He still loved me as much as any other parent out there.

            Now that I look back on those moments I realize what happy lives people live by themselves. I mean, I turned out pretty fine without a mother. I always say that it doesn’t matter if you are alone or with someone as long as you are happy. It just so happens that being alone makes me happy. I know that there are people out there that agree with my belief. But this I believe.

John Carter of Mars

             In the really cool book John Carter of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Carter is the main character. I have only read a little bit of the book but i can tell a lot from wha I have read. First of in the beggining he starts talking about his past life, and how he was a Captain in the Civil War. He was a Captain on the Confederate side. He had a friend who knew how to mine and both of them went mining in the plains. They needed materials so his friend went to get them. He never returned. But John Carter cared about his friend and went looking for him.
             This act of braveness tells me simply that John Carter is a brave character that would risk his life for his friends. It turns out that his friend was captured by Native American that lived on that land. John wanted to save his friend's life so he took his dual colt revolvers and went to save his friend. Even though he was greatly outnumbered he still risked it all for his friend. this was truley beave. I don't think I would be that brave to do that.

RP Revolt of the Evil Faires

            In the short story “ Revolt of the Evil Fairies” by Ted Poston there are many and various themes. The protagonist in the story is living in a time where there is a lot segregation and discrimination. The protagonist is a student at Booker T. Washington Colored Grammar School. The main character is also trying out for Prince Charming in his school’s play all because of the girl he likes named Sarah, being Sleeping Beauty. He works really hard even though he knows that the odds are stacked against him because he has dark skin. This shows that even in the face of discrimination the protagonist in “ The Revolt of the Evil Fairies” shows us to be determined to stand up for ourselves even if we don’t get what we want. He is living in a time of segregation and discrimination but he still wants to make a serious change. I honor him for that.

            I think the message of the short story was to be determined and to stand up for what you believe because examples prove it. For example, he bothered and pestered his mother with rehearsals.  This shows his determination because he keeps on practicing so he can be perfect for the auditions. He tries and tries even though he knows that his chances are slim. The narrator feels that he has to become Prince Charming. This shows how determined he is and to what extents he would go in order to get it. I’m not sure if I myself would be able to be as determined as he was.

            I also think that the message of the story is to have determination and to stand up for what you believe even though you don’t get what you want because of his actions. For example, when he was home he took his sister’s can of palmer’s skin success to make his skin look lighter. This shows the extent that he is willing to go to. He was so determined to show what he believed in that he was willing to change the person that he was. That shows so much determination. I don’t think that I could have reached that extent. I wouldn’t have been willing to change myself. This example shows how desperate and determined he was just to be the lead role in the school play. I think changing you self for something as silly as a role in a play is bad. You should always be yourself no matter what. At the end of the story the protagonist didn’t regret what he did but I don’t think that he would change himself anymore. He realizes that he should never change himself, that he should just be himself no matter what happens.

            Finally I think that the message of the story is to have determination and to stand up for what you believe in even though you may not get what you want because of his actions. For example, it said in the story that the main character wanted this role with all his heart. He would put everything he had in to the audition. He gave everything he had in his audition. The teachers even felt sympathy for him when they couldn’t pick him for the role. This shows determination because he gave everything. He sacrificed everything just for that part. Even if he didn’t get it he was still determined to stand up for what he believed in. I would actually do the same. I would have stood up for my beliefs. I feel that the work he put in to the role was incredible. He did a good job.

            “ I didn’t care. I couldn’t have been Prince Charming anyway.” That was what the main character in “ The Revolt of the Evil Fairies” said. He didn’t care about what others thought of him anymore. He didn’t regret any of his actions. He was determined and he did his best by standing up for what believed. Even though he knew that the odds were really against him. Still he found determination in the face of discrimination. He was very brave. But would you dare to be determined and to stand up for what you believed in even though you knew the odds were stacked against you? 

RP#7 Delayed post due to computer braking

                I have started reading the really great and interesting book called The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan there are many main characters in the book. The one I find interesting is Annabeth. Annabeth is a young girl who has had a lot of things happen to her in the past. One of them being a demigod. She is the daughter of the Greek godess Athena. SHe has just found her boyfriend and is now worried because of an experience she had. She was told to follow the Mark of Athena and to go on a quest. On top of that she was given the cursed silver coin as a gift from her mother. Annabeth has changed from the other books. She has become less secure and a lot more timid.
                 I think that Annabeth has changed because she is acting timid and she is less secure. For example when she found out of the Mark of Athena and about the cursed coin. She didn't tell anybody about it. She kept it a secret to everyone which was eventually found out of. It seemed as if she didn't trust anyone even her best friends. Also she also became timid because at the begining of the book she kept on worrying about everything. She wasn't at ease. Annabeth is very unique.

RP#6 The Death Cure

               I am almost done reading The Death Cure by James Dashner. I found this book to be really interesting. Thomas is an exciting character but Teresa is too. Teresa is a girl who was super close to Thomas but WICKED controlled her mind to fake betray Thomas. Teresa regrets her actions and tries to get things back to normal and tries to apoligize, but Thomas just won't forgive her. For Thomas Teresa changed from his good friend to the most evil person in the world.
                I think that Thomas think's that Teresa changed because he won't forgive her and they aren't as close as they were. For example, after Teresa betrayed him the book says that Thomas never wanted to forgive her. He didn't want to trust her. She was dead to him. They were no longer close. Thomas looked at Teresa and saw the most evil person in the world. I would have felt the same way Thomas would feel if I was betrayed by a good friend. I would never feel the same about that friend as I did before. All in all Thomas isn't the only character that changes in the book.

RP#5 The Death Cure

              I am recently reading the third book of the Maze Runner series which is called The Death Cure by James Dashner. The main character is still Thomas. This time Thomas has had enough of all the trials and every single variable. He is changing. He has no motavation to move on. He has changed from an animated character to a depressed person. He doesn't want to endure the pain any longer. He basically changed his character to fit what he is feeling. I know this because it says in the book that he was done. He was no longer going to participate in WICKED'S games. All in all Thomas is a very stubborn character.
              Thomas changed from a animated leader to a depressed and stubborn person. I know because in the book it says that he was basically done. He had enough. He didn't want to go through all of the pain and suffering anymore. He had no motavation to live anymore. Thomas felt depressed knowing that no matter how much he tried the frequent tests would never end. All the anxiety and desperation to get out went to his head and got the best of him. All of this turned him to a gloomy person. I too would have been like that if I were to be subjected to tests and pain that I would have never have agreed too. All in all Thomas a character you would have to pay close attention too.

RP# 4 The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

           I have just finished reading the second book of The Maze Runner series which is called The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. It was a very exciting sequel to the first book. In this book Thomas's character changed a lot. In the beggining he let others take charge and be the boss. But towards the end he started to realize that he was infact the true leader. I know this because in the book it says that Thomas at the end of the book was faced with trials about himself. That he had to pass with his friends. He thought he wasn't the leader ast first but then everyone realized including him found out that he was the true leader that was gonna lead them to the safe haven to get out of the Scorch. All in all the Thomas changes a lot through out the book.
           Thomas ghange his character from a follower to a leader. I know this because at first he would ask others to lead the Gladers because he didn't want to. But as time went on all of them realized that Thomas was the real leader. For example, Once when a mysterious metal blob attacked the Gladers and cut ther heads off the person that helped was Thomas. He took on the role of leader very secretly, so secretly that he disn't even realize that he was giving orders to people and getting the Gladers out of the situation. Another example, is when they were attacked by cranks which are crazy people who have a disease called The Flare. The other leader Minho indangered the Gladers by attacking the crank leader Jorge. Jorge got mad and wanted to kill all of them. But Thomas fixed Minho's mistake by becoming the leader again and persuading the cranks not to kill them. All in all The Scorch Trails was an amazing book tht was thrilling and exciting. I would reccomend this book to everyone.

RP#3 The Maze Runner

          I have just recently finished reading the amazing book The Maze Runner by James Dashner. The main character was named Thomas. The book was really exciting and kept you on the edge of your seat. I felt that Thomas did what he did because he wanted to find out who put him in the maze and why. His main motavation was thinking about the family he and his fellow Gladers left behind. Those are the reasons he does what he does.
Thomas's motavation to find a solution for the maze is his curiosity about who put him there and why and also thinking about all the families that are sad because of all the kids gone. I know this because in the book it says that Thomas was wanting to find more about the creators. Thomas wanted to know who was responsible for putting him there. He wanted revenge for all of the suffering that the Gladers had been through. I would be mad and wanting revenge if I was stuck in a maze with no exit. Also his other motavation is thinking about his family and other's families. I know so because in the book it says that Thomas's friend Chuck was always asking questions about his family. Also Thomas promised Chuck that no matter what, he would reunite him with his family. That shows that Thomas was determined to reunite Chuck to his family. That was his motavation. All in all Thomas had many different motavations through out the entire book. The Maze Runner was truly a great book that I would recomend to anyone who likes sci-fi books.

RP#2 The Maze Runner

        In the book The Maze Runner by James Dashner Thomas is the main character. the book is all about how Thomas and oher kids are stranded in what is called the Glade. Every month a new kid appears in the "Box". According to the Gladers they were sent here by somebody who watches them everyday. When Thomas appears he's memory is wiped just like everyone else's when they first came. Also when Thomas came he was timid and afraid of everything. But as the book goes on and Thomas get's stuck in the maze and survives the night he changes into a confident and not so timid person. All in all Thomas is changed forever.
       We know Thomas changed into a confident and not so timid character because in the book it says that Thomas at first was scared of gally. Gally was like the bully in each school big, cruel, and mean. But as he went through the maze at night and survived he thought Gally was pathetic. In fact he wasn't afraid anymore because he had done the impossible. I wouldn't fear anything if I had survived the impossible. In fact I would stand up to him because I would have felt very confident. Another example of how we know he changed is when he is in the maze. In the maze he was by himself and only helping his fellow Glader Alby who was stung by a griever. Alby was unconscious and couldn't help. Thomas had to help him and he was no longer afraid of what would happen to him. he helped Alby and saved his life. He changed because at first he was scared but then he became confident. All in all Thomas was a very smart character.

RP #1 Baseball Great

            In the incredible book Baseball Great by Tim Green the main character is Josh. The book is all about Josh wanting to be the best baseball player he can be with the help of his dad. his father want Josh to become greater than he was in baseball so that's why he signs his son up for a championship team called the Titans.Only the best of the best get elected to that team, and only the kids who work the hardest. I think the reason that Josh plays th ball hard and tires himself training is because of his father. Josh wants to impress his father and make him proud. All in all Josh is a very unique character.
            I think Josh does what he does because he wants to impress his father and make him proud. For example in the beggining of the book Josh's father is really bummed about not getting to go to The Toronto Blue Jays proffesional baseball team. Josh feels as if he has to make up for his dad so that he can be proud at him. So he trains hard and he becomes a star at his school's baseball team. If my dad were going through that feeling I would also feel the need to impress him. Another example is when Josh's father took him out of the school's baseball team and put him in a championship team. Josh was new and the other kids were tenagers who were bigger and much stronger. He worked his hardest to play his position the best he could. All of this to make his dad proud. I would do the same for my dad if it were me. All in all Josh cares for his father's emotional feelings and wants him to feel proud of himself.

Sumer Reading Post- I am Number Four The Lost Files By Pittacus Lore

         In the very interesting book I am Number Four The Lost Files  by Pittacus Lore there are three story's about 3 aliens that come from a fiffrent world to save earth. Each of them don't have real names they have numbers and they are from a planet called Lorien. Also there is an alien race called Mogadorians they are trying to destroy the Loric which are the numbered kids. One of the story's is about a girl named number 6. All the numbers have these powers called legacys. 6 has the power of invisibilty and to control the weather. In the story I think that 6 and her Guardian who's called Katarina have a special bond. I think so because 6, even though is in danger still risks her life for her when Katarina is supposed to protect her. Also because Katarina takes care of 6 like her own daughter and finaly because they would do anything to help each other. All in all i thought this book as amazing.
         I think number 6 and katarina have a special bond because even though 6 isn't suppose to risk her life for Katarina she still does. For example in the book a Mogadorian surrounds Katarina in her car and she forgot the keys. Instead of number 6 running away she  runs to her room and get's the keys and comes back eben though her life is in danger. Now I don't think I could've done that if i were earth's last hope. Another example is when the Mogadorians invaded their motel room and captured Katarina and tied her up. Even though 6 is out numbered she still tries to save Katarina. I personally wouldn't have the guts to do that.
         I also think 6 and Katarina have a special bond because Katarina takes care of 6 like her own daugther. An example of this would be how in the book number 6's parents were fighting for their planet and died fighting. So the only family that number 6 has is Katarnia. Katarina treats 6 as if she was her own daugther by training her to use her legacys and also protectig her from harms way. Another example is when the Mogs killed number 1 and 2. Katarina protected 6 from harm by moving to a different country for her safety. I think Katarina is a very nice Guardian.
        Finally I think 6 and Katarina have a special bond beacause they would do anything to help one another. For example when Katarina will be high strung from the stress of everything number 6 came and went to comfort her. 6 truely loves Katarina with all of her heart. Also when the Mogadorians captured Katarina and 6 they tortured Katrina and made 6 watch. 6 tried her hardest to help Katarina. Unfortunatley Katarina dies while being tortured but 6 still gets revenge for her death by killing the Mog who killed Katarina.
        All in all, number 6 and Katarina have a special connection. They have that connection because 6 risks her life for Katarina when she isn't suppose to. Also because Katarina takes care of 6 like a daugther and because they always do anything for one another. Lastly i thought that the book was excellent and very captivating.