Bradlie

  “And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let it go.” The book, //The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,// is written by John Boyne. The genre of this book is fiction, even though it is based off of a certain historical time period. In //The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,// the theme is how Bruno meets a boy named Shmuel, who lives on the other side of the fence, in the concentration camps, and has to keep his secret friend from his Nazi officer father.  This story takes place in 1942 in Poland, during the Holocaust. Because the setting takes place mainly at a house directly next to a concentration camp, I think it makes it more exciting and interesting. People learn a lot about the Holocaust, but this story goes more in depth of what may have happened to families during the Holocaust, and that’s why I think the setting makes the story more believable and intriguing. Without the setting of the book located at a home and a concentration camp, the story wouldn’t be able to be told, unless you changed the story-line, and substituted the ideas. The problem in the story is that Bruno has moved from his home in Berlin, away from his three best friends, to a place called “Out-with”, where he meets a Jewish boy on the other side of the concentration camp fence, and he has to keep the secret from his family. It was hard to understand what was going on in his family, and whenever he would go to someone with questions, they would tell him horrible things about the Jews, even though he knew his new best friend, Shmuel, wasn’t how everyone described them. The book taught me that two friends can be together, no matter what forces get between them. I think that the author accomplished what they set out to do, because not only did they write a bestseller, but it also became a well-known movie, which is how I found out about this story. There were a couple surprises in this story, that kept me interested, but not as many as there would be for the average reader, because I also saw the movie based off this story before I read the book. Some of the chapters ended with cliffhangers, which I liked, because it made me want to read further to see what would happen next. After reading for a while, you can understand the characters more, and as you read farther into the book, you can tell that what the characters say and do match their personality and characters well. For example, Bruno’s sister is 12 in the book, and after reading more about her in the book, you can tell that her personality is more bratty, bossy, and she acts like she’s a lot smarter and better than Bruno. The book was an easy read, and could be enjoyable to boys or girls my age, or maybe a few years younger, too. I rate this book four out of five stars, because I think it was very good, but could have more detail and would be better if it was more geared to adults than children.      http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/The-Boy-in-the-Striped-Pajamas/Asa-Butterfield/e/31398135210/?itm=2&USRI=the+boy+in+the+striped+pajamas      http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Outsiders/S-E-Hinton/e/9780142407332/?itm=1&USRI=the+outsiders  " We look hoody and they look decent. It could be just the other way around - half of the hoods I know are pretty decent guys underneath all that grease, and from what I’ve heard, a lot of Socs are just cold-blooded mean - but people usually go by looks.” The main theme in the book //The Outsiders// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by S.E. Hinton is how the Greasers and the Socs go through all of their fights and struggles between each other, coming from completely different sides of town, and life. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">//The Outsiders// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was a historical fiction book. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I thought that this book told a good story and I thought that it was believable, memorable, but it also was developed. The book was believable because gangs are still around the world, and problems like the Greasers and the Socs had could happen, too. I thought the book was memorable because I’ll always remember what happened to Ponyboy and his friends. It was also developed because in the beginning, the problems between the Greasers and the Socs weren’t as big as they were before. Their struggles grew and grew as the book progressed. My mind didn’t really wonder while I read, because I enjoyed reading the book, so nothing could interrupt me. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">//The Outsiders,// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there were some surprises that made me want to keep reading on to see what would happen next. Some of the chapters ended with things that would make you remember something that happened before in the book. I wanted to read to the next chapter to see what would happen, and why something earlier in the book would be brought up again. After learning and understanding the characters better, the descriptions of them, and what they said would make more sense for their character’s personality. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The problem of the story was the conflict between the two gangs. The book shows you that even thought there are differences between different people, you may be able to work them out better, if you choose to. I think that the author accomplished what they set out to, because when I was the reader, I really enjoyed reading it, and I might even read it again. I liked <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">//The Outsiders// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> because it was exciting and energetic at some parts, and sad and thoughtful at other times. It had different kinds of feelings in it, so it’s perfect for any reader my age. <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=todd+strasser&box=todd%20stra&pos=0 In the book, __The Wave__ by Todd Strasser, I thought that the theme was many people following a group of people, even though it might not even be about what they believed in. The genre of the book is historical fiction. “What had possessed him these last days that could cause him to do something that stupid? There he’d been, denying that The Wave could hurt anyone, and at the same time he’d hurt Laurie, his own girlfriend, in the name of The Wave!” I chose this quote out of the book, because it shows how The Wave changed people and their behaviors. Laurie would have never been hurt if The Wave hadn’t impacted everyone in so many different ways. I think that the book tells a good story, but is somewhat confusing and odd at some parts, and I think the plot is memorable, developed, and believable. The plot is memorable because the book’s idea is still in my head, and I remember the storyline. The plot is developed, because in the beginning of the book, The Wave was a harmless group of people learning discipline and leadership. As The Wave progressed, it grew stronger and stronger and eventually grew stronger than the power of the school leaders. The book is not completely believable because, I think this event could happen in life today, but I’m not sure it would get this far. When I read, I wouldn’t get distracted because it was almost addicting to read it, and once I got into a chapter, I read five more chapters after that.

The characters in the book did not connect with me in many ways, but I did notice that one of the main characters, Laurie, was very passionate and thought about things deeply. I am very passionate about many things in my life, and I find details in things, and take them to a different level of thought. Many of the characters connected with each other because most of the students were in a group, called The Wave. Laurie developed in different ways throughout the book. In the beginning of the book Laurie, agreed with everything The Wave was about, and was apart of the book. By the end of the book, Laurie understood what was happening with The Wave, removed herself from the group, and tried to stop it from going any further. I don’t think I could identify with any of the characters because I am not as old as they are, but my personality might be a little like Laurie’s.

In the book, there were some parts where I felt confused, sad, happy, or had mixed feelings. These different feelings made me want to read more and made the book more enjoyable. Some of the chapters closed with a question or two, and some of them also left with cliffhangers. At the end of most of the chapters, I would have questions running through my head, which made me want to read on. The dialogue was sometimes confusing, but most of the time I understood it, and what it all meant. I think that students in 6th and 7th grade would like to read this. I enjoyed reading __The Wave__, because it kept my interest and some kind of important event was always happening. I enjoyed the fact that the author used different perspectives from chapter to chapter, and each chapter focused on one certain character. I don’t remember a book that I read that related to __The Wave.__ I don’t think I would read a book like this one, in my free time, because it was on a bizarre topic that I don’t think I would be looking for when I would be looking for a book to read. Over all I enjoyed reading this book.

<span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=kristen+harmel <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> The themes I found in the book, __After__ by Kristin Harmel, are letting life go on, giving people a chance, and holding a family together. The genre of the book I read is fiction. “I wondered how Cody could act so forgiving. Did Mindy and Kelsi feel the same way I did? Or was I the only one who was upset? But thing was, I was the one who had opened myself up. I was the one who got hurt.” I chose this quote from the book, because it seems like a mystery when you read it now, not explaining what is happening. But if you read the book, you will understand what Lacey is feeling.

I think the book tells a great story, and the plot is believable, memorable, and developed. The plot is believable because a father could actually be killed in a car crash in life today, and life might be hard after it happens. The plot is memorable because I will remember what the book is mainly about, and what the point of the story is. While reading the book, I never got distracted or sidetracked, because whenever I read it, I got zoned into the book. Usually, when I read, I couldn’t stop, and I normally read many pages.

I thought that the characters did not connect with me very much. In the book, the father dies in a car crash, and the family is at an older age, but Lacey thought of most people before herself, and I often do this with my family and friends. Some of the characters connect with each other, for example, by being siblings, or both having a lost parent. Lacey developed very much through the book. At first she always tried to help everyone, before herself, and was a little insecure about talking about her dad. By the end of the book, she learned she should help herself, too, and went to her father’s grave often to talk to him. I don’t think I can identify with any of the characters, because my lifestyle isn’t anything like theirs.

In the book, I thought there were many different parts where I was surprised, excited, happy, or disappointed. These made the book, much more interesting to read. Not many chapters left with cliffhangers, but it made the chapters longer, and let me understand them better. In the dialogue, in made sense when people had conversations, and it looked like it could possibly happen in a conversation. I think that girls in 6th and 7th grade would enjoy reading this book. I really liked reading __After__, because it kept my interest all the time, and I could understand what it was talking about. I couldn’t really relate to the book, but I still enjoyed it. I liked how the author added a lot of detail into her writing. “As we walked through the front door, we were blasted immediately by a wave of thumping bass turned up as loud as it could go.” I chose this quote from the book because I thought it showed the detail the author could write. I think that __The Last Song__ could compare to __After__ because both books have some part of them about people falling in love, and both books include being separated from one of your parents. I would love to read another book by Kristin Harmel, or a book that relates to this one, because I really enjoyed. <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">[] <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> Bradlie Morgan: 7th Grade First Trimester Review

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I knew then what they hadn’t wanted to tell me, and they knew that I knew, that Molly wouldn’t be coming home again, that Molly was going to die.” The book that I read is called <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">//A Summer to Die// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Lois Lowry. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">//A Summer to Die// <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was a fictional book and I thought that the main theme was that sometimes we might think that someone is better than us, it might not be that way in the end, and you should be thankful for what you have.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meg was jealous of her sister, Molly. She was prettier than her, and she never got in trouble. Then Molly got very sick and kept having to go to the hospital. Their family found out that Molly wasn’t going to live, and Meg then remembered all of the happier times she had with her sister. The book showed me that you should love everything while you can, because anything can happen to separate you from what you love. I think that the author accomplished what they wanted to because now I really don’t think that being jealous of someone is a smart thing, even though sometimes it’s impossible to avoid.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The book tells a good story and sends an important message. I think that the plot was both believable and developed. I thought that it was believable because many people die from diseases often, and they come from families and have parents and siblings. I thought that the story was developed because Molly wasn’t very sick until the last few chapters. While reading, I was usually just focused on what was happening in the book, and nothing would really distract me except other people talking. If I was tired while I was reading, my mind would wonder, but for the most part, my mind was only in my book. It would help if I went to a quiet place while I read.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was surprised when I found out that the family was moving back to the town after Molly died. If a chapter left with a cliffhanger, or left me with many questions, I would have an urge to read further into my book. Once I got to know the characters in the book more, I noticed that what they said, would be things that they would always say. The dialogue was always about something that the characters were interested in, and it would show their real personalities to the reader.