It

I’m doing my book report on the book child called it. Talking about the main character is difficult for two reasons, one is it describes all these horrible things within his own home and second just how much the sheer quantity of abuse is disturbingly chilling. David was a child who was born into a good family and was happy until one day his mother snapped. She started abusing him when his father was not home. This book was perhaps even more disturbing than my last book. My previous book was about the Vietnam War but that was grown men in war, this is a child in this book he didn’t choose to get abused. The abuse was terrible no food or having to regurgitate it to eat. Getting beaten brutal getting cut from knives or scissors getting burnt and chemical abuse?!!  What bothers me the most is no body intervened I’m sure they saw the bruises cuts and burns. And saying it was an accident will surely point to something and that something is brutal merciless abuse. I think the worst wouldn’t be the scars on the outside it would be the constant fear of a parent. Parents are supposed to love their children not despise and hurt them. I can’t imagine having that fear of a parent. I respect my mom and love her but you’re not supposed to fear them. And that knowing feeling that she’s you’re mother and you are supposed to love them. In David’s case I honestly couldn’t, it’s unacceptable. The tragic part is abuse isn’t all that rare. I was born into a wonderful and kind family. We grill, love sports, go to church, get good grades and are well disciplined.  I think it does make sense how the author turned out though. People say kids who are abused usually abuse kids of their own but that’s only in small abuse. Long term high intensity abuse usually makes them the opposite because they have scarring memories of it and say “God I don’t want to be like that.” That’s not to say abuse should be tolerated. There are many better ways of disciplining I assure you.  Abuse is probably one of the worst things on earth and its good people are aware of it. The thing it comes down to though is telling someone or have them notice. It bugged me through the book how it never occurred to anyone that the terrible things this child went through. But I can say this book was good, disturbing and blunt, it has a powerful message of love at the end when it talks about his own son.

Book Report 3

When someone asks you to dig deep about a real person that you know from my experience, it’s usually at a funeral. The wonderful thing about digging deep in a book is that you get to know more about a character in a few hundred pages than a person in a decade. The difference is in a book it isn’t just one way of thinking. You see what the character is actually feeling instead of saying meaningless things shallowly like most people today. Elijah from my book was often described as a fragile boy even though he wasn’t scared easily. Elijah has a fairly simple life in his small colony doing chores for some of the farm folks. Elijah’s fragileness mostly comes from his mother’s criticism. But frankly my opinion is the reason for him being fragile is within his own mind, Elijah takes the criticism from his mother and makes himself be insecure and unsure in his own abilities. To understand where this lack of confidence came from we need to look at Elijah’s fears. Elijah’s one fear above anything is of snakes and when he was small Elijah’s mother criticized him for when she picked up a snake he shrieked. What would seem to be an understandable fear of snakes his mother calls it fragileness. Elijah tried to get back bat his mom for nearly scaring him to death, so he put a toad frog in his mothers sewing basket. When he scared his mother his mother scared him with a snake right back. Elijah loves working with animals and just the slow paced farm life. When somebody steals one of his friend’s money he feels it’s his fault. His insecurity just leads to many, many, more issues. Elijah’s friends do not see this fragileness that his mother does. He is perceived as a nice, kind boy that is respectful and intelligent. I am not sure how simple criticism from a mother can lead to such detrimental self of steam. Then again, mother’s criticism leads to middle age men in intensive counseling sessions. Elijah is a brave boy but sometimes he gets nervous. The kid is likeable and a relatable person, he is the guy who will stand up for others but not himself. We all know people like this. The fact that Elijah is like this makes the book different than a lot of other books, that’s what makes this book special, a kid named Elijah, hence the title.

           

            For my choice topic I choose to comment on whether or not I liked the book. Overall the book was good a solid 8 out of 10. The book gives you a feeling that you’re actually in Elijah’s shoes, you get the small town mentality and it can relate to a lot of people. If you like books about 19^th century or stories of freed slaves you’ll like this. The point of view that Elijah brought to the story is something very unique. I liked the point of view because it shows his weakness about himself like how he doubts himself and shows that shows he is human, this makes him a much more likable character. The fact that he doubts himself and blames himself makes the book a lot more interesting. The kid wants to help out but feels that because he is a kid he is held back. An aspect that really is cool about the book is the fact that it is realistic, it shows how the family quarrels among one another but will always love each other; this shows something we all go through on a daily basis. I love how the book shows that when people join together over a problem, great things can happen. If you really like reading this book will be easy and worth your time, if you hate reading, you are going to struggle as the book is over 300 pages. This was a great book, don’t get me wrong but, their dialect was hard to understand as some words are misspelled and had some grammar errors. On that note though, I liked that it showed the personal dialect and made the book more comfortable and more interesting to read. People who stumble across my blog should definitely read this, it isn’t just a way to kill some time, and it shows the story of a boy with a lot of trouble in his life but manages to overcome all these problems with the help of some friends. The book educates you in several things, it educates you about the African heritage in American history, and it gives a new point of view, the view of one born into freedom, Elijah’s parents were not born free, he was. This was an excellent book, one of the best I’ve ever read. I’d recommend this to just about anyone in my class.

Book Report

This is my March book report.

Choice Book report 2

part 1

The book I read was Flush by Carl Hiaasen. The main character in this book is Noah a kid living in the Florida Keys. After his father gets arrested for sinking Dusty Muleman’s gambling boat “The Coral Queen” Noah must prove Dusty Muleman is dumping waste from his gambling boat into the water and is polluting Thunder beach. Noah is a self reliant and understanding kid with a knack for adventure. He was talking about Florida’s coast and how his Dad used to do boat tours around the Florida Keys. By the sounds of it he wants to be something like that, out on the water finding any adventure he can near the bays beaches and harbors. In that sense I personally thought he looks up to his father a great deal, even though his father is extremely reckless, dangerous, think headed, narrow minded, and acts before he thinks. For a slight example when Noah’s parents met it was at a police station for speeding tickets. His mothers ticket for driving forty four miles per hour in a thirty five mile per hour zone. His father’s ticket was for going ninety three miles per hour on a turnpike.  I’m no genius but that’s bad stuff. Noah’s parents come from completely different world’s one conservative, respectful, broadminded, compassionate and mellow. The other parent is risky, bold, reckless, daring, foolhardy and dangerous. But as my uncle tells me it can be the things you don’t have in common that can be as if not more so intriguing than things you do have in common. With that “lethal” mix it can create an intriguing child such as Noah who is courageous, self reliant, and bold like his father, yet also considerate, caring and thinks before he acts like his mother. Self reliance comes into play when Abbey and Noah must save their parents marriage by proving Dusty Muleman’s guilty of illegal dumping of waste. You see if they didn’t take action by flushing dye down toilets on “The Coral Queen” his father would have taken action himself, which in context would be detrimental to the marriage because she was prepared to divorce him if he made another extremely rash decision. (he should be in jail on vandalism, assault, and trespassing charges)  He was considerate (from his mother’s side) by listening to his mothers feelings about his father and how another rash action could possibly lead to divorce.

Choice book report two part two section one

Section one asks for any and all themes in the book. I think a theme in this book is “think before you act” If Noah’s father had thought of reporting to authorities to investigate “The Coral Queen” dumping acts instead of sinking the ship he would have saved himself a trip to jail, a close call to divorce, and family jeopardy and turmoil. If Noah had thought before he acted he would have planned out a more elaborate than stealing a friend’s dinghy, especially if they have a dog named Godzilla that could be mistaken for a small bear. Another theme is “even though something might seem small at the moment it could have grave repercussions that could be violently detrimental to yourself and others” If Dusty Muleman had not dumped waste into the water just to avoid a septic fee thunder beach would not be polluted, animals would not be dying and humans and animals would not be infected with the bacteria and wouldn’t be sick. A third theme “is a good decision made for the wrong reasons can be an unwise decision.” Grandpa Bobby was supposedly dead somewhere in Columbia but actually went into hiding after the news of an American who was dead with grandpa Bobbies  drivers license came to him. After that incident he never contacted his family because he thought they’d try to get him and being rash like he is Noah’s father probably get himself killed by the same people who convinced him to smuggle stuff in his boat. On an upside Grandpa Bobby did come back for his son after he saw he went to jail for sinking “The Coral Queen” and he also decided to help Noah and Abbey when Mulemans goons were after them.  And Fourth theme is” What goes around comes around” Because Muleman was dumping illegally and for that he was busted, fined, and his boat burned and sunk. And Noah’s father sunk “The Coral Queen” and for that he went to jail. Overall Flush was a very good book (much better than the one my brother suggested) or if you’re looking to read a book fast for a report I can guarantee it’ll get you hooked. I would recommend it to anyone that is passionate about the sea, animal lovers, and anybody looking for a good book to read.

"War torn" a poem for the veterans of America

This world is vicious, unmerciful, cruel and cold yet loving, warm, brave and bold. The day comes when soldiers are sent out to war knowing that the grave is forever more. As soon as a child comes from the womb shall he be sent to an early tomb? And if the men fight bold and brave shall they be sent to a shallow grave? The swords will slash and warriors die suffering as the carnage fly all soldiers knowing  that death is surely nigh. Many an arrow has been flung yet the monstrous war has just begun, and many a soldier, daughter or son slaughtered before their lives begun. If warriors fight fierce yet in vain should it be the mothers unbearable pain? She spends the rest of her life grieving alone knowing her son shall never come home. No it shall not be! Tis that the price of victory!? But if we long for peace and know it's true we'll fight for that and fight for you. When deaths are counted and friends are lost we know that victory in war comes at a cost. While guns are blazing in the war we'll be gazing at the door, waiting, watching for you to come home and let you know you're not alone. If you dream of peace instead of gore you'll know what you're fighting for. We are fighting for family, country, peace, and love, and are blessed from heaven above. We're not politicians, poets or scribes we're veterans and that's our pride. No more pain, death, bloodshed, or scorn for never again shall we be war torn!


                                 Thank you all veterans that serve our great country.

choice book report 1

My first book report is about a book called Black Duck. The main character in Black Duck is Ruben and Jeddy. Ruben is a fourteen year old boy in 1929 and rum running is a big, illegal, and profitable business. Over fifty percent of the town is in on it of the town is in on it. Ruben is a skinny and hardworking teen who knows the town inside and out, he knows every building and every business, even the dirty ones. He's seen liquor pickups, mobster work, Boston gangs and even the New York mafia, guns and all. Ruben is very soft spoken because his law abiding father is a big marsh mellow with the look of the toughest guy in town. Like father like son, his father just happens to be his idol. In my characterization I will also cover Ruben Hart's most trustworthy friend Jeddy. Jeddy is also exceptionally quiet with a knack for adventure. He is son of police chief meaning that since his mother died his dad has taken over, but when his father is not there Jeddy stays on the right side of the law but has skidded close to the line. With a strong understanding of right and wrong he's very firm in where he stands but a friendship can be completely torn apart. Ruben and Jeddy are the best of friends; but a friendship is delicate if not more delicate as anything else can change with one single accusation. Ruben accuses Chief McKenzie (Jeddy's dad) of being associated with the rum runners. Jeddy stood by his father through thick and thin. Never in his life has Jeddy has never done anything outside the law. That's not to say Ruben is in on it, he just sees things and knows a guy who knows a guy.  The characterization of Ruben can be covered by many characteristics and descriptive sentences. Ruben was young and full of freedom his town was truly his own little world and he knew it, but around this town it was quiet and lazy. It said in the book that Ruben and Jeddy would wander the beaches searching for crab pots in the infitely long days of summer. Ruben would ride his bike around town just to catch a breeze or smell fresh cut grass and see a kid barely hanging on to the leash, getting pulled along by a dog. That would be a very nice day by my (and I think anybody’s) standards.

                 For my optional category I will pick number three which is to consider the point of view. I believe the author chose this particular point of view to describe life changes over many, many years. It shows in great detail and description Ruben as a young boy and a very elderly but intellectually stable man, and then it shows Jeddy as a young chap and a man that just passed away. I believe it is important it was told from this point of view because it shows how people can remember things that changed their lives forever even if it was in the very distant past, and only lasted for a very short time. I think it would be different because it would not tell the future lives and the emotional capacity and complexity of Ruben and Jeddy throughout their lives and this book. This part I'm going to talk about next is quite biased because they said they gave no warning shots before they gunned down the black duck crew. Because the only survivor is Ruben so we don't know for sure. Another thing about this particular view point is that it is not from a neutral point of view it shows the severity and emotional and physical stress of the situation and the trauma that they went through in that brief period of time. To be quite honest, if you were in that situation you would probably be frightened much more than they were. With rumrunning searching dead bodies that's some nasty stuff. I know if I were in that position I would just about lose my sanity and scared out of my mind. The whole concept of the town being in on it and just getting caught up in all of this illegal business would just make you feel hopeless and like you cannot do anything about the inevitable. although in the whole thing is an interesting concept it is so realisticly plausible and frightening when you are there first hand. And an analogy to show you is a football coach calling a play through the air on 4th down if a touchdown wins it but a field goal ties it. It is a lot easier to say well duh after the pass falls incomplete but if it's complete it's like I knew that so it really does a good job with the whole book in that regard. All in all Black Duck was an exceptional book I’d highly recommend it.

Memoir 2

You ever heard of the saying brother from another mother? We had something kind of the same but different  thing the last three summers. You all probably know the river bats, well we hosted the catcher from Miami, Ohio. We have had him for the the last three years in the summer time. The first time we met him he was only a freshman, but already a very gifted ball player. At the time he was majoring in accounting but switched to kineaseology. Know Adam ( That's his name.) is a peculiar child. He is extremely competitive even to a game of mario. He is also knows when he won and will not let me forget it. every time we played anything he won. He would say his new record, say to get him his victory gatorade. and make it seem like he owned the place. If we had what he called a game of assasin he would dress up like  the terminator. In assasin you try to shoot the other person with your nerf gun. Adam clearly knew how to play he would snipe us down everywhere. There was only a few times where we one like when I heard him coming up the stairs I hid behind a corner until he was in my line of fire. I spun around and squeezed the trigger, I fired two shots one hit square in the jaw the other right below the clavical. He said good game, you win then emptied his clip into me. After three years though he is our brother from another mother.