Blog Post on a Critical Thinking Question: How does this book help you to think about social issues you care about or causes you are committed to?

Suicide is a social issue that has become more common in the past years. In the novel "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher, suicide is an evident social issue. A girl, named Hannah Baker, commits suicide. He has pre-recorded tapes before her death, which go around to 13 people. These thirteen people are the reasons why she committed suicide, and the tapes explain how. Suicide is a very important issue in the world, and it makes me feel like anyone can cause it, even when they never thought much of their actions.

  In this Novel, Hannah gives examples of why she committed suicide. For example: "It's not exactly your actions that caused it, it's the things that were caused by your actions that made you one of the thirteen." While Clay (the main character) listened to the second tape, Hannah talked about how when Alex Standall voted her "best ass" in a 'hot or not list', his actions affected her because it caused Bryce (number 11) to grab her ass in a store. These explanations make me feel like some people are more sensitive then others, and that you should really be careful of what you do to others. It might just make them commit suicide, and that is a very serious thing. Even when you consider things a joke (like the 'hot or not' list, which was originally an innocent joke), it could lead to actions that may not be considered a joke to the victim. 

  Another quote in the book that proves that anyone can cause suicide is a quote that Hannah says on the seventh tape:“Maybe it didn’t seem like a big deal to you Zach. But now, I hope you understand. My world was collapsing. I needed those notes. I needed any hope those notes might have offered. And you? You took that hope away. You decided I didn’t deserve to have it. ” This quote proves my statement because of what was going on. Zach was mad at Hannah because she rejected him. So he stole her notes from Peer communications that was supposed to give her encouragement. I don't think that it was necessary to steal he notes. The notes that would let her smile for once, especially at the time where she mostly needed it. This harmless little action led up to a more serious conflict because Zach didn't know what those notes meant to her. And it caused something that couldn't be erased.

 This novel was very interesting, and it made me think about things differently. Especially the fast growing social issue topic of suicide. After all, You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. People need to be more careful, because something that you think is cosidered harmless can actually affect people in more ways than one. And considering this subject, that isn't a good thing.

Reading Response On Question: Is This Book Fair?

So far, I'm Reading "Anne of Green Gables" in class. I feel like this book wasn't fair in the beginning, but now it is. The reason I feel this is because in the beginning, Anne was in an orphanage, and was very upset. Then she got the false delight of thinking that she was actually going to be adopted, as someone had called for an 11 year old girl, and she was the only one that actually filled the description. So she had this false hope that maybe she was actually wanted, and that she was actually needed, and that she would finally get a home, as she couldn't imagine the crowded orphanage being one, despite all the imagining that she does. And then when she gets there, she finds out that there was a mistake and that she wasn't actually wanted, that it was a boy that they requested. Not Anne. I thought that it was unfair that Anne had to go through all that happiness that she was actually wanted, just to be returned.

I think that is is fair now because they kept her and the people are actually nice. They figure out that even though they wanted a boy originally, they can't really live without Anne. I think this is fair for Anne, because she never could experience anything a normal girl could, and I'm happy that she got to stay and green gables. I feel that this is truly fair.

How New York's Bright Lights Inspire Me

New York's Bright Lights inspire me a lot. New York always seems to be shining bright, and it's almost never dark. New York inspired me to write this poem:

New York
How very bright
How it shines all day and night
How no matter how dark
How much in pain
How much you're hurting
You can't ever be fully engulfed in darkness
For you always will have a part of New York with you
And New York's light
Never goes out.

New York has also had a lot of references in poems and songs. I actually felt like this poem could actually be related to New York, even if it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it:

Star shine, star bright,
when I go to sleep tonight,
wish me well, help me fight,
get me through the day alright.

Star shine, star Bright,
Will I ever see the light?
Will i ever learn to fight?
Star shine, save my life.

Star shine, star bright,
I am flying like a kite,
over the sea's, through the night,
Star shine, lead me right.

Star shine, star bright,
when I go to sleep at night,
Lead me forward, guiding light,
shining star, shine so bright.

It's sort of like a kid in New York (New York being the star) and the Kid is afraid of the dark, but with all the lights, the kid is never really lost. I think that New York can inspire people to do anything, especially it's bright lights.

Something that inspires me.

I don't really find inspiration in things. I usually find reasons to do things. But, The fact that True Love exists inspires me. It inspires me to keep on living life, because even though life is stupid, and ugly, and just on giant piece of poop, There is at least one good thing to look forward to. And even though it hasn't happened yet, and you probably think it's never going to happen, it is. You just have to keep on looking. And meanwhile, live life. To me, true love is the sweetest thing in life. And that's why we are always looking for love, or are already in love. I feel like you have to work for it, especially when life gets in the way. Even then, I believe that true love is defiantly worth fighting for. The fact that love IS going to happen, is what keeps me fighting. Throughout all the hardships, I'm happy that I have hope. So True Love inspires me to live. And I don't have it yet, the small voice inside my head that screams "Keep holding on. You're almost there," even when 'almost' feels like 'forever,' The chance keeps me fighting. And I think that love is worth living for, even when everything else isn't.

*Draft* Why Banning "Looking For Alaska is A Bad Idea PART 2 *Draft*

All Around the world, people are frequently trying to challenge books for a chance to be banned. One of the books is "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. This book is about a few kids in high school, Mostly revolving around Miles and Alaska. Throughout the way, Miles and his friends are trying to find Alaska's purpose for doing things. Alaska tangles Miles up in her messed up world, and drags him along when the most painful thing hits her. This book shouldn't be banned because it teaches important lessons, and Looking For Alaska is a heartfelt book that should not be banned for containing "Adult Content".

 In "Looking For Alaska," there are many meaningful things that should be taken into proportion with the bad. For example, the fact that Miles sees Alaska so incompletely due to the fact that he is so busy fantasizing about her that he can't see the seriousness of her pain. This teaches Middle Schoolers that you should see people through other perspectives, as someone can be hiding something terrible, yet you can't see it because you are too blinded by your own thoughts. This is really deep and emotional, and many middle schoolers need to learn that because they usually judge people by looks when really you need to find what's underneath.

 In "Looking for Alaska", Alaska mentions something really important. "Y'all smoke to enjoy it, I smoke to die". Opponents may argue that this encourages suicide, as Alaska is obviously hinting. But, I don't think so. This quote shows the dangers of smoking plain as day, and Alaska is stating that smoking kills, and that you shouldn't do it. Even though Alaska is hinting that she is suicidal to a point, She also states that she knows the dangers of smoking, yet she does it anyway. "Lung cancer? That's what happens when you smoke. Yet......" This is another quote that proves that Alaska does know the consequences of smoking. And if some one's child Perseus smoking after reading this book, then it would be all on them because they knew the dangers of smoking yet they have done it anyway. Don't blame it on the book. Blame it on your child.

Many people argue that many children or middle schoolers are taking up cursing, and doing things that they shouldn't be after reading these books. They might also say that this book may influence children to do bad things because they may "copy" the book due to the actions done in the book looking "fun" or "rebellious". But I completely disagree. First of all, don't you teach your kids not to curse, smoke, drink, etc? And all the dangers of doing so? So when they read this book, shouldn't they know that this is bad already? And that they shouldn't do it? So if they do bad things like shown in the book, it's not because of the book. It's because they chose to do it on their own. A book is not going to tell you "DO DRUGS! IT IS GOOD FOR YOU!" No. In fact, most books show "How a life can go off rails way too fast" like in "Go Ask Alice" Or that "bullying to be in the 'popular' crowd is not the right way to go", like in "Blubber" by Judy Blume. So if a child decides to do these things, it isn't because of the book. It's because they chose the stupid road. It sometimes, it's actually because of the parents, like Alaska's. Conversation Over.

  In conclusion, The book "Looking For Alaska" by John Green, and other books like it should not be banned. Banning a book is pointless, as it would make children go to library's to read the magical book that was so bad it had to be banned. Face it. Banning books won't delete it of it's existence. Unless you burn all of them, which I'm pretty sure is illegal. I don't think you should ban this book. It just isn't a good idea.

*Draft* Why Banning "Looking For Alaska" isn't a good Idea *Draft*

One of my favorite books is "Looking For Alaska" by John Green, Yet, this book has been frequently challenged for a chance to be banned in middle school libraries. This book is about a few kids in high school, Mostly revolving around Miles and Alaska. Throughout the way, Miles and his friends are trying to find Alaska's purpose for doing things. Alaska tangles Miles up in her messed up world, and drags him along when the most painful thing hits her. This book shouldn't be banned because it teaches important lessons, and Looking For Alaska is a heartfelt book that should not be banned for containing "Adult Content".

 In "Looking For Alaska," there are many meaningful things that should be taken into proportion with the bad. For example, the fact that Miles sees Alaska so incompletely due to the fact that he is so busy fantasizing about her that he can't see the seriousness of her pain. This teaches Middle Schoolers that you should see people through other perspectives, as someone can be hiding something terrible, yet you can't see it because you are too blinded by your own thoughts. This is really deep and emotional, and many middle schoolers need to learn that because they usually judge people by looks when really you need to find what's underneath.

 In "Looking for Alaska", Alaska mentions something really important. "Y'all smoke to enjoy it, I smoke to die". Opponents may argue that this encourages suicide, as Alaska is obviously hinting. But, I don't think so. This quote shows the dangers of smoking plain as day, and Alaska is stating that smoking kills, and that you shouldn't do it. Even though Alaska is hinting that she is suicidal to a point, She also states that she knows the dangers of smoking, yet she does it anyway. "Lung cancer? That's what happens when you smoke. Yet......" This is another quote that proves that Alaska does know the consequences of smoking. And if some one's child Perseus smoking after reading this book, then it would be all on them because they knew the dangers of smoking yet they have done it anyway. Don't blame it on the book. Blame it on your child.

Many people argue that many children or middle schoolers are taking up cursing, and doing things that they shouldn't be after reading these books. They might also say that this book may influence children to do bad things because they may "copy" the book due to the actions done in the book looking "fun" or "rebellious". But I completely disagree. First of all, don't you teach your kids not to curse, smoke, drink, etc? And all the dangers of doing so? So when they read this book, shouldn't they know that this is bad already? And that they shouldn't do it? So if they do bad things like shown in the book, it's not because of the book. It's because they chose to do it on their own. A book is not going to tell you "DO DRUGS! IT IS GOOD FOR YOU!" No. In fact, most books show "How a life can go off rails way too fast" like in "Go Ask Alice" Or that "bullying to be in the 'popular' crowd is not the right way to go", like in "Blubber" by Judy Blume. So if a child decides to do these things, it isn't because of the book. It's because they chose the stupid road. It sometimes, it's actually because of the parents, like Alaska's. Conversation Over.

  In conclusion, The book "Looking For Alaska" by John Green, and other books like it should not be banned. Banning a book is pointless, as it would make children go to library's to read the magical book that was so bad it had to be banned. Face it. Banning books won't delete it of it's existence. Unless you burn all of them, which I'm pretty sure is illegal :/. I don't think you should ban this book. It just isn't a good idea.

Malala Muse Monday Post

"One Child
One Pen
One Book"
It can change the world!
They (they) can learn it all,
Education can change the world.
I'm sure you'd want some thingd
You want to learn for yourself
So when it comes to girls,
We wanna learn like everybody else!
La la la la la la la la la la la la (2x)
I got a million things, I want to know (Hey!)
La la la la la la la la la la la la (2x)
"Nothing will silence us", We want to learn (COME ON!)
Who says?
Who says we can't learn?
Just cause we are girls,
Does not mean we cannot be educated!
Trust me!
Everyone wants to learn!
(Yes, Yes we do!)
Especially us!
Us girls.

"Looking For Alaska (quotes)

In "Looking For Alaska", a specific quote is repeated throughout the book. "How will we ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering?"Throughout the book, different answers to this question are answered by different points of views. When Alaska dies, they figure out her answer. At the end of the book, Miles stated his answer to the question, which contridicts Alaska's answer. I think this quote is very important because it is repeated a significant amount of times. Pudge (Or miles) Is consistantly trying to find the answer to this question.

Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim (Character Evaluation)

In the book Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim, there are two characters. One of them is Simon. He caught my eye because of his past, and what he feels is going on with his life. In this book, you see him moving on while collecting bits and pieces of his past, and his old friends now. He regrets what he has done, both then and now. Simon is an interesting character, and this is why I decided to make my character evaluation on him.

   Simon's past wasn't a good one. He was often teased and considered a "nerd". But that isn't what he regrets. What he really wished he didn't do. When Irene, a blind girl, transfered to his school, he helped her out. She was like his best friend. But when she asked him to a school dance, he quickly made a lie so that he would not have to go. At least, not with her. Irene was very upset and sent him an apology letter, explaining that she only wanted to go as friends and that she really did not want to put so much pressure on him, so she was sorry. When he read it, he felt so bad, because he was the one that was supposed to apologize, not Irene. And the worst part? The only reason he said no was because he did not want people to think that he was so ugly that he resulted in dating a blind girl. In my opinion, he was so rolled up in regaining his self-esteem and not damaging his ego that he lied and regected the only girl that acually showed interest in him. And now he regrets this really stupid action. Simon wanted to say something, but by then, graduation came and they never saw each other again, at least until recently, where she invited him to her wedding.

  In the middle of the book, Simon bumped into one of his old "friends" from high school. They were married, and had a child. Jane (the wife) was pregnant with another baby. After the couple left, Simon felt sad, almost jealous. He admitted to Nancy (His best friend) that he felt this way. When  she asked him why, he told her that they were acually going somewhere, that they were taking on the big responsibility. They were going to have two babies! And Irene was engaged, almost to get married. Where was Simon? Working in a library in Ohio, with no girl, and a sucky apartment. I think that he felt like while his life was going on, he was also stuck in the same place. He didn't go to college, and he was going nowhere with his life. He had almost no friends, and going on like this wouldn't do him any good. He was mad that we was not doing anything with his life.

 In conclusion, Simon's life is a hard one, and he has a lot to think about. When  is he going to apologize to Irene? Or at least tell her the truth? What is he going to do with his life? Is he going to move forward? Is he going to stay the same way? These are all questions that I think need to be answered so that Simon can get a move on. What do you guys think??

The Luckiest Girl by Beverly Cleary (Character Change)

In "The Luckiest Girl" by Beverly Cleary, a girl named Shelley goes out to California for a whole school year to go to a different school. There, she met a nice friend (Hartley) And the boy of her dreams (Philip) But when Shelley gets a D in Biology, and Philip following right behind her with a F, Shelley has to get her game on. And with Philip not allowed to date Shelley anymore, Shelley finds out that maybe Philip wasn't who she was looking for.

In this Bittersweet love story, Shelley changes a lot. At first, Shelley yelled at her parents because she wanted to be like everyone else and have a yellow slicker. But when Shelley finally wears the pink raincoat and matching hat that her mom got her, she found out that it was nice, and that she didn't really need to be like everyone else. She also found that the raincoat was very expensive, and she felt bad that she acted so childish. As for Katie (Shelley's cousin), she also had to learn this when she got an "ugly" sweater from her grandmother. Shelley realized that she wants to go to college. She wants to study botany. She wants to learn more about plants, and do crossword puzzles and learn about things that make her curious. And she has to admit her own mistakes and her own responsibility in order to make those goals possible. She really matured a lot.

This story gave a lesson. That you don't have to be like everyone else. That you have to be like yourself. And that sometimes, the "perfect" boy, isn't what he seems. But sadly, Shelley has to go home, and leave (The boy that she fell in love with at the end, NO SPOILERS!!) and so it was sort of sad. But she learned a lesson. And that is what mattered.