The G's

The book A Long Walk to Freedom  written by Nelson Mandela chronicles Mandela's journey from being a young boy in a remote village in South Africa to becoming a leader of one of the most significant political movements in the 20th century. The book is a compelling statement showing his resilience, courage, and his strong commitment to justice and equality. The first part of the book focuses on his childhood and early years, noting that he grew up in a rural area of South Africa. He describes the traditions and customs of his tribe, the  Xhosa people. Mandela was born into authority, but his father's death and a series of misfortunes led to his upbringing under his uncle's care. The book then takes us to when he was living in Johannesburg, where he worked as a law clerk while studying at the University of South Africa. The white minority government continued to introduce repressing laws aimed at enforcing racial segregation and maintaining white control under resources in th

 Top 4 Books/Series To Read This Summer 1 Legend series      This dystopian series by Marie Lu is written in a very interesting way. Each chapter switches between two points of view. The story is told by the two main characters, Day and June. it takes place in a futuristic world where the Western United States has become the Republic.      In "Legend," we meet Day, a wanted criminal who becomes a symbol of resistance against the Republic. June, a prodigy trained by the Republic's elite, is given the task with capturing Day but finds herself questioning the government's motives. As they uncover the truth behind the Republic's actions, they navigate a dangerous political landscape while dealing with their growing feelings for each other.      The sequel, "Prodigy," dives deeper into their relationship as Day and June join forces with the rebel Patriots to overthrow the government. Loyalties are tested, sacrifices are made, and the true extent of the Repub

  I have reviewed many books about queer/homosexual relationships here, and as a final blog post, I want to share my favorite! I will have a short summary for each book, and then explain my thoughts on them. First up, from my first blog, is "Heartstopper" by Alice Oseman. This series of book-turned-to-tv stories has been largely impactful ever since its release. The development of the main relationship between Nick and Charlie is marvelously written, along with other relationships in their growing friend group. Navigating queer identity as a whole is a major theme in this series. As mentioned in the blog about Heartstopper, the overall message is hope that wherever you go, "people will accept you for being you ." Second is "Bloom" by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau. It is about the relationship between two very different people: Ari and Hector. Ari is quite troublesome,  wanting to move into the city in a problematic band with his friends, away from hi

       "Finale" is the third book in the Caraval series and is an amazing final book to the trilogy. It picks up right where "Legendary," left off, with the protagonist, Scarlett Dragna, inconclusive about what her heart desires amidst the dangerous game of Caraval. The stakes are even higher now as Scarlett, her sister Tella, and their allies continue navigating a world with magic and mystery intertwined. Throughout this mysterious and dangerous world, Scarlett creates new alliances with people, while also meeting previous enemies. All of these new relations cause Scarlett to really wonder who she should consider her friend and who she should consider her enemy.      As a reader, one of the most compelling aspects of "Finale" is its exploration of love and sacrifice. As Scarlett and Tella confront their pasts and explore the possibilities for their futures, they discover a strong inner strength between the two of them and resilience they never knew they p

  The book The Jump written by Brittney Morris is based on the motto 'Influence is power, and power creates change.' The book follows four teens, Jax, Yas, Spider, and Han who are the four cornerstones of Team JERICHO. The team was widely regarded as the best digital scavenger-hunting team in all of Seattle. They each have their own specialty that they bring to the group. Jax is the puzzler, Yas is the parkourist, Spider is the hacker, and Han is the cartographer. Issues arise when they learn that an oil refinery is being built right in their backyard. Their families are at risk of losing their jobs, their communities, and their homes. When the Order, a mysterious organization, hijacks the scavenger-hunting forum and creates its own puzzle, promising a reward of power, Team JERICHO sees it as the chance of a lifetime. If they end up winning the game, they could change their families' fates and save the city they live in.  But with an opposing team hot on their backs, Team J

  "Rebound" by Kwame Alexander is a book about the emotional journey of Charlie Bell, a teenager struggling with the recent loss of his father. the book is set in the 1980s, the story unfolds as Charlie spends the summer with his grandparents in Washington, D.C.  Through his struggle, Charlie finds an unexpected outlet for his emotions and talents: basketball. Through the sport, he begins to find purpose. He continuously finds himself loving the rhythm and discipline of the game. As he joins a local basketball team and practices tirelessly, Charlie not only improves his skills on the court but also starts to rebuild his shattered confidence and sense of identity.  The people he meets in Washington DC help him find his purpose. From his supportive grandparents (although his grandpa can be seen as a rough person at times) to his teammates, each person leaves a mark on Charlie's life, allowing him to embrace his strengths.  Charlie's growth both on and off the court is o