The G's

1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee     I have previously read "To Kill a Mockingbird" by  Harper Lee during subbie year for our banned book project. However, I do not think I captured the book's full meaning and would like to re-read it. Harper's timeless classic is an amazing book and a must-read for every high school student. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, the novel explores themes of racial injustice, moral growth, and empathy through the eyes of young Scout Finch. As you follow Scout's journey alongside her father, the noble lawyer Atticus Finch, you'll gain valuable insights into courage, integrity, and the complexities of human nature. 2. "The Thief" by Megan Whalen Turner      This book was one of the many that I found earlier this year while looking for a good book related to "The False Prince" by Jennifer A Nielsen, which you should also check out because it's an amazing book. ...

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 ex...

  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 th...

  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 ...

In this review, I focus on a different kind of literature compared to my previous blogs. After researching for my world history class, I came across this non-fiction book called Roman Circuses , written by John H. Humprey, that encompasses the archaeological and architectural aspects of, well, Roman circuses. Before I dive into the review, I want to explain what Roman circuses are and summarize the book into what I specifically extracted from the text into my project. Firstly, Roman circuses are arenas for chariot racing, which is a sport where a person in a two-wheeled vehicle is driven by either two or four horses. The arena is large and oval-shaped with multiple rows of seats ascending upward. It has “carceres,” or starting gates, and a “spina,” which is a central island where the chariots race around. This book analyzes the architecture of various well-preserved circuses throughout the Roman empire The greatest Roman circus is the Circus Maximus (see model below). It could hold aro...

  Stephanie Garber's "Legendary" continues the amazing narrative of its predecessor "Caraval," published in the spring of 2018. It invites readers into a realm of enchantment and mystery, delving deeper into the magical world of Caraval. "Legendary" picks up where "Caraval" left off, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and wonder through the eyes of Tella Dragna, Scarlett's sister. Garber's narrative prowess shines as she crafts a tale brimming with secrets, illusions, and unexpected twists. In the heart of "Legendary" lies the captivating allure of Caraval, a legendary game where reality blurs with fantasy and nothing is as it seems. Tella finds herself entangled in a high-stakes game orchestrated by the mysterious Master Legend, where the boundaries between truth and illusion dissolve into a mesmerizing dance of deception. As Tella embarks on her quest, she confronts challenges that test her courage and resolve. From navigating...

  The book, Frontera, written by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo, is astounding. It follows Mateo, a boy who is trying to make it across the Sonoran Desert that will take him from Mexico to the United States. Soon after sneaking across the fence in the dead of the night, he's caught by Border Patrol. Escaping their grasp came with a price for Mateo, being lost in the desert without a guide or water.  He becomes frightened at the thought of the unforgiving heat that was to arrive at the sunrise. With the odds stacked against him, his only chance at survival may be putting his trust in someone that he wasn't sure existed. When he is confronted by Guillermo, he begins to have second thoughts when the ghost tells him he guided migrants in the desert to safety. Even with this relationship between the two survival was still uncertain. As Mateo's journey continues, he will have to decide exactly what and who he's willing to sacrifice on his way to find home. Beginning this, the ...

  Beginning: The narrative opens with Ben Ripley's eager return to the covert corridors of the CIA's Spy School, where he hopes to further hone his espionage skills. Excitement mounts when he learns that he and his classmates have been selected for a prestigious summer program at Spy Camp, promising advanced training and real-world challenges. Middle: As Ben dives into the rigorous curriculum at Spy Camp, readers are introduced to a multitude of training exercises designed to push the limits of his spy abilities. While living at this intense camp, Ben uncovers a secret plot created by SPYDER seeking to obtain Pandora, a dangerous weapon with global implications. Teaming up with his trusted allies Erica and Zoe, Ben embarks on a dangerous mission to thwart the villains' plans. Their journey is fraught with suspense as they navigate through intricate puzzles, evade enemy surveillance, and confront unforeseen obstacles. End: The climax of the story sees Ben and his allies conf...

           The book Icebreaker , written by A.L. Graziadei, follows the story of Mickey James III, destined by his prosperous family to become the next big hockey star. His father and grandfather are hockey legends, and his mother is an Olympic ice-skating gold medalist. As a 17-year-old, he only needs one more year before he can be drafted into the #1 pick he is projected to be in. The only problem is that fellow college hockey teammate Jaysen Caulfield is another contender for that #1 draft pick. A rivalry begins to form between the two, but Mickey is battling much more than that. He recognizes signs of depression falling under all of the pressure to present himself as the best, but also falling for Jaysen, as their rivalry forces them together, and they confess to liking each other. Navigating his hockey life with his relationship proves to be tough as he needs to choose between living the life he is destined for, or one where he can finally settle ...

  Booked  by Kwame Alexander was published on April 5, 2016. The book revolves around the main character Nick Hall, a twelve-year-old eighth-grader who loves to play soccer but absolutely hates reading books. The reason for this is that his dad is a linguistic professor whom Nick can't really understand. His dad also makes Nick read his own authored dictionary every day, which over time built up this hatred for reading. Nick shows a strong relationship with his mom who loves to play ping pong, and his best friend Coby, who shares the same ideologies as him. Nick and Coby are constantly targeted by twin bullies Dean and Don Eggleston, who give them never-ending amounts of grief. When Nick plans to go to a soccer tournament in Dallas, he must skip it due to a perforated appendix.  While in the hospital, he hears his mom is coming back home, and he believes his parents are getting back together. When things seem to get normal, he finds out his parents are getting a divorce. ...

  A REVIEW OF THE HUNGER GAMES BY WILL GRAVLIN "The Hunger Games" is a dystopian science fiction novel by Suzanne Collins. The novel takes place in a future North America, called Panem. It's divided into the Capitol and twelve districts. Each year, as a punishment for the district's rebellion, the Capitol selects one boy and one girl, who are called "tributes," from every district to participate in the Hunger Games – an event that everyone in the districts is forced to watch, where the tributes must fight to the death until only one remains. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister Prim's place as a tribute from District 12. The male tribute is Peeta Mellark, who has liked Katniss since childhood. Alongside her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, Katniss navigates the deadly challenges of the Hunger Games arena, where she has to confront the other tributes and the political scheme of the Capitol. As the story unfolds, Katniss becomes a symbol of resista...

     "Caraval" draws readers into the book through Stephanie Garber's realm of intrigue and wonder. Published in the fall of 2016, "Caraval" takes readers on an enthralling journey where reality combines with illusion, and secrets lurk around every corner.      "Caraval" intricately weaves a tale through the eyes of Scarlett Dragna, our resilient protagonist, and her sister Tella. While some may find the narrative structure challenging, it enriches the story by offering diverse perspectives into the enigmatic world of Caraval.      The novel unfolds during the allure of the legendary game, where Scarlett navigates a labyrinth of lies and magic in search of her missing sister Tella. As the stakes escalate, so does the complexity of Scarlett's journey, as she confronts her deepest fears and unravels the mysteries of Caraval.      At the heart of "Caraval" lies the enduring bond between Scarlett and Tella, tested against betrayal ...

    The Song of Achilles , written by Madeline Miller, is an astoundingly impactful book. It incorporates Greek mythology and history to tell the tale of young lovers Patroclus and Achilles. Patroclus, a prince, is sent away as a child because of his kind and gentle stature. He is sent to live under another king, Peleus, who has a son named Achilles. His son is seemingly quite the opposite of Patroclus, as he is much more bold and daring. Achilles is destined to fight at Troy as an eternal legend and die, or not fight, but simply be forgotten. This choice becomes tougher when the two grow a closer bond with each other, training under Chiron, a centaur who has trained multiple war heroes. Eventually, Achilles and Patroclus fight in Troy for years. The stubborn Achilles refuses to help the Greeks after some turmoil between the two, and Patroclus, in an attempt to help the Greeks, wears the armor of Achilles and rushes into battle, only dying at the hands of Hector. Achilles, dis...

                  Before I start this review, I have to be honest; I haven't finished this book, although I'm looking forward to finishing it during winter break. Luckily, I have still read a significant amount of the book, enough to explain what the book is about.                     The story starts with the main character, Susie Salmon, taking a shortcut on the way home from school through a cornfield, where she meets her neighbor Mr. Harvey. He shows her an underground house that he made, which Susie thinks is cool but weird. He then rapes and murders her.                     The rest of the story charts her view from heaven looking at the aftermath of the terrible crime. Originally, her family will not believe that Susie is dead, but after the neighbor's dog finds her elbow, the police reason that sh...

     "Champion" marks the conclusion to Marie Lu's captivating Legend trilogy. Published on November 5th, 2013, "Champion" takes readers on a rollercoaster ride filled with political intrigue, heart-wrenching decisions, and the undeniable resilience of its main characters, Day and June.      Similar to its predecessors, "Champion" maintains the dual-narrative structure, alternating between the perspectives of June and Day. While some readers may find this approach disorienting, it adds depth to the story by providing unique insights into the minds of the two protagonists.       The novel begins with the Republic facing external threats and internal struggles simmering beneath the surface. The stakes are higher than ever, and the characters are forced to confront complex moral dilemmas. One of the central elements driving the narrative is the relationship between Day and June, which evolves amidst the challenges they face.    ...

    1. Evil Spy School (3) Evil Spy School is my favorite because of all the action and I think it has the best plot out of all three books. the suspense in this book is different than anything I've ever read. the plot is constantly changing and this makes it interesting throughout the entire book. it is easily the best mystery book I've ever read and possibly the best mystery book I will ever read. with all the twists and turns this book has it makes you start to wonder what you can trust and what you can't. It is an incredible book and I recommend this to anyone who wants an interesting book that makes you question everything that the narrator tells them. Because of all of this, I would have to give this book an 8/10 star rating. 2. Spy School (1) Usually when I'm ranking books the first is ironically first. If Evil Spy School wasn't so good this would definitely be in the first spot. although it can't be first it is an easy second. the first of a series is al...

  The Keeper  was written by David Baldacci on August 31, 2015. The book revolves around the main character, Vega Jane, who was always told that she could never leave the town of Wormwood. She was constantly told by other civilians inside this town that there was nothing outside but the Quag. The Quag was a wilderness filled with danger and death. She had accepted this tedious fate, until she had come across a secret everything she believed was a lie. The only thing standing between Vega and her freedom was the Quag. However, in order to leave Wormwood and discover the truth about the suppressed the world she says she lives in, Vega and her best friend, Delph; must find a way to make it across a terrifying land of blood-n thirsty creatures and menacing magic. The Quag though ends up being worst that Vega darkest thoughts. It ends up being a living, breathing prison designed to keep enemies out and the villagers of Wormwood in. As Vega enters the Quag she faces many problems. T...