Summer Assignment, Post 4

Out of all the books I choose to read Eleanor and Park because I've heard of it through bestsellers last year. I had it on my to read list for a while but never got the chance to read it.  I'm glad I chose this book to read because I found it a really good story and it was a really good read. I couldn't put it down. Many people had highly recommended it in bestsellers, so I thought I would give it a try as it was on the list. The story was really good and I enjoyed it because it wasn't your typically romance novel. Park and Eleanor were both the outcasts, Eleanor more the Park. In the beginning, Park was mean to Eleanor and teased her like the other kids did. This shows you that two different people can become the best of friends. It also sent me a message that you shouldn't judge people before you get to know them, because they could turn out to be your best friend. After reading the book I didn't see many personal connections between me and the story, but many people could make connections to this book, as it has many problems that people face today. One is bullying. Eleanor is bullied by kids on the bus, including Park. They made fun of her in the beginning because they didn't think she was 'cool' and didn't get to know her. After Park got to know her, he really liked her. 

I would recommend this book too people who like romance novels. It really isn't a typical romance novel. It shows that everyone can be friends no matter who you are, and what you have. 

Summer Assignment, Post 3

"She was reading his comics.  At first Park thought that he was imagining it. He kept getting this feeling that she was looking at him, but whenever he looked over at her, her face was down." This is a hook for chapter 8 because you want to know why she's reading his comics. Park and Eleanor still sit together on the bus, and every day park brings his comics. Most girls don't really read comics but as we know, Eleanor really isn't your typical girly girl. As a reader this is a hook to me because it made me want to read more and find out why she was reading Parks comics. Once Park realizes that Eleanor is reading the comics, he opens the page and stays on it just a little bit longer so she has time to read the whole page. Once I found out that Park was letting her read the comics, it made me wonder if he was going to bring her comics, or give her his comic so she could read them too. I really wanted to know if Eleanor got any comics, so I continued to read and Park would leave her comics on the seat of the bus. "The next morning, when Eleanor got on the bus, there was a stack of comics on her seat. She picked them up and sat down. He was already reading."

Summer Assignment Post 2

Eleanor is the awkward girl at school. She's also the new girl, and doesn't have many friends. As the new girl, Eleanor just wants to fit in. She wants feel normal for once. 

Park is the awkward guy in school. He sits on the bus and reads comic books. He only has a few friends. Park likes to be left alone to do his business. Park wants to be left alone. 

In school, everyone thinks that Eleanor is a freak. They don't talk to her, but sit and stare at her. Park and Eleanor sit together on the bus and everyday Park reads a comic book. After a few days he catches on to the fact the Eleanor is also reading his comic books everyday. 

A theme that is starting to be present in this book, is it doesn't kill to be kind. Eleanor just wants a friend and Park is starting to become a friend to her. He gave her a comic book and is trying to support her at school. 

The book is structure by point if view. There is chapters and some are all from Parks point of view. Some chapters are all from Eleanor's point of view. There are chapters with both of their point of view on the same situation, like when Park gave Eleanor the comic book. "Park: What if she did give it back? What was he supposed to say then? Thanks?" "Eleanor: When she got to their seat, he was looking out the window. She handed him the comic, and he took it."

Summer Assignment, Post 1

For my summer reading, I am reading Eleanor and Park. This book was recommended to me through Best Sellers, and I have been wanting to read it, so when I saw it on the Printz Award Winner list, I saw the perfect opportunity. As you can tell from the title, this book is probably about two people name Eleanor and Park, are you are totally right. Eleanor and Park are the two major main characters. As for the setting, all I currently know is that it takes place in Omaha, Nebraska in 1986. A lot of the story so far is on the school bus or at Eleanor's home and Parks home. 

It's Eleanor's first day at this new school and when she gets on the bus in the morning, she doesn't know where to sit. Everyone already has a seat with their friends and she's alone. "Then the girl spotted an empty seat just across from Park. Her face lit with relief, and she hurried toward it.. "You can't sit there," Tina said. "That's Mikayla's seat." When Eleanor finally sits down, a girl, Tina starts to call to her and calling her 'bozo.' Then tells her she can't sit there. When Tina kicks Eleanor out of the seat, Park let's Eleanor sit in his seat. Even though he's quiet irritated with the whole situation. This is the start of the conflict. They both seem to be loners and are forced to be together on the bus ride to and from school.

Author

The author of Maximum Ride is also the same author who wrote the Confessions series. You can defiantly tell that they are written by the same author. James Patterson is a very strong, well know author. He writes thriller/suspense novels. His writing style is very similar between the two. He likes a strong female main character. Patterson tries to pass on his passion for writing and reading in many ways. He has a website called ReadKiddoRead.com, and to his College Book Bucks scholarships and his regular donations of hundreds of thousands of books to schools here in the states and troops overseas, Patterson has passed on his passion of books and reading and supported those who do the same. ReadKiddoRead.com is a website designed to help parents, teachers, and librarians help the next generation get excited about reading by recommending books carefully chosen for their ability to make kids' love reading even more. (http://www.jamespatterson.com/about_biography.php)

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Maximum Ride

I started my new book, Maximum Ride and so far I really like it so far. You can defiantly tell that it is by the same author as The Confessions Series. James Patterson. He makes his main characters very serious and a strong leader. Tandy was a strong and the leader of her family. Max, the main character of this book, is strong and the leader of the group. They both take charge on the situation and handle it efficiently. This is the opening quote and it shows how Max is also very blunt and honest. "Welcome to my nightmare.
Do not put this book down. I'm dead serious - your life could depend on it. I'm risking everything by telling you - but you need to know." This website is a really cool interactive way to show to the book. It also has a Confessions tab, so check that out too!