The Crucible

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Miller’s The Crucible speaks to a society where narrow mindedness and provincial thinking clouds vision. The Crucible takes place in 1600s where Abigail Williams accuses multiple women in the town of Salem of witchcraft. The judges in the town support Abigail for all of her accusations and blindly accept what she says merely because she says that her word is trustworthy. 

Miller’s book speaks directly to McCarthyism, but the message still holds true today. In an era of social media, it is all too easy to only listen to what one wants to hear. Just like how Judge Danforth only saw the evidence to help him find witches and how McCarthy only saw the evidence to help him find Communists, people can cherry pick the information that supports their point of view. When Facebook finds news articles that a person might be interested in, it isn’t looking for the most credible piece of information, it is looking for what the user wants to see based on previous preferences. Facebook’s current solution for fighting fake news is to tag questionable pieces in order to provide context. However, the mere-exposure effect shows that simply reading the headline plants that seed of false information. Individuals can’t get their news from just social media. They need to make sure that their news comes from credible and respected sources to get all types of information, not just the ones that users are exposed to through their friends.

The Lowland

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

Fiction

Lahiri’s novel, The Lowland follows four generations of one Indian family over time and distance and through personal turmoil and national conflict. The events in the characters’ personal lives mirror the historical context of the book.  Personal conflicts reflect the larger political conflict that India faced during the same time period and Lahiri juxtaposes the personal drama with the political and social turbulence of Indian and American society during the seventies.  It prods readers to examine their personal lives to find the key moments in their past that continues to affect them in the present. It also prompts the reader to consider how personal events are shaped by political events and the times in which they are lived.  The Lowland is a story of how our lives are shaped by our context, how history continues to shape the future, both on an individual and a societal level, and how personal history can continue to haunt one’s life because of the threads that tie the past to the present.

Code Name Verity

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Fiction

      I highly enjoyed this book because of the characters and most importantly, because of the ending. I feel that there are 5 things that I should cover so as a reader you are mentally prepared to fully embrace the amazingness of this book.

      The first thing is the plot. Code Name Verity takes place in England during World War 2 and is about two friends. One is a spy and the other is a pilot. We quickly learn that Verity, which is her code name, is a spy. While on a mission she is forced to abandon Maddie, the pilot, and is captured by the Gestapo when she looks the wrong way while crossing a street. Which leads to the second thing, the book is split into two parts. The first part is told by Verity and her narration is part of her confession to the Gestapo. Because I was not prepared for the switch between narrators, I was shocked because you become very attached to Verity and I didn’t feel that same attachment to Maddie the pilot, but both characters are very developed and enjoyable, it was just shocking at first. The third thing is almost the worst mistake I have ever made while reading a book. It is almost as bad as reading the last chapter, and that is I read the acknowledgements at the back of the book. It’s not really called the acknowledgements it’s really called the Author’s Debriefing, and in it a small thing is revealed which completely ruins the end of Verity’s narration and I really regret it. I believe that there was a very good chance that I could have cried if I hadn’t read the end. The fourth thing is the ending. At the end of the book either your heart will break and you will cry, or your mind will explode, or you will go into a coma similar to how I did and sit in the corner of your room hyperventilating. The plot is so carefully thought out, you don’t realize what is happening until everything is right in front of you, so it is very much like a puzzle, which is why I highly recommend reading the book several times, which is the fifth and final request. The first read should be solely for enjoyment, the second should be to notice the small details that you didn’t notice the first time. And then if you want, repeat Steps 1 and 2.   

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Fiction

                You couldn’t imagine a more unlikely pair than George and Lennie.  The book describes George as small, wary, and a thinker.  Lennie is the opposite.  Close to a giant in size, but resembling a child in his manner, Lennie relies heavily on George for help.  As laborers in California in the 1900s, this relationship is very unusual.  They stick together through hard times and together they dream of someday buying their own farm and “livin’ of the fatta the land.”

                Most of the workers are surprised by the bond George and Lennie have.  George risks his job many times to help Lennie and everyone knows that George would be better off without him. But if George were to leave Lennie, Lennie would be without a job and would eventually find his way into trouble. Lennie never means to hurt anyone, but because of his immense strength he can’t help it. It is George’s job to keep him safe, which is an example of the sacrifices families make for each other. 

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird  By Harper Lee

Fiction

I feel that I don’t have to summarize the plot of To Kill a Mockingbird because everyone knows it, but my obligation is stronger than the novel’s ubiquity. Scout, a seven year old girl and the narrator, provides an innocent and naïve view of what happens in her southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. One of the major events she observes involves the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been falsely accused of raping a white woman.  The evidence supports Tom’s case, but the jury of all white men vote to convict him. Later, prison guards shoot Tom seventeen times as he tries to escape. This fictional event has become infamous both because it was shocking, but also because it raises the question of whether the justice system is still biased. We Americans like to believe that our justice system treats all people equally, which is why what happens to Robinson is so shocking.  Furthermore, Robinson’s fate makes the reader wonder whether it is possible to achieve justice in a society with differences in power even today. People at the time the book was published believed that these differences were unfair, and they still do today, which is one of the reasons Harper Lee’s writing still resonates.

                Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird has echoed powerfully over the years because it addresses issues which transcend time. The book forces the reader to question the meaning of justice and the possibility of achieving it. Lee’s writing is timeless because the events that occur in her book are not restricted to a certain time period. The Tom Robinson case could happen today. Nearly 55 years after its publication, To Kill a Mockingbird still moves readers with its story of injustice and the loss of innocence.

Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray  By Ruta Septys

***** 5/5 stars   Historical Fiction

In  the summer of 1941, being arrested by the Soviet secret police is the furthest from Lina's mind. When it does happen, Lina and her family are dragged from their home and put to work in Siberia.  Her father is separated from the family.  Lina desperately tries to contact him in different ingeniuous ways. She also works to preserve a record so that people will know what happened and so it won't happen again. This is a book you will not easily forget.


            

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos  By R.L. La Fevers

***** 5/5 stars  Fantasy

Being the only one to sense the curses on some objects can cause you to be very busy. That is the situation Theodosia is in. Surrounded by cursed antiquities from her dad's museum, Theo has the privilege of de-cursing all the objects. When Theodosia's mom returns from Egypt with an amulet, the Heart of Egypt, Theodosia realizes that the amulet is under a curse so horrible that it will cause chaos to erupt onto the streets of London. To prevent mayhem, Theo will have to return the Heart of Egypt to its tomb in Egypt.  

The Book Thief

 The Book Thief   By Markus Zusak

***** 5/5 stars   Historical Fiction
At the beginning of WW II, Lisel is forced to live with foster parents. She also does not know how to read. As WW II progresses, Lisel discovers the power of words. She realizes that they can be used for good or evil.

Lisel reminds me of Katie from Kira-kira. Lisel is similar to Katie because she is very hopeful and she goes through a lot of hardship. Now that I think about it, Lisel also reminds me of Ling from Revolution is not a Dinner Party. Ling goes through hardship like Lisel and Katie. Both Lisel and Ling care a lot about others.

The Book Thief is sure to make an impact on your life.  At the very least, this book will make you see things differently.

Revolution is not a Dinner Party

Revolution is not a Dinner Party  By Ying Chang Compestine

***** 4/5 stars  Historical Fiction

The first sentence of this book is, "The summer of 1972, before I turned nine, danger began knocking on doors all over China." That sentence describes the whole book pretty well. Ling lives in China during the Cultural Revolution. The Revolution threatens Ling and her family's lives but they try to survive and avoid danger under the harsh rule of Chairman Mao.

            This book reminds me of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas , a story about a very naive boy growing up in World War II. Ling is very naive and isn't sure what is going on in parts of the book. This book also reminds me of North Korea. During the Cultural Revolution, China was very similar to North Korea in many ways.  They respected their leader in the same way, a lot of the people were starving, and the police could barge into someone's house at any time.

            Throughout this book, Ling overcomes challenges and hardships. She surprises the reader with strength that is unexpected in someone so small.

Yellow Star

Yellow Star  By Jennifer Roy

***** 5/5 stars  Nonfiction

This is a story about a Jewish girl, Syvia, during WWII. She lives in a ghetto in Lodz, Poland. Living in horrible conditions, Syvia, struggles throughout the war in the ghetto, waiting to be rescued and for the war to end. I normally don't like nonfiction, but this book was very intriguing and interesting. It was told in a sort of haunting way, so I couldn't put it down.

Summer Reading List

Summer Reading List

·        The Cabinet of Wonders  By Marie Rutkoski

Petra's  dad worked for the prince for a couple of years. When her dad came back, his eyes were gone. They were stolen by the prince. Determined to get her dad's eyes back, Petra embarks on a dangerous journey.

·        Heck, Where the Bad Kids Go  By Dale E. Baye

Heck is about two siblings named Marlo and Milton Fauster. After they were killed in a marshmallow explosion, they are sent to Heck. Heck is an underworld for bad kids. Willing to risk their lives (or spirits), the siblings will stop at nothing to get out.

·        Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer  By John Grisham

Theo Boone dreams of being a lawyer.His dream comes true when someone commits a crime. A perfect crime, leaving no evidence. Theo wants to prove that the accused is guilty, but the only witness is too scared to speak up.

·        Heart of a Samurai  By Margi Preus

This book is about a boy named Manjiro. Manjiro was raised in Japan where he was taught that outside of Japan, there are barbarians and monsters. One day Manjiro is stranded on a desert island with some friends. They are rescued by Americans, "barbarians". The farther Manjiro strays from his home, the more he discovers new places. No matter how fascinating the other places are, Manjiro still wishes to return home but Japan won't let foreigners in. Even if Manjiro makes it back, will he be greeted, or despised for associating with the "barbarians"?

Here are other books I think are good summer reads, but I already have reviewed them.

·        The Hunger Games  By Suzanne Collins (reviewed in February)

·        Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder  By Jo Nesbo (reviewed in January)

·        Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator  By Jennifer Allison(reviewed in January)

·        School of Fear  By Gitty Daneshvari (reviewed in January)

Amelia's War

Amelia's War  By Ann Rinaldi

*** 3/5 stars Historical Fiction

This book is mediocre. It is about a girl named Amelia. Amelia lives in Maryland during the Civil War. Many people in Amelia's town are changing to help the war.  For example, Amelia's brother ran away to fight in the war. Also, Amelia's mom works at the hospital to help the wounded. Amelia wants to help as well, although it is very hard for her to help. It was well written and interesting, but it was also slow-moving and tedious at places.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts  By Gennifer Chokdenko

**** 5/5 stars  Historical Fiction

This book was very interesting. It is about a boy named Matthew "Moose" Flanagan. Moose lives on Alcatraz Island because his dad was offered a job there.  Moose gets involved in a series of events some involving Piper Williams, the warden's daughter and his sister Natalie, who isn't right in the head. Moose really wants to live a normal life away from Alcatraz and everything else on it, but Alcatraz is far from normal.

Punch with Judy

Punch with Judy   By Avi

**** 4/5 stars  Historical Fiction

I don't normally like historical fiction but this book was very good.  A man called Joe McSneed finds a boy dancing on a street corner for money and several men are laughing. Mr.McSneed owns a performing troop and he wants the boy to be on it. The boy accepts and Mr.McSneed names him Punch. Later Mr.McSneed dies and leaves his daughter Judy in charge. The troop learns that the police is after them and they flee to Yorktown so they won't be caught. I stayed up until midnight to finish this book it was so interesting.