A Book Written With Pure Excellence: Flags of Our Fathers

Flags of Our Fathers (2001)                                 

James Bradley with Ron Powers

Non-Fiction

4.5/5 stars

Warning: Very Realistic of WWII

     James Bradley is the son of Jack Bradley, one of the 6 men that raised the flag at Iwo Jima. About 60 years after the war, James Bradley travels to Iwo Jima then tells the story of his father and their victory there at Iwo Jima. Not only does it tell what happens during the event pictured at the US Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, but it also tells about the events leading up to and after in a "behind the scenes" way that you can only get from a source such as James Bradley. This is a very intresting and emotional book which tells the tragic story perfectly.

      There are so many great things that can be learned from this book but throughout all of it there was one main idea that I found. It is that 1 person or little group really can make a difference. Despite the battle and war that was going on, when the entire American nation saw the picture of the flag being raised it gave them all a sense of hope. It changed the entire outlook of the people just through 6 men's efforts to raise a flag and fight for what they stand for.

     Flags of Our Fathers was written by James Bradley and it is the story told through his eyes. It starts with a first-person point of view and it tells his part of the story. The book then shifts to a third-person limited point of view and stays there for a big portion of the book. It tell the story of Iwo Jima as it happend. It is very precise and thorough. The book the switches back to first-person at the end at finishes up by James telling what happened with him at the end of the war and later on. It all works very nicely and fits together to make a great book.

     This book is kind of advanced. The reading itsself is not all that hard, but the subject and everything that goes on is definitely not for young kids. I would say its written mostly for highschool students and young adults to read but it also works greatly for older readers or younger readers that are suitable and mature enough.

     I thought that Flags of Our Fathers was a great book. I would reccomend it to most people in highschool and older unless they really do not like war stories. I would especially reccomend it to anyone that is interested in WWII because it is very thorough and realistic. Booklist says about the book, "A riveting read that deals with every detail of the photograph--its composition, the biographies of the men, what heroism is, and the dubious blessings of fame." I find that statement to be very true and accurate about the book. The Inside Flap says "Few books ever have captured the complexity and furor of war and its aftermath as well as Flags of Our Fathers." They are completely right. Flags of Our Fathers is a very good book.

A Not that Great Book: Trash

                                       

Trash (2010)

Mulligan, Mike

Fiction

2/5 Stars

No Disclaimers

Raphael and Gardo live at a dumpsite called Behala. They've spent their entire lives making a living by finding stuff in the mountains of trash that cover Behala. The "best trash" consists of things like white plastic and metal. Then one day Raphael found something unexpected: a leather bag with an ID, a few photos, and a bunch of money. He thought it was his lucky day... until the cops showed up. The bag was part of a crime that the police were trying to solve. Raphael new it was really important so he went along hiding from the police and figuring out what it all was with the help of his friends.

   The boys in the story are trash boys. People don't really care about them but yet, they got involved in this crime and were able to do amazing things. It just shows that it doesn't matter what your background is, you set your own destiny and can do whatever you want to do if you work at it hard enough which is what I think the theme is.

   Trash is written in kindof an unusual style but it works out alright. It's written in first-person point of view but not completely normal first-person. Each character in the book will tell their version of a part or what they're doing at the same time in a different chapter. So there is usually a different narrator for each chapter. It's pretty good because it shows all of the points and everything thats going on.

   I think that this book was written for middle school age readers because thats about how hard of a level it is and they can relate because they are the same age as the boys.

   I read this book because I thought the cover looked kind of cool and that the name just sounded pretty sweet. But I was wrong. I did not really enjoy the book. It took a while for me to get into it and I just didn't find it all that interesting. School Library Journal says about the book, “Trash is a compelling read. The action is riveting and the secret codes throughout will appeal mystery fans.” I don't really agree with that, I didn't find the book really all that compelling or appealing but there were a few good parts. Publishers Weeklly says about Trash, “This gripping book engages readers both as an adventure and as a social justice story. Readers will be satisfied by the cinematic conclusion and the noble decision the heroes make.” Although they say good things, I didn't really enjoy the style or just the book in general.

     

     

One of My Favorite Books: Milkweed

Milkweed (2003)

Spinelli, Jerry

Historical Fiction

5/5 Stars

Warning: Really shows how the holocaust was

There's a boy. He's an orphan. Nobody knows him. He doesn't even know who he is. Nobody cares about him. He steals and runs. That how he lives every day and thats how the story starts. The little orphan boy is running in Warsaw, Poland with a stolen loaf of bread when he runs into Uri. A red-headed boy that's also an orphan. Uri takes the boy to live with him in the basement of an old abandoned barbar shop. Thats how the boy becomes who he is today; Misha Pilsuduski. Uri made up an entire history for the boy and he suddenly becomes Misha Pilsuduski; a 9 year old gypsy. As the Jackboots (Nazis) come into Warsaw, all of the Jews are prosecuted. Misha and all of the other orphans, along with the Jews, are all forced to live in the Ghetto. It's a fight to survive for everyone.

     When everyone one is forced to live in the Ghetto, living conditions are harsh for everyone. There is not enough food and people starve everyday. While they live in the Ghetto, Misha sneaks out every night to steal food. Not only is he endangering his life, but then he also shares the food with people. They could have easily starved to death if it wasn't for him. It shows that one person really can make a difference and that helping others is always a good thing.

     Milkweed, is in the first-person perspective and is told by Misha when he is an old retired man. It is told really good and I think that by being in that perspective it is very detailed and realistic.

     This book has some mature stuff in it but isn't a very hard read. I think it's intended to be read by middle and high school age readers but it could be read by anyone older too because it is a great book.

     I first read this book in 6th grade and have read it many times since then. I would reccomend it to anyone that is able to read it because it is one of my favorite book. School Library Journal says about Milkweed, "This historical novel can be appreciated both by readers with previous knowledge of the Holocaust and by those who share Misha's innocence and will discover the horrors of this period in history along with him." It really is a very informatic realistic story and I love it. Amazon.com Review says, "Spinelli has written a powerfully moving story of survival--readers will love Misha the dreamer..." Milkweed, is a great book.

An Exciting Book: Sasquatch

Sasquatch (1998)

Smith, Roland

Fiction

3/5 Stars

No disclaimers

     Dylan Hickock's dad, Bill, has always been a little strange. He goes on these sprees where he is really into something for a while and then just drop it completely. When Dylan's mom goes to Egypt for 5 months, Bill goes on a weekend hunting trip with some friends. When he comes back, Dylan notices that he is really into cryptids especially Sasquatch. Bill then tell Dylan that he had seen what he thought to be was Sasquatch when he was hunting on Mt. Saint Helens. Dylan and his dad go and join a group that is into Sasquatch and wants to catch him. They learn about an expedition to go and catch Sasquatch and are totally against it. They set out on their own to try and stop them from capturing Sasquatch but have to hurry because Mt Saint Helens is supposed to erupt any day. They meet an old man that lives up there and helps them with their very exciting quest.

     The group of men trying to catch Sasquatch were just doing it for money. They didn't care at all about the animal its self. Dylan and his dad were trying to stop them because they wanted to help the Sasquatch live because it deserved to. It just shows that you should do whats right even if there's nothing in it for you which is what I think the main theme in the book is.

     Sasquatch is written in a third-person objective perspective. It fits for the story line most excellently. I think it's probably the best perspective for the book because of the two different groups trying to find Sasquatch. Both of the groups are doing their own seperate thing so third-person objective can do that very effectively.

     This book is kind of an easy read but not super easy at the same time. I would say it is written mostly aimed towards high elementary school and middle school age readers. I think that it is written mostly for boys just because its more of a subject that they would like but girl could enjoy it too.

     I read this book because I thought the cover looked cool and the name Sasquatch just seemed really awesome to me. I was right! It was definitely a good book. Would I reccomend it? Yes, I would reccomend it to anyone interested in cryptids especially Sasquatch. I would also recommend it to middle school age readers because that is who I think it is intended for. School Library Journal says about the book, "With an exciting climax set amid a Mount Saint-Helens eruption, this fast-moving, suspenseful story provides lots of action and appeal." That statement is very true and I agree with it completely. Childrens Literature said about it, "Reading this novel felt like spending six days packing for a three-day vacation." I find that to be not true at all. I got into this book quickly and it was pretty good overall.



A Most Excellent Series: Captain Underpants

The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997)

Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (1999)

Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space (1999) 

Pilkey, Dav

Fiction

7/5

Warning: Super Awesome

     It all starts with a couple of 4th grade boys playing a bunch of jokes on everyone in their school. Of course their principal, Mr. Krupp, gets angry and gets them in trouble. George and Harold, the two boys, then get a hypnotizing ring and hypnotize Mr. Krupp and tell him to become Captain Underpants and save the town. Of course the mess up while unhypnotizing him and so he then becomes Captain Underpants whenever a specific thing happens...

     Throughout the course of the year George and Harold keep getting into more and more trouble and they cause so many problems. Like in Book 2 where they break into the school and use some kids science fair project to create tons of Talking Toilets. But of course Captain Underpants is there to save the day! Then in Book 3 when the alien cafeteria ladies from outerspace try to take over the school by turning all the kids into zombies. Also in Book 3, an evil scientist builds giant robots that are trying to take over the world. Captain Underpants basically saves the entire planet. He is Captain Underpants though..its easy for him! "Faster than a speeding wasteband, more powerful than boxer shorts.." Captain Underpants can do it all!

     There is so much to learn from this series. They are great books with tons of meaning! One of the biggest themes in the books for me personally is that one person really can make a difference. Captain Underpants saved the school, town, and on one occasion, when he defeated Dr. Diaper, he saved the world. He changed the world for everyone and he is just one person.

     Captain Underpants is a super hero, and where do most super hero book come from? Comic books! Well so does Captain Underpants. He comes from a comic type fiction book. The books have lots of pictures that illustrate whats going on really great. The writing style is very good too though. Although its really descriptive, it is super easy to understand and is written how 4th graders would talk. All in all, the books were written and thought out very good.

     I've read these books before and I've liked them every single time that I've read them. They're funny easy reads and are just great to read. I would say that everyone over the age of 7 can read them. I think though, they are intended for elementary school boys just because of the style they are written in and the difficulty level. The Captain Underpants series are all really fun books which is why they fit really good with elementary school age kids.

     Like I said before, I've read these books before and I still love them. I would reccomend them to anyone and everyone that can read them that has a sense of fun and humor. They are really fun books and I think that most people would enjoy them. Library Journal says about the books, "Whether first-time readers of this series or avid fans, children will enjoy this outrageously funny adventure." I find this statement to be completely true. Publishers Weekly says about the characters in the books, "Bart Simpson could learn a few things from the subversively hilarious Harold and George". I agree with that completely. Harold and George are hysterical. These truly are great books.

    

     

An Alright Book: Why I Fight

                      Why I Fight (2009)
                      Oaks, J. Adams
                      Fiction - based off a true story
                   
                      3/5
                      Some language and drug/alcohol use

Why I Fight is about a teenager with a bunch of problems. Wyatt is 12 ½ years old at the beginning of the story, and something has happened at home. It lets us know that his parents haven't been the best parents ever and that their relationship with Wyatt isn't all that good.

     In the beginning of the book Wyatt's uncle Spade picks him up, and he spends the next several years with Spade, who “buys and sells things.” He has a woman in every city, so Spade and Wyatt spend time in each of these towns and these women are like moms for Wyatt. Spade doesn’t talk much. I wouldn’t say he and Wyatt have a real relationship. It seems as though they just survive. When Spade figures out that Wyatt is big and strong and can defend himself, Spade decides that Wyatt should train to be a fighter. Not a boxer that wears gloves and mouth protection, but a street fighter who makes money from the fights. Wyatt becomes very a successful fighter, and he and Spade make a lot of money. Things then fall apart with Wyatt and Spade and big changes are made in Wyatt’s life.

     There are many themes in this book but I think that one of the main themes is that we are all faced with problems and challenges and that there is always someone that can help us through them. This was shown many times in the book: first when Wyatt is have troubles with his parents he goes to live with Spade. It is also shown when Wyatt becomes really good friends with some of Spade's lady friends and they become almost like his mom.

     Why I Fight is written in the third-person omniscent perspective which works really good for the book. It is a very realistic descriptive book and the third-person omniscent perspective works great because it shows what everyone is thinking and doing. It really shows you what its like to live the life of a traveler and a fighter. I think it is really cool.

     I would say that the intended audience is definitely teenage boys. I think that is the main audience because its about stuff that teenage boys like doing. It can also relate to many things in real life so that is why I'd say its aimed towards teenage boys.

     I first started reading Why I Fight because I saw the cover and the title and it just seemed cool to me. I would reccomend this book mostly to guys just because I think they would like whats in it the most. It is pretty well written but can take a while to get into. The Chicago Public Library says about the book, "It made me feel as if I was actually in the book." which I totally agree with. It is very descriptive. Booklist says about Why I Fight, "Oaks’ first novel is a breathtaking debut with an unforgettable protagonist, a boy who may claim he hates the word love but is nonetheless desperately in search of it and of himself." I think that that sentence basically sums up the whole book. It was a very well thought out book.

A Most Excellent Book: Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee (1990)

Spinelli, Jerry

Fiction

First born as Jeffery Magee, Maniac Magee is a young orphan boy that has no real home of his own. He becomes friends with everyone and lives in many different places all the while doing incredible feats that are a amazing to all. He becomes a legend just by being himself.

As Maniac goes throughout his very interesting and awesome life he shows that you don't need to be afraid but that you can conquer your fears. He also shows how everyone can be friends.

Maniac Magee is a casual novel that is very realistic and shows what it was like when everything was segregated. It is very descriptive and shows the littlest details that most people would skip over. It is written in a third-person limited point of view which works with the book very good. The narrator is outside of the book and tell everything that is going on but also tells some of Maniac's thoughts.

Maniac Magee is a intended for middle to upper elementary school readers but is also very appealing to older readers. It is pretty easy to understand and very good which is why it fits for all ages. Some racial slurs are used but nothing thats that big of a deal which is why it is compatible with most people.

I first read this book 5 or 6 years ago and have read it many times since then. I enjoy it very much and would reccomend it to most people.

Maniac Magee is a Newberry Medal winner and Booklist says about the book, "Writing that bursts with creativity, enthusiasm, and hope for the future; in short it's a celebration of life." Common Sense Media says about the book, "this exciting and moving story, brilliantly told, has something for everyone." I would reccomend this book to anyone that wants a great easy read.