Divergent by Veronica Roth

       
        Divergent by Veronica Roth is an amazingly written book, that no words can explain the goodness of this book/series. Divergent traps you inside and doesn't let go until you finish the whole series in less than a week. I did however, experienced some emotional feeling but that's what made the book sooo good. I don't think I've read something soo good like this, not even the Hunger Games(in my opinion.)

        Tris,is a sixteen year old girl.In her future world, society is divided into 5 factions to keep the peace. At age of 16, aptitude test is required to determine which faction you fit in.
                                                                The factions are:
Abnegation- the selfless, they give and care. Also help the factionless (the ones who don't fit in a faction) their in charge of the city.
Candor- the honest, they like orders
Erudite- the smart, without them, their world would not exist, their scientist, doctors,etc...
Amity- the peaceful, their happy all the time
Dauntless- the brave, or the crazy ones, they protect the city
        In Tris aptitude test, she gets 3 instead of 1. These results are rare but they call it Divergent. She gets abnegation, erudite, and dauntless. Its dangerous and she can die any time, people are scared of divergent because they cannot be controlled. At Tris choosing ceremony she picks dauntless. She admires them,"they are free", and that's what she wants to be,free. At dauntless headquarters, she meets four/Tobias. They get in love and she learns that picking dauntless could have been a mistake. They can find out about her, it's difficult to hide, specially in their fear landscape( facing their fears.)
        Tris is mentally brave and physically. She's small, but she's brave. In the book,Roth wants the reader to understand that being small doesn't matter. She wants the reader to learn that everyone is brave, facing your fears makes you brave, not just physical but mentally. Bravery isn't winning a fight, but facing it. For example, when Peter and Tris had to fight each other in training. Peter knocked her off but, she didn't care.Then Eric cut her off and she was factionless, but she didn't accept it, she was going to be dauntless not matter what, and Eric seemed surprised. Another example, was when Al couldn't trow knifes, so Eric told him to stand in front of the target and, four will throw knifes at him. However, Tris said it was stupid and anybody could stand in front of the target and that wouldn't prove anything. Therefore, Tris was the one who stood in  front of the target. This showed bravery and selflessness too.
       This book is amazing and it's difficult to explain, because it has so many important parts and that's what makes the book so good, the way it's written. I feel as if Divergent series are the best books EVER. I enjoyed this book so much and after reading it I couldn't stop thinking of it.

Non-Fiction Blog Post

        As I was reading an Upfront article I came up to a very important issue that many workers have, and that is minimum wage. Many workers that work in fast food restaurants, or deliver newspaper, or either use a dirty mop to clean a drugstore are paid poorly. Debates have increased over the time calling "TIME FOR A RAISE."President Obama wants to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour. However, questions have been asked.

  Will it make it harder to find jobs?

      Will companies use less people due to the money they pay them?

        "Their hourly rate may go up, but their number of hours may come down, so it's not an overall increase." Due to this quote from the article it will make sense that company owners will reduce their amount of workers and hours worked. This will make it hard to find jobs. To change subject, this will increase the amount of jobless workers in the country.

        In this Upfront article debates have been shown throughout the article. Some people think it's better to increase the minimum wage and other people think it's a bad idea. It will cause people to be jobless. In my opinion I support the idea that it's better to have a raise. If you look at it many workers that get paid minimum wage, are teenagers. Their job is not permanent. Also paying someone $7.25 per hour can't led you to even, pay the rent or feed you. It's not fair and  they should raise the minimum wage to $10.10. Even thought it can make it harder for people to find jobs.    

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (literary essay)

     Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, is a well written story of young love. In the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare demonstrates the reader that love can conquer everything/all, even tragedy's. Young love in this story was a tragedy to Romeo and Juliet. However, love conquered everything even their future.
      In Romeo and Juliet, Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo who truly loves Mercutio takes revenge and kills Tybalt. " this gentleman, the prince's near ally, my very friend, hath got this mortal hurt In my behalf. My reputation stained with Tybalt's slander- Tybalt, that an hour hath been my cousin! O sweet Juliet, thy beauty hath made me effeminate and in my temper softened valor's steel." (Act3, scene 1, line 114-120) in this quote Romeo feels annoyed that Mercutio dies and he even says , I used to call you my friend my kinsman by marriage.  He even thinks about Juliet which he loves.
Another quote , "Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, and fire-eyed fury be my conduct now.- that late thou gravest me, for Mercutios's soul is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him." (Lines     127-134) in this quote Romeo speaks with revenge, Romeo also says either you or me have to go with Mercutio to heaven. In this quote, what Romeo cares for is Mercutio. He doesn't care who goes with him, even him, he loves Mercutio. In this scene, love conquers everything.
      In the Romeo and Juliet, Juliet drinks the from the vial where the tragedy happens. Juliet drinks the potion in order to be with Romeo. She doesn't want to marry Paris and wants to be with Romeo. Therefor her only destiny is to fake a death. This potion makes her sleep as if she was dead. "Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body Upon a rapier’s point. Stay, Tybalt, stay! Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here’s drink. I drink to thee." (Act 4, scene 3, lines 57-60) in this quote Juliet calls for Romeo and she drinks the potion for him. "Stay Romeo stay." She calls. Love conquers everything, Juliet drinks the potion to be with Romeo her love. She does this for love.
      At the end if the tragedy when Romeo and Juliet both rest in peace together, the Capulets and the Montague's break their hate. They both understand that enemies will not lead to any good even Paris the prince finds himself in the same condition. "This letter doth make good the friar’s word Their course of love, the tidings of her death. And here he writes that he did buy a poison Of a poor pothecary, and therewithal Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet. Where be these enemies Capulet! Montague! See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love! And I, for winking at your discords, too Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished." (Act 5, scene 3, lines 296-305) in this quote. Paris opens hi eyes to fin that Romeo and Juliet loved each other however, they couldn't be together because there enemies. Paris finds himself understanding that their love and death conquered everything. In another quote, " A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head. Go hence to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned, and some punishèd. For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo." (Act 5, scene 3, lines 316-321) Paris again repeats what he had said before, this couldn't have happened if  there was no separation between Montague's and Capulets 
      In this beautiful written tragedy of young love. Romeo and Juliet show the reader that no matter what,love can Conquer everything/all. These examples shown by the story demonstrate that even conflicts, separation, death, enemies, etc... Can be conquer by love. Shakespeare shows the reader what real love is. It was pleasure reading the book Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. 

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

        In the book"Dead is the New Black" by Marlene Perez, Daisy Giordano (the main character/protagonist) lives in Nightshade, with her mother and two older sisters. Rose and Poppy , her family is different from others because her sisters and her mother have Physic powers (telekinesis). However, she feels left out because she's the only one who doesn't.
Her mother uses her powers to solve crimes, when her mother needs huge help in a crime.Daisy wants to help however,she asks her older sister Rose that has "more knowledge" than her. She gets really pissed off and complains why she can't help. "Why can't I help?" The question burst out of me. "If she gets to, I'm helping, too," Poppy said. "I don't think so, Daisy." Mom shook her head firmly. In this quote she really wants to help however her mom deny's it. She feels left out and feels agitated by her lack of telekinesis.
          "I know you do, honey," Mom said." But I need Rose's help now." "You mean Rose's physic abilities."  In this quote from the book I noticed that she feels abandoned and hates the fact that Rose's get to help and not her. She thinks that her mother doesn't want her help because she has no powers and weak.
        Overall, I think that Daisy is going through a lot so far because her mom works long hours and doesn't have time for her. To add on, her father disappeared when she was small and she has no one to tell her feelings, she's having a rough time and feels annoyed.  

Literary Essay to Unenchanted by Chanda Hann

     As I was looking to my blog, I noticed that Unenchanted by Chanda Hann was not in a sophisticated way with themes and ideas/evidence. Indeed it was my first post. The protagonist Mina the main character is a unique girl. Mina is powerful, she is clumsy but she has power. I don't mean the kind of magical powers but power from your heart. If you want to do something you have to, have power to do it.  Mina is trapped in a curse. It was decades when her ancestors discovered a way to another plane. The fae plane. It's a plane unique from the earth. Her ancestors were curse, in order for the curse to destroyed each Grimm alive at the time period was to finish a quest. This quest included finishing fairy tales. To trap these fairy tales they need a special book the grimorie book. It was a unique book that trapped the fairy tales that each Grimm completed. Mina is a 15year old teenage high school student who lives with her mom and 8th year old brother. She is very clumsy, messy and lives on top of a Chinese restaurant and wears discounted vintage clothes. After her father died because of the curse her mother works long hours to fed them.
     As the story goes on Mina tries to end it with power. She is powerful to end the fairy tales and break the curse. Also if she doesn't end it she'll die. She is also using her best power to end the story because of her brother. If she doesn't finish it, her brother will be the next Grimm to trap in the curse. Mina wants to protect her family and the ones she loves and she has the power. For example she has finished 3 fairy tales and it's not easy for a teenager.
    Mina  also has a crush on a cute popular guy in school. Brody is perfection with blue eyes and curly blond hair. After saving his life from death and that's when the story begins her emotions are mixed up. She doesn't know if it's right to like him and specially with the curse going on. Brody asks Mina out however,Mina wants to, but the curse keeps her from it.She doesn't want to die and lead her brother to the curse. Mina says yes and goes to the dance with him in which is a tragic when she gets involve with the story. She gets kidnap and Brody saves her however, the story made him forget her and Mina's heart breaks when he doesn't even remember their first kiss. Mina still has enough power to end the story now. Not even losing her boyfriend will keep her from ending the curse.
   Overall, Mina has enough power to finish the story, this is also like fighting herself to hope. Mina Grimm is a powerful girl after losing her boyfriend. She wants the best for her brother and doesn't want him to get involve with the story. She is powerful enough to finish it and destroy it. Mina is a unique girl with power that wants the best for her family and finish the curse.
Link to my old post:http: //kerensbooks0723.blogspot.com/2013/09/unechanted-by-chanda-hann_12.html

Non-Fiction Blogpost

Are Public Cameras  a Good Idea???
as reading an upfront article, I came up to an issue with public cameras. In this article it was debated whether or not it was a good idea.
        Many people say that it's a good idea. For example in the Boston marathon, cameras helped find the criminals who used bombs illegally and almost killed everyone in the marathon. It was also said that it helps solve homicides. This is also true because, in news I've noticed that people who do illegal stuff like sexual abuse, steeling personal stuff, etc...where mostly caught by cameras. this can also help the community and investigate crimes much better.
         However, it can also be uncomfortable for some people that want privacy. Like a few years ago in the news, it was discovered that someone put cameras in women's public restrooms. That was CRAZY  and it's not safe for women specially if it's the bathroom... It is unsafe and that guy should be put to jail. Like seriously would you like cameras watching you when your in the bathroom???, NAH. Some people said that, "in some cases police officers can find an innocent people guilty." This is true because, what if someone robbed a store or something and they look through their cameras and at the exact same time an innocent person may pass by. The officers will start searching for that person which was probably innocent.
        In MY OPINION, there should be cameras like for real they do help solve crimes, homicides, etc... Its not like wherever you go there will be a camera. Only someone crazy would put a camera in a public bathroom. Cameras are important in our community, and can really help solve crimes. Public cameras are an excellent idea.

The Future of Us

    I recently finished reading "the future from us", and it's an amazing book. It's more like a typical teenage romance/mystery. Emma and her best friend Josh have been traveled to "Facebook"( in the future) they know nothing about this. As they learn more about themselves they find out they don't really like their future, and it changes everyday if a problem is caused. Emma doesn't know what to expect from herself and she wants answer. She doesn't know what Facebook is and think someone has been making a joke on her. Emma is a woman at that time period and her life in the future is a disaster. Josh in the other hand doesn't want his future changed. He loves it, specially marrying Sydney Mills the hottest chick in school, and having three kids. Emma and Josh get into fight whether or not hey love their futures.
    Emma hates her future. She has problems with love and her work in the future. Emma learned that changing a problem can change the future. She keeps doing that until, she satisfy with her future. However, it also affects Josh and Josh loves his. She doesn't know what to do.
    Josh loves his future soooo much. He gets to marry and have kids with the hottest chick in school. Sydney Mills. However, he's having problems with Emma. He doesn't want anything changed and he wouldn't risk it.
   At the end somehow they end up being together and dating. Josh had a huge crush on Emma since small. But they end up being a couple, in this case they don't care what their future has to say but for them to be together. They learn that changing the future or keeping it won't do any good and they end up together. I feel as if their problem was seeking for love to find the answer. And they found it and learned that the future doesn't matter but them being together.

Book Reviews

    As I came up to Tigerlily's blogs I noticed that she added a lot of voice tone in her blogs. She also added opinions on what she thinks and feels on the book. Tigerlily  not just adds her own opinions but connects on what she feels.
     The post that caught my eye most was on "Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson" In this post I noticed that she is referring her post to justice. Also the fact that she explains what she thinks justices is for example in this paragraph," Justice to me is some kind of closure. Kind of like an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. This saying means that if you take somebody’s eye or tooth, that person should have their eye or tooth taken out. In this case, if you kill somebody, that person should be killed. I think Justice is served by the murder of Booth. I think that justice was served not only for the President, but for the country. If Booth was still alive, people wouldn’t really have a sense that it is over. They wouldn’t have a reason for the death of the president, because that person who killed him was still alive. I also think that if Booth wasn’t not killed, us as Americans would not have closure." In this paragraph Tigerlily really REALLY wrote what she thought on justice. I also like the fact that she compares justice eye to eye and tooth to tooth. Like I don't compare what I think to other things. 
     Overall, Tigerlily's likes to connect with the author in many ways and she also likes to add her own opinions. I also like the way she not just compares but explains her comparisons in which I truly don't do that. 

Here's the link to Tigerlily's blog: http://tygerlilygagnon.blogspot.com