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What's News at HSA-Waco, according to the 9th Grade Journalism Class

Archive for the category “Book Review”

26 Apr 2012

Book Review: Hate List

“I didn’t mean for anyone to die.” Hate List is a novel written by Jennifer Brown. Hate List starts out as being all about a school shooting, but as you delve into the heart breaking story, you realize that it’s about more than that.

Desiree’s Perspective:

I really enjoyed this book. It showed how much bullying can affect people. It displayed how far someone will go before they reach their breaking point. It pointed out how just a small joke, not even a joke that really had no meaning can turn into something so tragic and dreadful. I think this book somehow related to me and not only me, I think it would relate to a lot of teenagers out there. I recommend this book to everyone because the story is very inspirational and relatable.

Kaytlynn’s perspective:

Just because Hate List is about a school shooting, that isn’t all that’s to it. It’s about finding your own path in life, learning just how much stress you can handle. It’s about being your own person, having your own thoughts. Hate List is about something tragic and putting your life back together after you’ve hit rock bottom. As you go through the journey with Valerie, we learn that everyone has struggles and that we aren’t alone. This book is a heartwarming story about love, loss, and survival. If you’re interested in a realistic story, this is a book that I would recommend this book for children over 12 and adults.

Both perspectives:

The main character, Valerie, suffers through depression, guilt, loneliness and betrayal; all things that most teenagers struggle with.

Hate List is an exciting book that will draw you into the story. Just be prepared to experience drama. Kudos to Jennifer Brown on an amazing novel.

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20 Mar 2012

Novel vs. Movie: Twilight

November 21, 2008. Thousands of obnoxious fans all over the United States impatiently wait to see what will soon become the best selling movie of the year: Twilight. Twilight the movie was based on the paranormal teen romance novel Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.

In our opinion, the novel was superior to the movie. The movie was horrid because it lacked crucial details and was missing the charming effect of Bella’s and Edward’s unlikely romance. If you are interested in enjoying the immortal bond, we recommend that you read the novel first.

We interviewed a couple of fellow students here at HSA. We interviewed Leslie of 6A and Lacy Mickles of 9A regarding their opinion. When asked which they preferred, both girls answered the movie because it contained a lot of emotion and you didn’t have to picture the scene yourself. When we asked Lacy about her favorite part of the novel, she responded “when Bella first realizes that she loves Edward and compares their relationship of that between a lion and a lamb.” We asked Leslie what her favorite part of the movie was and she responded with “when Edward saved Bella before the van could crush her.” We thanked them both and moved back to the classroom.

Though the story was incredibly romantic and the majority of us liked the movie, we preferred the book. We thank both Hollywood and Stephanie Meyer for giving us a timeless love story.

—Kaytlynn, Desiree, and Katherin

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06 Mar 2012

Book Review: ‘Salem’s Lot by Garrett

‘Salem’s Lot is about a small town in Maine called Jerusalem’s Lot that gets taken over by vampires. Now you may be thinking that these are vampires like in other books where they can go out in the day. Well they’re not; these vampires are forced into their hiding places till the sun goes down.

This is one of my favorite Stephen King books. Also if you read this book you have to remember the names of characters or else you will be really confused later on in the book.

I recommend this book to people who have not read Stephen King book before. I also recommend this book to people who like horror or don’t mind gore. I advise that if you this you should be in at least high school because of its mature content. I personally give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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21 Feb 2012
1 Comment

Book Review: Remember Me

Remember Me by Christopher Pike

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to die and come back as a ghost? No, you haven’t? Well neither did I until I read Remember Me by Christopher Pike. I just enjoy his form of writing so much. Almost every single one of the pages on that book catches my attention in some way.

After reading it I felt spiritually enlightened due to the fact that the main character, Shari, starts out as a spoiled teenage girl but after having died and come back as a ghost she learns not to take not to takes things for granted. I think that is a lesson that we should all learn. Shari’s story has inspired me to inspire others especially those who feel they have no reason to continue living because nobody cares.

People might find themselves at the edge of their seats eager to read more of this book. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I have ever read and yes I do recommend it.

—Katherin

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27 Jan 2012
2 Comments

Book Review: Memoirs of a Geisha

Read this book!

What does it mean to be a geisha? Do you know? You might find yourself asking this question while reading the book Memoirs of a Geisha, I know I did. Before I read the book my view of life as a geisha was entertaining men and looking pretty. I understand now that I was very wrong. This book is like a guide to the world of a geisha; it shows both the good parts and the bad. Being a geisha is like being an artist; in this case they’re dance artists.

In the book the main character is a girl whose name was Chiyo but her name changes to Sayuri. After being sold into slavery and disgracing herself, Sayuri falls in love with the devastatingly handsome Chairman. To her dismay, she is forced to show fake interest in the unsightly Nobu instead. Sayuri’s life takes an unexpected turn as war break out and she is forced to leave the life she is used to into a life of labor.

After war subsides and Sayuri becomes a geisha again she finally finds her true place in the world. I would recommend this book to all of the people who think life as a geisha is extravagant and easy.

—Katherin

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20 Jan 2012
1 Comment

Book Review: The Other Boleyn Girl

Last week I read The Other Boleyn Girl. I found this book to be extremely intriguing especially since the characters are real historical people. I honestly thought the main character Mary was a bit dull at first but after really reading the book and understanding what was going on I finally saw her as not dull but quite interesting. Mary’s sister Anne is the one that truly brought some flavor into the whole story; I felt without her the story’s plot wouldn’t be complete. Another important character is King Henry. He wasn’t my favorite or my least favorite character but he was still very interesting to read about, he brought so much cheer into the story. I would recommend this book for mainly the people that like historical fiction but also for people that like drama and passion. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

—Katherin

Katherin and a new favorite read.

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19 Jan 2012

Book Review: Heaven by Angela Johnson

I have recently read the book Heaven. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction as much as I do. Heaven is about a girl named Marley who discovers a secret that her parents have been keeping from her for the fourteen years of her life. Marley’s Uncle Jack, whom she has been writing letters to since she could write, travels from place to place with his dog Boy, so she doesn’t remember him; after her parents tell her the secret she sees herself and her family very differently.

–Victoria

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