Blog Post Number Six - 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins - Eden's Story (Blog Post Number Five) REVISED

"When I am, God forgive me, I want to know what it means to give myself to him so completely. Want to know what it's like when it's absolutely right."

In the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, I think that Eden wants to try certain things out and go to a different side of humanity, because her mother and father are over protective and very religious so they won't let her date anyone who isn't going to be her future husband or isn't Christian. I also think that Eden wants to try out the other side of humanity because she has no teen girl experiences. Such as her first kiss, or her first boyfriend. Before she met Andrew, she would just live her"normal" boring life that she is sick and tired of. When she met Andrew, she became as bright as the sun, and she was always happy when she was around him. But she had to keep him a secret, away from her parents. But when her parents found out, they thought that she was possessed by demons and sent her to The Tears of Zion, to think about what she has done and to try and get the demons out of her.

One conflict that Eden faces is that her parents are extremely religious and won't let her go out and see the world. In the beginning of the book, Eden wonders about what other teen girls her age do (sixteen year old girls). She would like to think the way that they think. And have normal, teen experiences. But she knows that she can’t because of her parents.

"No, not at all. Andrew is pretty much perfect. Not gorgeous in a male model kind of way, but he is really cute, with crazy hair that sometimes hides his eyes, dark chocolate eyes that hold laughter, even when he's deadly serious.

... 

No, he's not even a little wrong for me except maybe - maybe! - in the eyes of God. But much, much worse than that, he's completely wrong for my parents."

I thought that Eden was really into Andrew and even she knows that she can't be with him because of her over protective parents. I think that her parents should at least let loose, just the slightest bit. Because what girl like her, isn't going to go behind their backs and try and get the guy anyways?

Another conflict that Eden faces is that she has to have a secret relationship with the man of her dreams - Andrew. Eden and Andrew's relationship has gotten VERY serious. They actually care and love about each other. And they never want to be apart. Andrew knows that Eden can't tell her parents about them, but that doesn't stop Andrew from telling his family! Eden doesn't mind and neither does Andrew's mother. In fact, she's glad that they're together. Eden wishes that her parents could be as flexible as Andrew's mother. But Eden knows that, that could never happen. I think that Eden and Andrew are really meant to be because, he is very protective of her and cares about her so much. And she is the same exact way about him.

"... I tense waiting for his response. It's swift. Oh God, Eden, I love you too. How did I ever live without you? It's like I was missing a huge part of me. ..."

I think that Andrew really meant what he said because he says it a lot in the book, before she got taken away. I also think that Eden and Andrew are the perfect couple because they take perfect care of each other. For example, when Eden's mother got very mad at Eden, and she called Andrew straight after, he came right away and asked her what was wrong. He took care of her. And I thought that was really sweet.

Another conflict that Eden faces is that her parents find out about her and Andrew's secret relationship and splits them up and puts her into an isolation camp, Tears of Zion, in order to get the "demons" out of her. Since Eden's parents don't approve of her relationship with Andrew, they send her to The Tears of Zion, where they send girls who disobey God. Eden's parents don't believe that she should be dating someone if they aren't to wind up becoming her husband. Especially is the boy isn't Christian! At the Tears of Zion, she is trying to break out. But in order to do that, she must sleep with one of the workers there, Jerome. Everyday, when the two see each other, he gives her a small gift such as food or shampoo. And after they sleep together, Eden scrubs it all off, to try and make it go away. But of course, it never does.

"... The second time takes longer, but when he's finally done, he says, I'll think about it. After he leaves, I lie in an aura of hope. Say a little prayer to Mary Magdalene."

I thought that Eden was very smart to come up with a plan like this. But it all must come with a price. Eden still must sleep with Jerome whether she likes it or not. It takes a while, but eventually, Eden escapes but with Jerome. But she must escape again. And thankfully she does. She travels to Vegas, in hope of reuniting with Andrew. Eden winds up going to a Teen Prostitute Helping Center that deals with other teens that have similar problems that Eden has faced in the story.

In Conclusion, in the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, I think that Eden wants to try certain things out and go to a different side of humanity, because her mother and father are over protective and very religious so they won't let her date anyone who isn't going to be her future husband or isn't Christian. In the beginning of the story, Eden is very curious and wants to have a boyfriend. And she eventually does. The two are madly in love. But when Eden's parents find out, the couple is separated and Eden is taken into a isolation camp in order to get rid of the "demons" inside of her. She eventually escapes the camp, in hope of reuniting with Andrew, but instead is taken into a Teen Prostitute Helping Center that deals with the different problems that she has faced in the story. I think that Eden has had her experiences, but with the wrong people - Jerome. I also think that if her parents hadn't found out about Andrew, Eden would have been much happier and the two would have lived happily ever after. But all good things must come to an end.

Blog Post Number Five - 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins; Eden's Story

In the book 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins,

There are five different characters; Eden, Seth, Whitney, Ginger and Cody. Out of the five, four are straight and one is gay. But as I'm reading this book, I'm also starting to think that another character might also be gay. But that might just be because she thinks that no one else loves her.

Eden's story is that, her father is a pastor and once at mass, she met a boy named Andrew. But Eden is only sixteen and Andrew is nineteen. But they wind up going out anyways. Eden's parents forbid her going out with anyone unless it is going to be her future husband (her parents are very religious). And if it's not going to be, she is sinning against God and going towards the path to the Devil. So Eden and Andrew secretly go out and meet up with each other. And they are in deep love with each other. But still, Eden cannot tell her parents, because if she does, then they'll shun her and think that she's possessed. But of course, all good stories must come to an end, because Eden's mother eventually finds out and sends her to "Tears of Zion", a place where they exorcise demons.

I think that the theme for Eden's story is that she feels trapped. Because Andrew really is the love of her life. And when he told her  the same, he wasn't joking - he was serious. He really meant it. I also think that Eden feels trapped because she can't tell her parents or else they'll freak out on her. And as she suspected, they did. But her mother on the most part. I think that even if Eden did tell her parents about Andrew, they wouldn't understand. Because they only believe that she must marry someone in order to "make love" and have children. I also think that they wouldn't even listen to Eden, even if she tried to explain, because they want her to marry a Christian and since Andrew isn't, they don't even want to hear her explanation.

Blog Post Number Four - 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury

"He smelled as all fathers should smell, of salt-sweat, tobacco, horse and boot leather, and the earth he walked upon."

In the short story 'The Drummer Boy of Shiloh' by Ray Bradbury, I think that the General is a good father figure because he convinces Joby that he plays an important part in the war. Before the General came, Joby would cry and hide where he couldn't get caught and wouldn't be found. Joby just wanted to get out of there and go home. But he couldn't. Because he had a role to play in the war. Because Joby IS, The Drummer Boy.

One conflict that Joby faces is that he has no weapons and he cannot protect himself. In the beginning of the book, Joby is very timid. For example, when a peach pit fell from the tree and landed on his drum, Joby woke startled from sleep and afraid of what might happen next. But when he realized that nobody and nothing was there, he tried to fall back asleep. But he couldn't. So he just started counting. Until he heard footsteps and whispering in the distance. The noises came from the passing soldiers. Joby couldn't exactly make out what they were saying, so he made up his own dialogue from their conversation instead,

"Me, I'm the one of all the rest who won't die. I'll get through it. I'll go home. The band will play. And I'll be there to hear it."
 

I thought that it was good for Joby and the soldiers to feel confident for themselves. Because they are in a war, and they might not survive it.

Another conflict that Joby faces is when the General finds Joby and starts talking to him. And making Joby start to think about his role in the war. Before Joby thought that he meant absolutely nothing to the war. And now the General is starting to persuade Joby into thinking that he is just as important as everyone else in this war.

"You, boy," said the general quietly. "You are the heart of the army."
 

 I thought that this was a very important quote in the story because it really shows how the General is a good father figure to Joby. By the General telling Joby how important he is, Joby sits p a little straighter and is much less tense than he was earlier in the story. I thought it was good for Joby to finally realize what he means to the war because he felt so unimportant that he shouldn't even be there. But now, he is starting to feel as proud as the soldiers were when they were recruited to the war. I couldn't believe that such simple words from the General could be so strong and symbolic to Joby. But I think that what the General said to Joby meant a lot to him because Joby is just a kid. And he doesn't know what to do, or how to fight for himself in this bloody war.



 

Another conflict that Joby faces is when the General leaves, and lets Joby think about his strong, symbolic words of hope, and wisdom. But as the General leaves, Joby knows what he must do. He knows how to play his part in the war now. And it's all thanks to the General. And his fatherly figure. I think that at that time, Joby thought of the General as his own father. Because when the General first met Joby, he put his hand on Joby's chest and told him that he was one of the good guys. And to not be afraid of him.

 

"He could only be, and was, the general. "What's your name, boy?" he asked.
"Joby, sir," whispered the boy, starting to sit up.
"All right, Joby,don't stir." A hand pressed his chest gently, and the boy relaxed..."

I thought that was an important part of the story, when the General and Joby first met. Because it shows what manners Joby has for the General. And how Joby first reacted to the General. It also shows how the General first reacted to Joby. But it's after the General speaks to Joby and leaves him is very symbolic,

 

"Joby lay therefor a moment staring, but unable to see where the man had gone. He swallowed. He wiped his eyes. He cleared his throat. He settled himself. Then, at last, very slowly and firmly he turned the drum so it faced up toward the sky."
 

I thought that was when Joby fully changed what he thought of himself in the war. Because in the beginning of the book, he was ashamed of being the drummer boy, and he would hide behind his drum for protection. But now, he is as proud as can be to be the drummer boy, and he sets it, so that it faces up toward the sky, with pride in his job.

 

In Conclusion, in the book 'The Drummer Boy' by Ray Bradbury, the General is a good father figure because he convinces Joby that he plays an important part in the war. But in the beginning of the story, before Joby met the General, Joby would hide from everything and everyone - anything to protect himself. Because he has no protection. All he has is his "drum and two sticks to beat it." But when the General finds Joby in the middle of the story, he makes Joby think about his job and the role that he plays in the war. And at the end of the story, Joby has finally made up his mind on what he wants to do. Joby is "the heart of the army." He is, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.

Blog Post Number Three - Identifying Theme

In the book 'Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy' by Ally Carter,

Cammie and her three best friends - Lex, Bex and Macey, are back from winter break and ready to start the new semester at The Gallagher Academy for Acceptional Young Women. But Cammie has come back to the school with a lot of weight still hanging on her shoulders, from last semester. With her breaking up with Josh and all. But she has to let that go. But when they get back, Cammie's mom - also known as the headmistress of the school - and Mr. Solomon - the HOT Cove-Ops teacher - are whispering about a Black Thorn or Blackthorne. The girls are extremely suspicious about it. Especially since it could mean that THERE COULD BE A SECERET SPY SCHOOL... FOR BOYS!!! But that's a one-in-a-million chance.

But of course, the girls try to crack the code and find out all of the information they can about Black Thorn or Blackthorn. They NEED to find out what the seceret is. And they know that it has to be important because Cammie's mom won't even tell her own daughter.

So the girls devise a plan - Cammie is going to spy on her mom, during their traditional Sunday dinner in HER OFFICE. When Cammie got into her mother's office, she wanted to back out of the plan because, her mother is/was a spy too!!! And Cammie obviously doesn't want to get caught. Especially by her own mother!

But boy does she find evidence! Not only did she find snot filled tissues in her moms trash, but she also found a picture of her dad and Mr. Solomon (when they were a bit younger), and Mr. Solomon's shirt said Blackthorn on it!!! And Mr. Solomon DID say that he went to a school just like The Gallagher Academy but it was for boys! So, THAT concludes what Blackthorne is - A SECERET SPY SCHOOL FOR BOYS!

I think that the theme for this part of the book is, snoopy and excided because the girls NEED and want to know everything and all they can about the Blackthorn Institute. So badly, that they make Cammie spy on her own mother. But I thoguht that it was good practice for them just in case they actually had to do something like that in the future.

Blog Post Number Two - What I Found Interesting

Amelia - ameliabedelia13.blogspot.com

I read Amelia's response, 'Make Lemonade' by Virginia Euwer Wolff. I thought that it was interesting how she told the summary of the book. Such as stating a lot about the main character - Verna LaVaughn. I also liked how she wrote how she felt about the book in the beginning, telling the reader about how depressing the beginning of the book was. And based on what I read about Amelia's response, I really want to go and read this book.

Helen A. - helenayee.blogspot.com

I also read Helen's response, 'Before We Were Free' by Julia Alverez. I also read this book over the summer. But after reading Helen's response on it, I thought about the book in a different way than I was when I read it over the summer. Just like Amelia's response, Helen told us about the main character - Anita de la Torre, and how she lived in the Dominican Reepublic in the 1960s during the dictatorship. But Helen also tells us about Anita's feelings. And how she has to stay strong, and try not to cry. That was probably my favorite part of the response because it really showed what Anita had to go through, and how tough it was for not only her, but also everyone else in her family and on the island.

Blog Post Number One - 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the book 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The year is 1922, and we are introduced to the main character and narrator, Nick Carraway. Nick just moved from Minnesota to New York so he can work in 'the Bond Business'. So now, he lives in a part of Long Island in West Egg. West Egg is where all of the new rich people live. And the people of West Egg don't know anyone outside of West Egg. I think that Nick isn't going to turn into a self-centered person like everyone else from West Egg. But only because he's not originally from New York.

Nick's house is right next door to Gatsby's mansion. Gatsby is known for hosting the most extravagant parties in his home. But no one knows who he really is, or even what he looks like. I think that it is both odd and interesting that Gatsby doesn't show himself at his parties because what host doesn't... HOST! But I'm also guessing that he doesn't show his face at his parties because everyone thinks that he is a murderer and a liar. So he just lets everyone gossip about him. Even though Nick and Gatsby meet, Nick doesn't really know who he is. Mind you, they live right next to each other. I think that it's funny that Nick doesn't realize that the richest man in West Egg lives right next door to him because Gatsby is a very important person. And not only because of his money, but because his is probably the most "popular" person in West Egg because of all of the gossip that goes on.

While Nick tries to settle into his new home, he is invited to tea with his cousin Daisy and her rude husband Tom. Daisy's close friend Jordan is also there. And Nick now has a slight crush on her. Nick tells Gatsby about tea later. But Gatsby tells Nick that he and Daisy knew eachother long before Tom came into the picture. And now he wants her back. I think that Nick and Jordan should go out because they're the only two left, and they seem really into eachother. Nick passes this information to Jordan - now they are starting to hang out together - and they are going to try to make Daisy and Gatsby run into eachother at tea later. Because not only does Gatsby have feelings for Daisy, but Daisy still feels the same about Gatsby. I also think that Daisy and Gatsby should get together because they're like long-lost lovers. I also think that they should go out because Daisy's husband Tom is very rude to everyone.

The plan is successful, and Gatsby and Daisy get back together and end up having an affair. All goes as planned, until Tom finally meets Gatsby and winds up hating his guts. Tom is also sensing something odd going on between Daisy and Gatsby, so he tries to get involved with the situation. I hope that Tom doesn't find out about Daisy and Gatsby's affair because they really love eachother unlike them. Tom FINALLY catches Daisy and Gatsby in the act. But she is unable to pick and choose who she wants to be with - Gatsby. Tom then takes her away from Gatsby and forbids her from seeing him ever again, without "supervision". I thought that it was funny how Tom found out about Daisy and Gatsby at the END of the book, instead of when the two first started because he's been "investigating" for such a long time. But does Daisy listen to Tom? OF COURSE NOT!

Later on, she and Gatsby go out for a drive, late at night. Daisy is driving, but she is dead drunk. So Daisy mistankenly runs over and kills Tom's lover, Myrtle. But Gatsby takes the blame for the accident instead of Daisy. I'm very proud of Daisy for standing up for herself because she chose the man of her dreams. And when Tom found out about THAT, he fed Gatsby to the wolves and told Myrtle's husband so that he could finnish Gatsby off. Tom and Daisy wind up leaving West Egg. And Nick and Jordan "break up". So the only one left in West Egg is Nick.

So Nick took care of the funeral, that nobody attended. Only Gatsby's dad, who arrived very late. Nick was also the only one who had to take care of all of Gatsby's things in his house. I thought that it was odd how everyone abandoned West Egg and just left Nick all alone to clean up everyone's mess. But I guess it was just all for the best.