Free Write 4/20/12 - What it Takes to be a Hero

I've always imagined a hero as someone with a cape and inhuman abilities, like flying. But I think that all heroes have similar traits, and to be a hero, you do not have to look like one. In my imagination, heroes are not cowardly. They are willing to do the right thing even though it's hard. Heroes have compassion, and care for those in need. Heroes are good leaders and they're very intelligent. An example of a hero is Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus does the right thing even though it's hard, by helping Tom Robinson even though he would be frowned upon. This action makes Atticus a true hero. There are many heroes in real life, like Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King stood up for black people because it was the right thing to do. Yes, there are many people that do not like Martin Luther King for this reason, but it was still the right thing for him to do.

Post #1: The Hunger Games

I am currently reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is the first book in the Hunger Games series. Katniss Everdeen is a strong, stubborn, and caring citizen of District 12 in the country of Panem. She lives with her sister Primrose and her mother. At age eleven, Katniss' father died. Since then, she has been the leader of her family, and has taken care of her sister and her mother. Now she has trouble awaiting her. Primrose was drawn to be tribute of the Hunger Games tradition. The Hunger Games is an event in which two tributes, a boy and a girl, are chosen to represent their district in a battle against each other in the Capitol of Panem. Only one tribute out of all twenty-four tributes survive this challenge to fight for their lives. Will Katniss volunteer as a tribute so her younger sister, Primrose does not have to risk her life?

To Kill a Mockingbird: Character Trait

I believe that Atticus does what is necessary, and what he thinks is right for him, his children, and others.
Scenarios:
1. When Atticus shoots the dog to protect the people that he loves.
2. Defending Tom Robinson, even though he doesn't have to.
3. Making Scout go to school. Many people besides Atticus could think this to be right, but Atticus still believes that sending Scout to school was the right thing for her.
Atticus starts having this trait from the beginning of the story, but he uses this trait more frequently as the story goes on. He becomes better at using this trait as the story goes on.

Post #1: The Maze Runner

Currently I am reading The Maze Runner by James Dashner. At the beginning, this book was kind of boring and introducing you into the characters and what Glade, where the gladers live, is like.

Thomas wakes up in a metal elevator and all that he remembers is his name and has a general idea of what the world is like. He is pulled out by the leader of the gladers, Alby, and is introduced to this new world called Glade. I imagine Glade as a large circle with a few buildings that contain a cafeteria, restrooms, and a place for the gladers to stay. Glade is surrounded by a large maze that opens at a certain time every morning and closes at a certain time every night. During the night, the walls change in the maze and monsters that are called Grievers come out in the maze at night. If you are a maze runner, some one who runs in the maze everyday to find their way out of Glade, then you where a watch that tells how much time you have until the maze doors will close. No one that has been trapped in the maze for the night has ever made it out alive. The Grievers can sting you and make you go through a process called the changing where you remember some things form your past life. After Thomas's first day, the next day all the gladers are alerted that new glader has come. Not only is it rare that this glader came within the same week as Thomas, but she was a girl. Thomas feels a connection to this girl that he never thought he would feel. Thomas somewhat recognizes her form his past life. Thomas nowhas a sudden urge to become a maze runner.

Post #1: Shiver

I have just started reading a book called Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater. This book is somewhat similar to the Twilight series. However, this book is just about the relationship between a wolf, and a girl named Grace. Grace is just an ordinary teenager who has a special relationship with a wolf named Sam. I have not read enough to tell more about this book.

The Help: Post #5, Letter

The Help is a story that explains what life was like for black and white women and men in Jackson, Mississippi. I am writing a letter from one of the main characters, Skeeter, to one of the African American maids in the book, Constantine.

                                                                                                                                                
Dear Constantine,

Where are you? My mother won't tell me why you're gone, and my father won't either. No one has given me an address to write you letters, and find where you are. I miss you Constantine. Why did you have to leave? Why didn't you tell me where you were going? If you were here, you would be so proud of me. I got a job at the Jackson Journal, and I write Miss Myrna's cleaning articles! The issue with this job is that I don't know anything about cleaning. Right before my articles are due, I got o Miss Elizabeth's house and ask her maid Aibilene the answers to the letters that are sent to Miss Myrna. If you were here, I would have asked you to help me. I don't know our maid very well, and it is uncomfortable to talk to her like I used to talk to you. Mother is getting on my nerves. She is not supportive of my decisions, and she is constantly yelling at me about something. I miss the way things were when you were still here. I hope that you eventually get this letter, and I hope that you come back. I hope that you are doing well.

Sincerely,
Skeeter

The Help: Post #4 Connections

     The Help is a book that is easy to relate to because it explains some of the stories in Jackson, Mississippi in 1967. This book relates to the laws in that time period. This story is based on how the author, Kathryn Stockett, was raised as a child, and her story of becoming a writer. This book relates to many other books that are about African American rights. It is hard to relate this book to today's world because the society in Jackson Mississippi was way different in 1967. Now, everyone is respectful to others in our country no matter what their race is.