Reading Reflection

Authors Note: I had absolutely no interest in righting this piece so it probably isn't very good.

When I was a kid life was boring.  It was dull and repetitive to me.  That is when I turned to fantasy books for entertainment.  They gave me something to think about during the day and dream about during the night.  Because of that I am still an avid fantasy/adventure reader today.  

In elementary school I started to develop book likes and dislikes.  This is the section of my life where I really turned toward fantasy and also read the occasional action/adventure book. Animorphs, Harry Potter, Alex Rider and Artemis Fowl all display that.

In 6th grade and Middle School I really defined my reading list with books that had almost exclusively fantasy and adventure in them.  Rangers Apprentice which is my all-time favorite series fits into this section of my life as well as brotherband and Inheritance.  I have also picked up a couple of dystopian books recently such as Enclave and Legend but for the most part I am still a fantasy lover.

As I looked at my reading history I realized that I really couldn’t conclude on what type of reader I am.  I still love fantasy and adventure but historical fiction has appealed to me as well as dystopian titles.  Basically, I love all books.

To Kill a Mockingbird (my last seventh grade piece

To Kill a Mockingbird is not a story about birds, or animal abuse. This novel is a book of knowledge and courage which both teaches and fixes people's view of life. Because even though the title is "To Kill a Mockingbird," it is just suitable to title it "To Kill Our Stubborn Misconceptions".

This novel is full of courage shown by Harper Lee. During her lifetime, there was a huge concept of racism going on in America. However, Harper Lee wrote To Kill a mockingbird, which is about racism in the society, to go against racism that is overwhelmingly real. To present her message her through her book to the society was a very dangerous action. However, this book touched people's deepest heart, and people's conscience and awakened them to the painful reality. Therefore, this novel is one of the finest classic American novels and is universally acclaimed, because of two reasons. (One)To Kill a Mockingbird educates the whole world about racism around the world, and the themes that teach knowledge about life.  (Two)It shows the need for love and compassion, and  helps bring a reality check to people who read it.
 
Harper Lee expresses the merciless global racism through her book. Not only are the colored people criticized from the whites but also the Radleys are part of the white society that was discriminated. The Radleys lived differently from the rest of the Maycomb people. However, just by living in a different style, the people believed that they were different human beings. Even Jeremy described Boo Radley as "[he] [is] about six-and-a- half feet tall, judging form his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that is why his hands were bloodstained."(P13) This is rather a description suitable for monsters than a human being. Just by a different life style, people create weird concepts about Radley.

Also, racism in Maycomb is very serious, they have different churches and different picnic areas. They consider "nigger-lover" as one of the abusive language, however, "nigger-lover" is used by "ignorant, trashy people"(p108) when they believe somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves."(P108) People who are jealous of people who love black people more than white people use this "ugly term to label somebody."(P108) Racism comes from different lifestyle, or different appearance. However, once this digs a gap between two societies, it builds up a great feeling of dislike between two societies. They just need to understand each other but by trying to keep their own egoistic minds, they create racism. If they can not understand each other, then everyone would have to live in jail alone. This is why racism is a foolish idea. Once whites believe that blacks are lower than they are, this is the same as approving themselves that they are equal to the blacks. This is because if people get insulted and respond back to the name "nigger-lover", "it just shows how poor that person is."(P108) This is just the same as when Jem and Scout fights, although Scout loses, she believes Jem and she is equal because "Jem is fighting Scout back."(P138) As Atticus agrees that he is a nigger-lover, and this is because "he want to do his best to love everybody"(p108); it is important to love everybody in order to understand each other.

There are two main universal themes in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Courage and maturity are the two main universal themes, which teaches people about life. There is courage in almost every single character in this novel. First of all Harper Lee has the courage to write this book, and publish it. The children in this book, Jem, Scout and Dill learn real courage in their childhood. They are almost forced to face the reality at young age and understand it. It must be very hard and painful for younger children, who are filled with innocence in their heart, to understand the reality of unfairness. However, they did see it through people living in Maycomb and watching the trial. Jem is able to conquer his fear of Mrs. Dubose when he was able to apologize to her. Scout has the courage to run to her father when people were trying to harm Atticus. Atticus has courage to stand for what he believes even though the whole community believes it was wrong. This idea not only provides courage to readers but also teaches them how to stand out in front of the society although the whole society hates it. This idea is what people really need in order to break the idea of racism. Also the second main theme, which is maturity shows great change and achievements in one's life. Scout in the beginning is a young innocent child. However, as she experiences different situations and faces the reality, she gains the knowledge about life. Her understanding allows her to grow. She knows the difference between reality and fantasy. She started to look at things differently and able to decide which one is right and which one is wrong. At the end of this novel, Scout believes that "Jem and [Scout] would get grown but there was not much else left for us to learn."(P279) This is because she has seen the reality of the world and she is enlightened that most people are really nice when one finally sees them."(P281) She finally found out that people are more the same than different.

Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is enriched with knowledge about life such as racism and universal themes. This book emphasizes how human beings are all the same inside their heart. With her unique format of writing style, Harper Lee inserted many witty remarks in her novel. Her book is easy to follow and it grabs readers' attention through connecting short stories and create a whole piece. Although it is made up of short stories they are all connected and very clear. She added on universal themes which people know but do not take it by heart. She knows that in this universe there are connections in every aspect, and no matter what, human beings are human beings. There is no greater person or no lower person. They are all equal and they are actually all very kind deep inside their heart. Therefore, understanding is the most important wisdom in order to live. This knowledge is needed for teenagers, adults, and people all over the world. Therefore, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the finest classic American novels and a story of universal need

Skiing descriptive essay

The morning air brought chills across the land. Trees shook and snow flurried about the ground creating the mountain smog. The cold metal of the chair lift endured the morning breeze comfortably, while the two on it sat silently tucking themselves away from the frigid air. Puffs of clouds rose from both of their mouths as they breathed in the rejuvenating gusts, only to disappear from sight within a few seconds. The quiet breath of the mountain and the groaning of the iron monoliths holding the two companions was all that was heard.

The lift dragged the onlookers forward, pushing through the morning breeze. Their suits could not have contrasted more. The sitter on the right wore pale blacks, blues and whites that matched the colors of the mountain. The mountain's own blood was put into the suit he wore. The sitter on the left wore a dark yellow jacket, whose tone jumped to the eye. The jacket emitted a radiance that drew the attention and opinion of all, but the lift sitter was content his choice of non-conformity. They both sat with their chins tucked into their jackets and their arms glued to their sides, just like a child might when things do not go his way. Their skis looked like modified rainbows and illuminated the white backdrop of snow that lay below them.

The main peak of the mountain lay ahead of them, and two other peaks stood out at both left and right. The mountain ridge hugged the chair lift and extended far back behind the skiers creating a winding valley. Beyond the ridge line to the right lay an open meadow high in the Sierras that was invisible to the lift sitters. A gap between two peaks to the left revealed the breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe.

And then they were at the end of the train.  The two skiers then got off the lift and got on to the trail,  Ending the long, beautiful journey up the mountain and beginning a new one on the way down.

Descrimination

Discrimination.  It's the basis of human nature.  It's what we do when deciding if something is right or wrong, or if someone is to young or old.  But is it fair though?

Of course not!  Every day I am told that I'm not old enough to do something.  Or not wise enough and sometimes that I just wouldn't understand.  But who are they to judge that?  Furthermore, how would they know that without first asking me?  It's those moments that make me feel under-respected and somewhat frustrated.

But even though being judged unfairly isn't the best part of life, discrimination is still good.  I do it all the time and so do the other 7 billion people that live on this planet.  For example, every morning when I wake up I choose a cereal to eat for breakfast.  That's discrimination.  So is choosing what type of milk I want for lunch and deciding who I want to sit with.  All of that was discrimination, which is why it's important.  Because without discrimination no-one would know right from wrong, dark chocolate from white chocolate (oh no!), or fun from boring.

As long as it's used properly and is not abused, discrimination can still be good.  Even though it's the basis of human nature we still need to use it properly -- fair or not...

The Chronicles of Nick Theme

In The Chronicles of Nick the main character endures more in the first book than Katniss of The Hunger Games does in her entire series.  This is because the main character Nick, is thrown into a chaotic world.  One that he doesn't understand and doesn't want.

     One of the main themes in The Chronicles of Nick is survival.  This is because Nick is a Malachi and almost every preternatural being is trying to kill or capture him.  Plus his dad is a super-powered psychopath, not the best of parents. . .

     Another theme in The Chronicles of Nick besides survival is the loss of innocence.  Nick is taken from his "normal" world and forced to mature into an adult.  He really doesn't have a choice in the matter either.  Either he takes on the burden of him being born of evil, or he gets consumed by it.

     A second series that has these themes is the Inheritance Cycle.  In the beginning of the Inheritance cycle the main character Eragon finds a stone that turns out to be a dragon egg.  The very same dragon egg that the empire has been looking for for a long time.  When the Empire finds out that Eragon has the egg they immediately try to kill him.  From that point on Eragon is attempting to survive the Empires wrath.

The Inheritance Cycle  also features the loss of innocence.  When the stone Eragon finds turns out to be a dragon egg and hatches Eragon must take care of it and hide it from everyone -- including those he loves.  Once the empire finds out that Eragon has a dragon he must run for his life.  And in the process lose all of his childhood comfort

Because Nick got thrown into a strange and chaotic world where everyone wants him dead I think that the themes of

The Chronicles of Nick are survival and loss of innocence.

Persistance, Joy, Love

The piece Mirrored and Reflected Infinitely reminds me of my many attempts at magic.  Most of my tricks were successful and still are today.  Others got tomatoes thrown at me.  Needless to say, I never used those tricks again.

My favorite type of magic is by far close-up magic.  I love this form of magic because I can see their look of amazement on their faces, their shock at me doing the impossible, their laughing faces after a good joke, and most of all their joyful expression when I am finally done which to me is more rewarding than a million dollars. 

The other type of magic is isolation levitation.  Also known as the art of Fushigi.  This type of magic revolves around the audience literally.  With my mesmerizing glass ball floating around by its own free will, it's impossible to miss the crowds gasp of astonishment and looks of awe which are truly a wonderful sight.

But there are also the failed tricks.  When I drop a card,  or stumble over my own words.  When a stranger finds a stray tomato, or the audience sees something they weren't supposed to.  Those are the times magic loses its meaning.  Because a jeering face is just as hurtful as a joyful one is rewarding.

That's when I just have to hang tough.  If I come off the stage in tears, no one will be there to help me.  So I stay on the stage because in the end, that's what magic is all about.  Persistence, Joy, Love.

Horace

Horace is a very interesting and humble character in the Rangers Apprentice series that over goes through a major character change throughout the story.

In the beginning of the series Horace was a bully to the main character Will and was also selfish.  As the story progresses along Horace begins to change and becomes friends with Will while at the same time becoming a humble person.  This progression is a good change for Horace because it allows me to pick him as my favorite character.  It also means that Horace can play a lot more roles in the story than he would have otherwise not been able to play if he was a selfish and mean person.

Additionally Horace gets a lot more skill with the blade and even learns to strategize with the best.  Both of those changes make Horace one of the best rescuers ever.  That's good because it  means that whenever Will gets in trouble Horace will be there to get him out.

Horace is also big influence to other people in the story. From helping people escape a war to demolishing legions of other armies to save a village Horace really does it all to save others.  He is also a example for other knights in the battle school and Horace takes care to visit there often.

 Furthermore Horace has been an influence to me as the reader.  Horace's humble personality(after the first book) has made me rethink some decisions I made in my life and also impacts some of my present decisions.  After reading this book the one character that left the most impact on me was Horace.  It even influenced my decision to write this piece. 

I think that Horace is a lot like Saphira from The Inheritance Series.  Both of them are strong, humble and willing to risk their lives for others.  They also have smaller more subtle similarities.  One of those being their lack of parents and another similarity being that they both fight for the right reasons.  Both of these characters play huge roles in their respective stories and without them both stories would fail.

With all due respect to the main character Will: I think that Horace is the single most influential character in the book.