Student Reflections

Tinola Rosales: Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, Birthday of the Infanta by P. Craig Russell

I think that the little dwarf didn’t deserve all the mocking and belittling from all the people in the building. I felt horrible because it reminded me of a friend that had trouble speaking and talking, and a lot of kids made fun of her. She spoke differently and as a result they all laughed at her.

I think that the flowers represent all the people who judge others by their outer appearance, valuing only that, unable to see true kindness within. I also think that the birds represent people who don't care about appearance but who value individuals for their inner beauty and nice nature. They are the people who look deeper into the soul of a human being.

The society in this story reveal some great contrasts between what is beautiful and what is monstrous. Even though the dwarf is kind and caring, the people see him as a freak and use him as entertainment. These actions are hurtful, they are very rude, even monstrous. The Princess, although beautifully clothed and groomed, on the inside displays mean and monstrous qualities.


Yajaira Ruiz: Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

The book was great. The world can be such a cruel and unfair place. People shouldn't be treated any differently just because they come from different roots and cultures. Everyone deserves an education. A lot of students should be thankful they can go to school because there are others who can’t. There are those people who want to become someone, but they don’t have the resources need to move ahead. I think I should never discriminate if I don’t want to be discriminated against. It makes me mad that people have to be separated by a line just because of their race. It also makes me proud of my roots, of where I come from. I have so much respect for anyone who has crossed the border to come to the United States. I don’t just mean all those Mexicans, but everyone. They go through so much for a better life and a better education. I just have so much respect for them. They deserve way more than people chasing them out of here. It’s a touching story.


Teagan Mann: The Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

The book started off with the dad dying, it was really sad. Then the family had to move because they no longer were able to afford their house. Then the family lost their mom. I have a much better idea of how people without parents feel now.

I am very grateful for my parents. Well, I already was, but I am now realizing even more, how blessed I am. At school I wonder, how many people may be in that situation, and it helps me to have more respect for everyone. That is how this book affected my perspective.


Carina Grilli: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This book is about Hazel Grace, a sixteen year old girl with terminal lung cancer. She was just counting down the days until she died, all she ever was, was terminal. Then she meets Augustus Waters, the manic pixie dream boy. This book really made me wonder about life for, like, a week. It make me wonder about life and love and maybe now I’m not afraid of oblivion. It’s really a book that once you finish it, you’ll never be the same, and you have everything rushing through your head.


Seth Bair: Best Shot in the West by Patricia C. McKissick

This book helped me gain some perspective on life in the west many years ago. I learned that people knew many others even though there were no phones. Everyone was a friend and they helped each other out. I kind of wish we were back in the old days because I can do without all of this technology and I would love to be able to ride my horse anywhere at anytime.
I could not relate to this world of the old west, though, because everything is different now. The only thing they had for transportation, besides horses, were trains. Many other things have changed as well, for example, our technology and our schooling. It is a lot different now because we each have an iPad at school. In the old west described in the book, people still didn’t know what a car was. If one person from each of these times were able to meet it would be like meeting someone from a different planet!


Karla Acosta: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

I did not know the Baltic deportations happened. After reading the author’s note that follows the story, I learned that a lot of people don’t realize that those things happened. The events in this book are based on things that actually happened in real life. So, I’m glad I read this book, not only for the beautiful writing and the moving story, but also because it opened my eyes to an extremely dark period in human history that has been largely ignored by the rest of the world. All those people who were loving and caring individuals, did not deserve all the things that they had to endure.


Tori Thomas: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

The five factions have fallen and Tris must choose which side she is on. She is faced with many challenges and everyone looks to her for guidance. The way she handles things is so interesting and different from what I would do. In the end, though, it is always right, even when her relationship with the person she loved was on the line. I also face many challenges in my life, some affect me individually, some affect others as well. This book taught me to face them in different ways, to look with a new perspective. Tris is also divergent which means that she has the characteristics of each faction. Everyone lived their lives separated from people who were different from them, but this is wrong. Being different isn’t something that’s bad. Tris proved that being different isn’t something to hide. It is important to just be yourself.


Brayten Torsak: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

This book has helped me realize that people in higher positions may, at times, treat others badly, but they will still help them when help is needed. I also thought about how teachers are like Captain Nemo. He helps people by giving them gold but is still, at times, mean. Teachers give students knowledge (gold) but can, at times, be mean. Another thing that I realized was that there is still so much of the earth that has never been explored. It is just out there waiting to be found. I also thought about how smart people are and how they can create new things that really work. Many inventions have already been created but there are so many more possibilities out there.


Sam Bishop: Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel by G. M. Butzer

This graphic novel tells of the battle at Gettysburg and the aftermath. But in this rendition of the event, it actually tells about the horrors instead of the glories of the battle. There are several graphic scenes showing dead bodies, boys who will never return home to their families. There are first person views of scenes in the hospital in the aftermath, of amputations performed without anesthesia, of the growing pile of arms and legs. This book taught me of the horrors of war, and made my thoughts turn toward the wars being waged today. Do those same sorts of things happen? Probably. The book serves as a good wake up call. It has emphasized the fact that any sort of social change, from abolishing slavery to earning civil rights, has its cost.


Jayden Stuver: Among the Hidden by Margret Peterson Haddix

The book I would like to review is Among the Hidden. It is a great book filled with mystery and excitement, about a time when the government claims they’re running out of food. It has been stated that only 2 children are allowed, any others will be taken away and presumably murdered by the peace keepers, who’s sole purpose is to enforce the law. In the book you follow a third child who has been living in the forest with his family members. He is used to being able to run around in the trees and not worry about anything. When the Barons come to tear down the forest and build homes he has to start hiding in his family’s attic and so begins his adventure. This book teaches you many things, most of all, to stand up and stand together for what you believe is right. Among the Hidden is extremely well written by the same person who wrote Found and The Missing, Margret Peterson Haddix. It’s guaranteed to have some unexpected twists and turns. I fully recommend this book, and the others in the series, to anyone who wants to read a good book.


Bennett Harvey: Drawing From Memory by Allen Say

This book showed me that, even if all forces seem to be opposed, somethings can still happen. I didn’t ever realize how badly some people want to live in America. It helps me to see that I can be whatever I really want to be. Allen ignored all the discouraging things that people said to him because he knew that he could draw and he knew that he wanted to draw. His parents didn’t want him to be an artist but he and his friend still pursued their dreams in spite all of the negativity. The story was interesting and I think that the author nailed the climax. I was very entertained while reading this book.


Joshua Hansen: Gettysburg, The Graphic Novel by C. M. Butzer

The book, Gettysburg, helped me gain a new perspective on the Civil War. It made me think about all those that died to rid our country of slavery. It was really cool to see pictures and words on the Battle of Gettysburg. I really liked how some were so devoted to ending slavery that we went to war against ourselves. War is a terrible thing but we need to commit to it, sometimes, to earn our freedoms. I also really liked reading about Abraham Lincoln and how much he cared about ending slavery. He did not want it to be a part of our country. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes history or just reading graphic novels. This book really changed my opinion on graphic novels. I plan on reading many more.


Desirae Mansfield: Little White Duck, A Childhood in China by Na Liu and Andres vera Martinez

The character, Lie Feng, inspired me the most. He was an orphan who was raised by the army and when he grew older he put others before himself. He would always help out. I know that helping is good but after I read the story about Lei Feng I wanted to go out and help others and to not be selfish. I have gone and done service for people like watching their kids, shoveling snow for them, and my family and I have made meals for people that needed them. This story also made me think about how I should be thankful for the things that I have because some people just don’t have things like a house, clothes, food, and a lot of other stuff. I should be grateful for everything I have because there is always someone whose situation is worse. But anyways it was a really good book.


Kaden Osborn: Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

In this book Victor decides he wants to come to the United States by crossing the border. He doesn’t make it the first time he tries, but he doesn’t give up and say he can’t do it. Instead he decides to continue to try but he takes precautions. He needs to get across so he can earn money for his family. The corn his family raises has gone down in value so he needs to come to the United States to make more money than just his corn would bring. This book teaches the idea that one should never give up no matter how many times it takes. I thought that was an interesting way to say to never give up. This book also says to think before doing, something which is also a very good massage. I really enjoyed this book.


Jayden Hemingway: The Man in the Iron Mask (graphic novel) by Alexandre Dumas

I realized, after reading this story, that it is possible that some countries may be experiencing similar situations as that portrayed in the book. Maybe not the twin situation, but they may have a tyrant seeking power and want to get rid of him. At home, it is possible, that I am too controlling over my younger sister. I could be nicer and make her feel more loved.The characters in the story display a common human weakness, they try to work things for personal gain. It seem to me that it is in human nature to care a lot about yourself. In school we can see examples of greed and selflessness. Students can get greedy and think they have better things to do than homework. Teachers are more often than not very caring. They try to help you learn and get good grades so you can be successful in life.

Iris Wright: A Day of Tears by Julius Lester

Well, I really liked this book. It was so interesting. I love learning about slavery. It makes me feel lucky to live in the time that I do. In this story some slaves stayed in nicer houses, others didn’t. Some were beaten and some were treated like family. It helped me realize how lucky I am to live in a loving family. In this book a little girl gets sold and she doesn’t even get to say bye to her family. That would be so hard for me. I can’t believe a person could have the nerve to sell a child without letting her say bye. I never really knew how the slaves felt. But these were real journals of real slaves. In the story they had so much self control. Enough to keep their tempers down when mistreated. I wish that all people could be like that. It would make everything much easier. I just feel very lucky.


Gage Morril: Defying Death in the Jungle by Gary Jeffrey *

This book shows that you can survive in almost any condition, if you do not give up or give in. It also shows how dangerous the world, or some conditions that people find themselves in, can be. For example, getting stranded in a rain forest where everything wants to eat you. It taught me that even if I think school is hard, somewhere else some person always has it harder. I was amazed at how people get stranded in jungles for so long and survive.


Summer Orton: A Family Secret by Eric Heuvel

While reading this book, I saw how these people were determined to over come the challenges in their lives. I realized, even though these things had happened to them, they were still brave enough to recover. It was amazing to me to see, throughout the whole story, how they were all very brave with everything that was going on in their lives. When I learned that Helan’s father had saved Esther, I thought that it was amazing and very brave. He took a great risk, he could have gotten into huge trouble and he could have gotten Esther into a lot of trouble too. It made me think about all the privileges that I have and that I’m really lucky to be living at the time in which I am living.

Amanda Nelson: Lily Renee, Escape Artist By Trina Robbins

This book has helped me find a new view on the holocaust. I always used to hear about all the camps and all of the bad things that happened. I never thought about how some people escaped from the evil. It made me really grateful for the friends and freedom I have. I think that sometimes I take my life for granted. I have also realized how lucky I am to be able to attend school and get a good education. Another thing I have gained a new perspective on is how I have so many wonderful friends who will accept me for how I am. Nothing more, nothing less. The final thing I got out of this book is how lucky I am to be able to live and be with my parents. This was a great read and I recommend it to everyone.

Kendra Kimber: Dracula- the Graphic Novel By Bram Stoker

Reading this book helped me realize that “Graphic Novels” aren’t as lame as I thought they were. They’re pretty okay. I understand why people enjoy reading them. I never knew our school even had books like this in the library. I think books like the one that I read could be good for some kids who have trouble reading. I learned that I like graphic novels. People like these types of books because they are fun and easy to read. I learned that our school has a wide array of books, and everyone can find a book that they enjoy reading.


Ashley Travis: Click Here (To FInd Out how I Survived Seventh Grade) by Denise Vega

A person that was different from me was Jilly, the main character’s best friend. She was totally different than me. She liked to go shopping every day, spy on boys, put glitter in her hair and plan what she’s going to wear for every day of the week. She would kiss guys she doesn’t really even know, she just likes the attention, and she sings in musicals. To be very honest, I learned not to judge a person by what they wear, how they act around others or what they like to do in their free time. If you do judge them by those things then it could really hurt them in ways you can’t even imagine. I think Jilly changed me and how I view school. She changed me by changing the way I feel about people who are a tiny bit different from me. She changed the way I think about school as well, now I think it’s ok if you dress up very fancy for school. I’m not sure if I would but if others want to then I won’t think they are too perky or too girly.


Chandler Burt: Black Elk’s Vision by S. D. Nelson

This book is about a boy from the Lakota Indian tribe. The story takes place during the time Indian reservations were being established. The story tells about a vision the boy had when he was younger. However, the part of the book that stood out the most to me was the different view given of the western era. The book helped me to understand what it was like to be forced to move somewhere or to do something that you shouldn’t have to do. It also helped to understand what the Lakota Native American tribe was like and what they believed. In my opinion, I think that we were the “bad guys”. We made them move so we could have their land. We also killed a ton of their food. The book also make me think about what type of person I am. I am glad I picked this book. It helped me think a lot more about the world and about how people act at school. That also applies to this story, I forgot to put that up there. Anyway, this book has helped gain new perspectives. It was a good choice.