A Novel's Retelling

Author's Note: This is a retelling of the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I hope you notice the intensity and voice I've tried to convey using the reading skill "retelling". 

In the ashes of what was once North America, lies the nation of Panem. The shining Capitol of the nation is surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year the Capitol forces every district to send one boy and one girl from the ages of twelve to eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games. This brutal and terrifying fight to death is televised live to everyone in the nation. Twenty four tributes enter the arena, and the last person standing is crowned the victor of the Hunger Games. 

Revived from the Ashes

Author’s Note: Every year we remember the tragic events that have happened in the past. We look up to the people who have given their lives to protect and honor our country. Today we stand here as a united nation, only because of what we have gone through. In my piece, please look for the voice and emotions that I have tried to convey through words.

September 11^th, 2001 will always live in the minds of the people who lived through it that day. The imagery of having an aircraft strike at one of the most populated buildings has never left their minds. As the smoke filled the air and lives were ending one by one, the news spread across the country. The emotions and fear of every citizen was unimaginable.  It will always be a devastating moment of history for everyone. The terrorism attack on the World Trade Center and Washington D.C. has been described as an act of war and a tremendous defeat for the United States; a defeat that shall never be repeated and a loss that must be avenged. In my mind, I think the opposite of others. This attack on September 11^th was not a defeat for our country, but a victory. The people of the United States of America certainly did not give up. There were members of the community coming out to help their fellow citizens. Because of this horrific event, our country has only become more unified, more proud, and more devoted to this place we call home.

It was eleven years and three days ago that our country was under attack. The lives of innocent people were taken away. The distress and sorrow in the people who have lost their loved ones, makes our eyes tear every time we hear of it. People from all over the city came to help. Not everybody knew how they could, but they had to. It was almost like it was their duty as a friend, most importantly as a citizen. Many helped but the ones who were on the spot trying to save everyone else as best to their abilities, are truly heroic. They are the heroes of our country. Regular human beings did all they could to save a life of another and by doing their job, they have risen to the top as a hero. From that day onwards everyone was unified as a nation. The same thoughts went inside everyone’s mind, the same emotions, and the same reasons to cry. It was only twenty minutes, that changed the lives of everyone in the United States.

There were many heroes that have come out of this tragedy, but the fact that truly amazes me is how much pride was spread across the country afterwards.  For the weeks to come, all you could see were American flags being held. So many people were proud to say that they were from the United States. It was hard to overcome everything, it took months for people to realize that what has happened, is done for. There is nothing that they could do to go back in time and change what had happened. As days went on the spirit in everyone and the red, white, and blue was spreading across the horizon. Nobody had ever seen us be more of a country since then.  Our flag still swayed proudly in the air before and after the attack. No matter what the cost, the flag and the people were one; a country.

In just twenty minutes, nearly 3,000 people died. For our country to realize the unity and devotion, it took away people’s lives. But, because of 9-11 our country has grown enormously. The people have changed, everyone looks up to the USA as  something larger than themselves. I think that it’s because of how great we have stood together until this day. Everyone has different opinions in everything, but together as a country everybody is the same. We might’ve lost something huge, but we have gained so much from just less than a half hour. Something great has come out of something so tragic. It’s hard to believe, but this is the truth. There will always be a little light, no matter how dark it is.

Year by year, we look back upon this heartbreaking event and remember what has made us grow as a country. To me, I think that this was just fate. We had to get through the climax to get to the end. In everyone’s lives they’ve had to jump over so many hurdles, that’s the same thing that our country had to do.  Not everyone’s graph of life will be a consistent line, there will be some low and high points. We’ve reached the bottom, right now is our time to step back up to the top once again. As the graph of this country continues, so does the memories of each story behind 9-11.

Our victories on the 11^th of September and the days following were more important than mere military victories. The way we have handled this situation reflects upon our spirit, national character, and unity. If we become one as a nation, all of us can achieve anything we possibly dream of. 9-11 was not only a tragic and sorrowful event, but it has given us the strength and will to move forward. Like Francis Scott Key once wrote, “The rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” That star spangled banner should always be risen high and proud, it shall wave across the nation with triumph and glory protecting the people who live underneath it for all of eternity.

A Passion to Travel

Author's Note: In class we had to write 3 facts and one fiction about ourselves. And then using one of them we had to write a little paragraph. So i chose, I love to travel. Here is what I think about traveling around the world. 

From the Buckingham Palace in London to the Christ of Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, there are so many explicit wonders out there in the world. Don’t forget the city to the countryside, there will always be somewhere to visit. My dream is to travel to them all. Since I was small, I have loved to travel around the world. To see the different cultures, attractions, and to try the different food is unforgettable. There is so much to see and discover around world. There are different people, food, and music. Each country has its own special place to visit and each one is different in its own way. You get to relive the moments of the past at a historical site, and in a museum you get to live what is awaiting you in the future. There are so many exciting things to do in that which that country has to offer. There is so much out there to discover, but life’s too short to keep these things on hold. So get out there, travel the world with your friends, and explore the places around you. Sooner or later, you will also be a person with a passion to travel around the world just like me.

The Arc of Life

Author's Note: In our writing circles we chose the topic: rainbows. At first I didn't know what to write, but when I really thought about it, so many things came to mind. I put it all in this one piece, I hope that it gives you a little bit of inspiration.

As it stops raining and the sun comes out to shine, the bright colors of red, orange, yellow, blue, green, indigo, and violet come upon us in a way like no other. A rainbow we shall call it, with the shades of colors shining through every beam. Every color has its own purpose, some can show strength and courage, while others can show weakness or happiness. After a whole day worth of storm we see a rainbow glimmering in the clear blue sky. A sign of joy and thanks can be spread across the region. It’s almost like a feeling of success and victory. We have gone through the rough parts of life and there will soon be something to be happy about. A rainbow is not just something we see in the air, but its an arc full of emotions and determination. As we see a rainbow, we might think where the end is. Everyone knows there will always be a pot of gold, with the luck of the Irish and the bravery to do it all we can achieve our goals. There are dreams out there of so many kind, but only a few many actually come true. But when you believe you can, you will. The rainbow can not only give emotions of many kinds but now we know it can help us run to finish line. Even when you are in the most awful or dreadful moments, when you see a rainbow it’s like God giving us hope. He wants us to get up and get going, so a rainbow can be a sign of faith. A rainbow can symbolize anything in any which way possible, but for this to become reality we have to put our best foot forward. Without the rain there will be no rainbow, and without you there will be no life. All of us can become stronger, we can dodge the hurdles in track, and most importantly we can be the victor of our lives.

An Unexpected Surprise

Author's Note:  In our writing circles we picked the topic, murder. So i wrote a small paragraph of a scene that I thought of. This piece has tragedy, sorrow, but also a little mystery. I hope you like it!

I saw her that day, she was laying there on the kitchen floor trying to breath while blood dripped down her neck. I saw her suffer from the tragic accident that had happened. All I knew was that when i walked in the door i saw shattered glass and broken plates all over the place. Sarah, she was my best friend, she was like a sister to me. To see her dead now was like someone stabbing me in the heart. There she goes I thought to myself, she’s gone. I bent down and shut her eyes, the sadness was taking over me. I thought about the memories of our past, the great times we had together. From the first day of preschool to yesterday I remember every second. There was sorrow and weakness in my eyes as I tried to take this in. I looked down below me, at Sarah one last time, the only thing that was running through my mind at the time; this wasn’t just any old accident, but the fact that it was a murder...

Hatred

Author's Note: In this piece I decided to write on something that comes over everyone in a point in life; hatred. It's a brief explanation of what I feel this is in our lives. I've talked about how it can break things apart. Please pay attention to the voice and similes in this short, but thoughtful piece about hatred. 

Hatred, a feeling of rage and intensity rising up your throat. With a life full of darkness and a world full of strong opinions, hatred shall never be forgotten. The emotion of hatred comes with a little love at times. Without a little love in life, there can never be hatred, and vice versa. A mind of full of deep thoughts and powerful emotions can overcome people, but that does not mean they should be left alone. This does not only hurt the hated, but at the end it only injures the hater. People just throw the word love around everywhere, but they do this to the word hate too. “I hate...” this phrase is really strong, it should only be used in a place full of thought. The way to use it is still uncertain to people all around, but just remember it will soon cause problems and pain in many people’s lives. Hatred is not just a word that can show your emotions, but it can break things apart. It’s like a world without erasers; after it’s been said or done, then that’s it. There is nothing to erase it or take back. What has been done is done, and that’s final. Love and hate are enemies fighting for justice, but sometimes loves does win. Think about others and learn to not hate things. Like Mr. Luther King Jr. once said “Hatred paralyses life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” So love more and hate less, we can make a difference in our lives, one step at a time.

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A Matter of Life or Death

Author’s Note: I hope when you read my essay you feel the intensiveness weaved throughout the plot. In this essay I wrote about the truth and what it means to me. I took my time and researched these topics in depth. This novel itself, is a book of imagination and that’s what I am trying to output in my essay.

 

As the school bell rings everyone was jumping out of their seats with joy. Papers were flying everywhere and the noise filled up my ears. When I walked out of the building thinking,”This is it. A summer full of opportunities and new beginnings,” my earring fell out. As I try to find it and put it back in my ear, a boy I didn’t recognize pushed me onto the grass. That’s when I realized that a car was about the back up right over me.  I thought I would be die that second, but the mysterious guy helped me. There was something about that one moment of connection that both of us touched was special. There was something different about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. By the time I could thank him, he was gone; I could still see that little black leather jacket and his motorcycle off in the distance. It was a touch in my life that would never be forgotten. But it was one that I would soon know that could change my life, in ways that could not be imagined by anybody.  I would soon confront danger face to face, be able to look at people differently, and learn that not everyone can be trusted. The plot of my life intensifies in every page of this book. As you read the words of my story, it will cause the heart to pound, the palms to sweat, and the stomach to flutter. In Laurie Stolarz’s Deadly Little Secret, she does an amazing job of emphasizing me as a person, trust, and we learn the meaning of symbols by using the clues around us and given in the book. 

Camelia’s life changes when Ben Carter joins her high school this year. From person to person it is rumored that Ben is somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death. Right as Ben comes in within a week he has been excluded from everyone at the school except for Camelia. She wants to get to know him, Camelia’s is reluctant to believe that he is trouble. But inexplicably Camelia’s is drawn to him by every step he makes. Each time he touches her that tingly shock, makes her think even more. She knows that there is something different about him and his touch. Ben knows something about Camelia as well. A secret, I might as well say. What is it, and what does it have to do with her, no one knows except for Ben. Weird things might be going in Ben’s life as well as Camelia's, but no one would’ve guessed  it could get even worse. Day by day Camelia’s life drastically changes. These two people who were playing two whole different parts, forget the past and move forward into the future, together. Without Ben, Camelia’s life would be over, but without Camelia, Ben would still be that deceiving dangerous guy. Ben is not who he says he is, he a touch that destines your life; danger lurks every time you get touched. The touch is a way for Ben to know what will happen or what has happened. With one touch he’ll know your whole life story and what is going to happen. Camelia’s life has changed a lot ever since she started hanging out with Ben: people following her, mixed messages going around school, and some people have even lost their lives. The story of Ben and Camelia is one that is out of the ordinary and unbelievable. 

The lives of characters is very lively throughout the book, but there’s other clues in this book that make it even more interesting. Every author puts in certain symbols for a reason.  It would have something to do with the story, the main character, or something. The research and reason behind each symbol is unbelievable. Symbolism is a way to make every reader truly think. Why this or why that? From the colors, animals, or maybe even the location could be a symbol and it could have a reason to it. When authors use symbolism it helps us understand the story and it can help us put the pieces of the puzzle together a little easier. For example, Camelia has been getting these messages from someone. A person who is following her, but those notes have all been given to her towards midnight and written in bright red ink. Why the night or why red? Red can symbolize many things: blood, love, danger, and even strong emotions. If these messages are life threatening and happen to be written in red, just makes it worse. Night is used throughout the book to symbolize death, darkness of the soul, and loss of faith. The smallest factor can make a huge difference. So when having these little elements, it just makes the book more amusing and entertaining. The meaning of each and every little detail is amazing. From looking in between the lines you can find these clues. All you have to do is think a little hard and look a little deeper. 

Symbolism is a component in the novel that we learned to look for in writing, but we learn something more than that. The power of trust, the amount of impact it makes and how it affects us every minute of our lives. Ben might look like a guy that’s dangerous and cannot be trusted, but maybe that’s not who he is. When trusting someone, you believe everything they say, but that’s only true when the other person tells the truth. “I've learned to trust myself, to listen to truth, to not be afraid of it and to not try and hide it,” said Sarah McLachlan. This quote is a perfect example to what the author is trying to portray in this book. We might not be able to trust the people around us, but we do know one thing to trust ourselves. We know what’s right and what’s wrong, to never doubt yourself is a lesson you learn throughout the whole book. Trust is major component, without being able to trust your heart, you’re going to lose faith in yourself. So never be afraid of telling the truth, it leads us to great decisions, trust can change your life like that.  You can’t always trust the ones you love, you know what to do. So never lose faith, step forward with the truth and no one will get hurt. Like the great William Shakespeare once said, “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

The characters, trust, and symbolism are all part of Laurie Stolarz’s sensational plot in Deadly Little Secret. This novel is like a thriller movie in your head, it gives a great twist on a regular scary story. Laurie Stolarz travels through suspense, fantasy, and romance in this book. It’s an engaging, but eerie story about the darker side of a relationship. When it becomes matter of life and death to know who to trust and who your friends are. Throughout the book you learn about Camelia and Ben, trust, and to look beyond the words. Secrets and rumors go around, but you have the power to decide which one is true and which is not. Get ready to read a novel that will blow your mind away, make you speechless, and have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

A Legend Comes to Life

Author's Note: In books we learn so many things, but in this novel you learn more than just life lessons. King Arthur was a legendary leader, but what if he's here right now. I wrote this essay from the bottom of my heart, true love comes to mind, while life might not always be fair. Get ready to read about one of the greatest legends of all time, King Arthur and his court.

From one generation to another people share stories of their life and legends they believe in. King Arthur is a famous legendary character in Europe, mainly in England. It is said that the king lays under the hill with his brave knights of the round table. According to poets, authors, and people who believe in this myth, King Arthur will reincarnate into this world, ready to ride forth and save his country again.  The chosen one is somewhere out in this world, and that person just happened to be A. William Wagner. The quarterback of the football team and class president, he’s practically the most popular guy in school. Besides the fact that he might be popular, inside he has a heart. Will is the type of guy who is down to earth and he isn’t like anyone you will meet. From the people he meets and the connections you can make to his life, the author does an amazing job of describing these facts. Meg Cabot writes a novel that takes you into a whole other dimension. Avalon High, is a book that takes your breath away by stating the reasons of life, the definition of friendship, and how one person can change the way you choose to step forward.

   

Will Wagner, he’s the kind of guy that doesn’t stick to the status quo. To everyone out there he’s the quarterback of the Avalon High Excaliburs. Will is not just a football guy, deep down he has a loving personality that is hidden under a tough-guy shield that blocks his true self, but most people don’t know about that part of Will. The kids at school have never known him as anything other than a champion jock. They never thought of him as anything else. What most people didn’t know was that he was into politics, but when they did hear it, they would try to talk him out of it. It was all football, football, and more football. You can’t blame Will for liking other things. Think about it, when you walk into school and there’s a new kid, you automatically start saying stuff about them. Maybe if you see a kid that is really smart, then they’re a nerd. Stereotypes go all around the place, you can never judge them by how they look or act. You need to get to know the person before you start saying things about them. This is something that everyone needs to know, people aren’t just who they say they are.  

Not only does Avalon High teach you about people, but it tells us why we are who we are. Everyone came into this world for a reason and Will’s just happened to be to save this world from the dark ages. The dark ages was an era of ignorance, superstitions, and social chaos. It was a hard time in history, and it might come back unless Will is there to help. King Arthur was a brave guy, with his knights surrounding him;  he didn’t have anything to be scared of. The same goes for Will, with his friends by his side, there was nothing that could stop him. Why am I here or why are you here? There’s a reason, but the time to know hasn’t come just yet. Years and years of work apply to the difference you make in this world or maybe in your community. The reasons of life are still unknown, but sooner or later it’ll make sense. An anonymous person once said, “Winners work and workers win". To me this motto is something applies that everyone, it’s part of the main reasons to why we stand right here. When you work hard, you get a reward and by having those fifteen minutes of fame and happiness in your eyes is amazing. The feeling of being on top of this world is something everyone has in their life. Just by winning a small game of basketball in your driveway or even the Super Bowl.

We learn many lessons from the book, but the movie can teach us a little more, friendship. Avalon High, is a Disney Channel original movie that is based on the book. During the movie, Ellie says to Will, “All great athletes have pressure on them all the time. You can’t be afraid of it, you have to embrace it. The way you do that, is to remember what victory felt like. That feeling when you lead your team to glory; if you can live in that moment and want it again with all your heart, nothing can stop you.” Those few words changed Will and his life. From one football game to another, they scored each and every time. “Ellie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful thing.” (173) Friendship is something that you can never give up; there are great times, but there are those that might need a little more work. The meaning of friendship is unraveled in this novel. People who look after each other and believe in one another, that is what friendship is all about. Will and Ellie have a relationship between each other like no one else could. It’s something that is truly special. Friendship is a gift, never let go, and always remember to have it close to your heart.

Friendship is a great thing, but betrayal is something that nobody can handle. There are so many twists and turns in the book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Imagine loving someone with all of your heart for almost three years, but soon enough you see your best friend and girlfriend together. That is what happened to King Arthur and Will. King Arthur’s knight Sir Lancelot and his queen Guinevere were together, and he didn’t even know about it until Mordrid told him. Same thing with Will, Jennifer and Lance have been dating without telling him, but he figures out when Marco tells him. Will had a brave heart so he accepted the fact that both of them loved each other and he didn’t let it get to him. That is what we have to learn. No matter what happens revenge is not the answer. Don’t let something tear people apart. The United States is #1 for the divorce rate right now out of the whole world.  This is because of people not getting to know each other and having the smallest thing break them up. Having a heart like King Arthur is amazing, so never let something tear you and your loved ones apart.

There are so many parts of making this book what it is such as betrayal, friendship, destiny, and love. A roller coaster is a great way to describe it. The unexpected paths chosen make a lot of ends cliff hangers. Meg Cabot weaves through the novel with fantasy, romance, and history. There are so many intricate details in the book that will make readers not want to put the book down. As you read this novel you will realize a few reasons of life, the definition of friendship, and how one person can change you. Meg Cabot’s Avalon High is where a classic legend comes to life, inspiration comes to mind, and every word touches your heart.

To Learn and To Live

Author's Note: By reading a book we learn many things about ourselves that we might've never known. We are able to connect to the main character, and to parts of the book, but in this specific novel things aren't always realistic. It's hard to go through life, when you have a murderer on the loose. So get ready to learn and to live the life of a girl with a unique way to step forward.

The news just got out, a man is on a murderous rampage and heading east, close to your home town. Soon enough you hear that the man is your birth father, someone who you’ve barely remember and heard not much about. All you know is that he has killed his second wife and your 3 half-sisters, people that you have never seen before. People that you never knew existed. He’s coming after you and your mother. There are only three words that keep ringing inside your head: you are next! This is exactly how Willa’s life is in the novel Blood Wounds, by Susan Beth Pfeffer. It’s the book that gets more intense, as you keep on turning the pages. A novel that cannot be put down. Blood Wounds teaches about the love and compassion of family, important life lessons, and even the most ridiculous things comes out to be the most unforgettable moments.
            
Willa is the kind of character that nobody can relate to but she’s also the type of character that will get stuck in your heart. The pain she goes through is something that I can’t bear to imagine. Running away from her own father, the debt her family has to pay; it’s so much weight on her shoulders. To get through all of this Willa cuts herself, that’s the worst thing to do! Her family doesn’t even know about this, but because of all of the wounds she has, all of her memories are treasured within her. This is one of the many things Pfeffer talks about in this novel. Even with all of the pain and agony that goes on, she finds a solution. A solution that would not let her to get past it, but to remember it. The way she handles is not the way to go about,  but it gets her through life. Willa isn’t the type of person who you are going to see everyday, but she is a great example for those who don’t have the life they imagined. She’s a great role model, and to me Willa is a real person. She has problems like any other teenage girl, but the conflicts she is going through is not like something that you or me might be facing.

Even if Willa has a tough time getting through her problems, she’s learning so many things in this period of time. Having a murderous father means that you have got to hide so he doesn’t catch you. Everybody would have that fear in their eyes and the expression on their face, and yet this is typical. Willa, on the other hand, is someone who thinks around the problem. From what I read in this book, I believe Willa is inspired by one quote. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” President Roosevelt said this during the Great Depression. A time in history when everybody was scared, and didn’t know what would happen next.The same type of event is going on in Willa’s story.  Even though that everybody was afraid of what was happening, Willa was not as scared. She thought to herself, “Why should we be afraid when there are people that promise to keep us safe.” Soon after Willa learns that there is nothing to be frightened about, she regains her confidence. Willa ends up facing her fears, following her heart, and taking a step in the path she believes is the right one. This is one fact that truly took my breath away after reading Blood Wounds.

This novel does teach you many things, for example the love and compassion of family. Willa was always the one who thought of her family differently. The only real person in her family was her mom, Terri. Her step-dad, Jack and two step-sisters, Brooke and Alyssa aren’t necessarily her family. Towards the end of book Willa accepts the fact they are all people who care about her, and that makes them family. Along the way Willa figures out she has a half-brother, Trace and her birth father’s name is Budge. Both Willa and Trace soon figure at out that they have so many things in common. She does remember a few things from her past, the great memories of her, Trace, Terri, and Budge. She learns that no matter who they are, people who love and care for you are the ones that should be with you every step of the way. Even though Willa had problems with her step sisters, she loves them.

Love, amour, láska, and die Liebe are all the same, but in different languages. These words mean the same thing, but to know the real definition it takes people a long time to figure out. The same thing goes for Willa, she had people around her who loved her so much, but it took her time to realize that. From step sisters, they became sisters and from a step dad he became a father.  Everybody is always there for you, and family is something that you can never give up. When people let go so should you. This is a lesson that really touched me. Whenever I think about Blood Wounds, the first thing that comes to mind is Willa and her family. It taught me so many things, that will help me go on. No matter what happens, I have people who will be there for me and so does Willa.

So many questions about Willa’s family are revealed in this book. Readers will be brought into the book and live Willa’s life with her. You will learn about the love and compassion of family and that some things might be absurd and you might never imagine doing that, but they will always be the most remarkable moments of your life. By reading this book you can think of life in a new point of view. Follow your heart, dream of the impossible, and nothing can stop you on your way to glory. This is what Blood Wounds is all about. Willa may not be real, but in my heart she is. This book might be depressing and filled with sorrow, but it’s a book that can change you as a person. Susan Pfeffer’s Blood Wounds is mesmerizing and makes you speechless.