An Ember in the Ashes II

An Ember in the Ashes  Sabaa Tahir pg. 50-100.
Informational Structure: Summary


Laia finds herself searching through the catacombs when she reaches the Resistance. They are skeptical of her at first, but decide to take her with them because she knows already knows too much. She doesn't tell them her family lineage, but asks them for help in escaping her brother out of prison. The Resistance is fractioned into two sections with two leaders, Keenan and Sana, who debate as to whether or not they should keep Laia around and help her. It's not until she reveals her family history that they decide to help her; however, it is on one condition: she must go into BlackCliff and serve the Commander as spy for information. Meanwhile, Elias is battling with his decision to desert or stay after graduation. An argur visits him, who tells explains that he can desert his duty; however, he could also stay and become who he is really suppose to be. Even though he doesn't understand at the moment, Elias goes to graduation still debating whether or not he should desert. During the graduation, Elias finds out that the Argurs have come to make the prophecy true, which states that the current dynasty will fall, and a new emperor will be decided, based on trails. Elias has been chosen along with three other contestants, including Helene, his best friend/possible lover. 

An Amber in the Ashes

An Amber in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir pg 1-40.

Argument Response:



Laia should have tried to save her brother instead of running because she could have potentially saved him and will always regret not doing something to protect her brother. The power of family and protecting ones family is something that every sibling feels; however,  I understand that some may see her running as an act of following her brother's wishes, who was the one trying to save her. Laia grapples with the decision as to whether or not she should stay or help. In the end, she decides to run, which is understandable, yet not heroic because she did not try to help her brother. She just stood frozen until the last possible moment. Due to the fact that she didn't help her brother, she now will always ask herself that question and wonder whether or not she should have helped him. 

The Fault in Our Stars pt II

The Fault in our Stars John Green

If you were a teacher, would you want to share this work with your students? Why or why not?


I would definitely share this work with my students, whether or not we were reading something like Romeo and Juliet. Even though it wasn't my favorite book, I still think it is a great book for students to read because he definitely elevates YA literature, but I also think the story is easily identifiable for teenagers. I could see some students loving the ill-fated love relationship; however, hopefully they would be also captured by some of his more poignant moments. I would not only have it in my classroom, but I think it could be used as a good mentor text for several different reasons. The language is very good and could be used for highlighting powerful language/author's craft. I could also see myself using different portions of the novel to possible start conversations or discussions about similar issues that deal with whatever we are talking about for that day/week/unit. I also like that he has several books out as well as blogs and youtube videos so students can further their love for this author and start becoming life long followers. The class could also have a good discussion surrounding the movies and comparing books to movies. There is definitely a lot of possibilities with this book for students to not only enjoy it, but actual use it as a teaching tool! 

Book Club The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

Overall, what kind of a feeling did you have after reading a few paragraphs of this work? midway? after finishing the work?

Well for a person who wasn't really excited about reading this, I was pleasantly surprised that I developed an appreciate for John Green's writing. As a teacher, I definitely saw how this could be used in the classroom and there were really great parts that could become teachable moments or used as a mentor text. As a reader, I still have a lot of issues with the novel and in all honesty, this book doesn't motivate me to read Paper Towns or any of his other novels. I really hated the cheesiness of how the Hazel and Augustus meet because Augustus was cliche in my opinion with his over flirtation upon first site. BUT I realize that this mimics Romeo and Juliet. I can see its value in the classroom especially for teaching Romeo and Juliet, but I still haven't been converted to a John Green follower; perhaps after I finish the novel! One of the things I enjoyed was how he kind of talks about literature through these characters and makes comments about the big "L" versus the little "l". I was look at it through the lens of a teacher and saw some of the things I could use as a mentor text for discussions on canonical texts. I also liked how John Green approached cancer. I watched my mom battle cancer and even though I feel like my family dynamics were not even close the one in the book, I still felt that he got some things right. Some of his lines really were poignant for this tackling this subject; however, he does put in a lot of humor which is nice for both young and old readers. Side note: I've never seen the movie so I wonder how accurate they made it. I'm interested in seeing how the book ends, seeing that these two are "star crossed lovers." 

Brave New World #2

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, chapter 4

Thoughts and Ideas: Did the text give you any ideas or cause you to think about anything in particular? Explain briefly what thoughts it led you to.


Chapter four caused me to think about the social hierarchy of Bernard and Helmholtz's world, which made me reflect on today's social hierarchy especially for young adolescents. Due to Bernard's deformity, he is outcasted by others and not as regarded from the classes underneath him. He knows that he is different, not just physically, but mentally. He doesn't think like the others and his contemplation of them and himself was very fascinating to me. "The mockery made him feel an outsider; and feeling an outsider he behaved like one, which increased the prejudice against him and intensified the contempt and hostility aroused by high physical defects. Which in turn increased his sense of being alien and alone"(65). This made me think about how some people are casted as a certain type of person such as the "troubled" or "bad" kid in school and therefore they continue to act like they are suppose to. We are taught to redefine those roles for those students, which can be hard because yes they may act out at times and be disruptive, but we must make sure that we are not perpetuating or casting the same projection upon those students because they do follow our lead. I realize that Huxley did not intend for the reader to think about adolescents and teaching, but I think Bernard's self-consciousness and role within that society reflects the power dynamics or psyche of the individual with regards to how other's treat or see them.   

Brave New World

Chapter 3, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Question: What do you feel is the most important word, phrase, passage, or paragraph in this work? Explain why it is important. 


Well this chapter had plenty of important and significant passages, words, or phrases in it which made it hard to pin point it to only one! I think anyone could pick any sentence out of this chapter and show the significance it has in the book as well as its relevance in todays society. This chapter is also somewhat confusing because of all the disjointed conversation going back and forth. One of the passages that stood out to me was when Mustapha Mond states, "the Controllers realized that force was no good. The slower but infinitely surer methods of ectogenesis, neo-Pavlovian conditioning and hypnopaedia..."(pg 50). I thought this passage was important because Mustapha explains the reasoning behind the design of this new society. Forcing the people with bloodshed didn't work; however, subtle coercion would produced results and this is definitely relevant to the book and todays society. A lot of people notice things that are blatantly forced on them; however, it is in the subtle ways that larger institutions inflict their control over the mass population. Things like Soma all are subtle ways to control the population and I think Huxley is trying to shed light on the fact that the people who are in control are not doing it in ways that are obvious, yet it is the subtle or slower changes that produce the results they want. Part of my fascination with chapter three is how Huxley shows the progression of this new world versus the one we know now and how that mass control will be come from change over time or generations to where we suddenly have woken up in our own new brave world.  

2nd Response to Feed

Feed by M.T Anderson pg. 29-72


Do you feel there is an opinion expressed by the author through this work?


In the beginning, getting into the world that Anderson created was a little hard for me, but I am definitely liking the book and the character as the story develops. Every page is filled with parallels between their world and the readers world; I love this because I am constantly evaluating and comparing my world to the books, which has tons of similarities for today's society and they are not very positive similarities. I think the author's commentary and opinions on today's society is apparent on almost every page. Anderson created a world that seems exaggerated; however, I think the reader starts to get this eerie feeling that this world hits close to home. The author wants the reader to begin questioning the world that surrounds them in terms of technology, communication, and establishment control. I feel like the author is very explicit in showing the negative effects to the next generation's culture. Even though the character's annoy me, I could probably name three people who remind me of those characters. I see my students constantly connected to technology and consumed by communication. I know that these things aren't necessarily evil; however, I am sometimes paranoid as to how people use this as a way to control the masses. In the section that I read, the kids were hacked by this guy at a club/party and their feed had to be re adjusted. I think the author is clearly illuminating to how people are now being chipped and constantly tracked as well as marketing/business companies having access to our information in order for us to buy more. Anderson's critique on today's society is important and I think reading this book allows the reader to start questioning or at least reflecting on our current culture. 

Feed reading response

Feed by M.T Anderson pg 1-28.

Question: Overall, what kind of a feeling did you have after reading a few paragraphs of this work? What character's did you dislike and why?

I chose to read Feed because everyone that I has read it has said that it is amazing and a must read. I read the first few chapters and it was interesting. In all honesty, I couldn't get into the first few pages of the story. I found myself annoyed with the character's and the world they lived in, which I think is the feeling the author wanted the reader to feel. The way in which the characters spoke annoyed me a lot because of the overuse of 'like' and their words/slang was so different. I know this is suppose to reflect our current society and I could visualize these characters reflecting certain types of people who exist in today’s society. Even though as a reader I was annoyed, I can also appreciate how the author uses those annoyances and over exaggerations to highlight the similarities in today's society. I really disliked all the characters, but I am intrigued by the girl they just met because she seems to be different from them as well as the starting off point for the rest of the novel. I know this book will get better especially because everyone talks about the end and how they cried so I am excited to get through the rest of it and see where the story goes.

Thoughts on Carl Deuker's Payback Time

9/13/15: Reader Response to Payback Time 


The book is getting really good! One thing I really like is the way the author builds suspense with the characters. It reminds me of Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, but with a more modern twist. I love that it is a sports narrative too because I love sports, but I think the idea of scandals or possible mistreatments in sports is a huge topic in today's society. I wanted to keep reading because I wanted to uncover the story just like the characters story. The author does a good job in revealing just enough to grab the reader and they are able to predict along side the character's in the book.

The main character, Mitch, struggles with being overweight and fitting in at school, which I think is a really relatable topic for any young adult. It also shows how high school can be rough in terms of bullies, social status, and stereotypes. As the story evolves, Mitch is becoming more confident with himself and his ability as a reporter. They're are clear characters who embody the negative aspects of high school and I think it is also important that they show adults like the football couch in a negative light.

Payback Time Carl Deuker

 Payback Time- Carl Deuker

Question: what kind of feeling did you have after reading a few paragraphs of this work?

After reading the first few pages, I felt like the story gave a good set up for what is to come; however, some parts were a little slow. I also felt like the author did a great job with his writing style because it was comical, a little serious, and relatable to more than to just ‘sporty’ people. His descriptions were on point. I also felt like he goes into more than just sports and will dive into friendship dynamics, identity changes or possibly identity acceptance. It makes me feel more understanding of a boys world/sports world without being too stereotypical. I also feel like it gives male readers insight into male friendships, bullying, the issue with pressures of hyper-masculinity or the problems with having those stereotypes like ultimate athlete. Hopefully the story will progress into the title- payback time- as pulling/showing the underdogs or discrepancies within coaching staffs. The author definitely has created some suspense and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this book!