Books and Literature
House on Mango Street Critique
Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen is about a girl named Gabriella who climbs trees. She climbs trees as a way to escape the world and be in a place all her own. Gaby started to climb trees when she was very young. Years later, at the age of 15, still climbs trees. And now, as she gets to be even older, she feels that she has to do it to save herself from the world that surrounds her. As the book progresses she is forced to run away from a war, all while mourning the loss of family and friends. At points in the book she witnesses things no child should see. After running away for so long she finally makes it to a refugee camp in Mexico and is able to escape from the war. I really enjoyed this book, I thought that in some strange way I was able to feel what she was feeling because of her age. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a short but very emotional and truthful read.
A Long way Gone
A Long way Gone by Ishmael Beah is about the author when he was a young child soldier. He starts with a peaceful and normal life, but then all chaos happens and he starts his long journey of literally running from the war everyday of his life. He would travel from town to town with friends and at times, lose them to the war. Soon he went to a "safe town" for protection from the war, and later became one of the soldiers. He would go to villages with an army and would cause mass genocide. After many more killings he was taken by people to go to a rehabilitation camp to create a new life for himself. After months of being there he finally seemed normal and was "adopted" by his Uncle. Then the war came to his Uncle's house and he had to escape again. Ishmael decided to contact a friend in the US he met when he was there for the UN. Soon after that, he moved to the US to live with his friend. I really enjoyed this book because it was a touching story about pain and recovery. I would recommend this book to people who want a strong and emotional story about what life is like in other parts of the world.
Outcasts United
Outcasts United by Warren St. John is about a refugee soccer team based in Clarkston, Geogia. The team is made up of kids from all over the world that were mainly brought to the US because of war or because they had no choice but to leave. Throughout the book we learn about some of the families of the kids on the team and the hard lives they had before. As the story unfolds, the individual players become not only a team, but a family. The book also talks a lot about the different games that the Fugees played and how they overcame their challenges by coming together and working toward a common goal. I enjoyed this book because it told the amazing story of coming together and getting over differences. It was a truly inspirational read with brilliant word choice and has a secret way of pulling people in. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to be inspired and has a love for books that teaches from true life stories.
- Bless Me, Ultima
- Sold
- Dying to Cross
- Dear, Zoe
- Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer
- Tree Girl
- Outcasts United
- A Long way Gone