Have you ever thought it was possible for a human, a bug (that talks), and a watchdog (literally WATCH dog) to become friends? If you have, then The Phantom Tollbooth is the book for you! This book is full of laugh-out-loud humor and oh so sweet life lessons that your sure to cherish and enjoy.
The book starts out introducing it's readers to a peculiar boy named Milo. Why peculiar? Well, this boy does not appreciate a single thing about life, spending his days doing absolutely nothing, drowning himself in unhappy thoughts. His lack of energy to do nothing is unfathomable.
However, soon his perspective on life is about to take a detour, as he discoverers a new world, in which his crazy and adrenaline-filled adventure alongside his loyal companions, Tock the watchdog, and Humbug the bug. And so their journey begins, out on a mission to rescue the only two women who can save this new slowly dying world; Rhyme and Reason.
My favorite part of this suspenseful adventure was when the three friends parted their ways with a tearful farewell, and Milo finally found himself back at home. The only difference was Milo. He was different. Milo appreciated life more, the conversations heard in the distance, the glistening sun providing warmth in his community. This was all thanks to the bond and teamwork of the these three friends. Tock, Humbug, and himself.
chicken boy, by frances o'roark dowell
Tobin McCauley is no ordinary student or kid. With his mother dead, his house apparently not that safe of an environment, a quarreling dad and grandmother, and not the most popular kid in school, things couldn't get any worse. This young teen is stuck between two worlds- school and home- neither that appealing.
Then comes along a stranger (Henry) and the two gradually become friends because of the oddest of a situation- by Henry beating up a kid for Tobin! Having Henry as a friend for Tobin increases Tobin's self-esteem, blissfulness, and even improves his work ethic at school.
However, one attribute of having Henry as a friend sticks out from them all- Henry teaches Tobin how to raise chickens. And pretty soon Tobin is raising his own chickens! As you read this meaningful and intriguing book, you will realize how Tobin's "chicken obsession" plays out to be one of the smartest decisions he could ever make.
I feel like the characters in Chicken Boy are most relatable, so here are some characters that match the personalities of people I have around me in real life.
Tobin- A friend of mine. The character "Tobin" in Chicken Boy reminds me of one of my friends I had a couple of years ago because both of them are humble, keep to themselves most of the time, and has very different preferences on various topics. The two personalities of these two boys match perfectly.
Henry- My cousin Krish. The character "Henry" in Chicken Boy reminds me of my cousin Krish in so many ways! They both are very optimistic and they have a go-lucky type of attitude when it comes to life. They just go with the flow. Tobin likes to do his own thing no matter what people say and I feel like Krish is like that too. Krish is very ambitious, for example, he opened up his own fashion line and is proud to be doing what he wants to be doing.
Dad- My Grandfather. The character "Dad" in Chicken Boy reminds me of my Grandfather due to the fact that "Dad" and my grandfather share the same traits such as head-strong, and short-tempered when it comes to ill-mannered people. They both also show "tough love" as in they do care and love their family or anyone else for that matter, however, they don't really show it often.
Grandma- My friend Sania. The character "Grandma" in Chicken Boy reminds me of one of my friend Sania since "Grandma" and Sania is similar in a number of ways. Two of them being strong-willed and self-assured. In the book, "Grandma" never gives up on a fight verbally and it reflects on Sania as well, how she is unbending when it comes to her own opinion.
anything but TYPICAL, nora baskin
Unable to learn at the same rate as his peers. Anxiety building up at any time. Cannot tolerate loud sounds so he doesn't seek that much pleasure in parties. And most devastating of all, Jason Blake cannot get a GIRLFRIEND. Things cannot go as horrid as they are already going for 12-year-old Jason Blake until he discovers a girl named Rebecca, going by the name PhonexBird online. These two surprisingly have a lot in common; Writing stories, the boredom of school, etc. So when Jason Blake has the one chance to meet this mystery girl, why is it not as easy as it sounds? Will Rebecca just see Jason as the dumb autistic kid most outsiders see him as? Find out in this breathtaking and heartbreaking book, Anything But Typical!
When I finished reading this book, it made me research more about autism and the symptoms that factor autism. That's when I came across an interesting topic; Should kids with autism be taught in a different school? Personally I think not because it gives kids with autism a chance to see how other kids with no disabilities cope and this could somehow impact them too. However here are some other points of view;
yes
Autistic kids should be taught in a different school because they can sometimes disturb other students during an important lesson, whether it's by a temper tantrum or just an outburst of words
It's not always beneficial for the autistic kids because the mainstream teachers are not specially trained to deal with them.
They can also be teased or bullied by the other mainstream children which can lead to anxiety or depression.
no
No, autistic kids should be taught in the same school as mainstreams because they're just like us they have their struggles and we have ours. Some of us may not have disorders but we at least have struggles in our lives just like autistic people do.
The mainstream kids can set an example for the autistic kids on what is socially appropriate.
They should also be taught in the same school since autistic kids should be given the same opportunities as other kids.
CRANK, BY ELLEN HOPKINS
I can only imagine the headlines flashing. " My Sister Went From a College Basketball Player to a Sugar Baby Party Teen With Disturbing Fantasies". "My Head-Butting, Furniture-Throwing 15 Year-Old Daughter Looks Like an Angel but Behaves Like a Wild Child." But then again, I can only imagine. Ellen Hopkins took on the exceptional role on writing a book- a trilogy in fact- about the lives most typical millennial girls can relate to. Hopkins features a teenage girl named Kristina, however goes by the name Bree. Kristina has divorced parents, and so for a week it is decided that she will visit her father. Yet what Kristina-or Bree- didn't know was that this trip was going to flip her life upside down. Soon this girl who once was an innocent child turns into a "non virgin", does drugs on on a daily basis, and is addicted to smoking basically anything she can get her hands on. Not to mention the fact that when she gets home things are no different than when she was at her fathers'. Mother's sweet little girl now curses at her and puts down that invisible barrier of non- communication between mother and Can Kristina (Bree?) put all this negative impacts on her life aside, or will she forever continue to be a drug addict she is now?
matched, ally condie
Matched, the first book in this lively trilogy is a captivating and romantic read in the setting of The Society; a province in which all citizens are controlled by the government officials. From what they eat, to what they are allowed to do in their spare time, The Society dominates every aspect of it's peoples lives, and most surprisingly, the Society even picks it's citizen's husband/wife. When Cassia Maria Reyes has finally become old enough to receive her significant other from the Society she is full of jubilation. . However a shocking discovery questions the destiny of Cassia Reyes; she has two matches. Who is actually he partner? And who is the mistake? Find out all in the book Matched!