The Fellowship of the Ring

      The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien is probably the best fiction book I have ever read. It has multiple themes, but one main theme is that even people who seem insignificant have a lot of potential, and there are many characters in the book that this applies to. The Fellowship of the Ring is the first book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it starts Frodo's dangerous adventure to the evil land of Mordor. This book contains many different mythical races, including short creatures with big, hairy feet that want nothing to do with adventure, called hobbits.

    Frodo Baggins, a peaceful hobbit, is given a magical ring from his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. A wizard named Gandalf the Grey warns him about it, so Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin (Pippin) Took, and Merry Brandybuck rush to Rivendell, a city where elves live. On the way, they encounter evil Black Riders, some helpful allies, and a mysterious man named Strider. In Rivendell, a council is held, and people from many different races attend. At the council, they must decide what to do with the magical ring. There, they form 'The Fellowship of the Ring.' A company that is made up of four hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry; Gandalf the Grey; an elf named Legolas; Gimli the Dwarf; Aragorn the Ranger; and a mortal man named Boromir.

      This book was very epic and well-thought through. J.R.R. Tolkien created a whole world called Middle-Earth! You can feel the structure of the plot, the characters, and the settings as you read the book. Also, the author brings up many issues like racism, because of the different races. For example, the elves and the dwarves do not get along well, and they don't treat each other very well. The Fellowship of the Ring affected me, because it taught me that even if someone seems insignificant, or that they aren't good enough for something, they can make a huge difference in the world. We shouldn't judge people that are different than us.

      I absolutely loved this book. I have always loved the Lord of the Rings movies, and I finally decided to read the book. It was very well-written, and I was surprised at how many similarities there were. However, the beginning of the book is VERY SLOW. If you are a reader that gets extremely bored with slow books, than I would recommend not reading this book. J. R. R. Tolkien is a brilliant writer, and his books will continue to be read for many years.

"Night" By Elie Wiesel

     "Night" - By Elie Wiesel, is a depressing and inspirational auto-biography about his time with his father spent in Nazi German concentration camps; Auschwitz and Buchenwald. Though it is only a 100-page book, it holds terrifying opinions and history - he talks about the death of god and how much he is sickened by humanity. The original book was an 865- page book written in Yiddish, and 50 years later, it had been translated in to more than 30 languages. 

     The book starts off by telling the reader of Elie's hometown - Sighet, Romania, and of a strange man, hollering about the horrible things "they" have done to him. The man goes all around the town, telling people that he had been abducted and brutally tortured. Nobody listened, at least, nobody but Elie. He would spend almost every afternoon with the man and listening to his stories of going to Hell and coming back to tell the tale. 

     In Spring of 1944, the Nazi's begin shipping carloads of Jews to Auschwitz, and Elie's family is sent in the last car, a few days after the rest. A woman on their car was hysterical, screaming visions of flames and furnaces. 

     Finally, on the third day of their car-trip with only minimal amounts of food and water, they arrive at a concentration camp and see a large furnace with black smoke flowing out the top. Elie and his father go with the "healthy" group to work, while his mother and sisters are sent the Birkenau to be killed.

     Wiesel has won a Nobel Peace prize for his literature, and has gone on to write two other books about his thoughts after the Holocaust. If you haven't already read this book, you'd better find a copy and read it to yourself because it is definately a "must-read." With all it's gruesome detail and horror stories about his time spent in Auschwitz, it can make someone go from a happy-go-lucky American into a starving and dying Jew in Auschwitz.

The Help

The Help by Katheryn Stockett, is a very inspiring and hopeful book of how whites treat blacks on their color. But of course, this treatment is a very, very harsh one. In the little town of Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962, Miss Skeeter a white woman, who wants nothing more than to be a writer and publisher, and with the wasted hope of getting her a husband by her mother, she soon makes two very good friends, Aibileen and her best friend Minny. Aibileen has taken care of 19 white mothers babies, and Minny the best cook has the sassiest mouth in Jackson. Until one day Skeeter has this marvelous idea to write a novel about the help and the families they have taken care of.  But she needs the help to help her.  With much difficulty she succeeds!!! While time ticks fast, Skeeter Phelan manges to write the novel before crunch time. With much humor, a little bit of romance, and don't forget the hilarious parts with Celia Foote and Minny! This book is absolutely amazing! I loved every part of it, and it was so cleverly written, to show how each character talked and acted. I wouldn't change a thing about this book.

Fire From the Rock by Sharon M. Draper

Before you read this whole book review, let me tell you one thing. If all you ever read is fantasy stories, you might as well stop reading right now. However, if you like to gather background information while being entertained, pay attention. This well written piece of historical fiction written by Sharon M. Draper is about a teen aged girl living in Little Rock, Arkansas during the time in which school integration was being introduced. This was in 1957. Now, obviously, the girl and her family are fiction. However, there are events and actions in the book which are based on true events that transpired back when this takes place. In other words, it tells an educational story in a way that will keep you interested, and not dozing off every time you turn a page.

Sylvia Faye Patterson is an average schoolgirl who gets exceptionally good grades, and, being black, is discriminated by local residents who still have no respect for African Americans. Interestingly, with her dad being a preacher, she turns out to be a really good hearted person who deals with the horrific insults very well. Also, she happens to be really good friends with a white Jewish girl named Rachel. Unfortunately, Rachel is also picked on because of her religion. As expected, these girls go to separate schools because of their race. However, Sylvia is soon asked to be one of the first blacks to integrate to Central High School. She accepts the offer. But after an unexpected series of events, realizations, and discussions, Sylvia decides to withdraw her name from the list.

Later, she finds out it was a good thing she did decide to withdraw her name. This is because the nine that were still going to Central were getting harassed, teased, call names, and flat out denied entrance to the school. After much more drama involving troops, mobs, and police, the nine end up making history by permanently integrating into the school for whites. And although Sylvia was not one of them, she plays many important roles in changing history as well.

Now, as far as writing and theme goes, I thought the author did excellent at giving a good storyline, and keeping you flipping pages. However, I felt that she could have characterized and described people and places a little better. That way, you can visualize the story much better, and it is just a vital key in the process of writing a story. But, as I mentioned before, the author's storyline and themes partially made up for the lack of characterization she gives as the people are introduced. Also, the theme definitely played a vital part in the story for the reader's sake. It teaches you that although you should not give up on something, you need to follow your heart, and let God lead the way. In other words, do what's right, even if it means going in another direction.

Overall, I give this book a B+ for reasons which I stated in the previous paragraph. However, I would still recommend this to most of you out there. It a good educational read, but it keeps you interested throughout the book as well. It's got good characters, good information, a good story, and a great theme. Now, if you are reading this, then you stays entertained throughout the whole book review. In that case, you should go read this book today, it's a very good read, and teaches you a valuable lesson.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.

"Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" is really just a feel good book. It's not suspenseful or exciting, you just read it because you want to read a really great book. The story reminds me of the book "The Help" it has strong female characters and it kind of focuses on African-American rights. The book is really good and I think that most people will enjoy reading it.

This book is about Cecelia Rose Honeycutt, the daughter of a mentally ill woman named Camille. When CeeCee's mom's illness starts to take a turn for the worst CeeCee basically has to raise herself and become her mother's babysitter. When things start to change in her life her father decides that it would be best for her to move to Savannah with her Great-Aunt Tootie. When CeeCee and Tootie get to Savannah CeeCee meets Oletta, Aunt Tootie's cook. Her and Oletta form a very strong friendship and end up becoming best friends.

I thought that this book was really great. The book started of REALLY slow, but I pushed myself to keep reading and I ended up really enjoying it. If I had to say one thing that I didn't like about the book it would be that the antagonist doesn't really do much in the story, she doesn't make the story more intense. Other than that though the book was really good and I enjoyed reading it. A-

The Help

The help is a book by Kathryn Stockett. It is about how black maids were treated in the mid late 1900's. It is also about how very few white people realized how they were treating their maids and even Children. They would basically have a kid then leave it to their maid to raise and take care of it. I think it is really stupid of people to think that because people have different colored skin it means that they should be treated differently. This book shows how badly black people were treated and how white people felt about it. It does have some parts that are somewhat not needed and a little bit of swearing but it is a great book and sometimes even a good laugh.

Aibileen is a house maid in Jackson, Mississippi. She waits on Mrs. Leefolt with her daughter. She has been a house maid for a long time. She makes under minimum wage like most of the maids in Jackson. Minny Jackson is her best friend. She waits on Mrs. Celia. Minny is one of the few maids who makes more than minimum wage. And Mrs. Celia is one of the only white people who treats their maid with respect. Mrs. Skeeter is a young woman who has recently graduated from college at Ole Miss. She wants to become a journalist soon. Even that, can be a beginning to a story.

Mrs. Skeeter has a job with the newspaper. She writes a column every week about housekeeping and cleaning. But because she knows nothing about that, she asks her friend's made Aibileen for tips and advice. She goes over every week to ask her questions and write the column. Mrs. Skeeter is also writing a book called the Help about black maids and their experiences with the people that they wait for.

She asks Aibileen if she and some other maids would like to tell her their experiences. There's just one problem. If they help Mrs Skeeter out and someone reports them or a white person finds out they could all lose their jobs. Aibileen is the only one helping for a few months. But they soon convince Minny and twelve other maids to help them and share their experiences with them.

Skeeter had a deadline to meat. She had to have the book finished and sent to the publishing company before the end of the year. In other words, three months. They moved rapidly through the meetings. They wanted to make sure no one discovered them as the authors of the book. They needed to have a special experience that would ensure them that they wouldn't be caught. Minny had an incident with Mrs. Hilly. And if others found that she was the one that experienced it, Hilly would literally die.

A few weeks later Skeeter got a phone call from the publishing company. They told her the book wasn't going to be in stores for a few months but it was going to be in store sooner or later. Skeeter was screaming from excitement on the inside but remained tranquil on the outside. She couldn't even have her mom know about what she's been writing the past year or so.

The book came out and it was a huge hit in Jackson especially. It was a huge surprise for Skeeter and Aibileen because they had both been told that it almost for sure wasn't going to be a best seller. Everyone in Jackson knew about the book. All the maids were hearing their boss's reading it.

Aibileen was on her chair reading her book when the phone rang. It was Minny calling from the gas station. Her husband Leroy was beating on her and the kids again and she finally had enough. Her and the kids are waiting for her sister to come pick them up. They are going to live with her until they find their own place. Minny finally stood up to her husband. She finally had enough of him.

The next day Aibileen was changing a dirty diaper until she hear the doorbell. It was Mrs. Hilly.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Hilly. How are you?"

"Fine. Where's Mrs. Leefolt?"

Mrs. Leefolt came around the corner. She said, "Oh, hello Hilly. What a surprise."

"Yes.", Mrs. Hilly says. "I was just going to ask Aibileen if she had seen any of my silverware she brought over the other day. I was missing a few pieces."

"No. I haven't seen them. Are you sure you're missing some ma'am?"

"Yes. And I don't see any other way they could just disappear than you just taking them."

Aibileen was dead quiet. She knew she hadn't stolen any of her silver but she knew Mrs. Leefolt wouldn't believe that. "I'm sorry Aibileen. But if Hilly said you stole some, I have to believe her."

Darn Mrs. Hilly. Aibileen says in her head. She figured out it was us and this is how she gets us back. Aibileen walks out the door on her way to her bus stop. She could hear the kids crying in the house but she had to just ignore them. She knew that was Hilly's revenge and thought that it probably wasn't over either.

I love this book because it taught valuable lessons and was a entertaining even fun book to read. It showed how black people were treated just fifty years ago. It shows us how it is always okay to go out of our comfort zone and talk to people we don't usually talk to. Like Skeeter did. The parts that kept me reading are the little things that happen to Minny especially. It was a great book and I strongly encourage you to read it. A+

Trickster's Choice

SPOILER ALERT!!!

"In the time of fear, the One Who I Promised will come to the raka, bearing glory in her train and justice in her hand. She will restore the god to his proper temple and his children to her right hand. She will be twice royal, wise and beloved, a living emblem of truth to her people. She will be attended by a wise one, the cunning one, the strong one, the warrior and the crows. She will give a home to all, and the kudarung will fly in her honor."

- From the Kyprish Prophecy

written in the year 200 H.E.

Tamora Pierce is an incredible written, and this book was an amazing read. Full of twists and turns, being lost and found, mystery, even a romantic ending. The main character, Aly, is the daughter of a spy master. All her life she has wanted to be a spy, having be raised as one. But her father doesn't want her out in the field.

When her mother comes home, they have a big fight. So, Aly plans to leave for a while on her ship. As soon as she is out on the sea, she's captured by slavers. She then prays to her mother's patron goddess, but is visited by the Trickster god. He sends her on a wild journey, that never seems to stop being mysterious and awesome.

This book held my attention for the longest time. I just wanted to read it again and again. Tamora Pierce may be my favorite author. Since if authors are good writers, usually it seems that their other books are the same. I wouldn't put down the book for the longest time, devouring every word. There were several places that made me start.

First off, the crows of the islands can turn into humans, there are strange and mysterious creatures, the gods seem to never get along, and nobody expects Aly of anything! She is a perfect example of how women are amazing! I simply love this book, and I'm reading the second book right now! The second book is called Trickster's Queen.

The Help By: Kathryn Stockett

I recently read The Help by:Kathryn Stockett. If you like historical fiction books that make you laugh and make your heart break, you will love this book. This book is not just a book for girls.

It takes place in Jackson, Missouri, in the 1960s. In the 1960s, African Americans were not treated nicely by the Caucasian people. Some people were even killed because they were a certain race.

Minny is a feisty lady. She loves to cook and hates working for Ms. Hilly. When Ms. Hilly fires Minny from being her "help," Minny instantly starts finding a new job. Her friend Abileen finds her a job working for Ms. Celia, a new lady in town that doesn't know all the rumors Hilly had been starting.

Abileen works for Ms. Leefolt. Abileen takes care of and becomes attached to Ms. Leefolt's little girl. When Abileen meets Ms. Skeeter, Ms. Skeeter is very impressed with Abileen. Ms. Skeeter starts talking to her about what is a like to work for a white lady. She gets this idea in her head that she was going to write a book. The book was to be about what was like to work for a white person.

They were going to use other "helpers'" stories and change every body's names. There was great risk here. If they got caught writing this book, they might have been killed. It took quite a bit of time to find twelve to thirteen people who were willing to take the risk. By the time they found the volunteers, they didn't have very much time to write the book if they wanted it to be read and not stuffed in the "junk pile" that doesn't really get read. They worked hard and turned the book in soon after Christmas.

During the writing process, many people think that Ms. Skeeter is up to something. Ms. Hilly is one of these people. She decides that she is going to try and prove this theory. She starts finding every reason to go to Ms. Skeeter's own home to torment her into telling her what she wans to here.

This book was very memorable and entertaining. I had a lot of fun reading it because it switched which character was telling the story. I was laughing and feeling sad for Minny at the same time. I really like the way the author chose to write this book. I agree with how little content of what really happened in the 60s because the book is appropriate for all ages without all the details about what was going on. It did include a few things that occurred because it effected the content of the book but she did not go into gory details.

This book affected me because I did not know how the darker people felt about being safe and getting their story out. I know feel differently for those people. I used to feel kind of sorry for them because I did not know exactly how important it was back then to live the law and not take risks. Now, I know how they feel so I feel really sorry for them. I loved the way the author chose to teach this important lesson.

This book truly was an amazing book. I felt joy, sorrow, and humor while reading this book. I would definitely recommend it to everyone. I rate this book an A+.