Manning Award

Looking for Alaska, John Green. Out of the many things that I have learned from this book, the most important is that life is a beautiful journey. Its taught me how to live in the moment. The main characters really spoke to me, as if I were there myself. The book is in Miles’ point of view. His emotions and thoughts so clear, I felt them with every word that I read, as vivid images danced through my mind. I felt especially connected to Alaska Young. Her happy-go-lucky attitude and her undeniable…

Jennifer and Marwan’s Catholic Wedding Videography When Jennifer and Marwan first contacted us, they were in search of a Catholic wedding videographer to capture their Catholic-Arab wedding. Jennifer was ecstatic about our previous work she had seen and was enthusiastic about the skills our Catholic wedding videographers could provide. From our very first meeting, we enjoyed Jennifer and Marwan’s passion and enthusiasm for their upcoming wedding. We knew it was going to be an awesome event and…

A minute into the movie the words “Allahu akbar" can be heard in Arabic as Chris Kyle is about to put a bullet in a child with an anti-tank grenade. Our protagonist is revealed. Portrayed by Bradley Cooper (Voted sexiest man alive 2011), he lives, loves, laughs, drinks a little, and joins up with the SEALs. The uncharted zone beyond America’s borders is a deadly jungle, and only the SEALs' machete can clear a path to freedom. We’re cut to a training camp. Kyle is undergoing SEAL training, and…

This book is about how people treated Injun Joe, who committed crimes many times. Injun Joe is thought to be illiterate because of many crimes he had committed. He were labeled as animals, “Others”, people said he’s not one of them because he’s illiterate. Like how he survives in the wood, killed and eat raw animals. From this story, I can conclude that a person will be label as many cruel things if they’re different. I think this story is valuable because from this story I can see how important…

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a novel about a dystopian society that occurs when a conservative party takes control of a nation. Offred is the main character who is subject to this government. It changes her life in a way that completely displaces her from her old life in a negative way. Offred is shaped by her cultural surroundings. Specifically, the religious components of the world around her and the harsh government guides her thoughts and views. She is psychologically and…

When reading The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood capitalizes on the uses and misuses of language in Gilead, as well as our society. In the book, she demonstrates that language is vital for any form of power, whether in the privacy of a bedroom, or in the public streets of the republic. Atwood demonstrates how language can undermine the human condition, namely self identity, community and self expression. However, the use of language that can enrich lives, can revitalize memories or communities…

Here’s the ending of the Land Lady. “ Only you my dear.” Then the landlady came to Tommy and she walked over to him and talked to him for a couple of minutes… Then she pulled out the knife she kills the animals with and stabbed Tommy right in the stomach. After she did that she yes I have finally accomplished my dream to kill someone. Then she got out all of the materials she used to stuff animals and got it out and put Tommy into this thing that kept him fresh so he did not rot over the night.…

Axel a curious boy nervous to go on a journey with Professor Lidenbrock, discovers a coded note written in what they call runic script. After showing Professor Lidenbrock, Lidenbrock and Axel they translate the runic script to Latin, showing a peculiar message. After cracking the code, it seemed to be a medieval note written by Arne Saknussem, an Icelandic alchemist. After finding out what the note meant, Lidenbrock and his nephew, Axel, who does not want to go, goes on a trip to Iceland.…

Introducing itself from the viewpoint of Death, the narrator describes the world in colors avoiding the sadness and robust part of his duty, taking care of the dead. The Book Thief is focused upon a daring brown eyed girl, in which a complex character is revealed. The author develops this character through the eyes of the narrator, who finds a fondness in her for her strong and caring personality, Death sees hope in humanity after watching her life. This girl, Liesel Meminger, is a very dynamic…

Madison Smith Mr. Hyde English II Pre-AP, Period 5 October 9, 2015 Looking for Alaska John Green SETTING The story begins in Florida and then shifts to Birmingham, Alabama where Mile’s new boarding school, Culver Creek Preparatory School, is located. The novel is takes place between 2004 to 2005. PLOT One of the most significant events in the book was the death of Alaska Young. Although the book was based and narrated by Miles, the storyline seemed to always focus on Alaska’s humor, ways of…