Book Recommendation: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Book Recommendation: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Juliana Discher Bell 3

 

          Although it is not a book, I would like to recommend the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. I am currently reading it and greatly enjoying it. I think that all people should read this famous piece of literature because it is an enjoyable read and it challenges the mind. It is difficult to decipher what all of the lines mean, but in the end you will be more educated. It is interesting to read about what times were like long ago and about how people interacted with one another. The language that Shakespeare uses is called Elizabethan. Although there are many modern interpretations of it, the most pure form of it is by Shakespeare. Also, if you want to read the poem that inspired Shakespeare to write it, than read the poem "Romeus and Juliet" by Arthur Brooke.

 

Analysis: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Analysis: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Juliana Discher Bell 3

 

           In class we are reading the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The part we just finished is Friar Laurence marrying Romeo and Juliet. If you are reading this section and not analyzing it you make think that the ceremony is a happy occasion and that only positive things are occuring, but if you look at what Friar Laurence is saying, it foreshadows that something negative is going to occur. Based on prior knowledge, I know that this play is a tragedy and ends with Romeo and Juliet taking their own lives.



Theme and Summary: A Family is Like by Nicole M. O'Neil

Theme and Summary: A Family is Like by Nicole M. O'Neil

Juliana Discher Bell 3

 

          The poem I read is titled A Family is Like by Nicole M. O'Neil. The reason I enjoyed this poem is because I could really connect with it. I chose this poem because I used it in my narrative since it fit in nicely with the story.
          The theme of the poem is that when one is part of a family, they will always be a part of it no matter the circumstances and the hardships that the family has to endure, because family sticks together no matter what. The reason I believe this to be the theme of the poem is because the subject is family, and the author constantly talks about how family sticks together. She proceeds to do this by using an array of similes. For example, "A family is like the stars, somehow they're always there." Her ending line is "[They] will be apart of you eternally." This closing helps to reinforce the theme of family always being with you.
          A summary of the poem is very simple, family will always be with you and be there to help you throughout your life.
 
Poem: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/a-family-is-like-a-circle 

Here is a screenshot of my narrative and how I incorporated the poem into it.

 

 

 

Book Recommendation: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Book Recommendation: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

 Juliana Discher Bell 3

            I would like to recommend this novel that I recently finished. The reason I enjoyed it because it gives a modern twist on a well known book, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. This book is full of interesting plot twists and cliff hangers that force you to keep reading. It talks about a lot of current and interesting things. I don't normally read romantic stories, but this one was certainly good and it kept me entertained. One of my favorite things about the story is that the ending was very satisfying. Everything came together and a lot of your questions were answered.  I recommend picking up this book today and giving it a read!

Reading Skills: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Reading Skills: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

 Juliana Discher Bell 3

          The part I am reading right now in my book is about Grace discovering that her crush, Theo, has fallen in love with another girl. This greatly upsets her because she has never felt such a connection with any other guy. Grace doesn't tell anybody, including her sister Hallie, so nobody knows why she is upset. This creates tension in the story.
          One prediction that I have is that the girl, named Lucy, who Theo fell in love with is hiding something. I am basing this off of the mysterious persona that she has. Another prediction that I have is that something is going to happen between Hallie and Dakota. Their relationship is going very well and nothing bad has happened, so I think it is about time that something bad is going to happen.
          One question that I have is how come Hallie and Grace's mother isn't talked about a lot in the book? I feel like the author should have included her character more because she doesn't really have a part in the story and I think that is a mistake McDonald made. Another question I have is how did the girl's father die? His character passed away in the beginning of the book but it never stated how it happened. I feel like this is a crucial piece of information to include because it could tie up some loose ends.
          One text-to-world connection is that many people have to go through with what Grace and Hallie went through by losing their father at a young age. It is a tragedy, but unfortunately it happens to people in the world. A text-to-text connection is between the book Sense and Sensibility. This is the book by Jane Austen that this story was modeled after. It has a similar plot structure but with a modern twist. A text-to-self connection is that I have experienced being forced to move from my home that I have lived in all of my life just like the girls did. It is a sad thing.

Characters: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Characters: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Juliana Discher Bell 3 

            In this novel, there are two main characters. They are Hallie and Grace Weston. Although the girls are related by blood, they are totally different personality wise. Hallie is the older sister and is a freshman in college and Grace is a junior in high school.

            Hallie is an overdramatic wannabe actor who likes to make everything in life a huge scene. She doesn't think logically and takes things for granted. A quote describing her is "Now she couldn't even afford the basic necessities, like ice-blended coffees, let alone a cute dress." To Grace, this is very frustrating and she is constantly trying to control Hallie's antics. Hallie takes her father's death especially hard and she loses it for a little while. When she comes back into touch with reality she realizes that her family was out of money and they would be forced to move in with their Uncle. For Hallie, this was a perfect reason to breakdown. Once they get settled in, she starts to calm down. Her life changes dramatically when she is swept off of her feet by a new lover, Dakota. Although Hallie becomes a little more mature over the course of the text, the drama never leaves her.

            Grace is a level-headed, very intelligent young woman. She is always thinking realistically and trying to help her mother and Hallie whose heads are in the clouds. She is forced to make decisions that someone her age shouldn't have to make. One example of this, is when she was trying to decide on a house for them to move into after they are in poverty. "'We only have a couple of weeks left,' she reminded them. 'I circled some apartments to check out. You can call the realtor tomorrow.'" Grace is a dynamic character because throughout the novel she changes. She puts more emphasis on her love life and relaxes a little more.

          

Theme and Summary: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Theme and Summary: Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Juliana Discher Bell 3

            The book that I am reading right now is titled Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald. It is the story of sisters Hallie and Grace Weston who have contrasting personalities. Hallie, the older sister  thinks the world is her stage for her to act and Grace is always trying to keep her sister in check. Their father passes away unexpectedly and the two girls and their mother are forced to live life on their own. They have to move in with their Uncle Auggie and start a new life.The girls have trouble adjusting to their new life at first.
            The theme of the story is that one should not let a tragic event, such as the death of a family member, negatively impact the rest of the one's life; they need to move forward and accept it. I believe this to be the theme because the story starts out describing the funeral of Hallie and Grace's father. A quote from the text is "'John was taken from us too soon,' the priest murmured up in front. Grace's old sister, Hallie, let out a wretched sob." This excerpt was from the funeral while everyone was devastated about their loss. Later on in the story when the girls move in with their Uncle, Grace has a hard time making new friends and letting go of her perfect, old life. Another quote from the text is "'Grace! Come on, you need to try. You're a month into the semester already, and you haven't hung out with anyone!'"  This shows how Grace wasn't moving forward or accepting the loss of her father. Eventually when both of the girls realize that  their father isn't going to come back, they moved on and embrace their new home. Each of them made new friends and feel at home.
            A summary of the chapter I last read is Hallie is out at a party and she meets a guy named Dakota. He is unlike any other boy she has met before. He is gorgeous physically and has an amazing personality to match. Not to mention he is a guitarist in a band. Hallie is swept off of her feet and thinks she has found the one. A quote from the chapter is "She knew with utter certainty-he was the man she'd been waiting for her whole life." The chapter ends with Dakota and Hallie planning to meet again.