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.