Not all memories make you happy.

I have recently  been reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. The book is about a Kid named Charlie tha goes to high school and he writes letters to an unknown person about his life. He says hes not going to tell the person whos reciving the letters who he is but he kinda does it any way. So far in the book I have noticed that Charlie thinks alot so it brings him down.

Charlie can think alot about memories he has from a long time ago and it could make him feel depressed. For example, there was this time where Charlie, Sam, and Patrick were at a football and Charlie sees a players which reminds him of a party of long ago. He remebers that his siblings were going to have a party, he had to stay in his room. this couple comes in the room, the football player starts touching the girl but she says refuses. At the football game Charlie reliazed that the grl was being raped. he gets this anger now when he sees the football player, but it also makes him feel bad for the girl. I think Charlie doesn't really understands things at first but when he does he gets string feelings which make him bring himself down.

Another time Charlie brought himself down was when he rembered his aunt. He rembered that he didnt cry for Aunt Helen when she died. Aunt Helen was going to buy charlie his presents for chirstmas and his birthday when she got into a accident, she died there. when his mom gave him the news he was upset, indenial, confused but yet he didnt cry. I think Charlie think about things because he thinks its his fault. Like he could've stoped the guy at the party, or at least called for help. But he let it happen, when his sister came in the room she called him a perv. He also realizes that Aunt Helen was on her way to buy Charlie his two presents. One for christmas one for his birthday, she was the only one who game him to seprate presents.

In conclusion, Charlie always thinks about memories and they bring him down. This connects to humanity because, everyone always wants someone to blame. People belive that its ALWAYS  someones fault, and if it isnt someone will find one. Which lead them to feel bad about themself and deppressed and all.

Love or No Love

In Romeo & Juliet by WilliamShakespeare i noticed Romeo has a confused perspective of love. Sofar in the book, there was a fight scene between the Montague’s and Capulet’s servingmen. Romeo confessed to Benvolio that he loves Rosaline, but he is not lovedback. Romeo still attempt to see Rosaline at the Capulet party he, Mercutio andothers crash. At the party Romeo spots Juliet, and it’s love at first sight.

                Romeothinks love can be a happy good feeling but sad bad feeling too. He says “whythen, O brawing love, O loving hate… O heavy lightens serious vanity … featherof lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick heath”. Romeo is describing the love thathe is feeling for Rosaline. In the line he says there is oxymoron. I think the positive words represents the love that Romeo is feeling and the negative is the love that Rosaline isn't giving him back.

I think Romeo is confused of love (if that makes sense...) because he says he really Is in love with Rosaline but when he sees Juliet he fall out of love with Rosaline and in love with Juliet. I don't think he is a hopeless lover because even though he wasn't loved by Rosaline he still fell in love with Juliet and he had hope with Juliet.

I do believe in young love, even if they aren't adults their love is still true and they should be given a chance to expirence, and if it doesn't go right... It wasn't meant to be. But it can always happen

Distracted Driving

     The article  UNSAFE BEHIND THE WHEEL? by Kate Zernike, is about how America is trying to make driving safer for teens by passing laws, bills and forming associations. According to the article teens tend to overestimate their driving skills and underestimate the road. And they cant multitask on the road like, talking to friends, listening to the radio and of course texting. Teenage drivers' risk of a crash increaes 44 percent with one teenage passenger and quadruples with three or more.
     Zernike wants me to think that The United States are trying to keep teenagers safe by making laws and regulations. In New Jersey, they requires 1st year drivers under 21 to attach a red decal to theier license plates to make it easier for the police to enforce an 11p.m. curfew and passenger restrictions. And a bill now before the state legislature would require parents of teen drivers to complete a drivers to complete a drivers education course. Some people dont agree with the red decal on the license plate. Jeffrey Nadel, the nineteen year old president of the National Youth Rights Association says, "These laws are blatantly discriminatory." I agree with Nadel but I also agree with the state because the laws are for the teens safety.
     Zernike wants me to feel that unsafe driving can be dangerous and she wants us to be more careful. She included statistics like,"Teenage drivers' risk of a crash increaes 44 percent with one teenage passenger and quadruples with three or more. Two-thirds of teen passenger deaths happen in a car driven by another teen." Zernike also includes facts like, "This summer, Congress got involved, offering highway safety grants to states that strengthen teen driving laws and crack down on texting-and-driving for all ages: Distracted driving was a factor in at least 3,000 deaths in 2010." I think all the facts and statics she included were really great because they made the issue "real"... And I think teens should appreciate and respect the regulations because they are for thier own safety.

Other Words For Loveeeee

In the book Other Words for Love by, Lorraine Zago Rosenthal. This book is about a teenage girl in HS and as she falls for her 1st love she has complications with her family, frienships&sex.  i noticed that Ariadna Mitchell doesnt really say her feelings and what she thinks. most of the time say doesnt speak for herself is when the people around her are putting her down.  
Family: Ari has a sister Evelyn. Ari has always had a crush on her brother-in-law Patrick. After Evelyn has her 2nd child she enters a crisis because she didn't get a baby girl. Evelyn think Ari wants to take her husband and her kids. Evelyn's son ( says that Ari's food is better than Eveyln's. Thats when Evelyn got really upset and left. Later, Ari's mom said it would be better if Ari didn't got to her sister's house anymore. Ari only wacthed as she thought "Im sorry, Evelyn. Im sorry that you had a hard labor and you didn't get a girl. And I know I shouldn't feel the way i do about your husband, but i just cant help it."
Friendships: Ari like any other girl thinks her friends are waayyyyy more prettier than her. Summer is her "best friend". She's the girl that always has a boyfriend, has the perfect bleached blonde hair, perfect skin, smart, has money, and is envied by any girl. Ari finally has Blake, and summer can't stand it. Ari says " I never have a boyfriend, and i honly have one friend, but you had everything ... and that made you feel like you were btter than me." :O she tossed her hair "I am better than you." <-- that is not something your "bestfriend" ONLY FRIEND would say. not cool Summer. 
Ari's life made me think about teenages beacause i think any teenager can relate to Ari at some piont in the book. i know i did, a lot. with the family problems, fake friends, the true frineds you don't value, your first love that went all wrong... alll those this Ari says actually makes you feel like at some piont your reading her journal or something. I really really enjoyed reading this book. BTW:IT TAKES PLACE IN 1985. (So like teens can even relate to another generation)   :)
                                    

Life Doesn't Frighten Me

     The poem Life Doesn't Frighten Me by Maya Angelou has a meaning that many people can relate to. In Angelou's poem she tries saying that you should be confident & concur your fears. She uses symbolism and repetition.
     In her poem Angelou uses a lot of symbolism. The symbolism she uses can make you wonder what age she is. " Shadows on the walls, noises down the hall, Life doesn't frighten me at all." (1-3) Young children are usually the ones who are afraid of shadows, noises, as well as other things she says in the poem that sound like fears of a child. "Dragons breathing flame on my counter plane, That doesn't frighten me at all." (10-12) LAter on in the poem the fears become more deeper and makes the reader think what the line really means. " I've got a magic charm, That i keep up my sleeve, I can walk the ocean floor' And never have to breath."(37-40) This line make the reader wonder if the speaker of the poem is a young adult or an adult, and that the childish fears actually is symbolizes other fears when yur grown up. Shadows and noises can be like bullies talking behind your back. The fire breathing dragons can be like people who can attack you... but all those things don't frighten the speaker, obviously.
     Secondly, Angelou uses repetition. She repeats life doesn't frighten me at all a lot of times. The reader can infer that the speaker is trying to find confidence in himself/herself. The speaker mentions their fears but then repeats to themselves each time that they aren't frightened by those things. He/she tries to reassure themselves that they "Can walk the ocean floor, and never have to breathe."
     All in all, Maya Angelou tells her message through out her poem using repetition and symbolism. Being confident and concurring your fears make me think deeper about humanity because, everyone is afraid of something. I as a reader of Life Doesn't frighten Me, I think repeating to myself "I will no longer be afraid of (whatever)" over and over again will eventually make me get over my fears and make me fee more confident about them.

We are the World- Ish...

     My song analyze is on We are the World by Michael Jackson. Its not my favorite song but in talent we're singing it so its cool. I think the main meaning of We are the World  is we need to give to others, hence the lyric, "We are the ones who make a brighter day so lets start giving." We can all make the world a better place. In 1985 there was a famine that devastated Africa, then the song was written and then prefromed by artists to help Africa.
     The artists want us to feel bad for all the people that are in need. Jackson uses very powerful words that would capture the readers/listeners attention. In the 1 paragraph he says " there are people dying, And its time to lend a hand to life." This lyric can show and help you imagine how bad the famine has affected Africa; So badly people are dying. The word "God is also mentioned a couple of times. I think by incluidng or like talking about god people who look up to him would take the lyrics, reflect. Then hopefully help a life in need. The artists wants us to think that being caring and help full is good. in the 4 stanza it says, "Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free" I infer that this line means that if the helping person shows to someone they care, the lives of those in need will become "Strong and free".

In conclusion, I think Michael Jackson(&others)'s message about helping others is a lesson everyone should learn; Its good for both sides. (In my opinion) The helping person will get a felling of satisfaction because they know they have made a difference and has helped a person who needed care and love.

Music Video

Lyrics to We are the World by Michael Jackson(USA for Africa):
1)There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And its time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

2)We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somehow will soon make a change
We are all a part of Gods great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love is all we need

[Chorus]
3)We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
Its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

4)Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]

5)When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Let us realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus: x2]

Maya Calendar Fail CORRECTIONS

The article Mystery of the Maya by Natalie Smith is mostly about, who the Mayas are and what their Maya calendar means. The Maya were a group of American Indians who lived in the area which is now Mexico and Central America. They had a really advanced writing system. They had a great knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. The Maya calendar also called the Long Count; it marked the past and future. The calendar starts from when the Mayas believe the world was created. The calendar is similar to the one we use today. The 365 days were based of the earth’s orbit around the sun.

 Smith wants to think that the Mayas don’t mean the world was going to end December 21 of 2012. She says “The largest unit of time on the calendar is a baktun, which is approximately 394 years. After 13 baktun, a great cycle of the Long Count comes to an end. The end of the current cycle will take place on December 21. It’s the end of this cycle that some people have confused with the end of the world.” Smith clarifies that December 21 will be the end of a cycle in the Maya calendar NOT the end of the world. She explains with definitions and facts like what is the baktun and how long is the calendar cycle. Smith also wants me to feel that the Mayas were a very knowledgeable group of people. She states “The height of their empire was from 250 A.D. to 900 A.D. During that time, they developed an advanced writing system. But it was their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy that really set them apart from other ancient cultures. The Maya carefully tracked the movements and cycles of the planets, moon, and sun long before anyone else did. They used this information to create a highly accurate calendar that closely resembles the one we use today. It contained 365 days and was based on Earth’s orbit around the sun.” She speaks of the Maya in a very admirable way. She interviewed an expert on ancient Maya at Colgate University in New York, Anthony Aveni. “You hear all about how amazing [the Maya] were, and I think they were,” says Aveni. “They were very accurate astronomers. Doing all of that without telescopes is amazing.” Natalie does a very good job of persuading readers Maya were bold people by using positive words towards the Mayas. She also tells and explains the invention and how the clever maya people came about the idea.

          This article taught me many facts about the Mayas and their calendar. I used to think that the Mayas did predict doomsday just that they predicted the wrong day. In this article taught me they actually were just marking the end of a cycle and the start of a new cycle. I also think of the Mayas of very brilliant people. I think it’s very clever how they could figure out a time span that will later turn into a year without any technology.

Bibliography: Smith, Natalie. "Mystery of the Maya." Http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757754. N.p., 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.

Maya Calendar FAIL!

     The article Mystery of the Maya by Natalie Smith is mostly about, who the Mayas are and what their Maya calendar means. The Maya were a group of American Indians who lived in the area which is now Mexico and Central America. They had a really advanced writing system. They had a great knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. The Maya calendar also called the Long Count; it marked the past and future. The calendar starts from when the Mayas believe the world was created. The calendar is similar to the one we use today. The 365 days were based of the earth’s orbit around the sun.

 Natalie wants to think that the Mayas don’t mean the world was going to end December 21 of 2012. She says “The largest unit of time on the calendar is a baktun, which is approximately 394 years. After 13 baktun, a great cycle of the Long Count comes to an end. The end of the current cycle will take place on December 21. It’s the end of this cycle that some people have confused with the end of the world.” Ms. Smith clarifies that December 21 will be the end of a cycle in the Maya calendar NOT the end of the world. Natalie also wants me to feel that the Mayas were a very knowledgeable group of people. She states “The height of their empire was from 250 A.D. to 900 A.D. During that time, they developed an advanced writing system. But it was their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy that really set them apart from other ancient cultures. The Maya carefully tracked the movements and cycles of the planets, moon, and sun long before anyone else did. They used this information to create a highly accurate calendar that closely resembles the one we use today. It contained 365 days and was based on Earth’s orbit around the sun.” She speaks of the Maya in a very admirable way. She interviewed an expert on ancient Maya at Colgate University in New York, Anthony Aveni. “You hear all about how amazing [the Maya] were, and I think they were,” says Aveni. “They were very accurate astronomers. Doing all of that without telescopes is amazing.” Natalie does a very good job of convincing readers Maya were bold people by using positive words towards the Mayas.

          This article thought me many facts about the Mayas and their calendar. I used to think that the Mayas did actually predict doomsday just that they predicted the wrong day. In this article taught me they actually were just marking the end of a cycle and the start of a new cycle. I also think of the Mayas of very clever people. I think it’s very clever how they could figure out a time span that will later turn into a year without any technology.

Bibliography:

Smith, Natalie. "Mystery of the Maya." Http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757754. N.p., 2013. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.

If we don't talk to strangers... How are we supposed to meet people?

I am recently reading the book TEEN ANGST? NAAAH... By Ned Vizzini. Ned wrote essays when he was younger of his middle and high school life. So now he put them all together to make an autobiography. I think Ned wants me to know that he has/had a very interesting friends and an interesting life too.

When the protagonist was going to be on the show THE VIEW in New York City he met Rocco. (Pages 147-159) Hector, Ike and Ned were all on the the street ruining to the studio because they were late. Hector stops to talk to Rocco. I imagined Rocco as a homeless man... But then as I read on, Rocco dropped out of school a few months ago. When the author revels this part, it made me think that Ned has a unique way of meeting people. I can kinda relate to Ned because I kinda like talking to strangers, not creepy looking strangers though.. Just like kids I guess.

The second way I think Ned has an interesting life is that he and his friend James went to present a movie Ned made about turtles that eat teenaged girls. When the author revels this part, It made me think Ned has an interesting childhood because I've never present movie, nevertheless made a movie about turtles or anything. The movie is available at www.nedvizzini.com/fun/#turtle.

My part of my claim that is about Ned's friends made me think... If we don't talk to strangers how are we supposed to make friends?

Teen Angst? Naaah...

I am reading Teen Angst by, Ned Vizzini. This book is about the authors life between 8th grade and high school. I think part of what the author, Ned wants me to know is that you could be studious but have fun at the same time and not stress out.

The first way I think Ned wants me to know this is in chapter The Test on pages 14-21. This chapter is about the SSHSAT. When Ned first found out abouth this test he went crazy and brought a SSHSAT book and practiced so much for the test. I wrote on a piece of loose-leaf, "Buy Stuy book." "Ned," mary leaned in close. "You dont need a list, and you dont need to worry. You'll do fine." And "Ned, I saw this coming. Ever since you heard about this test, you have been too worried. Understand? You are not allowed to obsess about this test. Understnad?" "Yeah" But it was too late. Iwas already obsessed. Ned already knew he was going to do ohkay. When Ned got the book anyway he kinda made me feel bad about myself, because if someone told me I was going to do fine I wouldnt worry about it.

The best way I think Ned wrote about my claim is on page 45 "THE GRIND". Ned says A biology teacher once put it to me this me this way: " Getting through Stuy is easy. You have three options: good grades, social success, and sleep. You can only have two of the three." I really like this line because it really connectes with my claim. Ned chose good grades and sleep, thats an ohaky choice I guess. Ned gives advice on what two choices you should never choose: sleep and and social success. Bad choice!

What Ned wants me to know connects to teenagers because, I think all teens think about their grades ( well those who care) and then they just stress out and dont have fun. I know some people who do that... but we are not friends... figures.

Fox needs friends too ya know

In class we read the book Fox, at the end of the story I relized that Fox's manipulative behavior is selfish, but I think its ohkay for him to be selfish because he is lonely and he has no one else, therefore feels like he has to make others feel how he feels.

Fox was selfish becuase he saw that Magpie and Dog were best friends and they needed eachtother, but Fox didn't care he broke them apart. Magpie didn't have wings anymore, and Dog didnt have and eye anymore.): Fox was jealous of what they had because he doesnt!

In the line " She can not tell if it is a scream of triumph or dispair," I think it was dispair and triumph.
I think it was dispair because, even though he has torn a pair apart he is still alone and he doesnt have a reationship like Magpie and Dog.
I also think it was triumph because, the Fox is happy that now Dog and Magpie are both alone. And Fox feels happy because he might not feel "alone" because he knows that there are other people alone too.

 I hope in Magpie and Dog do become friends again because they need eachother! and true friendship never dies! I also hope Fox finds a friend so he doesnt have to feel alone anymore.

How can FRENDS,ART&LOVE Take You Out of Depression

I just recently finished reading It's Kinda Of A Funny Story by, Ned Vizzini. When I finished the book I was thinking about how Craig healed. It took friends, art, and love.
Craig got depressed in the first place because he was so stressed about getting in to "Executive Pre-Professional High School". He wouldn't want to hangout with Aaron(his best friend), Nia(the girl he like also Aaron's Girlfriend). He studied and work his a** off so much but then Aaron also gets in the high school without studying like Craig. He also doesn't like how Aaron got Nia he couldn't. I would be very mad and upset too! What?! How does this boy get the girl and he gets in to the high school, HES BETTER THAN ME!  that's what I would think. I would feel stupid and worthless.I was so proud of Craig when he was out, I might be overreacting but I actually felt... I don't know, free? relived? I felt like Craig would feel like a whole new person. On the bottom of page 443 and top of 444 he was saying things he should do but the readers too. I thought it was funny.

Anyway, haven't you ever felt like someone was better than you or better at something. Better test grades, better hair, better shoes. Better everything? Craig saw at Six North that none of those things mattered. He met so many people at 6N that they became his FRIENDS.

Craig and I feltlike we knew them Craig saw all these other sick people that he stoped feeling so bad about himself. He had the LOVE of his family and the other mostly didn't even have a family. He thought he was in love with Nia, but I think he was jealous of Aaron in general. BUT  in 6N he met Noelle, now he's in LOVE for real. They're even going to hangout when she gets out of 6N.

ART:Craig also had his awesome map/people drawing skills. I wish I could see his maps for real. I think his maps helped him because Iremebr reading way back in the begging that when Craig was younger he used to get all upset because he couldn't draw the maps so well. And then in 6N when Noelle told him to draw something that made him happy in his childhood he drew maps and everyone complimented him on them. he felt accomplished.
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"The Gaydar"

     

In the story Am I Blue? by, Bruce Coville, the protagonist Vince is trying to figure out if he's gay or not. He’s also very scared and worried of what might happen to him or what people might think if he shows everyone who he really is. He shows his fear/shyness until he found out about "The Gaydar". ;)

      In the begging, Vince was getting beaten up by Butch Carigon. When he met his fairy godfather Melvin, Vince didn’t believe Melvin actually existed. Vince was also very embarrassed to be seen with Melvin. Vince told Melvin to stop walking in this swishy way and in the cafe Melvin winked at another guy sitting a few tables away. At this point I could relate to Vince, couldn’t anyone? I mean like everyone has been afraid what people must think of yourself, because people can be verrrrrryyyyy mean. Just like Butch Carrigan, he was beating up Vince in the 1st paragraph. I was very disappointed. I don’t know if I should be saying my personal opinion on this topic but everyone has 3 options:

 1.You don’t agree with idea of being "gay".

 2.You do agree with idea of being "gay".

 3.You really don't care. /:

      I think I fall into number... 1. I feel mean by think what other people are doing or believe is wrong but at the same time everyone has their reasons. I’m a Catholic so, supposedly it wrong for a woman and woman or man with another man to get married. But these people just want to be happy :(, and then other who think the opposite of me make me feel like I’m a party pooper and I’m just ruining their happiness. Oh well, I stand for what I believe. ANYWAYYY...

      Melvin then gave Vince the opportunity to have the gift of "The Gaydar". The Gaydar let Vince see people blue, when people are a shade of blue it means they are gay. The dark the shade is the less gay they are. Melvin put the power on Vince, and when he opened his eyes he was soooo surprised! He couldn’t imagine how many people were blue in the cafe. I think this was the climax for Vince, he realized that he wasn’t the only gay person there and he should be proud of who he is and who he is trying to find out who is. I was really upset when I read the paragraph on page 13 that the republican. Vince called him a hypocrite so I’m guessing the republican was saying he doesn’t agree with the idea of being gay, BUT he was blue! I was like Ahahahaha meanie!!

      The last part of the story was the best ending ever! “Gay fantasy number three, coast to coast." Ohmygoshh! People all over the world started turning blue! That would be so crazy if it happened in real life. It would be crazy for that man that was jogging that is married and has kids! His third wish was the best, making Butch Carrigan blue... BUT when Melvin came back he gave Vince the best news ever, Butch was already blue! I was so proud of Vince at the end when he said “And my third wish? I've decided to save it for when I really need it--maybe when I meet the girl of my dreams. Or Prince Charming. Whichever." BEST ENDING EVER! I liked this story ALOT. :)

My motivation

In the story "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury there was a quote that reminded of me what I do... ALOT: "Beyond the thirty-three familiar shadows forty thousand men, exhausted by the nervous expectation and unable to sleep for romantic dreams of battles yet unfought, lay, crazily askew in their uniforms". Whoah, this line is so important in my opinion because it made me understand how Joby was feeling before the battle even started. I loved the part that said " unable to sleep of battles yet unfought". Joby and all the other soldiers are worried and afraid about the future.
I can toootttaaalllyyy relate to Joby, being worried and scared. He wasn't sure if he made the right decision to go to war, and sometimes I think that i make all the wrong decisions too. Im not insecure, I just like thinking twice... And sometimes thats not enough. Joby is a war an now he regrets it, I can imagine myself in a situation like that, definitely.
I want to be a doctor, but then I think nah I'm not that smart, or something like, there's other easier jobs... But the how Joby get's his pep-talk from the general, i remember my motivation to be a doctor which is my sister. Shes diabetic, I want to take care of her so its easier for her to stay close to healthily & I get motivated just like Joby. :)

It's Kind Of a Funny Story.

Im am reading the book "Its Kinda of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini. Pg 185
Im at the rising action so i don't know the conflict resolving. The conflict is that Craig is depressed and ha want to kill himself. He's overwhelmed with his super smart high school and all the homework its gives him, he's also upset about how he couldn't get the girl he wanted but, his best friend Aaron could. I can infer from what I read so far I think Craig thinks that Aaron is better than him because Aaron got into the super hard high school without studying, and Craig busted his... studying for the test AND Aaron got the girl Craig was dreaming for. I can totally relate to Craig, that awful feeling you get when you KNOW another person is better at you at something or they can do something I/you cant. I hate it so much when I see people get better test scores than me and they like show it off and all it bothers me so much and I also studied a lot but mine are lower :( no fair. And i hate it how i cant grow more! I feel so short around taller people :( i used to be one of the tallest of the class in elementary now in not, but oh well.

Summer Book Response

One of the books I read this summer was Hate List by Jennifer Brown. I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait to read more of Jennifer’s books.This book was about a Girl named Valery and how she tries to overcome her guilt about the “Hate List”. A few months back Valery’s boyfriend Nick shot some peers in the school cafeteria, he chose his targets from the “Hate List” which Valery helped Nick create when they were bullied or when something about someone just bothered them. Valery tried to stop the shooting, but she was shot by accident right before Nick pulled the trigger on himself.

When Valery returns to school she has a hard time interacting with anyone. She feels guilty, but she knows that she’s not but not many others think that. Her old friends don’t want to give her a chance but her mom and counselor are fighting for her to get back on track to finish her senior year, and help her get through her horrible experience. Along in her recovery she met Bea who taught an art class in a Stop&Shop, Valery thought that this would her pain go away. Val was sooo shocked when she found out that her father and his secretary was having an affair! I think that Valery thought she knew Nick and her father, but then Nick shoots and kills people he hates and his dad has an affair, but at the same time I think Mr.Leftman her father had this affair because he found out that his name was on “The Hate List”. Val put it there because her parents would have discussions very often and she was tired of them. Another horrible moment Valery had to go through was when she was at a party which she got invited to by the girl she stepped in front of when she got shot, her name was Jessica. She was being nice to Valery and invited her to the StuCo; she thought she owed her life to Valery. When they were at the party this guy name Troy pulled out a gun and said he was going to shoot her, “to see how it feels”. I think Mr.Leftman wasn’t supportive enough to Val, even though she wrote his name in The List, she called her dad to see if he could pick her up from the party and he yelled at her in front of his new wife how she was making everybody’s life miserable. She didn’t want anyone to die she was just expressing herself with the only person who she could, her boyfriend Nick.

 One day while reading the newspaper Val, thought of the idea of making a memorial service, I think this was the changing point for her when she actually accepted that the shooting wasn’t her fault. I think that going to Nicks’ grave for the 1^st time also helped her get to the changing point. I thought I was so romantic when she was saying good bye. She said goodbye Romeo, because Nick used to love Shake sphere, and they read plays together in his house. In the memorial service they had a time capsule, I think once the capsule was closed I think it was some closure for her. It was time for her to move on but never forget.

I really like the way the chapters were put in the begging, like one was the narrator and the next was Val remembering the day of the shooting or any memory she had with Nick or from the past, but after the service she didn’t go back to the past I felt like she finally let go.

Hate List taught me many things; you think you know someone when you really don’t. Nick, Her dad, her “best friends” that left her when she needed them most because everyone was going through a difficult time. Also learned, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”- Martin Luther King Jr. With the love that Mrs.Leftman, Jessica, Dr. Hieler, Bea and many others she could continue ahead in life. J