Riley and her live in heaven

Radiance by Alyson Noel. First Scholastic printing, January 2011

Genre: a novel 

Riley Bloom left her sister, Ever, in the world of the living and crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. Riley and her dog, Buttercup, have been reunited with her parents and are just settling into a nice, relaxing death when she’s summoned before The Council. They let her in on a secret—the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure; Riley has to work. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher,Bodhi, a curious boy she can’t quite figure out.

Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup return to earth for her first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But he’s never met Riley…

The workings of afterlife, called “Here” in this case, are commonly disputed and the perfect basis for world-building. You can do anything with it that you’d like – it’s fiction! Alyson’s take on the afterlife in Radiance is like nothing I’ve read before. In fact, it’s like nothing I’ve ever considered or heard of. The concept of there being levels and goals you must reach to in order to get to the next level is an intriguing, almost video game-like one. Immediately, there’s a goal, there’s a purpose, and I, as a reader, know where the book is heading.

"You do know you can manifest a whole new wardrobe right? We’re really not bound to the mistakes of our past. So go ahead, knock yourself out. Just close your eyes and ask – What would Joe Jonas wear?"

I pick this book because the topic it seems interesting to me what happens after you die?. And I related this story with what happened to my mom and her sister. My aunt that I never met, died very young in her twenties, she was older than my mom. My mom admire her, my mom always said that my mom was very pretty and she likes her personality. My aunt died in a car accident too just like Riley. My aunt's name was Beatriz Silvia Duran Alicedo and my mom named me Beatriz Silvia Quinteros Alicedo. 

I give the book 5 paws.

Decisions

Choice is an act or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. Through life we all need to make a lot of choices big  or small ones. Sometimes you will be satisfied with your choices  and there will be times that you will be regretful because the choice that you make.Each decision that we make can have a huge impact in our life. In the book the Old Man in the sea, the main character Santiago trough the story needs to make a lot of decisions. But the main decision that he needs to make is whether or not to catch the marlin. Finally  confident he decide to catch the fish. This decision brought positives and negatives results.

He first  chose to be perseverance and  patient, deciding to try again and again until he catch a fish. “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish" (9). 84 days, it was how long had gone with out catching a fish.Without catching any fish Santiago couldn't make any money. But this didn't stop Santiago, he was very devoted to his fishing, he stay hopeless and thought optimistic.

He decide to go deep fishing Even do he is lonely (without Manolin) and old. Santiago, unlike other people has faith so he decides to go deep fishing. "Today I'll work out where the schools of bonito and albacore are and maybe there will be a big one with them" (30). He was determined to fish and break his streak of unluckiness. He was not going to allow the loss of his partner to stop him from doing that. This decision have a huge impact in the story because is when his hole adventure began.

Until he finally saw  a marlin and try to catch it he give everything. He stayed in ocean  for days until catch the fish. Although he should not have decide to catch because he got many severe cuts and a fairly painful hand cramp for his decision to catch the fish. “The bird had flown up when the line jerked and the old man had not even seen him go. He felt the line carefully with his right hand and noticed his hand was bleeding,” (55-56). He was at the moment satisfied  with his choice and he believed in it. His choices until now doesn't have good results.

Then he decides to catch the big fish.One negative outcome of Santiago’s decision is that the marlin ends up getting taken away from him, leaving the old man very disappointed. “The old man could hear the noise of skin and flesh ripping on the big fish,” (102) as he watched the shark take the marlin away from him. Now the old man had put so much hard work into catching the marlin, and he did not even get to keep it. He had lost the thing he wanted most, and had put all the work in for nothing. Though he did not actually get to keep the fish, he still had the credit and pride that came along with catching a fish that big. Also, people would not consider him as unsuccessful or like a bad fisherman anymore because he was able to capture such a large fish. But he did not care he knew that the decision that he make was right that was fight until you could not anymore.

Through this novella, Santiago need to face a lot of decision. In life we need to make a lot of decision too big or small ones. But all of them are going to have a good or bad impact in our life. “There may be a thousand little choices in a day. All of them count.”-Dr. Shad Helmstetter

Just 25 days

 My name is Jade.My dad is owner of the most important company in the country . I am his only daughter and because of that my engagement is public press conference .But now I am really late.
Hopefully  we get there in time for the session.Rowan,my fiance, is a very famous singer. I met him when I got lost in the mountain, it was him who saved me.Then  I saw him again  and we both began dating.I love him , he is very sweet with me and I know that he loves me too.
    This week I have been searching for wedding dress and I don't  know which one to pick. Maybe I should drive to Sienna’s house . ...Why Sienna is in Rowan’s car? Why he is kissing her hand? this cant be happening …she is my b-best friend. I need to call her ...Where did that car come from? OH Noooo!! CRASH!!.Why is there a lot of people around my car?.Look I am ok, I got in a car crash  but I am here alive.
"Excuse me sir, let me get in my car"
He cant hear me. I cant touch him what is going on? … "She" ...is me. Am I DE-EAD?.
        They take my body to an ambulance the nurses were trying to wake me up .I could see myself my head bleeding ,the doctor trying to give me oxygen taking me to a room.Then my dad entered the hospital and says “Where is my daughter Jade? Where is  the patient from the traffic accident?”  
I scream "daddy! daddy!" but he cant hear me. Behind him is Rowan asking  desperate “How is she? Is she is going to be fine?”. Then my dad screamed my name again and again. I cant be able to answer. My mom then came and ask for me she can't believe.
There is guy that seems like he can see my spirit .He tell me “come with me”. He take me to the roof .
Me::"So... you are the the angel of death?"
The spirit:"ahh!! so old fashioned. I am not the angel of death I am the  SCHEDULER"
Me:"Scheduler?"
Scheduler: "You see before the humans born it is decide how long they are going to live.In conclusion we follow the calendar of each person."
Me:"So It means that I am dead?
Scheduler:"You are suppose to be dead but you are in coma"
Me:"Did you came for me?"
Scheduler:Actually I came for another human.He was the one who had to have the accident in the car not you .But because your accident his death was delayed .The case that schedulers hate.WHEN OUR SCHEDULES ARE DELAYED.
Me:So why is nobody taking me?
scheduler:Because you are not scheduled to die today.You have two options die or in 25 days find 1 tear of 3 persons that really love you after that you can comeback to your human life.ahhh and it cant be family. You will know that the person love you if their tears are pure.You cannot use your real body.I will give you another.Whatever  happens ,you can't say your name.Also you need to work for your own money.
The first 4 days I buy clothes, accessories,food and also search for a job.In the 5th day I remember that Rowen's cousin ,Kian, works in the entertainment company.He is the owner of the company, in there all the famous artist work.He also went to college with me.I think I could go and ask for a job.In college I used sing and I was part of magicians club.When I was going to Kian office I listen Rowen's voice coming from a door I was happy to hear his voice until he said "Good thing that she is in coma I couldn't take her anymore she is boring and immature.I just wanted to go out with her because she is famous and this would give me more popularity.Also because her money.We plan everything good Sienna .At the mountain, I 'saved' her and you couldn't 'find' her it was great and I am a great actor.I just love you Sienna."
When I hear this I thought " that selfish bastard  I cant take this anymore" .So I open the door and throw  my purse at him. He said "OOWW!!!WHO ARE YOU?" 
    "YOU DESTROY MY LIFE I WANT REVENGE!!!"I said
"If you want revenge you will needed to join to the entertainment company then maybe there is a little chance" he stated.
Security took me to Kian (the owner/boss)  "This girl,Adalyn, was disturbing Rowan" 
"I just want revenge "I said
Then Kian "Put her down.Revenge that is what I want too.He never loved her, I love her. He got engaged with the woman that I love. You remind me a lot of my friend she was just like you if someone put her down she will show the person that she is stronger. If you want you can work here?" he said
"Yes I need a job ,just for 21 days "
Day 21
Kian wants me to make a commercial, the director wants me to sing to see how well my voice is. For tomorrow. "Oh? poor little kid is crying maybe some magic will make him happy. Look! What is in your ear? a quarter!!. Magic makes everything better" 
'What did you said? my friend always said that" Kian said "I know that you are bewildered because she just died but..."
"How do you know she is dead?"Kian inturrupt
Day 20
I need to sing I am thinking of singing the song that I use to sing in high school.Ok now is time to sing.
Kian;STOP!! Where did you hear that song? that was my friend's song she composed that song.Who are you?Are you Jade?"
I couldn't tell him.
 19 days left 
I try to get tears.First i went to Luna's restaurant, Luna is my other best friend we know each other since we were kids.I tell her that I want a desert  and  ask  why she was sad . She doesn't seem to accept that I am coma she says that I am just having a long dream that is for me too it is just a dream.And she more regreat to the idea that i could die soon.I couldn't insist talking with he about my dead
14  days left
So little time I  have left, I am tired about this maybe i should quit, I died. Kian just comeback from his travel.
Kian:"I know who you are .YOU ARE JADE! I talk to a monk and he tell me the story of 25 day.I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!"
Me:"No ... no I am not."
He cry  and hug me .That was we I receive my first tear and one chance to comeback to my normal life.
12  days left
Kian gave me a rose. Asked  me to be his date for today's party ,famous people are going to go. I accept.He sent people to dress me up and to put make up on.It was really romantic.In there was Rowan  with Sienna , when he saw me he got surprised.Rowan wanted me to dance with him and he extended his hand to me but at the same time Kian did it too.I then took kians hand in favor to dance with him.Rowan was mad. Then in that moment Kian told me that he loved me and that he hoped to be with me when I wake up from my coma.I didnt say anything and then he kissed me.

10  days left
Kian told me that My mom went to Rowan's house with Luna when they opened the door she found Rowan with Sienna.My mom told to him that there is not going to be any wedding if I come to live.My dad also discovered someone was taking money from his bank account and it was Rowan.they send him to jail.
5  days left
This 5 past days I was with Kian .I am soon will be dead . I cant find another tears.There is nothing more to do just leave the earth and wait to the past day.
4  days left
Day became minutes and hour ,seconds.I will be gone soon.I pray and say "please let Rowan forget about me and that my family can resist the pain.Tomorrow will be a new day "

1 day left
When I wake up I already knew that this was the day I will leave the earth.
"This is my of resignation Kian"I write a note on his desk and then I was gone .
Scheduler:It is time Jade.Give me your hand we need to enter to the door.AH? What happen?.I can't take you.Do you feel the ?Jade your life is on earth makes sense, you can come back to earth.
I was crying and happy.
Me:"I know for that Luna he is the person who give me the second tear.But who gave the third tear? "
Scheduler:"It seems like it was Sienna."
Me:"Sienna?"
Scheduler:"Sienna was being childish, she just wanted attention but then she relized what she was doing was wrong, and then she remember all the time that you spent together as friends."
When I open my eyes Kian was taking my hand  ,my mom was there and Luna. I told my mom to call Sienna.When she  entered , she was  crying .
"Mom, leave us" I said 
"You want to be alone?" Mom said
"Let go to drink coffee"Kian said
"I sleep ,sleep and i have a dream just a dream"I said
"You remeber when we were running to the engagement session,and my shoes broke you give me yours and you ran barefoot to the session.In that moment you took off your shoes for me."
" What you mean?"Sienna  said
"People say that the shoes of a woman is the pride of them .In that moment you quit your pride for me.You forget everything about the session .You thought of me first.Because... I am your friend" I said
"Jade?"Sienna said
"I am tired please go"I said 
When Kian comeback I smile to Kian and he smile back.

Grace Impossible Love

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.Scholastic Press ,2009                                                        Genre:Novel

This book is about a girl called Grace that has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf–her wolf–is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . Until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human–or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

"Cynthia Leitich Smith author of Tantalize,called Maggie's writing  'musical ,magical,and practically radianting romance ...perfect for engaging sharp minds and poetic hearts'."

The book Shiver is romantic novel where the point of view is omniscient what makes this book great because you can see how the characters see things differently and makes you understand the book better.This book was really good when  I finished this book with tears flowing down my cheeks. I was speechless, I enjoyed this book way more than I expected I would, it surpassed all my expectations.

"I remember lying in the snow ,a small red spot of warm going cold ,surrounded by wolves."


The introduction it was interesting so that makes me read the book and when i read that she was in love with a wolf it makes the book even  more interesting .

I will put  this book 4 point even do i like this book there was to much drama

What is a short story?

For me a short story is about one thing instead of many thing s like a novel.Short stories have the same elements that a novel have except telling in basic words .Short stories usually go straight to the point and they are easy  to read because most of them are under 80pg. In this short stories there is not a lot of description and because of that emotions and problems are fast to solve.And for that is easy to read it.
 

Statement after reading

After reading  the book i pick the statement "students should not tell teachers about their personal problems, no matter how serious". I am disagree  with this because the teachers may help you to find a solution a help you passing through and specially if it is a big problem they have much more experience then we have.
My  first example shows how Mr.Freeman,the art teacher, motivate Melinda to express her feeling through art .At first Melinda is interesting to do well in draw but she is not very convince that her art express any emotion so she said "I draw a horizontal line for the ground and a daisy popping up next to the tree.Somehow i don't think so Mr. Freeman is going to find much emotion in it".
My second example it shows how  a teacher knows when a kid is passing through something .After thanksgiving (a bad holy day for Melinda) Mr. Freeman see her depression through her art and Mr.Freeman understand this feeling encouraging  Melinda to express more emotions.He said "I see a girl caught int he remains of holy days gone bad ,with her flesh picked off day after day as the carcass dries out...The palm tree is a nice touch .A broken dream ,perhaps?". Then when Melinda totally finish  the project Mr.Freeman see the sculpture very serious and he said "This has meaning.Pain."He may not said "you need or how can i help you" but he tries to say to Melinda that he feels that she is sad or depress and that she don't need to tell her what is happening he understand.
My third and finally example it shows how the teacher comprise and understand a student ,trying finally talk with Melinda about her problems. When Melinda feel that she have a connection with Mr. Freeman and that he is the only one who understand her feelings.Melinda draw finally a very good in which she really express her feeling drawing a beautiful green tree with birds around it ,after drawing  this Melinda begins to cry then Mr.Freeman begin to talk and say " 'You get an A+.You worked hard at this.' He hands me a box of tissues.'You've been through a lot ,haven't you?' " . After all this Melinda decides to speak finally about what happened that day when she was raped.
Because i believe that the teachers are the most experience and they know when something is happening to a student ,and they also understand because they have more experience  .You should tell to a teacher if you have big problems they she or he  can help you .

Context /Intertex

It  puts the dialogue between Melinda and Andy.And also it describe from Melinda's  view  what it  happened when Andy threat Melinda and try to rape her again.In another books they never describe a lot what is happening  but in this books specify exactly what Andy is doing and what is Melinda try to do to scape from Andy.For example when Melinda take one bone from her sculpture   and break the mirror and with a piece of mirror try to used like a knife against Andy ,where she stand up for herself.