"The Power People Have" By: Alexis Hernandez

   I believe that people have the power to change the problems of the world.
Yes, this isn't a perfect world, but many people can help to fix that. People can all have the ability to change “some” but not all of them. I thought that this world can change and the people in it. Then I realized, you can't change seven billion people. We all have to contribute to solve the problems together.

   Once when I was downtown with my parents, we were walking in and out of stores. It was so cold, it felt like someone just stuffed me in a fresh pile of cold fluffy snow. I couldn't feel my feet at all, my nose could no longer breath in the icy air, my hands were about to fall of. As I thought of these things happening, I saw a couple on the ground together. They didn't have a very big coat for themselves, and they were holding onto each other so tight, I knew that they were feeling the same as me. They were homeless, they had a little cup in their hands that barely had two dollars. I walked passed them asking my mom and dad for money to give to them. They said they didn't have any cash, but I knew they were lying. I had the power to be able to help them. I could have done something else for them. People who walked by them also could have the power to help them. Later, I saw another homeless person, he was on his knees bending forward, as if he was bowing down to someone. He put his head down between his arms, and he held up a cup. I wished I could have gave the poor man money, or at least something. Then, a man came and gave him money. The poor man lifted his head, and thanked him. That man knew he had the power to help another person.

   One time, there was a protest about cops being racist to black people. Some people watched, and some joined. Those people that are protesting are trying to change something they feel is wrong to them. They are trying to make the world a better place. That is the power those people had, to change a problem.

   I learned that not everything isn't the way you really want it to be. This world has many problems, and we can all change it together, because we all have the power to do so. One person can do many positive things. People like Fred Hampton, and Martin Luther King- They changed what felt was wrong because they knew they can.

   We should all care about making the world a better place. Little changes, big changes, they all can help. That's why I believe that people have the power to change problems of the world.

Literature Circle/Non-fiction blog

   One of the essential questions that I chose, was will Jack be able to forgive his mother this time for leaving him? This question was just running back and fourth in my mind while reading. I was just waiting for the longest time to finally know if Jack was upset with his mom, or not.  But at the last chapter, Jack realized that his grandmother was the one trying to make his life better. It wasn't her fault, nor was Jack's moms fault. It was just that Jack's mom had a sickness, which influenced her to not being able to take care of Jack no more. It wasn't for the best for herself, it was just so that Kacl can live a better life. So Jack was not actually mad at hi grandmother or mother, he just understood the reasons why she left.

     While reading the book "Small As An Elephant" and reading the article "Bluffs mother abandons son by road, tells officer she couldn't be late for work". I've noticed that both mothers had left their sons with not enough, or no money, food, or a phone to call. Both the boy in the article, and Jack in the book, were around 11 or 10. The mother left her son because he was throwing a tantrum, an she couldn't be late for work. In the article it says "The boy, who didn't have a phone, money for food or a key to get back into his hotel room.." This article explained that the mother didn't care at all and just completely left her child alone with no source of anything for his health. Just like Jack, although Jack did have money and a Phone, he just wasted the money and wet his phone.

   In the book, Jack wasn't left all alone on purpose, it was for a reason. The reason was because Jacks mother could no longer take care of him, it was for his own good. She knew what was best for him, but it was still wrong. She didn't Jack with enough food, or money. In the book on page 37 it says "The last time had been at home, an he had just stayed in the apartment, and there was food." This quote explains that Jack was hungry and that he wished their was food for himself. Jack was left alone a previous time where it was easy for him. But now it much harder since Jack has to find food. It was the same as the boy was in the article, the only difference was that there was different reason ps for the mothers to leave, one was close to home, one was not, one had some money, and phone, and the other did not.

  

Jacobson, Jennifer Richard. Small as an elephant. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2013. Print.

BellMbell@nonpareilonline.com, Mike. "Bluffs mother abandons son by road, tells officer she couldn’t be late for work." The Daily Nonpareil - Council Bluffs, Iowa. N.p., 21 Jan. 2017. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/local/bluffs-mother-abandons-son-by-road-tells-officer-she-couldn/article_ff6f9d1d-96b4-5797-a845-737513c1e877.html>.

Small As An Elephant

Q: After reading, I wonder...

    In the book Jack and his mother went on a trip, or as you can say a camping trip together. But Jack had never thought that his mother would be gone the next day he woke up, leaving Jack all by himself. Jack had previous incidents were his mother has left him alone, but never longer than a day or half a day. This time it was different to Jack, he knew something was up when he saw all of his moms belonging and car were gone. Also the fact that she had been gone a whole day. When Jack had met a new friend named Aiden, his mom had became suspicious of Jacks moms whereabouts. That's when it ws time for Jack to leave because he knew that if he told someone about his mom being "missing", someone might separate them. So that's when his journey began of finding his mom. Some things that Jack did was traveling a lot to many places. sprained or broke his pinky, stole a toy plastic elephant, ate someone else's farm vegetables, took a ride to what he thought was going to be his home town, and is now locked in a store. This was all because of his mom leaving him, and being the caring person that he is, Jack went out to look for his mom. Also Jack has to face the fact that he is now being looked for on the news and his considered a criminal for stealing the elephant.

   Well, I'm not quite done reading the book, but it sure has questions running up in my mind. I wonder if he ever finds his mom. If he does I wondered if he is going to forgive her, tell authorities on her, or might even be separated from her. All these thoughts had left me wondering what's really going to happen in the end. In my head, I believe that he does find his mom and forgives. Even though it probably won't end up like that. To me I feel like Jack is very confident that he'll find his mom, and know that his mom was "looking" for him as well. Jack always gets his hopes up, which lead me to another question, when Jack says things like "this always happens" "she's looking for me" "she is just sick, she won't just leave me", it make we wonder if he really knows the reason why his mom left. Maybe even he just doesn't want to except reality of what's happening to him.

Other questions I have is, what happens to the people Jack has met during his journey of finding his mom. Will they tell his mom (if he finds his mom) all the things they've seen Jack do, or tell her what he talks to them about. Will Jack keep in touch with Bug Jack, or even Aiden and his family. All these questions will probably be answered at the end of the book. That's what I'm mostly excited about, wondering if all my questions will be answered sooner or later in the book, or not even be answered at all.

3rd Quater Reflections

    In my 40 book challenge, there is not a lot. I think I'm on my 10 book already, but since I have my homework, test studies, sports, taking care of my siblings, cleaning my room. There is just not enough time for me to be reading. I do read to my sister and brother sometimes, but it's always at night when I feel sleepy. But I'm on a book that is really good, it called "Life As We Knew It" by Susan Beth Pfeffer. This book is really good and entertaining, it's one of my favorite books as of right now. Sometimes music in the background make the reading more dramatic. I do love reading, but sometimes there is just not enough time for me to do that.

   The most challenging part of 3rd quarter, was teachers pushing us a lot more than they did in 1st quarter. There was a lot more homework, test, essays, blogs, and tight schedules. What I should work on is staying on task more and more so the work can be done. But not just done, it has to be acceptable to turn in for a good grade. I sometimes would set times when do I have to do homework and reminders to turn in stuff. I'm also working on getting the work done and ready at school so I don't have to do it for homework.

   Strategies that helped me were helpful was the reminder app that reminded me about homework, when something was due, sports, go to sleep early, and waking up early for school. Also in order for me to turn in stuff early, it depends on how long I work on it or if something randomly comes up. I always try to strive for perfection and try to get things done. I suddenly found out that  perfection isn't always a goal. The goal is to do good, be good, and try/do successful. I always try, but sometimes I give up, that is something I need to work on extremely. Mostly 98% I do my homework and turn in stuff early, the other 2% is maybe because I have other things to do or I forget. But that is why I have the reminder app now.

   Some stuff I learned about mostly was the Holocaust topic. That has been the most part of school were I've shown lots of attention, and it was because I was really interested. It was sad that many innocent people were killed because they were not like other people. When I met a real life survivor of the holocaust and went into a real train where the Jews were, the mood of me changed dramatically. I was so palpable, I couldn't actually believe I was hearing and seeing these things. Something else I learned was the vocabulary, which had some what a big impact on the way I write, think, and speak. When I was taking the placement test at Trinity High School, one of the words I had to identify was advocate. Immediately I knew that it was a person showing support for another person. These were some things that I improved and what I needed to work on. Hopefully I will do better in 4th quarter.

"Life is Beautiful"

  Some connections with "Life is Beautiful" and the book "Night" is how both families were captured or forced to go to the concentration camps. The only difference between that, is the mother Dora from "Life is Beautiful", wanted to be with the father and son, she didn't want to let them leave without her. Another connection is how the families were separated, the females in one side and the males on the other. In the movie, it was more humorous and made the horrific times seem more comical. Then in the book, it was more of a dark mood like depressing and disconsolate. One more thing is that both fathers died in the book and movie, and in the end. Ellie never saw his mother or sister again, but Josh in the movie saw his mother when the war was over. Both characters Ellie and Giodo did everything they can to survive and to help the ones they love to survive. They both didn't give up, but the fact that both characters felt like they had to do all they can to reach freedom or until the war was over. Giodo sacrificed himself for his son to live, and Ellie was gonna sacrifice his father in order for him to live. Both characters lots everything of theirs but still gave it all to to live.

    The similar moods the pieces had between each other was how Jewish people were happy and were living life as regular people did. Soon then when Jews had to be set to Concentration Camps, everything about them changed, it was as if they were living in a nightmare. All though in the movie, Giodo made humor out of the bad times that was happening around him. He tried to make it a game to his son so that he could stay safe. In the book, Ellie kind of accepted that this was reality and had to live through it. In the begging the movie was more cheerful and full of laughs, so was the ending of the movie, but it brought out the strong side of Giodo. Ellie was very strong in the begging and end, he tried to survive in what felt life hell to him.

   Giodo had tried to make humor out of everything because it seemed like that was the kind of person  he was. At the concentration camp towards the end, he didn't really seemed like he cared about being killed, he was trying to help his son to survive. He wanted him to stay calm and not worry about what the actual truth why he was there. Ellie/book didn't really have humor, it was more serious and talking about the reality of the Holocaust.

   Some parts that actually seemed beautiful in the movie "Life is Beautiful" is how the wife Dora, wanted to go on the train with her husband and son. She would rather be there with them and probably knew she was gonna die, then let them die and stay behind. It shows how much love she shows to her husband and son, this shows me how life is actually beautiful. Another example is how Giodo made everything a joke and made everyone smile. His humor always had found the ways to people's hearts and smiles. His humor and tricks caught the heart of his wife, those school children, serving as a waiter, trying to open a book store, and playing a "game" with his son at the concentration camps. All that shows how he mostly did these things to help others, fall in love, make others laugh, and survive.
   
   

Night

   Ellie changed as a person from believing in God to not. Ellie talks about his religion/studies, what he believes in, and god. Then towards the end, then at the concentration camps, that started to fade away. That specifically changed him as a person because he has been studied and doing lots of stuff that involved Orthodox Jewish religion. Then during the process of Ellie's father, mother, sister, and himself going to the concentration camps, he witnessed lots of horrible images.

   In the book on page 5 (online book) it tells us that Ellie did believe in God and that he really wanted to learn about the Kabbalah, but he couldn't find a master to help him with that. Ellie said "One evening, I told him how unhappy I was not to be able to find in Sight a master to teach me the Zohar, the Kabbalistic works, the secret of Jewish mysticism."

   This quote explains how Ellie himself wanted to learn about the Zohar, the Kabbalistic works, and the secret of Jewish mysticism, but couldn't find in Sight a master. He was really unhappy about it, which proves he did believe in God. If Ellie was Unhappy about this, then that meant that cared about it and he wanted to learn about it, nobody forced him to. Then sooner in to the book when Ellie was at the concentration camps, he didn't believe anymore.

    In the book on page 31 it says how Ellie didn't want to believe in God anymore. Ellie says "Why should I bless his name? The Eternal Lord of the universe, the All-Powerful and Terrible, was silent. What had I to thank Him for?"

   This shows how Ellie didnt believe in God no More. It was mostly because God didn't help him when he was at the concentration camps. He didn't believe because God wasn't there to help him when the the Nazis was hurting Ellie and other people.

   The second way Ellie changed was the relationship with him and his father. In the beginning of the book Ellie was very much close to his dad and had wanted to be around him. Then in the concentration camps he still did, but it was somewhat diffrent kind of way of being close to him. Ellie cared for him less because he was sick and tired of trying to take care of him, he just didn't want to do it anymore.

   In the book on page 27, it explains how much Ellie wanted to be around his dad, and that it showed that he cared for him a lot. Ellie says "My hand shifted on my father's arm. I had one thought - not to loose him. Not to be left alone"

   This book explains how Ellie did want to be around his dad and loved him. If he didn't love him at all then Ellie would have never thought of not loosing him and not wanting to be alone. This shows how in the beginning Ellie had love for his father, then towards the end that changes because what Ellie thinks and says.

   In the book on page 101 it shows hatred towards his father and how much he doesn't want him alive. Ellie says "I went to look for him. But at the same moment this thought came into mind: "Don't let me find him! If only I could get rid of this dead weight, so that I could use all my strength to struggle for my own survival, and worry about myself."

   This quote shows that Ellie did kind of care about his father, but it was hatred and that he didn't care about him, he only cared about himself. Ellie wanted his father to be gone already so that he can live and worry about his own health and survival. Ellie doesn't want to talk care of his dad no more. This is how Ellie's relationship with his father changed, and his beliefs too.
Wiesel, Elie. Night. N.p.: Bantam , 1982. Print.

Butterfly Project

          
"An Evening In Terezin"

The sun goes down
and everything is silent,
 only at the guard's post
are heavy footfalls heard

 That's the guard who watches his Jews      
to make sure they don't run away from the ghetto.
Or that an Aryan aunt or uncle
doesn't try to get in.

 Ten o'clock strikes suddenly,
 and the windows of Dresden's barracks darken.
 The women have a lot to talk about;
they remember their homes,
and dinners they made.

 Then some of them argue.
Others try to quiet them down.
Finally, one by one, they grow silent;
they toss and turn, and in the end,
 they fall asleep.

 How many more evenings
 will we have to live like this?
We do it know,
 only God knows.

I commented on Tammi's blog
I commented on Ingrid's blog
I commented on Jessie's blog
I commented on Isaiah's blog
I commented on Clement's blog

Perseverance

     I think Nick's traits are humility, thankful, and perseverance. Nick is able to do the impossible because the word it self says possible. Just because Nick has no arms or legs, people think he can't do anything, that he can't live life. It seems to me that he could basically do what he wants because nobody can't tell him what he can or can not do. He said that he is thankful that he doesn't have any arms or legs, sometimes people think that he wishes he had arms and legs. He obviously doesn't because he is thankful for what he has. Nick has the ability to tell kids and people all around the world how great life is either you don't have arms or legs. I think that is a wonderful thing for him to do.

   Me and Nick have kind of a connection, Nick cares about other people and seems to not care what other people think. Me as a girl don't really care what people think of me. That is a very good trait for girls to have since basically girls are self conscious about the way they look. Just like how he doesn't care what people think about him, that's exactly how's I feel about myself to. 

Berlin Memorial Reflection

   I learned that basically Jews had their freedom taken away. It was almost like prison for them, except for the fact that they weren't stuck in a jail cell. The Nazis really wanted the Jews to have a bad life. That's why every law that was established to the Jews were meant to hurt them emotionally and physically.

   I think that this monument was built because since Hitler became a leader to the Germans/Nazis he gained power and by creating this group. Hitler had never liked the Jews, that's maybe a reason why he set up harsh laws on them.

   The laws that passed in certain years has become really really harsh and inequitable. Some laws stated that they weren't even allowed to buy certain foods like eggs. Jews couldn't own radios or any electronics, no pets, not allowed to come out after 8:00PM, not allowed to swim,and not even allowed to go to school. These rules had come to the point where it doesn't even feel like Jews are living life.

   I think it's the rules that doctors, teachers, veterinarians, or any Jew that has a job isn't allowed to have that job anymore. This is a big problem because that just limits the possibilities of not having teachers or doctors to help sick people or to give them their education.

2 Quarter reflection

The most challenging part of 2nd Quarter was mostly lots of more tests, homework, and projects. Not that it was such a problem, though the difficulty of the test, homework, and projects. There is much more writing than there used to be, and I assume more are coming in quarter 3 and 4. Then I realize that “oh, it’s my last year in middle school, of course teachers are going to push us, they want us to move on the a good high school and get a great job.” That's when I really try my hardest at challenging parts of school. Something In can do to help me overcome this is studying more, but not just that, it’s way more than that. I have to stay after school with teachers, join clubs, sports, retake a test to try and get a 4, be an effective learner, and not getting into trouble.

   Something i’ve learned about the world is the Holocaust my peers and I are currently learning about. It's about how lots of Jews and children were killed involving Hitler. I also learned about the Harlem Renaissance which is about an explosion that happened in Harlem, New York that affected lots of people and the way they were living. I learned more about the election of 2016-2017 that obviously affected lots of people. Other than that it was very interesting learning about these topics.

   The area I think I made an improvement in E.L.A is writing blogs about certain topics. When I'm interested in a certain topic, I actually want to write more and more. At some times it’s hard for me to explain things if it’s serious or asking about topics I'm not really interested in. On the other hand I think I made a good improvement on that.

"Auggie and Me" By: R.J Palacio Realistic Fiction

 
       The first story/chapter is called  Julian’s Chapter, its about Auggie’s bully that's at his new school once he was home schooled mostly. Julian doesnt seem like bullying August almost , instead August has been stealing his friends, giving him nightmares and tormenting him. Plus he is also trying to ruin his reputation in the schoolyard.

    The second story/ chapter I about Christophers perspective. Christopher is August’s best friend that he grew up with as a kid, so they recognize each other pretty well. He then realized that hi best friend Was not really different then any other kid that was the same age or close to the American age. Though he did have a choice to make that he thought was kind of hard. It was to rather be that bet friend he always was to Auggie or to be teased all the time by his new friends from school.

    The third story/ chapter it's called Shing-A-Ling, It's mostly a perspective but also I see lots of opinions from Charlotte. Charlotte was chosen to be the one to introduce August to his new school. It focuses more on her social life, and the different decisions she makes throughout the story.

  The mood of the story to me was mostly entertaining and funny. The central idea of the book was mostly about friendship and honesty towards each other in all different perspectives. In the book on pg. 297 it says "She's been such an amazing friend Auggie all year long," I explained. "And not because you asked her to be his welcome buddy, like with me and Jack. She just did it! It's like what you just said about kindness." This quote explains how Summer was really good and nice friends with Auggie, and not because he asked her, she wanted to.

  I liked this book because it reminded me of the first time I had to go to a new school and make new friends in comparison with Auggie. I remembered mostly about the parts were Auggie was bullied,  because I was bullied sometimes and I also had that comparison with him as well. I would recommend this book for 3 or more friends that have been close together. The viewer should go out and get this book because it's has lots of heartwarming parts to the book that even made me smile randomly. It's a great book for anybody who wants to read it.