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Book Review of Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas
“I am always there.
But they don't care if I am
because I am furniture.
I don't get hit
I don't get fondled
I don't get love
because I am furniture
Suits me fine.”
In Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas, Anke is the daughter of an abusive father who abuses Anke’s sister, brother and mother, but not her, because she is invisible, like furniture. When Anke becomes part of the volleyball team at school, she learns to call for the ball. Anke must decide whether to speak up for her family, like she speaks up for the volleyball.
This book is written in poems from Anke’s point of view. I was pleasantly surprised that it was written in poems because they gave the book a different feel than reading a normal book. However, I thought this book didn’t have enough character development, since the poems didn’t give me enough context to really understand the characters. I wish that the book was more focused, since I thought a couple poems didn’t have to do with the book.
This book shows the horrors of what it would be like to live in fear and uncertainty, but it also shows hope and love. I liked this book for its different style, although I didn’t get a deep understanding of the characters and I felt some of the poems were unrelated. I rate Thalia Chaltas’ novel, Because I am Furniture, 3 out of 5 stars.
Review by Emily Kobayashi
April 18, 2013
Book Review of 1984 by George Orwell
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
WAR IS PEACE
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
You’re probably reading those words and wondering how it is possible to have all those contradictions. In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, those words are the central idea and slogan for the story’s government, the Party. This is a shocking story of a dystopian world where the government controls everything and sees everything. The thought police, telescreen (which is like a TV that can see you) and anyone else can turn you in for thoughtcrime. Thoughtcrime is the Newspeak word for thinking about going against the government. The main character is Winston, whose job is to change past news articles to make them agree with the Party and the Party’s leader, Big Brother. When Winston begins to question the Party, starting in his thoughts, what will happen to him?
This science fiction book started off slow. I thought that it was interesting that the world is dirty and dull, unlike the picture perfect worlds from Matched by Ally Condie and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I liked how the author unravels the Party’s slogan, at the end of the book the slogan makes perfect sense.
I did not like the ending of the story, I’m not going to spoil it for you, you have to read it to make your own opinion, because I was disappointed where the story left the main character, Winston. I give 1984 by George Orwell 4 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed the unraveling of the slogan, even though I did not enjoy the ending.
Review by Emily Kobayashi
March, 28 2013
Book Review of Thr3e by Ted Dekker
Imagine that a stranger calls you and tells you that in three minutes, the car you are driving will blow up- unless you answer a riddle about your worst sin. Pretty scary, right? This is the plot of Thr3e, by Ted Dekker. Kevin Parson, a 28 year old seminary student, is trying to forget his past. However, when the mysterious stranger keeps calling, demanding Kevin to announce his sin to the world, Kevin has no choice but to revisit the past, and try to solve the riddles- otherwise he, his loved ones, and even his community could be killed.
The beginning of the story wasn’t particularly exciting to me- I was not totally drawn in from the very beginning. However, the suspense builds up as you read more and more of the story, and soon I found it very hard to put the book down. The book definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat, with more and more twists and turns.
I really wasn’t sure what I would think of this book- this is my first real thriller/suspense book that I have read (I’m normally more drawn to fantasy books). However, since a friend raved about this book, I decided to pick it up. She was right- overall, it was a very interesting, suspenseful, thrilling, and definitely disturbing, book. This book really made me think at the end about how everything came together, and that's why I give it 5/5 stars.
Review by Haley Kim
February 28, 2013
Book Review of A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
The book, A Long Way Gone is truly worth reading. This true story involves the life of Ishmael Beah who lives a fairly happy life in Sierra Leone until civil war breaks out. Then, like other civilians, he is forced to run for his life, becoming separated from his family. This also causes Ishmael a lot of grief when his family is murdered by rebels. He soon finds a way to be rehabilitated and regains his childhood. He once again learns how to love by the end of the story, even though he almost lost everything good in his life. This story teaches others that even when times are tough that there is always hope and love, and this is the main reason why I loved this book. I give this story 5 out of 5 stars.
Review by Monica Hale
February 28, 2013
Picture of the covers from Matched, Crossed, and Reached.