The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Name: Helena
Teacher: Ms. Babb
Date: Monday December 12, 2011

                       Mitch Albom once wrote, "All endings are beginnings, we just don't know it at the time." Usually, a story tells a person dying at the end, but in this story, it is told at the beginning. I thought it was a bit strange. Why would anyone die at the beginning? But that is why he wrote such a daring quote, believing that someone dying could be the start of something new. That is what makes up this story. "We just don't know it at the time."
                     "A book that seems to be a gift to a soul" is what people say. With realistic characters, indescribable feelings, and a simple tale has been put all in one story. This story is about an old man named Eddie who dies and meets five people in Heaven. Why are they important? Well, they are people who were basically known to be there in his life. Some people in Heaven were people who Eddie didn't even remember and didn't really care about. But certainly, they all meant something to him. The story goes on and shows meaning, true aspects, and importance of life. Choosing this book was a very interesting choice.
I really think it is very mind-blowing even though I just started reading a few pages. Those few pages already grabbed my attention to read further one. I'm glad I chose this book; it is teaching me new
things every time I read for a specific reason.
                          A magnificent world that God made has come to life, Ruby Pier and Heaven. Ruby Pier was a park where people go and play, ride rides, and eats. It is just like the park where I live called Wonderland. It is near a lake so there is a little so called "beach" at the edge of the park. How Mitch described this place was like I was in the book as a character he made up. It was very fascinating. The other place was where Eddie went when he died, Heaven. In Heaven, it wasn't actually like fantasy worlds where you can do anything you want; it was where Eddie learned many lessons and met old friends who died before him.
          They taught him things that explain all his questions. Truthfully, in Heaven, it wasn't even his world yet. Usually, when you die, you go to Heaven and its where your memories lie, but when he died, he was in the memories his friends. That world was teaching him a lesson that meant certain things but he could not figure it out yet. Everything has changed in the world of Eddie.
         Last hour spent, death approaching. Eddie didn't know it at the time but he knew it was coming soon enough. Eddie was an old man with a hunch-back, barrel chest, short neck, and had a faded army tattoo on his right shoulder. He worked at the park as maintenance. Eddie just turned 83 years old and that day became his final day. Eddie seemed like a grumpy old man, but in the inside, he has a heart full of happiness. I really liked how he is such a nice person. He helps everyone who is in need, he makes most people happy, and he is trust worthy. When you get on his bad side, he just grumbles and ignores. He, in my perspective, is just like a real person even if he was made up. Daring, interesting, this is Eddie.
                   Have you ever read a book in your life? Well of course you have! At
least once in your life you have owned, read, or written a book. Books are part of your life and the book I'm reading teaches about life. "All endings are beginnings," and that is what I have learned. Even
dying could be the start of a new life, but you can never know. I've learned that life can be a threat sometimes but life isn't perfect, we all make mistakes and once in our life we all die and it's just how it
is.

The Distreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

 Name: Anthonia 

Date: December 13, 2011

The Distreputable History of

Frankie Landau-Banks.  

"Money is not the only item that you need to take over, you need intelligence". These great words were spoken by my Father. That is what "The Distreputable History of Frankie landau-Banks" is all about. A smart girl, with the brain of a mastermind, hates that she's thought to be an adorable "bunny rabbit". That's why she creates a plan. The book is adventurous and amusing. The characters, setting and the words make it wonderful. This book is so exquisite that it makes the reader think of the power women wield.

The story of this magnificent book takes place in an outstanding school called Alabaster Preparatory Academy in Massachusetts. Obviously, this school doesn't exist though; it has the traits of Exeter Preparatory Academy which is in England. Although Alabaster is an elite boarding school, yet it opens many doors for its students. This academy is known for its promising standard education and life opportunities.  I won't want to go to an academy that' as expensive as Alabaster, but it adds interest to this book. "The Distreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" is the only book I've ever been ecstatic to write about. It may be because of the characters.

I'll introduce Frankie, the intelligent, sharp-tongued, stunning heroine. She is a power hungry girl. Frankie used her intelligence and the courage of a lion to lead a secret society of boys. Frankie is a brave and outstanding role model to girls.  Her ideas may seem psychopathic and rebellious at sight, but there are good meanings behind them. Two other characters that I liked were Alpha Tesorier and Mathew Livingston. These boys were the Kings of the Loyal Order of The Basset Hounds (the secret society).  Alpha was a sandy haired guy with barrel chest and a baby face. He was the one with all the ideas until Frankie secretly took over. Mathew, on the other hand is an honest good-looking guy. He became Frankie's boyfriend when she came back as a sophomore.

Because of the way the author (E. Lockhart) described the characters and some situations, I learned a new word called PANOPTICON. Frankie studied the Panopticon in one of her classes. The Panopticon is considered a building like: a prison, a school or your house. It creates a sense of paranoia so pervasive that its inhabitants become practically self-governing. Example: You're doing something; you know you shouldn't be doing, so you start thinking that in some way someone can see you. I also learned that if you are courageous and   you know how to handle problems effortless you'll be fine.

Women are stronger than they look. We may be beautiful, elegant and fragile but we're intelligent. Between men and women, women are easily emotionally stronger than men. "The Distreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" states this clearly. The intellectual mind of a lady can rule and destroy a powerful force.