Blog of 12/15/14

The Maze Runner By James Dashner

Prompt: List the personality characteristics of the main character (feelings, interests,

behaviors, etc.)

Pages Read: 33 - 63

The main character in The Maze Runner is Thomas and he has a lot of different feelings, behaviors, and interests. Thomas who is new to the Glade (the setting of the story) he has a lot of mixed emotions at the time. When he got to the Glade he had no memory of where he was, how he got there, why he is there, and when he got there. He had no memory of his past, all he new was his name and that's all. When he arrived at the Glade he was in a dark box, which was spinning in multiple directions. When the other people came to rescue him that is when he began having mixed emotions.

Since the beginning of the book Thomas has had a thing about asking a lot of questions. When Thomas arrived at the Glade he had no memory (besides his name) and he was really confused. As soon as Alby (leader) began to talk to him, all Thomas did was ask a bunch of questions. Chuck (last newbie before Thomas) was being friendly to Thomas but instead Thomas kept annoying Chuck with more and more questions. He asked questions like, "What is this place?", "Why are we here?", "Why do I have no memory?", etc. When Alby gave Thomas the tour every time Alby explained even a little detail, Thomas was trying to hold in every single question he had.

An interest Thomas has had is about becoming a Runner. On the first night Thomas spent in the Glade, he asked "What is that out there?". Newt (a character) answered "It is a maze." Chuck explained to him that everyday Runners go into that maze and come out so that they can figure out how to get out of the glade. Newt also explained that at night huge animals come out, and they are called "grievers". Since Newt told him about the Runners, Thomas has had a desire to become one. He has the feeling that he has to become one.

I commented on Yareli, Mia, and Gaby's blog for this week.

Blog of 12/8/14

The Maze Runner By James Dashner

Prompt: Do any of the characters feeling change as you’ve read? Explain why or why

not.

Pages Read: 0 - 33

Yes, Thomas's (main character) feelings do change as I've read so far. The Maze Runner by James Dashner was written in a third person point of view. This book tells the characters feelings in a direct characterization way. The narrator states clearly in the book how the character is feeling in that moment. In this book so far Thomas has experienced different feelings such as anger, confusion, sadness, and fascination.

 An example that the main character's feelings are changing is on page 11 where he is feeling sadness. In the book it said, "Emptiness ate away at his insides, quickly replaced by a sadness that hurt his heart." This direct quote from the book demonstrates how Thomas went from feeling good to feeling sad. Thomas has just arrived at the glade and he is really confused. He doesn't know anything and his memory has been erased. This shows that Thomas begins to become sad. This quote also shows how the author uses direct characterization. He uses direct characterization because he says directly in the quote that Thomas is feeling sad.

Another example that the main character's feelings are changing is on page 5 where he is feeling confusion. In the book it said, "He was consumed with curiosity but still felt too ill to look closely at his surroundings." This direct quote shows how Thomas (once rescued from the box) felt like he was consumed by curiosity because he had no idea who were the people who just rescued him. This also shows direct characterization because it tells you directly in the quote how the character feels, which is curiosity.

I commented on Joseph, Giovanna, and Yareli's blog for this week.

Blog of 12/1/14

Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher

Prompt: List the reasons why another person should or should not read this.

Pages Read: 170- End

One of the reasons why I think people should read this is because it is a good book. Since the beginning when Clay Jensen got the tapes that included the 13 reasons why Hannah Baker committed suicide, it became interesting. Anyone who got those tapes meant that they were one of the reasons why. Clay didn't know why he got the tapes. He began to listen to them and the more he listened to them the more he regretted not talking to Hannah before she died. It is a interesting book, I would recommend it.

Another reason I would recommend this book is because could also relate to a real life situation. Not having someone mailing tapes, but the suicidal part in the book. By reading the book, you can see ways Hannah thought about other people and why she wanted to kill her self. This might help if you start to see those same things in another person in real life. On page 173 it says that one of the warning signs of suicide is "sudden change in appearance". This kind of information might help in a real life situation.

         These are two of the reasons of why people should read "Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher". It is a very interesting book. It also teaches to be more careful on how you judge or talk to other people. The book becomes very interesting since the beginning, because you want to learn what happens during that party. That party was the last time Clay got to talk to Hannah. It is a nice story of how he begins to feel something for Hannah and how he regrets losing her.

I commented on Mia, Justin, and Diana's blog for this week.