Student Saturday: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Student Reviewer:  Lexie L.

-300 years in the future, what we call the U.S.A today is now Panem. This story follows a 16-year-old girl named Katness Everdeen in district 12 of 13. However, district 13 was destroyed. Katness faces the struggles of Panem’s oppressive government and extreme poverty that came with it. Her hair is a deep brown, almost always in her signature braids, she has a narrow figure, and piercing gray eyes. She has a sister named Prim and she would protect her with her life, and she has. Katness learned from a young age how to use a bow, though against the law, to hunt food for her family beyond the fence of where the district was divided. This would come in handy later in her life. In this time period the capital of Panem would take one girl and one boy from each district and put them in an arena where they would fight to the death leaving one soul winner. This would happen once a year, every year. When Prim, Katness’s little sister, was old enough to participate in this “game” she was unlucky picked to compete. As soon as this happened Katness raised her hand and shouted at the top of her lungs “I volunteer. I VOLUNTEER AS A TRIBUTE!” She was then taken to the capital with a boy who was picked named Peta Melark. They were interviewed and asked question their entire stay at the capital. When in came to be the day of the games they all were released into the dome with the cornucopia in the center of the arena. Read the book to find out what happens once the games begin.

-I really loved the way the author portrayed the thoughts and feeling of the character using body language as a key factor to understand what a player’s demeanor was. All the intense detail and world building had me on the edge on my seat while reading this incredible story. It truly holds a deeper meaning and comments on our society today. I cried a lot while reading this book. Overall, this is a remarkable story for anyone who likes futuristic timelines, fear, drama, overthrowing oppressive governments, justice, etc.

-I highly recommend this book,

Movie Review: Red One

 

I am not sure I have ever recommended a movie on my blog.  This is one that I most definitely want to recommend to everyone.

I am sure this is going to became a yearly classic, right up there with "The Polar Express".  Santa, called Red One and played by J.K. Simmons is and is not your classic Santa.  To me it took the classic Santa story and explained so many things. It tells us how the naughty list came about. It explains to us why Santa needs so many milk and cookies.  If you've heard stories of Krampus, he is explained.  

Dwayne Johnson plays Callum Drift, Santa's bodyguard who is set to resign because he can no longer see all of the good in the adults.  Things change when Santa is kidnapped and Callum must find and rescue Santa. Enter Jack O'Malley played by Chris Evans. We are first introduced to him as a child who doesn't believe Santa delivers presents.  Fast forward to him as an adult. He is leading not the most wholesome life. He has a kid h has little to do with.  He is partly responsible for Santa's kidnapping, as he provided information that led to Santa.

The characters are well developed. The storyline is well paced.  This is an action film, not your typical feel good Christmas movie. However, it is a story of hope and redemption and belief. It is so good that my husband and I watched it twice.  I highly recommend this movie.

Student Saturday: Up From the Sea by Leza Lowitz

 

 

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Poetry
Student Reviewer: Soleil M

The book, "Up From the Sea" is about a tsunami hitting a town in Japan. Kai tryed to save his family from the massive devastation in his home. He was offered a trip to New York to meet kids that experineced 9/11. While Kai is in America, he decided to look for his American father that he hasn't talked to in years. While in America, Kai decideds to go back home and help rebuild his town.

I rate this book an seven out of ten. I found this book quite interesting and touching. I would recommend this book to ages ten and above. I have enjoyed reading this book and it also taught me about how tsunamis happen.