The Promise of a Pencil by Adam Braun

This book is about a man named Adam Braun, who starts a business called Pencils of Promise, after taking a trip to India and seeing all these children begging for food and money, and when Adam asked a little boy what he wanted most in the world, the boy said a pencil. Adam built schools for the poor children and sees how much they appreciate this. This is a non-fiction book, and it doesn't really ave any mature topics. I really liked this book, although some parts were a little boring. I would recommend this for anyone, and like I said it's a REALLY good book. My favorite character was Adam, because he was really brave and smart, and really interested with new things.

Poetry- Occasional Poetry

Holocaust

They did nothing wrong.
But they couldn't do anything about it.
They were forced to walk until they dropped.
And if they lived, there had to be
a different way to die. There were machines just to kill people.
Why? People wanted to kill themselves not to struggle.
But they weren't allowed.
There are books, movies, museums- about
the Holocaust, and stories about the struggles.
Survivors- some. Deaths- MANY.
Why them?
And it wasn't their fault.
They did nothing wrong.

Poetry: Odes

Ode to the Sun

Oh sun. Without you,

What would we do?

No light, no heat.

Well, only artificial light,

Only artificial heat.

Without you, there would

Be no plants,

No me, no you.

Any that is why I love you.

Sometimes I wonder…

Will you disappear?

So no light, no heat,

Would be here?

Just the moon, and us.

But no you.

No joy, no fun, no you.

Why would you leave?

Oh Sun, Oh Sun,

I love you.

Poetry- Haikus

~Haiku 1~

The whole world spins around

But we don't feel that at all

And I wonder why…

~Haiku 2~

Nature is outside

Colors change on everything

Including our souls.

~Haiku 3~

Geese sing in the sky

Why is it that everything

Has to make a sound?

(Or almost everything)

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

This book is written through the dog's point of view, and him growing up with his owner, Denny, watching him win and lose, life. But Enzo isn't a normal dog. He's like a human trapped in a dog's body. He understands everything, just he can't talk. Denny has a tough life, with many troubles going through, and his biggest fan is Enzo. This is a really good book, but really sad and kind of tough. It has a lot of mature topics and language, but I still really enjoyed the book and everyone should read it. My favorite character is Enzo, because no matter what he is always there for Denny, and he understands everything so even though he can't talk, he does smart things that would help Denny, and the challenges he is facing.

SOL

I'm too weak to get up. I'm hot then cold, I don't even know. My dad comes into my room. Right away, I say:
"I'm not going to school. I feel terrible and my stomach hurts like crazy."
"Well then, I'm off to work. Mom is with you, I'll tell her that you're staying home."
"Thanks. Bye!"
He leaves the room, and I try to get up. My feet start wobbling, but I go downstairs. The only problem- I'm not hungry. I can't hear a word about food, or I'll feel sick. But... at least I'm feeling better than yesterday. Well, sort of. Of course I'll have to go the doctor, so I go and get dressed. Who knows, maybe it will encourage me to feel better. Maybe it will.

The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods

This book is about a girl named Violet who has a strange life. Her mom and sister are white, when she's African American since her dad was, who died before she was born. She decides to learn more about her dad's side of the family, and finds out some things she hasn't expected. This book is funny, sad, and happy all at the same time. I liked this book- it was pretty good, but not the best. It was really easy to read, because it was aimed for a little younger audiences. It doesn't have any mature topics, and if someone wants a easy read, this is the right book for you. My favorite character was Violet because I knew the most about her and she was really brave and smart, and knew what to do. She had tough times, but she always dealt with them and was caring and helpful.

TBR:
The Promise of a Pencil
Counting by Sevens
Outliers