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Showing posts from July, 2014

Banned Books: All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren

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All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren Jack Burden was a political reporter for Chronicle . That was until Willie Stark, the newly elected Governor, reached out to Burden offering him a position on his staff. Willie and Jack have a history. Jack can remember back in 1922, before Willie Stark had ever run for Governor, meeting him in the back of a bar while discussions were taking place about the construction of a school. Back then Jack wasn’t even drinking. He was an honest man, husband to a school teacher, and son to a farmer. But that was over a decade ago. Both men have changed quite a lot. Governor Stark isn’t as trusted as he used to be, something to be considered with his position of power and keeping certain people in line. Many people know of his different affairs outside of his marriage, but they turn a blind eye because of how much they respect his wife. Jack is essential to Willie’s staff. He trust Jack. Jack is the guy that can dig up dirt as long as there is

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell The last novel in the Simon Snow series is set to be released at the end of Cath and Wren’s first year at the University of Nebraska. The twins are huge Simon Snow fans, wrapped up in the magic and in fan fiction. Cath, more so than Wren over the last couple of months, since Cath has a huge following online and has been working on her own installment of the Simon Snow series that she has been slowly releasing to her followers. But this freshmen year has been a year full of change. It all began when Wren told Cath she didn’t want to be roommates their freshmen year of school. For the first time ever Cath is without her built-in best friend. Their father is at home alone causing Cath to constantly worry about his wellbeing. It doesn’t help that she thinks her roommate Reagan hates her. And to top it all off, her mother who left the family when Cath and Wren were eight years old suddenly wants to have a relationship with the twins again. It’s too much f

Banned Books: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

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Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes Charlie Gordon is going to be the first human being whose IQ is increased by surgery. He is thirty two years old, works at a bakery, and has an IQ of 70. Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur have been conducting experiments to increase intelligence and have found success with one particular mouse, Algernon. Now they want Charlie to undergo the same procedure as Algernon, undergoing surgery and subsequent testing. Charlie who has always yearned to be smart and have friends is highly motivated. The surgery is a success and Charlie, like Algernon, is a phenomenon. Charlie’s mind is opening but his maturity and emotions are also changing and it’s a struggle for him to become this intelligent and respected man, when the memories of his past and the understanding of his circumstances are constantly intruding and making their presence known.                 Flowers for Algernon is an ingeniously crafted story. The novel was told through the eyes

Son by Lois Lowry

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Son by Lois Lowry                 The Ceremony of Twelve is the most important ceremony for children. At this time they are given their Assignments, their schooling will change and they will begin training for their assigned task. Some will be Nurturers, others will work in the House of Old and some will be assigned to practice Law. There were many assignment to be made throughout the community, all would help the community thrive. Claire, to the disappointment of her parental units, was assigned to be a Birthmother. When her body began to mature she became a Vessel and produced a Product. But something went wrong during the Task and Claire was left with a scar across her belly. The Product, number thirty six, a male was fine but she was decertified and reassigned to the Hatchery, helping provide sustainable fish as a food source for the community. It was here that Claire realized how different she was. She felt a loss and yearning for the Product she carried. She felt a sen

Banned Books: A Wrinkle in Time

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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Meg is unknowingly about to take place in adventure through time and space. Her father, a scientist working for the government, hasn’t been heard from in over a year when the letters he had been sending home abruptly stopped. Charles Wallace, Meg’s little brother, has made friends with an unlikely trio, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, who are making preparations for the two children to help their father. The classified studies Mr. Murry was participating in has taken him to a place that only Meg, Charles Wallace and their unlikely companion, Calvin, can save him. They will have to come together and focus not only on their strengths but their weaknesses if they want to rescue Mr. Murry and return home alive.                 A Wrinkle in Time is a young adult, science fiction novel. The protagonists Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin are dealing with forces they have never imagined and struggle to understand. They are approached w

Messenger by Lois Lowry

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Messenger by Lois Lowry               Mattie has been in the Village for six years now. He lives with the blind man known as the Seer in a home they share. The Seer is like a father to Mattie and well respected in the Village which has been known for its selflessness. Many who have suffered come to the Village to find hope and a place for themselves. Mattie, who had been neglected by his mother where he previously lived and was a perpetual liar and thief, was one of those people who found a home. Now, after attending school and learning how to read, write and be respectful, he delivers messages around the Village and to the areas surrounding it. He is familiar with everyone and has always felt welcome. But things are changing. There are talks of closing the border to the Village and no longer allowing others to join. The Forest is becoming more hostile and those who were once allowed to leave are now receiving warnings that they should not return to the trees. Mattie has dis

Banned Book: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

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The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Tom Joad is making his way home to his family’s farm in Oklahoma. He has served four years of his seven year sentence for murder. A man stabbed him during a bar fight and Tom retaliated with a shovel. Now he is on parole and the home he thought he would find is empty and broken. The only crop on the farm now is cotton. His Pa, Tom Joad Senior, has moved the family in with their Uncle John. The banks have taken the land and the only choice the family has is to move west to California. A hand bill has been circulating asking for workers. Farmers need people to pick peaches, apples and grapes. There is no work to be had in this part of the country. People are either moving or starving. Tractors are taking over and doing the work of hundreds. The Joads have bought and packed up a truck with all of their belongings. What they couldn’t pack, they sold. Tom has made the decision to go with his family the two thousand miles west, keep his head

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

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The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith Cormoran Strike has reached a certain level of notoriety since solving the Lulu Stark murder case eight months ago. Business as a private investigator is booming and he is finally able to start paying off his considerable amount of debts. Most of his clients are dealing with adulterous spouses and bad business dealings that is until he is approached by Leonara Quine. Her husband, the novelist Owen Quine, has been missing for ten days. Unwilling to go the police because he has disappeared before and been found at his mistress’ house, she simply wants him to be located and to return home. Cormoran begins investigating the novelist’s disappearance and learns of his latest manuscript, Bombyx Mori. The manuscript that he was hoping to get published, angered many members of the literary community, including his agent and publisher, with the outlandish claims he was making on their personal lives. When the investigation of a missing man turns into a

Banned Book: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kessey

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kessey Randle Patrick McMurphy is a betting man, always has been. So when he was sent to the psychiatric ward as a transfer from the work farm, he bet the other patients that he could get Nurse Ratched to lose her cool and break her rock hard demeanor. You see, McMurphy isn’t insane. Oh no, he is as sane as they come. He just wanted a break from the work farm. But Ms. Ratched is the head nurse of this particular ward and there are things she simply doesn’t allow, like gambling and not taking your medicine. She is in complete control of not only the staff but the mindset of the patients and McMurphy recognizes her power as soon as he arrives. The bet led to a rivalry that would last for months between McMurphy and Ratched. It was struggle that would lead to hostilities between patients and those in control at the mental hospital. It was fight McMurphy was prepared and ready to win at any cost. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was an i