Thirteen Reasons Why

By: Jay Asher

This book is centered around the suicide of Hannah Baker, a seventeen-year-old girl who took a handful of pills while her parents were away from home. Everyone is left in shock when she does not return to school the next day, and the mystery is repeated throughout their minds: why did Hannah kill herself?

Two weeks after the incident, Clay Jensen receives a package on his doorstep with no return address. Inside it is a shoebox, and inside that are seven audiotapes, each side labeled with its own number. In all, there are 13 sides. And guess who the tapes were left by? Hannah Baker.

With each tape that Clay listens to, her reasons behind the suicide are explained and places the blame on 13 particular people- one being himself. As he gets closer to the last tape, he slowly uncovers the secrets of Hannah's life, and the reasons why she took it.

I think that the book is very well-constructed and has an easy layout to read between the seperate dialogues of Clay and Hannah (over the tape.) The story line really pulls you in, and when I began I couldn't put the book down after that.

It's a must-read for anyone our age, anyone! The plot twists very smoothly and the scenes all fit together, but it can be creepy at times and make you feel like someone is standing behind you.

All in all, the novel is amazing and one of my favorites this year!

The World To Come

by Dara Horn

Since I am bored and just finished a book, I decided to blog about it.

This is an interesting book because it is very similar to one of the book that I've read, which is called Generation-X.

It seems to be fragments of memories that has been put together. At first the book is hard to understand but as it progress, everything seems to make more sense. Benjamin Ziskind is the main character and he's a depressed game show researcher whose twin sister remains his only adult friend.

Also, Benjamin happens to steal a one million dollars painting by Marc Chagall. This is because he was sick of everything that is going on in his life and upon recognising the painting that used to be on his wall, he grabs it and run.

And at this moment, everything seems to be broken down to little stories.

Overall, I think that this book is deep but it is too broken up. However, I do recommend others to read this as well.

Amendment

Sorry- here is the link for the writing example levels:

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/305573


and here is the one for the reading levels:


http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/305525

enjoy

remember- think what level you are, what skills you can use. Then think and write in your own words what you could do to imporve a level. These students are your peers, your rivals if you like- do you think you could do better?

Amendment

Sorry- here is the link for the writing example levels:

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/305573


and here is the one for the reading levels:


http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/305525

enjoy

remember- think what level you are, what skills you can use. Then think and write in your own words what you could do to imporve a level. These students are your peers, your rivals if you like- do you think you could do better?

As discussed in class....

Link to the National Strategies website where you will be able to find examples of writing and reading from levels 4-8:

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/132293

The documents also contain moderators' explanations and are well-worth reading.