1/4/2017 0 Comments Make art happenBy: Lea Johnson This quarter we picked one of our favorite quotes from a book we read this quarter. Because of its importance I turned this simple quote into a peice of art. "No matter how many times she was told she was loved, there was no recognition that the proof was in the abandonment." This quote is ewxplaining that even when Leisel was told and assured by everyone that she was loved, it was still impossible to believe. Only because people had always left and abondoned her, her whole life. If people had acted like they dont care about you your whole life, would you feel loved?
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12/8/2016 0 Comments Human Interest StoryWritten by: Lea Johnson The Travelling Johnsons
In the late 2000s the economy recession caused an economic downturn worldwide. Many businesses had to let people go including husband and father, Bill Johnson. Throughout his career journey he was always able to keep thinking about the important things like family. Johnson is a father of three and husband of Sandi, in the past he worked for the company Ventas. They were forced to make the decision of letting many people go in 2008 which caused Bill to be out of a job. “I lost my job which prevented us to be able to afford our dream house so we had to move to a different state, for better opportunities.” 2008 was a difficult year for the Johnsons, they had to cut back on the extra things like going to the movies and shopping. Bill knew because of the recession that he had to look for better job somewhere else even though it might not make his family happy to leave all their friends. *** He soon after found a job opportunity in Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Bill knew it would be tough for everyone to just leave everything behind in Kentucky and move to Texas but his wife Sandi made sure to let all of his children know that better things and better opportunities could come from this. Bill started working for Emeritus in 2009 and that brought his family to a new home where they were able to make new friends and adventures. Sandi was able to find a teaching opportunity in the area to teach High School students at EA Young Academy. Their first daughter Macie had the opportunity to get into gifted and challenge programs in her school. Lea, their second daughter took up some new sports in the community. Collin, as the youngest child was encouraged to start baseball and was able to start elementary school. Everything was going perfect... The Johnsons were at a good point in their lives and were ready to take the next steps. Until they received news that they weren’t totally sure how to take. Emeritus was about to merge into a different company, Brookdale. Bill wasn’t sure if this meant more people would be let go or if would bring positive effects on the future for his family. Just a few months before the joining of companies the Johnsons had moved to Carmel, IN. Not because the new boss of Brookdale required it but solely for the reason to move closer to family. Once they had almost settled into their new apartment they found out there was a possibility that they would have to move to Nashville Tennessee, to be closer to the headquarters of the new company. It was no shock that Macie, Lea, and Collin were not too supportive about the idea of leaving all their friends again and moving to a new place. Things were starting to go downhill for the Johnsons again, they just found out they might have to move away from the family they just got close to. Bill had been a part of this company for a while now so he proposed the idea of a home office. This gave him the opportunity to stay close to family and work for the company and job he loved. “Since I was appreciated by my company they allowed me to work from home wherever I wanted so I could be closer to family.” The Johnsons were able to stay in Carmel and meet some great people and spend time with their family. *** Macie took up lacrosse and made the team for their cities high school and was able to make a group of really close friends. Lea decided to stop basketball and pick up soccer in her free time, she also made the middle school softball team and became a member of NJHS. Collin continued to play baseball and joined the elementary school choir. Through this experience not only Bill, but his whole family learned that things always happen for a reason and even tough times give you the opportunity to have hope. They were able to spend many holidays with grandparents, cousins,and other relatives. The recession caused a negative effect on the Johnson family but it led them to great experiences in their lives. 12/8/2016 0 Comments Banned Book: Ask AliceReview by: Lea Johnson The book Ask Alice by Anonymous is available in the Creekside library as of now. But many people have put it up for debate, if this book should be available to young middle school students or should it be banned from the carmel clay schools libraries.
I believe the reason people do not believe this book is appropriate is the recurring drug references. I don't believe this book should be banned because if you read the whole book it does not encourage young readers to take part in this addictive action. It almost provides a lesson on why people should not use drugs while also obtaining and interesting story line. “ But next time I won't be so stupid, except there won't be any next time! I will never ever, ever, under any circumstances use drugs again. They are the root and cause of this whole rotten, stinking mess i am in, and i wish with all my heart and soul that i had ever heard of them.” This quote shows to any reader the dangers that come with drugs so in no way is this book encouraging the use of drugs and alcohol. Yes is is up to individual parents and families to decide if they want their child exposed to this contact but i believe it's ok for children to be exposed to the bad thing that are happening in reality, so hey can learn from them. 10/6/2016 0 Comments Stargirl vs. The New GIRLReview by: Lea Johnson How would you survive in a thriving high school environment, with drama every which way you turn? If you enjoyed the young adult novel Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and its realistic fiction aspects that are included, you should read The New Girl by Tracie Puckett. The mystery in how certain characters will react to diverse circumstances, is what makes Stargirl such an alluring piece. Both literature pieces portray the struggles and experiences dealt with while going through high school. The two books also portray similar main characters throughout the plot.
Stargirl Caraway isn't afraid to be herself or nervous of other students judgement while she is going through high school. Since she hasn't been experienced to public schools she has the encouragement to be more independent. “The girl was picking up her ukulele. And now she was strumming it And now she was singing!” (Spinelli 5) She is able to show her true self because she is not familiar with the “normals” of high school. Stephanie Ghijk has a mother who is worried about being found by her abandoning father so they are forced to move almost every 5 weeks. Steph realizes that this is a pattern so she can't get attached to anyone or she will have to leave them. “ After two years of the most physical and emotional abuse at the hands of my father, Mom packed our bags and fled to an abandoned house across town. He found us there, so we bolted again; thus, starting a cycle. One that never seemed to end…” (Puckett 15) She has her own way of going about school so she can stay independent yet still maintain some close friends. Both of the main characters are struggling to survive as the new girl which forces them to be more strong and independent throughout the story. In Stargirl there is a repetitive theme of the importance of being one’s self, this concept isn't easy to achieve throughout the experience on high school. In the book Stargirl isn’t necessarily learning how to be herself without being judged, but instead learning that it's ok to be. She had trouble through high school when struggling to be herself because when she did, she was given the silent treatment, this caused her to try and fit in but that didn't last long.” Days passed. I continued to avoid Stargirl. I wanted her. I wanted them. It seemed I could not have both, so I did nothing. I ran and hid.” (Spinelli 133) Leo is faced with a common high school drama issue, choosing between your friends and your girlfriend. Steph also faces some hard experiences in high school and choosing between two guys. One she feels is more like a brother/ best friend and the other she is afraid to be judged if she shows her true feelings for him. Later on through school she realizes her friends shouldn't judge her if they are her real friends so she is forced to make some tough decisions. “ ‘I know better than anyone how unfair life is. I’ve been jerked around the country for the past fifteen years; I’ve had very few friends, a loose screw for a mother, and now I’m dealing with all these feelings for y--’ I stopped and took a deep breath. I didn't need to finish that sentence -- feelings for you” ( Puckett 184) Steph and Stargirl are dealing with some of the same yet different problems while trying to survive high school which gives a certain vibe and drama to both pieces. Charming. Caring. Calm. Leo has a certain charming way of intriguing Stargirl from the moment they met by just being himself. Leo had always been one of the kids in the shadows of Mica Area High School, but he was discovered by the new girls which causes a whole new part of his personality to be delineated. When Leo starts to have feelings in return for Stargirl he seemed to become the center of attention. In the book The New Girl Steph starts to acquire feeling for a truly amiable character with the name of Alex Rivera. Just like Leo, Alex is able to show his true charming self around Steph. “ The man I’d just wrapped admirably in my arms was quickly becoming the biggest dream come true, and I couldn't begin to imagine what fate had in store for us next.” (Puckett 194) The way Alex treated Steph made her feel like it was a dream. Both young male characters had a strong effect on the story line because of the admirable way they treated the other characters. Illuminating. Imaginative. Intriguing. If these aspects of Stargirl were what kept you turning the page every minute, the next book you should check out is The New Girl. High School can be an interesting journey and you can read about Stephanie Ghijk’s experience in this engaging piece. If you're able to get your hands on this memorable book I suggest checking out the other four books in the Webster Grove series.rove series. |
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