Crazy, but Relatable

After finishing reading The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard, I noticed how deep and intriguing the characters in the story are. The main character, Juliet, used to be rich but after a scandal involving her father, she was forced onto the streets. She finds out that her father has had a secret laboratory on an island near Australia, and she goes to meet him. There she learns that he's been using vivisection to turn animals into deformed humans. In the process she finds herself in a "love triangle" of some sort, with the old servant Montgomery, and the fugitive Edward. I found that some of the characters did some surprising and in some ways crazy things, but I found myself able to relate to them as well.

Some actions that characters did were surprising but at the same time I could relate to them. For example, in the end of the story, the Island is on fire and ll the creatures are being destroyed. Juliet and Montgomery are escaping on a boat, but at the last minute Montgomery leaves Juliet sailing away from the island on the boat, and he stayed on the island. My first thought was, "No you idiot! Get away from this creepy island and escape!" But, as I thought more about what Montgomery did, I realized that I could understand why he stayed on the island. Unlike Juliet, Montgomery had grown up on the island. He even helped create some of the creatures. It must be hard to leave the only thing you've ever really loved. Despite his crush on Juliet, his love and deep interest for the creatures must have been stronger than a little crush. I think that I can understand how caring for something so much that you'd rather die then part from it. However, I think that if I ever did feel that way about something it'd be towards a human, but perhaps since Montgomery grew up on the island the creatures were the only things close to humans.

Another person's action that surprised me was that at one point Juliet risked her life to save her father. Her father had basically abandoned her after the scandal, and when they were reunited once again his love for her wasn't close to as strong as his addiction to his experiment and precious creatures. I honestly wasn't sure if this man was capable of feeling love. But, as I thought more about it, I realized I could understand why Juliet did try to save her father. Although this man had been cruel and was pretty much insane, he was still her father, still her family. Not all her memories of him were bad. even if he wasn't capable of loving her, she can't hide the fact that she still cares about him. If my father was burning on an island full of a bunch of half human- half animal creatures I'd try to save him, whether he was crazy or not.

In conclusion I liked this story because the characters weren't just black and white, or good or bad. They all had flaws and they all had a dark side. Some of their actions surprised me, but, at the same time I could relate to them.

Betraying the Ones You Love

After reading the second book in the "Glow" series, Spark, by Amy Kathleen Ryan, I've come to realize the internal and external conflict the main character, Waverly, is going through. In the story, Earth has been so polluted that everyone left. There are two spaceships taking everyone to New Earth, it is an 80 year journey, and at the time of the story it has been 40 years.

The external conflict is that the opposite spaceship, the New Horizon, has taken all the parents on the Empyrean. Waverly and the kids have to get them back. I don't think that Waverly handled the situation well because she acted arrogantly and she was so caught up in saving her mother she made a reckless attempt to save them. For example, if she had listened to the newly elected captain of the ship, Kieran, who was also by then her ex boyfriend, she would of realized that his idea of negotiating with the New Horizon would have worked well. Kieran had already set up plans with the captain of the ship, and if it wasn't for Waverly, the treaty probably would have been done. Waverly should have thought things through before making a rash and immature solution.

The Internal conflict was that her boyfriend, Kieran, was turning into someone that Waverly didn't like. The pressures of being captain of the Empyrean made Kieran harsh and tough. I think Waverly handled this situation poorly because she ended up betraying him. For example, Waverly doesn't like that Kieran had starting having church services every Sunday because it reminded her of the captain on the New Horizon. I think that Waverly should have told Kieran why she was upset, but instead she went to  visit Seth, Kieran's mortal enemy, in jail. She started plotting ways to overthrow him. I can relate to someone you thought you knew change into someone you don't like, but if I were in her situation I would try to confront the person first. The last thing I would do betray the person.

This also makes me wonder how strong their love really was. If a stupid argument was enough to end an engagement, then was their love for each other real or was it just the pressures of the rest of the ship?   Waverly was so quick to betray him and he was so quick to break up with her, then my guess is that they didn't actually love each other they just felt like everyone expected them to marry because they were the two first born on the ship.

In conclusion, Waverly handled both the internal and external conflict poorly. I think that Waverly needs to learn to think through her decisions and not act recklessly. This can also go for the internal conflict too because if she had thought through her decision to talk to Seth than maybe they wouldn't have broken up in the first place. Also, perhaps Waverly and Kieran's relationship wasn't true love, it was just the pressures of the people on the ship wanting them to get married.

Good At Something

The picture book Annabelle Swift, Kindergartner by Amy Schwarts, is about a little girl who is just starting kindergarten. Her older sister teaches her about what they learn in kindergarten. Annabelle soon realizes that her sister was wrong, and starts to feel stupid, like she can't do anything. I think that the theme of the story is that everyone is good at something. This story can easily appeal to children because the message is clear.

The theme of the story is that everyone is good at something. At the beginning of the story Annabelle thinks she is stupid but by the end she realizes that is not true. She realizes she is really good at math and counting. She even gets to count everyone's lunch money and get the snacks for them. That's why the theme of the story is that everyone is good at something.

I can see why this story would appeal to little kids. The message of the story is clear. It teaches kids that everyone is special in their own way. Kids who are just starting school can also relate to it. It can ease their nerves on starting school. I remember my mom read it to me right before I started kindergarten and it really helped me be less nervous. That is why I can see why this story would appeal to kids.

In conclusion, the message of the story is that everyone is good at something. This story can appeal to kids because the message is clear and kids can relate to it. It also helps calm their nerves about starting school.