Bus Crises 11/28/12 7:09 PM

NOVEMBER WRITING YOUNG KIM

               

   

   

 

           

   

   

   

                       

     

 

 

 

 

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS    

 

       1.Memoir-­‐Ways  to  live  forever  book  

review  

       2.Memoir-­‐Wonder  book  review  

       3.Newstory/paper  

                 

Memoir- Ways to live forever

How does the character change?

All Sam thinks about are the feelings. What it feels like to

be a teenager, -Kiss a girl, drink, and smoke. He wants to

know the facts about breaking a world record, watching a

horror movie, and going up the down-escalator or going

down the up-escalator. But he can’t do any of these

things with parents, adults and other people, deciding

choices for him. He wants to decide his own choices and

wants for his parents to let him do what he wants, but he

never had the nerve to tell his mom or dad. At first in the

book, Sam isn’t that confident to show his own feelings

and to make statements of what he feels like, but at the

end of the book, I have noticed a change in him. He knows

he can’t take accepting everything from pills to clinics

anymore. He stands up for himself and says he can’t take

it anymore, and it’s his body that has to take all the

choices his mom or dad makes. I think this was a

miraculous idea of putting this in the partially-end side of

the book because I could really notice a change from this

boy. It really helped the ending give it a nice, peaceful

sense because now I knew Sam could just let it go and die

peacefully without a worry in his mind.

Does it have an inviting introduction?

Not really, it starts with 5 facts you should know about

me, so it is not a inviting introduction. It’s more like an list

intro. I liked this though because it got the book moving

on quickly and getting to the point of important things.

And I also liked how it was written in list form like on a

real notepad. The list introduction was a good idea, but it

still has a little downers. I didn't really like how it was

very obvious. Like I said before in this paragraph, I liked

how it was getting to the important points fast, but I just

expected the important facts to be given out to the reader

fast, but throughout the story. It’s like spoiling all the

good chances that you can get to spread hints about the

important ones. So I didn't really like that, it was easy to

understand and to get to know the character better, but I

didn't think it was the best idea, as a beginning. Basically,

it didn't really scream to me, “READ THIS BOOK!!!” I didn't

really feel that strong message from the author saying

this will be a great book to read. The beginning didn't

seem that interesting. To be truthful, I did like the format

of the list but not the idea of taking a bunch of main ideas

and throwing it to me. I wanted the author to spread it out

a little throughout the book.            

             

Wonder By Young

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is staring at you? Eyes crossing over your face, wide, gleaming at you, mouth opening, trying to scream, but is too shocked to… This is August’s life; everyone is constantly gawking at his face, August Pullman from the book Wonder, has a unique face. He was born with a nose too close to his eye, eye looking like someone punched it, ears uneven, and mouth with a crooked shape. The downer of his life is that he never got to be treated like a normal kid before. Yes, he has normal qualities, but what’s the whole point of it if you can’t convince anybody that you’re just like them. August never got to go to a normal school before…until now, August is ready. Not only are there pressure for August, but

his sister, Olivia has some problems too, what do you think it would feel like to have a brother like August. Read on and find out the surprising events August goes to, bullying? Mocking? Friendship? Its all questions… is August strong enough to take it all in? This book really makes you…Wonder August has never got to be treated a normal kid before. Now he has a chance, can he use it well? He knows that he can never BE a NORMAL kid, but is it possible to make a few friends? He knows people stare at him, thinking “What’s wrong with his face” and he knows people stare at him. This all changes when a nice boy starts to hang out with August. Can this be August’s new best friend? Or is it just a trick to embarrass him… Different things, although what August really wants is for people to look past his looks and start looking at him as a actual person, everyone knows he wants that, but he knows it can’t happen…can it? Who are the characters of this book, really? Are they “deformed”

like August? Or are they just normal people who pass your house everyday? Lets find the true story of this crazy character plot. First of all, there is the main character, August Pullman. Now he is the kind of guy that you could spill a secret to or refer to him as a “very smart, funny, and capable young man.” He doesn't really care if people look at him like garbage or some freaky murderer, he is used to it. Olivia Pullman, now she is a total different story. She, as you could recall to her is a normal person. Her brother is August. Have you ever wondered about having a brother “deformed”? Though she stands by her brother. She hates it when people call her brother, “deformed” or “retarded”. Her friendship between her and August are chained together. Olivia has a best friend, Miranda, but it seems like Miranda has changed a lot in the summer… Summer- the only girl to hang out with August, not forced, just to

be nice. Summer has a very positive attitude. She likes to fit people in and make everyone feel happy. Miranda- Olivia’s VERY close friend since forever, and a friend of August. The only one of Olivia’s friend who really cares about August. Miranda has changed a lot during the summer. From a totally normal, tagging along girl, to a complete pink- haired, popular teen. Only the bad thing is, Olivia wasn't expecting this, will Olivia be accepting this complete new character, or is their friendship in danger… Julian- Always spreading rumors and gossiping about August. His mom, even worse. Does he pick up the nastiness from his mom, or is it just him. Julian thinks August is a complete retard and regrets going to the same school as him Jack- One of August’s friends. Is he faking? Or is this friendship between these two boys real? August really thinks of Jack as his

“best friend” but is he, really? Will he be there when August needs him the most? The author R.J. Palacio, writes in a very extraordinary way. Her idea of making her writing interesting and maintaining her audience was very mind-blowing. Her idea of naming the chapters were quite unique, every chapter was named as a new character. And depending on the name, each chapter was about them, written in their point of view. I thought this was quite special because I liked how R.J. could share other people’s point of view equally. Sharing everyone’s point of view is very important, especially in this book because then the reader knows what they all think about August. Or if there is a problem in the story, the reader can know what all the different people deal with it or think about it. Another superior way of writing she used that I pointed out was, by other people’s point of view, she kind of changes up a bit. Like when she has a teenager writing in his or her point of view, she makes the writing like chat writing for example: “ i luv 2 go shopping”

This isn’t a real example from the book, but I noticed that some of the teenager chapters were written like this. I loved this technique because it was like I was actually reading a chat room. I could tell R.J. Palacio liked writing this book because the way she wrote her miraculous words in there, it was clear that she put a lot of effort into this book to make it a success. Her writing made me feel like I was in the book and actually walking through it. 1 page after another, building up different kinds of emotions throughout different chapters. The way she wrote the book so specifically, it made me think, “I feel like she had this experience herself, because she can describe the feelings so well” Her description of the character, August was so limited that I really wanted to meet him and see how he looked like. I wanted to she the movie version of it. Her writing gave me ideas of what I wanted to write. I thought the book and her writing fit me so well. She really made her writing easy for me to understand, but at the same time very hard to stop reading. It was defiantly a crackling page-turner. I really would like to read one of her next books.

I may not be exactly like August, but I am a kid and kids are relatable. August has a lot of problems in his life. Social problems, mostly. I have the same problems sometimes. I can connect to August and how he sometimes feels left out and not the same kind of a person as another group of people. How someone can treat other people very nicely, and inviting, while they are nice to you but they don't treat you exactly like one of the other people. I can connect to August that way but I can also connect to Jack too. Sometimes you have a new kid or just a normal girl or boy and they want to be your BEST FRIEND. I can relate to Jack in the way because at certain times you want to be nice to and be friends with but you feel like you don't really want to but at the same time you kind of do. I get that kind of feeling sometimes. When you want to be kind and inviting to a person, but you really don't like them or you just want to let them leave you alone for a while. The last person I can connect to is Olivia and how Miranda suddenly changed. I once had a friend who was nice and very close to me, but she became like one of the popular girls who

talked about boys and such. Like Olivia, I was very shocked and I didn't know what I was suppose to do… then we just didn't hang out as much. I know how Olivia feels like when one minute you have a bestie that's a total twin to you and then next minute you only see each other when you pass by to go to homeroom. I can relate to this book really well because it has so many feeling and happenings that can easily be connected to any girl or boy. This book really makes me easy to understand how the character feels like because the situations most likely happened to me before or I got the same kind of feeling before. This is another reason why I love this book, it’s very easy to connect and understand the feelings and emotions. In conclusion, I very much love this book, and I hope a lot of people read this outstanding journey of August. I recommend this one to the ones out there that enjoy reading realistic fiction. Also, if you read the book Firegirl before, and you liked it, take a whip at this one. You will love it, I guarantee. This is a book for girls

and boys… now, get out of your chair, head to the library, check the book Wonder out and read it, love it, and rate it. Have fun!!                                Tell Me What To do!! NOT! “BE QUIET IT!!! Okay you guys crossed the line, again! Don't talk for 3 minutes!” The words of the bus monitor. Yes, that hurt my ear!! For 4-5 years, I, Young Kim have been dealing with ASIJ’s bus monitors. And let me tell you they are a handful. Believe it or not, my sister is one of “THEM”. If you had an older sister or brother that was a bus monitor, you would know that it is a terror for you to deal with the bus monitors and your siblings! They do care about our health and safety, but please!! Are they really doing it for the enjoyment of spending time with us? No way!! Okay, some of them do, but the rest are just… doing it for the . Bus monitors, or really young high schoolers…whoever they are, are getting more and more comfortable with their job. They don't take their job as seriously anymore. A lot of students have been talking about how the bus monitors complain a lot. My friend Maya says, “They complain about everything! From volume, to poking your feet out in the aisle. What is up with that!! I mean us, elementary schoolers or

even middle schoolers had a tough day…STUDYING and they cant give us some freedom on a 45 minute bus ride? I don't want to be rude or anything, but that's just messed up!” Bus monitors are making their own rules, threatening their siblings and much more. Being bus monitors is a cool job, but you cant take advantage of it. Mrs. Witt has trusted all of these teenagers to keep the ASIJ bus community safe. A job of a bus monitor isn’t for bossing kids around for their own reasons. Trying to “Make us behave” is just another way of telling us, “I had a long day of school so can you guys be quiet?” So, we want to relax and talk, isn’t that the joy of riding the bus? And even though they say, “Behave, Behave!! Don't be mean to each other!! Be quiet!” they are breaking the rules too!! Screaming, making their behavior expectations… Lets take a sneak peek on this situation.

Drool breakers and rule breakers 11/28/12 7:09 PM

Bus monitors sometimes break rules!!! Just the other day, my bus monitor was screaming to the whole bus to be quiet, just because she wanted to go to sleep…WHILE BUS MONITORING!! Being quiet for making too much noise for the bus driver is important, but I don't think we have to be silent for the bus monitor to sleep. What do you think? What’s the whole point of paying them money if its only a time for taking a nap? Who’s going to be in charge if we get into a accident or even a fire ??? “Bus monitors are for, basically the safety of the bus. They are especially for emergencies and problems the bus is having. Bus monitors can not sleep while they are working and can not listen to music or movies too.” Mrs. Witt recalls, You heard it, bus monitors can NOT sleep while working. This bus monitor and other bus monitors who do this kind of behavior, should think about what their job is, and if they are really bored they could keep the kids entertained. Kristi Deki, a bus #9 rider exclaims, “I sometimes think that they are very boring, and sometimes they don't do their job. They just sit in the back and relax.” By this, I can tell this isn’t a joke, what if something serious really happens? Its dangerous for younger kids, and even for the bus monitor her/himself. They really need to get their priority straight and do their job.

Neighbor’s words 11/28/12 7:09 PM

Swearing or cursing on the bus is a big problem. No matter if there are little kids or not. It is a really bad habit of teaching other kids how to curse. While I was coming back from the bus, my neighbor, told me a little “joke”. “Guess what?” he said, “What?” I answered, “You (bad word written here)” I knew he got this from the bus monitor because, last week, my bus monitor said that word on accident in front of him then he gasped. That obviously proved that “the word” was imprinted in his mental vocab list. I was surprised to see a 2nd grader use that kind of language, who wouldn't be surprised to see a tiny, little boy saying words that even I wouldn't say. Swearing in general isn’t such a impressing habit, because once you get the hang of it, the words will be flying out of your mouth, to brains of young kids. “Its teaching bad habits to little kids” My friend Elisabeth Jensen says, This is not good for ASIJ in whole because what kind of parent wants to find out that their children learns swears from the bus monitor. Not my mom!! Cussing is a critical problem for the bus and needs to be stopped.

Special Treatment on wheels 11/28/12 7:09 PM

Special treatment for certain family members of the bus monitors are getting increased by a great number. “Its kind of annoying, because once on my bus a girl was throwing water bottles and making noise, but the bus monitor (her sister) didn't give her a bus report…its really unfair. I sometimes get in trouble for less severe problems like that but she doesn't get in trouble for throwing water bottles or screaming!!” Brighton Solheim exclaims… Having a sister who is a bus monitor, I know what it feels like to have special treatment, it feels massively unique and like your in control of the whole bus, but it is not fair for other students on the bus. Just because you don't want your sister or brother get in trouble, no matter how bad of a crime they did, you cant just let them off the hook. It is important for students to know their limit for their excitement and physical movements, or else people wouldn't have rules and without rules what kind of community would ASIJ’s busses be?

Maybe these bus monitors can think about the some real importance in their job and start taking control. My wish is for the bus monitors to keep the bus safe so that everyone can be assured that they are in good hands. Lets hope to see some improvements as the year goes on…LETS HOPE….on the bus we go  

                         

                                                         

Obama V.S. Romney Who is the winner?

Everyone is going crazy for this election. Who wants who as a president…it is becoming endless and emotional. Who does America really want? Who is the right choice? I may not be American, but I know what I want for America. This is my opinion…

Obama’s Side… I believe that President Obama is the right man for the job; he is experienced, brave, and bold, all it takes to be a leader. He knows what he is doing, what he wants to do. I feel like Mitt Romney is just trying to make America’s present problems worse, I feel most of the problems he is trying to fix are just for the wealthy people. What I want for a president, or at least what I think American citizens want if for a president to think of America as a whole, and not only certain of people. With what I hear from Obama’s speeches, I think Obama would be a better choice for the situation A merica is dealing with right now. Also, since America has a lot of problems, and like I said before Obama is an experienced president so it will probably be easier to keep the pace moving and solve the problems ASAP. When I read all the fantastic facts about Obama, it really told me, “Wow, this man really cares for the citizens of the world and children-education.” I thought Obama would be a wonderful choice to be chosen for such a honorable place of America’s heart. I feel like Obama will figure out the right choices, no matter what

it takes, and will be successful in his presidential position. I believe in him is because... during the past years when he was chosen as president, he performed with admirable service to the American Community. He wanted to change the world and happenings of America, including education, taxes, jobs and so on. One of Obama’s wishes was to cut down the amount of dollars families have to pay for sons or daughters to go to college. I think this was a great idea because some people are really smart, but they just can’t afford to go to college, and I think that's unfair. Another thing he wants to do when he is president is to reduce the car pollution…while all the other people just look at it and try to just forget about it, Obama makes a change. Even if he cannot complete the job, I know that even thinking of trying to accomplish it is a very thoughtful and noble thing to do. The main reason why I like President Obama is because I know he has a voice, a voice that can change the world. What he does is not for him, it is for the people of the United States, what I have always trusted him is he will listen to you. His actions have always been to have a goal of making some progress for the people, not him. Even if it means losing the grounds of wealth he still will be willing to do it. He is for a healthcare system that brings hope and healing to the hurting. Obama's healthcare plan has allowed uninsured Americans to reap the benefits of a universal healthcare system. A suffering child should never be turned away because his or her mother doesn't have health insurance. He knows that whatever

he has to do to keep people healthy, he has to do. Next, he is for entertaining the masses. When you hear other presidents go on and on and on about problems and solutions and so and so, how boring is that?? Obama is, as we all know a great public speaker and has meanings to his words. He tops off his speeches with amazing comedic timing, and an incredible intellect. I for one know that listening to Obama’s speeches is a treat. It is funny though serious. He stays on topic without losing the audience. Great technique. Also, he is for the education. Obama has always been an advocate for education, making it a top priority during his administration. Like I said before, he has been thinking a lot about education for kids all over America. Obama has set a goal for the U.S. to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. He has increased federal funding and doubled the amount of grant money allocated to students seeking a higher education to cover rising tuition costs. During his presidency, Obama also passed the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African-Americans and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics to ensure equal education for people of color. The second-last thing I want to talk about is he is for the women’s rights. One of Obama’s first action as President was to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill specifically designed to destroy wage discrimination barriers for women. Furthermore, Obama has taken exceptional measures to secure grant money for women business owners and get them a fair shake from the Small Business Association.

Finally, my last reason is because he is for the middle class. This is what Obama has been saying the past few months: "Rebuilding our economy starts with strengthening the middle class. Extending tax breaks on 98 percent of families now would give hardworking Americans the security and confidence they need." Now this proves that Obama is not only looking out for the high class, wealthy people, he wants to make a change that effects the lives of the lower classes. And even though I may not be one of them, I know it would feel most unfair if nothing could be a change for me just because I wasn't rich enough. All this information approves that Obama is ready for the spot to change the USA and keep improving these problems. I believe that if Obama gets selected the people would be making the right choice.

Romney is not the best Choice… Governor, Mitt Romney is a great man, but I am not sure if he is ready for this spot yet. I feel like he isn’t going to make the best choice for America’s problems. He says, “I speak the language of business, I know how jobs are created.” But it ended for him and the state of Massachusetts to have one of the worst economic records. When Mitt Romney was governor, the Massachusetts lost 40,000 manufacturing jobs, and also the rate twice the national average. And fell to 47th in job creation 4th from the bottom. By this, I don't know if I can trust Romney to make a good living and environment for America. Also, instead of hiring people from his own state, Romney outsourced call center jobs to India. Adding on to this, he cut taxes and fees on millionaires like himself, then raised them to middle

class. When we see this kind of facts, I don’t want to vote for Romney. He did help with Hurricane Sandy, but that's only 1 thing!!! I want to vote for Obama and that's my final decision. By comparing these two men, I think Obama would be a better choice for America in the present. Romney has a clear and strong plan, but I am not sure if the plan is suitable for now.

All in All In conclusion, I think President Barack Obama should be voted for president because he would have the right choices for America in the present and future. If Obama gets nominated I trust and believe in him that he will make a change in America that will change everyone’s life no matter if they were millionaires or not.