Post #8: Memoirs

            My thoughts about memoirs are as follows. The book doesn’t have to be the entire truth for it to be considered a memoir. If the story is really boring, people aren’t going to read it. Just vamping it up a little, doesn’t mean it’s not true. It’s still the same story, just enhanced in places to make more of a profit and keep readers entertained. I don’t see what is wrong with adding to the story as long as the author isn’t completely changing what happened. It might as well be a piece of fiction if it’s going to be a lot different than what actually happened. If that’s the case, why not just put on the cover that it is based off a true story? That way, you get the best of both worlds. Back to the point, I think that if the story is changed only a little to increase interest, it can still be considered a memoir.

            I also believe that half-truths are ok in memoirs. It’s not fair for readers to be so upset upon finding out a memoir isn’t COMPLETELY true. It’s the author and publisher’s job to create an interesting story that is going to sell and be popular. So, if that means adding some fluff, then why is that so bad? Readers overreact because they feel cheated. People lie to each other all the time. Besides, they probably wouldn’t even have found out anything was a lie. It’s not a crime to add to the story for the benefit of the reader (keeping it interesting), and the author (creates more profit). Half-truths are totally ok for memoirs as long as they don’t entirely alter the story.

Post #7: Book Trailer

Post #6: Readicide

Readicide is the killing children’s desire to read. I think this is a huge problem in today’s schools. Between the way that teachers choose to teach books and the amount of literary fiction students are expected to read, it’s no wonder kids are falling out of love with reading.

In my experience, teachers go a little overboard when teaching classic books such as: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Great Gatsby, etc. With the massive amounts of notes, study guides, and quizzes there isn’t much time for me (or any other students) to appreciate the book itself. When teachers stand in front of the room and talk at students about what the author ‘truly meant’ when he/she said this it makes the book boring and hard to think about. All the fun and enjoyment is taken out of reading the book. Finding a meaning in a book that relates to the reader is what reading should be about. Not what the school thinks students should get out of it. Literary fiction is great to teach in schools, but not when it’s forced onto students and symbols and themes are shoved down their throats.

Literary fiction should not be removed from school’s curriculum completely. It does have some good issues that people still deal with today. Also, people need to read these to see our history and how themes still apply to this day and age. However, too much of these classics can be extremely boring and suffocating to students today. Schools need to find that balance between literary fiction and genre fiction. Genre fiction is in no way less ‘worthy’ to read in school than literary fiction. It’s has great themes that would go along well with the curriculum. Gene fiction is also a lot more fun and interesting for students to read. This will help with the problem of Readicide, making reading in school more enjoyable. If you look at The Hunger Games, students can learn about a dystopian society and government takeovers in a futuristic, engaging way.  

Critics shouldn’t sneer at genre fiction because that’s what people are reading today. It’s what is popular among children, teens and young adults. It’s what’s selling and being turned into million dollar movies. It’s what’s making its way on the bestsellers list. Kim Wright says, “Publishers, always the last to recognize a literary trend, are pursuing top genre writers who, for the first time, have not only bigger paychecks but genuine clout,” (Wright). Literary fiction will always be the classics that everyone should at least know about, but genre fiction is what everyone is reading now. The best way to keep kids reading is to incorporate genre fiction into school and get rid of some of the literary fiction that is causing Readicide.

Post #5: Adaptation of Carrie

If I were to make a film adaptation of the Stephen King novel Carrie, there are three important scenes that I would keep the same.

First, one of the most important scenes of the entire book is the locker room fiasco where Carrie is made fun of by all of the girls. This is a milestone in the book because along with "becoming a woman" Carrie rediscovers her powers and starts to learn to control them after this horrible incident. This also sets up the pure hatred Carrie has for the other girls and how they bully her. Another reason to include this part is because of the strong emotion it shows. Carrie is humiliated and thinks she’s bleeding to death while the other girls find true disgust for their classmate. Chris and Sue, who are introduced in this scene, come to be important characters throughout the book and become part of the reason for Carrie snapping at the end.

The second scene that I would keep the same is the crowning of Carrie and Tommy as Prom Queen and King. This is a very important part of the book because when the pig blood is dumped onto Carrie and Tommy, Carrie has been embarrassed for the last time. The blood is the final act that makes Carrie snap. It changes her character entirely.  Carrie changes from a sad girl who cries to a monster that destroys the town and kills almost her entire class.

The final scene that should remain the same is Carrie’s final confrontation with her mother. It is after the pig’s blood and she comes home looking to kill her own mother. Margaret White is sitting in the house, knife in hand, waiting to kill Carrie. She tells Carrie about her carelessness before she was married. Margaret wants them to pray together one last time. While Carrie’s head is bowed she strikes at her with the knife. It ends up stabbing her in the shoulder. Finally, Carrie slows her mother’s heart to a stop. This is important because it shows the result of all the years of punishment and loathing from Mrs. White.

One thing I wouldn’t include is Chris and Sue talking at the restaurant. Although, it shows that Sue feels guilty for her actions and Chris does not, it is not important enough to the story to keep in. It is a minor detail that is added for effect. In movies, you have to cut things down to the most important things that keep the story moving. This is just not one of those things.

Another thing that I would cut out is some of the witness questioning. Maybe one would be ok to clear up some things but Sue’s was the most important. You could show some of what Carrie did without having it be set up as a police questioning. Showing Carrie burn townspeople alive would be a lot more effective than having a witness talk about the event. It cuts down on the time and I think it would be confusing to hear all of the witnesses’ stories.

Post #4: Reflection of book 1

I really enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I thought it was uniquely written with how the pictures were incorporated. Riggs did a wonderful job with the characters, I fell in love with all of them and their well-being. The book was a little slow in the middle but picked back up at the end with a lot of exciting action. I loved the idea of time loops and peculiar children in general. It was interesting that Riggs chooses to call them 'peculiar'. I would like to know where he came up with that. I can't wait until the second book comes out at the beginning of 2014! I need know what happens to Jacob and Emma and all the other peculiar children.

Post #3: Book 1 Project

If you loved reading about the peculiar children's adventures in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children then this is the perfect product for you. Buy a T-shirt with one of the outrageous pictures Jacob sees throughout the book to show your support for the peculiar children. It's the ultimate fan gear. You like the picture of the floating girl, Olive? Get it on a shirt. What about the picture of Victor holding a bolder over his head? Get it on a shirt. Or maybe you like the picture of Enoch with his homunculi. Get it on a shirt. Show that you are a proud fan of the Miss Peregrine series.

Ransom Riggs’ book is because he uses unique, old pictures to enhance his already spot-on character descriptions. As a young boy, Jacob is shown some old photos from his Grandfather’s childhood. These help to start Jacob’s journey to a little island off the coast of Wales. Upon finding more odd pictures at the house, Jacob finally comes to the realization that the stories that his Grandfather told him so many years ago were actually true. When Jacob first sees the peculiar children, everything seems to connect in his mind, “The pictures strewn before me, staring up at me just as the children stared down. I’d seen them in the photographs,” (Riggs 121). The pictures of the peculiar children make the book more interesting and intense to read. It creates a much more vivid picture in the mind of the readers, helping them fill in the gaps in their imagination.

The use of photos throughout the book helps Jacob as well as the reader. As Miss Peregrine explains to Jacob a story of a young girl she had once sheltered, Jacob recalls a photo that helps him place who she is. He recalls an elder lady dressed in little girl clothing, “‘I think I’ve seen her picture,’” (Riggs 211). Riggs uses these pictures to enhance readers thoughts about the characters looks. By looking at the black and white photos readers can understand more about the setting outside of what Riggs describes. Readers learn just how old these peculiar children are. They are shown in old suspenders and dresses that were worn during the time of World War II. The photos reinforce the idea that the children have not aged and really do come from the 1940’s.

For the peculiar children, keeping and looking at the photos helped them stay sane. Jacob finds old pictures of Emma and his grandfather hidden away in her room. Emma uses them as a reminder of her life before the loop started and there is something different that happens every day.  She explains to Jacob, “’And that, as they say, was that. […]It’s an old story,’” (Riggs 233). Keeping the memory alive, Emma keeps herself sane through the day that repeats itself. The loop makes it so that every day is September 3, 1940 and it resets itself every night. So although the day is the same, what the peculiar children do with does not have to be the same. So, readers, if you wish to wear something different other than an ordinary T-shirt that you wear every day, spice it up with a peculiar children T-shirt!

Not only does Ransom Riggs’ use of the peculiar photos enhance the reader’s experience but it makes his book unique and memorable. Not many books can pull off the picture aspect as Riggs has. Be as close to the peculiar children as you can. Be unique, different, and unlike anyone you know. Be peculiar.  If you wish to go above and beyond like this book and expand your fan experience, you will buy a Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children shirt today!

Post #2: What is a Book?

   A book is a district. Like the districts 1-12 in The Hunger Games, books specialize in different things. Districts also represent the different types of readers. You have the readers who love reading fantasy, manga, realistic fiction, horror, mystery, non-fiction, or adventure etc. Readers have the option to choose what kind of book they want to read, something that will be special to them. Similar to the train that takes Katniss and Peeta to the different districts, books transport readers to different worlds. You can change instantly from a pulse-racing, scream-inducing Stephen King novel, to a heart-aching, vampire-sparkling Stephanie Meyer book. There are so many options to look forward to in the world of books.

Does a Kindle, IPad, phone, other electronic device count as a book?

   Although I definitely prefer my books printed on paper, I would consider these other devices books as well. As long as people are reading, we shouldn't be too judgmental about how they do it. We are all reading the same words, falling in love with the same characters, and experiencing the same heartbreaks whether it’s through paper or through electronic devices. I know that one of the main reasons I prefer reading paper books is because that's how I grew up reading. It wouldn't be the same to me to read off of a lit up screen. Also, reading off a computer (etc.) makes my eyes hurt and I end up with a terrible headache. So I think I will just stick to the textbooks rather than the online version.

   I finished my book 1 within...a week maybe? Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was a fantastic read. It was fairly simple to read and kept me entertained. The beginning was a little slow but once Jacob found the children and Miss Peregrine things picked up a lot. The entire book was a very cool concept and I liked the loop idea. I would never have guessed any of that to happen (Although I had my suspicions about Jacob and his Grandfather being peculiar in some way or another...). I was upset at the end when Ransom Riggs kind of left us hanging until I found out the second book will be coming out this January! I will definitely be picking that one up as soon as it hits the shelves. I loved this book and I'm so glad that I chose to read it for our first unit.