Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

The book Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson is about girl going into her first year of High school named Melinda. Just like most freshman she's nervous but for a different reason. Earlier in the summer Melinda and her friends went to a party where she raped by a senior named Andy Evans. The party was shut down when Melinda called the police making her the social reject. On the school bus Melinda would sit alone felling the hate filled eyes of her old friends on her back and at school she would here people talk about her. For most school year Melinda would spend much of her time at school in an abandoned janitors closet distancing herself from any unpleasant interactions. Melinda’s art class is her only joy at school. Until Andy Evens doing was revealed by Melinda who told her ex-best friend what he did to her. By the end of the school year many other people came out and told the school about similar incidents with Andy Evens.

One theme in the book is growth. When Melinda is assigned a tree for her art project. The tree is use to symbolize Melinda’s growth of communication. When she begins the project Melinda draws trees that look as if a toddler drew them, showing how she feels about her school life. When she first begin she art assignment she is up set with her art teacher and thinks that the assignment is stupid. “I take out a page of notebook paper and a pen and doodle a tree, my second-grade version. Hopeless. I crumple it into a ball and take out another sheet.”(page32). Melinda didn’t try very hard with her art project and felt like her teacher wouldn’t notice her “doodles”. However he did notice and helped her get better. Towards the end of the book when the truth was coming out about the party and when she began to communicate to her old friend about what Andy Evens. You could see how Melinda’s confidence grow. “Roots knob out of the ground and the crown reaches for the sun, tall and healthy. The new growth is the best part.”(page196). After Andy Evens is exposed for what he did to Melinda and many other girls, Melinda hands in her final art pice. Mr. Freeman is impressed with her growth. Melinda also has taught her self that she can grow, heal, and with her experience help encourage other people speak out.

Tigers Curse by Colleen Houck

The book Tigers Curse by Colleen Houck is the first book in a series of four books. Tigers Curse is about a girl named Kelsey Hayse who got an internship at a circus. She was put in charge of a white tiger named Ren who she became very close with. After a few days working at the circus, a man named Mr. Kadam, came to take Ren to India. He also offered Kelsey a research job India where she could still be with Ren. Once in India Mr. Kadam left and said he had to take care of some things. Left alone with Ren, Kelsey began her way to the destination. Along the way Ren the tiger was replaced by Ren the man. Ren explained that he and his brother were cursed and were tigers for most of the day, he also explain that she could help break the curse if she agreed to help. The journey starts with Kelsey and Ren paying a visit to Durga’s temple. Once they meet Durga she tells them how to break the curse and gives Ren a gift. As the journey begins so does the relationship between Kelsey and Ren, eventually they become something like a couple.The villain in this story is named Lokesh. He is your typical villain, power-hungry and wants to rule the world.However this isn't explained to Kelsey until she has completed the first task. At the end of each task there is a magical tool that can be a big help. The book ends with Kelsey leaving Ren in India.

I chose this book because I liked the idea of reading a book that had lots of adventure at camp which made me want to be more adventurous and outgoing. For example when Kelsey and gang went out on adventures around the world to break the curse, I wanted to jump on an airplane and travel the world. I also enjoyed the romance in the book. While there wasn’t much of a development in the first book you could tell from the moment that Ren became a man you could tell that there would be some a romantic but complicated relationship between them (quote then explain).

Another reason I pick this book is because of the setting and cultural addition. I think that the setting was very intersection and made me want to go to the places that were mentioned. Such as the Northern part of India and Mongolia. Culture was also a big part of the book. In order to break the curse Kelsey and gang had to preform four tasks which were explained in Hindu prophesies several other scriptures of different cultures and had to translate. Kelsey also had to visit many important religious figures like the Dalai Lama and the goddess Durga who they visit in each book (quote). I found it very interesting how the author Colleen Houck used different cultures to show different theories on how to break the curse. This also made me more interested in Hindu religion and gods.

Tigers Quest By Colleen Houck

Tigers Quest by Colleen Houck is the second book of the series Tigers Curse. After leaving India and going back to Oregon to start collage and try to move past Ren. She decides to date a guy named Li. But when Ren comes to Oregon to “attend” classes, Ren and Li began dating Kelsey so she can decide who she would like to be with. Obviously Ren wins. Soon Kishan also comes to Oregon because Lokesh is planing something. After a school dance the trio is attacked by Lokesh’s men. Ren is captured by Lokesh who wants to find out more about Kelsey. Left with only Kishan, Kelsey continues to complete the next task and finding Ren in the process. Spending so much time together Kelsey begins to develop feeling for Kishan. When Kelsey is finally reunited with Ren, she showers him with love and affections. However he has no memory of who she is and what she means to him.

I like the way the author changed up the mood and made it differ from the first book. From the start of the second book Kelsey and Ren are meant to be, but by the end you believe that Kelsey and Kishan would be a better couple(in my opinion). I think that Kishan is a better match for Kelsey because he is patient and passionate for Kelsey. For example, when Kishan follows Ren to Oregon, to provide back up for the soon to come danger. In the kitchen Kelsey tells Kishan how much of a hero he is for making Ren go to Oregon. Kishan then admits that he to wanted her back as much as Ren did. Kelsey told him off by saying “‘Don’t worry; I’m here now. It’s probably just my cooking you love anyway. I make a mean double chocolate chip peanut butter cookie.’” Kishan mumbled the response “‘Right… cooking.’”(page 200).