Caroline Steffy- The Grapes of Wrath

I chose to read The Grapes of Wrath because I scanned through the summaries of the books on the list and the first thing that caught my eye was actually the author- John Steinbeck. Of course I knew he was very famous and I remembered reading The Pearl, which he also wrote, in my 8th grade English class. I recalled enjoying his perplexing writing style and I wanted to gain a little more familiarity with it. I also saw that it was a novel having to deal with the Dust Bowl period and the journey many families took from their homes in Oklahoma and other states to go west to California. I love the era of the Depression and the way of life back then, so I decided to start reading and I was hooked. I really enjoy the way that Steinbeck inserts a chapter every now and then where he writes about something completely off of the main story and that none of the characters are in, then somehow finds a way to tie that into the main story. I love this book and the way Steinbeck draws you in and really lets you feel the family's grievances and their joys.

Maclean Bassett: The Last of the Mohicans

I originally started this novel for two essential reasons, the first being that it was the only movie readily available that corresponded with the book list. Also, I had read an abridged version years ago and wanted to re-read it in order to get a better recollection and understanding of the novel. The complicated language and essentially "Shakespearean-style" in which the story is portrayed, caused me some confusion; however, the detailed story combined with diverse and interesting characters did not disappoint. The story begins with the journey of the Munro sisters who are traveling to visit their father from the British occupied Fort Edward to Fort William Henry, which is currently under attack by the French. Their father, Colonel Munro, is the commander of Fort William Henry. The Munro sisters travel with the protagonist Hawkeye, his two Mohican companions, Chingachgook and Uncas, a British soldier, Heyward who is also the girls' protector, and the psalmist, David. The group's journey to the fort comprises the story, with the group repeatedly finding themselves in desperate situations and conflicts. The novel is interesting, harrowing, and enjoyable.

Kristin Cohea, A Raisin in the Sun

I mostly started this play because of it's low page number, but if the saying 'short but sweet' ever applied to anything, it would undoubtedly be this book. Even though my motives for starting this book may have stemmed from the summer laziness most of us students fall into, I actually caught myself enjoying the read. It's about a black family living in a crummy apartment in Chicago Southside. But really that description gives this family no justice. 'A Raisin in the Sun' is about big dreams and the ambition it takes to make them, about the disappointment life slaps in our faces, about the distinct human quality to get right back up and be thankful for what we've got. It's about not just a mother's love, but the bonds every family has with each other. And it's these themes, the ones all of us can really relate to, that makes this book so wonderful.

Shrivani Babariya, A Raisin in the Sun

I read A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansbury. I chose to read this book because it was about an African American family who almost fell apart because of a $100,000 check. This money comes from deceased Mr. Younger's life insurance policy. Each member of they family has an idea of what to do with the money but no one can agree on one idea. Walter Younger, the son of Mr. Younger, is eager about using the money to make an investment on a liquor store with his friends. Everyone in the family is against Walter's idea, which leads him to always argue with his wife, Ruth Younger and his mother, Lena Younger. Once the check arrived, Lena Younger went out and bought a house in a white neighborhood. Everyone in the family except Walter was overjoyed about leaving their small apartment and moving into a larger house, especially when a new baby is arriving into the family. Walter hated the fact that no one in his family supported his idea which causes him to grow against his family. Lena decides to give Walter the rest of the money for his investment but its cheated by a fraud who runs off with the money. This crushes the entire family because Walter lost most of his fathers money. The family is hesitant about moving into their new house now that their money is gone. This book shows how money can affect a family by tearing them apart.

Katherine Maxwell: Coming Of Age In Mississippi

This autobiography is about Essie Mae a colored girl growing up in times of racial inequality. Everywhere around her she can see the white people being treated better, having better homes and nicer things. But she doesn't understand what sets her apart from them, as far as she can tell they're exactly the same as her except a couple of shades lighter. Throughout the book she realizes how much harder everything is for her and her family and then ends up joining a group fighting against inequality. This is an inspiring story of a girl wanting to change what she's been used to her entire life.

Rontrez Hall: The Autobiography of Malcolm X

I chose to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X because all throughout elementary and middle school, while studying the Civil Rights Movement, our main focus would be on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I know how big of an impact he had on society, but there are more people who had a part in the Civil Rights Movement, like Malcolm X. I wanted to expand my knowledge and learn about others who played an important role. I found the book to be very interesting. I would have never guessed that Malcolm X had the reckless and wild past that he had. While being in prison, he learned about the Muslim faith, which was the driving force that caused him to get his life together. He became one of the most inspirational people in the Civil Rights Movement.

Robert Gitau, The Grapes of Wrath

This book isn't all that interesting to me. It does talk about some of the hardships farmers in the depression had to go through, and the author does a decent job in describing these hardships. That being said, I really hate the dialogue in this book. The characters all speak with such a thick country accent that makes it kinda hard to understand and just grates on my nerves a lot. I'm also not much of a fan of how the book takes forever to go much of anywhere with the plot. I kinda wish they would speed up the pace, although I am still in the process of reading, so I don't know if any of this will change. I can't say the book is god-awful, but I can't say its all too interesting either.

Rontrez Hall: The Autobiography of Malcolm X

I chose to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X because all throughout elementary and middle school, while studying the Civil Rights Movement, our main focus would be on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I know how big of an impact he had on society, but there are more people who had a part in the Civil Rights Movement, like Malcolm X. I wanted to expand my knowledge and learn about others who played an important role. I found the book to be very interesting. I would have never guessed that Malcolm X had the reckless and wild past that he had. While being in prison, he learned about the Muslim faith, which was the driving force that caused him to get his life together. He became one of the most inspirational people in the Civil Rights Movement.

Berenice Hernandez, Coming of Age in Mississippi

I read Coming of Age in Mississippi. This book stood out to me because it is an autobiography. I like to read autobiographies because I enjoy reading about other people's life's and what they had to go through. Another thing that I liked about this book was that it was about a young girl who was part of a big family that had to overcome different challenges as she grew up. I do recommend this book to other people because its easy to read. I felt that this book flowed very well and it kept me interested, which is unusual for books that I have to read for school.

Jordan Jones: The Age of Innocence

I am reading The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I decided to read this book because I have a family event coming up and the theme is 1920's. I wanted to learn more about what life was like back then and this book sounded very interesting.

Amanda Ewoldt, The Age Of Innocence

I am reading The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I chose this book because i enjoy books with more than just history. It is set in old New York and portrays what seems like, how women were expected to act or behave. In the novel it is even looked down upon when a woman wants a divorce. The way Edith Wharton recreates the early 1900's is very interesting and really brings alive what it must have been like.

Kennedy Nelson, The Age of Innocence

I read The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I chose this book because I was interested in old New York society. It was not what I expected. I was thinking of the book taking place in the same time period as The Great Gatsby. Anyway, The Age of Innocence was pretty challenging to read because of all the details Wharton put into it. Although the details made the book complex, it also helped me with understanding each character without even know it. I did not know how much I learned from the book until I saw the movie. The whole time I was reading I did not think I understood the text at all, but while watching I could point out each character in the movie before they were introduced. Overall, The Age of Innocence was an ok book. I most likely won't recommend it, but I did enjoy the movie probably because I am a more visual person.

Michael Littles

I am currently reading "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. I probably choose this book because of the appealing title and the was written on the cover:  “Murder, Magic, And Madness At The Fair That Changed America”. It really is interesting reading about the projects an architect has around the 20^th Century. I hope that I can get further into the book and enjoy it as the cover has appealed to me.

Gabrielle McCray

I'm reading The Grapes of Wrath, I don't really enjoy reading this book, some of the dialogue is challenging to read because the characters have a very strong country dialect, and the writer portrays the way the characters speak by spelling the words incorrectly, causing the words and sentences to be difficult to understand. There also was a whole chapter based solely around a turtle crossing the road, I'm still in the process of reading this book, and I still don't understand why this chapter was included.

Breanne Gottberg-Harris, Catch-22

This book was horrible. The plot was ridiculous and hard to follow, and the dialogue was circuitous and thus went nowhere. The only character I liked was the Chaplain, and it was because he was the only one confused by the way every seemed to talk and/or thought, e.g. when they arrested him and asked him to write his name in his handwriting and then refused to accept it was his handwriting when they saw  him write in it. The book was so bad, I would read sections aloud to my family and they would give me blank looks, immensely confused. My mother is a reading teacher, her boyfriend  getting his masters and my brother and sister are both in higher college. The fact that not one could help me decode what was happening in the book, is not good. It shows that the books language is outdated, if an English teacher couldn't help me.

Kyra Samaha- Coming of Age in Mississippi

I chose the Coming of Age in Mississippi because it depicted the struggles in life in Mississippi for Anne Moody, a young African American girl. My interests are particularly in the key decade of the civil rights movement, and the racial segregation in the deep south; this book was a perfect match for me! In her autobiography, Anne Moody describes the times of troubles she has faced: extreme poverty, being ostracized in her fellow community, and becoming a woman. All the social aspects of the Coming of Age in Mississippi drew me into reading it, and further enjoying it later on.

Garrett Crawford : The Presidents Calling- Lyndon B Johnson Addresses Congress

President Lyndon B Johnson addresses Congress after President Kennedy was assassinated. He says that the United States will still move forward. That Civil Rights Laws will be put in place and how humble he is to become President. I find him a a man of honor because he is strong and ready to get America back on track and to end racism.

Florjena Sulollari - Catch 22

I chose to read Catch-22 as I have often heard how well-written it is and as I have always been interested in World War II. In my prior experiences with discussing the war the Italian front is very rarely highlighted, making this a new subject for me to read about.

Garrett Crawford-The Last of the Mohicans

I chose The Last of the Mohicans because its about the French and Indian War. I had never really learned about how the Indians helped the French in this war so I was curious.  I have also had a big interest in wars which happen to be my favorite subject.

Megan Ramba- Age of Innocence

     I chose to read Age of Innocence because it's set in the time of elaborate balls, eccentric dinner parties, and royalty. In the book, Newland Archer is engaged to be married to May Welland, on the night they announce their engagement May's cousin, Ellen Olenska, returns to New York to escape her terrible husband Count Olenski. May has been brought up in formal New York society and is the essence of what Archer wants in a wife, until he grows closer to Ellen Olenska. In the time of this book, divorced women were considered a disgrace and an embarrassment to one's family. Archer's law firm is handling Ellen's divorce and Archer convinces her to continue as she is separated as not to disgrace her family, which will also soon be his. The catch is Archer is falling madly in love with Ellen because of how different and special she is; he loves the idea of adventure with her, not having to follow all of society's rules all the time. The problem is he must choose between his family and the society he's grown up in or Ellen and a new, exciting world.