A Vast Hell

It's June 2nd, 9a.m., and the humidity is only beginning to roll in.  Thick, ominous walls go up in the sky.  And Sam is stuck in the middle, suffocating in a brick box kids call school.  

Now don't get me wrong, the brick box isn't always so bad.  Sam sees his my friends, likes most of his classes and occasionally someone will open the windows.  It's just that today was exceptionally torturous.  Sam can see the light at the end of the tunnel, only seven more days and no longer could he be considered a high school student.  Only two classes did Sam have to endure each day, but those classes ticked on for hours.  Every passing second Sam was convinced the walls were moving in closer and closer.  

"Beeeeep," time for his second and last class of the day.  If sitting in class was difficult, walking through those dark, narrow halls was unbearable.  "I dare someone to walk through just one hall and not get pushed, shoved, smacked with an oversized backpack, trip over a wheely-backpack, coughed on or drowned in a sea of Axe and other overused cologne," Sam thought to himself.  Hurry, hurry!  Up the stairs and into the safety of a classroom; ehhh or not.  First, it's an economics classroom = not fun!  Second, that annoying pot head is talking nonsense again, the second bell hasn't even rung and already Mrs. Moody has steam coming out of her ears.  

Forty minuets, less than an hour and Sam is home-free.  Free to watch t.v. and sleep, or play soccer, or eat an entire pizza, whatever he wants, schoolwork is out of the equation.  "Wait, did the minute hand just move backwards?  God, PLEASE get me out of here, I'm going insane!"  Sam could not sit still.  "38 minutes and 54 seconds, 38:53, 52, 51. . .," was all Sam could think about to keep his mind from exploding.  

"Okay, take out a sheet of paper, books away, time for your quiz."

We have a quiz?! On what chapter? Why couldn't I have gotten the swine flu like every other kid in this world?        

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one . . . beeeep! Sam ran out of that classroom and was in the student parking lot before the halls could swarm with buzzing students.  But of course, Sam thought, as the bored security guard chased Sam to his car.  

"Do you have I.D.?"

"You see my I.D. everyday.  Remember, you ask for my I.D., I roll my eyes, take it out of my wallet, you stare at if for a good three seconds then go "Oh yes, Sam, okay Sam I will remember you."

"Don't give me that attitude, these are the rules, blah blah blah, now where is your I.D.?"

  Don't get mad, stay calm, you're almost home.  Five more minutes.  Five, four, three, two, one. 

          

Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine

From the title of this book you may assume that this is some fluffy story about fairy tales and teenage romance.  Well, haven't you ever heard the expression, "Don't judge a book by its cover?"  What caught my attention of this book was that on the cover it reads, " True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess."  Right away I just had to know what sort of life this author had that sounded so much like a crazy, fictional, romantic story.  From introducing herself at age six, fixated on the fact that she belonged in Buckingham Palace married to a yet-to-be prince, until the end at around age 26, never giving up on her childhood Disney princess dream, Jerramy Fine delights her audience with twists and humor on every page.  I especially loved this memoir because Fine travels around England and takes chances because she is determined to go after the impossible and live happily ever after like a true princess.  Her story is inspiring and humorous; showing that the strength of one's free will can be the greatest influence in one's fate.   

When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

When It Happens is the perfect easy-read, beach book for the love struck teenage girl.  The author, Susane Colasanti is a high school teacher and hears the language and sees the motions of teens daily.  The dialogue is realistic, using slang such as "mad" and "like."  Her characters are multi-layered with multiple issues from college, grades, parents, cliques and school events; the problems her characters experience are extremely real and relatable, unlike the drama shown in Gossip Girl.  

I really enjoyed this book because I needed a break from all the serious and deep-thinking Jodi Picoult books and others similar.  When It Happens is a fun romance and proves that if you truly care for something or someone and have motivation to work for what you want and look to then anything can happen.  Colasanti gives teenage girls (and guys) the courage to believe and hope for what may seem to be the impossible, "When you find something real, everything else falls into place. . ."    

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

If you have a sister, a brother, a best friend who is like a sibling then My Sister's Keeper is a must read.  It is intriguing and emotional, fueling talk among friends but most importantly family.  The relationship between two sisters, Anna and Kate Fitzgerald, is unlike any sister relationship I know of because a part of Anna is literally part of Kate.  I also appreciate their bond because the two are best friends and would do anything for each other, just like my sister and I are.  This inspiring novel also demonstrates how many families undergo incredulous struggles and must live on a second to second basis everyday, never knowing what is ahead of them.  I will admit, at times I take my life and opportunities for granted; I know that I will be graduating high school in a few months, going to prom, going to college and I have a ton of friends always by my side.  However, for Kate know one knows if this can be the case, know one knows how much farther she can push.  Picoult has helped me open my eyes a little bit more and show how I must live in the moment and appreciate all that I am fortunate enough to do.  Another reason I was touched by this story is because Kate and Anna are about the same ages my sister and I are now, so I felt incredibly close to these two characters, but can't possibly imagine the fight they must put up every day.  "My Sister's Keeper is the story of one family's struggle for the survival at all human costs and a stunning moral parable for all time."

P.S. this story has the saddest ending I have ever read.  You will be in shock and in tears, but no doubt awed and inspired.        

Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

Lost on Mt. Ventoux

For some strange reason Cedric, Lauren and Nick thought it would be fun to take their 15 campers on a night hike up to the highest peak in Providence, France. Bundling up in layers and packing their knapsacks with food and water the adventurous group headed out at 10p.m. for the anticipated hike.

"Can we use our flashlights," one boy asked?

"No, just follow the stars," replied Cedric.

"But we're in the woods, we can't see our own two feet let alone the stars being blocked by hundreds of trees."

"Well then grab the bag of the person in front of you and everyone follow me. Remember to look for markers on the trees!"  

"But we can't see anything! Can we just turn around, who cares about watching some stupid sunrise?"

"Will you just have some faith please, stop complaining."

And the 18 hikers continued on their way with minimal complaints. Wait no, with a lot of complaints . . . and aches and pains and, "is this is a group of 17 year olds or 70 year olds?" Cedirc asked. "Five more minutes and I promise the top is just around the bend."

Ten minutes later and Cedric was still saying "Five more minutes!" Twenty minutes later and he was still saying "Five more minutes!"

"And you told us to have faith," said one of the girls. "Admit it, you have no idea where we are and where you are going."

"I promise, just five more minutes," replied Cedric.

 "I've heard that one before."

With barely any food or water left, sweating and shivering at the same time, the group finally made it up to 7,000 feet and saw some light up ahead. Literally in the middle of no where there was this huge house lit up bright in the vast opening of the woods. Tired and practically falling over a few of the boys jumped the fence and sprinted off toward the house to make sure it really wasn't some mirage. However, before the boys could make it to the front door a group of loud dogs charged at these crazy intruders. There was noise and energy all around as if the fatigue the group just felt hiked away on its own. Cedirc, Nick and Lauren were yelling at the boys who jumped the fence, others were fighting over whatever food was left, some kids passed out on the ground and those crazy boys were fighting with the dogs. Then, as if magic had taken over, the dogs fell silent and the boys still. Everyone looked up to see a large, burly man with a long, knotted beard shadowing over the group.  Without a word the group slowly backed off the man's property, turned and swiftly walked, or ran rather, into the dark of the woods. Reorganizing themselves on the trail Cedric promised that if they weren't at the top in five minutes he would run ahead to see how much further the trail went and if there were any signs of light.  

Five minutes, 15 bruises and scratches and 500 complaints later guess what?  They were at the top and just in time to witness a fiery and vibrant sunrise overlooking all the mountain tops of Providence, France.

The Color of Water by James McBride

I love memoirs because each story is so unique and astonishing, and however shocking and unrealistic some events seem to be, in truth everything is real and has happened to someone. Because memoirs are true stories, I also feel like many people can connect and relate to the characters more compared to characters in a fiction story. "The Color of Water" is inspiring, moving, and unforgettable.  It is definitely a book I recommend for people of any gender, race, age and faith.  As described on the cover, this story is "A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother."  Because of this tribute people of all colors and faiths need to read this memoir; I have no doubts that no one will not connect with and love this story.  McBride fluently breaks cultural barriers and expresses his and his mother's life stories in a way that can only be demonstrated when you read this book.  Told through two voices, son's and mother's, the paired histories and rich experiences are beautifully  set side by side making a strong statement at a time of racial polarization.