Solo by Kwane Alexander has main character Blade Morrison in a tough spot. After his rock and roll star dad, Rutherford Morrison embraces Blade at his graduation as Blade was about to give a speech. This puts Blade in an already broken relationship with his dad. But during a party thrown by Blade’s older sister, Blade shuts down the party after it gets too crazy. His sister then in a fit of rage tells Blade that he’s actually adopted! Blade then is in search of his biological mother in Ghana, Africa. Before he leaves for Africa he tattoos his girlfriend’s name on his arm, only when he sees her one last time before his flight he catches her cheating on him with her ex. In shock he leaves in hopes of never coming back to Hollywood. The book is in the format of a series of poems that tie to the larger story. similar to Crossover, or Rebound (Also written by Kwane Alexander). The book is amazing and I highly recommend if you enjoy music.
Author: Nolan M
Solo reading update
Kwame Alexander’s Solo reflects the life of Blade, son of Rutherford Morison, a washed up singer of a famous rock band. During Blade’s high school graduation, as he was supposed to perform an original song to his class, Rutherford crashes it drunk, ruining both his and Blade’s reputation. This coming of age story tells the story of Blade through the summer before he leaves Hollywood for college. The book is in a poetic style of writing. and the format is similar to other books like Crossover, Rebound, and Booked (other books made by Kwame Alexander). If you like music, as well as coming of age stories, I highly recommend it.
Monster : Final Book Review
Monster (Walter Dean Myers) is a suspense, mystery novel. where Steve Harmon, along with James king, and Richard “Bobo” Evans, are put on trial for the murder of a convenience store owner in Harlem NY. Steve claims to never have even been there. and the novel follows the events of the trial, and also some interior monologue with Steve. The reader needs patience when reading because only after the first few pages does the story get interesting. The book is in the format of a screenplay because the protagonist Steve, wants to be a screen writer. The book brings the reader into the setting of the story. you can perfectly picture the courtroom, thanks to imagery, you can be in a jail cell with our protagonist. It’s a great book that helps the reader travel to the story. It’s a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery novel.
A Boy’s Duty
A Boy’s Duty : by Sharon G. Blake
Zakary James, the main character of “A Boys Duty” ( by Sharon G. Blake) is a character whose goal solidifies through hardship, which makes him a dynamic character. Zakary was a sixteen year old when he left his father’s farm to pursue his dream of becoming a professional map maker. Unlike other kids his age who leave home, Zakary wasn’t running away, he was running towards his goals. Zakary demonstrates his commitment to his dreams many times in the story. One example is where he is offered money and doesn’t take it because he doesn’t see himself as homeless or a person whom would take a handout (Blake, 127). Zakary is different from his friends because he doesn’t steal, he finds a place to live, and he earns his keep. There is a turning point for Zakary when his friends rob the café Zakary lives in. At first he runs with them to avoid the police, but then realizes this won’t help him achieve his goals. Instead he goes back to the café and takes responsibility for his actions (Blake, 131-132). Zakary chooses hardship to fulfill his dreams, and doesn’t take the easy way out like his friends by stealing because he feels like that’s giving up on his dream. Zakary´s dynamic shift is the process of holding onto his dreams through adversity.
Monster- book review #2
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Steve Harmon is put on trial for being an accomplice in a robbery, then murder, in a drug store in Harlem New York. James King, and Richard “Bobo” Evans are also on trial. Bobo and King both claim Steve was involved in the robbery, but he claims he wasn’t even at the drugstore at all. The whole story is written like a screen play for a movie because Steve wants to make movies. but there are also parts in the book written by Steve in his cell. The book has a great way of keeping the reader on edge and wondering what will happen next. It is a very good book for readers who enjoy suspense. And I highly recommend.
Piano Man – Billy Joel
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel, uses imagery to tell a story. Billy Joel is the narrator of the story that takes place in a bar. The refrain of “Sing us a song your the piano man sing us a song tonight well, we’re all in the mod for a melody and you’ve got us feeling alright.”, sets the mood by helping us imagine a crowded bar with a lot of happy people singing along with “The Piano Man”. The song goes on to tell us about the lives of the people in the bar. The melody is happy, but the lyrics speak of people, who in the moment are happy, but live sad lives. “Now Paul is a real estate novelist who never had time for a wife and he’s talking with Davey, who’s still in the navy and probably will be for life.” is one example of Billy Joel’s perspective of people feeling unfulfilled. There are many more examples of this in the song including the bartender who is “quick with a joke or to light up your smoke, but there’s some place that he’d rather be”. In the end, it seems as if Billy Joel is questioning why he, someone who people come to listen to, is in this place not fulfilling his dreams. This is captured in the last refrain when he says “and they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say man what are you doing here?”. “Piano Man” is a song that brings people together with its jovial melody, but its lyrics speak to sadness and the feeling of discontentment.
Monster
Monster : by Walter Dean Myers
The main character, Steve Harmon is put on trial for murder after robbing a drugstore in Harlem and killing the store`s owner. The book is in the format of a screenplay, because Harmon wants to make his own movie and follows the events of the trial, where the jury decides whether he is guilty or not. When he is in his cell, he writes on pieces of paper and jots down his thoughts in his notebook. The trial brings in many perspectives to the case, such as a witness, a detective, and a rat. Will Harmon be a free man or will he serve 25 years to life in prison?
Body Shaming In The Little Mermaid
In the Little Mermaid, Ursula is the main antagonist in the Little Mermaid. Disney depicted the ¨bad guy¨ by making Ursula obese and unattractive. She makes attempts to be attractive by putting on lipstick or swinging her hips. She also eats disgusting shrimp where the audience hears her chewing loudly. Her voice sounds masculine. also notice how the bad guy is obese and unattractive, however the good guy is skinny and attractive.
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