Second Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
Football Genius by Tim Green. Harper Trophy, 2008. Genre: Realistic fiction
The book Football Genius is about a young boy named Troy White. Troy has a great ability where he can predict a football play before it happens. It is like a gift. Troy also is a huge Atlanta Falcons fan. Star linebacker Seth Halloway meets Troy and finds out about his great talent. They try to get people to believe him but struggle with it at first. Troy is invited to the Falcons game to test his abilities. After a while, he shows his talents and helps the Falcons win the next few games. Troy is offered a job by the manager for 10,000 dollars a game. Meanwhile, Troy is battling with his enemy Jamie Renfro throughout the book with his two friends Tate and Nathan.
“As close as you can come to NFL action without putting on the pads. Filled with excitement, suspense- and great football!”
- Bill Parcells, Dallas Cowboys head coach
Throughout the book, Troy battles with Jamie. They are on the same football team and do not like each other. Jamie’s dad is the coach. Even though Troy is a better quarterback than Jamie is, Jamie still starts. Jamie also makes fun of Troy and his favorite football team, the Atlanta Falcons. Troy does not have a father. His mom gets a job with the Falcons. Troy is introduced to Seth Halloway by stealing one of his footballs in his backyard and his mom makes him return it. This toss-up happens because Troy tells Jamie his mom works with the falcons when she did not have a job yet. Jamie then tells him to bring back an Atlanta Falcons football.
Tim Green writes the book in Troy’s point of view. You are often reading Troy’s thoughts and personality. The way he writes it sounds like his has a true passion for the game of football. He seems very passionate about his writing. I would compare Tim Green’s writing style to that of Mike Lupica, one of my favorite authors.
“All the tendencies and formations that we study and plug into computers, his brain just calculates it all. Instantly. But he does it better than computers. He calculates it all. What yard line they’re on. The positions of the players…” (141).
As I am a huge football fan, I can really relate to this book and the writing of Tim Green. I have not read any of Green’s other books, but I plan too. I really enjoyed this book because I can relate to it. From reading this book, it makes me want to analyze a play more and think about why they ran it.
Sean Rondeau C Block
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Value Essay draft
Sean Rondeau
10.13.2009
C block
Value Essay
What is value? It is perhaps more complex than most people think. Value can be measured in many ways. Is it monetary worth, material worth, or significance to oneself? It all depends on the person. In today’s society of expensive cars, clothes, and electronics, people tend to forget about the priceless moments that they have each day. People often take these moments for granted, but in reality everyone needs moments like their morning coffee or family parties. In my opinion, the most valuable things in life are the priceless memories or “Kodak moments.”
I wake up to the sound of my alarm clock at 3 am (did I even sleep that night?). Enthusiastically, I force myself up out of bed. My family and I are going to Rosemary Beach, Florida! This is our fifth trip to this beautiful paradise and each time it feels like the first. After a quick plane ride, we arrived at our destination. As we arrive, there is nothing but clear skies and amazing weather that follows us. The town is a rather small, filled with relaxed people in a carefree type of lifestyle. I could tell these people didn’t mind to watch the sunset, smell the roses, or ride bikes all day. Immediately, my parents adapted into this way of life. Both being business owners, they are often under a lot of stress. It is nice to see them so carefree with no schedule to follow.
I look into the horizon of the beautiful sunset and enter the beach. I see a purple, orange sky and a glowing orange sun setting. I also see the purest white sand that squeaks as you walk through it. There were not any shells in the sand. It was flawless, sugar sand. As I peacefully wade in the crystal clear blue water, admiring the nice weather and scenery, there is no feeling that can compare to it. I must also mention the water feels like bath water, almost 80 degrees. Even my sister isn’t afraid to jump in. Our time there is very relaxing and enjoyable. It is the nicest beach I have ever been too. I not only enjoy Rosemary for the beautiful beaches, scenery, and weather, but also for the quality time I get to spend with my carefree family (well at least until they go back to work). These moments are truly priceless to me.
I feel it shiver through my body; my cell phone is vibrating. I place my hand in the crisp pockets of my new jeans. I take out my gray Samsung Alias 2 cell phone to read a text from my friend asking to hang out. It is equipped with a dual keyboard opening two ways with an interchangeable QWERTY keyboard, a 2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder, 16 GB to hold music, and a front screen telling the time. Using E-ink technology, my cell phone is able to switch keys from numeric to alphabetic with a touch of a button. The technology is amazing. This phone is fit for me.
With money saved up, I bought my phone at about two hundred dollars. I think it was worth every penny. My phone is not only valued to me by price, but also for the piece of mind it brings me. My phone is like a friend. It can provide me with a source of comfort knowing that at any time I can call my family or friends. If I am bored, I can use my Alias 2 to text or call my friends to chill. If I am sad, I can call my parents or sister. If I am angry and need to vent, I can talk with another friend. It is always there for me.
The days spent at Rosemary Beach and my phone are both very valuable to me. Even though they are both very different things, they both bring me a sense of comfort. When I think about the moments at Rosemary, I feel elated and it lifts me up if I am having a bad day. My phone also brings me the same feeling knowing that I will always have someone.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
1st quarter ORB review
First Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Penguin Group, 2007.
Twisted is about a high schooler named Tyler Miller. Tyler faces problems in his life. His problems are his family, friends, crush, and involvement with the police. Tyler even thinks about suicide in the story. This book is filled with lots of high school drama. The setting is George Washington High, Tyler’s House, and Bethany’s House. The conflict is Tyler trying to find his place within his peers.
“This dark comedy gives a chillingly accurate portrayal of the high school social scene, in which morals, perceptions and conceptions of truth are continually being challenged.”
- Publishers Weekly
Laurie Halse Anderson’s writing style throughout the book is within the mind of male teenager. She writes in Tyler’s point of view where he thinks about girls, power, violence, and being cool. She also has a computer game called Tophet in the book that Tyler plays. When Tyler cannot get past a level, it represents a bump in his life or struggle. This is Anderson’s first book with a male protagonist. Other books written by Anderson are Speak, Catalyst, and Prom.
“As we pulled out of the parking lot, I pressed my face against the back window to watch her walk away. Bethany was the Alpha Female of George Washington High- the most beautiful, the most popular, the queen bee. She was also the daughter of my dad’s boss, and the sister of the guy who had been making my life hell for years” (8).
This is one of my favorite books I have ever read. I really like the way Laurie Halse Anderson writes. It is my first book that I have read by her. I plan to read one of Anderson’s other novels. I expect the next book I read by her to be very good. I also like the theme of the book to just be yourself. This is one of my favorite books because it was very entertaining. I always wanted to read it and find out what was going to happen with Tyler’s life. At one point, I thought Tyler’s social life was over, at another I thought he was finally perfect, at another I thought he was going to kill himself, and at one point, I thought he was going to kill his father. This book is full of emotions and drama which is why it was so fun to read.
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Penguin Group, 2007.
Twisted is about a high schooler named Tyler Miller. Tyler faces problems in his life. His problems are his family, friends, crush, and involvement with the police. Tyler even thinks about suicide in the story. This book is filled with lots of high school drama. The setting is George Washington High, Tyler’s House, and Bethany’s House. The conflict is Tyler trying to find his place within his peers.
“This dark comedy gives a chillingly accurate portrayal of the high school social scene, in which morals, perceptions and conceptions of truth are continually being challenged.”
- Publishers Weekly
Laurie Halse Anderson’s writing style throughout the book is within the mind of male teenager. She writes in Tyler’s point of view where he thinks about girls, power, violence, and being cool. She also has a computer game called Tophet in the book that Tyler plays. When Tyler cannot get past a level, it represents a bump in his life or struggle. This is Anderson’s first book with a male protagonist. Other books written by Anderson are Speak, Catalyst, and Prom.
“As we pulled out of the parking lot, I pressed my face against the back window to watch her walk away. Bethany was the Alpha Female of George Washington High- the most beautiful, the most popular, the queen bee. She was also the daughter of my dad’s boss, and the sister of the guy who had been making my life hell for years” (8).
This is one of my favorite books I have ever read. I really like the way Laurie Halse Anderson writes. It is my first book that I have read by her. I plan to read one of Anderson’s other novels. I expect the next book I read by her to be very good. I also like the theme of the book to just be yourself. This is one of my favorite books because it was very entertaining. I always wanted to read it and find out what was going to happen with Tyler’s life. At one point, I thought Tyler’s social life was over, at another I thought he was finally perfect, at another I thought he was going to kill himself, and at one point, I thought he was going to kill his father. This book is full of emotions and drama which is why it was so fun to read.
Monday, October 12, 2009
1st quarter outside reading project
T - Tyler Miller has a crush on the queen bee of the school, Bethany Millbury.
W - Welcomed to Bethany’s dads party, Tyler falls into the waiter causing him to drop glasses on Bethany’s foot.
I - In the beginning of the story, it tells you that Tyler became somewhat noticeable and tough to his peers for vandalizing the school’s property.
S- Since Tyler earned himself a reputation, he became popular, but its has come with a price involving the police, school, and Bethany.
T- The author of the story uses a computer game throughout the story to represent Tyler’s life. Whenever he cannot get past a level, it represents there is a problem in his life.
E - Even though Tyler almost ran away and committed suicide, he ended up staying at home.
D - Due to Tyler’s reputation, he was thought to have done something he did not do at a crazy party by the police and school involving Bethany.
W - Welcomed to Bethany’s dads party, Tyler falls into the waiter causing him to drop glasses on Bethany’s foot.
I - In the beginning of the story, it tells you that Tyler became somewhat noticeable and tough to his peers for vandalizing the school’s property.
S- Since Tyler earned himself a reputation, he became popular, but its has come with a price involving the police, school, and Bethany.
T- The author of the story uses a computer game throughout the story to represent Tyler’s life. Whenever he cannot get past a level, it represents there is a problem in his life.
E - Even though Tyler almost ran away and committed suicide, he ended up staying at home.
D - Due to Tyler’s reputation, he was thought to have done something he did not do at a crazy party by the police and school involving Bethany.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Being an It to a Contender
The Child Called It, David Pelzer
The Contender, Alfred Brooks
Brooklyn, Donatelli's Gym, Madison Square Garden
Twenty years have gone by now since Alfred Brook’s boxing career ended. During this time, Donatelli has passed away and Alfred has taken over the gym in Brooklyn, turning average men into contenders. Alfred has since kept the name Donatelli’s Gym in memory of him.
One night, Alfred was training a few men and he looked out the window. He saw a young kid, maybe 25. He watched the scrawny kid pacing back and forth staring at the sign that read Donatelli’s Gym. The kid continued to pace for a couple of minutes looking up into the windows of the gym and eventually, he opened the door. Alfred heard the footsteps of the young man jogging up the stairs and once he saw him, it brought back a flashback of Alfred when he first walked into Donatelli’s. Alfred noticed the kid was very skinny and had what looked like a couple scars on his face.
Alfred immediately said to the kid, “What’s your name and why do you come to Donatelli’s gym?”
The kid replied, “My name is David Pelzer and I come to be a boxer.”
Alfred then replied, “You have come to the right place David. Take off your shirt to get your height and weight recorded. About 130 pounds, five feet nine inches. David, why do you want to become a boxer?” Alfred once again noticed a couple scars on David’s body.
David replied, “Mr. Brooks, I want to become a champion.”
Alfred then chuckled and said, “You were exactly like me when I was your age. You have to want to become a contender first, but with that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I want you to get up every morning at 5 o’clock sharp no later and go for a two-mile jog for conditioning. Then, I want you to do 100 pushups and 100 sit-ups and then finish with a couple of eggs for protein. Then later in the evening I want you in my gym at 6 o’clock for a couple hours.”
David then nervously replied, “Yes sir,” and thought to himself what has he gotten himself into. David got up and followed the schedule everyday. Once he got to the gym, Alfred would work with him one on one because he liked David because he was like himself. After about David’s fourth time to the gym, Alfred noticed he had very good fist speed but he still had improvement for strength, but he was very tough. He thought David was the toughest in the gym even though he had never seen him against a real opponent yet. Alfred then asked David, “Why do you have so many scars over your body?”
David replied, “My mom used to beat me when I was younger.” He continued to tell Alfred all of the stories and games his mom used to “play” with him. Alfred learned where he had gotten his toughness. Alfred felt bad for the kid and later invited him over for dinner.
After about six weeks of training and only hitting a bag, David began to get frustrated and nearly quit. Later that evening of the sixth week, David almost quit until Alfred told him he was ready and he had scheduled a fight for him at Madison Square Garden the following Sunday.
On the Sunday of the match, David became very nervous but excited. He met Alfred at six o’clock to bring him to his match. Once they arrived in the locker room, Alfred had a talk with young David.
About five minutes later David Stepped into the ring with Alfred at ringside and his opponent at the other end. Alfred then said, “Congratulations kid, you have just completed your first step to become a champion. You are now a contender.” Immediately after Alfred said this, the bell rang to begin the match.
(660 words)
The Contender, Alfred Brooks
Brooklyn, Donatelli's Gym, Madison Square Garden
Twenty years have gone by now since Alfred Brook’s boxing career ended. During this time, Donatelli has passed away and Alfred has taken over the gym in Brooklyn, turning average men into contenders. Alfred has since kept the name Donatelli’s Gym in memory of him.
One night, Alfred was training a few men and he looked out the window. He saw a young kid, maybe 25. He watched the scrawny kid pacing back and forth staring at the sign that read Donatelli’s Gym. The kid continued to pace for a couple of minutes looking up into the windows of the gym and eventually, he opened the door. Alfred heard the footsteps of the young man jogging up the stairs and once he saw him, it brought back a flashback of Alfred when he first walked into Donatelli’s. Alfred noticed the kid was very skinny and had what looked like a couple scars on his face.
Alfred immediately said to the kid, “What’s your name and why do you come to Donatelli’s gym?”
The kid replied, “My name is David Pelzer and I come to be a boxer.”
Alfred then replied, “You have come to the right place David. Take off your shirt to get your height and weight recorded. About 130 pounds, five feet nine inches. David, why do you want to become a boxer?” Alfred once again noticed a couple scars on David’s body.
David replied, “Mr. Brooks, I want to become a champion.”
Alfred then chuckled and said, “You were exactly like me when I was your age. You have to want to become a contender first, but with that takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I want you to get up every morning at 5 o’clock sharp no later and go for a two-mile jog for conditioning. Then, I want you to do 100 pushups and 100 sit-ups and then finish with a couple of eggs for protein. Then later in the evening I want you in my gym at 6 o’clock for a couple hours.”
David then nervously replied, “Yes sir,” and thought to himself what has he gotten himself into. David got up and followed the schedule everyday. Once he got to the gym, Alfred would work with him one on one because he liked David because he was like himself. After about David’s fourth time to the gym, Alfred noticed he had very good fist speed but he still had improvement for strength, but he was very tough. He thought David was the toughest in the gym even though he had never seen him against a real opponent yet. Alfred then asked David, “Why do you have so many scars over your body?”
David replied, “My mom used to beat me when I was younger.” He continued to tell Alfred all of the stories and games his mom used to “play” with him. Alfred learned where he had gotten his toughness. Alfred felt bad for the kid and later invited him over for dinner.
After about six weeks of training and only hitting a bag, David began to get frustrated and nearly quit. Later that evening of the sixth week, David almost quit until Alfred told him he was ready and he had scheduled a fight for him at Madison Square Garden the following Sunday.
On the Sunday of the match, David became very nervous but excited. He met Alfred at six o’clock to bring him to his match. Once they arrived in the locker room, Alfred had a talk with young David.
About five minutes later David Stepped into the ring with Alfred at ringside and his opponent at the other end. Alfred then said, “Congratulations kid, you have just completed your first step to become a champion. You are now a contender.” Immediately after Alfred said this, the bell rang to begin the match.
(660 words)
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