Domestic Abuse in the plot of Peg Kehret's book, Abduction

Abduction by Peg Kehret is about a six year old named Matt Sholten who is abducted by his dad Denny. His mom and sister Bonnie do everything in their power to get him back. They had to involve  the cops, because Mrs. Sholten suspects it's not someone she knows. In the real world this situation is normally someone related to the family or that has contact with the family. Domestic Abuse is a big issue in this book. Denny is the one in power over Mrs. Sholten. I am inferring that maybe he abused her when they were married. Because of Mrs.Sholten and Denny's previous marriage, the kid's lives were at risk. Denny rose above Mrs.Sholten even more when he had the kids under his arms.

Denny had serious behavior issues, he was out of control and everyone was scared of him, because they didn't know what he was capable of. While Denny had Matt and Bonnie, he was in power because of the fact he had a gun. At one point Bonnie turns the tables. She told him if he doesn't let them go she will tell his cousins as soon as they got to their house. Bonnie made him shut down and start to lose confidence and power. A lot of times in this type of situation in real life, kids may never have the power because they feel they have to listen to what the adult says. Sometimes the victim has chances to become the one in power, if only they had the courage to say something.

Throughout the whole book Bonnie was trying to give the people around her signs that she needed help. They didn't listen. The girl at the ticket both understood what Bonnie was saying, but didn't do anything about it. The lady at the restaurant could have gathered up the clues. All the clues she needed were sitting there right in front of her, she just needed to put the pieces together.

In ABC News program, What Would You Do?  people at the park had just walked by when they saw the girl being bullied. Some of them didn't have the courage to stand up and get involved. What if they were in that situation? Wouldn't they want someone to step in and say something? If Bonnie or Matt would have gotten shot, how would the bystanders have felt? They would have realized if only they would have said something when they had the chance, they could have made a difference. All of them would have to live with the guilt the rest of their lives, just like the guilt Joel had to deal with when Tony died in the book,On My Honor, by Marion Dane Bauer.

Domestic abuse occurs a lot. Depending on the source, between 600,000 and 6,000,000 , women are victims of domestic violence each year. More and more it seem like it is okay,and it is not. In this book Matt was majorly affected. He had always wanted to meet his dad and his dad used that against him.  Matt is never going to want to see his dad again. Denny wasn't very stable, he was always gambling and did not have the self confidence he needed to make good choices about his family.

Check out The Christi Aan Center in Oshkosh to see further details about domestic violence.

Hailey H.



Three Cups of Tea [Young Adult Version]: building background knowledge of the Middle East

Three Cups of Tea  is a great book for educational purposes, civil rights specifically.  Three Cups of Tea is an autobiography by Greg Mortensen.  Greg Mortensen tried to climb K2 [a Himalayan mountain],but he fails, and on the way down the mountain  he wanders into Korphe, Pakistan.  He is welcomed into the home of the village chief Haji Ali.  Greg stays there for a while.  When he leaves he sees they have no school.  Greg promises to build a school.  He raises money for the school. With the help of a billionaire who sponsors the trip, he goes back and builds the school.  Jean Hoerni the man who sponsored the trip creates the Central Asia Institute.  Greg's the director of the Central Asia Institute, he now builds many schools. He is still at work in other countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Greg is so committed to his job he will go without seeing his family for 2 months.

This book can help you understand how the Middle East works and why it's hard to have a school there with all of the dictatorship.  For example, in Korphe, Haji Ali had to give up half his best goats to build the Korphe school.  He wanted the school that much.  In Pakistan goats are like money.  He barely had enough to feed his tribe after that.  The guy who did this to Haji Ali was another tribe leader.  This  shows how bad the dictatorship is there.  You'll also get a view of how one American [Greg] uses education to help fight terrorism in Afghanistan.

I recommend this book to everyone, especially to people who don't understand the Middle East very well.  It will help those people view the Middle East from their side, not just ours.  This author tells his story brilliantly.  He  doesn't fail to summarize all 55 schools in one book.  You wont be disappointed if you read this book. It's a real page turner.

Based on what I've told you, and your background knowledge about the Middle East, how can reading a book like this change your views about the Middle East?   If you want, do your own research.

Payton B.

Political Cartoon Ponderings

Political cartoons are a fun way to get a new perspective on issues and current events.  Artists creatively use metaphors of language to make readers have to think beyond the literal.  It is a great visual activity to promote your thinking. Study the political cartoon.  What do you think the man in the tie is talking about. Be sure to explain your thinking.

The Flipped Classroom: A growing trend or passing fad

In today's world of changing technology, access to the world wide web, and availability of  technology resources, schools are considering many different ways of adapting instruction to meet the needs of the students. Schools are under a lot of pressure to increase test scores, improve attendance, provide a safe learning environment while operating under tighter and tighter budgets.  Perhaps Flipped classes are the answer. Flipped classes are where instruction is done through web based learning and the students then come together with the teacher leading collaboration while providing remedial instruction and activities where needed.  Teachers could possibly reach many more students at the same time and actual minutes in class can diminish since lectures and information transfer occurs on student time.

Watch this You Tube video, Why I Flipped My Classroom, by a teacher who describes why she switched to a Flipped classroom.   

This is another You Tube video, Flipping the Classroom - Simply Speaking, that attempts to explain a Flipped classroom.  This one is focused more for the high school level.

What do you think?  Will a Flipped classroom model work at Merrill? Will it work for you personally?          

Should Boys and Girls be Taught Separately?

There has always been private all male or female schools.  The advantages and disadvantages can be debated.  Eliminating the distractions that may occur in coed classes can improve performance of the students in those classes.  Learning to adapt to the different learning styles of different genders might be a sacrifice of being in a single gender class. Many public schools are now considering using this strategy to improve learning for all students, especially in the core areas. Read the article by Laura Marquez from ABC News. The article gives the perspective from both side of the argument. There seems be some legal roadblocks, but as the pressure is put on schools to produce a better product, more creatively needs to be considered.  The arguments for single genders classes are growing louder. Is it time for a change?

I am intrigued by the idea.  I don't believe having math or literacy in a single gender class is going to diminish a student's ability to get along with different genders. There will still be many opportunities to associate with the opposite sex and build relationships necessary to be successful in the future. I see more positives than negatives.  Maybe it's worth a try.

What do you think?  Be sure to defend your answer or response to a post with evidence from the article or another source.  Your opinion matters, but it matters more when there is a professional standing behind you.

Bullying: Boys vs Girls

When it comes to bullying, There seems to be a difference in the strategies and reactions of the bullies and their victims across gender lines.  In an article in The Florida Times Union by Joy Batteh-Freiha the author states that boys bullying more often will result in some sort of physical confrontation and may be short lived.Whereas girls bullying will be more emotional and tend to be drawn out including more deviance and planning drawing more on friends and social cliques.

I found another resource from ABC News: What Would You Do? Watch this amazing video. I know the issue is girls being bullies, but there is so much more going on here. The reactions of the bystanders says a lot about the problem of what to do when you see bullying.  One of the issues we discussed was that the silent acceptance of bystanders is a major motivator for the bully to continue their torment.  If kids and adults had the courage to stand up to the bully, would there be any bullying?  Wouldn't all bullies stand along?

I know there is a lot here, but what do you think? Is girl bullying worse than boys? Do some research. Respond by stating what you think and try to include an article or blog that supports your opinion.

-Mr. Kohl

How Far Will You Go to Stop Bullying?

Plastic surgery to stop bullying? 

Doesn't that mean the bullies win?

We have been discussing bullying throughout the past few months, and we all agreed that parents need to play an important role in helping their kids deal with bullying.  We read about parents that picketed the school, confronted the bullies themselves, and one even attacked the bullies on a bus.  The following covers an issue that was missed in all of our research.

It seems like the issue of bullying, and how to deal with it, has evolved throughout the years into a complex ordeal that may require drastic measures to reach a solution. A recent current event assignment that was handed in to me contained a blog by Andrea Bennett, published on August eighth of this year. Check out her blog by clicking on her name.  Is plastic surgery a possible solution?

Watch the CNN video to get the whole story of 14 year old Nadia Ilse being interviewed by Sanjay Gutal.  You might agree she looks better.  I do, but at what cost.  I'm not talking about $40,000 price tag for the surgery.

Is this a parenting problem or a sample of how society has molded our perceptions? Maybe you are comfortable with this idea. Tell me what you think.

-Mr. Kohl

Holiday Outlook

Holiday Tablets

BY JOE HELLER, GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE  

Experts have used Christmas spending as a great economic indicator that will let us know if the economy is turning around.  The confidence in the public to spend money on higher priced items will tell us if the new year be easier on the middle and lower classes, decrease unemployment, and improve our economic outlook.  

Do you think this political cartoon by Joe Heller of the Green Bay Press-Gazette supports the idea of economic growth? What message is the artist trying to make? Can you make any connections to this cartoon?

Time Keeps On Slipping into the Future

I heard somewhere that studies have shown that time seems different for kids than it is for adults.  Check out a blog by Psychology Today.  The evidence might be all in my head.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thinking-about-kids/201010/does-time-fly-when-youre-getting-old

For kids, time goes slow, the days seem long, nothing ever happens fast enough, and they can’t wait for tomorrow.  For adults, time goes fast, there is never enough time to do all of the things we want to do in a day, and it always seems like we always have to leave something for tomorrow.

We’re talking about the same time here.  For kids, time drags on.  Kids seem to have so much time that they have to fill the void of unusable time with something they call boredom.  We all have seen the physical symptoms of boredom, when a kid’s head becomes limp and may fall from side to side as their eyes roll up toward the ceiling.  This often is accompanied by an involuntary sigh and prolong yawn that can make an adult cringe.  Kids are not afraid to tell you when they enter this mysterious vortex of excess time.  The phrases, “I’m bored,” and “This is boring,” will spew forth almost immediately prior to the physical, all body drop, almost like fainting.

Adults, on the other hand, are tying to figure out what  happened to all the extra time they used to have, and if kids seem to have so much of it, maybe they could share it.  That’s why adults are so frustrated whenever they witness a kid with so much extra time on their hands.

If I had a million dollars, I would see if I could buy some extra time.  I wouldn't need much, just enough to complete the tasks I should have done yesterday.  I want to visit a good friend, catch the big game, or perhaps go on a vacation I have been talking about, but could never find the time.  I’m afraid I am going to spend so much time looking for extra time that someday I just might run out of time.

In conclusion readers, my advise is to cherish time.  Boredom is ok once in a while. Have the courage to take a positive risk to fill that boredom void with some new adventures.  Kids, you are only young once and the responsibilities of adulthood can be managed in time if you learn to manage your time now while you still have so much of it.  And if you don’t want it, I’ll take it.  Perhaps we could start a new adventure together after I finish grading papers, mowing the lawn, picking up my kids from sports and music, making dinner, paying bills…...

-Mr. Kohl

Communication is Key to Ending Bullying

Study: Half of teens have been bullied last year by Andrew Dalton of the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/27/study-half-of-teens-have-_n_774738.html

Bullying can have a lasting effect by Oshkosh writer Julie Genisot
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20121021/APC06/310210056/Julie-Genisot-column-Bullying-can-lasting-effect

Above are just two articles of many dealing with bullying in the United States.  We have been discussing the topic in our 6th grade classes at Merrill Middle School in Oshkosh to gain background knowledge of this issue, and develop our thinking about the topic.  The complexity of  relationships and how technology has changed bullying has made it difficult to determine how bullying should to be dealt with. We have considered the causes, the effects on victims, parents' reactions, and the seemly inability of teachers and schools to do anything about it. One conclusion we can all agree on is that bullying is wrong and needs to stop.  Bullies need to be the ones who stand alone.  Strength in numbers is crucial.  Tolerance and acceptance of everyone  will empower the majority and perhaps keep bullies under stronger social disgrace.

What do you think?  With programs trying to increase awareness of bullying, why does it seem to continue to be a social problem.  What do you see being done?  What still needs to be done?

Mr.Kohl

Students Prepare for Election 2012

Middle school students many not be confident in their selection for President of the United States, if they know who is running at all.  Their background knowledge consists of the information they have gained by the highly suggestive political ads telling us that each candidate is a crook and neither can be trusted.

Scholastic Magazine has a page on their site that does a nice job breaking down the candidates and the political process.  You have to dig a little, but there is a lot of information about what each candidate is all about and the obstacles they have to overcome to become president.

http://magazines.scholastic.com/election-2012

Diffen is a fun website that compares anything you can think of.  It does a nice job breaking down the two candidates into two columns and covers a variety of issues.  Some of the content is over my head, but there is a lot of interesting information that may help in your decision when voting time comes.

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Barack_Obama_vs_Mitt_Romney

Middle school students need to think about the fact that whoever wins on November 6 is probably going to make decisions that will affect them directly when they are older.  One good example is college tuition.  It may not possible in the future for everyone to go to college if everyone can't afford it.

Merrill Middle School students can go to my web site to cast there vote for president starting on November 1.  Be sure to be an informed voter.  Don't be swayed by the opinions of others, make your opinion count.

https://sites.google.com/a/oshkosh.k12.wi.us/timothy-kohl/

Sports Books That Will Engage Young Athletes

Money Ball by Michael Lewis was the first book I read this past summer. It took me a long time, not because I didn't have time to read, but because I had to do so much thinking and re-reading to consider the impact the information in the book has for me as a coach of players. I'm not sure why it was so controversial. I suppose if you were portrayed as one of the characters in the book that didn't like Billy Bean, the manager, then maybe you would feel the facts are twisted. Controversy was also risen from the details of baseball life that author Michael Lewis was expected to keep within it's exclusive club.  It does contain some very popular baseball vocabulary that I suppose is only meant for the dugout.  Therefor, I suggest that parents preview the content of the book before their children read it.

Other more kid friendly sports books I would promote to any sport loving kids are the books by Mike Lupica. Lupica does not only write about baseball, as in Heat,  The Big Field, and Wild Pitch.  He also has other sports covered as well, such as Summer Ball, The Penalty Kick, and The Red Zone. So no matter what sport you are into, Mike Lupica has a book for you.

Check out Mike Lupica's website and tell us what books you have read or would like to read:  http://www.mikelupicabooks.com/

Mixed Ethnicity. Is a New Label Needed?

The Latte Rebellion: by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

The Late Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson takes an interesting perspective into racial discrimination in northern California and the United States.  Asha Jamison, along with a few friends, come up with a plan to make some money to take a trip the summer after their senior year of school.  After an altercation with a fellow student about their mixed ethnicity, the girls come up with the idea for the Latte Rebellion. Being of mixed ethnicity, the girls are constantly forced to choose a racial identity that doesn't seem to fit who they are or who they have become.  The girls use their newly fueled desire to stand up and be identified, to develop a simple manifesto, a cool t-shirt design, and a website to promote their money scheme.  Little did the girls know that their idea would go viral and potentially ruin any plans they had for a trip, friendships, and maybe even graduation.

The Late Rebellion is certainly a book that would fit well in a text set with civil rights and racial discrimination.  It would make for interesting discussion in book talk sessions when compared to the strict racial tensions of the 1930s or 1960s.  It certainly brings into question that racial tensions may have taken on new perspectives. I would recommend it for my mature readers.  The content is certainly appropriate for all middle school students, probably more for the girls, but I'm not sure it is fast enough for what a lot of my students are looking for in a book. It would make a good pool side book this summer.

As Good As Hunger Games?

The Maze Runner:
by James Dashner
The book I have recently read is The Maze Runner by James Dashner. The book is a very mysterious, and enjoyable book. The main character is Thomas who was sent to the Glade by the Creators. The glade is a man-made mysterious place for the kids that were sent to there after an apocalyptic disease has struck the earth. The other kids that were sent to the glade feel that Thomas has some kind of connection with the creators and the only girl, that ironically, was sent there day after he arrived. This was strange because one new kid usually came evey month. One of the problems between the kids is trust. The walls moving and the grieved machines that try to sting the characters that are trying to escape the maze, are also big obsticals to get back to home.

I recommend this book to anyone that likes a science fiction mystery book. This book will leave you hanging, and make you want to read more. I really enjoyed this book and I think everyone else will too

Being a Teenager can be Tough

Top 10 Problems Teenagers Face:
http://sofs.hubpages.com/hub/Its-hard-on-teens
Teens Today:
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/familylife/u/teenissues.htm

Our next next research topic in literacy will be related to teen issues.  Read the attached  website and blog. These sites are from two different perspectives.  There are certainly more related topics.  All students will get to choose the focus of their research.  Students can focus on one specific subject or a variety of topics. We will start by tapping into our background knowledge.  Consider your next book for fourth quarter. Think about the stories and articles we have already read.  What are the issues you would like to know more about as you enter the teen years?

Mr. Kohl

A Lesson in Sudan, Africa

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, the author of A Single Shard, is an interesting perspective into the tragedies of war and famine in Sudan, Africa throughout the last quarter century. I have grown up hearing about the human rights offences that took place in Sudan and Ethiopia, but like many people I didn't understand the conflict. Park uses the true story of Salva Dut, a "Lost Boy" of the Sudan civil war in Africa since 1985, as the basis for the the plot of the book. She connects it to the fictional story of Nya, belonging to the rival Neur clan in Sudan, during 2008 and 2009. The reader follows Salva through his grueling tail of survival as he has to abandon his family in order to escape the battle that has engulfed his home village. The reader follows Salva's life through Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya, crossing deserts, eluding wild animals, avoiding being recruited for battle for either side, in an attempt to reach sanctuary in refugee camps that are almost as grueling as facing the war itself. Salva finally is adopted by an American family where his next life story begins. How can he give back to a country that has so little going for it? This is where the two stories come together.

I recommend this book to all my readers. It reminded me of how the book, Three Cup of Tea by Greg Mortenson, made me understand a little more about the social issues involving the countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A Long Walk to Water reminds the reader that human rights atrocities in Africa are still a problem. Because there are not vested interests in oil in the region like the Middle East, Americans tend to turn their backs on this corner of Africa.

Can reading a novel like A Long Walk to Water make a person more credible when discussing civil rights or war in which our own country is involved? In other words, How does a story like this make you a smarter person?

Two Different Books, One Very Important Theme

Sometimes I come across a book that allows me to bridge the reading gap between popular adult fiction and the reading levels of my middle school students. I have a few students that have shown an interest in the the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'm assuming they have already seen the movie and are curious when adults tell them that the book is so much better. It's not that they can't read the book, but in the course of a school quarter, it would consume too much of their time.

 A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg is the perfect compliment to The Help and it is written at a level many of my students can read and share. A Thousand Never Evers compares to the help in that it is also set in the sixties, but in Kuckachoo, Mississippi, instead of Jackson, Mississippi. Addie Ann Pickett and her family all work for white bosses on the other side of the tracks similar to Aibileen Clark and her friends. Addie eventually is made responsible for the care and upbringing of Ralphie, the son of Mrs. Tate.  Addie develops a mother like bond to Ralphie that complicates things as the plot turns for the worst.  In The Help, Aibileen knows all to well about how developing a relationship greater than that of the white parents can complicate things between the boss's children and their black housekeepers.


Addie learns first hand about the hatred of blacks and whites in Mississippi after her own brother disappears defending her against white bullies. She also gets pulled into the drama about the garden that has been left to the entire community by the late Mr. Adams. The white families take over the garden as their own by twisting the words of Mr. Adams will to their favor. The failior of the garden falls on the shoulders of Addie's Uncle Buck and it's up to Addie to find the courage to save her family from certain revenge of white supremacy and a corrupt white legal system.

I will recommend both books to my students.  They both offer an excellent view into life of southern African Americans during a time when segregation, white supremacy, and racial injustice was the black eye of our American history. In A Thousand Never Evers the mystery of Addie's brother's disappearance, Uncle Bump's trial, and her father's death combine with  racial tensions in a community that is showing signs that they might just be ready to cross the racial barriers of the deep south.

Introducing African Civil Rights Through Literature

Burn My Heart and Out of Bounds are two books by Beverley Naidoo that have recieved a lot of attention from the students in my class.  We have been introduced to text sets dealing with civil rights movements throughout history and around the world.  Both books introduced my students to the history of the battle of discrimination racial injustice in Africa.  Out of Bounds is made up of a series of stories told through the eyes of children growing up through Apartied in South Africa from 1948 to 2000. Burn My Heart is the story of two boys in Kenya, one African and one White.  Their friendship is forced to drastically change at the hands of racial hatrid grab both boys and test the trust they both thought was safe.  As the Mau Mau rebellion grows to involve the African workers of the white farm owners, the white government tries to stop the rebellion through intimidation and interrogation.

How does reading about civil rights in other time periods and other countries help readers reflect and understand the civil rights movement in our own country? Is it fair to compare these events to our own country?

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Hi Merrill Middle School Students! Right now I am reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This story is based on a true story that takes place in the Sudan. The main character has to walk 8 hours a day to make two trips to get water. Can you imagine that for your daily job?

Enjoy!

Mrs. Stephany

Watch the YouTube video about this book by the author!

Interview about the author

Character Conflicts Can Guide Thinking

Many of the characters in the books we have read this year  had to deal with a variety of conflicts throughout the stories. Bradley Chalkers in the book, There is a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom, by Louis Sachar, was the bully of the school. With the help of his councilor, Carla Davis, Bradley had to overcome the image of the bully he had become by dealing with conflicts involving his classmates, teachers, and even his own family. The author made us infer about the battle taking place inside Bradley by giving us clues using his actions on the outside.

Joel had to deal with conflicts of a very different nature in the book, On My Honor by Marian Dane Bauer. In the beginning, Joel's conflicts revolved around the choices he made with his best friend, and a promise he made to his dad. Joel's internal battles blinded his ability to see the possible severe consequences of his choices until it was too late. Finally, Joel had to deal with the guilt that haunted him like the stink from the river that now hid his friend.

Some of the conflicts in these books are not difficult to identify, but they can be difficult to reflect on in your journal. You need to use the clues the author gives you and and infer how your character is handling their situation and predict possible outcomes.

The Challenge: Think about the conflict your character is dealing with in the book you are reading. Can you identify at least one? Describe how your character is dealing with it. Predict possible outcomes based on the choices your character has decided to make. Please give the title and author of the book.


Mr. Kohl

poem by megan

Love life

Love the
people who love you, and pray for the people who don’t.
If there’s a
chance, take it; if it changes your life, let it.
No one said
life would be easy, they just said that it would be worth it.

 

 

By Megan L.

The Shack by William Paul Young

William Paul Young's book, The Shack, tells the tale of Mackenzie Philips's struggle to cope with the brutal kidnapping of his youngest daughter by a suspected serial murderer while on a family camping trip. Mack's oldest daughter is now falling into a darker image of her former loving self, even as Mack and his wife try hard to bury her in their love. Mack has also fallen into his own whirlpool of emotions he has termed, “The Great Sadness", pulling himself away from work, his own family, and his faith. Only his wife, Nan, seems to have been able to hold onto herself and her family, leaning on her own inner strength, her family, and her belief in, Papa, her name for God.

Mack mysteriously receives a note from, Papa, inviting him back up to the Shack in the mountains where evidence of his daughter's last fearful moments were discovered the day she disappeared. At the Shack, Mack meets the three bodies of God among other holy spirits. They each reveal themselves in unique forms; God as a very wise African woman, Jesus looks very similar to Mack's interpretation of Jesus from his school days, and The Holy Spirit is in the form of a beautiful woman, but she radiates an aura of color and light that makes her difficult for Mack to see.

The experience reminds me of the three ghosts that visit Ebenezer Scrooge. During Mack's visit each deity attempts to help Mack not only find his faith, but come to grips with The Great Sadness that will eventually allow him to save himself and his daughter, and forgive the killer for tearing his life apart.

I wasn't sure if I should blog on this book. Most of my audience will be sixth graders. The book is entirely about God and faith. The premise of the story, and the perspective of the author is what really intrigued me. This book made me reflect more than a lot of books I have ever read, and that is why I needed to blog. Many of my students have a hard time thinking deeper than the literal facts of the story they are reading. I want them to know that sometimes you will come across a book that, not only will make you reflect throughout the reading, but will stick with you for some time after you're done. How can you not share a book like that?

Prequel to the Maze Runner!

 Kill Order by James Dashner is the book that is supposed to tell us the connection of Thomas to WICKED and the deadly trials he had to survive.  I'm not usually excited to get caught up in a book series.  I know I'm not the only one.  This strategy by Dashner has taken me by surprise.  There are a lot of unanwered questions about WICKED and how the world has turned out in such horrible condition.  I should have expected this.  My kids have already pre-ordered the book and challenged me to see who will read it first.  I have my bookmark ready. How about you?

Mr. Kohl

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Everlost by Neal Shusterman is a science fiction story about what might happen to children if they get lost on their way to heaven. Nick and Allie are involved in a very serious car accident in which they probably weren't supposed to survive. On their way to the light at the end of the tunnel, they happen to bump into each other and end up off course. They end up in a dead spot along the highway where the accident occurred. There they meet Lief, an afterlife who helps the kids adjust to their new surroundings. The kids must travel to New York, at the sight of the World Trade Center, where many afterlives have made themselves at home, because of their leader, Mary.

As they learn more about their fate as an afterlife, Allie refuses to live her life stuck between worlds. The kids set off on an adventure faced with the dangers of sinking to the middle of the earth and rogue afterlives, especially the McGill. In order for everyone to be free of the monotony of the afterlife, they all must face their fears, even the McGill.

This book was an interesting perspective of the what might happen after you die. I don't believe that it was meant to be religious in any way. I commend the author's creativity to use such a unique setting for his story. The ending really leave itself for a sequel. I haven't heard if there will be one, but I was kind of rooting for Allie to achieve closure to her quest to solve the mysteries of the afterlife.

Mr. Kohl

A Trilogy Worth Reading

     The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure by James Dashner is the latest best selling trilogy. This is another science fiction scenario where the author gives a very grim interpretation as to how civilization will take care of itself when our government fails to do so.

A deadly virus called the Scorch has taken over the world. Only the most wealthy governments are able to withstand the spread of the deadly disease that turns it's victims into flesh eating zombies. An organization called WICKED has collected as many immune kids as they can, and put them through a grueling series of tests in order see which individuals will survive, and may hold the key to cure the remaining uninfected population.

Thomas and his friends have their friendships put to the test daily as they have to work together to survive the trials of WICKED. They start in a maze complete with moving walls and bio-machines that haunt the maze at night killing anyone who might be caught locked out. Next, the kids are faced with a deadly game similar to modern day survivor and the amazing race as they struggle to survive through a desert setting fighting off Scorch victims and another group of immunes they can't trust. Finally Thomas is faced with the truth about WICKED and realizes that the key to their survival, and maybe even the cure of the Scorch, lies in the choices he alone has to make.

I enjoyed this trilogy, mostly because I read it with my kids. We were constantly racing to see who could move their bookmark through the books the fastest. I think that readers could stop at book one and be completely satisfied. For those that like it or are curious about the hanging endings, they can choose to read on. I'm not sure how I feel about all of the books I have been reading with such grim outlooks for our future. Would a book with a utopia type future appeal to anyone? I wonder.

Mr.Kohl