Out of all of the books I have read this year, my favorite character would have to be El Gato from the book Keeper. He is a young soccer star, a goal keeper, who is telling the honest story of his life before and during his discovered love of soccer. The book's content is El Gato's interview with Paul Faustino, a sports writer. El Gato is my favorite character because he is truthful and does'nt care what others think about him, he is inspirational. I also enjoyed him as a character because of his love for soccer and his dedication  I can relate to the his outlook. He never let things hold him back, he was judged by people he once played with, but moved on and did what was best for him. I have gone through the same.
 My least favorite character from the books I've read is President Snow from the Hunger Games series. He was constantly changeing things to get his way, and to always end up on top. He was cocky and could'nt embrace other's acheivements. Just reading about him, and getting a picture of him made me hate his personality. He and others in charge of the Games cuased many people heartbreak and hardships. 
I have three more books to read!

Flowers for Algernon

  I am currently readin Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. It is about a mentally challenged adult man, Charile Gordon, who allows doctors to perform an expeirement on his brain. The doctors believe that hopefully, it will help Chalies brain develop moe quickly than it has been. The book is told from Charlie point of view, in his almost daily "progress reports".

   Here are the actors i would include in my cast:
 I would have Tom Hanks playthe main character, Charlie Gordon, because he played Forest Gump, and these two characters are similar in a way. They don't understand why certain thing are the way they are, they are soft spoken, and they are both devoted.
 Next, i would pick Amy adams to play Alice Kinnian, one of Carlie's teachers. she is determined to help him acheive his goals, she also belives in him. I believe this is appropriate because in the movie, The Fighter, she played a role that motivated and believed in another.
 To play Joe Carp, a man Charlie works with who makes fun of him, I would choose Bradely Cooper. I chose him beacause in some movies he is in he is opinioniated, sarcastic, and  rude to others.
 Finally, to play Dr.Strauss, one of the doctors to perform this expeirement, i would cast Morgan Freeman. He has played several serious and well educated roles. He has many personalities which make him a great actor. I can see him playing Dr.Strauss perfectly.

 I only have a few more books until im finished!  

The Lightning Theif

  I am half way through The Lightning Theif by Rick Riordan. This book is about a twelve year old boy, Percy Jackson, and his, at the moment, baffling life. Percy is slowly discovering the truth about himself, his family, and all the odd expieriences he encountered in his past.
 
Here are the songs that are relavent to the events in the book:

 1st- Maybe by Kid Cudi- This song should be on the soundtrack because it talks about being different and not being accpted. This ties into the story because Percy switches from school to school becasue he positively is not like others, and is discriminated for it.

 2nd-Silvia by Miike Snow- This song fits the part of the book where Percy sees something horrible happen to his mother. This song has a sad tone to it and talks about loosing someone who was loved.

3rd- We are the People by Empire of the Sun- This song is appripriot because it talks about having strength, uniting with others, and having a certain force inside of you. This song's contents are very simialr to the story itself. Percy needs strength to deal with the startling truth, he units with other of his "kind", and finally the kids who are like him all are very special and important and they all know that.

4th-   Your the best around by Joe Esposito- This song fits the scene when Percy defeats the Minotaur in a fight. This is a very strong monster, and Percy is only twelve. Also, in the Karate Kid, Daniel, the main character, wins in a big fight, and this song is played! I thought these events were similar.

 I am almost finished with my forty books, and this books counts as two. Has anybody else read this book?
 Does anyone know a good traditonal book?

Go For The Goal

This week I read Go for the Goal by Mia Hamm. She is the main focus of this book, because this is her autobiography. Mia Hamm has been recognized as the best female soccer player. Mia Hamm played with the United States women's national soccer team for 17 years. During that time she won 2 World Cups (1991, 1999), 2 World Cup bronze medals (1995, 2003), 2 Olympic Gold Medals (Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004) and a Silver medal (Sydney 2000).  Her popularity built her one of the biggest fan bases of any American ahtlete male or female.

I would love to meet her and would as her the following:
1. What is the most important quality a soccer player should have? Based on Hamm's personality, believe she would say you need confidence, drive, and toughness.
2. How did you feel when you were recruited by North Carolina? I think she would say that it was her opportunity to develop as a soccer player but more importantly as a person.
3. What was the greatest compliment you ever received? Without a doubt Mia Hamm would say it was from Pele. He said he "was glad that he never had to go up against her."
4. Who did you rely on when games did not go as you planned? I think she would say her family and coach would comfort her, however, she would put it behind her and promise herself to move on.

I am close to reading 40 books. I still need more recommendations in the fantasy, historical fiction, and traditional literature catagories.

The Penalty

This week I read The Penalty by Mal Peet. The prodigious young soccer star, El Brujito ( the Little Magician)  of San Juan has suddenly vanished. He was seen last after missing a penalty in a big game for his team , costing them the win. South American sports writer, Paul Faustino, happens to  be in San Juan at the time of this troubling occurance. Even though he was reluctant to get involved  in  this case, he was drawn into the mystery.
 Most of the characters in this book are realistic. The way the act and talk are very believeable and the conversations are easy to follow. Different parts of the story are told from different points of view. When Faustino is speaking it is easy to tell he is a strict business man. His actions and lanuage are exactly the same as anyone of today would be. However, Brijito is a strange character. He is unbeliveably religious. He holds countless venerations. He seems a little less realistic due to things he says, does, and sometimes sees. His pesonality is unlike that of a normal young person.
 This book was one of my favorite books I've read, but not my favorite because at times it was very confusing. My favorite book this year was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I enjoyed this book because chapter after chapter it held my attention. The events were exciting, and it encompassed a great lesson of what friends truly are. The characters were what made this book. They all have unique personalities and outlooks, but that wouldnt stop them from anything. These are two of the thirty books I have read this year.
 If anyone has a recommendation for a fantasy or historical ficton book let me know! Thanks!