8th Grade Summer Reading Blog

James DeMoss “This is an awful thing that happened to you, but it's also presenting you with a rare opportunity. You have the chance to rebuild yourself from the ground up,to make a completely fresh start." I liked this quote because if understood the right way someone that has had something really tragic happen to them could read this and begin to have some hope for their situation. In other words they could see there problem better, it's like the saying see the glass half full instead of half empty. I once had something bad happen in my family, someone really close to my parents died but instead of really sad they knew he was in a better place now and knew he had a good life. I liked this quote because I can relate to it in lots of ways.

Jenna Parks ”And that’s how we live, wandering endlessly, concentrically outward, seeking in others a kindling spark of the love which has long lain, dormant, dark, unstoked in our own deepest souls.” p.32 I like this quote because of how real it is. People put themselves down if others don’t love them enough. And if people decide that others can control their lives like that then they are sort of wandering endlessly trying to find a way out. This quote is also sort of telling me that we take advantage of a lot of things in life and when something isn’t right we just collapse and it feels like it will never be the same again.This quote is saying that people shouldn’t care what other people think of you and that you are perfect the way you are.

Nathan Frost "This is an awful thing that has happened to you, but it's also presenting you with a rare opportunity.  You have the chance to rebuild yourself from the ground up, to make a completely fresh start."p.27 I chose this quote because I felt like I can relate to it.  Sometimes if you say something to someone or do something you wish you hadn't done, you often wish you could hit the reset button and try to change it.  Throughout the book Chase has changed, on page 83, Chase sticks up for his new friend Brendan when his old friend from the football team pins and shoves Brandan.  Chase yells and pushes Joey to let him go.  I think that Chases did the right thin because even though he was friends with the "bullies" he has a new mind that understands others feelings.  If I was in Chase's situation, I would use this opportunity to restart.

Griffin MacMillan “Make no mistake, ladies and gentleman: this is the most serious threat our species has ever faced. But though the challenge is great, and our future uncertain, I know that humanity will do whatever it takes to survive.” p.17 I found it inspiring because of how humanity, a civilization split by petty wars and disagreements, is brought together with a common problem: complete decimation. Humanity is forced to cooperate, no matter the rivalry or differences. There is so much hatred in this world, that it takes extinction to bring everyone together. If all of humanity worked together for even a year, the progress would be tremendous. Which is exactly how humanity was able to escape their doom. We found a way, and we designed the ships that would take us out of the destabilizing solar system. 

Caleb Medina “ I’m struggling to discover the person I was and he wants me to change?”  -Chase Ambrose pg.27 This is important because it ties in with what Chase goes through later in the book. He slowly begins to discover what kind of person he was and understands why he would need to change. However before he accepts the change he realizes The extent of just how much he has changed to other people.