The Right Time to Steal
"The Book Thief " is an Inspirational Tale
By BETHANY COX
Red and Blue Managing Editor
Title: “The Book Thief”
Author: Markus Zusak
Copyright: 2005
There are many books describing the lives of those affected by World War II. However, there are very few about those who lived in Nazi Germany.
“The Book Thief” tells the story of Liesel Meminger. Liesel is a young girl who has been sent to live with another family by her mother shortly after her brother's death. When they buried her brother, she stole "The Grave Digger's Handbook." She soon discovers her love for the written word and becomes determined to read as much as she can.
After moving in with her accordion-playing foster father, she begins to steal books from wherever she can, including Nazi book burnings and the mayor's private library.
When Liesel's family hides a Jewish man in their basement, she learns the value of life and the importance of family.
This book was very inspiring. It was easy to find yourself cheering for Liesel when she is stealing. While the novel is fiction, it gives the reader an idea of what living in Nazi Germany was like.
Liesel's love for books is very relatable. Before moving in with her foster family, she struggled with reading. Her foster father taught her how to read and provided her with as many books as he could afford. The reader can relate to her fascination with reading and her outlook on life.
This book was addictive. After reading the first couple chapters, it was impossible to put it down.
The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes. The first time Liesel steals from a book burning, the reader becomes addicted to the thought of her stealing. Liesel's determination to find books proves to the reader that nothing can ever separate a person from their passion.
The end of the book was very sad. Even though they explain how the story will end in the beginning, the reader will find themselves hoping it was a lie. The characters are very easy to love and bond with.
Overall this is an excellent book. It is recommended to anyone looking for a book to become obsessed with and finish in a couple days.
Red and Blue Managing Editor
Title: “The Book Thief”
Author: Markus Zusak
Copyright: 2005
There are many books describing the lives of those affected by World War II. However, there are very few about those who lived in Nazi Germany.
“The Book Thief” tells the story of Liesel Meminger. Liesel is a young girl who has been sent to live with another family by her mother shortly after her brother's death. When they buried her brother, she stole "The Grave Digger's Handbook." She soon discovers her love for the written word and becomes determined to read as much as she can.
After moving in with her accordion-playing foster father, she begins to steal books from wherever she can, including Nazi book burnings and the mayor's private library.
When Liesel's family hides a Jewish man in their basement, she learns the value of life and the importance of family.
This book was very inspiring. It was easy to find yourself cheering for Liesel when she is stealing. While the novel is fiction, it gives the reader an idea of what living in Nazi Germany was like.
Liesel's love for books is very relatable. Before moving in with her foster family, she struggled with reading. Her foster father taught her how to read and provided her with as many books as he could afford. The reader can relate to her fascination with reading and her outlook on life.
This book was addictive. After reading the first couple chapters, it was impossible to put it down.
The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader on their toes. The first time Liesel steals from a book burning, the reader becomes addicted to the thought of her stealing. Liesel's determination to find books proves to the reader that nothing can ever separate a person from their passion.
The end of the book was very sad. Even though they explain how the story will end in the beginning, the reader will find themselves hoping it was a lie. The characters are very easy to love and bond with.
Overall this is an excellent book. It is recommended to anyone looking for a book to become obsessed with and finish in a couple days.
“Frozen” Music As Good As Movie
By SKYLAR HUFFMAN
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Frozen”
Released on DVD: March 18
Rated: PG
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana
The new Disney movie “Frozen” is also a musical. The soundtrack with 10 original songs by the husband-and-wife team of Robert Lopez and Kristen-Anderson Lopez has been the No. 1 album on the Billboard charts for months. The hit song “Let It Go,” sung by Idina Menzel in the movie then covered by Demi Lovato, is playing on radio stations around the world.
This movie is about sisters Anna and Elsa, who are queen and princess of their kingdom. Elsa has the power to create ice and snow. Afraid that her powers have made her dangerous, she runs away to live in snowy mountains.
What she doesn’t know is that she accidentally left her village behind in an eternal winter. When Elsa left, she was angry, and her emotions caused everything to freeze up.
Her sister Anna teams up with a mountaineer named Kristoff and his reindeer, Sven, in hopes that they can find her sister and save their kingdom. They are helped by a happy and friendly snowman who Anna names Olaf.
I loved the animation and the creativity of this movie. It was exciting and different from a lot of the older “princess” films, like “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” and even the newer Disney film “The Princess and the Frog.” In this movie, it’s not the prince who saves the princess, it’s the princess who saves the day.
Though the movie may have been aimed at younger kids, it still kept my attention as a teenager. The musical part of the movie was also very good, I just wish there was less of it. I would have liked to hear more conversations between the characters, rather a song in every other sentence. But, the plot was interesting in many ways, and there was definitely a surprise ending.
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Frozen”
Released on DVD: March 18
Rated: PG
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana
The new Disney movie “Frozen” is also a musical. The soundtrack with 10 original songs by the husband-and-wife team of Robert Lopez and Kristen-Anderson Lopez has been the No. 1 album on the Billboard charts for months. The hit song “Let It Go,” sung by Idina Menzel in the movie then covered by Demi Lovato, is playing on radio stations around the world.
This movie is about sisters Anna and Elsa, who are queen and princess of their kingdom. Elsa has the power to create ice and snow. Afraid that her powers have made her dangerous, she runs away to live in snowy mountains.
What she doesn’t know is that she accidentally left her village behind in an eternal winter. When Elsa left, she was angry, and her emotions caused everything to freeze up.
Her sister Anna teams up with a mountaineer named Kristoff and his reindeer, Sven, in hopes that they can find her sister and save their kingdom. They are helped by a happy and friendly snowman who Anna names Olaf.
I loved the animation and the creativity of this movie. It was exciting and different from a lot of the older “princess” films, like “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” and even the newer Disney film “The Princess and the Frog.” In this movie, it’s not the prince who saves the princess, it’s the princess who saves the day.
Though the movie may have been aimed at younger kids, it still kept my attention as a teenager. The musical part of the movie was also very good, I just wish there was less of it. I would have liked to hear more conversations between the characters, rather a song in every other sentence. But, the plot was interesting in many ways, and there was definitely a surprise ending.
Movie is “Non-Stop” Thriller
By OLIVIA VOSHEL
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Non-Stop”
Release date: Feb. 28
Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy
Genres: Mystery/Suspense, Action/Adventure
The movie “Non-Stop” is about a man whose job is to be the security on planes. He has a partner who works with him. Only they and the captain know what they do because they are dressed as casual passengers.
The main character’s name is Bill Marks (Liam Neeson). He is aboard the plane and everything is going smoothly until he starts to get texts saying if he doesn’t pay a certain amount of money in 20 minutes, somebody on the plane will die.
He kills his partner thinking he’s the terrorist. Then he receives another text saying thanks for making the first kill so easy. While he tries to find the terrorist, the other passengers start believing Bill is trying to hijack the plane.
I personally liked this movie. It has really good suspense as Bill is trying to discover who the perp is. It does have a slow start, though. Maybe it could have some action a little sooner.
I really enjoyed the movie, partly because I am scared of flying on an airplane. But I would love to try it some time.
I recommend this movie to anybody who likes mystery and suspense, and to people who really enjoy Liam Neeson’s work, like in the popular “Taken” series. This movie comes out on DVD on June 10. To me, it would be worth renting or downloading.
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Non-Stop”
Release date: Feb. 28
Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy
Genres: Mystery/Suspense, Action/Adventure
The movie “Non-Stop” is about a man whose job is to be the security on planes. He has a partner who works with him. Only they and the captain know what they do because they are dressed as casual passengers.
The main character’s name is Bill Marks (Liam Neeson). He is aboard the plane and everything is going smoothly until he starts to get texts saying if he doesn’t pay a certain amount of money in 20 minutes, somebody on the plane will die.
He kills his partner thinking he’s the terrorist. Then he receives another text saying thanks for making the first kill so easy. While he tries to find the terrorist, the other passengers start believing Bill is trying to hijack the plane.
I personally liked this movie. It has really good suspense as Bill is trying to discover who the perp is. It does have a slow start, though. Maybe it could have some action a little sooner.
I really enjoyed the movie, partly because I am scared of flying on an airplane. But I would love to try it some time.
I recommend this movie to anybody who likes mystery and suspense, and to people who really enjoy Liam Neeson’s work, like in the popular “Taken” series. This movie comes out on DVD on June 10. To me, it would be worth renting or downloading.
“You’re In My Head” Good Song to Get Stuck There
By BRITTENY NOLING
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Basic Vacation”
Artist: Basic Vacation
Release Date: Oct. 15, 2013
Record Label: Atom Factory/Capitol
Genre: Pop-Rock
Styles: Indie/Pop
Basic Vacation’s new self-titled EP includes the group’s debut single, “I Believe.” The EP also includes “Jamie,” “It’s All Happening,” “You’re in My Head” and “Words Collide.”
I like their song “You’re in My Head” the best. It’s about a guy who can’t get over a girl after they broke up. He’s up all night, waiting for her to call. He goes to her house only to see someone else “walking right into your web.”
I like the words in the chorus, “I tried so hard to give it up/but you won't let me, no”.
I also like the beat of their songs. The beat helps bring out the meaning of the lyrics. A lot of their songs are really emotional.
Teens can relate to this group’s songs. The band is young - all of them are under 21 - and their songs are about things that teens go through, like dating. The members of Basic Vacation are Chris Greatti, who does vocals and plays guitar; Jon Paul, who plays bass, and Mike Montalbano, who plays drums. Their sound is indie pop/rock. They were influenced by classic rockers like Led Zeppelin and Queen, and Eighties bands like Tears for Fears. They also like The Killers, New Radicals and Foster the People.
Their hit song “I Believe” is a very inspiring song. It’s about not giving up on a relationship, even when it seems like it can’t work out: “I believe, I believe/In me and you/I believe in me and you/No matter what they put us through”.
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Basic Vacation”
Artist: Basic Vacation
Release Date: Oct. 15, 2013
Record Label: Atom Factory/Capitol
Genre: Pop-Rock
Styles: Indie/Pop
Basic Vacation’s new self-titled EP includes the group’s debut single, “I Believe.” The EP also includes “Jamie,” “It’s All Happening,” “You’re in My Head” and “Words Collide.”
I like their song “You’re in My Head” the best. It’s about a guy who can’t get over a girl after they broke up. He’s up all night, waiting for her to call. He goes to her house only to see someone else “walking right into your web.”
I like the words in the chorus, “I tried so hard to give it up/but you won't let me, no”.
I also like the beat of their songs. The beat helps bring out the meaning of the lyrics. A lot of their songs are really emotional.
Teens can relate to this group’s songs. The band is young - all of them are under 21 - and their songs are about things that teens go through, like dating. The members of Basic Vacation are Chris Greatti, who does vocals and plays guitar; Jon Paul, who plays bass, and Mike Montalbano, who plays drums. Their sound is indie pop/rock. They were influenced by classic rockers like Led Zeppelin and Queen, and Eighties bands like Tears for Fears. They also like The Killers, New Radicals and Foster the People.
Their hit song “I Believe” is a very inspiring song. It’s about not giving up on a relationship, even when it seems like it can’t work out: “I believe, I believe/In me and you/I believe in me and you/No matter what they put us through”.
Kevin Hart, Ice Cube Go On Wild Ride
By JAZZILYNN MASON
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Ride Along”
Release Date: Jan. 14
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Tika Sumpter, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill
Genre: Action- Adventure/Comedy
For the past two years, high school security guard Ben (Kevin Hart) wants to marry Angela (Tika Sumpter). But in order to show that he is worthy of her, he needs to get the approval of Angela’s brother James (Ice Cube), a detective with the Atlanta police department.
When Ben is accepted into the police academy, James invites him to go on a ride-along on the night shift, hoping to scare the trainee and make him give up on Angela.
But when the wild night leads them to the biggest criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner's rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it.
Ben has to man up and show James that he is worthy of his sister, but will he succeed? “Ride Along” has just been released on DVD, so watch the movie to find out!
Red and Blue Staff Writer
Title: “Ride Along”
Release Date: Jan. 14
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Tika Sumpter, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill
Genre: Action- Adventure/Comedy
For the past two years, high school security guard Ben (Kevin Hart) wants to marry Angela (Tika Sumpter). But in order to show that he is worthy of her, he needs to get the approval of Angela’s brother James (Ice Cube), a detective with the Atlanta police department.
When Ben is accepted into the police academy, James invites him to go on a ride-along on the night shift, hoping to scare the trainee and make him give up on Angela.
But when the wild night leads them to the biggest criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner's rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it.
Ben has to man up and show James that he is worthy of his sister, but will he succeed? “Ride Along” has just been released on DVD, so watch the movie to find out!
Is Technology Going Too Far?
AHS Book Club Discusses “The Circle”
Title: The Circle
Author: Dave Eggers
Copyright: 2013
By BETHANY COX
Red and Blue Managing Editor
The AHS Book Club's second novel was “The Circle” by Dave Eggers. The Circle tells the story of Mae Holland after she has been hired to work for The Circle. The Circle is the world's most powerful internet company that links users' personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with a universal operating system. The Circle gives each person who uses the internet one online identity.
When Mae tours her new office, she realizes that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle is not your ordinary office, though. The Circle provides its workers with dining facilities, dorms for workers to spend the night, and lavish parties that last through the night.
Soon Mae's life beyond The Circle becomes distant and she becomes consumed with receiving high ratings and proving herself as a vital asset to the company.
The novel will challenge readers’ beliefs about technology and knowledge. Should a person be able to find anything on the internet? Does every person have the right to know everything?
Members of the book club expressed these opinions about the book.
Amber Faulkner said: "I thought ‘The Circle’ was really interesting and I enjoyed reading it. I would have enjoyed it more if it had more action.
"I did not like how The Circle ended,” said Gaston Marian. “I also disagreed with the conclusions that it drew."
"The Circle" concerns me because it's not the world of the far future. It's the world of the day after tomorrow,” said Mr. Chris Schillig. “Privacy as we knew it is all but dead, and this book illustrates what that might look like.”
“I thought the book was a warning about keeping technology such as social networking and connectedness in check,” said Mr. Ron Hill. “People still need private boundaries.”
“This book really makes you think about the lines between the power of technology, our drive to know more about ourselves and the world, and our right to protect our personal information from one another,” said Mr. Charles Miller.
“To be honest, some of the storyline made me nervous,” he said. “It definitely forces you to think about the willingness of future generations to let go of their personal freedoms for the sake of new technologies and ‘personal improvement.’ You will still be thinking about this book after you put it down.”
The book club is moderated by AHS librarian Ms. Marilyn Jackson with lunch provided by food services director Ms. Betsy Cornell. The club’s next selection is “Saving Zoe” by Alyson Noel.
Author: Dave Eggers
Copyright: 2013
By BETHANY COX
Red and Blue Managing Editor
The AHS Book Club's second novel was “The Circle” by Dave Eggers. The Circle tells the story of Mae Holland after she has been hired to work for The Circle. The Circle is the world's most powerful internet company that links users' personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with a universal operating system. The Circle gives each person who uses the internet one online identity.
When Mae tours her new office, she realizes that this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle is not your ordinary office, though. The Circle provides its workers with dining facilities, dorms for workers to spend the night, and lavish parties that last through the night.
Soon Mae's life beyond The Circle becomes distant and she becomes consumed with receiving high ratings and proving herself as a vital asset to the company.
The novel will challenge readers’ beliefs about technology and knowledge. Should a person be able to find anything on the internet? Does every person have the right to know everything?
Members of the book club expressed these opinions about the book.
Amber Faulkner said: "I thought ‘The Circle’ was really interesting and I enjoyed reading it. I would have enjoyed it more if it had more action.
"I did not like how The Circle ended,” said Gaston Marian. “I also disagreed with the conclusions that it drew."
"The Circle" concerns me because it's not the world of the far future. It's the world of the day after tomorrow,” said Mr. Chris Schillig. “Privacy as we knew it is all but dead, and this book illustrates what that might look like.”
“I thought the book was a warning about keeping technology such as social networking and connectedness in check,” said Mr. Ron Hill. “People still need private boundaries.”
“This book really makes you think about the lines between the power of technology, our drive to know more about ourselves and the world, and our right to protect our personal information from one another,” said Mr. Charles Miller.
“To be honest, some of the storyline made me nervous,” he said. “It definitely forces you to think about the willingness of future generations to let go of their personal freedoms for the sake of new technologies and ‘personal improvement.’ You will still be thinking about this book after you put it down.”
The book club is moderated by AHS librarian Ms. Marilyn Jackson with lunch provided by food services director Ms. Betsy Cornell. The club’s next selection is “Saving Zoe” by Alyson Noel.