Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

“One man’s mission to promote peace…one school at a time”

Truly intrigued and amazed by the accomplishments of Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin decides to write Three Cups of Tea. Mortenson starts out as a mountaineer and as he fails to climb K2, he stumbles upon a village in Pakistan. While there, he is fascinated by the kindness and hospitality of the Balti, the residents of the village, and promises to pay them back. Mortenson realizes what this villages lacks is a school, and therefore promises to build a school the next time he returns. Within a decade, Mortenson not only builds a school for the Balti, but founded the Central Asia Institute, which in total created fifty- five schools, especially for girls.

Many people make promises and promise to do amazing things for others in need. Unlike most, Mortenson fulfilled his extraordinary promise to the Balti and changed the lives of those who live in unsafe, isolated, anti-American places in Asia. One promise made by Mortenson turned into a large campaign. Doing this Mortenson risked his life in many ways. Separation from his family, kidnapping, and death threats could not keep Mortenson from helping the people of the underprivileged areas. Mortenson did not do this in hopes of becoming a hero or making a difference, he was solely trying to carry out a promise. I admire Mortenson greatly for his determination and for starting a whole movement. I am amazed that this all started because of one person.

Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

Charlie and Sam had a relationship stronger than most, as brothers and as friends. The story begins with Charlie at age fifteen, driving home from a Mets game with Sam (age twelve) and their dog Oscar. Unfortunately, they come into contact with a drunk driver, who terminates Sam’s life, and almost Charlie’s. Before Charlie was resurrected he promises to never leave Sam. The day of Sam’s funeral, Charlie experiences a miracle as he wanders into the forest. He is able to see and interact with his brother Sam. After that day, Charlie would go off to the forest everyday for about thirteen years. Charlie develops the gift of seeing ghosts before they move onto the next stage.

Charlie St. Cloud is a suspenseful story which embraces the undying themes of romance and brotherhood. It goes beyond the ordinary means of love and explores the true meanings of devotion and promise. It made me believe there is a world in between life and death and that when we die, parts of us live on. I was intrigued by every part of the novel, including the characters, the storyline, the theme, and the descriptive language.

Reading this book I saw Charlie as trapped. He failed in living his life to the full extent and he failed to take advantage of the fact that he was given another chance at life when he was resurrected. In many ways, Charlie feels like he does not deserve to live a happy life, seeing as Sam’s ended at age twelve. For a long time, Charlie lacks the strength to break away from Sam because he became so dedicated in keeping his promise to Sam. In many ways, Charlie’s life ends when Sam dies. It is amazing to see how Charlie manages to gain back his life in this riveting novel.

A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive

A Child Called "It" proves to be a moving memoir about David Pelzer, who goes through most of his childhood unloved, unfed and abused. David is left in the hands of his abusive, imitating alcoholic mother who plays torturous and brutal games on him. Although David started out loved along with the rest of his brothers, his mother quickly turns against him in her times of depression. David is often in the presence of his many brothers, but he stands alone in his fight to stay alive. Mrs. Pelzer has scared everyone out of helping David. His brothers, the neighbors, the school, and even his father fail to help David escape his mother.

Mrs. Pelzer is a truly cruel and bitter person, despite her caring veneer. Mrs. Pelzer insists on playing fatal games on David, like locking him in the bathroom with a suffocating ammonia-bleach mixture in a bucket. Throughout this book, David slowly loses all his hope of surviving, as the conditions worsen and his mother becomes more bitter and heartless.

David was a child all on his own struggling to stay alive. He never gave into his mother and he never gave up in trying to survive. While reading A Child Called "It" I could not help but cry as David withstands his mother's ruthless beatings. I feel like I would never be able to measure up to David in that he has undying courage and power. David never lost sight of his goal, which was to survive the blows of his mother. I will forever wonder how such a young child could survive such horrors. A Child Called "It" is an inspiring, tear jerking story as David strives to live through his mother's brutality. Whoever decides to read this book should be prepared to shed some tears.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

George and Lennie are complete opposites, George is wise and small, while Lennie is a large, strong man who seems to suffer from mental problems. As different as they were, I thought George and Lennie would stick together through anything. George and Lennie have one thing in common, and that is their desire to own an acre of land that they are in charge of. While trying to make the money to buy the land George and Lennie work on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, where there dreams are one step away from becoming true. Despite his unswerving obedience to George, Lennie has screwed up many times in the past because of fear and his unawareness of his own strength.
Despite Lennie's flaws, he is my favorite character in the book. Lennie seemed to be unique in that he is overly loving and unbelievably loyal to George. I overall enjoyed Of Mice and Men even though i was not completely satisfied with the ending.

Running With Scissors

Running With Scissors is a memoir describing the unusual childhood and teenage years of Augusten Burroughs. Augusten lived in a clean and neatly polished home with his fighting parents until the age of twelve. This is where his life changes drastically, as his mother sends him to live with their psychiatrist. Augusten is then stuck in a dysfunctional, dirty household with no rules or structure.
Although some parts of this memoir disturbed me, I still found it funny in a twisted way. While reading Running With Scissors, I sometimes felt like some of the events occurring were fictional. It was hard for me to believe that Augusten experienced such things as young as he was. Running With Scissors transported me into another world were free will was taken to the next level. Most of the time I enjoyed reading about Augusten's bizarre childhood.