Book trailer

If You Could Be Mine

Like I said in my previous blog this story has tons of plot twist. For example, as a reader, you discover that Nasrin is literally willing to do anything to be with Sahar. Nasrin decides she will undergo a sex change if that means her and Sahar can be together. In Iran, it's illegal to be homosexual but its legal to be a transgender. In Iran, they will help pay for a citizen to get a sex change because the government believes it's a mental sickness instead of a choice. But it's a little too late for Nasrin because Sahar is already engaged and has a wedding around the corner to a handsome, wealthy doctor. Nasrin becomes jealous of Sahar relationship because she is wishing it could be her instead of him getting married. As the story unfolds Sahar and Nasrin are still in love and kissing each other when no one is around. Sahar confesses to Nasrin that she loves her and wishes things were different. Nasrin tries to lie to many of the transgenders and pretends she has similar issues as them, just to try and get the surgery as soon as possible. Nasrin plan backfires on her and many of the transgenders peep her game and realize she wants to get a sex change for all the wrong reasons. It also backfires on Nasrin because even if she went through with the sex change it wouldn't be done in time for the wedding. At the end of the story, Nasrin faints at the doctor's office while discussing the sex-change and finds out where Sahar husband works. I would definitely recommend this book to a high school student who wants to learn about Iran history, homosexuals and transgenders. This story discussed many different topics. Overall I really enjoyed this book and glad I took the time to read it,

If You Could Be Mine

I started reading a story called If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan. Based on the title of the book I was not expecting the story to have so many plot twists. I thought the story was going to be about I girl and a guy who were in love but couldn't be together for whatever mystics reason. After reading the first couple chapters I found out the book is about two girls who were best friends since an elder age. Now the girls are sixteen and living in Iran, the main characters are Sahar and Nasrin. A little bit about each main character is that Nasrin is a very intelligent girl who wishes to study medicine and become a doctor. Nasrin is very modest and always follows the rules, her mother died leaving her to care for her father by cooking and cleaning. Sahar is a very stunning girl who comes from a family of wealth. Sahar is very spoiled and is very carefree often thinking the rules do not apply to her. Sahar goes to a school where academics is not the main focus. Sahar is very popular at her school and loves being the center of attention. As the story unfold you find out the main characters are more than best friends but are secret lovers. Sahar and Nasrin know it's dangerous to be in loved in Iran and could be killed, badly beaten and imprisoned. Homosexuality is a sin and a crime in Iran, but Nasrin exclaims she can't help the way she feels about Sahar.Sahar and Nasrin try their best to keep their relationship private and only do things such as kiss and feel on each other when no one is around and it's just the two of them. Nasrin hopes she can become a doctor and marry Sahar, but she knows that's going to be hard to do considering the fact they are two women. Overall I thought the beginning of this book was good and had many plot twist that I was not expecting. The author did a good job on keeping her story suspenseful.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the secrects of the Universe

Overall, I thought Aristotle and Dante Discover the secrets of the Universe was a very interesting and good book. The title fits the book perfectly because in the end Ari and Dante discover many secrets about themselves. In the end of the story, Ari finally finds out why his older brother is in prison. Part of me just wanted Ari to start visiting his brother on his own and start his own relationship, and for Ari to stop letting his parents decide their relationship. But once the story is told that his brother is in prison for committing a hate crime against someone who is gay it becomes very evident that maybe he's parents knew he was gay before Ari could finally admit it. I can't help but think Ari's parents were protecting him all along. Ari's brother plays a major role throughout the story, even though he is briefly mentioned here and there his role is major. Ari can't help but wonder why his family acts like he doesn't exist, and why he's never mentioned. I can only imagine how Ari felt when he found out his brother committed a hate crime, the author did a wonderful job building that moment up. One thing I did not like about this book was how the author waited till the very last page for Ari to admit he was gay. Maybe the author did this so the reader would literally read till the last page.... I'm not sure. I do wish Ari would have come out sooner in the book so Ari and Dante could be in a relationship longer, and I could have read more about Air's life after coming out. I think Ari coming out was also another one of the secrets he kept from his family and from his self. I thought it was a major plot twist that it takes for Ari parents and a family meeting for Ari to come out. I was glad that Ari parents were in denial about the whole situation and were very supportive of Ari. I was also glad that Ari parents were educated on the topic of coming out and shared that he had a great aunt who had also come out and it was okay. After having a speaker in our class I now realize how much courage it takes to come out. Not everyone has a strong support system like Ari did and in our speaker's case often times family's will disown their child for liking the same sex.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

I'm starting to notice how obsessed Ari is with Donate, the majority of Ari thoughts, feelings, and daily actions evolve around Donate. I get that Ari and Donate are best friends and Donate is Ari only friend, but I'm starting to think Ari has feelings for Donate. Although I don't think Ari is gay I just think he's in love with Donate. I do think Ari might be bi-sexual because he starts to develop feelings for a girl at his school, and is flirting with her. Ari eventually gets's attention from the girl, and a kiss even though the girl has a boyfriend and ends up dropping out because she is pregnant. Everything about Donate Ari seems to love, his hair, how smart he is, and his voice. Ari and Donate seem to have an irresectable bond even with Donate moves to Chicago because his father got another job, their bond it still there. Donate and Ari managed to keep in touch through letters Donate would constantly send letters, waiting for Ari's response. Throughout the book, Ari has always thought highly of Donate and considered him very intelligent compared to himself I think that's why Ari wouldn't respond as quick to Donate's letters. As the story continues, as a reader you notice how Donate and Ari start to discover who they are as people. I think if it wasn't for Donate moving and telling Ari how he has kissed both a boy and girl, how he was drinking and has made new friends, Ari wouldn't have tried them on his own, I didn't like how quick Ari was to follow Donate's path but I do think overall it was to Ari's best benefit doing so. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is not like anything I have ever read before. I think the author does a wonderful keeping the reader at the edge of their seat, and keeping them wanting to read more and more.

Aristotle and Dance Discover the Secrets of the Universe

I am currently reading Aristotle and Dance Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Just reading the title of this book I was under the impression that this story was going to be about astronomy. I was definitely fooled by the title, so far this book is about two Mexican-American boys named Aristotle and Dante. Aristotle is fifteen years old and goes by the name of Ari, this story is told from Ari point of view and he is narrating the story. Ari is going through the teenage woes, he only has one friend, no girlfriend, is extremely bored, and is on summer vacation. Air has siblings but there is a huge age gap so he doesn't hang out with them often. Air had twin sisters and a brother who is in prison, and his family acts like his brother doesn't exist, there are not pictures of him, and he is hardly mentioned in his household. Ari hates the fact his family acts like his older brother does not exist and can't figure out why his mother and father resent him so much. As the story unfolds Dante notices that Ari does not know how to swim and offers to teach him. From the point on Ari and Dante become best friends, I think Ari and Dante balance each other out. Ari is more educated about the Hispanic culture and Dante is more street smart. Where one character is lacking the other character can help fill them in. Just like in many of the books on my blog this book deals with stereotypes. Overall I think this is a good book and I would recommend it to a high schooler because I think many students could find topics that are relatable. I think once I get further into the book it's going to discuss homosexuality and figuring out your identity.

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese was an awesome book that I believe many children can relate to. I believe many children who don't feel accepted can relate to the character Jin. I think ABC does a wonderful job discussing serious topics and making it into a funny comic. Many people want to discuss not feel accepted, racism and stereotypes, but don't know how to go about it. As I got to the end of ABC I felt bad for Jin I can only imagine what it would be like for so many people to dislike your culture and your race that you feel as if you need to change your identity. I know many people who aren't white don't feel accepted in America. Personally being a light skinned African America I have often heard many people tell me I can't relate to darker skinned African Americans because I'm too light. And that I can not relate to whites because of im too dark skinned compared to them. As time goes on America has a history of race shaming, and has often portrayed the imagine that white is right. I also couldn't believe the way Jin treated his best friend. I couldn't believe how Jin allowed so many people to get into his head, and consume his moral compass. Jin was definitely out of line when he kissed his best friend girlfriend out of spite.I think the author did a wonderful job tieing in the three mini stories into one. I was not expecting Danny to be Jin that was definitely a plot twist for me. After reading this book all the way through I would definitely recommend this book to a high school student vs a middle school student due to some of the inappropriate pages. Also, I do think a high school student could better understand ABC on a deeper understanding.