Percy Jackson:

Are you interested in the idea of humans being descendants of gods, or are you a fan of Greek mythology? If you
answered yes, then you will enjoy reading "Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan. This captivating
fantasy story follows the journey of Percy Jackson, who is the child of the Greek god Poseidon and Sally Jackson. At the
beginning of the story, Percy has no idea about his divine heritage and finds himself being pursued by a monster at a
beach hotel. Unaware of his demigod status, Percy's mother decides to reveal the truth and sends him to Camp Half-
Blood for his safety and to learn how to use his powers. This is where Percy's life as a half-blood begins, as he navigates a
world filled with mythical creatures and challenges. One of the biggest conflicts arises when Zeus's lightning bolt, a
symbol of his authority, goes missing, and Percy becomes the prime suspect. The story then follows Percy's quest to
prove his innocence, as he forms friendships with other demigods and encounters thrilling adventures along the way.

The book is full of cleverly written humor and suspenseful moments that leave me excited for the next chapter. One of
my favorite parts is the appearance of Zeus and Poseidon, which sparks my interest in Greek mythology and adds depth
to each character. Not only does this book have captivating storylines, but it also deepens my understanding of the
characters from Greek mythology.

In my opinion, Percy Jackson is the greatest character in the story. He is brave, calm, and assertive, as shown when he
first meets his father Poseidon. Despite having mixed feelings towards him, Percy chooses to stay focused on his mission
to Mount Olympus - to return the lightning bolt. “I got the feeling Poseidon didn’t know what to think of me. He didn’t
know whether he was happy to have me as a son or not. Strangely, I was glad that Poseidon was so distant. If he’d tried
to apologize or told me he loved me or even smiled, it would’ve felt fake. Like a human dad, making some lame excuse
for not being around. I could live with that. After all, I wasn’t sure about him yet, either. (316 Lowery)” This passage
explains Percy's conflicting emotions and uncertainty towards his father. Percy also displays bravery by sending
Medusa's head to the gods in Olympus, despite knowing it would anger them. “They’re not going to like that,” Grover
warned. “They’ll think you’re impertinent.” “I am impertinent,” (178 Rordian). This demonstrates Percy's fearlessness
and willingness to stand up against the gods during their quest.

I would give this book a rating of four out of five stars. I highly recommend it to those who are interested in heroes or
Greek mythology, as they will find it engaging and enjoyable. While the book is well-suited for adolescents, there are a
couple of aspects that I would like to critique. First, Percy's ability to resurrect the dead somewhat diminishes the
tension in intense battle scenes, especially when he gathers his friends to save his mother from the underworld. This
similarity to current Marvel movies, where characters can come back to life, reduces the sense of fear and loss. As a
result, Percy seems to have an excessive amount of protection from harm, which lessens the excitement and
anticipation during these intense moments. However, despite these criticisms, the world of Percy Jackson remains a
captivating read for mythology enthusiasts and younger readers alike. If you love magical adventures, "Percy Jackson
and The Lightning Thief" is a must-read that offers a unique twist on mythology.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

There are many world-renowned authors of children's stories who have created lasting impacts through their literature,
and Roald Dahl is undoubtedly one of them. His beloved work, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," holds a special place
in this category. This story revolves around a young protagonist named Charlie, who lives in poverty but undergoes an
extraordinary stroke of luck when he stumbles upon a golden ticket, granting him access to a mysterious chocolate
factory. As the story progresses, Charlie's life experiences a magical transformation. In the following paragraphs, I will
provide my perspective on the book, exploring its remarkable qualities as well as areas of concern.

My favorite character is Charlie because of his cleverness, positive mindset, and unwavering optimism. Despite the
disappointment of not finding the golden tickets after buying two chocolate bars, which were a luxury for his family, he
remains hopeful and believes that miracles can happen. His perseverance pays off when he eventually discovers the fifth
golden ticket on his third try. Throughout his journey in the chocolate factory, Charlie's gentle nature and calm
demeanor are apparent as he demonstrates impeccable manners, refraining from touching unfamiliar items. These
attributes contribute to his eventual success at the end of the story. Additionally, Charlie's keen observation skills are
evident when he notices the reactivation of the chimney at the chocolate factory.

Aside from the merits of this book, certain scenes might not be suitable for young readers. Willy Wonka occasionally
uses inappropriate language to curse others, which is not recommended for a children's book. For example, in one
instance, Dahl writes, “Burp, you silly ass, burp, or you'll never come down again! (39 Dahl)” This sentence shows the use
of language that may not be suitable for young readers. Another concerning scene is when Charlie discovers money on
the ground and instead of reporting it to the police, he uses it to buy a chocolate bar. This passage, "Carefully, Charlie
pulled it out from under the snow. It was damp and dirty, but otherwise perfect. A WHOLE fifty pence! (17 Dahl)” depicts
Charlie picking up the fifty pence from the ground without giving it to the police. This action contradicts the values
taught in Taiwan, where individuals are expected to return found money to the police for proper handling.

Despite the criticisms, I would give the book a rating of 3.5 out of 5 because it brought me joy and laughter, even more
so than Percy Jackson's book. However, I must acknowledge that there are some swear words in the book that may have
an impact on children's values and minds. On the positive side, the story teaches important principles and shows the
consequences of naughty behavior in children. I recommend this book for elementary and middle school students as it is
appropriate for their reading level. Elementary students will find Dahl's writing humorous and captivating, while middle
school students will be able to comprehend the moral message as they are becoming more independent and mature.
The moral of the story emphasizes the benefits of being patient, kind, and loving, and the rewards that come with it.
Wonder

While many books explore the themes of friendship and bullying, "Wonder" distinguishes itself by effectively conveying
valuable life lessons through a poignant and heartfelt narrative. Written from a first-person perspective, this fictional
novel by R.J. Palacio follows the journey of ten-year-old August Pullman, who has undergone an extensive series of 27
facial surgeries due to a rare genetic condition. After being homeschooled, August's parents decide to enroll him in a
traditional school for the first time in fifth grade. Here, he encounters bullies and confronts a range of obstacles that
ultimately lead him to find genuine friendship and receive well-deserved recognition at graduation.

August Pullman is portrayed as a kind and introverted character in the story. Despite his intimidating appearance, he
bravely confronts Julian, a bully from school, without fear or hesitation. His optimistic outlook and belief in the potential
for success make him an inspiring character, even as he recognizes his differences from others. The book not only
showcases August's bravery but also highlights acts of kindness from other characters. For example, when August has
lunch at school for the first time, Summer chooses to sit next to him and engage in conversation. "Hey, our names kind
of match," she said as she chewed ...." We can make this the 'summer only' lunch table," she said.” (44 Palacio) This
demonstrates Summer's efforts to include August, recognizing that he may struggle to fit in and make friends at school.

As the story progresses, August encounters difficulties and clashes with his friend Jack Will. Eventually, Jack realizes his
inappropriate behavior of being rude to August on Halloween and offers a sincere apology. He admits, "He's a jerk. but I
was a jerk too. sorry for what I said dude, OK? Can we bfrenz agen? (120 Palacio)" This instance unveils a genuine
friendship when Jack expresses remorse for speaking ill of August to Julian, and I find it to be one of the most touching
moments in the narrative.

Some events in the story might spark interest and promote deep thinking. Consider, for example, the scene where
August's sister, Via, chooses to keep her brother a secret from everyone else. This part of the narrative might initially
confuse readers. However, I believe that Via deeply cares for her brother and fiercely guards his well-being. Therefore,
she consciously refrains from sharing information about August in order to preserve a sense of normality for him and
ensure his privacy.

In my opinion, "Wonder" deserves a rating of 3 out of 5 due to some minor flaws. Although the story moves at a fast
pace, it sometimes neglects to fully explore August's emotions during tough moments. However, the book does leave
readers with a sense of hope, making it an enjoyable and comforting read. I would suggest this book for middle school
students since it contains advanced vocabulary and themes that may be difficult for elementary school students to
grasp. This narrative revolves around facing adversity with courage and standing up against those who try to belittle you.
It shares a subtle yet powerful story that resonates with readers from diverse backgrounds.