Sunday, May 24, 2015

Independent Reading

What are you reading? Summarize?
I read Heroes of Olympus: Mark of Athena.

Basically Annabeth Chase, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Piper Mclean come to retrieve Percy Jackson, Hazel, and Frank. When they are reunited, a spirit posseses Leo and he attacks Camp Jupiter which causes misunderstanding between the Greeks and the Romans. The Romans [their last scene in this book] set off to Camp HalfBlood to destroy the Greeks. Hazel is reminded of her ex-boyfriend when she sees Leo because Leo is the grandson of her ex-boyfriend. Percy is more serious during this book and it seems more grim. Annabeth is a lot more clingy as well. Nico di Angelo is actually trapped by Gaea and they rescue him. But most of the book is the journey and its perils. For example Jason and Percy fight because spirits make them fight and they're so much more awkward to each other than anyone. However it also has the ways they learn to work together.

Do you like/dislike? Evaluate.
I don't really like this book of the series. It focuses too much on description instead of meanings and the plot. The plot is extremely slow moving until the end. However you can only anticipate for so long before it starts boring you. This book is mostly about learning to 'work together'. And the Roman and Greek camps just can't be peaceful. It's like they're trying to fight instead of trying to work together. This also has more thoughts than actions. Books need to have a balence between thoughts and actions, which this book doesn't have.


Why you should read independently?
Reading independently encourages your reading comprehension and your perception of the world and/or your book. People who read to you mostly hold your hand throughout the whole reading; they influence your thoughts as well as your understanding and that leads you to have a whole different view on the book [which can influence your perception of the world]. When I read Harry Potter in 4rth grade it was completely different than when I read it in 6th grade. In 6th grade, I noticed the manipulations of Dumbledore and the 'innocence' of Tom Riddle Jr. After learning about the terrible World War II, I can safely say that Tom Riddle was not happy. World War II affected the entire world and most likely orphanages weren't very nice.


Next book/step?
Well, the next book came out last year. It's called the House of Hades. I've bought it but I haven't read it yet. The Hunger Games and Divergent was a little [a lot] more interesting.