Adultolescence

Blog Contributor:  Megan Clabby

“life isn’t fair

but it’s unfair to everyone

so that’s fair i guess.”

Gabbie Hanna’s adultolescence is a reflection of childhood, teen, and young adult memories as newly official “adult” Gabbie explores the differences between teen and adulthood and comes to understanding the effects of change in growing up. Gabbie compares childhood aspirations with the reality of adulthood. Adultolescence explores the concepts of truth versus reality while seeking the solace of childlike dreams in the “real world.”

I liked this book because Gabbie’s poetry was very real. Growing up is something that not many like to admit is a scary process however through her words Gabbie spills her deepest feelings drawing the reader in with her on a more personable level. She does not sugar coat the downfalls of growing up but instead exposes them for what they really are. Gabbie has a sharp and witty sense of humor that she expresses in many of her poems. Her use of sarcasm and irony is very clever in supporting one of her central messages that the main difference between a child and an adult are contradicting (pretty ironic) concepts.

Gabbie Hanna is a successful youtube star, not a professional writer. I personally think this fact made her poetry even more relatable and raw. Knowing that everyone is going through this process brings readers together and rejects the societal idea that growing up is an unspoken process that needs to be done alone. When in fact, it is scary and confusing. I would definitely recommend this book to teens and young adults who all experience the exciting and scary feelings of becoming an “official” adult.

Heretics Anonymous

Contributed by:  Megan Clabby

Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry follows the story of a sixteen year old boy named Michael who is forced to attend a Catholic school after his father’s new job uproots him, his sister Sophia, and his mother to yet another new house in another new neighborhood with another new school. Only this time the school he is set to attend is none other than St. Claire’s Preparatory School, a Catholic school. This is a problem for Michael because he is an atheist. He has been a nonbeliever for as long as he can remember and not just in religion but anything that offered another opposing, more plausible explanation such as Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny. Michael’s one goal is to find someone like him, to find a friend that can help him survive the school year. On the first day he befriends Lucy, who challenges the teacher on a basic religious principle taught by the school. Michael believes she is the same as him although quickly realizes she believes heavily in God and Religion as a whole. However, after learning more about Lucy and meeting her three friends he finds out that they all hold and value beliefs not necessarily accepted within St. Claire’s High and the Catholic Church- Heretic values. Lucy, for example, wants to become a priest. These heretic beliefs unite the five friends as Michael is offered membership into the “Heretics Anonymous” club formed by Lucy and her friends. The club’s agenda, originally designed to be a support group for its members and their varying beliefs, comes into question when Michael suggests HA goes public at St. Claire’s. But, how does one anonymous group voice radical ideas intended to change life at St. Claire’s and beyond- the Catholic church? And, how far are they willing to go for change?

Filled with humor, and charm, Heretics Anonymous explores the concepts of feminist theology, progression, rebelion, and power along with the painfully real struggle of finding, understanding, and coming to terms with the meaning of faith. Any and all can relate to Michael’s story as he comes to understand this new world and discovers things about himself along the way. Heretics Anonymous addresses prominent themes that are shared with our world today. Themes such as defiance, revolution, and change. Katy Henry emphasizes the relatable struggle of being a revolutionary minded young adult in today’s pre-revolutionary world. Heretics Anonymous explores the frustration of understanding one’s ever changing identity in a world that is constantly defining you, while entertaining the radical ideas of harnessing change.

I adored this book. Michael is a very relatable character with lots of wit and charm. He is very funny, and offers humorous commentary throughout the novel. The themes and characters are thoughtfully crafted while still allowing the reader to make their own decisions regarding “right” and “wrong,” and even exploring that gray areas in between. Much praise (pun intended!) for Heretics Anonymous. 

  

Rate: 5/5 stars :) 

1984

Novel: 1984

Author: George Orwell

Blogger: Mackenzie Jimenez

 

    In the book, 1984, you get sucked in a dystopian society along with the characters of the book. The book deals with living in a society in Oceania where your every move and sound is watched by Big Brother. Big Brother is the ruler of Oceania and his face is plastered on everything you could think of, ranging from billboards to coins.

    The main character of the book is Winston Smith. As long as Winston can remember his every move has been and has the opportunity to be watched. At any given moment he could be caught doing something that would ultimately have him “vaporized” which means his every existence would disappear from society, never to be heard from or about again. He questions how Big Brother came to be and knows that from working with the news paper, most of the information put out into the public is all false. In the book Winston finds ways to go against the order of Big Brother and he starts using a diary to write down the thoughts that roam through his head that he is not able to say out loud.

 

As claimed in the book nothing is illegal in Oceania but that doesn’t mean that you can roam around and do what you want. By writing in this diary for either people in the past or the future, he doesn’t know why he decided to do it, but he was always aware of the consequences if caught. Throughout the book many more characters come into play into his story and become a part what goes down in his diary. The reason the book is so intriguing is because Winston knows what could happen to him if caught by Big Brother, but he is willing to take that chance to write about present day for purposes of the past life of what Oceania was or for the references of the future, so that things can change.
 

    This book is a great book for high school students because it keeps you on edge. It always has a new twist to the story that makes you wonder if Winston or any other character that comes into play will one day get caught by Big Brother. The book is a great summer reading book because it's a book that is very easy to get through while still being age appropriate and enjoyable.