I am reading the fourth book of the "A Royal Match" series called "Dumping Princes" written by Tyne O'Connell. This series is about a fourteen year old girl who was formerly an outcast in her elite boarding school, St. Augustine's. Being the only girl in her school who was American, and one of the only students who was on a scholarship and not incredibly wealthy, Calypso was completely ostracized by the popular, wealthy crowd at her school. However, after she became best friends with Georgina Castle Orpington (one of the most popular girls in her school who was constantly one the pages of socialite magazines) and dated Prince Freddie, the Prince of England and heir to the throne, Calypso made many more friends and was able to fit in with the popular crowd of her school! While all is going well for Calypso, her childish and loving mother came to stay in London when she and Calypso's father decide to split. This dissapoints Calypso because (although she knows it is a phase in her parents' relationship) she knows her parents cannot be happy without each other, and they are now both interfering in Calypso's life way too much. In the second part of this book, Calypso's perfect relationship with her Prince of a boyfriend comes to an end. Being the first girl at St. Augustine's to ever get dumped, she and her friends try and do a counter-dump where Calypso would get back together with Freddie, just to dump him.
I noticed that there are several themes in this book, such as humbleness, parent interference and peer-pressure.
I think that humbleness is a theme in this book, because although Calypso has been welcomed into a very elite group of friends, she still remains grounded and not snobby. For example, she says "Although I may be in the In-crowd at my school, I still stay true to my Hello Kitty obsession" says Calypso when talking about how she still keeps her childish Hello Kitty pajamas and accessories. I think this line really means that although Calypso is very popular now, she still remains true to herself and her old style and opinion.
I think that parent-interference is a theme in this book. After Calypso's parents decide to split, they interfering in Calypso's life way too much and talk to Calypso about their problems as though she's their therapist! Of course, parents are supposed to know what is happening in their child's life, but Calypso's parents are not considering that she needs her space and cannot always be there for her parents when they are constantly venting about their problems.
Peer-pressure is definitely a theme in this book. For example, while Calypso is dating Freddie, her friends think Freddie is boring and their relationship has been going on for too long. Calypso is perfectly happy with her relationship and doesn't feel the need to break up with him. Another example of peer-pressure is when Calypso's friends make her do the whole "counter dump" thing. Calypso finds this an immature and unnecessary thing to do. However, she does it because her friends make her.
In conclusion, humbleness, parent-interference, and peer-pressure are themes in this book.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
A Royal Match: Dueling Princes... Clues throughout the book
I am currently reading the third book of the "A Royal Match" series, called "Dueling Princes" written by Tyne O'Connell. This series takes place in a wealthy boarding school called "Saint Augustine's" in London. The main character is Calypso Kelly; a now very popular girl, dating the prince of England who was formerly called "The American Freak". In the first book of this series, Calypso was pretty much ostracized for being the only girl in her grade coming from America (Los Angeles) and not having an updated designer wardrobe or a chauffeur driving her around in a Rolls Royce. At first Georgina Castle Orpington and Honey O'Hare were her most awful enemies. However, Georgina and Calypso have grown to be best friends. Although Honey and Calypso haven't gotten along, Calypso has learned to love Honey's strange ways of friendship. Throughout the series, with her improved wardrobe, a more social personality, and a Prince for a boyfriend, Calypso had made her way into the popular crowd of Britain's most elite teens. However, although she is leaving a far more glamorous life than before, Calypso has remained grounded and pretty much the same girl she used to be.
Something I noticed about this book is that there are a lot of clues towards what will happen. There are clues in what Calypso says or hears, that gives me ideas about what will happen later on the book.
The first time I noticed a clue, was when in the first chapter, the book started really perfectly. Calypso was out shopping with her crowd of popular friends, and just received a text from Prince Freddie asking her out on another date. Everything was going far too well in the story for it to continue that way. Usually, when a book starts out so well and everything going as the main character wants it to go, something bad will happen to the character's "perfect" world.
Another clue I noticed in first chapter of the book was when Calypso was talking to one of her best friends, Star, about how she feels happier and more independent at boarding school. "I love my parents, but I feel much more free and independent here" said Calypso. A bit after this, Calypso gets an email from her mother where her mother is talking about how much she misses her daughter and wants to see her. Calypso simply responds with a "miss you too!" and doesn't put much thought into the email. However, after this part, I got a clue from the author telling me that Calypso's mom will be interfering in Calypso's life. I thought this, because Calypso was talking about how much she loves being independent, and then her mom emails her saying she misses her. And eventually, her mom does come to visit for several months!
Another clue I noticed in the book was when Calypso is txt-ing Freddie and while Calypso's message is filled with hearts and exclamation points, Freddie's message is very simple and lacks exclamation points. Usually, Freddie's messages are far more enthusiastic and loving than that. I took this as a clue that his and Calypso's far too fabulous relationship is coming to an end.
In conclusion, this book has lost of clues which tells me what will happen later in the story. From these clues, I understood that Calypso's currently perfect world will not be as perfect as it is now, her mother will interfere much more, and her relationship with Freddie is coming to an end.
Something I noticed about this book is that there are a lot of clues towards what will happen. There are clues in what Calypso says or hears, that gives me ideas about what will happen later on the book.
The first time I noticed a clue, was when in the first chapter, the book started really perfectly. Calypso was out shopping with her crowd of popular friends, and just received a text from Prince Freddie asking her out on another date. Everything was going far too well in the story for it to continue that way. Usually, when a book starts out so well and everything going as the main character wants it to go, something bad will happen to the character's "perfect" world.
Another clue I noticed in first chapter of the book was when Calypso was talking to one of her best friends, Star, about how she feels happier and more independent at boarding school. "I love my parents, but I feel much more free and independent here" said Calypso. A bit after this, Calypso gets an email from her mother where her mother is talking about how much she misses her daughter and wants to see her. Calypso simply responds with a "miss you too!" and doesn't put much thought into the email. However, after this part, I got a clue from the author telling me that Calypso's mom will be interfering in Calypso's life. I thought this, because Calypso was talking about how much she loves being independent, and then her mom emails her saying she misses her. And eventually, her mom does come to visit for several months!
Another clue I noticed in the book was when Calypso is txt-ing Freddie and while Calypso's message is filled with hearts and exclamation points, Freddie's message is very simple and lacks exclamation points. Usually, Freddie's messages are far more enthusiastic and loving than that. I took this as a clue that his and Calypso's far too fabulous relationship is coming to an end.
In conclusion, this book has lost of clues which tells me what will happen later in the story. From these clues, I understood that Calypso's currently perfect world will not be as perfect as it is now, her mother will interfere much more, and her relationship with Freddie is coming to an end.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The Daughters: The Daughter's Take the Stage: The different points of views
I am reading the third book of "The Daughter's", by Joanna Philbin called "The Daughter's Take The Stage". This series is about three girls who are born into wealth and fame, and are constantly expected to live up to their parent's expectation. Lizzie, Carina, and Hudson are from New York City and are very close friends. All of their parents are famous and wealthy, and these girls are usually overshadowed by their parent's success and fame. Lizzie's mother is Katia Summers, a beautiful supermodel. Lizzie is not a "traditional beauty" like her mother. Lizzie tries to go into the modeling world like her mother, but she is not the kind of model her mother was. Lizzie has a unique and interesting face, while her mother Katia, has perfect features. Lizzie is always compared to her mother, and expected to look and be the same as her.
Carina Jurgensen, is Karl Jurgensen's daughter. Karl Jurgensen is a famous, billionaire businessman, who has a cold relationship with his daughter. Carina and her father rarely ever talk. Carina is always befriended by people who only want to be friend's with her because she is rich and knows many famous people.
Hudson Jones is the daughter of Holla Jones. Holla Jones is a very famous pop-sing who is often called "the princess of pop". Although Hudson wants to build a career in music, she is not exactly into singing the type of music her mom writes/sings. When trying to make a CD, Hudson is constantly compared to her mother, and is expected to follow her mom's footsteps as well.
This book is told in the point of view of Hudson. The first book was told in the point of view of Lizzie, and the second from Carina. I think it's very important that the book shows different character's perspectives. They all have unique personalities and view things differently. I also like to see how similarily the three best view things.
One reason it is very important to see all the different perspectives of the character's because they often view things differently. For example, Hudson wanted to tell her mom what she thought about her mom's new CD, but she knew it was wrong and it would only discourage her. However, when the book is told from a different character's point of view, I can see how Hudson's best friends want her to become her own person and stand up to her mom.
Another reason it is important to have different perspectives on the book is because I find it interesting to see how the three girls often agree on things and find themselves in similar situations with each other. For example, Lizzie's, Carina's and Hudson's parents are different, but they all have the same affect on their daughters. They are constantly overshadowing them and making it hard for the girls to become their own person.
Carina Jurgensen, is Karl Jurgensen's daughter. Karl Jurgensen is a famous, billionaire businessman, who has a cold relationship with his daughter. Carina and her father rarely ever talk. Carina is always befriended by people who only want to be friend's with her because she is rich and knows many famous people.
Hudson Jones is the daughter of Holla Jones. Holla Jones is a very famous pop-sing who is often called "the princess of pop". Although Hudson wants to build a career in music, she is not exactly into singing the type of music her mom writes/sings. When trying to make a CD, Hudson is constantly compared to her mother, and is expected to follow her mom's footsteps as well.
This book is told in the point of view of Hudson. The first book was told in the point of view of Lizzie, and the second from Carina. I think it's very important that the book shows different character's perspectives. They all have unique personalities and view things differently. I also like to see how similarily the three best view things.
One reason it is very important to see all the different perspectives of the character's because they often view things differently. For example, Hudson wanted to tell her mom what she thought about her mom's new CD, but she knew it was wrong and it would only discourage her. However, when the book is told from a different character's point of view, I can see how Hudson's best friends want her to become her own person and stand up to her mom.
Another reason it is important to have different perspectives on the book is because I find it interesting to see how the three girls often agree on things and find themselves in similar situations with each other. For example, Lizzie's, Carina's and Hudson's parents are different, but they all have the same affect on their daughters. They are constantly overshadowing them and making it hard for the girls to become their own person.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Eclipse: Resisting the Text
I finished reading the third book of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, by Stephanie Meyer a few days ago, and noticed many different things about this book. I noticed character changes (for the worse and for the better), author's intrusion, and I also found myself resisting the text.
Eclipse is about Bella Swan's and Edward Cullen's loving relationship. Edward being a vampire, it usually causes trouble for Bella. In the first two books, the only problems in their relationship were that Edward is a vampire, and Bella is not, and Bella is worried about getting too old for Edward, because Edward doesn't age! Although that remains a problem in their relationship, their relationship has also gotten dangerous. Enemies of the Cullen family (Edward's family) hate that they let a human know their secrets. So, these enemies (mainly the wild, angry, vicious, red-head, Victoria) are constantly out to
kill Bella and the rest of her family. Bella wants to become a vampire to avoid these problems and to become one of Edward's 'kind' and become a part of his family.
I often found myself resisting the text. At first, Bella feels like she knows what she wants. She is determined to become a vampire, and knows she loves Edward and only Edward. She had clearly been pushing away her feelings for Jacob. Bella continued to insist that she was only friends with Jacob and no more than that. However, Bella soon begins to admit she loves Jacob as more than just a friend, and wants to delay her becoming a vampire to see how she really feels about Jacob. During this part of the book, I noticed I was resisting the text. I was happy that Bella knew (or thought she knew) what she wanted and there was no reason for her to delay her becoming a vampire. I didn't want her to love Jacob, because she made it so clear that she didn't. Edward had risked so much (including his life) for Bella, and I didn't like how Bella would even consider anybody else.
Another part of the book where I found myself resisting the text, was when Bella didn't really think much about leaving her father, Charlie. Charlie may not be the most talkative person but he does so much for Bella, and tries very hard to keep Bella's moody self happy!
In conclusion, I find myself resisting the text when Bella admits she loves Jacob and considers leaving Edward, and when she finds it so easy to leave her caring, hard-working father forever. I resist the text when Bella doesn't appreciate the wonderful people around her and doesn't consider all the things they've done for her!
Eclipse is about Bella Swan's and Edward Cullen's loving relationship. Edward being a vampire, it usually causes trouble for Bella. In the first two books, the only problems in their relationship were that Edward is a vampire, and Bella is not, and Bella is worried about getting too old for Edward, because Edward doesn't age! Although that remains a problem in their relationship, their relationship has also gotten dangerous. Enemies of the Cullen family (Edward's family) hate that they let a human know their secrets. So, these enemies (mainly the wild, angry, vicious, red-head, Victoria) are constantly out to
kill Bella and the rest of her family. Bella wants to become a vampire to avoid these problems and to become one of Edward's 'kind' and become a part of his family.
I often found myself resisting the text. At first, Bella feels like she knows what she wants. She is determined to become a vampire, and knows she loves Edward and only Edward. She had clearly been pushing away her feelings for Jacob. Bella continued to insist that she was only friends with Jacob and no more than that. However, Bella soon begins to admit she loves Jacob as more than just a friend, and wants to delay her becoming a vampire to see how she really feels about Jacob. During this part of the book, I noticed I was resisting the text. I was happy that Bella knew (or thought she knew) what she wanted and there was no reason for her to delay her becoming a vampire. I didn't want her to love Jacob, because she made it so clear that she didn't. Edward had risked so much (including his life) for Bella, and I didn't like how Bella would even consider anybody else.
Another part of the book where I found myself resisting the text, was when Bella didn't really think much about leaving her father, Charlie. Charlie may not be the most talkative person but he does so much for Bella, and tries very hard to keep Bella's moody self happy!
In conclusion, I find myself resisting the text when Bella admits she loves Jacob and considers leaving Edward, and when she finds it so easy to leave her caring, hard-working father forever. I resist the text when Bella doesn't appreciate the wonderful people around her and doesn't consider all the things they've done for her!
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