The Red Badge of Courage

Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage inspired me.

In the beginning, Henry Fleming enters the army with strong romantic feelings about war. After experiencing the realities of army life, he becomes plagued by doubts and fears.

Henry wakes from a brief nap to find that the enemy is again charging his regiment. Terror overtakes him this time and he leaps up and flees the line. As he runs across the field, he tells himself that he made the right decision, that his regiment could not have won, and that the men who remained to fight were fools.

Later on, Henry passes a group of wounded soldiers. He is deeply envious of these men, thinking that their wounds are like “a red badge of courage". He meets a tattered man who has been shot twice and who speaks proudly of the fact that his regiment did not flee. He repeatedly asks Henry where he is wounded, which makes Henry deeply uncomfortable because he has no wounds to show.

After Henry is hit over the head during his flight from the front he is able to clarify his understanding of his role of what it means to be a soldier. He overcomes his fears and quilt to become one of the fiercest, most aggressive soldiers in the regiment. He accepts duty by showing the confidence and courage required to be a soldier.

Next, a good theme for The Red Badge of Courage would be never to give up. Henry was afraid of the war ,but later on he realized he could make a difference and he over came his fears.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is trying to over a fear or hardship in life.

Touching Spirit Bear

Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear touched my heart.

First of all, everything in Cole Matthews life is a circle. At the age of fifteen he is already a juvenile delinquent. His parents are strong alcoholics and his dad is a child molester. He hurts Cole almost every night. One day, Cole has enough and takes his anger out on poor Peter Driscal. He takes his head and smashes it into the sidewalk.

Next, for his punishment, he goes to an island in Alaska and has to stay for a year. Cole tries to escape several times, but always fails. When he spots the Spirit Bear, he hates it for not being afraid of him.

Fianlly, after getting a second change to stay on the island, Cole must find a way to help Peter. Peter stays on the island with him. He soaks in the river and carrys the ancestor rock up the hill just like Cole does.

In conclusion, a good theme for this book would be hands and words are not for hurting. You should never bully or tease anyone. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to any high school student.

Loving Natalee

"Hope is the only thing, that keeps me holding on." Beth Holloway's Loving Natalee mesmerized me with her strength.

First of all, Beth Holloway is the mother of Natalee Holloway. Natalee has been missing from Aruba since May 2005. Natalee was on her senior trip, along with several other classmates. She never showed up at the airport, for her flight home.

Natalee grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. She was an honors student, on the dance team, and was involved in several extracurricular activities. She planned to use her scholarship to attend the University of Alabama and become a Pediatrician.

Next, Beth has been such an inspiration to me. Her faith has shown me that the power of faith can give us hope against all odds. Beth never gave up looking for her daughter.

I personally connected with Loving Natalee. Beth has been my mother's best friend since kindergarten. My mother and I have visited Beth at her house in Birmingham during her search for her daughter. Beth is a very strong and inspiring lady.

Lastly, A good theme for Loving Natalee is live each day to the fullest; you never know when it might be your last. Always be nice to everyone and treat others with respect. Both Beth and Natalee, never dreamed it would be the last time they would see each other before she left for Aruba.

To this day, everyone is still searching for any clues of Natalee. Beth travels to schools spreading the words of teens and their safety. She has made a lifetime movie and has written the book Loving Natalee. I enjoyed this book very much. I would recommend this book to every teenage student. Every teen needs to be educated about situations that have happened to prevent bad situations happening to them.