Shooting Kabul                                                                                                 by N.H. Senzai 

              Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai, is a book about a family from Afghanistan who move to California because they were under the Taliban rule. They decide to move and take a truck which will take them to Peshawar,Pakistan. When the truck arrives, some of the Afghans hear the noise and see

the lights of the truck and than they fight there way to the truck because they realize the the truck will get them out of Afghanistan and free of the Taliban. Chaos starts happening really fast. As the truck gets ready to leave, 11 year old Fadi was ordered to watch his 6 year old sister,Marium, while them and Fadi's parents and his older sister,Noor, get in the truck before the Taliban come. Fadi accidentally lets go of Marium's hand and she gets left behind, leaving Fadi and his family in misery. When they arrive to California, Fadi feels guilty of losing Marium. He decides to enter a photography contest at school,where the winner will win a trip to India. Fadi thinks that by going to India, Fadi can fly from India to Pakistan and find his sister. Fadi needs to win this contest in order to bring his little sister back. 

                                       The theme in the book is family. Fadi's family  help him when he gets bullied at school and also when Fadi feels upset about Marium. For example, on page 56, Uncle Amin let Fadi's family stay at his house with his family untill they find a place. Another example is on page 131, Noor gives Fadi fifty dollars to join the photography contest. Also, on page 188-189,Fadi's family helps him when he gets bullied at school. That's why I think the theme is that family is important.   

                                                                        I would recommend this book to 7th graders. The reason why is because this book has so many details and you can really see it in your head. Another reason why is because this book is very heartwarming and is very touching on how much Fadi cares for his little sister. Also, this book teaches you lessons of what Fadi experienced and learned. I would recommend this book to 7th graders.

About the Author- N.H. Senzai lived in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. She spent her childhood in San Francisco and went to London for high school. This book is based in part on Ms. Senzai's husband's experience fleeing Afghanistan in 1979. She currently lives in San Francisco Bay with her husband and son.

I got my picture at    http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-voice-nh-senzai-on-shooting-kabul.html                                                                                       

  

                              

Chew On This
By Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson

Chew On This, by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson, is about fast food. In this book, you learn about the different people who made fast food restaurants that we see today. It also explains some interesting facts on how fast food is made. This book mentions lots of people and their history with fast foods. This book teaches you about health. It explains how your health will be effected if you eat fast food. When you read this book, it will make you not want to eat fast food ever again!
                 The theme I chose for this book was if you make a small choice, it can lead to a big impact. For example, if you say no to eat McDonald's French fries, it can save you from all the calories and fat that’s in them. Another example, if you say no to going to a fast food restaurant than you can say no to fast food more often. Also, looking out for your body and taking care of it can lead to a bigger thing. That’s why I chose that theme.
                                  I would recommend people to read this book. It’s a non-fiction book, so you learn many things. This book can be very gross, but it keeps you reading more. This book influences you to eat healthier and not eat fast food. That’s why I would recommend this book to people.
            After reading this book, my diet changed. I no longer had the desire for fast food. If I ever want a cheeseburger, I am making it myself. It made me not want to go to fast food restaurants. My diet really changed.
               The author, Eric Schlosser has been in the food industry before. Charles Wilson had his own farm and raised cattle. Charles has written for several newspapers. Eric Schlosser has written in several magazines and newspapers also. Both authors wrote this book to become aware of fast food.
          
 I got my picture at http://booknook.marbleheadcharter.org/2012/01/24/chew-on-this/

Dialogue Story

                             Stay in School

       It was a cool , November night and I was eating dinner with my sister and my dad. My mom was at work. We were eating some potato soup that my dad made. It was 7:00 pm and it was quiet. The only noise there was was the T.V because my dad was watching the news. Then, my dad started talking.

            "How was school today?"
            "It was wonderful. I took my science test that I studied for all last night."

                                     My dad seemed interested. He loved it when I talked about school and good grades.

                                                   "I think I got a 3 though," I said.
                                                   My dad said, "Next time, make sure you get a 4 on your next  one."
                                                   "Okay."
                                                   " You know how important it is to get good grades."
                                                   " Okay,dad. Can I ask you something?"
                                                   " Sure, anything."
                                                   " When you were in the seventh grade, did you get good grades?"
                                                   " I got straight A's from all the way to the 8th grade. After, I started not caring much about school. Now, that I am older, it was a big mistake. School is very important. I now just realized how important it was."
                                                   " Wow, I never knew that."
                                                   " Well, it's true. That's why I want you to do good in school. I want you to have a good job. I don't want you to worry about money and not having enough of it when you're older."
                                                   " Did you ever get bad grades when you were in school?"
                                                   " Yes, I did. It was a huge mistake."
                                                   "Is that why you really care about my grades?"
                                                   " Yes. You and your sister."
                                                   " Did grandpa want you to do good in school, when you were in school?"
                                                   " Yes. He wanted me to do great. He didn't like it when I got bad grades. He wanted me to be really smart."
                                                   " Was that the same with Grandma?"
                                                   " Oh yes, she wanted me to do better than I already was."
                                                   " Was she more strict?"
                                                   " A little bit more, yes. She had high expectations."
                                                   "What happened when you got a bad grade?"
                                                   " Well, I got yelled at. My parents weren't harsh, but they were mad."
                                                   " Did you ever get grounded?"
                                                   " No. Even when I got into trouble. They never grounded me."
                                                   " They thought grounding me wasn't going to teach me anything," my dad continued.
                                                   " Is that why you never grounded me?"
                                                   "  Yes. Anyways it's getting pretty late. You should go to sleep."
                                                   " Okay, the soup was great. Goodnight."
                                                   " Oh, remember. The more you know, the better. Remember that. Good night."

                                     I went over and kissed my father goodnight. Afterwards, I brushed my teeth and went to bed. As I was sleeping, I was thinking about what my dad said. The more you know, the better. I kept thinking about it and it inspired me to set some goals, and that's what I did.            

I got my picture at http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-drop-out-stay-school-sign-options-image18975193