Book report

  Gregor, a loving brother, is stricken with fear when he realizes his sister has gone missing in his apartment and what he doesn't realize is that his quest to find her will become the greatest journey of his lifetime. Suzanne Collins's Gregor the Overlander grabs me and never let's go of my imagination and wonder about this wonderful tale. 

  Gregor, and his baby sister, Boots, live in a New York City apartment, they find that in their apartment's laundry room is an entrance to the Underland. It is a world containing no natural light, filled with humans with translucent skin, giant bats, snails, moles, scorpions, cockroaches, rats, lizards, mice, ants, snakes, fireflies, and spiders

  Gregor is the main character. The author portrays him to be somewhat shy and timid, but he breaks out of his shell when he finds out he is the warrior from the Underland prophecy. Filled with fear, he was unsure of the animals and people at first. He later befriends them to fight against the gnawers. Gregor really becomes charismatic when he goes on a perilous journey and kills the rat king.

  The overall theme is to never give up. Gregor never gave up on finding his sister and he never gave up on the Underlanders to kill the rat king. Gregor's mentality to never give up got him through all his struggles and benefitted him in the end. He fulfilled the prophecy and got his sister back.

  This was a terrific read for me and I enjoyed every word I read. There are more books to this series and I can't wait to finish them too. I highly recommend this book and that everyone should read it if the chance is given.

essay

     In the article, Bob Cook states, "Near Columbus, Ohio, a 12-year-old girl named Makhaela Jenkins, who has grown up playing football with boys, wants to play on the school team. The Liberty Union-Thurston school district is telling her she can’t." Makhaela, a girl who can compete with any other boy her age, should be able to play football. It is unfair that she cannot play now that she has the opportunity to play for her school when she has been playing all her life with boys. In the article, Monica Maeng says, "I don’t treat them any differently. They’re to be treated as guys. They’re playing a man’s sport," said David Lopez, 15." David, a fellow youth football player, does not care if a girl plays with him or not. He feels that if a girl plays football she should be treated as an equal, which is only fair. Females or not, whoever it is is expected to play at the highest level they can. Zach Mayo also says that, "Rebecca Green of Fuquay-Varina High School attended workouts all summer and is hoping to play outside linebacker for the Bengals' JV team this year. I attended the Bengals' practice on the first day of contact and watched her go head-to-head with the guys. She took some of them to the ground." This is prime eye witness evidence that some girls can compete with guys. This girl cannot be the only girl out there that can challenge the dominant male force in football.
     Monica Maeng states, "Girls on football teams don’t get to play quarterback or other star roles because they aren’t physically able to beat out the guys." Boys generally do not like the idea of girls being the star of the team, so girls are limited to what they can do. Even if they are really good, boys will refuse to let them have the opportunity.Bob cook says in his article that, "According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, as of 2011-12, the latest data available, 1,804 girls in the United States played for their high school tackle football team." These girls rarely played in a game, but at least the girls are actually on a team; however, Makhaela is getting totally denied the right to be on the team. This is a violation of Title IX, which states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance… ”

Current Connection: 3.2

     Monica Maeng offers liable information in her article, Girls struggle on the football team, about boys reactions and views to girls playing football with them.

     In the article, Monica Maeng states, "Girls on football teams don’t get to play quarterback or other star roles because they aren’t physically able to beat out the guys." Boys generally do not like the idea of girls being the star of the team, so girls are limited to what they can do. Even if they are really good, boys will refuse to let them have the opportunity.

     Monica Maeng states in her article, "I wouldn’t want my daughter to be quarterback. I wouldn’t want her holding the ball, period," Coach Mesa said." I believe if girls are qualified they should play; getting hit is going to hurt your body if you're a boy or a girl. Injuries will happen in any sport whether its boys or girls.

     Monica Maeng says, "I don’t treat them any differently. They’re to be treated as guys. They’re playing a man’s sport," said David Lopez, 15." David, a fellow youth football player, does not care if a girl plays with him or not. He feels that if a girl plays football she should be treated as an equal, which is only fair. Females or not, whoever it is is expected to play at the highest level they can.

    Boys in my school would probably look down upon a female player. she would be harassed and discriminated against. The only reason why she would not be is if she was a freak of nature and clearly better than everyone else. Unfortunately this will most likely never happen.

     Boys clearly do not like the idea of female players. They view them as weak and not fit to play. Plus, coaches do not want them because boys make it easier on them, thus making the team weaker.

    

    

Current Connection: 3.1

     Bob Cook delivers worthwhile information in his article, Ohio School Engaged In What Will Be Futile Fight To Keep Girl Off Football Team, about how high school football affects females in a negative manner.
    
     In the article, Bob Cook states, "Near Columbus, Ohio, a 12-year-old girl named Makhaela Jenkins, who has grown up playing football with boys, wants to play on the school team. The Liberty Union-Thurston school district is telling her she can’t." Makhaela, a girl who can compete with any other boy her age, should be able to play football. It is unfair that she cannot play now that she has the oppurtunity to play for her school when she has been playing all her life with boys.

     Bob cook says in his article that, "According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, as of 2011-12, the latest data available, 1,804 girls in the United States played for their high school tackle football team." These girls rarely played in a game, but at least the girls are actually on a team; however, Makhaela is getting totally denied the right to be on the team. This is a violation of Title IX, which states,  “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance… ”

     Also stated by Bob Cook in the article, "I think I can save the Liberty Union-Thurston school district and its taxpayers some legal fees and hassle with this advice: let her play." Bothered by the school's undeniable acts of discrimination, Bob Cook felt the urge to stand up for this girl and publish this article. He was very wise in doing so. We need more writers to stand up and reveal acts like these to the public so we can dissolve the expectations of gender roles. A few hours after he posted this, the Liberty Union-Thurston district reversed course and decided to let Makhaela play.

     I know of several girls that are in my school that would like to play football, but are denied time and time again because of their gender. Most sports have a team for girls and a team for boys. Why not a high school girls football team?

     Obviously high school football frowns upon female players. The only way for things to change is too break down gender roles and give girls a chance to prove themselves worthy out on the field.