The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner

By: Khaled Hosseini

 Published in 2003

324 pages

The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, a young boy who lives with his father, Baba. They live in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, a well off area of town where they have servants and wear American clothing. Amir’s best friend in childhood is Hassan, the son of Amir’s family’s servant. The only complication with their friendship is that Hassan is Hazara and Amir is Pashtun. Hazaras are the inferior race in Afghanistan. Throughout the novel you see how ethnic differences and how the characters respond to them can change their lives.

This novel is extrememly well written and has gotten many excellent reviews. I would agree with most of them that the style of writing is interesting and easy to read. The characters, although you may not like all of them, are honest, real, and very well developed. Hosseini writes the novel straight from first person. This leaves no secrets between you and the narrator, which is a crucial element to the novel. Also, without even realizing it, you end up learning so much about Afghan culture that you would never know. Because the story is so developed and intriguing, I would recommend this book; however, if you are looking for a feel-good story, this is NOT the novel for you! In some places I think it gets rather depressing which, especially in the winter, is not something I am always in the mood to read about. There are moments in it where you wonder if it will ever get happy? For the writing, development, and creativity of this strong story I would give this a full five stars. It is simply extremely well done. However I personally would subtract for the depressing nature and settle for four and a half of five stars.

Gabrielle  Burnett

Keeping You a Secret

Submitted by:

Ashley Miller

Keeping You a Secret

Julie Anne Peters

Published in 2000

250 pages

 Everyone thinks Holland Jaegar has it all. She has the looks, good grades, great boyfriend and popularity. However, she doesn’t have the “chillest” mom. Her mother is unbelievable to say the least. Once Hollandmeets Cece, the new girl, she knows that she is in love with her. In the novel Holland and Cece fall for one another, but decide to keep the relationship a secret. This may have been the worst mistake they could ever make. Throughout the novel they are both forced to face many challenges.

            Well, personally I liked the book. This is about 2 lesbians and how their lives changed when people found out about their sexuality. It was interesting to read about. The only thing about it is if a lesbian read it and was thinking of coming out of the closet, this novel could scare them into keeping everything in.

 

Why I liked it?

            I liked it because first of all it was different. I normally would not choose to read this type of book, but it kept my attention and was not boring.

 

Would I recommend this book?

            Definitely! This book opened my eyes to what could be going on right infront of me. I never really realized how something so little could make such a big impact. It was a good book and I learned from it.

 

How many stars?

            I would give this book a 4.

 

 

-Ashley Miller