American Buffalo-by David Mamet-SUMMER READING #3

This was my first experience with reading drama on my own.  I felt this play was the best book to begin my exposure to drama.  Despite its short length, the play stressed ideas of the American Dream, innocence, and deception.  This play was perfectly suited to my reading level because I enjoyed interpreting the deeper meanings of these quintessential themes that repeat so much throughout American literature (e.g. The Great Gatsby).  One challenge I had with this play was that some parts were a little vague/ambiguous.  However, I soon found out the information sooner or later (unlike in prose where it is easier to explain an idea right then and there).  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in reading drama for the first time as part of independent reading.

A Hope in the Unseen-by Ron Suskind: SUMMER READING BOOK 2

I finally have a better picture of what it feels like for kids to attend poor functioning schools.  I was especially amazed by the determination and bravery of Cedric Jennings, the protagonist, when he took a course at MIT and then attended college at Brown University.  I realize now that I have so many more advantages and a lot more sheltering than Cedric did.  He had to brave drug dealers and gun threats in the dangerous pockets of Washington D.C.  Throughout this book, I was truly enlightened by all of Cedric's experiences, including visiting his incarcerated father, a peek into Ivy League life, and the troubles at his house.  With a tough childhood, for Cedric to get into a top school is unbelievable.  I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in a story about challenge and achievement (by the way, this shockingly was nonfiction!!).