Non Fiction Article Summary

In the article “ Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood”, by Sherman Alexie, published in the Wall Street Journal, the author responds to Megan Cox Gurdon’s article, “Darkness Too Visible” and takes the opposing side. Alexie thinks that teens should be able to read about dark subjects because teenagers should be able to read about the experiences they themselves, or someone they know, may be going through. In the beginning, of the article, he explains how he speaks with many kids who went through similar tough situations and were inspired by his book. He continues by explaining why Meagan cox Gurdon is wrong when she argues teens shouldn’t be exposed to dark subjects. He explains that he wishes he could have read a book as a teenager similar to the one he wrote because it would have helped him feel less alone. He concludes by stating that he writes for teens so they don’t have to face their troubles alone because he remembers what it feels like. He writes in blood because he remembers what it felt like to bleed.

Sherman Alexie uses a lot of craft moves to strengthen his argument. He gives many real life examples of teenagers going through the situations Megan Cox Gurdon believes are not appropriate for children to be reading about. Alexie says after reading Megan Cox Gurdon’s “complaints about the “depravity” and “hideously distorted portrayals” of contemporary young adult literature,” he “laughed at her condescension”. This shows he thinks her ideas are so ludicrous that they are comical; making the reader want to also think her article is ridiculous. He gives his story when he was a teenager, saying that he wishes he could of have YA books to read when he was going through hard times like many teenagers are now, convincing the reader that it helps teenagers with hard situations to read YA books

I completely agree with Sherman Alexie. It is important for kids to be able to read about topics that are relevant in their lives. It is ok to write about a topic for a certain age group especially if that age group is experiencing those hard topics in their lives. At the end of the article, Alexie says, “I write to give them weapons-in the forms of words and ideas- that will help them fight their monsters.” This quote stands out to me. It shows that the reason Alexie is writing is he wants to help teenagers fight and read about similar fights their fighting so they wont have to experience what Sherman Alexie experienced. So they won have to fight their battles alone. 

Reading Response Blog- Faithful Elephants

The definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. In the story Faithful Elephants, the elephant trainer truly loves Tonky and Wanly. In the sad but beautiful story, the elephants at the Ueno Zoo have to be killed. Bombs might be dropped on the zoo and it is too dangerous for the citizens if the animals escape from their cages. All the other animals are poisoned but the elephants know what food is poisoned. Eventually the zookeepers decide that the elephants must be starved. Although the zookeepers love the elephants, they have to let them go. A theme in this story is that even if you love something, sometimes you have to let it go.

In the book, the elephant trainer is closest with the elephants and loves them dearly. The elephant trainer couldn’t bear to see the elephants in so much pain. He caved in, and gave them food and water, even though he was't supposed to, crying "Eat your food! Please drink. Drink your water!" This shows that the elephant trainer loves the animals. Even though his boss told no one to feed the elephants, he went against his boss’s wishes and went the extra mile to put the elephants out of their misery. This is what real love is, sacrificing for what you love. What the trainer did was risky. But he was willing to take the chance for the love he has for the elephants.

Eventually, the trainer realized that it is better for the elephants and civilians if the elephants were put down. "Seeing his beloved elephants dying this way, the elephant trainer felt as if his heart would break.  He had no more courage to see them. All of the other keepers felt the same, and they too stayed away from the elephants’ cage." This shows that the trainer and all of the keepers loved the elephants so much but they knew they had to be put down. The zookeepers loved Tonky and Wanly but they had to do what was best. He had to think about the bigger picture and not just about the elephants. It was unsafe if the elephants got out of the cage. In the beginning of the story it says, "What would happen if bombs hit the zoo? If the cages were broken and dangerous animals escaped to run through the city it would be terrible!" With this in mind, the trainer realized he had to let them die. In his heart he loved the elephants and wanted them to stay, but in his mind he knew he had to let them go.

A few years ago, I used to have a lovebird named Stella. When I first got her, she would fly around the house and perch on my hand. Like the elephant trainer loved the elephants, I loved Stella. A few months later, my parents got a dog. When Stella flew around, the dog would chase her. This terrified Stella. I could see the fear in her eyes. Stella didn’t come out of her cage any more. My family and I decided it would be best for Stella if we gave her away. Even though I wanted to keep her, she was unhappy and I had to do what was best for her and not me. Like the elephant trainer loved the elephants, I loved Stella. And like the elephant trainer let the Tonky and Wanly go, I let Stella go.

This story teaches an important lesson about love. Sometimes you have to let something go, even if you love it dearly. Tonky and Wanly are great examples of this principle.

Many times in life you may come to a hard decision and end up having to let what you love go, like the elephant trainer. But that’s part of what love is. It’s not just an intense feeling of deep affection, it’s putting what’s best for the thing you love before what’s best for you. Thats what love really is.