Literary Letter 14 June 5, 2009

June 5, 09

The Boy Who Dared

            From many years I have been hearing about Hitler and from that day I wanted to learn everything about him. I wanted to know if Hitler was as bad as I heard. It was very hard for me to believe that a human can do such a thing to another human being. Ms. Duester taught us about Hitler in History class, I was very excited to learn about him. After learning, I knew how cruel Hitler really was, whatever I heard about him before was nothing compared to what we learned in history class. I found out that he was extremely harsh and hard hearted, he tortured people very badly.

            The book The Boy Who Dared is amazing. When Ms. Duester was reading some lines from the book, I really wanted to read it then. I was even more interested when I found out it is based on a true story. It was a very sad book; a boy who is so young actually dared to go against Hitler. Even though, he knew he can executed.

            Helmuth, the main character of the novel, was eight years old when Hitler came into power. He was very happy about it, because he thought Hitler will bring great changes to Germany. However he started realizing that the conditions in Germany are getting worse. He realized that Hitler is not doing anything better for Germany. In Germany it was illegal to read foreign books, and listen to foreign radios. You were always watched by the Gestapo. Family members would go and tell on other family members that they are the enemies of Germany. Helmuth knew he is losing freedom and told what to think of non-Germans. He had guts to fights with his mother’s boyfriend, a Nazi, that Hitler is not right. Helmuth had to be silent because of his views on humanity and equality. This is what happened back then, if someone spoke against Nazis and Hitler they had to be silent and many were executed as well. Helmuth became so upset with Hitler, without even caring that he might die, he starts distributing flyers which were against the Nazi party and its propaganda. He then got caught by the Nazis who put him on trial. He is so courageous that even when he is in prison and can be killed he is still not silent.

             I just can’t imagine myself being in his place at that time and going against the Nazis. I wouldn’t even have thought about it; Helmuth was extremely courageous. He knew what was wrong and what was right. I am inspired by him and now really want to know everything about Helmuth.

We can’t borrow any books from Ms. Duester now, but I will still encourage you to read The Boy Who Dared. I will give this book a grade of an A

Literary Letter 13 May 18, 2009

May 19, 09

Weedflower

            Weedflower is a very sad novel based on a Japanese-American girl called Sumkio. She faced many hardships. From all the scenes from this novel, I chose to talk about the scene I relate to most (and Ms. Duester I have told you about this story MANY times, but this was my life’s saddest time). As I wrote before Sumiko was a Japanese-American girls, people didn’t like her much. It said in the book “The white girls were nice enough to her during recess, but she had never been invited to play on weekends or sleep over at anyone’s house or anything like that.” Well, when I first came to YIS, I always felt out casted. I am pretty sure many people didn’t like me, maybe because I used to be so dumb. I never talked in the class because my English was very bad, even when I had to ask a question to the teacher I never did, because I thought maybe I am asking the world’s dumbest question. The difference between Sumiko and me is that, she really wanted to hang out with the white people; she wanted to play with them and be their friends. However, I did want to be my classmates’ friend, but was scared and embarrassed I just couldn’t talk to anyone. Sometimes my classmates didn’t call me to the parties, usually they did but when they did call me I never went (I think my classmates still don’t know that I never came to the parties on purpose). I always used to make excuses for not attending the parties.

     Once, Sumiko was invited to a birthday party of Marsha Melrose (her classmate, a white) and she was extremely happy and excited to attend it. When she arrived to the party, she wasn’t treated well; Marsha’s mother even said indirectly that they don’t want any Japanese. Marsha’s mother gave Sumiko a big chocolate cake and told her to leave. When she came back home, she didn’t tell her family how she was treated, she lied and said she had fun. I never did this, whenever I was treated bad at school, I always came home and told my mother. I cried a lot in front of her because of the way I was treated and then she used to comfort me by saying everything will be fine, you just wait.  

             I do like this Weedflower, it’s pretty sad and touching. I will give this book a grade of an A-.

Literary Letter 12 April 27, 2009

April 27, 09

The Kite Runner

           

This novel is very touching; the author has done a very good job in explaining every single scene. I have read two books of him as I have said before, A Thousands Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner (these are the only two out) in both the novels the author has written sad story and they both are based on Afghanistan. The way he portrays Afghanistan is very good, it’s better than what the media shows, I guess because he himself is Afghani.

            Mrs. Duester as u told me that you have also read this book I am sure you found that part very sad what Assef (the boy who is always harsh on Ali and Hassan, especially Hassan) does to Hassan. It was just unbelievable what a boy can do to another, who is extremely innocent and is always trying to save his friend Ali. That part was very depressing I was very sad, even when I say in the movie it was very shocking. Assef is very mean to Hassan, because he is a Shia and he Assef himself is Sunni. It happens in my country as well, there are many conflicts between these two sects. Probably most of the bomb blasts which are happening in Pakistan are because of this, because some Sunnis don’t like Shias and some Shias don’t like Sunnis at all. It shouldn’t be like this, because we all are Muslims just different from sects.

            The other thing which was similar to my culture was the wedding. I liked that part, when I was reading it I was remembering the weddings in my home country. In this novel the author wrote that the mirror was kept in middle of the bride and the groom when they were getting married so that they can see each other through that, and also a big scarf is held over them. This is what happens in my culture, the groom and the bride sit down and some one keeps the mirror between them, and then on top they put a big scarf so that they can see each other through the mirror and no one else can see them seeing each other (it’s pretty funny, maybe romantic and weird culture, because they have already seen each other then what is the point of looking at each other again and through the mirror).

            I think people who haven’t read novel The Kite Runner yet, should really read it. Doesn’t matter if you have seen the movie, because the book is better than the movie; it is more detailed. I will give this book a grade of an A again.

           

 

Literary Letter 11 April 14, 2009

April 14, 09

The Kite Runner

I haven’t read The Kite Runners a lot yet, but it is has very interesting story I know. I have watched a movie, and I absolutely loved it. I am sure the novel is very detailed than the movie. All the time novels are more detailed than the movies and I think they are interesting as well. I have read less, but even now its very detailed.

            For example at the beginning of the novel, the main character tells us a lot about Ali (he is like a servant and he has served the main character and his family for a long time). At starting it mostly talks about Ali and his son Hassan, Amir’s best friend, they both are very close to each other and they have only a difference of one year between their ages; they share everything. However, in the movie there wasn’t much about Ali as it was in the book. Hassan is very loyal to Amir, whenever Ali catches them doing something wrong and gets angry at them; Hassan never tells that it was Amir’s fault or his idea. He was always nice to Amir, and always helped him in everything. They both were motherless; Amir misses her mother a lot who dies giving birth to him. Whereas, Hassan’s mother just left him, she ran away. When Hassan was born his mother didn’t even look at him, she hated him and Ali. Amir likes sitting at home reading stories written by his mother, he also writing tales, which Hassan loves to listen to; however Amir’s father wants him to do something else like going out and play boys games like football.

            As I said before I haven’t read a lot yet because I just started reading it. However I will finish it soon Inshallah because its an amazing novel.  I like reading Khaled Hosseini’s (the author of The Kite Runner) I also liked his other novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. I am looking forward to read more of his novels, if he has written any. I think everyone from my class has read this book, I was the only one who hasn’t, but if someone hasn’t I encourage you to read it after me J. The Kite Runner deserves a grade of an A for sure.

 

 

Literary Letter 10 March 30, 2009

March 30, 09

Sunrise Over Fallujah

            I wasn’t done reading this book before, I really like it. As I found this book interesting at the beginning I did till the end. It seems very realistic; however, it’s sad at the same time. First of all, the main character, Robin, runs from his house to stand up for his country because of 9/11. His father really wanted him to finish his college. Robin is only eighteen years old, and he is entering the army. At first I was scared for him, because he is so innocent. When the war starts it’s very difficult to see his innocence.

            As I had said before, I don’t know much about this war, but I do remember hearing different types of stories from different people’s point of view. This was good a book to read because this was from a soldier’s point of view who is actually participating in the war himself. Before coming to the army, he didn’t know whom to trust and whom not to trust; however, after joining the army, he starts trusting his team/army. People in his unit call him “Birdy”. During the war Robin experiences extremely horror scenes, and death. Robin is the youngest in the whole unit, and that’s why at first people teased him and annoyed him. I really liked the way the author shows Robin’s innocence.

            I think people like me who are very interested in reading books on war should read this book. I am sure every one will like it; to me it was also a very sad story. I will give this book a grade of an A- again.

 

 

Literary Letter 9 March 17, 2009

March 18, 2009

Sunrise over Fallujah

I like reading books on wars, and yes I do know that some people think this is weird that I like boy’s things. However, I don’t think wars are only interesting for boys. Especially the wars which are taken place to gain freedom for your own country. I like reading books and watching movies on soldiers, because they are very sad and touching. I am so proud of all the soldiers because they die just for you to live peacefully and protect their and your country. They are awake the whole night where as you are sleeping peacefully on your bed. In times of wars they can’t even eat, they just want to save you and forget about them and other things. We all should be very thankful to them.

                I like the book Sunrise over Fallujah; it’s about the war which took place in Iraq. I don’t remember much about that war, what I do remember is that I had heard many different kinds of stories but never heard it form the person who actually experienced it personally. This book is written through a soldier’s point of view who is present in the war. Therefore, this book tells you a different side story.

                The main character in the book Sunrise over Fallujah is young, which makes more interesting for us to read. This is because we both will have similar ways of thinking. The main character’s father didn’t want him to go in army. However, he really wanted to; he was very interested in it. Usually when youngsters have decided to do something they will do it doesn’t matter what happens; they are very determined. Same with the main character in the book he doesn’t listen to his father and he runs from the house and joins the army.

                I am not done reading Sunrise over Fallujah, but till now I like the book and I will encourage everyone to read this. I will give this book a grade of an A-.

               

Literary Letter 8 February 28, 2009

Atiqa Qazi

Feb 28, 09

Muhammad

            I wrote a literary letter on the novel Muhammad before as well. This is because I wasn’t done. As I had said before, I like this novel a lot. It relates to me, this is because I am also a Muslim and a follower of Muhammad (PBUH). I have learned many things from this novel. I have learned about Islam in such a detailed way, that I have become a better Muslim (Alhamdullilah). This novel has done an awesome job of describing Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. It tells you all the details, I have never heard about Muhammad’s (PBUH) life story in such a detail.

            As I had wrote before in my literary letter, that before Muhammad (PBUH) believed in Islam and started spreading it, Quraysh tribe liked Muhammad (PBUH) a lot. They respected him a lot; he was considered to be the most honest and trustworthy human being. However, after this, Quraysh people hated him, and insulted him. In the novel it said “On one occasion a passer-by leaned over his gate and tossed a piece of putrifying offal into his cooking pot; and once when he was praying in the courtyard of his house, man threw over him a sheep’s uterus filthy with blood and excrement.” “On another occasion, when the Prophet was coming from Ka’bah, a man took a handful of dirt and threw it in his face and over his head.” When I read this, I became very angry and depressed. It was so sad to read about Muhammad (PBUH) having such hard times, he never got annoyed, and however, he used to pray for them. I was also very disappointed when I read the part when Muhammad’s (PBUH) beloved wife Khadija died. Apart from her being Muhammad’s (PBUH) wife she was his close friend and a wise counselor.

            I love the novel Muhammad a lot; it has many things for you to learn about Islam and Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. I am sorry, I know my classmates also wanted this novel but I took long reading this. Some came and asked me many times if I was done but I wasn’t at that time. I am sorry, now you people can take it and enjoy it. I am sure you will love this novel Muhammad as much as I did.

I  give this novel a grade of an A again.

 

 

 

Litterary Letter 7 February 13, 2009

Atiqa Qazi

Feb 14, 09

Muhammad

 

          Muhammad is a book based on the life of Muhammad (PBUH). It is written by Martin Lings, a non Muslim who later converted to Islam. It is a very detailed book of Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. The story starts from his ancestors, before he was even born.

          I have heard many stories about Muhammad (PBUH) from my parents, friends, and relatives. However, Muhammad tells all the small details of Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. I haven’t finished reading this book yet, but I am trying my best to finish it and know everything about Muhammad (PBUH). I have learned a lot about his life through this book.

          I learned things like, how Muhammad’s (PBUH) parents died. How Muhammad (PBUH) lived with Halima (his foster-parent) and became a blessing for them. The totally new thing for me was to know about rebuilding of  the Ka’aba. I found out that all the tribes of Makkah were arguing that which tribe should place the Black Stone (form paradise) in the Ka’aba. Therefore, the Quraysh (the dominant tribe of Makkah at that time) tribe chose Muhammad (PBUH) to decide which tribe should place the Black Stone. He therefore, gave them a suggestion of putting the Black Stone on the piece of cloth and every tribe should hold the ends of cloth and place the stone in the Ka’aba. I never knew this before; it was very nice to know. Before reading Muhammad I used to think that Quraysh weren’t nice to Muhammad (PBUH) through beginning; they always tried to harm him. However, from reading the book I found out that Quraysh only started hating him when he started telling people about Islam, and encouraged them to embrace it. Quraysh started thinking of ways to kill Muhammad (PBUH). They even told Muhammad’s (PBUH) uncle to tell Muhammad to stop from what he was doing, otherwise they will kill him.

          I also learned about how Khadija (Muhammad’s (PBUH) first wife) liked Muhammad (PBUH) so much that she sent a proposal of marriage to him. She liked his kindness, and trustworthiness. They both loved each other a lot. She was the first women to embrace Islam.

          I just love this book; I will encourage every Muslim to read Muhammad, because it tells everything about Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. I have learned a lot from it and I am sure you will as well. I am sure non Muslims will like this book as well. This is because if they want to know about Islam and Muhammad (PBUH), Muhammad is a good choice.  I always like to learn and know about different types of religions and if you are like that read Muhammad.

I will give Muhammad a grade of an A. READ IT PEOPLE!

January 5, 2009

Atiqa Qazi

Jan 6, 09

 

Ask Me No Questions

 

          I liked this novel by Marina Budhos. I had never read any book related to the incident which happened in America on 9/11. However, I did know what happened, and how almost all the American citizens started blaming Muslims for doing all that. They started thinking that almost all the Muslims are terrorists. Once America started blaming us Muslims, other countries also started thinking that we are terrorists, because I think America has the most power. Therefore many people listen to them.

          I have heard or read for the first time, that people come to different countries on tourist visas. Then they just stay there and wait to become the citizens of the country. I read about this the first time in Ask Me No Questions and it said that Nadira, who is the main character of the novel, and her family came with a tourist visa to America, and they just stayed there waiting to become legal citizens. Nadira’s father did many different types of jobs, so that they can lead an easy life. They were living a happy life, until what happened on 9/11. When they were heading for Canada to get asylum, the soldiers on the border stopped them. They asked Nadira’s dad for the visa. When the soldier saw it was an expired visa, he was arrested. This changed the life of Nadira and her sister, Aisha. Aisha, who was an awesome student and always came on top, couldn’t concentrate on her studies at all. She was even stronger than Nadira, but as time passed by, she was getting very disappointed. Therefore, Nadira had to encourage her all the time.

          The accident which happened on 9/11 ruined every Muslim’s life in America. American citizens started hating Muslims and killing them. From what I heard I know that Muslims were considered dangerous. This all was propaganda; how can a person know that all the people from one religion are evil. Americans didn’t even have one hundred percent proof that it was Muslims who did that awful incident. It was very sad when I used to hear on the news about how they were treating all Muslims poorly. People should not judge others by their religion.

          I liked what Nadira said in her speech on her graduation. Here are some quotes from which I was touched. “I am illegal alien.” “And then one day two planes came and smashed into two towers. A war started. Overnight, we, the invisible people became visible. We became dangerous. We became terrorists, people with bombs in our luggage, poison in our homes.”

          I think the quote above is very true. I liked this novel, because it was based on reality. The events that took place in this novel did happen to Muslims in the States. Whatever happened on 9/11 was depressing for everyone. I think everyone should read this book; it’s pretty sad. I will give this book a grade of A-.

Literary Letter 5 December 3, 2008

Atiqa Qazi

Ms. Duester

Dec 3, 08

Lord of the Flies VS Robinson Crusoe

I think Lord of the Flies was way better than Robinson Crusoe. Robinson Crusoe was very boring; I didn’t like it at all. I think Lord of the Flies had a lot of suspense and shocking events which I enjoy a lot. I also liked it because the story was based on little boys around twelve years old and younger, and how they get spoiled on the island they crashed on. It was very interesting to read about how little boys can get so wild and savage when there are no adults with them. I found it very boring in the first few chapters but then started enjoying it. It was pretty hard to understand the story at first as well. I had to read the page twice to get what was going on. I started enjoying it when all the suspense was created about the “beastie”. I was shocked when Jack made his own team, and almost all of the boys left Ralph and joined Jack. I felt sorry for Ralph as well at that point, because he started thinking that maybe he wasn’t good enough to be a chief. He started underestimating himself. It was extremely sad when Simon was killed, but not on purpose. He was killed at a very bad timing. He was coming to tell them the truth about the “beastie”–that there is no beast it’s just their imagination. I just hate Jack for the part when he steals Piggy’s specs and doesn’t return them back to him. The saddest part of the story was when Piggy and Ralph go to Jack, and Roger kills Piggy. I just never imagined that Piggy would be killed. More than that, it was hard to believe that they actually killed one of each other on purpose. The part I never expected was that Jack and his group will hunt for Ralph, it was very shocking. I also learned that how human nature can be so evil.

          I just liked all these shocks, I like reading books in which I get many shocks, and this was one of them. Robin Crusoe was very difficult to read. For Lord of the Flies I had to read each page twice, but for Robinson Crusoe had to read more than twice. I think it was very boring.

I will give Lord of the Flies a grade of B+ and Robinson Crusoe a B-