Journal Three- Brady Hund

        While reading both, "The House On Mango Street," by Sandra Cisneros and "A Long Way Gone," by Ishmael Beah, I think my active reading has gone very well. I never really used to be an active reader but being one lately has sure helped a lot. Highlighting important events, or details, or writing the character names, or places in my margins have definitely helped me not only understand the book better, but it helps me remember a lot more details than if I were to not be an active reader. I think I'm doing well in keeping up with what has been going on in both stories and I'm very eager to find out how the books are going to conclude. I also think I can improve my active reading by making more connections, or simply just trying to relate the some of the characters or situations in the each novel. I think it would both gain more of my interest and also help me remember even more to what I am reading.
        I can't neccessarilly point out an weaknesses for either of the books but they both definetely have many strengths I can acknowledge. In "The House On Mango Street," I really enjoy how Sandra Cisneros  tells the story from a child post of view instead of her adult self. To me I find that very challenging as a writer but she does an excellent job with the details in her story. Sandra's vocabulary is also something Ive also really enjoyed while reading, her grammar and her use of metaphors has really gotten my attention. In "The long Way Gone," Ishmael Beah does a great job using imagery in his writing. The way he describes events, people, places, or things have really helped me get a better visual understanding of whats going on and sometimes I feel like I'm even there.
        In "A Long Way Gone," I think a great theme would be "Hope." In chapter 8, on page 54, Ishmael gives us a great quote. He says, " When I was Little, my father used to say, " If you are alive, there is hope for a better day and something good to happen. If there is nothing good left in the destiny of a person, he or she will die."" Beah says that those words kept him moving even when he didn't know where he was going and that those words became the vehicle that drove his spirit forward and made him stay alive.