Eragon

          Over the last couple of weeks, I have started the Inheritance series. This series is about a boy named Eragon who found a dragon egg, one of the last one in existence. He needs to change who he is to defeat their evil King Galbatorix. He is also a Dragon Rider, like Eragon, but vastly more powerful. The first book follows his journey from his days on the farm to him traveling their world to find the Ra'Zac, who killed his Uncle Garrow. In his journey, Eragon and Saphira meet many people, and many species. In the Varden, a group of people that oppose Galbatorix, he is forced to make many tough choices. In the end of the book, Eragon and Saphira must help the Varden help defeat an army of Urgals, a violent, war loving species, sent by the king.
         My favorite character would be Brom, the mysterious old man in Palancar   Valley. As the book goes on, we learn more and more about Brom, and eventually we learn that he is a lot more that he lets on. One of my favorite things that Eragon says about Brom would be,"You know what? I think you just enjoy speaking in riddles. I’ve half a mind to leave you so I don’t have to be bothered with them. If you’re going to say something, then say it instead of dancing around with vague phrases!"I would rate this book a 9.5/10 because I really enjoyed it. If I had to find one problem with the book, it would be that the book has multiple perspectives. What I mean by that is in one chapter, it may follow Eragon's journey, and in another chapter, it may follow Roran, his cousin. I understand that it would be hard to follow all the main characters in the book without this method, and it is the best way, but I still don't like it. I am going to be reading the rest of this series and I hope they are all as good as this series. The type of people that would enjoy this book would be the people who enjoy some violence, but not too much, and also need to like mystery. There is also some humor involved, for those who like that. 

          This book was one of the best I have ever read, and it has been turned into a movie, and I really want to watch it now. I just hope it the movie isn't a bad version, which would ruin it for me. 

A Long Way Gone: Central Idea

          Over the past week, Carter, Shane, and I have been reading a motivational true story that takes you into the world of Sierra Leone and how child soldiers were being used in the war. This book is called A Long Way Gone. This memoir took place in a war torn country where the only goal is survival, but that may not be enough for the main character, Ismael Beah, after being introduced in the war, and being taken bu the government to serve as a thirteen year old, had been given drugs and told to kill anybody not wearing their colors. He eventually learned how to heal and forgive himself, and went on to tell the world about how to end children being used in war.
          Throughout this book, there are many central ideas that have had an impact on Ishmael and eventually the world. This central idea was leaning how to forgive oneself is an important step for healing. What I mean by this is that in the memoir, Ishmael only started healing after he forgave himself of all of the horrible acts he was forced to do.

          This image shows a picture of children working in the army. During his lifetime, Ishmael had to do many horrible things. That is why it was so hard to forgive himself. At the age of 13ish, he had to do things most people wouldn't do in their lifetime. The reason he eventually was able to forgive himself was because of the people supporting him in UNICEF, like Esther.  His forgiveness of himself began when Esther says "None of this is your fault." (Beah 165) This is the day when the forgiveness of himself began. He eventually was able to forgive himself, and then later was able to help other child soldiers.
          Forgiving yourself can be one of the most important things to do if you want to heal.This link shows many strategies on how to forgive yourself. One of the best ones that I think Ishmael did was talk to the people who want to help. On the website, the most similar one is probably keeping a journal.
          After healing, Ishmael became a great person and was able to be successful in life.