Life Is So Good Book Review

The novel Life Is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman is one of the best and most meaningful books I have read in a long time. George Dawson really shows how life was like living in the 20^th century as an African American in Marshall, Texas. I love that George enrolled in school at the age of 98 in order to learn literacy because I feel that it is one of the most important things to know in order to go through life. He didn't have time to go to school since his family needed his labor in order to live but George never looked down he was always positive. While reading this George made me realize that I need to be thankful for the things I have because George was always thankful for the things that most kids turn the other way on. I liked that he did not try to make the book a soppy book about his sad life as an African American man growing up in a time of segregation but instead he taught lessons and always had a positive outlook on life. This book makes me want to get up and follow my dreams with no regrets because George is definitely not lazy since he is doing more than any 100 year old man would do. My favorite quote of novel is "Life is so good. I do believe it's getting better." I love this quote because I also believe that life can only get better and life is amazing. This quote also helps me realize that I am the only person responsible for how my life is going to turn out and that life is the best thing that will ever be given to you. While I was reading I was either laughing my head off or I was running to the bathroom for a tissue. For the first time I could not put a book down and I was sad when I read the last line. I feel that every child should read this book because it teaches life lessons that you cannot learn from a text book. There is not one complaint that I have about this novel and I will make sure this book will continue to be read by future generations. 

Topic #9: Night

Reading the novel Night by Elie Wiesel is very important. The Holocaust is something that will never be forgotten and by reading this novel it helps the story still live on. I feel that high school kids should continue to read this book for many years because if people forget about it or stop teaching about it then it will happen again. The themes of this novel I feel are not taught enough to teenagers in this time period. Everyone knows about what happened but I feel that as we get older people think about it less and less. Even though the Holocaust happened many years ago the themes still pertain to the twenty first century. I am very happy that we are reading the novel Night because it helps the stories of survivors keep living and Elie Wiesel will never be forgotten. 

Topic #8: Bestfriends

Bestfriends are there to help you through the tough times and to laugh with you during good times. I have many bestfriends. First is Naomi Ricciotti, I have known her since kindergarten and we are never apart and that is no exaggeration. She is like my sister and I know that she will always be there for me. Then there is Kristy Bonham, we have been friends all throughout high school and I know that I can be myself and she will never judge me. Michaela Curry is my other half; we could sit in a small white room with nothing in it and still be entertained with something. I met Devyn Wilson in eighth grade; she always makes sure that I know she appreciates me. We constantly laugh when we are together and you will never see us silent. I used to hate Madison Hays but now we are together almost every night. She always makes me laugh and I don’t know what I will do without her come over texts next year when she stays at DV and I go to U Of A. All of these people keep me going throughout the day and support me on every move I make. I love them all and I don’t know what I will do without them next year. However, I hope we can stay friends until we are old and rocking back and forth in our rocking chairs. 

Topic #7: Favorite Song

My favorite song is Never Grow up by Taylor Swift. This song is important to me because I love the message that Taylor Swift gives out to the listener. The message that she gives out is to stop wanting to grow up fast because growing up is harder than you think. For example she sings “To you, everything's funny You got nothing to regret I'd give all I have, honey If you could stay like that
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up Just stay this little Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up It could stay this simple.” These lines are one of my favorite lines because Taylor Swift explains that staying small is the easiest thing. I can relate to this song even more this year because for the first time I am realizing that I won’t be living at home for much longer and I wish I would have never grown up. This song will always be one of my favorite songs. 

Topic #6: College Aplications

Going to college is a scary thought because it means that I am growing up. However, before I can think about who I am going to stay with in my dorm I have to apply for a college. Ever since I was a freshman in high school I have had U of A in my brain. U of A is the only college that I truly want to see a letter from. I have already taken the SAT’s which is the first step for applying to college. I feel that I could have done better on it if I would have studied but I am not retaking it since I have good enough grades to back up my score. I have not looked at applying for scholarships yet but I plan on it very soon. The application process does not scare me but the thought of having to grow up does. 

Topic #5: My Hero

My hero is my grandma, Mary Ann Coonley. She came to America from Japan after World War 2 with my American Grandpa. After coming to America she encountered many obstacles but she never gave up and always had a smile on her face. My grandma taught me to always keep my head up when I have a problem because if you put your head down it shows you that you are weak and that you feel that you cannot overcome the problem. She also taught me that you should never go through life sad because you miss out on things. If you constantly have a bad attitude it stops you from doing new things and having fun. My grandmother may have passed away a few years ago but her lessons about life will forever be with me because she is my hero. 

Topic #4: Fictional Hero

The fictional hero that I pick is Buzz Lightyear from the Disney/Pixar movie called Toy Story. Buzz is always getting himself and the other toys in trouble, but in the end he somehow leaves with a happy ending in Andy’s house. He never lets an obstacle stop him from getting home, instead he looks at the obstacle as a challenge he can overcome. His main line that he is known for is “To infinity, and beyond.” This line represents that there are no limits in life. If you go by this motto you will go far in life and maybe achieve most of your dreams. Buzz Lightyear teaches kids all over the world that there is no limit and if you look at an obstacle as a challenge that you will overcome it and go far in life. 

Topic #3: Origin Rap

My name is Gracie

And sometimes I can be spacey.

I was born in Arizona

But I wish it was Barcelona.

I’m the second child

When I was born my parents smiled.

My brother’s name is Frankie

He can be a little cranky;

But he is my best friend

And he will be there to the end.

My parents are Lillian and Dave,

They are very brave

To have a child like me

That makes them go OMG.

My dog’s name is Chloe and she is a shipoo.

She is the best dog, that is true.

I love to play lacrosse.

I guess you could say I’m pretty boss.

I also longboard down hills

And it always gives me the chills.

Listening to Taylor Swift

Always makes my smile lift.

I don’t really read,

But if I had to choose LA Candy would be in the lead.

The best place to eat is Macaroni Grill

It is pretty dark and really chill.

I always order chicken fettuccine alfredo noodles

And on the table I draw doodles.

I want to go to U of A,

And there I will stay

In a small dorm room

For only freshman year I assume.

I will study accounting,

Because I love counting.

Then I will move to Spain for only one year.

However, living in a foreign country alone is one of my fears.

I will then return to my house,

Where I will meet my spouse.

I am going to try to live my life with no regrets,

And I hope I am never upset.

One of my best friends is Naomi who I met in elementary school,

Sometimes we can be fools

Kristy, Michaela, Devyn, and Maddy are my other best friends.

My friends are always there to defend,

After my enemies try to make me sad

Just because I made them mad.

There are many things I have had to overcome throughout the years,

Like some of my biggest fears.

I have learned to try new things;

Because they always bring

New hobbies I like to do

Some of these hobbies make me look at life in a new view.

I have lost some good friends,

But I should have known they weren’t going to be there till the end.

Trust is something that is hard for me to give,

But after you break it I always seem to forgive.

My name is Gracie,

And I may be spacey

But these things I just mentioned make me.

Topic #2: Should someone be expelled/fired for plagiarizing?

I feel that plagiarism can only be wrong in some forms. There are many different forms of plagiarism; you can take another person’s whole piece of work and only change the name of the author, you can take a small piece of a work and put it in your work and lastly you can take your work and use it twice for two different things.  If you take a person’s work and just change the name of the author I feel that you should be expelled because you are taking credit for something that someone worked hard on. Expulsion is not necessary if you are only taking a small piece of the work; instead there are other options like suspension or a zero. However if you take your own work and turn it in for two different things I feel that there should be no punishment because you have the right to put it anywhere you want. Plagiarism can be wrong in only some ways. 

Topic #1: Dedicated Student or Part-Time Slacker

School work is not something I put on the side and forget about. I feel that I am a dedicated student instead of a slacker. Although I do sometimes wait until the last minute to complete an assignment, I still end up trying my best and I try to make sure that I am proud of my work at the end of the day. When I first started high school I was a slacker and never completed my work. During my sophomore year I realized that my future was more important than hanging out with my friends and I needed to start trying. Ever since then I have been a dedicated student with straight A’s. I hope I can continue to be a dedicated student throughout the rest of high school and college.