In Sickness and In Health

The Notebook by Nickolas Sparks
Publication: A Time Warner Company,1999

Summary:

Noah Calhoun, as an old man takes his out his worn out notebook filled with memories of his life when he was younger. He writes of his first love Allison and the days they’ve spent together. As a routine he reads to Allie everyday hoping she remembers because as she aged she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. A true love story begins, Allie and Noah met one summer, because of their differences they fell in love. As each other’s first loves they took each other's virginity. But of course Allie’s mother did not approve with this relationship especially when they were of different class. Allie and her family moved back to the city and their relationship was forced to end. As a decade had passed, Noah could never forget about that summer and Allie so he decides to go ahead with his ambition of renovating his dream house. Allie knew about this dream and once she saw him and the house in the local paper she went to see him secretly. When they spend 2 days together, 14 years of distance begin to disappear.

But there's a twist, Allie is engaged to Lon, and she completely forgot about him. Allie’s mother of course knew what was happening but this time she told Allie that she had to choose and to follow her heart. Allie goes to see Lon and the notebook ends there. Her mother gives her a stack of letters from Noah she had hidden for years. Older Allie thinks its just a plain old love story, but we know it's her love story. Sometimes Allie defy all odds and comes back and remembers everything but other times it's hard on Noah to see his love wither away. Noah has been sick and decides to sneak to her room one night in the nursing home, Allie wakes up and calls out his name, at that moment he knew love beats all odds.

Quote:
“ The young, brash and impatient, must always break the silence. It’s a waste, for silence is pure. Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking. this is the greatest paradox” (Sparkes 180).

Reaction:
Noah thinks about what is said in this quote while he takes a walk with Allie. Allie likes Noah but as someone he had made up to go along with her story, they sit on the bench staring at the pond, silently. Noah can only enjoy a few moments like this with Allie, because other times where her disease kicks in she thinks he's a stranger and loses control screaming and yelling for help. Noah is unwilling to give up on Allie because he knows that she will come back to him so he cherishes every moment he gets with Allie that gives his a little more hope that a miracle is possible.

Film:

released year: 2004

Director Nick Cassarettes

Writer/adapted by Jeremy Leven & Jan Sardi

Ryan Gosling playing Noah Calhoun

Gena Rowlands playing Allison

The Notebook Film

Additions/Subtractions	Effect on Film
The film shows Allie’s mother taking the letters that were sent to Allie.	In the book we don’t know this until the middle to end, while watching the movie we know what will happen creating dramatic irony
Allie in the film was an army nurse, showing how she met Lon in the army, they also show the moment they were engaged.	You are able to understand her relationship with Lon and why it was such a hard choice to choose between him and Noah.
In the book unlike the film the story is being narrated in 3rd person omniscient. You know exactly what everyone was thinking about and how they felt.	We don't know what they are thinking so we are limited to certain things, in a way it creates more excitement.

Someone Like You- Sarah Dessen

       Someone like you is the story of Halley's and Scarlett's friendship being put to the test and portrays Halley's experiences that make her realize that she was coming of age. Scarlett was always the more outgoing and bold one, Halley was seen as her shadow, the quiet and self kept one. In the summer of sophomore year, Scarlett meets Micheal and they instantly fall for each other. Devastated, Scarlett cries to Halley from the news of her boyfriends death. Halley felt really strange seeing her "idol" broken down and seeing Scarlett come to her for comfort. Scarlett was always the strong one, the one she came to for comfort, but in Scarletts time of need Halley realizes that Scarlett really needs her. After a few days Scarlett tells Halley that she is pregnant and that she wants to keep the baby. Halley tried to talk her out of it and tried to scare her out of the decision  but in the end Halley become her support system.
        Everyday Halley became stronger and more independent which made her confident. Halley meets Macon and they also fall for each other. As days went by being in this relationship, she felt that dating Macon had made her popular which also made her outgoing. Even though this made Halley come out of her shell, Macon was a bad influence and this brought many bad  attributes too. This means no time for friends and breaking rules to be with him. At the end of  their relationship she saw herself as a totally different person, someone who she didn't recognize, but she accepted it. At prom where Scarlett's water breaks, Halley is put to the test while being under so much pressure. Halley is greatly impacted on the birth of Grace, and knows that a true friend would be always be there, she looks forward to how Grace will grow up and come of age.

"I wasn't sure what i could give,not just yet. But I knew when I told her about the comet,years from now, I would know." (Dessen 281).

Halley wanted Grace Halley to have a bit of the best of all of them, but she didn't know what attribute she could give.   But knowing how she would tell the story behind their name would give her wonder in the world. Halley did know that they would have a close relationship and watch as Grace was coming to age.

Despair of an unwanted girl :'(

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah, 1999, Random house children books
    Chinese Cinderella is the nickname Adeline is given by her Aunt Baba. In the 20th century Adeline and most Chinese girls are not wanted and are favored over the sons. Adeline as a child learned that everyone blames her for her mothers death after her birth. Her father soon remarries to Niang. After her grandmother’s death, Niang took her role of head of household, with the most authority, she intimidates everyone and favors her blood children. Adeline recalls “Though i was little, i understood the awkwardness of her position: how Niang’s wishes always took precedence, how she had to demonstrate caution, submission and humility at every turn.” (Mah 51) Niang is someone who chooses her words carefully especially for intimidation.Since Adeline is the youngest of her mother’s children, she is always given the short end of the stick. Not only does she tolerate her older siblings taunts but she also faces Niangs physical and emotional abuse. The more Adeline faces neglect the more hatred she has for herself and loss of dignity. As years go by only her grandfather and Aunt Baba cherishes her and makes her strive harder ignoring what anybody says because she is a true scholar.  Adeline felt school was a place of security and where she belonged compared to her home where her own family shuns her. She felt accepted and happy.
    As the whole family flees to Hong Kong, Adeline  is left in Boarding school where Niang has left her behind in Tianjin.The Civil war broke out communists were trying to take over Tianjin. When Adeline is rescued by her unknown aunt fleeing to Hong Kong, for the first time she felt what it was like to be loved and treated like family. Everything remained the same, in Hong Kong she was enrolled in Boarding school again.Only when she wins the play writing, her father finally praises her and agrees to let her study in Oxford, England. This was an opportunity where she could get away from the abuse in her family and where she would begin a new life.