Documentary

1/9/2019 Becoming Michelle Obama, 2018

In her memoir Becoming, Michelle Obama describes her demanding and laborious transformation from a young girl raised on the south side of Chicago

to one of the most respectable political individuals in history. Throughout her book Michelle Obama speaks of the stereotypes that the president´s wife

normally receives and challenges them in an striking manner. Michelle describes how she has faced issues since she and her husband were the first

African Americans to be elected in office. Michelle opens the book by describing her life growing up in Chicago on the south side. She then explains

how she and Barack met and how they started a family and their family’s growth. Towards the end of the book she writes about their last years in office

and retirement. Her book takes readers through a breathtaking journey that inspires readers as well as enlightens them about the campaign, presidency

and retirement. I would definitely suggest this book to my peers and other readers.

Emily Reid 7th

5/23/2013 Freedom Writers Diary Erin Gruwell, 1999

The novel Freedom Writers Diary is a fantastic read. It is based off a true story which makes it that much more intriguing to read-it keeps you wanting

to read more. I found that reading this novel makes you feel very grateful for the things you do have. Freedom Writers is a fairly easy read, it is done so

in “diary entries." I would recommend this book to those who like documentaries that aren’t just factual and for those who love a happy warm felt ending.

However, this book does include some gruesome abuse and strong language. I would not recommend reading this if you have issues with topic of racism

or social classes. Overall, I believe people who read this book will be very pleased with the writing and content.

Bre Benzenhafer 7th

1/10/2018 Into the Wild Jon Krakauer, 1996

Into the Wild is a great documentation about the cruel and terrible journey that Chris McCandless faced during his time in the Alaskan Wilderness. It picks

apart every little detail in McCandless’s life in order for the reader to have an in depth understanding of why he made the choices he made and decided to

take up a challenge that very few people would ever even think about doing and could also very likely result in death. To some people this is a story of a

hero who bravely followed his dreams but to others it is about a man who was too arrogant for his own good and underestimated the danger that was facing

him. I would recommend this book if you like to learn about how a mystery is solved and how dangerous mother nature really is.

Logan Pakiz 5th

5/31/2013 Men of Sunday Curtis Eichelberger, 2012

The book I read was Men of Sunday: How faith guides the players, coaches, and wives of the NFL. I recommend this book because it really proves how the

phrase "Mo' money, Mo' problems" is true. It shows that professional athletes are normal people too and have problems in their daily lives just like everyone

else. The only reason I might not recommend this book if you are atheist and do not really believe in religion.

Jacob Clark 3rd

1/9/2019 Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908 - 1923 Sean McMeekin, 2015

I recommend the Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908 - 1923, to the Book Nook. The Ottoman Endgame, by

Sean McMeekin, explains the catalysts for the destruction of the already-declining Ottomans. Combining personal experiences and recollections from various

individuals, Armenian to American, as well as taking great strives to allow for obscure characters to be given the importance they deserve, Sean works hard to

establish the worsening state of the Middle Eastern hegemony, and describes the First World War for the Turks. The Russo-Turkish War, Austro-Hungarian

annexation of Bosnia, Italo-Turkish War, Balkan Wars, German-Ottoman infrastructural and military cooperation, joining of the First World War, collapse, founding

of the Republic of Turkey, and Greco-Turkish War were all described in depth, with many connections between the modern Middle East and that of the past. The

roles of many nations to decide the outcome of the Ottoman collapse, paving the way for the ruinous state the Middle East became upon European decolonization,

allows for the reader to understand not only the many divides, but the exact causes of these divides decades ago. Overall, the Ottoman Endgame did very well in

showcasing the evolution of the Middle East, under its many distinct overlords, from the catastrophic end of the Ottoman Empire to the French-British colonization,

paving the road for further instability of which we see now.

James Baird 2nd