BOOK COVER

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group

Now before beginning to talk about my book, I would like to explain the reason for why I picked this book. I am not promoting the ideas of the Ku Klux Klan, however I do believe that reading true accounts of what had really happened will benefit me. I have gained new information and ideas from events that have occurred. The reason I chose this book was because I had heard about the
things that they had done in the Color Of Water, and I wanted to learn more. The KKK was a violent organization and I wanted to know the 'why's' behind things.

Why were they doing this?

Who were they really?

What made them pick certain people as targets?

I have read a little less than half way into the book and I can already tell that the KKK was something people feared. They feared their lives would be taken as a result of this rowdy group. Now I understand that they just started out as 6 rowdy boys, but soon (this is foreshadowed) they turn into a gang of boys looking to cause trouble, trouble that could lead to a short life. I, also, know that as of right now they are disguised. I see this on the cover, as well as the fact that they explain this in the book. They look ghostly. Coincidence? I think not. Usually, ghosts (not like Casper the Ghost) are scary, and you are supposed to be scared of them. I think that maybe the KKK had an underlying meaning to wearing the sheets, they were trying to portray themselves as people whom other people should fear.

Now for predictions, because this is a nonfiction book and all of these events actually occurred, I can take my background information and infer what the book will say. I have learned a little bit about the KKK from English Class because Ruth from the Color of Water explain how the dark-skinned people had to be fearful of the KKK riding in at night on their horses, looking to make trouble. I also have learned a tad about the KKK from History. This book took it in depth. My predictions are that the book will take the personal accounts to a new level by interviewing those of many races. They will interview people that the KKK may have been racist towards. Maybe talking about how they had to be scared everywhere they went and having to be cautious of their surroundings because there were these groups that could strike whenever and however they wanted. This is a sensitive topic because the idea that this 'gang' was discriminating racially, and this could lead to controversy.

Race is sensitive because it is something you can't change. And so when you are discriminated against or treated at an inequity with others, you feel left out and you feel like you don't belong. Well, the KKK is an exact example of this because they belittled people based on their race and based on things that they cannot change. You are supposed to be proud of your race, you are supposed to be proud to be you! Don't be ashamed of who you are, nor should you let others judge who you are. YOU are YOU. I hope that this book can convey this message, no matter how subtle. Because this will be more than just a book of events, it could be something to teach the readers; to teach the readers about life. Like I said, the lesson is so extremely important, and I hope that everyone is able to understand it thoroughly, maybe Dr. Seuss has a better explanation of this lesson.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” -Dr. Suess

I hope to get a lot more out of reading this book rather than just facts. I would like an understanding of why they did what they did, and I would love to see the author hint towards a lesson.

Link to the Author's

biography:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/susan-campbell-bartoletti

After reading through all of Mostly Good Girls, I have gained a new perspective of stereotypes and of high school. I followed Violet through her heartbreaks, stress and peer pressure. I can honestly say that most of what you hear about high school may or may not be true, however the lesson you get out of it will always be similar.

Summary:
High school may change you, it may bring you to who you really are or it might even bring you to consensus of who you aren't! Violet realizes that she will always have to deal with the stress of not only high school, but of life. She goes through losing a best friend to the evils of high school, in which Katie (her best friend) decides she isn't that perfect score PSAT and perfect girl anymore. No sir, she is now the rebel. She turns to drugs, in which you get a sense of peer pressure from. From her boyfriend and just the 'rules' of society. Katie needed to learn that drugs, and cool boyfriend, and losing who you are won't bring you to any good. Now, Violet knew the difference from right and wrong. However, Violet has lost her partner in crime and has to deal with the fact that she may have to go through High School without her best friend. Violet needed to focus on her exams and writing her newspaper, but what if the same peer pressure that brought Katie to no good, will bring Violet to change herself? Hmm.. Katie tries to persuade Violet to have a little 'fun', some of which that could lead to major damage for Violet's writing career. Who knew that revealing the truth about their high school would lead to complaints. Well, one complaint.. from the mean girl. Katie and Violet get busted, but in the process Violet may have lost her job as editor-in-chief for the newspaper but she received the chance to renew her friendship with Katie. This taught me that even if you may have peer pressure to change yourself to fit in, there will always be someone who knows the real you and respects you for how you come. Violet needed Katie, and Katie needed Violet. They knew each other so well, and helped them come to reach a conclusion on who they really are, and who they belonged with.
.. Each other.

This is where the stereotypes come in for high schools. There's the mean girl, the nerds and the jocks. Ever wonder what would happen if we lost the idea of these divisions? I think that the author subtly placed these divisions in there, however Katie and Violet were able to overcome that. Violet is painted as the nerd, while Katie is painted as the preppy/nerdy rich chick. Opposite ends of the spectrum, meet. Odds against them, they were still able to create a lasting relationship. Our high school isn't perfect, you do see these divisions. But, what if we could erase these 'boundaries' and let you mix yourself in with whoever you wanted. You never know what could come of it.

Even though this book took high school stereotypes to the extremes, it did help to understand how it could be possible. We have many of the same problems her school did, maybe with experience it will get easier to deal with stress and losing friends. High School will be some of the greatest four years of our lives. You find yourself, and you find the person you wish to be in the future. When reading this book, at first, I didn't feel as though there was going to be a moral. But as I read on, I realized the author was painting a picture of what a typical high school was, and what you could do to solve any of the obstacles that may stop you.

Lessons I learned from each character-
Katie-

Be yourself-No boy and no friend should be able to change you
Love yourself first
Be pleased with your accomplishments
Find someone to support you in times of need
Make good choices
Use an benefits you have as an advantage in life. It is a privilege to have some of the things you have in your life.

Violet-

Work hard
Great things will come to those who work hard
Have a great support system
Follow your beliefs
Don't take your support system for less than it is; they are only there to help.
Listen to your parents advice

These tips may just get me through High School in one piece :)

http://jessicalawlor.com/2010/12/book-review-mostly-good-girls-by-leila-sales/

-Link to another review/blogpost