Crackback by Jon Coy - Book Review

The author of this book is Jon Coy and has written many other books, most of which are about sports. Many of his books have been nominated for various awards and including the book I just read, Crackback. This is his first young adult novel that he’s written and has only one other. Even though this is one of his only two young adult novels, it is an excellent one.

                The book Crackback is about a high school football player, Miles Manning, and his struggles as a teenager. This is a pretty spot on novel about how teenage life is in the sense of struggling football, school and a father that always wants more out of you. Miles is always being pushed by his father to be better at football and school. Whenever Miles doesn't do well in football or messes up, he has to put up with his dad when he gets home after dealing with the coaches. He has to push himself harder and harder in football after the starting and secondary quarterbacks are injured and are out of the season. On many different occasions Miles is assigned to ask questions about his parents’ family, which his father hates. Besides struggling with school, his father, his job and trying to get a date to the school dance, his best friend, Jonesy, also in football, is pressuring him to do steroids to get bigger and better at his sport. All of these struggles are things that any high school athlete could go through.

                If I had to rate this book, it would be a ten. I find Crackback such a good novel because so many people can relate their lives, including mine, to Miles’s life. In football, I was always being pressured to be better and stronger by my coaches and friends. Coaches always push us to past our limits like Miles is pushed in football. Having a job, sports, school and relationships are all factors that many students endure at this time in their life like Miles. It can all be very stressful and tough on anyone this age. I also find this novel very good because is basically broken down into a language I can understand, I guess as far as grammar goes. It’s an easy read, but an amazing book as well. The scenery and imagery is that which my age group can relate to. Like, the situations that Miles is put in, everyone my age has also gone through. A major factor in this novel is peer pressure, which I have also endured while in high school. In a few scenes of Crackback, Miles goes to parties with Jonesy and is pressured into drinking. At a earlier time in the novel, Jonesy is pressuring Miles into taking pills to get a “edge” during the game and taking steroids to gain weight because , “Everyone on the team is doing it man and it works.” Both of these situations I have encountered myself and I’m positive other students have as well. Because I can relate to this book in the ways I just listed, I would recommend this book to everyone!

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In a recent article by Sun News entitled, "Kyrie Irving's new 'Uncle Drew' video debuts" by Mary Schmitt Boyer proves why gender roles are not a problem in the "Uncle Drew" Pepsi Commercial. In the process describes a little bit of the background behind the main the character's and who they are.As off now there are 3 commercials with the star Kyrie Irving. 

Mary Schmitt Boyer, writer for Cleveland.com, says, "Former UConn star Maya Moore, now with the WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx, also appeared as "Betty Lou,'' the first woman featured in the series." Maya Moore appears on the Pepsi Commercial proving that both genders are equally favored.Pepsi has 1 out of 3 with a main character as woman.With more commercials to come could potentially have more women. 

Mary Boyer, also writer of the Plan Dealer, states, "Robinson, who was with the Chicago Bulls last season before joining the Denver Nuggets this season... Pepsi MAX & Kyrie Irving Present: Uncle Drew: Chapter 3'' was released online on Monday with Robinson playing "Lights." Robinson is also another one of the main characters on the commercial. All of these main characters are also NBA/WNBA stars. In the commercial, Betty Lou is Lights girl, which shows why main characters are not always men. 

Mary also adds, "In Chapter 3, Uncle Drew shifts from New Jersey to Chicago, where Uncle Drew goes to a jazz bar to track down Lights, who joins up in spite of opposition from Betty Lou, an overprotective woman." During Betty Lou's appearance to the game, she gets told by a few bystanders to get off the court. In the process, she replaces some guy on the team and shows up all the other guys on the court. She shows that women are strong courageous also and don't back down. 

Personally, I think that Pepsi did well in adding a women to the mix. And not making just the main character a guy in the commercials.While maintaining both genders to be shown equally. When she appeared at the scene, all cameras were on her while she played with a bunch of guys. Not to mention she also embarrassed a few by crossing them over. 

Overall, the commercial not only made Pepsi products more public and want people to buy their product, but also showed that women can do things that men do and sometimes even better. Maya Moore did in fact embarrass a few guys in front of cameras and huge crowds.  

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 In a recent article by the New York Times entitled, "The Pepsi Septuagenarian," by Benjamin Hoffman describes the details and behind the scenes of the Pepsi commercial, while raising the awareness of elderly folk. Also showing that one of the three commercials do not favor one gender more than the other. One of the three commercials has a WNBA star featured. 

Despite the fact that Kyrie Irving, rookie NBA star, Point Guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, shows a split personality in the commercial. Kyrie says, “I’m not even Kyrie Irving anymore, I’m Uncle Drew." "Uncle Drew" is the name of the character in the commercial.  He feels like a different person in the film. Additionally, he is dressed as a old man, with a little make up he looks the part. Although the first commercial favors males, there is women in the background of the film. Women are not hidden from the scenes. 

Background on the commercial, Sam Duboff, member of Pepsi Max brand team says, "Local players were gathered and told that Pepsi Max was filming a documentary on a character named Kevin who they claimed was a youth basketball coach. Other than Irving, Kevin and the player whose injury leads to Uncle Drew entering the game, no one on the court knew that it was actually Irving under the makeup." The basketball star under the makeup was dressed as a elderly man, during the pickup game at the local basketball court. Throughout all the commercials, all the stars/athletes are dress as elder people, showing that you're never too old to play.  

Based on Pepsi Team member, Sam Duboff told the media, "Pepsi signed Irving to a two-year partnership after working with him earlier this year on what was intended to be a one-time video. It was Irving’s youth that inspired the elderly character." Proving once again that one is never too old for the love of the game.Additionally, the commercial was supposedly a one time deal, but saw more potential by later adding a woman to the mix. In doing this, shows both genders and not favoring one gender only. 

Personally, I think that in adding a girl to one of the commercials shows equal gender roles. The main role players are professional basketball players, but in one commercial has a professional girl's basketball player. Proving that one gender is not more important the the other. None of the other men that were playing a pickup game didn't want to let the girl play because they thought she couldn't handle them. And more than likely get pushed around, but the girl not only embarrassed them, but also proved that she could play with the guys. 

Overall, the commercials not only raised the awareness of old folks still being active, but also proved equal gender roles. By allowing a girl to also be starred in the commercial, shows that one gender is better than the other. 

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In a recent article by the Los Angeles Times entitled, "Father fights back against bullying after son's suicide," Brad Lewis, a father whose child committed suicide, fights against bullying. By making it public to the world, and being closer to your children. 

Additionally, Brad Lewis tries to end bullying. Brad Lewis, father of Jordan Lewis, has been stated, "took to Facebook that night and posted a series of videos explaining his son's death and the events leading up to it." Due to these acts at school, Jordan, killed himself. His father's intentions are not to get vengeance, but to get justice for his sons and victims across the world being bullied.  

Brad Lewis's son had loved football and also enjoyed playing it. Jordan Lewis, sophomore at Carterville High School, says, "You wouldn't understand, Dad," Jordan said. "I'm being picked on at school." His dad says that kids would push him into lockers and was hit at least once in the head by a football teammate, which lead to him quitting his first day of practice. 

Many wonder what also lead him to killing himself. The day before his death, Brad Lewis reports, "At the end of the video, the kid that was being bullied went home and killed himself." Brad said that on Wednesday the day before his son's death, he had watched a video on anti-bullying at school. He had probably though that following in the kids footsteps would be the easy way out of his situation. 

Personally, I have not been around or been friends with someone who has committed suicide. Although, some of my friends have been friends with a girl named Brylee Verser, who had committed suicide. Not because of being bullied, but of home troubles and boyfriend problems. Like Jordan she had no one there for her most of the time. Jordan's parents were separated like Brylee's. Her mom was always at her boyfriends like the mom of Jordan. Bullying, a subject that is not taken serious, leads to harmful punishment or even death. 

To conclude, Bullying can cause harm to the innocent or even death. Bullying must come to stop and Brad Lewis agrees by making it public to the world and becoming closer to your child. 

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Random Drug Tests

In a recent article by Daniel E. Slotnik in the New York Times entitled "Drug Testing in Schools Divides North Jersey District": A student protests against random drug tests. Jason Baretz feels that drug test make him feel like a criminal, invades their personal life, and parents being accused of supporting drugs. 

Additionally, random drug test make students feel like they've been accused of doing drugs. Jason Baretz, Junior at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, 16 years of age claims, “Ladies and gentlemen of the board, I've come here today to ask you to look down upon me as a criminal. Not because I have engaged in anything unlawful, but because this is how a random drug testing policy will make kids feel." The student was drug tested and was putting his input on the topic of random drug testing to the board of education. So on behalf of the students being randomly drug tested, causes them to feel like they've done something wrong.

Parents argue that drug test invade the students personal life. Anne Baretz, mother of Jason Baretz states, “We’re talking about the school involving itself in the behavior of students outside the school, which is not their province.” Anne Baretz statement is partially true. The personal lives of the students is being raided by schools drug testing them. Anna is basically saying that whatever happens outside of school is none of their business. 

Some arguments between some board members and the public has turned personal. BIll Baretz, Ms. Baretz’s husband, father of Jason Baretz argues, "Mr. Schettino, a 'pathological liar', during a meeting accused him of telling other families that the Baretzes encouraged teenage drug use." Many people like Mr. Schettino himself have been telling lies about parents who are against random drug tests. These parents are being falsely accused. 

I, personally have been made to take a drug test. I had to take not one, not two, but three drug tests, the day before a district track meet 9th grade. Apparently, I failed the first and was in major trouble, but when I took the last one that same day I passed with flying colors. I think what had made me fail the drug test is the weekly allergy shot I take and the daily allergy pills I take everyday.   

To conclude, many students get randomly drug tested. Those who go to Northern Valley Regional High School, get drug tested take offense to it. Drug test are for the good of the school community and athletics. 

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Goals of Education

 





To what extent do our schools serve the goals of a true education? Do they really get you to where you need to be? An articled entitled, "The Goals of Education" by Dara Adib argues that it is not any one specific goal, but several goals. 


One of those many goals is the to prepare students for what the author calls the "real world" and to succeed in the "maze of life." Dara Adib claims, "No doubt, the many years of schooling have an impact on a student's knowledge and the student therefore learns some things which may be useful in the workplace." Our teachers make us even do non useful assignments and test our comprehension on that material. On the other hand, those that are useful tend to stick in our minds after it has been repeated and smashed into our brains. 

Another goal of education is to teach students how to socialize and communicate in small groups or the entire classroom. Dara Adib also states, "Without teamwork and interacting with others in school, students have a hard time succeeding later in life. This is a major reason for perfecting writing styles and learning new vocabulary." For example: presenting a speech or essay to the class. One does not want to present the assignment with week vocabulary or unknowingly using words that your not familiar with. One of the many reasons teachers still let students work with partner to get use to the future where one won't know their coworkers and be forced to work with them whether they like that person or not. 

Lastly one of the most important accomplishments of schools is to teach students to be good citizens and good neighbors and to be able to deal with others who need their help. Adib  informs, "School does teach students ways of life that benefit society as a whole, for example by promoting recycling. A classic example is the sharing that school promotes, which the business world does not." Since school is all about helping to students emotionally(respectfully), money is the second in line. Like the author says, "school should not teach how to become the richest person."

Personally, I do agree that do serve the goals of a true education. Such as working with partner or giving a speech to the class like my oral comm class that I am currently taking. Just the other day I had to present a speech to the class. Classes like oral comm prepare you for the real world. 

To conclude, our school serves the goals of a true education by preparing us for the "real world", communication skills, and being good citizens. 

Topic of Choice

Drake - Aubrey Drake Graham

Many know the name Drake. Some may not. Drake the singer that is. Not Drake from the show Drake and Josh. Aubrey Drake Graham is know by Drizzy Drake as his stage name. Although, many do not know about his childhood/background, how he got recognized, and his fame as of now.

As a child drake had a what one can call "rough" life. His mother's name was Sandi Graham and his father was Dennis Graham. Drake's father is an African American from Memphis, Tennessee, and Drake's mother is a Jewish Canadian. Little known fact, Drake attended a Jewish School.  His parents divorced when he was five years old, and he was raised by his mother in Toronto; he lived on Weston Road.They later moved to Forest Hill when he was in 6th grade. Another little known fact, Drake's mother found themselves a half home. Yes a half home. The bottom half of a house belonged to them and the top half belonged to the other people. Drake explains, "I lived in the basement, my mom lived on the first floor. It was not big, it was not luxurious. It was what we could afford."

At the age of 15, Drake had a friend with a father who was an agent. He got him a role on the Canadian TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation as Jimmy Brooks. That would be only the beginning for him. The money made from the TV show was the only movie available because his mother was sick causing them to poor. Drake claims, "A season of Canadian television is under a teacher’s salary." How he got discovered? Well, he was on Degrassi for years but Degrassi had nothing to do with forming his rap career, then he finally left the show. Although,  he said he always loved music. He was just to shy to rap because he didn't know if he was any good so he used to record himself and then he had a friend that was a girl listen to his song but he would lie to her that it was one of his other friends rapping just to see what she thought of it, and she thought it was good. Then he formed a rap group and he was actually performing in the same building as Rihanna (Pop Singer) while she was making her first music video. His rap group kicked him out of his own group because they thought he wasn't a good rapper so he just kept rapping on his own and made independent mixtapes and got noticed by a lot of people in Toronto then he eventually got noticed by people like Lil Wayne(Famous Rapper). His passion for rapping was as strong as a mouse to cheese. Some may call it a burning passion, but others call it love for the music.
Drake has a fairly recent CD out as of now called "Take Care." Personally, I love that CD! I love all the songs on the CD! Yes, EVERY song. On most albums I only like a few songs, but this CD is amazing! "Take Care" is his most successful to date, topping charts in the United States and Canada. The singles on the CD have all landed a spot on Billboard  Hot 100. Additionally his first CD, "Best I Ever Had," is his first greatest track to land. The song "Best I Ever Had" smashed the Billboard's at number one out of 200!
To conclude, Drake the singer, has made himself a huge star even when others pushed him to the curve. He strived for what he believed for and reached success at the end of the road. Without his father, raised by his mother, he accomplishes his dreams.