Kwanzaa

The word Kwanzaa actually means “first fruits” in the African Language Swahili. Ron Karenga first celebrated it in the year 1966 as a Pan-African alternative to the Christian holiday of Christmas. It is celebrated from Dec. 26th – Jan. 1st and focuses on the seven guiding principals, also known as Nguzo Saba. These 7 principles are:
• Umoja (oo-MO-jah) = Unity
• Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) = Collective Work and Responsibility
• Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) = Cooperation
• Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) = Creativity
• Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) = Self-Determination
• Imani (ee-MAH-nee) = Faith
• Nia (NEE-yah) = Purpose

Hanukkah

The Hebrew interpretation of the name of this 8 day Jewish holiday was thought to mean “dedication”, or “education” in the old days. It was created to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple in the Jewish city of Jerusalem. Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of Kislev from the Hebrew calendar, and may start during late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar. During the festival, one candle is lit each night. An extra light called a shamash, (Hebrew for “guard”) is also lit again and again for every night. This extra light is lit to ensure that the occasion does not descend into public mockery. At the end of the holiday, the total number of candles lit is 44.

What perspective is the author telling the story from?

My new book is called The Amber Spyglass, and it is written by Phillip Pullman. This book is the 3rd in the His Dark Materials series. All of these books are written from changing perspectives. First the author opens the book from a small girl named Lyra's point of view. But very soon, it switches to (her mother)Mrs. Coulter's point of view. And all through the story, the author keeps switching points of view to give the reader all the information they need to fully enjoy all the different feelings and emotions each character feels. So to answer the question, Phillip Pullman doesn't actually take just one point of view, he takes all of them! And that is the really cool thing about his writing!

What theme do you think the author is trying to convey throughout the story?

The book I'm reading is called Homeland, a book by R. A. Salvatore about a dark elf, or drow, named Drizzt. Throughout the story, I think that the author is trying to impress upon the reader the unfaithful and disloyal side or the dark elves. How the early lessons of childhood are to stab your opponents' vital spots and how to lie convincingly. Instead of how to be honest and trustworthy. And the hardest part is, all this evilness is done with the support of the harsh hierarchy government. And that is what feeling or theme I think the author is trying to convey to the reader.