USEFUL FOOLS- by C.A Schmidt

The story takes place in Salvador, Peru. In Peru, Alonso and Rosa, two young lovers, have completley different backgrounds. Alonso is a cholo, or a dark haired, dark skinned peasant. Rosa, is a light skinned, light haired wealthy child. Despite, their love, they are seperated by Rosa's parents, because Alonso is a 'disgrace'. Everyday, Alonso and his father go to a prestigious hotel, where Rosa lives to clean the grafiti. But, when night fall comes, Rosa and Alonso secretly meet in an elevator.

The story intensifies when Alonso's mother is assassinated by a secret terrorist group. Even worse, the terrorists threaten to kill Alonso, if he does not join them. Inevitably, Alonso has no choice but to join. Fearing his safety, Rosa accompanies him to the group. Now, Rosa and Alonso have escaped their normal, safe lives. From now on, they will suffer constant risks and violence.

I enjoyed the book. It is good because it releases multiple feelings: sadness, anger, curiousity, etc. Also, I enjoy this book because I enjoy action. Rarely, the book lacks interest or energy. However, there are some graffic mature levels in the book which I do not recommend to everyone.

BECKHAM BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND- an autobiography

As the book is slowly transitioning from the middle towards the end, Beckham is altering his focus from soccer and his accomplishemnets to deeper meaning: his family. Beckham is dating his dream girl and future wife, Victoria Adams. he describes as if she was a inhuman: virtually flawless. He descibes his wedding as, "the best day of his life" obviously exemplifying that his family value overpowers soccer.

Recently after he is married, the family grows. "Posh", or Victoria beckham is pregnant. As David dreamed, he had a healthy son. Because of Beckham's obvious admiration for the United States, Beckham names his son Brooklyn. His second son is named Romeo, as Posh wanted. He continually states that he cares about his family more than anything...ANYTHING. He wouldn't sacrifice them for any soccer accomplishment, any soccer cleats, money or anything else.

I am consistently enjoying the book. Of course, Beckham isn't a pretigious author so the grammar and literature is rather low. However, the feeling and voice he writes with definitely compensates. Obviously, both the topic and the genre intrigue me, making the book a no brainer.

BECKHAM: BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND- an autobiography

At the beginning of the new chapter Beckham, is taking a slightly different tone. He's exemplifying a lack of confidence and doubt. In the story, Beckham has just been recruited for his dream team, the Manchester United youth academy. Overwhelmed by his accomplishment, Beckham, or "David" as he was known as, calls all of his friends and relatives. He couldn't even sleep.

However, despite his initial joy, things change. He is intrduced to hisnew team-mates. His new team-mates dislike him, he is playing poorly and he is fighting withthe coach. Clearly, the beginning of his Manchester United carrer is not ideal. Even worse, because of his unusual and consistently poor performances, he is afraid that Manchester United might loan (Temporarily trade David to another team). As of now, David's lying on his back in the middle of the dark on the bed. He's deeply thinking of how to turn his luck around. Frustrated, he throws a ball as hard as he can atthe wall knocking down his Manchester United poster.

Despite, Beckham's frustrations, I am continuing to like the book. As ALL athletes, Beckham's simply exeriencing a rare term of poor performances. So naturally, I can clearly relate.

BECKHAM: BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND- an autobiography

Beckham, the international superstar, is reminiscing his past. Originally, Beckham, or David as they used to call him, is playing for his childhood heroes, Manchester United, he describes the beginning of his soccer career.

he first describes how he inherited his fathers love for the game. He illustrates his dad taking him all of the professional games and having tons of fun in the crowd suporting United.

Playing for local team, Southend Rovers, Beckham's performances and obvious talent created words on the street. Eventually, hes recruited by local youth academy, Manchester United. On the day of the try-out, Beckham exemplifies his nervousness and anxiety. He's almost too afraid to even show up. However, once he settles in, he becomes increasingly relaxed and plays well. He makes the team and now he is beginning to describes the friends, the enemies, the triumphs, the defeats and the adventures at the club of his dreams.

I am beginning to love this book. I feel that its extremely interesting because i can relate to David. I understand and empathize Beckham's love for the game. Such a connection is rare, because unlike most books, I truly LOVE the topic.

BECKHAM: BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND- an autobiography

Born in manchester, England, David Beckham isn't an average man. From the joys of representing his country in the World Cup, playing for Manchester United and Real Madrid, scoring countless goals, marrying the girl of his dreams and being the most famous international superstar athlete in the world. To the miseries of missing a penalty by 10 yards, getting red carded against Argentina and being hated by every English fan.



The story starts out with David lasing up his boots, preparing himself for an important match. He sits their... silent... as he flashbacks about his life. He thinks of playing on the streets as a kid, training, celebrating goals, his coaches, his team-mates and, most importantly, his beloved wife and family.

I am very early into the book, but it's beginning topull me in. I am very interested in David Beckham and soccer, so this was an obvious choice for me

TYRELL by Coe Booth

Tyrell is a normal 14 year old boy, who wishes he could live a normal 14 year old life. Growing up in the Bronx ghetto, life is tough, at least it has been ever since his dad got locked up behind bars.

His dad is gone. His mom isn't much better. All she does is party, drink and blame Tyrell for her problems. Basically, Tyrell doesn't have parents, and is the only one who takes care of his little brother, Troy. His family is flat broke-- no new clothes, beds, games, just pocket money to buy junk food and cigarettes. Tyrell dropped out of High School, destroying his future. as if things weren't bad enough, Tyrell and his family were forced to move out of their shelter to Bennett Hotel, the dirtiest, most roach infested, most decrepit home in the Bronx. Now, tyrell has to figure out how to turn his life around without getting thrown into jail, but in the streets of the Bronx with drugs, gangs, enemies and no money, it seems impossible.

When Ifirst read this book, the reading level was a little low, but very interesting. As I progressed through the book i became increasingly enthustiastic because the plots thickens with every page. The book is also very engaging because the more Tyrell suffers, the more I sympathize and contemplate how Tyrell will manage to turn his life around. The book also illustrated to me how fortunate I am with my family and my life compared to a decent guy like Tyrell who has been cursed with a life of constant fear and pressure. However, the book also uses a lot of confusing slang. Also, it contains a lot of mature content which may not be suitable for everyone.

"WAYNE ROONEY: MY STORY"- by Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is an world famous english soccer player who currently plays for the legendary team Manchester United. Currently at the young age of 23, Rooney has broken countless records, scored hundreds of goals and represented England in two World Cups. However, Rooney wasn't always a millionaire soccer superstar...

Born into a middle class family in Liverpool, no one called Rooney, "the bulldog" or "superman" he was just "Wayne". Throughout the book, Rooney describes his life from playing on the rainy streets of Liverpool to to playing in a capacitated stadium. Within his journey he exemplifies both is athletic and his social life where he talks about crushes, holidays, friends and family and of course, soccer. However he does reveal hardships, too, like enemies, injuries, poor performances, suspensions and deaths.

As a lover of soccer and autobiographies, "WAYNE ROONEY: MY STORY" was a perfect choice. Despite the books English slang, the book is very well written and consisitently intriguing and filled withexciting events in Rooney's life. A lover a sports of any kind will be refeshed by rooney's dedication to the game and diligent actions, which is what truly makes this an exceptional book. Basically, what im trying to say is that I recommand this book to evryone and anyone.