Behn,+Jennifer

= Entry one: October 1, 2011 = Hey, this is Jennifer Behn, and I am reading //Banished// by Sophie Littlefield. I chose this book because the cover looked cool and on the back it had an excerpt from the book that grabbed my attention and made me want to read it. I found it at the High School library so I borrowed it in order to feed my curiosity about what the book was like. The book is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Hailey Tarbell that is being raised by her grandmother. Her grandmother is mean and cruel to her, and she even deals drugs out of their basement. Hailey doesn't feel accepted at school and the only person she feels she can even talk to is her four-year-old foster brother, Chub who is a developmentally-delayed little boy. The only reason her grandmother is fostering Hailey and Chub is for the state money. When Hailey turns eighteen she plans on taking Chub far from their town of Gypsum, Missouri and start a new life. I just began reading it and it started with a prologue that leaves me with no clue as to how the book is going to end, or even start for that matter so I don't really have any predictions yet. It got me hooked and I'm thinking that I'll probably have this book finished within the next few days depending on how much time I have to read. The prologue leaves me confused as to how the story will go, given that I can tell that the memory in the prologue is not one of the main character's. I really want to figure out whose memory it is and how that relates to the story. I can't wait to actually start the book and figure out what is going on. I really want to figure out how the title //Banished// fits in to the book. Well, I am so excited to read and I'll keep everyone posted. ...I also happened to find a REALLY big picture of the book cover:) I was unable to find a picture of the back cover, but since it was a thing that caught my interest, I'll tell you what it says: = **I gritted my teeth** // and reached with a shaking hand // **and touched him,** // and when he didn't respond, // **I felt like I was touching evil itself** // and my entire body resisted, my heartbeat pounding a crazy tempo. ... //**I'd done the thing that mush never be done,** // the thing Prairie and my mother had been warned about since childhood. // **I'd done the unforgivable.** // And I couldn't help wondering how many ways // **I would suffer for it.** =

**Entry two: October 8, 2011** Whattup, this is JB, and this week I've read 97 pages in //Banished//. So far I've gotten to know the main character Hailey Tarbell and the life she's living. The book mentions little about her childhood, but the story really begins after the one fateful day in gym class. Hailey had always been faster and stronger than everyone else, seemingly born with some amazing natural athletic ability. That day in gym the teachers pulled out vaulting horses, balance beams, and parallel bars. Hailey forced herself to not do well at any of the gymnastics. One girl, Milla, ran up to the vault, crashing into it, causing herself to fly backwards and hit her head, knocking her unconscious and lying in a pool of her own blood. Everyone screamed. The teachers called 9-1-1 but Hailey was driven by pure instinct to go and touch Milla. Something came over her and she began to chant. One of the teachers ran over and yelled at her, but Milla sat up and looked at Hailey. The book goes on, and now it seems as though everyone knows more about Hailey than she does herself. In the chapter I just read, her aunt comes and tells her that she is taking her away from Gypsum. Hailey Tarbell is a sixteen-year-old living in Gypsum, Missouri-or Trashtown, as the rich kids at her school call the run-down neighborhood where she lives with her grandmother and four-year-old foster brother Chub. Hailey feels left out at school. Everything that she wears is secondhand. Her clothes aren't right, her backpack isn't right, her shoes, notebooks, and haircut are all wrong and everyone knows it. Now that Hailey's aunt Prairie has come to rescue her from her life, she is beginning to get hopeful of a new life that she can have with her aunt and Chub. I'm really enjoying the book so far. It's very, very interesting and I feel compelled to keep reading, I don't want to stop! The storyline has got me hook, line, and sinker. I want to figure out what happens to Hailey and the people trying to help her. I hope she finds answers to the questions she's asking. I keep telling myself that, "One more chapter, that's it for tonight." It hasn't worked very well so far, when I read it's hard for me to stop without finishing the book. The answer to if I like it, I feel, is pretty obvious. I love it! Can't wait to keep reading it!

Heyo! The first few pages right off the bat were fast-paced and got the ball rolling for the rest of the book. Hailey and her aunt, Prairie, got back from supper and Gram had a couple of guys, Dun Acey and Rattler Sikes, over that were drunk. Dun ends up falling asleep at the table and Hailey sneaks down and eavesdrops on Rattler's conversation with Gram. Suddenly he stares off into space and gets all squinty-eyed and starts talking about seeing a car with men in it. Hailey is confused and goes back to her bedroom. Pretty soon a scream wakes her up and Prairie comes in and tells Hailey to take Chub and hide in the closet. Of course, being curious, Hailey puts Chub in the closet and sneaks down to see what's going on. She sees Gram and Prairie being held at gunpoint by men that she recognizes from a few days past at a trip to the store. These men came into the store asking about her. Hailey notices Rattler hiding behind the fridge and gets suspicious that he has something to do with the men finding them. Suddenly he jumps out and stabs one of the men with the guns. Hailey screams and Prairie tells her to grab Chub and run. This book is absolutely amazing so far and drawing me in constantly. I'm so confused as to what is truly going on, and why kids at her school seem to know more about Hailey than Hailey does herself. It's a fantastic book and I can't wait to blog again!
 * Entry three: October 14, 2011**

Hey! Well, I guess so far one of my favorite lines in the book so far would have to be when Hailey confronted Milla and Milla ended up saying, "I ain't scared. But maybe //you// oughta be." It's one of my favorites because it leaves an air of mystery as to what is going on in Hailey's life. It really made me wonder what was happening to Hailey and how she was going to find help. Later on, Hailey gathers enough courage to talk to her Aunt Prairie about it, "But Milla says we're cursed. That we're freaks." Prairie replied sharply, saying, "No. You have a //gift//, Hailey. You can do something that others can't." I like this one because it shows that Prairie understands what is happening and she can help. It gives more hope to Hailey, something that she desperately needs at this point in the book. I read several more chapters this week and ended up finding out that Gram was shot by the men that came into the house. Hailey grabbed Chub and took off in the car with Prairie. They crashed their vehicle while they were trying to get away and Prairie helps Hailey heal Chub, who was injured in the accident. Hailey is continuing to learn more about herself and her abilities. It's a fantastic book so far and I can't wait to finish!
 * Entry four: October 22, 2011**

Well, the book is still going great. Now Hailey, Prairie, Chub, and their dog Rascal are officially on the run. Prairie dyed Hailey's hair a white blonde so that it seemed as though Hailey and Chub truly were siblings. It obviously also helps to disguise her. Praire also chopped off Hailey's long hair and now it was only to her chin. She got a new wardrobe as well, Prairie said they'd go for a "rocker look" she put on heavy makeup and she was unable to recognize herself. They also are trying to stay away from other people because of Rattler coming after them as well. Rattler is a Seer, which gives him the ability to "see" where they're at by looking into their minds. So they try to avoid any road signs. Prairie also told Hailey more about the Banished. She said, "The men were all given the gift of visions. They could see into the future...to protect them from enemies..." Yeah, so that's about it...it's a great book and I fully recommend it!
 * Entry five: October 29, 2011**

Hey! So, off topic of the book, EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP TONIGHT! Sorry, just had to get that out there. Ok, well, the book is fantastic (as usual) Hailey and Prairie are still on the run. Prairie informed Hailey that Chub is a Seer as well. He knew when the bad guys were coming and grabbed Hailey's leg. Prairie brings up her friend Anna, from Poland, who had helped Prairie get a new identity and start over. Anna taught Prairie how to sense the Banished. Anna realized that Prairie was a pureblood Banished. Hailey got sarcastic and congratulated the idea of her finding two pureblood Banished. Praire told her it wasn't just two-it was three. Anna had a son. Praire and Hailey made it to Chicago and Prairie decided she needed to destroy the research of the man following them (they had dated). Prairie went to a woman named Penny's house. They found her lying on the floor with her skull bashed in. A deep, rough voice spoke up saying, "Welcome home." A lamp switched on and they turned to find a man with a handgun dangling in his hand. It was Rattler Sikes. Rattler told Hailey to take Chub and go put him to bed. She took him to one of the rooms and laid him down. She listened to Rattler's conversation with Prairie though. Rattler says that Prairie and him were always supposed to be together, but her mom never said she was old enough. When Prairie left town, her mom said that Clover (Hailey's mom) was old enough to date. Hailey had grabbed a weapon, something made of pale bone or ivory with two delicate, long curved points at one end. She stepped into the light and Rattler switched his attention to her. Rattler spoke to Hailey, "You know who I am, don't you, Hailey girl." Suddenly Hailey did, and the knowledge made her grasp her weapon harder. "I'm your daddy." Interesting place for me to stop, don't you think? Right in the middle of a chapter. I'm dying to go on, but suspense is good. It makes you want to continue reading. Well, hopefully I'll finish the book by next weekend!
 * Entry six: November 5, 2011**

Well, so far, I am 214 pages into the book and loving it! Anyway, since that last blog, Hailey did in fact attack Rattler. Prairie jumped out of her chair as Hailey ran to grab Chub. She knocked Hailey down as a shot rang out. Hailey yelled at Rascal, "Sic him, boy!" Rascal's whole demeanor changed and he lunged at Rattler, biting his shin. Hailey pulled Prairie out of the house after her, which made Prairie stumble, causing Hailey to realize that Prairie had been shot. Hailey manageed to get out onto the street and she flags down a taxi. Prairie protested, saying that if he sees the blood he might call the police. So Hailey just asked the cab driver for his phone. She gave the phone to Prairie, who called Anna, saying that they would wait for her on the side of the road. Hailey wanted to try to heal Prairie, but she stopped her saying, "Healers can't help each other." They all sit by the side of the road to wait for their ride. Chub cuddled up to Hailey and said he was sleepy. Minutes ticked by and finally a car pulled up along the curb. The streetlamps were bright enough that Hailey could make out a small, old, and dented car. A tall and broad-shouldered man got out of the driver's seat. Hailey couldn't see his face since he had his hood pulled up over his head. Hailey's thoughts go through her mind and she can't help but feel as she does when she was around the Morries, a feeling of longin and loss and connection and fear all run together. She began to question herself as to who it could be, thinking it could be one of the other Banished men. Prairie noticed the man and she gave a surprised murmur. Terror shot though Hailey's veins as she noticed the man had spotted them. She got ready to run, knowing she wouldn't be able to move fast enough with Prairie and Chub. Then Prairie put her hand on Hailey's arm. "It's all right," she whispered. "It's Kaz. Anna's son." I really enjoyed this part of the book and I can't help but feel that with Kaz so close in age to Hailey that there might yet be a little romance coming up...we'll see. I loved figuring out who Hailey's dad was and being able to get away from him. It explains why he was watching Hailey so closely earlier in the book. Well, it's fantastic so far and it's got me hooked! Can't wait for next week!
 * Entry seven: November 12, 2011**

Wow. A lot happened this week, and I'm still stunned over what occurred. I'm 231 pages into the book so far and it's amazing to see how much happens in a chapter or two. Well, Kaz brought them back to his house, where Anna was waiting. Hailey never got a good look at Kaz until they were inside, and Kaz pulled his hood down. He had sandy brown hair that was just a little too long and a strong jaw. When he smiled, his eyes glinted like blue ice. Anna told Kaz to show Hailey the room she was going to share with Chub. Kaz took Chub from Hailey and carried him into the room, lying him down on the bed as Hailey pulled back the covers. Hailey goes back into the kitchen to check on Prairie only to discover that Anna had cleaned the wound and the bullet was out. As soon as Hailey heard the Prairie say, "Bullet," she broke down and cried. Once Hailey had blown her nose and wiped her face off, Anna asked her how it was being a sophomore and mentioned that Kaz was a junior. Kazimierz is his full Polish name, but they call him Kaz. Eventually Hailey went back into her room, calling for Rascal to come up on the bed. She petted him until she found something that shouldn't have been there. She sat up in order to examine the object closer only to realize what it was. A bullet. She puzzled it out and came to the conclusion that he must have been shot when Bryce's men first came to Gram's house, since Rascal was out in the yard. She found three in all and began to think that perhaps they were superficial wounds since Rascal was healing on his own. She had to know. Tears streamed down her face as she felt inside each bullet hole, two of them lodged deep in muscle, and one right over his heart. He should have been dead. Bullets couldn't kill him. Because he was already dead. Because Hailey turned him into a zombie. Hailey's mind raced, "I //was// cursed. I was no Healer-I was a zombie-maker." Looking back on it, I didn't realize how important that moment was when she healed Rascal after he was hit by a car. Now I see the importance as Hailey looks back and remembers all the blood, all his organs spilling from his body, the way his eyes rolled up one last time. Their emptiness when she brought him back. Yeah, so, Hailey realized that she literally brought Rascal back from the dead this week. Interesting. Oh, and I was so excited to find the excerpt from the back of the book in this chapter. It was Rascal that she touched and felt like she was touching evil itself. I just thought it was cool to figure out what that was all about. Well, can't wait for the next blog!
 * Entry eight: November 19, 2011**


 * Entry nine: December 4, 2011**
 * Final Blog**

“I see dead people//.//” Cole Sear, the little boy in The Sixth Sense, was seeing ghosts. In the book I read, it’s worse. Much worse. You’re seeing zombies. Zombies seem to have became an increasingly popular topic over the past few years. I’ve always found the idea ridiculous and disgusting. Reading the inside cover of the book //Banished// by Sophie Littlefield I had no idea that it would involve a topic I wasn’t too thrilled to read about. Yet, somehow, Littlefield managed to make it one of the more interesting books I’ve read in a while. It kept me hooked, curious and worried about the characters. It made me want to read more. It caught me in its storyline and my personal connection to some of the characters. //Banished// is about a sixteen-year-old highschooler named Hailey Tarbell. Hailey lives with her sickly Grandmother and foster brother Chub in Gypsum, Missouri. Hailey has a plan that once she turns eighteen she’s going to take Chub and get them as far away from Gypsum as possible. That plan changes when Hailey’s aunt Prairie comes to take Hailey away with her. Prairie teaches Hailey that she is Banished and saves Hailey from the men that come to kidnap her for her abilities. Prairie helps Hailey to understand and better grasp the situation that they are facing. Hailey soon discovers that there is only one rule that she as a healer must follow: Never heal the dead. By healing the dead, Hailey reanimates the flesh and the person’s body comes back, but not it’s soul, leaving it unable to make decisions for itself. Hailey, Prairie, and Kaz (Prairie’s friend Anna’s son) figure out what they need to do to stop the bad guys from coming after them. They do what they have to do, thinking it’s all over. But it’s not. You’ll just have to read the book to figure out what I’m talking about. Out of all the characters, I feel as though I related most to Hailey. With her being a sophomore, it made the writing somehow feel more real, believable. Analyzing Hailey, I realize that her character is complicated. She’s very caring, saving her classmate Milla’s life and caring for Chub in addition to herself. Hailey is very brave, she threw herself at a man that wanted to kill her aunt, injuring him herself to save her aunt. She is very brave, yet what really made me believe in Hailey throughout the book was the fact that she was scared. She was scared for others, scared of what she could do, scared of herself. The fact that there were so many sides to her character made her seem more realistic. As though she wasn’t merely a character in a book, but a real person you could connect with. Sophie Littlefield has a distinctive writing style. All in all, I think it was what made me able to follow the story as it got complicated. Littlefield kept the book moving by bringing in new characters and making you feel as though you were in their spot. She made you feel the terror of running for your life and the horror at losing others. Littlefield’s writing made it possible to understand why Hailey panicked at times and understand the feeling of comfort that others offered. I like the fact that when she involved a Polish character with an accent, she wrote true to that accent. I even love how she made it seem as though all of the problems were solved and the book could be over before she added a new element that was shocking and left you guessing as to what happens next. But that’s just it: There is no next. The book ends swiftly, leaving you dangled on the edge of a dangerous precipice, waiting for the next installment in the series. Unfortunately, the book really does seem to end rather abruptly. The story seems long while you read it, but once you read the end, you can’t believe it’s over. The ending did make me mad though. But that’s just because the next book isn’t out yet. Well, I give the book ★★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ (5/5) stars. The book moves at a fast pace that doesn’t leave a single moment out. You never feel bored and you are able to connect with the characters, making it seem as though you are a part of the book. I highly recommend //Banished// by Sophie Littlefield to any reader that has taste for this kind of good reading.