Test Prep- Blue is for Nightmares

In the book, “Blue is for Nightmares” by Laurie Faria Stolarz. My main character Stacey has been having nightmares and this has been causing her to have difficulty sleeping. Drea, her roommate has been appearing in them constantly. In her most recent nightmare, Stacey was coming home from her grandmother’s house and she heard Drea calling her name dramatically while whimpering. As Stacey went looking for her she fell into sinking mud in the ground and her killers shadow was standing behind her with lilies. Shortly after this nightmare she had, she woke up and she wet her pants. Drea had to come to her rescue once again as a good friend would.

            Stacey has been facing various conflicts so far in this book. She has numerous nightmares that prevent her from sleeping well and she wets her bed because of this. Her bed wetting has caused her to pay extra money on incense and cleansers to fix her problem. She also, has a major crush on Drea’s boyfriend Chad, which she’s trying to hide because that is her close friend and her roommate. Plus, it would cause too much conflict if she ever found out. These conflicts have put a toll on Stacey. She gets fidgety and touchy about certain subjects involving these and her mindset has changed about many things and people. I personally think that these nightmares are a symbol of something that’s aching her deep inside and it could be connected to Drea, since they are about her. These terrible dreams are occurring almost every night for the past three years. Now Stacey is currently in her junior year at boarding school. They are becoming too real to ignore for her. *Hence the title “Blue is for Nightmares” and based on my reading so far possibly Stacey will need to use a spell. I think this is a great idea because if she has the ability to vanish all of this mischief it would be better for her and Drea.

            I can tell that this is a realistic issue that many people have to face. Many kids have bed wetting problems and don’t stop until a certain age. In this case, Stacey is seventeen and having bad dreams that become too real for her to ignore. She even chokes and mumbles to herself depending on how frightening the nightmare is. She is constantly shouting and Drea is always there to save her. This is similar to when a younger kid is having a terrible nightmare and he or she calls out for their parents help and sometimes even asks to check if “monsters” are in their closet for their safety.       

Poetry (Test Prep) #1

      In the poem, "Phenomenal Woman," by Maya Angelou is about the many aspects of a phenomenal woman. Angelou, gives many key examples of what can create a phenomenal woman and how that's her. Along with how men perceive her as this beautiful creature and question her beauty. Maya Angelou, describes a phenomenal woman in mainly her features which shows her idea of what a phenomenal woman is.
      In stanza one, Angelou gives her reader a brief summary of what her poem is going to be about then she goes on to say, " It's in the reach of my arms/ The span of my hips,/The stride of my step,/The curl of my lips./I'm a woman/Phenomenally./Phenomenal woman,/That's me." This expresses the qualities of a "Phenomenal Woman." Also, In stanza two, she says " I walk into a room/ Just as cool as you please,/And to a man,/The fellows stand or/Fall down on their knees./Then they swarm around me,/A hive of honey bees./I say,/It's the fire in my eyes,/And the flash of my teeth,/The swing in my waist,/And the joy in my feet./I'm a woman/Phenomenally./Phenomenal woman,/That's me." It's clear to me that this phenomenal woman is very beautiful because she has fellows falling down on their knees and swarming around her like bees. She later goes on to say in stanza 3 that, men have wondered what they see in her and they try hard to figure it out but cant. All they know is that she's beautiful. 
      Maya Angelou, a brilliant poet has done it again! She has created a beautiful, sophisticated and well-written poem. This one being called, "Phenomenal Woman." "Phenomenal Woman" is full of adventure and I think all women can relate to. All women are phenomenal in their own way and they deserve to know it. Women play a big role in life and they all have flaws but are still human and bring the positivity to life. I can picture this poem being lived out by any woman. It is so fascinating and real. I bet that every woman has felt felt phenomenal, joyous and gracious the way Maya Angelou is explaining in this poem. 

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/phenomenal-woman/