Reading Response #1

     Legend, by Marie Lu is about two teenagers, June and Day, who come from different republics in America. When they were 10 years old, they took a test to see who would live a good life and who would be sent into "labor camps." Labor camps are horrible, people would get tested on. Luckily, both of them passes the test but sadly, Day was forced to be put into these camps and then becomes a mass criminal and June is sent to catch him. This book is amazing, however I believe that this book is violent to be available to children. This book has too much violence and some parts can be very disturbing. 

     For example, in one part of this book, June, Day, and Metias (June's brother) broke into a hospital to complete a mission. Unfortunately, not everyone made it out alive. Metias was shot in the head and was instantly killed. This is not right for a kid. Also, this moment happens early in the book which will be to disturbing for a kid to read. Furthermore, Day was then blamed for killing Metias and was taken away and was brutally beaten. June then saves Day, but then these characters become the most wanted criminals in America. This shows us that not only violence is common within the book, but the characters are criminals, and we are suppose to care for them? 

     Another example was the part when June broke into a secret government facility called "Batalla Hall" where June rescues Day, who is nearly close to death after being blamed for killing June's brother. They bring a friend, John into the fight, and then John sacrifices to do Junes dirty work. This part is confusing because now our "protagonists" are bringing friends into fights that they should not be involved in. More over, there was another part when June's mom was killed by a pilot while they were on a ship. There is too much death within the book and it takes maturity understand why. However for a kid to read this, its not going to be pleasant for them.

    In conclusion, I highly would not let a child read this book. Although the details are well written, the violence and level of maturity to read this book are too high. I don't think kids would be able to handle a book like Legend.