Houston,Texas

Chris McCandless passed through Houston on his way to Colorado. Houston is a big city in Texas with 2.2 million people in 600 square miles. It also has a very diverse culture and Chris probably enjoyed that very much. In January, Houston is very cold, but in July it is really warm. Some of its plantlife includes cacti, palmettos, and orchids. The animal life of Houston includes deer, bobcats, and mountain lions. Also, some really cool places to visit in Houston are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Houston, Texas is a very big industrial city that was a great stopping place for Chris on the way to Alaska.

Into The Wild Summary

Into the Wild is a nonfiction book written by Jon Krakauer. The main character, McCandless, body was found on an abandoned bus in Alaska. The rest of the book is the two years that McCandless experienced while in the wild. Krakauer also brought in other men that were lost in the wild and compared them to himself and McCandless. He also brings in the account of McCandless's family and friends and their confusion. McCandless survived in the Alaskan wilderness for 112 days, but lost his life because he ate an "Eskimo Potato" that had mold on it that could have caused him to starve.

Author Biography

Jon Krakauer is an American nonfiction writer who writes about mostly the outdoors. The bestseller books he has written include, Into the Wild, Into Thin Air, and Under the Banner of Heaven. He has also won several awards which include the Academy Award in Literature and Book of the Year. In college, Krakauer joined a group of mountain climbers. In 1996, Krakauer joined other mountain climbers and climbed Mount Everest. On they way down, there was a major ice stormed that killed four of his fellow mountain climbers. Into the Wild was his first nonfiction work published in 1996. It became a New York Times best seller and stayed on the list for more than two years and was later made into a movie in 2007.

A Desired Adventure

The United States has many places that would be wonderful to visit. They include beaches, national parks, waterfalls, and historical landmarks. One of those places is the extraordinary Grand Canyon in Arizona. Although it is extremely hot there, I would really enjoy visiting this fantastical place and learn about the history of the Grand Canyon or just overview its beauty. My mom, when we were younger, had always wanted to take us to this majestic place. The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River that eroded the land around it to the gorges.The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and its width ranges from 4-18 miles. The Grand Canyon was formely occupied by the Native Americans who lived there and made settlements. Everyone who I have asked about the Grand Canyon tell me that pictures don't begin to capture the wonder and beauty of the Grand Canyon. Also, at the Grand Canyon there is a giant platform with a clear bottom that you are able to walk out onto and look down. That seems really amazing, yet quite scary. To stand on the platform would be an incredible experience that would be scary yet exhilerating. If I ever get to the Grand Canyon, I would bring a digital camera and alot of water hydrate me while I am walking around in the hot weather.

Direct/Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization is when the author tells you exactly what a character looks like, such as their physical appearance. Indirect characterization is when the author tells you what the character does, thinks, feels, and says, but lets you draw your own conclusion.

Direct characterization

5’8 (p.4)

Wiry (p.4)

24 years old (p.4)

Nearsighted (p.17)

Sensitive good looks (p.16)

Horsey teeth (p.17)

Wears horn rimmed glasses- (p.17)

Indirect Characterization

Determined (p.18)

Set high Standards—always finished a job (p.18)

Hard Worker—mucking rotten grain and dead rats out of a hole (p.18)

Intelligent—used big words in conversation with Gallien (p.5)

Stubborn—does not get deterred when Gallien gives him reasons not to go on the trip (p.6. When Gallien says that his gun would not kill a bear he says, “I’ll climb a tree.”)

Ready for anything—“He could not wait to head out there and get started.” He was really excited to start his trip

Does not care what people think—“How I feed myself is none of the governments business.”

Chris seems carefree and really happy about his journey. He also seems very determined and he doesn't back down to the predicaments that occurs on his journey; he just accepts them and works with them.

My Leather Belt

The first thing I would put on my belt would be my initials, which are ESE and then next to that E squared, a nickname from basketball. The next symbol I would have is the A.C.P.R. gymnastics symbol to remember the years that I did gymnastics. The next picture I would have is a lacrosse stick because lacrosse is my favorite sport. A picture of my family would be next on the leather belt. I love my family very much and they are important to me. After my family picture, I would have a picture of all my friends, so I won't forget them. Next, I would have a picture of Ireland, to remember the beautiful scenery and the awesome experience it was to go there. The last symbol would be OBX. The Outerbanks is the best beach ever and my family and I have had so much fun down there. Every symbol on my leather belt represents me in every way. If I did not have some of these, I would not be who I am today.