Chanda's Secrets a Must Read

HIV/AIDS are consuming the continent of Africa! In the gripping suspense-filled thriller Chanda’s secret, a sixteen year old is forced to battle with the virus as it continues to force its way into her life. I recommend this book as a must read to my fellow young adult readers. Chanda’s Secrets was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor Book for Excellence in YA Literature, ALA along with many other awards.

By: Samaya Edwards

AIDS is running wild in Africa and Chanda’s family is hiding something…

Chanda’s Secrets is a suspense-filled book that focuses on the hardships of a teenage girl who lives amid the HIV/AIDS pandemic of Africa. The thrilling book takes you on a roller coaster of emotions as the story progresses. It reveals problems that are unknown to our society as it takes place across the Atlantic ocean, on a different continent. This book gives you a little insight to what life is like for a teenage girl living in poverty.

Chanda’s Secrets focuses on the life of sixteen year old teenager, Chanda. Chanda is an intelligent hardworking student and a good person. She wants to make life better for herself and her family. She lives in a single parent home with her mother Lillian, and two siblings Iris and Soly. The story tells of the struggles that Chanda faces. Throughout the book Chanda faces the recurring issues of death, shame, and secrets. However, the biggest problem Chanda is forced to tackle is HIV and AIDS. With the huge outbreak of the disease the fatality rate is running rampant. Surrounded by death, Chanda is forced to face the inevitable as she has to overcome the obstacles the virus brings.

As I read Chanda's secrets I couldn’t put the book down.The story was filled with many twists and turns. It also revealed many secrets throughout the book which is intriguing to the reader. For me personally, I was able to really connect with the main character Chanda. I saw myself in her which made the book that much more interesting. I must say the emotional connection I felt was very real. I was touched by this book as the resolution almost brought me to tears.

Spring Brings Creativity to East Wake Students

Trash to Fashion: Seniors Rebekah Irwin and Kaitlynn Blow stand together during the Rubbish to Runway Trashion Show. Blow’s dress, made of random odds and ends including dental floss, was modeled by Irwin. Blow’s original design was different and at one point was set to make noise as she bounced between the idea of using playing cards or aluminum cans. “I wanted to use something weird at first and I spent a lot of time--too much time, with the whole process of making the dress,” laughed Blow. She also described the fashion show as “awesome” and noted that it gave her goosebumps. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Bostic.

By: Gabby Talucci

East Wake students showcased their artistic abilities during the month of May. The town of Wendell hosted its first Art Walk on the May 16th as part of the local Spring Fling. Seniors Kaitlynn Blow and Michael Russo, who participated in the event, will have their paintings hung at the Town Hall for the next month. Blow also joined in on the third annual “Rubbish to Runway Trashion Show” presented at the Mercedes Benz in Durham by Mercedes Benz and FRANK where she entered her self designed and constructed dress. The dress was made of aluminum cans, dental floss, trash bags, and bottle caps and was modeled by senior Rebekah Irwin.

In addition, Artsplosure accepted pieces from East Wake students Sheldon Campbell, Sofia Caprio, Angie Mejia-Leiba, and Summer Sims. These pieces were displayed in downtown Raleigh in the PNC Plaza. Ms. Bostic, the art teacher who helped the students enter, was very proud of the display of artistic ability. “It is an amazing feeling to have my students have their work validated by the community.I know that all judging and contests are subjective, but when someone besides myself recognizes the talents of our students, it's awesome!”