Reading Response to Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

      I just finished reading a book called Article 5 by Kristen Simmons.  It is a dystopia about America after some HUGE war that changed everything.  The main character, Ember, was alive before the war and before the government drafted the only boy she had ever loved, Chase.  She remembers how everything used to be.  Though she hated the police (Moral Militia) she tolerated them being in her life. That was until they arrested her mother and executed her.  Her mother's "crime" did not deserve this at all.  The entire story describes Ember's journey back to her mother and how she is adjusting to the new Chase.  He told her that her mother was still alive to protect her feelings even though he knew she was dead.  Chase and Ember's love reignited after a lot of hardship and tragedy they experienced together.
       One element I found very interesting in this book is how all the sadness and anger has bonded so many people.  After the War a very strict government took over that hurt people every day.  Over time people started to stick together and form a resistance.  I think a main reason why people can bond over sadness is that there is just so much emotion and empathy that can be shared and related to.  People that have similar situations usually end up getting along, so if half the country all experienced the wrongdoing of the strict soldiers they were all able to form an alliance and friendship.  Everyone had lost so much and they needed people to be there for them.
       Another thing I found interesting was how even though someone can appear to have changed so much, they still are always going to be the same person deep down inside.  This was shown in the story when Chase was a sweet, kindhearted, protective guy who expressed his feelings before he was drafted.  Then after he met up with Ember again, which was to arrest her mom, he appeared to be a cold-hearted, empty-headed, soldier that didn't feel emotion or cared what happened to Ember.  Though throughout their journey and rebellion his old character began to show through again.  It started with the description of the pain in his eyes when he say Ember hurt.  Then it evolved to basically giving up his life to preserve hers.  This book had many different plot twists and I loved every minute of it.  I was never bored and looked forward to reading it.