Jessica Haight's Blog, page 18

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Stay and Play!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! A tricky riddle, but fun to write. Tune in next week, we're in the mood to play.

Fairday's Riddle: What To Do?

Hello Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? I enjoy working with words, so I figured I'd try something new. This is a Zejel poem (it has challenging rules, and if you don't know what a Zejel poem is, I encourage you to look it up; test that I've followed the rules! :) I thought it'd be interesting to see if I am able to relay the riddle answer to you using this style of writing. ~ F
Imagination flicker sparkScenes act out to ignite the darkMind in matter will heed a lark

Tea party style at pool bottomMatchbox rides if you’ve got 'emAwakened eyes shall make a mark 

Endless depth to that which is realHead, heart, hands like to think and feelCharging chattel to jump, dance, squealSee flowers grow, and touch tree bark

Hide and seek under pillow fortBouncing balls do dribble in courtEntangled bits seize the strange quark

This is that and that could go thereBeing light, as free with no careTurning the time inside your lair Seasons do shift, green lush to stark
***
Below are the A lines brought together with a personal flare. :)
Mind in matter will heed a lark ~Awakened eyes shall make a mark  See flowers grow, and touch tree bark ~ Entangled bits seize the strange quarkSeasons do shift, green lush to stark
What am I referring to? Stop by Friday for the answer.
The picture is the clue! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday #MMGM Book Review: Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood

The Nazis have started dropping bombs every night in London. Thirteen-year-old Ken Sparks is scared when he goes to the bomb shelter with his father, stepmother, and little sister. But he knows he’ll be leaving soon. He’s going to be traveling to Canada on a large ship because he was one of the ninety kids between ages five and fifteen whose number was selected during the random lottery. Although Ken is sad to leave his little sister and father, he’s sure his stepmom is happy to have him gone. Ken doesn’t know how long he’ll be away from his family, but he tries to think of it like an adventure in one of the stories he loves to read. Ken has never experienced anything similar to the boat before. Between the seven course meals, the new toys for the kids to play with, and all the fine details, he feels like he’s in a dream. Then, one night the unexpected happens and a torpedo hits the ship. After he has to run back for a forgotten item, Ken ends up in Lifeboat 12 instead of the boat he was assigned.  Now he and the other members of Lifeboat 12 will need to try to survive until help comes along. But will they be able to ration the food and water in the boat? Where are the other lifeboats? Is anyone coming to save them? You’ll have to read this historical fiction book to find out.

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood was a fast and interesting read. When the author came to visit my school and talked about the research she did for this book, I knew I had to read it. She interviewed someone who had firsthand knowledge about the events! How cool is that? I enjoyed this book and it was told in verse, which I think made the story flow. Ken was a great character and one that was easy to relate to because he cared about his family, but he also liked to goof off and have fun. Reading about Ken’s experiences in England, on the boat to Canada, and in the lifeboat help get a glimpse of life during this time period. Susan Hood has written many books, but this is her first middle grade book, and it's fabulous! I highly recommend it to kids and adults in third grade and up who love to dive into history and find scenes that will surprise them.

Has anyone else read Lifeboat 12? Or have you read another book by Susan Hood? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~ L
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Ridde: We'll All Float On...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Time to sail away. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

I'm over and under; wet and dry. You'll get where you're going, but not on the fly.

What am I? Answer: Boat!


Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!62 original riddles and illustrationsFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Above and Below...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? It's important to stay afloat! ~ F

I'm over and under; wet and dry. You'll get where you're going, but not on the fly.

What am I? Stop by Friday for answer!

I gave you a clue!


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings: Will Alfie Ever Make it Back?

This winter we’ve barely had typical weather. There have been cold days and a little snow, but there have been many unseasonably warm days too. I think that’s why my whole family has been thinking about spring. Maybe that’s why Margo picked out this delightful book about turtles when we were at the library. Or maybe it’s just that turtles are so cute, she can’t resist them.  

Alfie the Turtle Who Disappeared by Thyra Heder is a picture told from a little girl’s point of view, and then from her pet turtle’s point of view. I love the dual POVs, as that is where the magic comes in. Nia gets Alfie on her sixth birthday, and he is six too. He is a good turtle, if a little quiet.  Nia taught him all kinds of tricks and kept him entertained with stories.  But on her seventh birthday Alfie disappears.  From here the story switches to Alfie’s side of the story and we see where he went and what he is doing.  I loved this part and was curious how it would all end. I thought the last page of this book was genius, and it’s important that readers look very carefully so all the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. I don’t want to ruin it for you- but I know Margo missed it the first time.


Ever since we finished reading the book Margo has been on the lookout for turtles. There is a pond not far from our house- but so far- no turtles. Maybe in a few more weeks.  Until then we will be reading about them and I am sure she'll be doing her turtle impression whenever she can! Has anyone else read Alfie the Turtle Who Disappeared? Or have you read another book by Thyra Heder? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Reading!~F
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Turtle Adventure!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! We're going swimming with turtles. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

The wily hare believed me beat, but my win was his defeat. Though I live in a shell, I move about slow and well. 

What am I? Answer: Turtle!


Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!62 original riddles and illustrations
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Way To Go Slow!

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? It's fun to see them sunbathing at the pond. ~ F

The wily hare believed me beat, but my win was his defeat. Though I live in a shell, I move about slow and well. 

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer. 

I gave you a clue! (I'm in this picture)

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday #MMGM Book Review: The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

Piper is a scrapper; she collects metal and anything the meteor storms bring so she can sell them to make money for food and shelter. She’s been all alone since her father died working in a factory. When Piper goes out one night, to rescue a friend who shouldn’t be out in the meteor storm, she stumbles upon a caravan and a girl who seems injured and barely alive. Under Piper’s care the girl comes back to life and doesn’t seem to remember who she is or where she’s from. But she has the Mark of the Dragonfly, which means she is under the king’s protection. Only very important people have the tattoo.  When a strange man comes to Piper’s house asking for Anna things become more complicated. Anna is terrified of the man and keeps calling him the wolf. With some tricky maneuvering Anna and Piper make an escape and hop aboard the 401 train. Piper figures if she can get Anna back to the king she may get a reward that will give her enough to live on for the rest of her life. The security guard, G, nearly throws them off the train, but is stopped by the sight of Anna’s tattoo. They’re allowed to stay on the train. But their struggles aren’t over and the dangers are real. From people trying to kidnap them to the strange man hot on their heels, things have more twists and turns than Piper ever could’ve thought possible. Will Piper and Anna be able to out run the man? Will Anna ever remember who she is? And how will Piper deal with everything when she finds out the truth about Anna?

I have had The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson on my list of books to read for a long time! I am so glad I finally got to it because it was a fantasy story that I absolutely loved. The world Piper lives in is filled with interesting beings and magic. The adventure made the story exciting and I never knew exactly what to expect. I really liked Piper because she had a good heart and gave people a chance. I could easily see why Piper wanted to take care of Anna and their bond was very sweet. I liked seeing how G and Piper developed a respect for each other and a deep friendship. It was a unique blend of items and ideas from long ago, ones from present times, and things from the future as well. I would recommend this book to people in fourth grade and up who enjoy fantasy, dystopian, adventure, and a little sci-fi as well. This is the first book in the trilogy, and now I know I’ll be looking for the second and third book! I can’t wait to see what new adventures await them.

Has anyone else read The Mark of the Dragonfly? Or have you read another book by Jaleigh Johnson? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Reading! ~L
For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blogFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Dragonfly Magic...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! We'll be dreaming on the wings of dragonflies. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Ancient hunter under water striving for the top. Sip the air, crawl on up, exoskeleton drop. Feel of wings swishing by over shimmering ripple skim. Iridescent buzz and diamond eyes circling a brim. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Dragonfly! ✨



Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!62 original riddles and illustrationsFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED