Varnon's College Writing 2010 discussion
Independent reading response to page 100
My independent reading book is “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. “Ronnie took a deep breath and headed inside. As bad as it sounded – she didn’t think Blaze should be getting drunk in the first place – she kind of hoped that Blaze had been so out of it that she’d forgotten what happened. Or even better, that she had been sober enough to know that Ronnie had no interest in Marcus.”
At this point in time Ronnie and her brother Jonah are living with her father for the summer and one day when there was a carnival in the neighborhood Ronnie stormed out of the house and went to the carnival to get away. She doesn’t like living with her father very much and is spending most of the time out. At the carnival she ran into this girl named Blaze. Ever since then the two have them have been friends. Blaze introduced Ronnie to some of her other friend’s one of which is named Marcus who Blaze likes. Marcus was drunken one day and Blaze thinks that Ronnie is taking Marcus from her and is now upset with Ronnie. Which is not the case, both Marcus and Blaze where both drunk on that day. Blaze really MISCONSTRUED what Ronnie and Marcus went through that night on the beach. Blaze is Ronnie’s best friend since she arrived to her father’s place and without her she would have no one and have no place to go or do all day long.
I find the author’s writing style to be descriptive at some points in the book others were a little bit dry. The book is also a little bit emotional also. The author uses some dialogue as well throughout the book since there are a lot of conversation occurring. “Maybe she should try to get a job. It would give her an excuse to be out of the house most of the day. She hadn’t seen any ‘Help Wanted’ signs in the windows downtown, but someone had to be hiring, right? ‘Did you make it home okay? Or did the cop end up making a pass at you?’ Looking behind her, Ronnie saw Blaze squinting up at her from the dune. Lost in thought, she hadn’t even noticed her. ‘No, he didn’t make a pass at me.’ ‘Oh, so you made a pass at him?’” Nothing really exciting or interesting has occurred so far in the book. I have a good feeling that the book will get more interesting and exciting as I further read into the book, but for now it’s quite boring.
Ronnie: Why do you hate your father so much? What made you hate the piano so much that you can’t even stand the site of it?
Will: What is so attractive about Ronnie? What about her do you like most?
Marcus: Why did you yell what you did to Ronnie the night that you were drunk that got Blaze so upset? Is it just because you were drunk and didn’t know what you were doing? Do you like Blaze the way she likes you?
Blaze: Why don’t you believe Ronnie when she told you that she doesn’t like Marcus and he is a liar? Why would you think Ronnie would lie to you?
The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls“Despite our wondrous appliances, life in Phoenix wasn’t total luxury. We had about a gazillion cockroaches, big, strong things with shiny wings. We had just a few at first, but since Mom was not exactly a compulsive cleaner, they multiplied. After a while, entire armies were scuttling across the walls and floors and the kitchen counters. In Battle Mountain, we’d had lizards to eat the flies and cats to eat the lizards. We couldn’t think of any animal that liked to eat roaches, so I suggested we buy roach spray, like all of our neighbors did, but Mom as opposed to chemical warfare. It was like with those Shell No-Pest strips, she said; we’d end up poisoning ourselves, too.
₪₪₪₪₪
The house also had termites. We discovered this a few months after we moved in, when Lori’s foot crashed through the spongy wood floor in the living room. After inspecting the house, Dad decided that the termite infestation was so severe nothing could be done about it. We’d have to coexist with the critters. So we walked around the hole in the living room floor.”
So far in the story, Jeannette, the main character is about 10 year’s old living with her family in the southwest. They travel all the time, and she finds it exciting. Her father is an inventor (of a machine that sorts gold out of dirt and rubble) and her mother is a painter. This quote basically says what’s happening in her life. Most houses she’s lived in weren’t perfect, she’d run into problems in all of them (some of them weren’t even houses). Her parents were weird about technology, and liked finding things in dumpsters and on the street.
So far the characters are Jeannette, her father, her mother, her sister Lori, and her younger brother. They have gone through many hardships as far as traveling, and making it through life with the minimum.
The author’s writing style is first person, and she really emphasizes strong voice and character. It is very descriptive and it makes you feel like you are in the story, feeling what Jeannette does, moving from town to town with her, seeing those cockroaches and termites crawling along the walls. A passage to further exemplify this is; “Dad and some of his air force buddies were on a cliff of the canyon, trying to work up the nerve to dive into the lake forty feet below, when Mom and a friend drove up. Mom was wearing a white bathing suit that showed off her figure and her skin, which was dark from the Arizona sun. She had light brown hair that turned blond in the summer, and she never wore any makeup except deep red lipstick. She looked just like a movie star, dad always said, but hell, he’d met lots of beautiful women before, and none of them had ever made him weak in the knees. Mom was different. He saw right away that she had true spirit. He fell in love with her the split second he laid eyes on her.” I really have been enjoying this book. It has been making me think a lot about how other peoples lives are, what they experience and how they live. This is a very descriptive story, and the author works a lot on describing the characters so you feel like you know them.
Three characters I’d like to ask questions are Jeannette, her sister Lori, and her father.
Jeannette: How has your childhood affected your adult life?
Do you believe your parents could have been better for you?
Lori: Did you have many friends in your life because of the things that you went through?
You hated moving with your family, why?
Dad: Why were you always running away from all of your problems?
Why didn’t you just stay in one place without making enemies for once?
I have decided to read "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger for my independent reading book."All of a suddent, on my way out of teh lobby, I got old Jane Gallegher on the brain again. I got her on and couldn't get her off...You don't always have to get too sexy to get to know a girl."
At this point in the story, Holden is about to go back to his hotel room after having danced with those three "moron" girls. This quote is significant because it shows that he is again thinking about Jane. he seems to have a very great connection to her, and she means a lot to him. He kind of pushed her out of his mind earlier in the night, but her being brought up again shows that she must be of major significance to him and the story as a whole.
Holden has not undergone any major changes in character, or shown any personal devolepment because the first 100 pages take place in teh same night. However, a lot has gone on. He has revealed that he got kicked out of private school because he didn't academically apply himself to school. He gets in a physical fight with his roommate and then leaves. This is when he ends up in the hotel in New York.
I would describe the author's style as very detailed and unique. He makes it so that narrator Holden is very personable and easy for the reader to connect to. He is a very honest person, and I would not believe that he would MISCONSTRUE anything he was saying or explaining; His honestly is an appealing characteristic. Holden is also a very likable character, and also very funny one. The way he narrates is like he is speaking right to the reader. This makes me feel more involved, and holds my attention more than a narration that does not aknowledge the reader at all. He often gives unnecessary details that make the story much more fun and exciting to read:
"Old Spencer started nodding again. He was also starting to pick his nose. He made out like he was only pinching it, but he was really getting the old thumb right in there. I guess he thought it was alright to do because it was only me that was in the room. I didn't care, except that it's pretty discusting to watch somebody pick their nose."
Holden: Why are you such a slacker? Are you trying to prove a point to your parents? Yourself?
Spencer: Why is it that you care so much about Holden, moreso than other students that fail? Do you feel that what you say to him will change his attitude towards academics?
Ackley: If you are so alone, are you rude to people that you would like to be friends with?
What is it that you like better about Holden than Stradlater?
Danielle wrote: "The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls“Despite our wondrous appliances, life in Phoenix wasn’t total luxury. We had about a gazillion cockroaches, big, strong things with shiny wings. We had just a ..."
Danielle wrote: "The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls
“Despite our wondrous appliances, life in Phoenix wasn’t total luxury. We had about a gazillion cockroaches, big, strong things with shiny wings. We had just a ..."
Danielle! The passage you picked from your book was actually pretty interesting. It looked long so i wasn't excited to read it, but it wasn't that bad. For some reason when i picture Jeannette I see the little girl from Little Miss Sunshine. I don't know why..what do you think?
But the book sounds interesting and unique, and i'm sure that ten year old Jeannette will go through some heavy stuff with her family as the story goes on. Just a projection. Hope the reast of the book is good!
The title of my book is “Vanishing Acts” by Jodi Picoult. A compelling passage from p. 100 reads “Freedom smells of spores and ragweed and dust and heat and suntan oil and car exhaust. Of hot, buttered daffodils and worms hiding under the soil. Of everything that’s outside, when you are in here.” This quote is from Andrew Hopkins, the father of the main character, Delia Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins is currently being held in prison because he was accused of kidnapping Delia from her mother twenty eight years earlier, which is true. He is realizing how horrible life in jail can be, and he is realizing how much he misses from the world outside, things he never imagined he would associate with freedom are now the things he desires the most. Since the beginning of the story each character has developed a lot. Since this book is written in a way that lets each character narrate the story and discuss their feelings the reader is able to really see what they are thinking and hiding from the other characters. Because of this I was able to learn about Eric, Delia’s fiancé, and his alcohol addiction. Fitz, Delia’s and Eric’s best friend, coincidently is in love with Delia, but hides his feelings well. I am able to understand what Delia is feeling about the situation with her father, and her long lost mother. In the beginning of the story Delia is portrayed as a very strong, tough woman, but through out the story I’ve learned of her weakness and fears, which make her seem more real. It’s interesting to see how the characters think of one another, and more importantly which perceptions that they have are true, and which ones have been MISCONSTRUED.
I would describe the author’s writing style as descriptive and enticing. A lot of details, including sensory detail, allow the reader to imagine the world in which the characters live in; to acquire a feeling of actually watching the scenes unfold. The story is very emotional. These emotions are portrayed through both dialogue and personal thoughts of the narrator. A quote that shows a small example of the author’s style is narrated by Fitz. “I drive to Mesa in a rental car, a Mercury whose radio is stuck on a Spanish- speaking station and whose air- conditioning doesn’t work. When I unroll the window, wind and dust blow into my face. The temperature here is one you can reach by crawling into an oven. This is the kind of heat that changes the frontal lobes of the brain, that makes men kill each other for the smallest of infractions, that might lead a father to kidnap a child.” This influences my enjoyment of the book because it gives detail, as well as relates back to the main story: the kidnapping of a child. This story is very compelling to me, mainly because it is a mystery. Not the kind of mystery with a detective looking for clues, a mystery that involves the changing of perceptions. It shows that you do not necessarily know the things you know. It shows that it is hard to be one hundred percent positive that anything is real, and that everything can change in a moment.
Three Characters:
Delia: Would you trade in the life that your father provided for you in order to be with your mother too? It would mean you wouldn’t have lived next to your best friend and the man who is now your fiancé? Which life would you like better?
Fitz: Do you hate Eric for being engaged to Delia because you love her too? Your feelings forever have not exactly been hidden forever, but if she is happy, are you?
Elise(Delia’s mother): Do you still hate Andrew for taking Delia, or would you have done the same thing if you were in his position?
The book I'm reading is called "Scarlett Fever" by Maureen Johnson."The first day was just an exercise to take attendance, assign seats, pass out some paperwork, and give the teachers a few minutes to explain what nature of misery they had cooked up over the summer. There were shiny new linoleum floors, fresh coats of paint covered up scratches on the lockers, new plastic signs were screwed to the classroom doors. Someone had clearly been splashing some money around to bring some fancier items, like the sleek monitors mounted on the hallway walls that ran a constant, hypnotic listing of welcome back messages and classroom locations."
So far in the book, Scarlett has made her life as a 15 year old girl seem relatively exciting. She lives in the hotel that her father runs with her sisters Lola and Marlene and her brother Spencer. Spencer is an actor who can't seem to land a decent gig to save his life. Every time he auditions, audiences like him but not enough to hire him. Lola recently graduated from high school, and is taking a year off for financial reasons. Marlene is eleven years old and has cancer. Over the summer she went to a camp designed for kids with cancer and returned a more polite girl to Scarlett. Scarlett thinks that this is odd and keeps an eye out for possibilites of fake kindness on Marlene's end. Scarlett works for Mrs. Amberson, who is an agent for young actors, and does pretty much anything that is asked of her. Scarlett can't afford not to have a job, so she puts up with basically anything, no matter how ridiculous or time consuming. The significance of this quote is that basically every student on the face of the earth feels like this on the first day of school. Scarlett feels like school is almost like closure of her relationship with her ex boyfriend Eric, who was an actor at her hotel for the entire summer. After they broke up, she still had to see him every day, and this greatly EXACERBATED her pain for the remainder of the summer. It's been extremely hard for Scarlett to get over him, and she is trying to start her life over without him but she is still having a really difficult time.
The authors writing style is very descriptive, yet somewhat dry. There haven't been any mind blowing events to happen yet, and the storyline is a little different than most stories. Scarlett is a character that isn't typical compared to most books about 15 year old teenage girls. The author uses a limited amount of dialogue, and it tends to be dry and uninteresting when used, like when Scarlett asks Mrs. Amberson for coffee. "O'Hara, you know that caffeine is the great dehydrator. Invite it into your body and it sucks all the moisture right out. It will drain you dry." Sometimes in the book I find myself skipping over the parts of the dialogue that are boring so that I can get to the descriptive parts that keep me interested. I find this book not very compelling, and I hope that it gets a little bit more interesting, because so far there have been no major events that have pushed the story to be intriguing.
Scarlett-Why are you so obsessed with Eric if you weren't even together two months? What does your dad plan to do financially when the hotel gets slow?
Spencer-Are you going to keep trying out for major roles and perservere? How does it make you feel that Lola is the second one in your family to not go to college?
Lola-If you were to go to college, what would you want to study? Do you have future plans to go to college when things get better financially?
The book I am reading is called Numbers by Rachel Ward."I let his workds sink in. He really meant it - he'd go on without me. But what did I have to go back to? The police, the foster system, Karen? I opened my eyes, and he was staring right at me, really looking at me. How many people in my life saw anything more than an odd, qiet little kid in a hoodie? Spider was different: He was funny, crazy, restless, reckless. He was alright" (page 97-98).
At this point in the novel, the narrator and main character Jem and her only friend Spider are on the run from the police. They are suspects for a terrorist attack which they didn't have anything to do with. The only evidence the police have is the fact that witnesses just saw them fleeing the scene. Spider just told Jem that he could never go back to home because he stole a considerable amount of money from someone and doesn't want to edure the consequenses.
This is a crutial point and quote in the book because Jem is realizing that Spider is all she has and all she has ever had. Jem has significantly developed as a character since the start of the book. She met a friend, someone she can rely on and share her big secret with. For once in her life, Jem has built a relationship with someone and Spider has become the most important thing in her life.
This book consists of a lot of hardships. Jem is a foster child because her mother overdosed on drugs when she was only four years old. She has never had a consistent home or school which is obviously very difficult for her. Jem also has to live with knowing everyone's "numbers." They are the numbers of the date of when a specific person will die, and she doesn't like to know that information. Spider is involved with some sort of drug dealing and transports money for very powerful gangsters. He has to deal with the risk of being killed every day.
I would describe Ward's writing style as simple. She doesn't use complex words or metaphors to say what she means, which is nice because that makes the point more clear and precise. Ward is British, however, so her vernacular differs from the kind I usually use and hear. It's interesting to read the British slang terms because they are so different. She doesn't use an insane amount of dialogue but it is definitely present in the novel; although, she does sometimes describes conversations instead of writing them all out. "It's too bloody dark" (page 100) is an example of a British term that we don't use. Ward's use of British slang makes the otherwise hackneyed story of a girl with a super power intriguing. It makes me enjoy the book more. I'm at the part of the book now when it is becoming a compelling journey for Spider and Jem because there is a huge risk of them getting caught.
Jem: Are you in love with Spider?
Will you ever tell Spider is death date?
Spider: Do you love Jem?
Why were you so persistent to be Jem's friend?
Val: What is your super power?
Are you worried that Spider won't make it back?
Sarah wrote: "My independent reading book is “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. “Ronnie took a deep breath and headed inside. As bad as it sounded – she didn’t think Blaze should be getting drunk in the fir..."
I think that the most intersting part of the response is the part about Ronnie hating both her father and the sight of a piano.
Questions:
Are the piano and Ronnie's father connected?
Who is the narrator of the story?
Why isn't Ronnie and her brother living with their mother?
The book I’m reading is “Warriors of God” by James Reston Jr.“Richard staged a three day tournament… Inevitably, as this application of the Arthurian cycle goes, his last two opponents became his chief lieutenants and swore a secret oath of fealty to the King. Ten months later he found himself at Vezelay, with his Crusader army in place, side by side once again with Philip Augustus, with whom, it seemed, his destiny and his emotions had been intertwined from the start.”
At this point in the book King Richard is getting ready to go on the 3rd Crusade after his father’s death. Richard held this tournament so that he would have the strongest warriors next to him in the crusades. King Richard and King Philip Augustus have been lovers from a young age and are now Crusading together.
Richard and his father Henry did not get along. Henry was a very PROVINCIAL person and was not open to Richards homosexuality. Richard lived in France away from his father with his mother. His mother had also been married to the King of France before she married Henry. Henry then took Alais from Richard who was given to Richard by Philip. Richard never really wanted her but Henry took her away from him anyone and used her for his own pleasure. At Henry’s death his last words to Richard were “God grant that I may not die until I have had a fitting revenge on you.”
The main characters in this book are Saladin and King Richard the Lionheart. Saladin had a similar relationship with his father who tried in the end to recapture Egypt which he had given to Saladin. Saladin then became a very strong warrior and leader after his father’s unexpected death. Saladin united the Arabs into one group as he toured the Holy land with his army. He captured Jerusalem and freed almost all of the Christians. He is thought of as one of the best and most gracious leaders to ever live.
The author’s writing is very fact based and jumps around Holy Land to Europe a lot. It does follow a time chronicle. He goes into detail on a lot of things and puts you in the time of the crusades. The author uses quotes from squires and quotes from Richard and Saladin.
“If we must despair of your mercy, if we are sure there is no escape, we shall seek death like men. We shall hurl ourselves at you. We shall cast ourselves into the fire. Above all we shall not dishonor ourselves. No one will be wounded before he has first wounded ten men himself. We will burn the houses and pull down the Dome and leave to you the shame of reducing us to slaver. We shall tear up the Rock and leave you to enjoy the grief of losing it. We will kill every Muslim prisoner in our hands-and we have thousands. We shall destroy our possessions rather than hand them over… What advantage do you gain from this ungenerous spirit?... You stand to lose everything.”
Balian leader of Jerusalem during Saladin’s attack said this to Saladin himself after Saladin said that he was going to put all Christians into slavery. This was probably the most impelling part of the book so far. Balian was a great leader who united Jerusalem and freed so many Christians.
This is a very compelling read. I am learning a lot about the 3rd crusade and the Muslim capture of Jerusalem which to me are the most important parts of the crusades.
Richard the Lionheart- do you get criticized about being homosexual? Do your father’s last words hurt you?
Saladin-Why with such good graces did you free Christians? If you had not captured Jerusalem what would have you done?
Balian- How were you able to be so brave against such a strong man? What did you do after your left Jerusalem?
OOGY: by Larry Levinpage 98 " I love this guy," she said " he's an amazing dog, and becasue you're an animal person you'll understand and appreciate what this dog is all about. He is really very special.He and your family are perfect for each other. You'll have a great time."
What's going on in the book at this point is that Diane had just dropped off Oogy and showed Larry how to set up his crate, how much to feed him and how to take care of his wounds. The second Diane leaves Larry is left alone with this funny looking dog who he strangly has a strong bond with already. Oogy is shown the laid out of his new home, and Larry can't wait for the boys to come home to see him. The significance of the passage is that Diane is completly right about how they would come to understand and appresiate the type of dog Oogy was. Even though Oogy was used as bait for dog fighting and was severly hurt he is completly loving and could never hurt anyone as he has been hurt.
The author's writing style is very descriptive and in a way touching. There is alot of dialogue, mostly when Larry is talking to Oogy.
" This makes it offcial," I said. I kissed his nose, and he licked me. " You now have your name and our phone number. So now ther's no excuse for not calling if you run off or get lost."
I wouldn't say that this is a compelling story because it doesn't have alot really going on, it's more of a heartfelt type book, but its very enjoyable and makes you love your dog, if you have one.
Larry, what was it about Oogy that made you adopt him?
Did you know what kind of work was ahead of you with a five month old puppy?
Did you ever think Oogy would hurt someone due to his previous life?
since your so close, would you consider Oogy as a thrid son?
Did Oogy's wounds heal up or are there alot of scars left?
Noah and Dan, is it annoying to always have to give Oohy attention?
The book that I am currently reading is "Getting It" by Alex Sanchez. "Saturday approached, and Carlos debated what to do about visting his pa...The line cut off. And Carlos has predicted, he felt like crap."
At this point in the story, Carlos has already started his plan with the gay kid in school named Sal. (Since no one in the class knows whats going on, I will quickly tell you). Carlos wants this gril named Roxy. He watchs "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and decides that he is going to have Sal, give him a makeover so that Roxy will fall in love with him. Currently in the story Sal is slowly helping Carlos change into the "pefect guy". Carlos's parents are divorved; his father has visting times on the weekend. His father calls Carlos every friday to see if Carlos plans on comming over, but recently Carlos has been denying this because he wants Sal to be with him on the weekends. The quote tells us that Carlos is willing to stick to changing so that he can be with Roxy. But the only problem is that he is damaging other relationships that he has, even with his family. Carlos has changed a lot since the beginning of the story. he was completly against gay people until he saw that he could use Sal for something he wants. The underlying topic in the story is having sex. Carlos's friends have all had sex and he is the last one. He is doing whatever it takes to get some.
The author's writing style is so realistic. Sanchez has the conversation read as if an actual teenager is talking and not what an adult thinks he/she should be saying. There are parts in the story that are dry but most of the story is an interactive experience. The mental thoughts that Carlos has are exactly what a teenager would be thinking. I thought that at when reading this book it was going to be from a complete adult mind, but I was wrong. This is definitely a great book because Sanchez makes the story in a complete highschool enviroment.
"S`up?" he now greeted her (his mother), prying his headphones off.
From the bedroom doorway, she scanned the chaos of his room and gave hime a smile of resignation. "Mi amor, how can you work in this mess?"
Carlos shrugged.
Sarah wrote: "My independent reading book is “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. “Ronnie took a deep breath and headed inside. As bad as it sounded – she didn’t think Blaze should be getting drunk in the fir..."
This seems like an interesting story, Sarah. my first question is of course: Is the book better than the movie? I haven't seen the movie but I heard from others that it was pretty good. It sounds like Blaze and Ronnie became fast friends, but still don't know that much about eachother because they are having this conflict over Marcus. They probably haven't had time to devolep good communication between themselves.
Marcus is probably going to have to choose one girl, and that means obviousily the friendship between Blaze and Ronnie is going to be majorly tested. This book seems very rivoting and full of emotion. Hope teh rest is good!
Sarah wrote: "My independent reading book is “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. “Ronnie took a deep breath and headed inside. As bad as it sounded – she didn’t think Blaze should be getting drunk in the fir..."
QUESTIONS: what do you predict will happen next?
how is this love story looking to be different than others?
do you think Ronnie and Blaze's friendship will last?
Danielle wrote: "The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls“Despite our wondrous appliances, life in Phoenix wasn’t total luxury. We had about a gazillion cockroaches, big, strong things with shiny wings. We had just a ..."
QUESTIONS: what pulls you into the story the most..characters or actions made by them?
where do you see teh story going?
can you see any major conflicts arising yet?
Mariel wrote: "I have decided to read "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger for my independent reading book."All of a suddent, on my way out of teh lobby, I got old Jane Gallegher on the brain again. I g..."
I found the part of picking his nose to be funny.
How old is Holden?
How long has he known Jane?
What time does this take place in?
Sarah wrote: "My independent reading book is “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. “Ronnie took a deep breath and headed inside. As bad as it sounded – she didn’t think Blaze should be getting drunk in the fir..."
I really liked that the characters Ronnie and Blaze are girls because I wouldn't normally expect those to be names for girls. I also wanted to ask the same question about why Ronnie hates her father.
How long is your book?
Why is the book titled The Last Song?
Are there other characters with names as interesting as Blaze and Ronnie?
The independent reading book I am reading is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. "He smiled. City boy, he thought. Oh, you city boy with your city ways-he made a mirror in his mind, a mirror of himself, and saw how he must look. City boy with your city ways sitting in the sand trying to read the tracks and not knowing, not understanding. Why would anything wild come up from the water to play in the sand? Not that way, animals weren’t that way. They didn’t waste time that way.”
At this point in the story Brian is thinking about what creature could have been making noises outside his shelter at night. He was in his shelter and heard a slithering sound in the sand but it was too dark to see. The next morning he woke up and realized it was a turtle. He found this out because he found the turtles nest filled with eggs. The quote explains that he has realized he has no idea what the creature could be. He is a city boy and he has no knowledge of the wild. Once he discovers the eggs he begins to eat them. It is very hard for him because he must eat them raw. Without food being UBIQUITOUS, Brian eats one of the eggs. The main hardship that has taken place in the story is that the plane that Brian was traveling in crashed in a lake in the middle of the Canadian Wilderness.
The authors writing style is emotional and suspenseful. In the early pages of the book, Brian is thinking about his parents divorce. He wonders why it happened and if he may be the reason why it happened. His plane them crashes in a lake and he finds himself stranded.
“Then he heard the slithering……..as if a hundred needles had been driven into it.” (pg. 80). I found this part suspenseful because the build up to the climax kept me guessing. Brian was lying in his shelter and this creature was crawling closer to him. He then threw his hatchet and at that instant he was struck by hundreds of porcupine needles.
My book has one charactor. Brian
Why would you throw your hatchet rather than use it as a weapon?
Why dont you make more of an effort to search for food?
“The Lovely Bones” by, Alice Sebold"While everyone else slept, Lindsey stood at the mirror in the bathroom, looking at herself. She wiped off some of the blush, blotted her lips, and ran her fingers over the swollen, freshly plucked parts of her formerly bushy eyebrows. In the mirror she saw something different and so did I: an adult who could take care of herself."
At this point in the story it is a day before Susie Salmons memorial service. Everyone in her extended family is mourning the loss but is united once again. Her grandmother has come up for her memorial the next day. The significance of this quote is the fact that Susie and still watch over her sister, keeping an eye on her although she cannot be on earth with her. The first chapter of the book explains Susie’s raping and murder. The character hasn’t really developed because she is in heaven. She watches life continuing without her, telling her own story through the eyes of a 14 year old.
The author of my book is descriptive and emotional. She has to portray with murder of Susie Salmon though her own eyes; eyes of a fourteen year old girl. The author does use a lot of dialogue because she is explaining the life of her close friends and family continuing life.
“See this shoe?” my father said.
Buckley nodded his head.
“I want you to listen to everything I have to say about it, okay?”
“Susie?” my brother asked, how somehow connecting the two.
“Yes, I’m going to tell you where Susie is.”
I began to cry up in heaven. What else was there for me to do?
The first chapter of this book jumped right into the story. It held my attention and was so heartbreaking to read I couldn’t put the book down. It was very compelling and I was interested in what was going to happen next. This book is compelling because there aren’t really any dull spots and this type of genre interests me.
Mr. Harvey:
Why did you choose Susie Salmon to murder?
Why did you murder Susie Salmon?
Susie:
Why did you think it was a smart idea to follow a strange man into the woods?
Did you not think Mr. Harvey was going to endanger you when you came across him in the cornfield?
Susie’s dad:
How come it took so long to tell Buckley where Susie really was?
What were you initial thoughts when found out about Susie?
The book I am reading is called "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling."Malfoy," said Ron, sitting down on George's other side and glaring over at the Slytherin table. George looked up in time to see Malfoy pretending to faint with terror again. "That little git," he said calmly. "He wasn't so cocky last night when the dementors were down at our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?" "Nearly wet himself," said Fred, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy. "I wasn't too happy myself," said George. "They're horrible things, those dementors..."
At this point in the story Harry, Ron and his brothers, Fred and George, are talking about the dementor attack on the Hogwarts Express while eating breakfast in the great hall before the first day of classes. Dementors are these creatures that are essentially the symbol of death. Whenever they are close by, it gets extremely cold and everybody's happiness leaves them and it seems like they will never be happy again. Draco Malfoy, and enemy of Harry and his friends, is making fun of Harry because when the dementors entered his compartment, he fainted. The only hardship in the story to this point would have to be the dementor attack on the train. It's still fairly early in the story and the main characters just got to Hogwarts so there should be more hardships to come.
I believe Rowling's writing style is emotional, some parts with really good action, and loads of dialouge and description.
"Harry! HARRY!" They were there, both of them, sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor - Ron looking incredibly freckly, Hermione very brown both waving frantically at him. "Finally!" said Ron, grinning at Harry as he sat down. "We went to the leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left, and we went to Floursh and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and-" "I got all my school stuff last week," Harry explained. "And how come you knew I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?"
It influences my enjoyment of the book because even though the story is fiction, the dialouge and description helps the characters seem real, which is important in any good fiction novel. This story so far is very compelling to me because it keeps me turning the pages to find out what happens next. It's a very entertaining and interest read.
Harry: Why did you decide to all of a sudden leave your Aunt and Uncles? Are you scared at all of Sirius Black?
Ron: How did you react to the dementors on the train? How did you dad know Harry was at the Leaky Cauldron?
Hermione: Do you ever feel like you the third wheel in your friendship with Harry and Ron? How are you getting to all your classes when you have two at the same time?
Kendra wrote: "The title of my book is “Vanishing Acts” by Jodi Picoult. A compelling passage from p. 100 reads “Freedom smells of spores and ragweed and dust and heat and suntan oil and car exhaust. Of hot, butt..."This book looks really interesting. It seems like it could be a true story, and it involves hardship, and life sometimes deals people a lot of that. It appears to be very descriptive and intriguing. There are feelings that are hid, and issues between characters. The fact that Delia's father is in jail for kidnapping her must be a really hard thing for her to live with every day, as well as her fiance's addiction to alcohol. Also unbenounced to her, a friend has stronger feelings for her than she is aware of, and I think that this would make for a really great, but sad story.
Does Delia have bad feelings toward her father for kidnapping her so many years ago?
Will Fitz ever announce his love for Delia?
Will Eric face his demon of alcohol addiction, or will he allow it to continue?
Richard wrote: "The book that I am currently reading is "Getting It" by Alex Sanchez. "Saturday approached, and Carlos debated what to do about visting his pa...The line cut off. And Carlos has predicted, he f..."
Richard! I really like the title of your book. I thought your description of what is happening in this book was quick and thorough and I think it's interesting that you like it so much!
How long is your book?
How old is Carlos?
Does Roxy acknowledge Carlos?
P.S. I really like the name Roxy
Jack wrote: "The independent reading book I am reading is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. "He smiled. City boy, he thought. Oh, you city boy with your city ways-he made a mirror in his mind, a mirror of himself, a..."
I find it interesting that he is allowing such aniamls to get so close to his sleeping ground. He sould be smarter and make a barrier.
How does Brian not know to cook the eggs?
Does Brian have fire?
I am reading a James Patterson book called Judge and Jury. It is co written with Andrew Gross. The main character is FBI agent Nick Pellisante. His girlfriend is named Andie DeGrasse.“The end of the earth. Cavello had taunted me. Come and get me, Nicky Smiles.
That’s what had made me laugh. Why I knew Remlikov had told me the truth- the name of Cavello’s ranch: El Fin de Mundo. The end of the world.
“Patagonia,” I told her.
“Patagonia?” Andie looked at me. “I’m not even sure I know where that is.”
“Don’t worry. I do.”
At this point in the story, Nick and Andie have just found out where an escaped criminal, Dominic Cavello, is hiding. They tracked down a hit man that Cavello hired, Kolya Remlikov. They kidnapped his son as a threat to tell them the answer. They traveled to the Mediterranean to find this answer and now plan to travel to the tip of South America (Patagonia, specifically) to find Cavello.
This quote explains how Nick knows that Remlikov was telling the truth, instead of just lying to get his son back. My familiarity with Cavello in this book so far supports that “El Fin de Mundo” is definitely something that Cavello would name his hide away. When he first escaped, Cavello threatened “Come and get me, Nicky Smiles.” This shows Cavello’s confidence in his escape plan. Nick’s reassurance to Andie proves that he’s determined to find Cavello.
Andie has become much more involved in this case, as she only began as a juror on Cavello’s trial. She became more involved when Remlikov, who was hired by Cavello, bombed the high-security juror bus, killing her son. She wants the wicked men in this case brought to justice. Nick has created a very personal relation with this case, having studied and watched Cavello for many years. He’s lost many acquaintances directly to Cavello, which creates a burning desire for him to have Cavello locked up for life. Because of Nick’s personal connection with Cavello, he was DISPARAGED from his position of top FBI agent on the case. Despite of this, he continues to search for Cavello with no back up.
James Patterson’s writing style includes a lot of dialogue. He writes in very short, one or two page chapters. It is incredibly action-packed and I find it hard to find a place to put my book down. It seems that the end of every chapter is a cliffhanger, begging me to read on. Patterson can write very descriptively when necessary, like when he’s explaining a crucial piece of evidence to the case. All of his books have an underlying story of romance in them, I’m assuming to catch the attention of women readers. I’ve noticed mainly these romantic emotions along with angry and frustrated emotions in this book. This is because Nick often feels that he’s in a wild goose chase. I really like this book, and all of its writing style elements.
“She’s alive. But listen to this. She’s got severe burns over her face and hands. Hot-water burns, Nick. What kind of creeped-out monster is this, anyway? There was a note scribbled on the kid’s bib. The handwriting people are looking it over now.”
An explosive, tightening rage balled up in my gut. “What did it say?”
“It said, ‘I keep my promises.’” (End of chapter)
Questions:
Dominic Cavello: What possesses you to be such a creep? Do you really think you can hide forever?
Andie DeGrasse: Was there a funeral for your son, Jarrod? Why did you feel a connection to this case from the beginning, when you had a chance to get off?
Nick Pellisante: Do you think you’ll get in trouble for your off-duty murder? Are you planning on going alone with Andie to find Cavello?
Richard wrote: "The book that I am currently reading is "Getting It" by Alex Sanchez. "Saturday approached, and Carlos debated what to do about visting his pa...The line cut off. And Carlos has predicted, he f..."
Richard, this book sounds like a typical high school issue that occurs in real life. Carlos seems like he has some issues he needs to work out.
Do you know why Carlos like Roxy? is there another reason except for the fact that he wants it really bad,
in the excerpt from the book is it that Carlos feels like crap or that Carlos feels his dad feels like crap?
Also do you think that Sal will figure out that Carlos was against gays and only was using Sal?
This book sounds really good and interesting, because it sounds like real life drama that happens in school. you'll have to let me know how the rest of the book is. Hope the rest is good.
Richard wrote: "The book that I am currently reading is "Getting It" by Alex Sanchez. "Saturday approached, and Carlos debated what to do about visting his pa...The line cut off. And Carlos has predicted, he f..."
I liked how the booked seemed corny yet relateable.
Is this a fiction or non fiction?
How old are these kids?
Why did you choose this book?
My independent reading book is "The Inheritors", by William Golding."Fa examined the twig closely from the barbed bonepoint to the red feathers and the smooth nock at the end. She returned to the barbs and wrinkled up her face at the brown gum. Lok's pictures were a little better sorted."
This book is essentially about the lives of a band of neanderthals that live their lives in the early ages of mankind. The two main characters in the story are named Fa and Lok. Fa is a woman and Lok is a man. The basic theme of this story is survival. They live in a civilization that is meant to be given hardships in the time that they are living in. They have a varitey of food to choose from, but it is different food obviously. The food that they eat are mostly early fruits, branches, and bugs from trees. They also have a vast supply of hunting materials to kill hyenas and mammoths. Lok is a character that is shown as mysterious. When one of the members of the civilization die or are killed, he is the one that is found. Lok and Fa stick together through everything. They like to find out new things about the "new people", which are a group of early modern humans.
Golding's writing style is a very interesting one. He is an author that mostly writes about the survival of the fitest. I relate this book to "Lord of the Flies", because that book too, is also one of survival of the fitest. Golding is very creative in his works, which i really like about his style. Golding does not use that much dialogue in the book. I think he does this because early humans did not have the correct speaking style that we have today. Golding gives descriptions of what is going on in the book at the certain scene.
"Fa put her hands wide apart, watching Lok all the time. Then she began to bring them together. But though the tilt of her head, the eyebrows moved slightly up and apart asked a question she had no words with which to define it. She tried again."
This quote speaks to me by explaining that humans are developing over time. They give new techniques to observe other human traits. I enjoy this book because the characters are growing over time. They find new ways to survive and communicate with each other. I think it is a compelling story because it speaks of how the human nature is ideal.
Lok: Do you enjoy exploring new things with Fa? What would those certain things be?
Fa: I feel that you like Lok, do you? What makes him so interesting.
Liku: How were kidnapped by the new people? How have you survived?
Katy Wrote: "The book I am reading is called Numbers by Rachel Ward.""Jem is a foster child because her mother overdosed on drugs when she was only four years old."
Katy! I really found this cut out of your repsonce interesting because who in their right minds would be doing drugs with a FOUR YEAR OLD! The main plot of the book is every interesting and sounds fun to read!
Are there any dry parts in the book?
What was the alleged terrorist thing?
How old are Spider and Gem?
My independent reading book is The Inferno of Dante, translated by Robert Pinsky.“But keep your eyes below us, for coming
Is the river of blood-in which boils everyone
Whose violence hurt others”
…
“I saw a broad moat bending in a curve
Encircling the plain, just as my guide had said:
Between the moat and the bottom of the cliff
Centaurs who were armed with bows and arrows sped
In file, as on a hunt they might be found
When they were in the world.”
At this point in the book, Dante has entered hell, and has descended into the second ring of the 7th circle. The book starts off with our main character, Dante, entering “the dark woods” which lead to the entrance of hell. There he meets a beast, which is described as a lion, and a she-wolf, which blocks his path. He then meets Virgil, who is a well known Greek poet, appears to Dante. Virgil tells Dante of a prophecy in which he is a part of, and how he must journey through hell. Once in the entrance of hell, Virgil reveals that he had been contacted by a beautiful spirit from heaven who is known as Beatrice. This reveals to Dante that he must journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven to reach Beatrice. This quote is signifying some of the gruesome and disturbing places that Dante my travel through to get out of hell. It also signifies some of the VIRULENT demons that he must also face during his journey.
I would describe the author’s writing style to be very descriptive and in a sort of indirect way, filled with action. The author uses a lot of dialogue between Dante and Virgil, especially when Virgil describes to Dante where they are on their journey. “ ‘Master,’ I said, ‘make clear their meaning, which I find too hard to gather.” Then he, as one who understands: ‘All fear must be left here, and cowardice die. Together, we have arrived where I have told you: here you will behold the wretched souls who’ve lost the good of intellect.” I think that this book is very compelling, because I like the imagery of Dante’s descent through hell, and the different circles he must venture through.
Dante- How do you plan on finishing your journey through hell? What will you do when you meet with the devil himself?
Virgil- How are you able to travel freely throughout hell? Will you be able to help Dante when he reaches purgatory?
Beatrice- How were you able to contact Virgil? Will you help Dante later on in his journey?
I'm reading The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier"A nagging thought just below the surface of his mind gave him an uneasy feeling again, the feeling that something was wrong, that things were not what they seemed. Was that his imagination or just being in this small office, no air-conditioning, not even an electric fan? For some reason, the blank walls bothered him. No pictures. And no windows.
I want to get out of here.
He realized that he could get out of there. He could simply get up and leave. He didn't have to even speak to anybody. Hadn't they said this was voluntary? He was a volunteer. Well, he didn't feel like being a volunteer anymore. He wanted to go home.
Jason pushed back his chair, winced at the scraping sound on the bare wooden floor and made his way to the door."
Alicia, a seven year old girl, was murdered. The main suspect is Jason, her twelve year old neighbor and the last person to see her alive. Detective Trent is a mastermind detective, and he's been called upon to question Jason. Trent is a very skilled detective, and he's been hired to lure a confession out of Jason. During this quote, Trent has left the room for a few minutes, and Jason decides that he's sick of sitting in the questioning room, that he doesn't have to be there, so he just leaves. However, this would just make Trent even more sure of Jason's guilt.
Jason is more confused than he had been at the beginning of the book, because he doesn't know why he's being questioned to the extent that he is being. He doesn't know that he's the number one suspect. He feels terrible about Alicia's death; he was friends with her, and found her very interesting.
Trent has become more and more sure of Jason's guilt, and he's attempting to lure a confession out of Jason. So far, he has barely gotten anywhere.
The author's writing style is pretty descriptive. It has a lot more text than diologue; it describes Jason's emotions often. The author focuses on physical cues and emotions more than words.
For example:
"Jason had become aware of how hot the office had gotten, a gathering of heat that seemed to grow in intensity as the questioning went on. He was also aware of how close to him Mr. Trent sat, their knees almost touching. Also, had Mr. Trent suddenly grown taller? He seemed taller now than when Jason had first entered the room, seemed to loom over him. Besides all this, Jason was filled with a sense of failure. He had not seen anyone suspicious."
This make me like the book, because it's seeing inside the characters head to his real feelings which makes it more interesting for me. Yes this is a compelling story, because it's interesting. Also, the reader doesn't even know who the killer is; there's a possibility it COULD be Jason, we don't know that it isn't him.
Jason: do you know something more than what you're letting on?
why did you leave the questioning room?
Trent: what makes you think Jason really is the killer?
what will you do if Jason really is innocent?
Sarah Downes: Why were you standing outside the doorway?
why'd she finally decide to apologize for being abrasive in the car?
Danielle wrote: "The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls“Despite our wondrous appliances, life in Phoenix wasn’t total luxury. We had about a gazillion cockroaches, big, strong things with shiny wings. We had just a ..."
This seems like a really interesting book. I like that the character is very out of the ordinary, and that she still deals with what she's given, even if it isn't much. It seems like she is thankful for what she has, and she puts up with her parents without judging. I think that people who have more than she does could learn a lesson or two about being thankful.
Are they a happy family?
Will they ever have more than they do now?
As Jeannette grows up will she stop being as thankful?
Evan wrote: "The book I am reading is called "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling."Malfoy," said Ron, sitting down on George's other side and glaring over at the Slytherin table. Georg..."
Evan, I really like the description you've included, about Ron and Hermione. I can see how this compells you to read the book, and helps the characters seem real.
Have you read any other Harry Potter books?
Do you think dementors are a parallel for anything in real life?
Why do you think that Harry fainted?
Allison wrote: "“The Lovely Bones” by, Alice Sebold"While everyone else slept, Lindsey stood at the mirror in the bathroom, looking at herself. She wiped off some of the blush, blotted her lips, and ran her fi..."
Allison- I find it interesting that Susie hasn’t developed since she’s in heaven. It’s hard to imagine that she can never grow up. This book definitely sounds depressing, but I bet that it’s very engaging.
Have you seen the movie?
Does Susie narrate the first chapter of the book, when she was raped and murdered?
What genre would you consider this book?
The book I am reading is called “Half Magic” by Edward Eager.“…and the horrid thought that with each wish the charm’s power was waning away, and that any day the next wasted wish might be its last…”
There are three main characters, Katharine, Jane, Mark. The story begins with them being on summer vacation, and it is boring. On a walk down the sidewalk one day, Jane found a special coin. The coin is magical, but only by half. In order to get a full wish you need to wish for twice as much as you want. Each child makes one wish though the book in different chapters; in these chapters all the children go where the wishes go.
Mark is the first one to make his wish, he wishes to go to a Desert Island but because the coin only makes half wishes they went to a desert. Katherine wishes “that we may go back twice as far as the old days of King Arthur, and see two tournaments and go on two quests and do two good deeds.” While on this adventure the most important and exciting thing that happens to them is they meet Sir Launcelot.
I would describe the authors writing style as a child friendly writer. He doesn’t use a lot of emotion or descriptive words.
“The next thing the four children know, they were stinding in the midst of a crowded highway. Four queens were just passing, riding under a silken canopy. The next moment seven merry milkmaids skipped past, going a-Maying.” The lack of descriptive words and emotions doesn’t take away from the story much for me. I still find it to be very exciting.
I want to know what happens next, it seems like something bad will happen as the climax.
Katherine how long have you been interested in knights and things like that? I thought it was interesting for your wish to be to go back to the time of King Arthur.
Mark, what were you planning on doing at the desert island you wished to go to?
Jane, are you going to be the one who messes everything up?
My independent reading book is “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult.“The minute we hit the ER driveway, my mother’s out of the car, hurrying me to get Kate. We are quite a picture walking through the automatic doors, me with Kate bleeding in my arms, and my mother grabbing the first nurse who walks by. She needs platelets, my mother orders.”
At this point in time Jesse is driving Kate to the hospital because she couldn’t stop puking blood. Kate has had cancer sense she was a little girl. She continues to do worse and unfortunately, no one can help her get better. Her life consists of going to doctors appointments, and getting treatments. She is constantly in the hospital that it’s like her second home. Being sick has held her back from being able to live a “normal” life. She doesn’t have many friends because she doesn’t have time to make any due to the frequent trips to the hospital, and she can never do anything fun that she wants to do because she usually is too sick to do anything active. Kate’s sickness doesn’t just affect her life, but has also affected her family’s immensely. Her parent’s are constantly wrapped up in Kate’s life 24/7, that they neglect their two other kids. Kate’s sister Anna is a donor for Kate and she feels like she’s being used, and is only good for giving bone marrow and other essentials that Kate needs. Kate and Anna’s older brother Jesse has become dependent on drugs and is constantly getting into some kind of trouble. Their whole family is rapidly falling apart. The sicker Kate gets, the more hectic the whole family becomes.
This quote is significant because this is just one of the several times that the Fitzgerald’s had to make a trip to the hospital. The whole family is so used to emergency situations with Kate that it’s like second nature to them. This quote also shows Sara’s personality. (Kate’s mother). When it comes to Kate, Sara makes sure that she is in the best hands possible. She gets riled up when chaos breaks out and starts to freak out herself. No matter what, Sara says that she will never give up on Kate.
Anna has been the only drastic change in the book. In the beginning of the book, Anna would always obey her parent’s orders, and give blood and bone marrow when she didn’t want to. As time goes on, Anna becomes fed up with being a donor for Kate. She can’t stand that she’s being taken advantage of, and it doesn’t help that she was a “designer baby.” Anna SURREPTIOUSLY got a lawyer so she wouldn’t legally be a donor anymore. Her parents eventually found out and they were mortified that she would ever be able to do something like that. Sara told her that she has no choice in the matter, but Anna didn’t cave into her mother’s wished. She was determined to go through with it. A hardship that Anna is going through is that Kate doesn’t know that Anna doesn’t want to be a donor for her anymore. Anna can’t possibly tell her sisters the truth, because she knows that without a donor, without that perfect match, Kate will die.
I would describe the authors writing as very descriptive, emotional, and suspenseful. Picoult uses a lot of sensory detail, where I can specifically picture everything that she’s describing. “Kate’s eyes open, so that she’s staring right at me. She licks her lips-they’re still caked with blood-and it makes her look like a vampire. The undead. If only.” The story is also very suspenseful. For example, Picoult wrote about Kate being in the hospital and how she opened her eyes and tried to tell her mother something, but she was too weak to get any words out. Kate finally whispered “Tell Anna...” and then chaos broke out in the room, and it was the end of the chapter. I still don’t know what Kate needs to “Tell Anna.” Lastly, the story is extremely emotional. Every time Picoult describes how Kate is feeling after a treatment or the transformation that is occurring and how Kate is losing her hair, makes me so sad. I can’t possibly imagine what it would be like to be Kate. My eyes got teary in multiple parts in the book. This is very compelling to me because it’s a true story and it touched me greatly. I think this book will show people that you should never take anything or anyone for granted because you never know when they’ll leave your life forever.
Three Questions:
Anna: How could you just stop being a donor, knowing that your sister will die?
Why did you get the court involved?
Jesse: Why did you let yourself go and get into drugs when you know that your family needs you the most right now?
Why are you barley around Kate?
Sarah: Why can’t you let loose once in a while like Brain?
How hard is it to know that your child is going to die?
Jaclyn wrote: I'm reading The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier "A nagging thought just below the surface of his mind gave him an uneasy feeling again, the feeling that something was wrong, that things were not what they seemed. Was that his imagination or just being in this small office, no air-conditioning, not even an electric fan..”
Jaclyn-I found it interesting that that a twelve year old could possibly be responsible for killing someone. I don’t think that twelve year olds even know how to actually kill someone, nor have the guts to do it. I feel like there must be some miscommunication here and that there could possibly be other factors that haven’t been found yet.
Is Jason only being questioned because he was the one who saw Alicia last?
Is Jason guilty?
How long is the book?
Nick wrote:The book I am reading is called “Half Magic” by Edward Eager.“…and the horrid thought that with each wish the charm’s power was waning away, and that any day the next wasted wish might be its last…”
Nick- This books sounds really interesting and unique. I have never heard of a story like this before. I think it’s cool that people can make wishes and have them come true, but it must be really hard to say the wish correctly, sense you only get a half of a wish.
What happened to Mark once he went to the Desert?
What was the worst outcome of a wish?
What happens when they meet Sir Launcelot?
Mariel wrote: "I have decided to read "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger for my independent reading book."All of a suddent, on my way out of teh lobby, I got old Jane Gallegher on the brain again. I g..."
MEHriel! i found it interesting that in the first 100 pages, only one nihgt has elapsed. this proves for an interesting and detailed read.
Do you enjoy the book up to this point?
Do you have any predictions of where holden is going in the story?
Justine wrote: "I am reading a James Patterson book called Judge and Jury. It is co written with Andrew Gross. The main character is FBI agent Nick Pellisante. His girlfriend is named Andie DeGrasse.“The e..."
Hi Justine
I think that this story sounds very interesting. It seems like there are many names and that it would be a story that you would have to really become involved with.
Do you have a hard time remembering all of the charactors?
Who is the main charator, Nick or Andie?
My independent reading book is Burned by Ellen Hopkins.“It seemed like forever but after dinner, we settled into chairs on the porch. The dogs parked at our feet, and cats rubbed up into our laps as Aunt J spilled her tale.
You might think I’ve never been in love, but you’d be wrong. I was seventeen, Kevin was eighteen. And he wasn’t Mormon. I was so much like you, Pattyn.
Full of life, full of hope. And I fell desperately in love with a man neither my family, nor my church would ever accept.
Intergenerational déjà vu? My stomach churned.
I kept right on seeing him anyway. We planned to marry, just as soon as I graduated high school. He even wanted me to go to college. Said any girl as smart as I was should have a calling other than kids. We were only kids ourselves, of course, and like most kids that age, our love moved way beyond kissing.
No wonder she’d hesitated to come clean.
Ely was-and still is- a very small town. Word got around till it reached your grandfather. He forbade me to see Kevin, but love was more powerful than fear. I was just five months shy of my eighteenth birthday when your father caught Kevin and me parked near Burnside Lake. Stephen pointed a .45 right between Kevin’s eyes and ordered us to get out of the car.
The picture rolled clearly into view.
He made us both kneel in the dirt. The pistol swung my way. “Father sent a message,” He said. “You are not to see this man again, or both of you will die.” I started to cry and Kevin reached for me. Stephen cocked the hammer. “Don’t touch her or I’ll swear I’ll shoot you dead.” Stephen was home after his first tour in Vietnam. He’d done plenty of killing. We had no reason to doubt he’d do more.
I didn’t doubt it either, “What did you do?”
I begged Stephen to leave us alone. Asked how he’d feel if father demanded he leave Molly. He laughed and told me to get in his car. When I refused he put the barrel against my cheek, pulled it gently toward my temple. “I’ll use this,” He said “One more would mean nothing.” A crazy fire flickered in his eyes. I believed, than as now, he could’ve easily killed me as easily as he slaughtered innocent Vietnamese.
And have yet another ghost too haunt him.
I stood and started for his car, afraid for my life, for Kevin’s life. I heard Stephen tell Kevin, “If you ever so much as glance at my sister again, I will hunt you down like a dirty coyote.” Then he brought that .45 hard against Kevin’s jaw. Cracked it wide open, but that wasn’t enough. Stephen beat that man till I though a bullet would’ve been kinder. So now you know why Stephen and I didn’t speak for so many years.
On piece of the puzzle. “But what about the church?”
Stephen damn near laid Kevin in his grave. But when Kevin tried to press charges, Sheriff Steele claimed there wasn’t enough evidence. See, he was also our bishop at the time. Church law before any other, you know that. I suffered his ‘court if love’, admitting as few dirty details as they’d allow. When I turned eighteen, I did go off to college. And I never sat through another Sunday from hell. Kevin moved away. I kept hoping he’d write. He never did.”
Pattyn is the main character; she was moved to her Aunt J’s house because her Mormon life was in chaos. She had a boyfriend, was fighting at school, drinking, etc. And her parent’s couldn’t take her anymore so her father sent her to her Aunt’s house. Pattyn was glad to get away from her abusive dad, and having to take care of the five other younger siblings. Her dad, and her Aunt haven’t spoken in years, and Pattyn wondered why, so she asked her Aunt, and in the quote above she explains why. I also feel that in this quote it helps Pattyn finally start to understand her SURLY father, and why he is the way he is. Pattyn’s developed thus far in the story from a shy, quiet, responsible, curious girl into a loud, outgoing, partying, normal teenaged girl.
I feel that the Authors writing style is descriptive, and emotional. A lot of the book is emotional, and it’s hard to put down, some parts of it can be dry, but the reader will get through those quickly. There’s a lot of first person point of view, it’s mostly from Pattyn’s point of view. Her thoughts are written a lot, there’s a substantial amount of dialogue but it’s mostly her thoughts. The format of Hopkins’s books are interesting, they’re set up in a poem like format. So its is kind of confusing to read at times, but in general I found the story to be intriguing and hard to stop reading.
I am reading the book Beautiful by Amy Reed.“’No,’ I say and it is the loudest thing that has ever come out of my mouth. There is something thick and hot and boiling out of my stomach, into my chest, into my throat, and filling my head, throbbing, red, heavy. Something is filling me up and the noise of it is so loud I cannot think. I am bursting. I would explode right now if something touched me.
Sarah and Ethan look at me funny, like they don’t recognize me, and I realize I have done something very wrong, that whatever entered my body and moved my mouth must leave or something terrible will happen. I must make it go away. Just like Sarah, I can make things inside go away.”
At this point in the story Cassie is telling Ethan No. Cassie gave his sweatshirt to Sarah to wear because it was cold, and when they were leaving he wanted it back. Cassie got irritated, and said no, not listening to him for once.
This quote explains that Cassie isn’t always going to be able to hold back what she wants to say, and she can’t always just make it go away.
Cassie is the new girl who moved from Bainbridge Island to a Seattle suburb where she met Alex. Alex is a seventh grader like Cassie, but she does drugs and hangs out with ninth graders. Alex makes Cassie her friend and introduces her into her lifestyle. Sarah is Alex’s cousin who moved in with Alex later into the school year.
Cassie has changed the most since the beginning of the book, from an innocent school girl to a drugged out sex doll. She is beginning to grow tired of her life. When Sarah moves in she and Cassie immediately have a connection. They act like sisters, never how Alex would act.
Alex is the tough rigid girl who won’t take shit from anyone. She makes INVIDIOIUS comments towards people without a care. She scares Cassie and Alex into doing things and knows how to control people. She means well and just doesn’t trust anyone. Both of Alex and Cassie’s lives are complex with murky pasts. Alex’s brother lives in Portland selling drugs, and her father hung himself in the room that’s now hers.
I think that the authors writing style is descriptive. I think that she conveys emotions and feelings well through text. I also think that the dialogue she uses is fitting for the scene. The author, Amy Reed, could’ve gone in any direction with a book from this perspective. I thought that Reed did a good job conveying the numbness that Cassie feels in her life.
The book is written from Cassie’s perspective. In the beginning of the book Cassie wanted to be friends with Alex and the ninth grade boys. “He backs out the door batting those eyelashes I thought were so sexy when I first met him. Now I want to pluck them out one by one.” I like the way the author writes because it is engaging and unpredictable. With all the drugs in her system Cassie’s emotions change more than a traffic light, which makes it interesting and exciting to read.
Cassie: Why don’t you stand up for yourself against Alex? Are you afraid, you don’t even like your life, or is it for Sarah?
Alex: Why do you have to have the tough attitude? And what’s so special about going to Portland?
Sarah: Why would you move in with Alex and her mom? Why do you let Alex bully you around, why does she bully you?
Becca wrote: "My independent reading book is Burned by Ellen Hopkins.“It seemed like forever but after dinner, we settled into chairs on the porch. The dogs parked at our feet, and cats rubbed up into our la..."
Hello Becca,
This seems like a very interesting book. The story was enough to make me want to keep reading and find out what happens next. I was wondering why she decided to tell her daughter this? And did she ever forgive Stephen for doing that?
My independent reading book is “The Floor of the Sky” by Pamela Carter Joern. “One night she asks for a different story. “Was it a coincidence that David and Rosemary died on the same day?”
George takes a sip of his tea. His hand is steady when he places it back on the table. “Did you ask Toby?”
“Yes. She said I should ask you how David died. She said Rosemary died in the car accident that crippled Luther.”
George passes his hand over his eyes, rubs his brow. These are painful stories, but they belong to the girl. She has the right to know. He looks at John to ask him silently if he can bear the hearing. John returns his look with steady eyes.’
At this point in the story, Lila has been on the ranch for a week. She has come from the city, sixteen and pregnant, to live with her grandmother Toby on her families ranch. Her mother, Nola Jean, has shipped her here for the summer. Nola Jean is Toby’s adopted daughter, who hasn’t returned home since she left for college. Lila is speaking to the ranch hand, George, about his brother David and her great-grandmother Rosemary’s death.
This quote is significant because Lila has been searching for answers since she arrived on the ranch. She has been exploring the families’ history, asking questions, visiting the local cemetery, trying to come closer to the truth. This quote shows that Lila is deeply interested in her families’ history, and is discovering new things about the people she thought she knew. Lila is a nosey teenager trying to make it through the summer, and uncover secrets on the way.
Since the beginning of the story, the characters have started to open up. When Lila first arrives, she is shy and timid towards her family. She hasn’t seen her grandmother in years, along with her aunt and uncle. Toby is also shy towards Lila, trying not to be overbearing and controlling. As the story progresses, Toby and Lila become more comfortable with each other. They are starting to slowly let one another into their lives, reminiscing about the past times and childhood. In this story, there are two hardships I know of so far. One is Lila. She got pregnant at sixteen, a deadbeat father, and no plan for the future. Another hardship is the death of David and Rosemary. Rosemary was killed in a car accident the same night that David was shot.
I would describe Joern’s writing style as descriptive and emotional. The book is based around very serious, underlying issues that I have yet to come across. The book is already very heartfelt and emotional, so I feel that will progress throughout. This author uses a large amount of dialogue. There are four main characters in this book which all speak to one another greatly and have a noticeable DISPARITY in opinion. They all live on the same land and find company in each other.
“Gertie wouldn’t come?” George says
Toby shakes her head.
“Foolish old woman.” George bends and scoops a handful of dirt. He lets it trail through his fingers.
Toby watches Lila. She’s helping Julia with the last of the cleanup from the evening meal, rolling a white dishtowel over pots and pans.
“Lila’s asking Julia a lot of questions. Did she ever want kids? Did she grow up with kids around? Does she like kids?”
I chose this quote because it shows the little detail that author uses throughout the story. It also shows the conversation between Toby and George, just one of the many that is in the book. This style of writing influences my enjoyment of the book greatly. I like how she gives you little details that you can picture someone doing in your mind. It seems that the style she writes it makes the book very real and something I can connect to. I think this story is becoming more compelling as I am getting deeper into the secrets of Lila’s family.
Lila:
1. Did you tell the father?
2. How did you tell your parents?
Toby:
1. Would you have rather married David or Luther?
2. Did you resent your father?
Gertie:
1. How is it living without Howard?
2. Why don’t you live with him?
Jaclyn wrote: "I'm reading The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier"A nagging thought just below the surface of his mind gave him an uneasy feeling again, the feeling that something was wrong, that things were..."
Jaclynnnnn,
This sounds like a really intersting book. I can't imagine being the leading suspect in a murder case when I was twelve years old. I think it was brave of Jason to leave especially without his parents there. I wonder if Jason really murdered her. Why is Detective Trent so sure of Jason's guilt? And how was she murdered?
Abbie wrote: "I am reading the book Beautiful by Amy Reed.“’No,’ I say and it is the loudest thing that has ever come out of my mouth. There is something thick and hot and boiling out of my stomach, into my ..."
Hello Abbie,
I thought that your book sounded very interesting. It sounded like it was action-packed and filled with exciting moments. It seems like this book would be very dark and deep.
Why did Cassie follow Alex?
Do Cassie's parents know about her life?
Why are they doing these things so young?
Becca wrote: "My independent reading book is Burned by Ellen Hopkins.“It seemed like forever but after dinner, we settled into chairs on the porch. The dogs parked at our feet, and cats rubbed up into our la..."
Hello Becca,
This book sounds like something I have never read before. I don't know what a Mormon lifestyle is, but this has made me want to find out. I think that Pattyn is lucky to be taken away from her abusive father and can try to have a happier life now.
Did she tell anyone of the abuse?
Does Pattyn get along with her aunt?
Was she the oldest of her siblings?
Sarah wrote: "My independent reading book is “The Last Song” by Nicholas Sparks. “Ronnie took a deep breath and headed inside. As bad as it sounded – she didn’t think Blaze should be getting drunk in the fir..."
I read this book over the summer, and absolutely loved it. I hope you are enjoying it as much as i did. there's also a movie out for it too, wait till you finish reading it to watch it though!
Questions: What is your prediction for the ending?
Do you like the fact that it is a love story?
Do you think that the friendship between blaze and ronnie will last?
My independent reading book is "Teen Idol" by Meg Cabot."Geri Lynn was always going on about the vital role journalist play in the making or breaking of a celebrity's career, while Luke made no effort to hide his opinion that journalists are muckraking backstabbers only out to make a buck. The bickering finally got to the point where Scott assigned them a pro and con column, Geri Lynn taking the pro-paparazzi stance, and Luke the con."
The significance of this quote is that shows the VICISSITUDE in the story. At the beginning of the book for about the first forty pages or so all it talked about was the relationships between people like in the above quote, but after that it kind of started telling more of a compelling story, but it didn't really start doing so until page 80 or so. The book still makes a big deal about relationships, but it’s also including a lot of events taking place in the characters lives. Right now what is happening is that a dance is coming up. It’s been written about in like the last 3 chapters and it keeps going back to there being a dance soon. Right now in the book the dance is being written about because there is this celebrity that has come to do a movie possibly in the town where this book takes place and Jenny is in charge of keeping his real identity a secret and he asks her out to the dance. The characters haven’t developed really, i just know more about them. Like the story hasn’t really gotten anywhere. All these chapters so far have just given a lot of details about all the character so I know more about them then from when i started reading, but nothing has really changed for them. The hardships that have taken place is really just that jenny has been asked to the dance by the celebrity.
The writing style of the artist I would describe as dragged-out and emphasizing the relationship of the characters within the book because I’m just over 100 pages and the books just starting. So far it’s pretty much been about the characters and their relationships. The author uses a lot of dialog. Mostly involving jenny. The conversations that don’t involve her are told from her point of view. Also, a lot of the dialogue compares situations in the book to movies and songs and famous people that are popular among teenagers “they have never noticed, as I had, that Scott’s are even more hazel than mine, sometimes even amber, the same color as the stuff the mosquitoes were stuck in in Jurassic Park” pg. 99. It influences my enjoyment of the book by making it easier for me to read. Its not really a compelling story, but it’s an enjoyable story because I reeeeaally am enjoying this book!
Nick wrote:The book I am reading is called “Half Magic” by Edward Eager.“…and the horrid thought that with each wish the charm’s power was waning away, and that any day the next wasted wish might be its last…”
Nick- i'm happy you're actually reading this book! its surprising. it sounds really interesting and cool. especially that wishes can come true.
QUESTIONS- are there any bad outcomes from wishes?
What does mark do in the desert?
David wrote: "My independent reading book is The Inferno of Dante, translated by Robert Pinsky.“But keep your eyes below us, for coming
Is the river of blood-in which boils everyone
Whose violence hurt ..."
Dear David!
I find it really strange that the book is about the different circles of hell; that's a really interesting and unique topic. The interaction Dante has with different creatures also seems like it'd be interesting to read about.
How does dante defeat the she-wolf?
Is it a hard read, because the language is worded strangely?
Do you like the book?
Please respond to ALL parts of the prompt! USE AT LEAST ONE VOCAB WORD IN YOUR RESPONSE. PUT IT IN CAPS.
After giving the title and author of your book, find a compelling passage from between pages 97 and 100. Type that passage out (use ellipses if it is considerably long).
Explain what is happening in the story at this point in time, and explain the significance of this quote.
How have the main characters developed since the beginning of the story? What hardships have taken place?
How would you describe the author's writing style? Descriptive? Dry? Action-packed? Emotional? Does your author use a lot of dialogue? Or hardly any? Provide another quoted passage from the book to exemplify your points. How does this influence your enjoyment of the book? Is this a compelling story or not? Why or why not?
Last, choose THREE characters from the book. As EACH character TWO questions.