Charlie Friesen

Charlie Friesen

Factory Girls

Leslie T. Chang

Non-Fiction

Holiday

Pg. 336

1. Right now in my book, Chang has just returned from the village, where she was visiting Min. She also decided to visit her own ancestral village (she is Chinese too). There she visited where her old family homestead was, before it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. She also visited one of her great-aunts. She also then visited one of her grandfather's cousin's family in Beijing. At that gathering, Chang learns about another family member Zhang Hong. All she had heard of him was that he was crazy. He was trying to clear his father's name, for he had been labeled a Rightist during the Cultural Revolution. At the last scene he was again with Wu Chunming, as she was working at her construction job back in Guandong.

2. This book is starting to get more interesting. Now that she started talking about her family's past. This is actually interesting because the history she talks about goes back to the seventeenth Century. And she also writes about how her family traveled to America, which was and adventure in the twentieth Century. This section mixes up the flow of the rest of the book. It gives something different to read. Instead of just reading about teenage girls who leave their factories for another one, this section was hard to predict what would happen. But this is only a section, and the next time I blog about this book, it will probably go back to the way it was before, plain.

3. An important theme in this book in this section is hardship. Especially because she is talking about her family's past. Everyone suffered in the Cultural Revolution, and her family was not an exception. Many of her family members were sent to the countryside to do manual labor, including Zhang Hong's father, who was also labeled a Rightist. Even before the Communists took control of China, when they were battling with the national army. Chang's aunt, Nellie, had to tend the whole family, after Nellie's father (Chang's grandfather) was shot by the Communists, for working with the current government. Anyone who did not move to America before the Communists took control suffered much hardship.

4. My favorite character would have to be Leslie Chang, even though she was not really a character. I liked her mainly because I agreed with her points of view. She was the only person who you really got to know in the book. When she started talking about her family's past, she also told the reader about herself. You really got to know Chang by also learning about her own family. Also, many other characters were stuck in the past in this section, and Chang was the only person who gave a modern twist to the story. She was also the only one who was really able to dissect the situation make sense of it. Chang is the constant, you can always rely on her to make sure you understand the book.

5. My least favorite character would have to be Zhang Hong. He was too caught up in the past. He was driving himself crazy because he was trying to clear his father's name, who is dead now. This rightist label never would have affected him, in fact, the Communist Party eliminated the title Rightist from almost everyone, including Hong's father. Also, he did not seem like the nicest person to be around. Since he was always talking about his father and him wrongly being accused, it could never seem that you could actually say something to him and be paid any attention to. I do not want to be around someone who just complains, so that is why Zhang Hong is my least favorite character.

6. My prediction for the future is that Wu Chunming is probably going to keep her job in the construction industry at least for a while. She is making good money , so if she does quit, she will have something to fall back on. Chang will also talk about Min some more. She has a boyfriend now, and she might get married to him. But for now, she will continue to talk about Chunming. I am getting pretty close to the end of the book, so by the end, I expect that both girls will get married to a man, with or without their parents' consent. Chang will have some kind of final thought or epilogue that will throw a new spin on things. And now that these two girls are not girls any more, but women, they will start to settle down some, and by the end of the book, it will be another happy ending in China.

Hannah Crowley

Hannah Crowley
Lock and Key
Sarah Dessen
Realistic Fiction
Holiday
Page 264

1. At this point in my book the main character, Ruby, has gotten herself into a little trouble. She was having a bad day and she decided to leave school early, technically she was ditching, to go get drunk. However, like most of the time, this backfired, she found herself passed out in the woods later on. A girl named Olivia told one of Ruby’s friends, Nate, and he drove ten miles into the woods to find her. Now Ruby has gone to apologize and explain things to Olivia and while doing so she realizes she wasn’t very grateful to Nate at the time and now she’s faced with one of the hardest things to do, make it up to him.
2. So far I have enjoyed this book. I like the fact that it’s about kids only a few years older than me because I hear stories about people that I know and it’s entertaining to read about dramatic stuff like that. The books that have always been most appealing to me were all teenage drama types and at this stage in my life they are pretty much the only kinds that could get me to like reading.
3. The theme I have noticed would probably be taking responsibility for your actions. I think this is the theme that stands out to me most right now because ever since Ruby made the mistake of drinking, she’s been trying to make things right with everyone who was involved and may have been effected by it. It’s kind of like the saying “do the crime, pay the time” or something like that. The crime was drinking and the time is apologizing and making up for her mistake.
4. My favorite character is Olivia. She seems really down to earth and understanding. She’s one of those girls that doesn’t judge you from what she hears, she judges you from what she finds out about you herself. There aren’t many girls like that and I think it’s a great quality to have.
5. My least favorite character is Ruby’s mom. She made growing up so much harder on her daughter than it had to be. Not that Ruby had an awful life, I mean it could’ve been worse but still her mother never really considered the affect her actions had on her daughter.
6. I think that Ruby is going to end up apologizing to Nate and she’s going to realize that she wants more than just a friendship with him. I think that they are going to start dating and he’s going to help push Ruby’s life in the right direction and keep her out of trouble.

Justine Regan

Justine Regan
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Adventure fantasy
Just right/ Challenge
Pg. 173

1. Right now on my book, Lyra has just found out that her mother is evil Mrs. Coulter and her father is her uncle Asriel. Lyra has also recently run away from Mrs. Coulter who she had been living with. Mrs. Coulter told Lyra that she would take her to the North after Lyra learned how to navigate but, Lyra thought she was really lying. Lyra left because, she found out from one of the guests at Mrs. Coulters party that Mrs. Coulter started and runs the Gobblers and that she wants Lyra to one day help her catch children. Now that Lyra has gotten away from Mrs. Coulter she is living with the Gyptians who are hiding her from Mrs. Coulter (Mrs. Coulter is offering a huge reward to anyone who finds Lyra and returns her to her). Lord (john) Faa has issued a trip to the North to find the children that the Gobblers took. He is also planning on retrieving Lyra's father.

2. So far I like that this book is the biggest challenge I've read so far throughout the year- I think I may learn some new vocabulary. It is really confusing though because, some of the concepts are really unfamiliar to me. Such as Dust, I'm not quite sure about what that is yet. I like the storyline though because it has me constantly thinking about whats going on and about what everyone else is thinking. If I could talk to the author of this book I would ask how he got the idea for the Daemons because, I think they are really cool especially how they can change form while you are a child.

3. I think the theme is Determination because, Lyra was really good friends with Roger when he got caught by the Gobblers and this makes her want to fight to get him back even more now. Also I think Lyra is Determined to learn how to read her compass so she can use it to her advantage. If it is one, I also think curiosity is a big theme in this book because, Lyra really wants to go and Explore the North. I think Lyra would also be considered defiant because, she wants to go against Mrs. Coulter- her mom and someone she has trusted and looked up to for so long. She also shows defiance towards her Master at Jordan and all the scholars there because, she was never willing to do her studies or anything for that matter.

4. Lyra is my favorite character because, she wants to help all the children who were taken by the Gobblers so much- even if it means risking her own life to do so. I also like that she has fun no matter what the circumstance and she is not easily influenced by people. I like that she can make decisions for herself yet she is still open to learning new things (especially dust).

5. My least favorite character is the master because, he tried to kill Lyra's father and he never told Lyra that her uncle was really her father. I think Lyra had a right to know who her parents were. I didn't like that the Master tried to plot against Lyra's father and Kill him. Even though Lyra's father seems harsh and unkind I think in the end he could end up having a reason for being the way he is.

6. I think Lyra will make a lot more good decisions in this book and end up really helping the children escape. I think that Mrs. Coulter will find out that Lyra is going to go to The North and try to stop her. I also think that Mrs. Coulter knows about Lyra's compass and that's why she wants to find Lyra so badly. Once Mrs. Coulter finds Lyra I think she will take her compass and use it to do lots of evil that Lyra will have to try to prevent. Thinking back about the Daemons- I think the fact that Lyra's Daemon can change form will help her later when she's in the middle of a major battle or something- or else why would it have been added.

P.S. Dust,Gyptians, The North and Gobblers are all supposed to be capitalized.

Amelia Fattore

Amelia Fattore

Three Cups of Tea

Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Inspirational Non-Fiction

Just Right

I’m on page 147

1. What is going on in your book right now?

“A village called New York has been bombed,” (123) one man tells Greg while he is visiting Pakistan. While Greg was hard at work creating schools, Al-Qaeda personnel attacked the highly populated American city New York. Over the next few days, Greg’s progress is brought to a stand still. He realizes, he may become a target due to his image, in fact, the United States strongly cautioned Americans to leave Pakistan immediately. At this point in time, he seriously considered abandoning his large dream for the people of Pakistan. He realizes that he has committed himself this mission; selling almost all of his possessions, spending months on end in Pakistan and more. Though he may place himself in line of danger, he decides to preserve and stay in Pakistan.

2. How do you feel so far about this book?

I REALLY enjoy this book. It is very motivational and inspirational. Three Cups of Tea depicts how one person’s actions can actually change the world. The quote, “Proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.” These few words sum up what this 200-page book is teaching. I believe this is a message that is easily “thrown out” as people do not believe that is possible.

3. What is a theme you have noticed in the book so far?

Dedication is a key and strong theme in Three Cups of Tea. Many obstacles have come in the way of Greg building schools in Pakistan. He was kidnapped, urged to leave after 9/11, faced financial problems, left his new wife and more. His dedication to this project shows how much he really cares about these people. I believe his incredible story would not have occurred if he did not have the amazing quality of dedication.

4. Who is your favorite character?

My favorite character is Shakeela, the daughter of the village chief of Hushe. She was the first woman to attend high school in her village. This opportunity was made possibly through Greg’s donation. I believe everyone should receive an education regardless of their beliefs, race, gender, etc. It is very unfortunate that only boys receive education in Pakistan. Shakeela going to school was a very happy occasion yet sad to think of all of the other girls who long to be educated.

5. Who is your least favorite character?

My least favorite character is Osama bin Laden. Although he is not directly part of Greg’s journey, he does influence it. When bin Laden’s group, Al-Qaeda, attacks the United States on September 11, 2001, chaos begins to stir in Pakistan. The United States urges Americans to flee the country in order to secure their safety. I feel that bin Laden should never have done such a horrible thing. He didn’t know but he jeopardized the chance for helpless children to receive a decent education – a once in a lifetime opportunity.

6. What do you believe will happen next?

I believe the book will end in a cliffhanger that makes the reader envision what his next steps, goals and dreams are for the people of Pakistan. I wish this book took you farther into his journeys as I feel as though this is the “tip of the iceberg.” Three Cups of Tea was originally published in 2006, I can imagine Greg Mortenson has been helping others in the mean time.

Emily Spence

The Last Song

Nicholas Sparks

Realistic Fiction

Just Right

92

1. Right now Ronnie is going home from her first night at Wrightstville Beach. She met some snobby popular people and some low lifes. She started hanging around with a girl named Blaze and these gross guys Marcus, Teddy, and Lance. I think these people are bad news and are going to be a bad influence on Ronnie. Later during the day Ronnie also saw some cute boys playing volleyball with some pretty girls. She immediately assumes these are the popular, rich people and she wanted nothing to do with them. One of the boys Will had accidentally spilled soda on Ronnie so she got very mad at him. But Will had been watching Ronnie all day and started to become interested in her. He even told her dad where she was so that she would be kept from harm. I have a feeling that he will try to make things happen between him and Ronnie.

2. So far I am really enjoying the book. Nicholas Sparks has a way of grabbing readers attention. He doesn't have action packed suspenseful scenes yet I'm hooked to another one of his great books. I like how descriptive the writing is in this book. I also like how each chapter is from a different character's perspective. It lets you look at the story in a different way and it makes you understand each character's feelings and opinions.

3. A theme I have noticed so far is independence. Ronnie is a character who is going through a stage of teenage rebellion. She wants nothing to do with her parents and disobeys all their rules. She is mean to them and ignores all their efforts to be nice to her. She is trying to be independent and she can't wait until she turns eighteen. She wants to be an independent person who is free to make her own decisions. I don't understand why she hates her parent so much and wants to be freed of them so badly. They are nice people who are just trying to do what's best for her.

4. My favorite character is Will. Everyone thinks he's a typical beach boy, who dates all the pretty girls. He is attractive and hangs out with popular people, but he's different. He's actually a nice, sweet boy who is friends with the wrong people. He's kind and sensitive, and smart. He doesn't date girls that have bad personalities, and hes looking for the right girl. I think that Ronnie is the perfect match for him and they will fall in love.

5. My least favorite character is Marcus. He is a guy that just throws away his life and does bad things like drugs, and drinking. He doesn't care about girl's feelings at all, he just wants action. He treats girls horribly and uses them all the time. He also always picks fights with people which just shows how much of a low life he is. He needs to stop messing around and start thinking about the things that actually matter in life.

6. I predict that Ronnie is going to make a stronger relationship with her dad. She is going to stay with him all summer so they have to make up some time. Maybe he will pull her out of her teenage rebellion stage. I also predict that Ronnie and Will will get to know each other and eventually fall in love.

Margot Hahn

Margot Hahn

The Lovely Bones

Alice Sebold

Fiction

Holiday

230

1)Ray and Ruth like each other and it is now 2 years after Suzie's death and Ray and Ruth go to the cornfield to go remember her. Sam and Hal were tehre and someone left flowers on the ground. ALl the other neighbors decided to join them and lindsey told abigail something is going on but abigail didn't care. Susie watched the memorial from her heaven and all the neighbors have heard about Mr. Harvey's suspected connection to Suzie's murder and are gabbing about it. Mrs. Salmon has a plan to leave home and go away.

2) I dont really like the book so far because i think it is boring and there's not really a plot to it anymore because i have seen the movie.

3)I have noticed friendship in this book because of all the friends suzie realized that she had after she died. They never mentioned many friends before her death but then after they all learned to love her.

4) Buckley is my favorite character because he is the cute little kid who knows so much. I think Buckley is adorable and i want to know how he knows all of this about Suzie.

5)My least favorite character is Ruth because i think she's kind of dark and i dont really like her personality.

6)I think that Suzie's dad is going to catch Mr. Harvey and get him arrested.

Bryte Kiser : )

The Body of Christopher Reed

Carol Plum-Ucci

Mystery

Holiday

28

1) Right now in my book, the main character Tori is explaining how he thinks the strange boy who went missing last year in his school, is still out there. He was a typical high school boy, popular, and a football star. Although everyone thought he was crazy towards he still kept on with his search. That is why Tori moved away to a boarding school. He is now meeting new people, including his room mate in his dorm, who he strongly dislikes, as of now.

2) I think this book is going to be very mysterious and exciting! I'm not so far into the book, but i think it will be a great read, and very entertaining. I don't read mystery often, but when I do, I always enjoy it a lot. This book always keeps me wanting to know what is going to happen next, so i want to keep on reading.

3) So far, a theme i see in this book, is fitting in. I think that often time Tori is under a lot of pressure to fit in with the "in crowd" at his new school. I think because at his old school he was so popular and a huge football star. But once Christopher disappeared I think things changed so that is a major reason why Tori moved to boarding school, to get away from his old school because of feeling like such an outsider, or "freak" for thinking Christopher Creed is still alive. He also experiences his room mates homosexuality, and because of that he is very big outcast, and Tori is just trying to fit in for once, and he is seeking that through out the book.

4) So far Tori is my favorite character. I see a lot of myself in him. But he is also very different, and entitled to his own opinions. He is not afraid to say how he feels, but I think that also sometimes tends to get him into some trouble.

5) So far i don't really have a least favorite character. The book has mainly been focusing on Tori as the narrator. I'm not exactly fond of his new room mate, because I think he makes Tori feel upset about boarding school, or uncomfortable.

6) My prediction for this book is that later Tori and his room mate will become better friends. I think that also Tori will try and look into more evidence involving the body of Christopher Creed.

Jake Heinlein

Jake Heinlein
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Fiction
Just Right
Page: 346

1. Right now in my book, Katniss and Peeta have been declared the winners of the Hunger Games. While in the games, they were told that two tributes could win if they are from the same district. While Peeta and Katniss team up, they manage to wipe out the competition, only to find an ugly surprise that the gamemakers decide to change the rules back. Peeta and Katniss refuse to fight each other and are about to kill each other at the same time, when the gamemakers say that they can both win because they would rather that then if they both die.

2. I am really enjoying this book and I'm finding it hard to put down because there's always some challenge and just as soon as Katniss is about to overcome the first challenge a new one sets in and she's finding that she never gets to rest. What I really love about this book though is that you never know what's going to be on the next page. With new twists and turns I just want to read it all at once.

3. A theme that is everywhere in the book is determination. Katniss is always telling herself that she has to get through and there are many times when she is about to give up, but then she remembers her little sister back home and decides that she couldn't bear to have her little sister which her die on television so she gets back up and keeps going, and that alone has saved her life many times.

4. My favorite character is the main character Katniss. She is a very determined girl with a strong mind and always working to stay alive or to get sponsors that can donate her gifts. Throughout the story we listen to what she thinks and she is a very clever girl. It's always fun to see what she thinks she should do and how she goes about doing it. It's no wonder that she won the hunger games.

5. My least favorite character is Peeta. He received an injury on his leg which has immobilized him so right now when survival is very important and you can't allow to be slowed down, he's very difficult to compensate for and I don't know why Katniss looks after him because she could have a much easier time without him and maybe he would be better off buried until he could get help too.

6. Next I think that Katniss and Peeta will be taken out of the arena and their injuries will be fixed up, but I think that the gamemakers are going to get mad because Katniss is always coming up with ideas to defy them, like how she made a plan to refuse to let there be only winner and also how when someone that she allied herself with was brutally killed, she made her a small grave out of flowers, which is against the idea of the Hunger Games.

1. Rogers Boylan

2. The Sinking of the Bismark

3.Will shiar

4.Historical Fiction

5. Challenge

6. 65

1. Right now in my book, the captain of the bismark has been told about the mission that him and his crew are going to embark on. The captain thinks this is a bad idea but keeps his mouth shut because he doesnt want to be court marshalled for disobeying a direct order. Also he has just assummed command of this new ship called the Bismark which is the newest of the new battleships.

2. I think that this book is going to be a real adventure of a read because anything can happen out at sea. Also I think that how the author goes into detail about how the characters are feeling about the orders they are given is really cool as well.

3. The theme that I have noticed so far is adventure. I think this is the theme because the ship is setting out on an adventure to a kind of unkown place. Also the way the author has foreshadowed some things is really quite interesting telling a little about what is to come.

4.Right now my favorite character is the captain. He is my favorite becasue he is hard working and is kind of an i dont care what anyone thinks kind of guy which is cool. Also he is good with his men and is really good at bringing them together.

5. My least favorite characters right now are the leaders sending the Bismarck on this mission because they are setting him up for failure.

6. I think that the Bismarck will run into an enemy patrol of some sort. Also I think that because of the title the Bismarck will be sunk towards the end of the book

JP Riedel

JP Riedel
Dracula
Bram Stoker
Horror
Challenge
page 272

1. Right now one of the main characters, Lucy, has just died and it is believed that right before she died she was turning into a vampire. Right after the funeral one of hers friends, Dr. Van Helsing, put a crucifix and garlic over her coffin for protection because he believes that she was turning into a vampire. Now he has just proposed an autopsy to Arthur Homewood, Lucy's finance, to find out what was going on with her. Though Arthur is somewhat against it because it involved cutting off her head and removing her heart. So now they plan to do that in the middle of the night.

2. I fee that the book is very good so far and is keeping me very interested. It is a bit of a challenge because it is set near the turn of the 19th century and is in very old language that is sometimes hard to follow. However, it is easy to figure out what is going on based upon the words I do know and with the help of a dictionary. It is full of suspense and mystery that keeps me reading and wondering what is going to happen next in the story. It is very exciting.

3. So far I believe the theme is mostly about determination. Van Helsing is determined to find and kill all vampires, but mostly Dracula while Dracula is determined to survive and turn more humans into vampires.

4. Dr. Van Helsing is my favorite character because he is very confident and always knows what to do. He always stays calm no matter what the situation is and can always figure out how to solve the problem at hand. For example when Lucy was sick and dying, Dr. Van Helsing decided to bring garlic flowers into her room to prevent her from changing into a vampire. Also he figured out that she was under the evil spell of Dracula.

5. At this point Dracula is my least favorite character because he truly is evil when compared to any other character in all of the books that I have read. For example he has tortured one of the main characters, Jonathan, and kept him a prisoner. He also is responsible for so much death which is unexplained.

6. I predict that since Lucy is now dead, Dracula will seek out a new victim to suck their blood. That victim may be Dr. Van Helsing since he has figured out that Dracula is the cause of all of the killings.

Grant Newman- The Lost Symbol

Grant Newman
The Lost Symbol
Dan Brown
Science/Historical Fiction
Just Right
P. 95

1. Right now, the main character, Robert Langdon is in Washington DC trying to figure out what is going on. He arrived in Washington D.C. that day by invitation of a very famous man named Peter Solomon. Solomon was a mentor to Langdon when he was younger, and apparently he wanted Robert to present a Keynote Address at a Smithsonian Gala in DC. Langdon was never actually contacted by Solomon himself, but by his assistant, named Anthony. His assistant told him that there was a plane waiting for him at Logan Airport, and Langdon arrived to find that there indeed was one. He flew down to DC to give this speech, and when he arrived, he was escorted in a limousine to the Smithsonian. He was running slightly late, so he had to jog to get there, but when he arrived in the room that he was suppoesd to present, no one was there. He then received a mysterious phone call from a person who would not give his name to Langdon. He said that he had Peter Solomon, and there was no actual address, just something he made up, and that he had Peter Solomon. Langdon was upset, and when the man hung up, he heard a scream from the room next to his. Rushing in to see what was the matter, he found a group of tourists huddled around a severed human hand, apparently formerly in Peter Solomon's possession, with tattoos on each of his fingertips. Langdon recognized the symbols to be an ancient symbol of an invitation to find out a certain set of mysteries that would give him knowledge. The man that contacted him said that Solomon told him that Langdon was the only person who could open a "portal" that the man wanted to open. Langdon, not sure about what's happening, is currently being interrogated by the head of the CIA. Meanwhile, Solomon's sister is trying to find out what is happening to her brother.

2. I like this book, along with the other Dan Brown novels that I've read. It's very good, and the story once again wraps you in like his others do. He starts out his stories filling you with uncertainty and speculation, and slowly begins to unravel the plot and the meaning of everything. Solomon's sister, Katherine, is discussing a field of science called noetic science, and she's explaining what it is as the book goes along. The book (so far) flips between three perspectives, Langon's, Katherine Solomon's and the villain's, named Mal'akh. The chapters are short, but they usually transition well in between these perspectives, always leaving a little bit of anxiety about what's going to happen to the character after that. He writes great suspense stories and his mixture of history and science is very interesting to read about. Katherine Solomon's field of science is about thinking that thoughts can have mass, and therefore effect things in nature and everyday life. It's a very curious subject, and provokes a lot of questions. I really like the book a lot so far.

3. A theme I've noticed so far is deception. The villain, Mal'akh's, main weapon is deception so far. He's posed as an army veteran to sneak a severed hand past security checkpoints and into a public area where it will provoke distress. He also led Langdon on this fake journey for his benefit alone to open his portal. He's a very smart person and led these very intelligent people onto missions solely for his benefit. All the characters are very perplexed right now about what is actually happening, and those questions aren't really answered yet. They're trying to unravel all of these lies and deceit. The theme is present throughout the novel, as he's actually influencing both sides of the story (Langdon's and Katherine Solomon's). I'm amazed he was actually able to do these things, and that he does these without scrutiny by one of the most heavily secured places in the country, Washington DC.

4. My favorite character so far is Robert Langdon. This isn't the first book I've read with him in it, so it's easy to relate to him because I already know his personality. He's a very intelligent person who uses his knowledge to help others and to solve the problems that the characters encounter in the book. A lot of what he does is interpreting and figuring out puzzles and clues and deciding what they mean, so his personality trait of being intelligent really helps what he does in the book. He has a decent amount of self-esteem too. Even when the director of the CIA corrects him when she interrogates him, he isn't distracted, and keeps thinking about what he knows and how that could help him. He's really helpful to all the other characters in The Lost Symbol so far.

5. My least favorite character is Mal'akh. He's the villain, of course, so he's not supposed to be thought of as a good person. Brown does a great job portraying him as a very intelligent person, but not one who helps people with his knowlege like Langdon does. He makes it very obvious to you that he thinks things through, but everything he does is really bad. For example, some of the things he does include cutting people's hands off, summoning people on fake journeys, and keeping people hostage from their family. None of these are good, and as said before, he relies on deception and trickery to get what he wants done. He's very good at it, but he's evil and doesn't do anything to benefit anyone but himself.

6. I predict somehow Katherine Solomon and Langdon will meet, and together try to find out what this portal is, and find out what actually happened to Peter Solomon. I don't know if they'll succeed, but I'm guessing it'll involve going around Washington D.C. and finding clues in historic monuments that are references to this portal.

Dan Carroll

Dan Carroll

The Killing

Robert Muchamore

Fiction

Holiday

236

1.  Lauren and Kerry just took Patricia's documents and copied them onto a disc. While, they were snooping around they found hundreds of dollars and a little bag of white powder which they thought was cocaine. Patricia came home crying and saw Lauren and Kerry. The two decided to make a run for it as Patricia hung up on her husband and called the cops to send a car after Lauren and Kerry. 

2. So far this book is really good. It started off like it would be one of the normal CHERUB missions but then James finds out that there is so much more to what they are the agents are looking at. 

3. I think the theme right now is determination. I think this because of how james is so determined to finish the case no matter what it costs.

4. My favorite character is James because he is the really smart. He also is not as familiar with the fighting and karate techniques as the other agents because they have been at CHERUB for a longer period of time. He is the funniest one and in tough situations he is the one who can get everyone out. 

5. My least favorite character is Lauren. I don't like her as much because she is James' sister and she is extremely annoying. Normally when she is talking to James she uses a lot of sarcasm where she thinks she is being funny but i don't think she is. 

6. I think that Lauren is going to mess up the mission in some way because she is the least experienced. She just recently got out of basic training and even though she was put on the mission and has her navy shirt she almost messed up the entire mission in The Dealer. 

Rebecca Freeman

Rebecca Freeman
The Clocks
Agatha Christie
Murder Mystery
Challenge
151


1. Right now in The Clocks Colin Lamb and Inspector Hardcastle are trying to find more evidence, or at least a lead about the murder that took place at number 19. Also, they are trying to identify the man that died. He had a card for insurance that had the name 'Mr. R. H. Curry'. However, when the police looked into their records, they discovered that no person exists under that name. Colin Lamb, the main character goes to his friend, Hercule Poirot for help. Mr. Poirot had told him before that you could solve some cases just by sitting in your chair and thinking about it. Hercule Poirot gives him a cryptic answer in which he states that the crime must be simple because it seemed so complicated.

2. So far I really like this book. At first, like most of Agatha Christie's books, it was a little slow moving but after the first 25 pages it got more interesting. I am very eager to read more because I have no idea who did it, but I don't have any evidence yet, I don't even know who the victim is. I am sure that once I figure out who the murdered person is, it will become even more interesting and suspensful.

3. A theme in my book that I have noticed so far is probably being very observant and not missing any facts. That is the only way that Inspector Hardcastle will be able to solve the murder. I have noticed this theme when the Inspector and Colin go around to the neighbors, asking them questions because they are always paying very close attention to detail. Also, when Colin Lamb goes to Hercule Poirot, Poirot tells him to just talk to the neighbors and mentally record everything they say.

4. My favorite character is definitely Hercule Poirot. Even though he has only made one short appearance so far in this book, he is still my favorite. I have read about him in some of Agatha Christie's other books, so I know his personality pretty well. I think that his character is very likeable. He is not very modest but he is extremely clever and optimistic. He also has a very large mustache that he is proud of.

5. My least favorite character is probably Inspector Hardcastle because he interrogates people the wrong way. Although he is very observant, I have noticed with my experience with Agatha Christie's books is that you obtain the most information by just talking to them normally. They always let something slip that they don't realize is important. He is also a very serious and seemingly strict man.

6. I think that Hercule Poirot will become part of the story. I think that they will identify the man but not be able to get any farther than that so Colin asks him to help them solve the case. Then Hercule Poirot will probably go around to all of the neighbors and talk to them. Then he will figure out the crime using evidence that no one would guess is of any importance. Also, I am sure that whoever I think will be the murderer will not be.

Paul Krusell

Paul Krusell
Among the Hidden
Marfaret Peterson Haddix
Realistic fiction
Holiday
Page 22

1. Right now, the Goverment just demolished all the trees and shrubs in the backyard of Luke's family. Luke is the third child in his family-a crime at this time. There is a population problem on Earth, so families are limited to two kids and no pets. The Population police will take Luke away if he was caught. Luke was just denied the ability to look outside and eat at the dinner table.

2. I feel like this book is interesting, though a bit below my level. I like the sense of mystery in it, and feel like the author is foreshaddowing the effects of too much population and population control.

3. I have noticed rebellion as a theme so far. I see this because Luke's family is being rebellious by having a third child.

4. My favorite character is Luke. He is so innocent because he has never had contact with anyone besides his family and comes to conclusions easily and smartly.

5. My least favorite character is Mark because he is always being mean to Luke.

6. I think that next in the story, Luke may be discovered by one of the new neighbors or may find another third child in a new house.

Tyler DeLuca

Tyler DeLuca
Cracker!
Cynthia Kadohata
action fiction
just right
45

1. Right now in my book cracker was just sent off and willie was having sort of a hard time with it but then he realized that cracker needed to be free so he let her into the army. for your information cracker is a girl German Shepard. Also cracker was just assigned to a squad.

2. So far the book is okay because the action has not kicked in yet but think once the battles starts it will get more interesting up to know it has been kind of sentimental things.

3. So far the theme i have noticed is friendship and loyalty i have noticed the friendship between willie and cracker and i have noticed a little bit of loyalty in the squad.

4. So far cracker is my favorite character because i have 2 German Shepard's of my own and i love them so much and i could only imagine what cracker is like if she was real and cracker is really cool with the way she acts.

5. So far my least favorite character is willie because he was holding cracker back at the beginning but he finally let her go which was good because cracker needs to be able live life.

6. I think that cracker will go to there first mission or battle and do well i think this because this book is about this dog being a war hero and i think there has to be some pretty substantial battles for her to be war hero.

Max Dunn
Crocodile Tears (italisized)
Anthony Horowitz
Adventure
Just Right
p. 385


1. I finished this book today. I thought it was one of the best in the whole Alex Rider series. So many unexpexted things happened towards the end. Desmond McCain plans on spreading deadly seeds through most of Kenya that will infest all of the crops and kill them immediatly. McCain creates this disaster so that the people of Kenya will come to his chrity when they need help. It's called First Aid. Only it is not a charity. He keeps all of the money that is donated to him. Alex figures that the only way to stop this is to flood the fields where the seeds were sent. So Alex steals a bomb from Rahim who is an Indian spy sent to kill McCain. Alex destroys the dam and escapes with the furious Rahim because his bomb was stolen from him. They go to a refueling sation where Desmond it waiting for them. Rahim is killed by McCain but as he runs toward Alex to kill him as well Alex uses the explosive pen that Smithers gave him to blow up fuel barrels that sit right next to McCain. Alex escaped with only some burns and a broken ankle but the same can't be said for Desmond McCain.

2. This book was absolutely fantastic. What I like most about it is that it kind of trails away from MI6. There is no doubt about it that MI6 got him involved in the first place but the fact that he decides to venture on despite the fact that his mission was completed. This brings up a point that Alex says in the book. That MI6 found someone that wanted to be used as an undercover agent despite the fact that Alex said he didn't. His point is obviously proved wrong when he ventures on by himself despite MI6 telling him his job was done.

3. As I said in my last blog, the best theme for this book is perserverance. The place where this is described most vividly is when Alex investigates further than he is supposed to because he feels that something is not right. He keeps going and going til' he finishes the job that he started which is catching Desmond McCain before he follows through with his plot. Also, another great example of his perserverance is when he is hanging over a pit of Crocodiles and the only thing keeping him from dropping doen to them is his arm strength.

4. My favorite character in this book as well as the whole series has been Alex himself. The reason that I like the way Anthoney Horowitz made his character is that he is able to survive eberything he goes through. Whether it is escaping the horrible death of being eaten by crocodiles or being engulfed by water because a dam has exploded he always makes it out using the skills he has obtained over the years.

5. My least favorite character throughout the whole book has been Desmond McCain. He wins that race by a landslide because he not only is determined to kill Alex but he steels millions of dollars. He causes huge natural disasters himself which kill and endanger millions of innocent people.

6. Since I am done with the book I am not sure what to right here but I know one thing. What I though was going to happen did not at all. Although McCain did turn out to be bad as I predicted, Alex and the rest of MI6 did not find out untill much later on in the book.

HEADING:

Ashley Deluca
The Body Of Christopher Creed
Carol Plum-ucci
Realistic fiction
Just Right
21

1. Right now in my book, Torey one of the main characters is reading a letter he wrote to a person named Alex Healy. The letter is about Torey's friend Christopher Creed. He was assumed dead and missing so Torey decided to write this letter to Alex Healy. Once Christopher was assumed dead every one in Torey's town started to point fingers. Most of the people pointed at Torey which led him to go to boarding school. Because he just could not be in his town.

2. I feel this is a very good book right now because it has a mystery to it that keeps me wanting to read more. I cant wait to find out more information on Christopher Creed and his disappearance.

3. The theme of this book so far is mystery. I noticed this because the writer is not giving all the detail about Torey's life before Christopher disappearance. Also the setting of the book is not coming off to me as a warm and comforting place.

4. Right now my favorite character is Leo. I like him because he is not afride to be himself and it doesnt seem like he cares much for gossip. Also at times i think he needs to give people there space which I think he will learn soon.

5. My least favorite character is Torey right now because he just is giving me a creepy feel. Also he seems very moody to me right now.

6. The prediction i have for time next time i read is that Torey is going to hear back from Alex Healy. I think this because I have a feeling that Alex Healy is a Detective that wants to investigate this case.

1. Shannon Rush
2. The Scarlet Stockings
3.Charlotte Kandel
4.Historical Fiction
5.Just Right
6. Pg. 142


1. In my book right now Daphne is just meating Magda, a dance instructer who is very famous. She is amazed how Magda's dancers grace the dance floor. Daphene is a orphan that has always dreamed to be a ballerina. But since she is an orphan, there is realy no hope for her dream.

2. So far I like the book alot. I like how when the auther decribes the fealings of all of the charecters. An example is when she is decribing when Daphne and Magda first met. Also I like how she uses alot of decription.

3. I think that the dominite theme for this book is Dreaming. Dalphine is a huge dreamer. Her dream to be a ballerina and to have a family. She is starting to acheve these dreams, she never thought that she would be able to.

4. My favorite charecter is Daphne. She is my favorite charecter because I like how she never stops beliving in her self and all of her family. An example is that she realy want to be a ballerina so she keeps practing and using a book to teach herself. Also she is a very easy charecter to relate to.

5. My least favorite charecter is Tom. The reason that I don't like him is because he always does agree with what Dalphine want to do. He does not like when she dances or what she does for the street shows.

6. I think that Daphne will star in a ballerina show. I think that she will also meet her mom for the first time. Lastly I think that she will grow to like Tom.

Caitlin S.

Caitlin Sheehan

Rumors

Anna Godbersen

Historical Fiction

Just Right

Page 318

1. Right now, in my book, there are several things going on. Penelope Hayes, the malicious but determined former best friend of Elizabeth Holland, is after Elizabeth’s former fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. After Elizabeth fakes her own death to runaway with her love, Will Keller, Penelope creates a devious plan to marry Henry. However, Elizabeth’s younger sister, Diana Holland, is in love with Henry. Penelope, however, has recently found out of a scandal concerning Diana and Henry. This she learned from Diana’s former maid, Carolina Broad, another rising star in society. Penelope threatens to disclose this scandal, a scandal that would ruin both Diana and Henry, unless he agrees to marry her. Will Henry risk everything for true love?

2. So far, I greatly enjoy this book. The plot is complex, with twists and turns on every page. For example, all of the characters manipulate the expectations of society in order to gain their own ends. Penelope manipulates the expectation that Henry cannot marry Diana because he was previously her sister’s fiancé in order to force Henry to marry her. Also, Henry manipulates the expectation that he must be in mourning for Elizabeth in order to avoid marrying Penelope. Another reason I enjoy this book are the intricate descriptions. On every page there are descriptions from everything from the curtains to a person’s eye color. These descriptions are not overly lengthy, and do not get boring. I would give this book a 9 out of 10.

3. One theme I have noticed in this book is the theme of courage. For example, courage is seen when Carolina Broad, the former maid, set herself out to make her own way in the world, and ending up in the very height of society. Also, courage is seen when Henry stands up to his domineering father, who is using Elizabeth’s supposed death as a political platform to run for city mayor. Finally, courage is seen when Elizabeth returns to New York from California despite all of the danger it will put her in. She could be separated from Will if she is caught, but returns anyway out of concern for her ailing mother.

4. My favorite character so far is Diana. Diana is the only character who does not attempt to take advantage of her friends and family, even though this is done to her many times. She is not one of the girls who follow the strict rules set out for her to follow by society, and even though she can be looked down on for it, she always carries herself with a sort of pride. Also, even though Diana knows that Elizabeth is alive, she keeps her word to her sister to not tell anyone that Elizabeth is alive.

5. My least favorite character is Penelope. This is because she is a manipulative brat, who always gets what she wants, or forces it. She was, in fact the one who forced Elizabeth to run away, threatening that she would tell the city that Elizabeth is in love with her coachman, which would send her family into financial and reputational ruin. Also, she is attempting to force Henry’s hand in marriage, under the threat of ruining Diana’s reputation, something that he could never let happen. She is so self absorbed that she never takes the time to realize how her actions will ruin the lives of other people.

I predict that Henry, in an attempt to save Diana, will marry Penelope. I think that he could never live with himself if Diana had to suffer on his account. Also, I think that Diana will try to do everything in her power to get him back

Jessica N.

Jessica Nar
Th1rteen R3asons Why
Jay Asher
Realistic Fiction
Just Right
P.30

1. Right now in this book, it is about a boy named Clay Jensen who is in High School, and he finds out that this new girl named Hannah moves to town. She happens to be very pretty, and he has a crush on her. It all started with a boy that she liked named Justin, and she had her very first kiss. This one kiss started the snowball effect that lead to the thirteen reasons why Hannah Baker ultimately took the pills and committed suicide. One day, Clay came home from school, and found a package on his porch. He opened it and found seven recording tapes. Clay wasn't sure why these tapes were here, and what they had in them, so he goes to a stereo in his garage, and listens to them. This is what they spoke: "Hello, boys and girls. Hannah Baker here. Live in stereo. No return engagements. No encore. And this time, absolutely no requests. I hope you're ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why. I'm not saying which tape brings you into the story. But fear not, if you received this lovely little box, your name will pop up...... I promise. The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you." When Clay hears this recording, he becomes kinda mad, because he is part of the reason that he is one of the reasons that his crush died. He becomes very curious about this, and he listens to more and more tapes, without letting anyone see them.

2. So far into this book, I am getting very curious. I haven't really read one of these types of books, but I am looking forward to. I want to find out what the thirteen reasons that she committed suicide were. Also, I want to hear the rest of the tapes, and how this is going to work with the package of the tapes getting passed on from one house to another.

3. A major theme in this book right now is death. This whole story is about finding out why Hannah Baker the sixteen year old committed suicide. Hannah's death is the major topic in this book, and that is also the mystery. That is why death if the major theme in this book so far.

4. My favorite character is Clay Jensen. He is my favorite character, because he is the only one that cares about Hannah's death right now in the book. He is the one that is listening to the tapes, and finding out why she committed suicide. Clay really cares about her, and he had a crush on her, and he is also very nice.

5. My least favorite character right now in the book is Hannah Baker. She is my least favorite character, because she committed suicide which isn't a good idea. She overdosed on pills, and that is even worse. I don't know what the reason that she commit suicide was, but I think that she should of at least talked to someone about it before overdosing on pills.

6. My prediction about what is going to happen next is I think that Clay will listen to the rest of the tapes, and find out the reasons that Hannah commit suicide. Once Clay finds out the reason, I think that he will report the reason to his parents or the town police. That is what I think is going to happen next, but I am not sure yet.

A.J. Ward

A.J. Ward
Sunrise Over Fallujah
Walter Dean Myers
Realistic Fiction
Just Right
162

1. Right now Robin "Birdy" Perry, the main character, is the main character is about to invade Iraq. The book takes place in 2003. Robin decided after 9/11 that he was going to enlist in the army. 2 years later that is where he is, just crossing the Kuwait/Iraq border. Birdy like the rest of his Civilian affairs team are scared, but ready. They are traveling in a line of Humvee and tanks that is very long. So far three United States soldiers have already been captured.

2. So far I feel good about this book. It takes a little while to get going, but once I got into it I couldn't put the book down. The book follows a U.S.A. civilian affairs group, but there is more action than you would think. I also really like the author's writing style, one of the reasons I picked this book was because I have read other books by this author and I like the way he writes.

3. A theme that I have noticed so far in the book is friendship. This is not the kind of friendship you see in most books it reminds me of the between George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men because the soldiers are always looking out for each other. Especially Birdy and Jonesy, since the two guys met each other back at basic training, they decided they would look out for each other. That is the strongest theme I have noticed in the book.

4. My favorite character is Jonesy. Jonesy is Birdy's best, and only real, friend. He is this kind-of laid back guy who plays the blues all the time on his guitar. Although he is kind-of odd Jonesy is a really nice guy and you get to know him much better than any of the other supporting characters. I would definitely want to be friends with Jonesy if I was in the army because I know that he would have my back. That is why I like Jonesy.

5. My least favorite character is Major Sessions. She is the head of most of the units in Birdy's company. She is always very mean. I understand that it is the army and that she has to be stirct and give orders, but I feel like she goes over-the-top. I also don't trust her, if this book is about some kind of betrayal she would definitley be the betrayer.

6. I predict that Birdy's Company will enter Iraq and then something will go wrong. Because something usually goes wrong in war books. Then I predict that Jonesy will save the day because he is so cool.

Shelby Robin

2. The Lightening Thief

3. Rick Riordan

4. Fantasy

5. Just Right

6. 341

1. Right now in my book, Percy (the main character) is in Olympia. He talking to two gods, Zeus, the god of the sky and also the head god, and Poseidon, the god of the sea, who also happens to be Percy's father. Percy is meeting his father for pretty much the first time, his only memory of him being when Percy was a baby. Percy has come to Olympia to give Zeus back his Lightening Bolt which was stolen, and explain who stole it in the first place.

2. I really like this book. It is full of adventure and the characters have to overcome many obstacles to succeed at their quest. There are many creatures form Greek mythology in the book and it is interesting to learn about them. The characters are all really cool and there are twists around every corner and it is the type of book you don't want to put down.

3. The theme of this book is friendship. I think that the theme is friendship because Percy and his to friends, Annabeth, and Grover, have to stick together and have each others backs because the three of them are on the quest together. They get along really well with each others help get through everything that is thrown at them.

4. My favorite character would probably be Percy. He is the son of Poseidon so he has some really cool powers with water. He can breath under water, stay dry in water, gets strength from water, and can control water to do what he wants. I think that those are really cool powers. He is also nice to his friends but can stick up for himself when someone is mean to him.

5. My least favorite character is Ares. He is the god of war and him with the help of someone else almost cased World War III just for the fun of it. He likes war, especially when the war is between family members. I think that war is not something that should be done for fun and I think that it is terrible anyone would want that.

6. My prediction is that Percy will tell the two gods about the trick that Ares played they aren't going to believe him, at least Zeus won't. Then, Annabeth, and Grover are going to come crashing in with Chiron, who is well respected Centaur and they will help convince the gods that the story is true. Then, Ares is going to get in trouble for using is powers in such ways.

griffin howes

Griffin Howes

The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian


Sherman Alexie


comedy fiction


Just right


page 33

1. What is going on in your book right now? Currently in my book Junior and Rowdy (Junior being the narrator) are just coming back from the Spokane Powwow were basically you watch people dance, sing, drink a lot, and fight. Junior Was afraid to go because he thought someone was going to beat him up because he is a nerd. But Rowdy talked him into going. When they got home Junior started talking about how Him and Rowdy are closer then Junior and his parents. Then Junior started talking about how he likes school especially Geometry.



2. How do you feel so far about the book in detail. Please do not Say that you liked it or didn't like it- you need to add more detail to your comments to support your point. I like the book a lot. I think it is very funny especially Junior he is the funniest. But I also think the book is sad because Juniors family is very poor and he has a really sad disability and it was said when his dog got shot because it was old.

3. What is the theme in the book that you have noticed so far? Were do you notice this theme. I think a theme in this book is self confidence. I see it when Junior makes funny comic pictures for Rowdy to make him laugh, and when Rowdy laughs he gets self confidence. I don't understand why kids tease would tease Junior, he seems really funny and nice.

4. Who is your favorite? What makes them so special? Again, please use detail. My favorite character is Rowdy. I like Rowdy because he is super cool especially when he cuts of those peoples hair at the Powwow. I also like him because he is tough and isn't afraid to through a punch; or afraid of anyone for that matter!

5. Who is your least favorite character? What makes them your least favorite? My least favorite Character is anyone that teases Junior. There my least favorite characters because it is not right to tease people that can't help with reason they are being teased.

6. A prediction about what will happen next. i'm not really sure what is going to happen next but if i had to guess i would say that Junior will start talking about some person that in his life like another teacher or bully or something like that.

Phoebe W

Phoebe W

The Nanny Diaries

Emma McLaughlin

Realistic Fiction

Just Right

pg. 305 (end)

1. I have just finished The Nanny Diaries and was very surprised about what happened at the end. Nanny was on Nantucket with the X's and was being asked to do ridiculous things. The X's were completely out of hand and I was convinced that Nanny was going to quit at any given moment. Then, out of the blue one night, Mrs. X announces that she was pregnant, and then basically fires Nanny. Nanny is confused because she is happy that she's not working for them any more, but she misses Grayer and feels badly about abandoning him. So Nanny goes back to the city with the puppy that the X's pushed off on her and she goes to their apartment. She had overheard Mrs. X talking about a nanny-cam so she finds it and leaves Mrs. X a nasty message. She then erases it and makes up a nicer one that would still leave an impact. I think she should have left the mean one. On top of all of this, Mrs. X only gives her $500 for all the work that she did in Nantucket.

2. I loved this book! I thought that it was really well written and told a great story. I loved how all of the characters connected and fit together. I also learned a thing or two about babysitting which could come in handy. I liked how you knew everything that was going on inside Nanny's head and how the book wasn't just about her being a Nanny, but also gave a bit of her personal life with her family and friends. This book was right up my ally, thank you Mrs. Duryea for recommending it to me!

3. A theme that I have noticed in this book is lack of compassion. Mr. X doesn't have any compassion for Mrs. X because he is cheating on her. He can see how much she needs him and wants to be with him, but somehow he's always busy. Ms. Chicago doesn't have respect for the whole X family because she is ruining their family and only cares about herself. A clear place where this theme shows up is between Mrs. X and Grayer. Grayer has unconditional love for Mrs. X but she treats him like an object or an annoying fly. Mrs. X really isn't fit to have a child because she does not have any compassion for her own creation. I think that this partly comes from the lack of compassion from Mr. X to her. The only care and compassion I see coming from the X family is from Grayer to Nanny, and Mrs. X to Mr. X. The only problem is that love is a two way street.

4. My favorite character at the end is Nanny because she remains strong throughout all of her hardship. Nanny goes through so much and pours her whole life into this good for nothing job that doesn't even pay well. Despite all of the awful things that Nanny has to do and put up with, she still stays the same old Nanny with a huge heart. I can understand how she would want to stay with the X's because she doesn't want to leave Grayer. I think that she was brave to stay with them for so long, I don't think that I could have.

5. My least favorite character at the end is Ms. Chicago because she has no consideration for others. First of all, she is cheating with a married man but she isn't even trying that hard at keeping it a secret. She brings Nanny into the situation by asking her for things and pretending that she has control over Nanny like Mrs. X does. While the X's are on their family vacation in Nantucket, she calls constantly because she is trying to get a hold of Mr. X to see why he hasn't escaped and come back to the city yet. I don't understand how someone can not feel guilty about breaking apart a marriage and doing all of the things that she did.

6. Since I have finished the book, there isn't anything that I could predict and find the outcome to, but I will predict what I think would happen anyway. I think that Nanny is going to get a teaching job that she wants and follow her dreams. Her family will be happy that she isn't wasting her time with the X's and she will continue dating H.H. I think that she will keep the dog and her cat George will not get along with it. I also predict that Mrs. X will see the nanny-cam and rethink some of the things that happened during Nanny's time with them. I think that Nanny will run into Grayer and Mrs. X in the city somewhere and Grayer will be really happy because he missed her so much. Mrs. X would see how much Grayer missed Nanny and regret firing her just a bit. Nanny wouldn't go back to them anyway. I think that Mrs. X's pregnancy will either be fake, or she will turn out to have never been pregnant. Last but not least, I think that Mr. and Mrs. X will get divorced and Mr. X will marry Ms. Chicago.

Johnny Coutts

Johnny Coutts
The Final Warning (italics)
James Patterson
Realistic Fiction
Just Right
page 156

Body:

1) Currently in my book, Max and the flock have been invited to go work and "save the world" in Antarctica. The boat ride was frustrating and took two days, where the flock could have flown in 5 hours. The reason they didn't fly was because scientists were with them, and they wanted to examine the flock, and see how humans with wings acted. Before they got there Iggy and Fang discovered new powers. Izzy is blind, and when he arrived at Antarctica, his vision started becoming normal, then blanking again. Fang found out he was magnetic. Whenever he wanted to, he could direct metal to his hands or to other parts of his body. So while Izzy starts to see again, and Fang finds a new power everything is going great in Antarctica and they are determined to start "saving the world" as scientist Bridgit Dwyer told the flock. The flock are experiencing new things such as some of the largest penguins in the world, and leopard seals that swim right under them. All is great but Max is just a little dissapointed about how she hasn't discovered her new power yet.

2) I think so far, this book is phenominal because of several different reasons. The first being the idea of powers. I feel that having magic in a book makes the book seem 10x's more interesting and any average chapter book. I also really enjoy reading this book because I can relate to all the characters. Fang in my age, and I can relate to him because he has a blog, as I do, and his personality matches mine perfectly. Fang is outgoing and adventurous, which pretty much sums up my personality in a nutshell =). I also think this book is amazing because of Izzy. I have gotten extremely attached to Izzy because I always feel bad for people with disabilities or who are deaf or blind. So when Izzy's vision started reappearing, that was one less conundrum that has been gotten rid of in this book.

3) I think the most dominant theme in this book right now is discovery. I chose discovery because of several reasons. One being the new land they discovered. Before this trip, the flock had never heard about Antarctica, so this was a huge trip for them. Not only did they discover new land, but they also discovered their new powers, vision and magnetitism. Basically everything I've read since my last blog, has been about discovering new things. From the largest penguins in the world, to finding out one of the scientists was betraying them and working undercover for a bad agency, all this book has been a huge discovery.

4) As of now, my favorite character is Fang. Again, this is the character I can really relate to in this book the most. Of all the flock, Fang is the one who cheers everyone up when everyone's down, the one who takes the most risks, and the one is most outgoing. Though some of Fang's risks are not always right or the best thing to do at the moment, at least he is the only one making the risks. But overall, Fang is an extremely humble, kind, and generous person. Fang is also an excellent fighter according to the flock. The flock says he is the one who takes the most toughest Eraser (the enemy who has been trying to kill the flock for years).

5) My current least favorite character I would have to say is scientist Bridgit Dwyer. Though she is a nice scientist, she has also been "flirting" with Fang as Max would say. Fang and Max used to have a relationship going but they soon fell apart, and Fang also flirting with Bridgit hinted to me that Max was jealous. Not only does Bridgit flirt with Fang, but she also disrespects Max because she knew that she was jealous. And even though Bridgits about 6 years old then both Fang and Max, it seems as if Bridgit wants to be in a competition with Max to see who can "get" Fang first. And obviously, Max does not approve of this competition.

6) From what I read, there are several possibilities coping with I could predict next. But for me, I think the most reasonable prediction is that Max, Fang, and the flock will start their work to save the world. After all, they've been waiting to see what they need to do for at least 4 days now. If this does not happen, I predict that a fleet of Erasers will attack the bases they are staying at in Antarctica because there hasn't been an encounter with Erasers yet in this book, but the flock has been mentioning it.

Harry Thomas Period 2

Harry Thomas

Crocodile Tears

Anthony Horowitz

Realistic Fiction

Just Right

Page 246

1. Right now in my book, Alex just infiltrated a top secret GM crops lab under suspicion by the MI6. Although he was very nearly killed, he managed not only to download valuable data (his primary objective) but also receive a suspicious sample from the lab. Though this was supposed to be his last encounter with the MI6, Alex could not resist going to the address he over heard the head person talking about, which burned to the ground while he was inside.

2. This book has been filled with action and suspense from the very beginning. There is very rarely a dull point in this book, I am am surprised as to how many times Alex has managed to just barely squeeze out of danger. I am curious to no what plans the company has. Whatever they may be, they cannot be good.

3. I think that the theme of this book is manipulation. This is because different people are trying to manipulate Alex. For one, the MI6 is trying to convince him to do more work for them, despite the fact that he would much rather lead a normal life. Harry Bulman, a reporter, found out about Alex and was trying to get him to tell his story so that he could publish it and make it big. This would also interfere with Alex's dream of a normal life.

4. My favorite character in this book is Alex Rider. There are many reasons for why I chose him as my favorite character. First, he is very daring. Even though he is only 14, he can do many things, like infiltrating large organizations and taking them down, fighting men twice his size, and getting shot at, that most full grown men would never do. Also, he is modest. Alex is not big headed about all his epic accomplishments and only wishes to have a normal life and go to school like any other kid would.

5. My least favorite character in this book is Alan Blunt. He is the head of the MI6. I despise Alan Blunt because he is manipulating a kid to go on these dangerous and usually life-threatening missions without a second thought. He is keeping Alex from having the normal life that he has always wanted to have.

6. I predict that next in this book The GM crops company's evil scheme will have something to do with distributing something made in the labs through Desmond McCain's charity, who is in on the evil scheme.

Shelby Phelan

Shelby Phelan
One Whole and Perfect Day
Judith Clarke
Realistic Fiction
Just Right
Page: 66

1. In my book right now, Lily and her mother Marigold are sitting on their living room couch watching TV. But neither of them are really watching it, as they are both very absorbed in their thoughts at the moment. Lily, a very sensible girl of around fifteen is thiking about a boy, Daniel Steadman. Lily paid no thought to this boy untill about a week before, but after being disgusted with herself for acting more like a grandma than a teenager, Lily decided the appropriate thing to do would be to fall in love. Almost as soon as she decides this, she gets strange feelings shen they pass eachother in the halls, and when the phone rings, she is hoping desperately for it to be him even though she says herself that he probably doesn't evn know she exists. Marigold is thinking about her dreamy/spacey son Lonnie. Lonnie is a very poetic looking child who can't seem to stay on one course for more than a month. He is twenty-two years old, has dropped out of about five college courses, and still has no idea what to do with his life. His grandfather Stan has recently disowned him and even threatened him with an axe. Although Stan would never actually attempt to hurt his grandson, he told him he better get his life rollong and get out of his mother's house.

2. I am not really sure how I feel about this book yet. First, I am only on page 66, so I don't really know what the plot will be like yet, and if it will be a good or bad book. I have found it very confusing and have had to re-read a few paragraphs when reading late...

3. A theme I have noticed in this book so far is love. Almost every character is in some sort of conflict because of love. Lennie meets a girl, but his family probably won't approve of her, Stan states he doesn't love his grandson, Lily wants to fall in love so she won't act so sensible all the time, Marigold's husband left her, and Nan, Lily's grandmother, wants to plan a party to get their slowly crumbling apart family back together again.

4. My favorite character so far is Nan. She is trying so hard to bring her family back together but all the other members seem to be trying to tear it apart. I like how she talks to an imaginary friend from her childhood named Sef about her problems, and how unique she is. After Stan found his mom's beautiful old wedding dress in a trunk, she has weddings and celebrations of the mind. She decieds to plan a celebration for Stan's eightieth birthday. I think she is very kind, and persistent, and always thinks of others before herself.

5. My least favorite character is Stan because he seems very rude and mean. First, disowning your only grandson isn't the nicest thing to do, and he is always making snide comments about everything that doesn;t go his way or that he doesnt;t agree with. For example, Lil and her mother do not own the nicest house. It is old and brick, and ivy deeply covers almost all the outside surfaces including along the windows. Every time Stan visits, he says that he can burn it down for them so they could get loads of money for the land, and buy a house that is suitable for human life. I find this very unthoughtful, and he could offer to help clean up around the house, or trim the ivy or plants. All everyone hears from him is complaints or insults, and he doesn't do a thing to fix what is wrong. Lily and her mother can't possibly keep up on the housework without Lonnie or their father there so the least he could do is offer to help.

6. I predict that the party that nan is trying so hard to make perfect will just split the family farther apart. Maybe Stan will actually fight more with Lonnie, and because of this, all the others will be more upset. Maybe Stan will be so angry or frusterated that he will burn down their house in the intent of helping, but instead make the family's loosely knit bonds loosen.

Eileen H

Eileen Howard
Watership Down
Richard Adam
Fantasy
Just Right
Page 36

1. In my book the rabbits had run away from their warren because Fiver has had several premonitions that something bad was going to happen. Fiver and Hazel get together a group of rabbits and they leave the warren to escape the coming danger and leave that night. After spending the night walking through the woods the rabbits became exhausted, so they stopped and had Dandelion tell them a story about El-ahairah. Towards the end of the story, a badger sneaks up on the rabbits. The group of rabbits flees from the badger but find themselves facing a vast river that they are unsure that they could cross, but the fields on the other side are much better than the woods they’re in.

2. So far I don’t really like this book for a couple of reasons. First off, I really don’t enjoy reading fantasy books because I feel that fantasy books can’t ever really move someone the way that a realistic fiction book can. Also since the all of the characters are animals it is very hard to relate with the characters. I think that the rabbits are supposed represent humans and their problems but I still find it hard to make connections with them.

3. A theme that I have noticed so far is leadership. Hazel is the leader of the group of the rabbits that left the warren even though Bigwig is bigger and stronger. Hazel is able to think for the group and use the talents of all of the rabbits to get the most benefit from them. He has very clear goals and won’t let anything stop him from reaching his goals.

4. My favorite character so far is Fiver, Hazel’s brother. I like Fiver because he is a small and awkward rabbit but uses his ability to sense danger for the most benefit. He has helped the rabbits indirectly by going through his brother, Hazel. Also I feel bad for Fiver because most of the rabbits think he’s a nuisance.

5. My least favorite character is the Chief Rabbit. When Hazel and Fiver went to tell him about the danger that was coming he just dismissed them like they were less of a person than himself. Also he got mad at Bigwig, who is a very nice rabbit, for letting Hazel and Fiver wake him up to talk about what he thought was an unimportant matter.

6. I think that the rabbits will eventually cross the river to the large open fields. There they will set up their own warren, while the other warren gets destroyed by the humans.

Trevor Hodge
Book Title:SnakeHead
Author: Anothny Horowitz
rating: 9
Just right
pg 50

1.what's going on in my book now is alex rider was dumped in the middle of the forest. when he tries to get back to where the SAS agents are he is suddlently attacked by missles, bombing, machine guns and flamethowers.
2. i gave this book a 9 out of 10 beacuse even though i like the book it's starting to disract me.
3. what i like about the book is that it had thrills, action, also something always exciting happens next.
4. my favorite charchter so far is alex because he's fearless, also he is able to think staright and calm himself down during tough situtions like when he was crashing down from outer space in Ark Angel.
5. so far in this book i don't think i have a least favorite charachter yet.
6. i predict in the next chapter alex will find a way out of his sitution and be recurited for a big project the SAS is going to assign him.

Simone Chen
Elsewhere
Gabrielle Zevin
Science fiction
Just right
P. 263

1. Right now Liz has just turned eight years old, because she's been in Elsewhere for seven years now. Her dog Sadie has been getting younger and younger, and Liz just sent her off on the Release (the journey back to earth, where she'll be born again). She was very depressed, but she got over it when her own dog back on earth Lucy arrives in Elsewhere. She decided to go to her best friend Zooey's wedding, even though Zooey didn't show up for Liz's funeral, but Liz has forgiven her. Liz and Owen go to the Well to try to make contact with the people at Zooey's wedding. But nobody can hear her because it's too loud. Finally, when it seems hopeless, Liz's brother Alvy hears their voices. Liz is very happy to get to talk to her brother after many years. Also, her friend Curtis Jest seems to really like her grandma Betty; he sings songs to her and is visits frequently.


2. So far I think this book is extremely well written, and it never leaves me bored. I'm enjoying it so much because it shows an author's imagination of what happens to you after you die, but in a completely un-religious way. I also liked this book because its plot is so original and unique; usually with other books I feel like I've already read something like it, but that's not how I feel with Elsewhere. In Elsewhere you age from old to young, so it's sort of like living your life backwards. In some other books, the first chapter is the main character being born, and the last chapter is him/her dying. In the novel Elsewhere, the first chapter is when she dies, and the last is when she is sent back to earth on the Release to be re-born again.

3. A big theme in this book is forgiveness. At first Liz is infuriated with the cab driver for hitting her (which killed her) and then driving away without seeing if she was ok. She was so mad that for weeks she spent all her time and money at the Observation Deck tracking the man down and finding out more about his life so that she could get revenge. But later on, she comes to realize that he is actually a nice man with a loving family, and that he probably had a good reason for not stopping that day, although Liz does not completely forgive him yet. A few years later the man who hit her, Amadou Bonamy, arrives in Elsewhere, and she meets him. Liz finds out that the reason why he didn't stop was because his young son was very sick, and if he lost the cab or her parents sued him, he wouldn't be able to pay for his son's medical bills. Amadou knows that this is no excuse, and he has felt horrible about it the whole time. Liz does forgive him, because she realizes that hate will only make matters worse.

4. My favorite character is Liz's friend Curtis Jest, who she met on the boat the S.S. Nile (the boat that brought them to Elsewhere) and instantly became friends with. I like him because he always knows the right thing to say, and he's someone who Liz can always turn to for advice about anything. He made Liz feel a little bit more comfortable when she first realized that she was dead, and he explained to her that things really aren't as bad as they might seem. He is very caring and polite because he cares about Liz and her safety, as well as her grandma Betty's. Curtis Jest is very wise, and his death has made him wiser. This is because he died from a drug overdose, and he learned important lessons from that experience.

5. Although there isn't a character that I particularly dislike, if I had to choose a least favorite character it'd be Zooey, Liz's best friend back on earth. She really isn't a bad person, I just don't like her as much because she didn't attend Liz's funeral on earth after she died. This, in my opinion, is very rude and mean because Liz was her best friend. It is kind of sending a message that Liz's death didn't affect her that much, and she had better things to do than go to the funeral. When Liz was watching her funeral from the Observation Deck and saw that Zooey didn't show, she was extremely upset and angry, and I understand because I would've felt the same way if I had been Liz.

6. I predict Liz and Owen will get married, even though she said she didn't want to before. Liz will be sent back to earth on the day of her Release when she is a few weeks old, and her friends and family will be very sad, but they know it's all part of the circle of life. Curtis Jest, Betty and Owen will be particularly sad when Liz is gone, and Curtis Jest and Betty will live a happy life in Elsewhere together.

Midnight in the Garden of good and evil blog

Olivia Carr

Midnight in the Garden of good and evil

John Berendt

Mystery

I'm on page122

Challenge



1. In the book right now the narratior(not givin a name ) has moved to the city of Savannah, it is a quaint little city south of New York that decides to be icolated from other cities in the world. The people who live there don't like change or their town being constucted on. The narratior is new to the town, and has met some pretty weird people like a man named Joe, who leaves his door unlocked and does not care if random people stay the night or day in his house. In this time period African Americans are still set apart from white people. While driving one day the narratior runs into an African American girl named Chabils who is married to a white man and preformes in white bars. In this time period that was not common. She met the narriator when he gave her a ride home one day, because her car is broken and now is her personal chaffeur for the time being.



2. So far the book has interested me, the characters are very weird not your every day people, but they have the best personalities which makes this book very enjoyable. Also the setting is beautifly discribed so it is easy to picture in your head. The story line was at first a bit hard to follow because there was a time change, but once you realised you will find the book to be very fun.



3. I think so far in the book the theme is friendship, because the only way the narrator has been able to find out information in this town is from his friends. Without his friends he would not have been able to know what Savannah's history is and who is good and bad in the town. For example there is some weird temper mental man who has this poison more deadly then Arsenic (a dangerous element), so many people fear that he will drop in Savannah's water supply and everyone will dye.

4. Chablis is my favorite character because she is a strong woman. Even though she is an African American she stands up for herself and never lets people put her down. She is a show girl in a white bar and she does a type of stand up routine while dancing and singing. She is also a really funny person and her rich Harlem accent is so expressive and full of life you just want her to pop out of the book and just come and have a conversation with you.

5. My least favorite character is the narrator because he is a non-expressive person. Also, his descriptions of how he feels at a moment are not very good. He is not a person you can relate to and it is hard to understand where his mind is at times. He is not very clear on what he is thinking.

6. I think what will happen next is that the police will find the temper mental man's poison supply and take that away and destroy it, but the temper mental man knows where to find more so he will dig some more up. At that time he will be so mad that he will dump it into Savannah's water supply, and all the people will get paranoid and not drink the water instead they will ask other cities to help them and in return they will let their company's build new offices in Savannah which will cause Savannah to become over crowded.

Brett Crocker

Friday Light Nights

Spencer Dimmick
The Merlin Conspiracy
Diana Wynne Jones
Fantasy
Just right
p. 346

1. Right now, Maxwell Hyde, the grandfather of one of the two main characters, has just been taken away by Gwyn Ap Nud, the Lord of the Dead, who happens to be that same character's, called Roddy, other Grandfather. Gwyn was under an enchantment to do this by Sybil, Sir James, and the fake Merlin: The title given to the head magic-user of the lands. Those same three are in the center of a plot to tip the balance of magic in the isles of Blest towards its darkest side. Nick, Roddy, and Grundo, the three protagonists, are trying to stop them.

2. I really like this book. It has a lot of fantasy, which I love, and a truly exciting plot, and a great turnout of characters. However, there are two main characters and this book switches perspectives every so often, which confuses me very much. That stops me from giving this book full points.

3. I would say the theme of adjusting to changes is what rules this world. From going from one reality to another to discovering a conspiracy, the characters are flung into a world of madness that they must adjust quickly to or be overwhelmed.

4. My favorite character is Romanov. He is a man living on an island full of strange and superbly powerful magics that he created himself. Deciding that he didn't want to take all the jobs like being the Merlin that he was offered, he lives a secluded existence on his island.

5. My least favorite character is Grundo, a silent boy who is grumpy and lazy but sadly one of the main characters in the book. He just treats everyone rudely or ignores them, and it wasn't hard to quickly form a dislike for him.

6. I think that Nick will convince Roddy to meet with Romanov and consult him for advice on how to handle all the conspiracies and old magics that are threatening to overcome her. I also think that there may be a battle between characters very soon as well.

Timmy Jaung
Harry Potter And the Prisoner of Azkaban
J.K. Rowling
Fantasy
Just Right
Pg. 332

1. Right now, Harry, Ron, and Hermione just left Hagrid's hut and avoided being caught out of the school after hours. Hagrid's pet Hippogriph, Buckbeak, was sentenced to death for attacking a student, Malfoy. Malfoy wasn't paying attention, and walked up to Buckbeak. Hippogirphs take that as a threat, and he hit Malfoy hard in the chest. So now, Harry Ron and Hermione just left when they saw the Minister of Magic and the Executioner.

2. I like this book, but it is my least favorite of all 7 of the books. It is slow in a lot of parts and confusing.

3. A theme in Harry Potter is like being a rebel because Harry sneaks off to the town of Hogsmeade when he wasn't supposed to. He sneaks to Hagrid's hut after hours when they are supposed to be in the school. Also, he goes near the whomping willow, a tree that tries to crush whoever goes near it.

4. My favorite character is Ron because hes funny and makes the book entertaining. He is clumsy and some of the things he does makes me laugh like when he took a divination exam, he just made everything up.

5. My least favorite character is Sirius Black. He is an escaped convict from the wizard prison Azkaban. He is trying to kill Harry because he lost everything when Harry defeated Voldemort.

6. I think that he will eventually encounter Sirius Black because I haven't seen him yet in the story.