Author: Peg Kehret
Main Characters: Jonathan, Moose (the dog), and Abby
The family goes on a family vacation to Magpie Island. It is basically roughing it but with a camper. This particular day they go to the lake nearby. While at the lake, Jonathan's mother slips and breaks her ankle. Because his sister is using a walker, she had an accident that left her partially paralyzed, they decided it would be faster for his dad to take his mom across the bridge and to the nearest hospital, leaving Jonathan to watch his sister for a few hours. Little did they know that a terrible earthquake would hit while they were gone. Jonathan must contend with a paralyzed six year old and a faithful dog during this tumultuous time. They return to the camper to find it has been crushed completely by a fallen redwood. They have no supplies: no food, no drinkable water, no shelter, and no Raggedy doll for Abby. Jonathan goes out in search of a way to signal people from the edge of the lake when he realizes that the lake has overflowed its bank! They were going to drown for sure if he didn't do something quickly. This was a really interesting read. I liked the reality it gave: no sugar-coating anything. This was a good read for my middle school students and a great science book. I am definitely adding this to my science book list.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Volcano Disaster
Author: Peg Kehret
Main Characters: Warren Spalding and Betsy Tyler
The story is about a 6th grader that has lost his father in a car accident. His mother has decided to go back to school so she asks his grandmother to watch him for a few months until she finishes. Apparently, the woman lives in the same district so he can continue in the same school. His grades and attitude are suffering as one would expect for a teenage boy with so much going on in his life. He is assigned a school project with a girl named Betsy. At first he is not happy about having her as his partner, but he quickly learns what a great partner she really is. He discovers that his grandfather had been working on an invention that would make commuting much faster and easier and Warren decides to try to continue working on the invention in his spare time. He had it all together and ready to try when Betsy comes over with some information about Mount St. Helen, the project they were to work on. He accidentally hits the probe on a picture in the book and is quickly transported not only to the volcano, but back to the time of the eruption. Betsy only has one hour to figure what happened and try to save him. It was a really good story. It was not on my list of science books, but it will be now! My students will enjoy reading this book almost as much as I have.
Main Characters: Warren Spalding and Betsy Tyler
The story is about a 6th grader that has lost his father in a car accident. His mother has decided to go back to school so she asks his grandmother to watch him for a few months until she finishes. Apparently, the woman lives in the same district so he can continue in the same school. His grades and attitude are suffering as one would expect for a teenage boy with so much going on in his life. He is assigned a school project with a girl named Betsy. At first he is not happy about having her as his partner, but he quickly learns what a great partner she really is. He discovers that his grandfather had been working on an invention that would make commuting much faster and easier and Warren decides to try to continue working on the invention in his spare time. He had it all together and ready to try when Betsy comes over with some information about Mount St. Helen, the project they were to work on. He accidentally hits the probe on a picture in the book and is quickly transported not only to the volcano, but back to the time of the eruption. Betsy only has one hour to figure what happened and try to save him. It was a really good story. It was not on my list of science books, but it will be now! My students will enjoy reading this book almost as much as I have.
The Twenty-One Balloons
Author: William Pene du Bois
Main character: Professor William Waterman Sherman
The book was written about the mid 1860's. The professor had been dreaming of a quiet, alone time for the last couple of years of his work with students. He was a teacher for over 40 years and longed for some peace and quiet. He conceived of a balloon that would take him up and away for a long time, a year he hoped. He had a very large balloon built along with a small basket apartment as the basket for his journey. He set off with only four of friends looking on and came back with the whole country watching. He had made a trip around the world in just 40 days, half the time of the record that currently stood. He told of his adventure flying over the Pacific Ocean and happening upon the island of Krakatoa. There were people living secretly on the island that he met and enjoyed. Soon after his arrival a terrible eruption took place and they hurriedly escaped from the island. As luck would have it, he didn't spend much time alone or on his trip. In all, I enjoyed the description of the island and its people. It was a good book for middle school aged students to read. It was not on my original list, but I could put it on and be fine with it.
Main character: Professor William Waterman Sherman
The book was written about the mid 1860's. The professor had been dreaming of a quiet, alone time for the last couple of years of his work with students. He was a teacher for over 40 years and longed for some peace and quiet. He conceived of a balloon that would take him up and away for a long time, a year he hoped. He had a very large balloon built along with a small basket apartment as the basket for his journey. He set off with only four of friends looking on and came back with the whole country watching. He had made a trip around the world in just 40 days, half the time of the record that currently stood. He told of his adventure flying over the Pacific Ocean and happening upon the island of Krakatoa. There were people living secretly on the island that he met and enjoyed. Soon after his arrival a terrible eruption took place and they hurriedly escaped from the island. As luck would have it, he didn't spend much time alone or on his trip. In all, I enjoyed the description of the island and its people. It was a good book for middle school aged students to read. It was not on my original list, but I could put it on and be fine with it.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Edisto: A Sea Island Principality
Author: Clara Childs Puckette
This book gives a lot of history of the island and some great stories. I like the pictures, there are some really good ones. This book actually delves into the recent history of the island as well as the old. Again I am scouring all the books I can find to gain some insight into the Whaley family. I really have enjoyed reading them. I am still finding great books to read.
This book gives a lot of history of the island and some great stories. I like the pictures, there are some really good ones. This book actually delves into the recent history of the island as well as the old. Again I am scouring all the books I can find to gain some insight into the Whaley family. I really have enjoyed reading them. I am still finding great books to read.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Main Character: Brian Robeson
Brian is thirteen. Along with all the other angst of being a teen, he has to deal with the fact that he saw his mom cheating on his dad. They are in the middle of a divorce and he is angry that he has this secret. He struggles with wanting to tell his dad and not wanting to tell him the terrible secret. The story opens with Brian in a plane on his way to visit his dad from New York to the Canadian Wilderness. While en route, the pilot has a heart attack and dies leaving alone and frightened. Brian panics and decides to fly the plane until it runs out of fuel. He has no idea of where he is heading, or if he is on the right original path. He ends up crashing mercifully through some trees and into a lake. He survives the crash with injuries and brings himself up on the beach. Once he comes to, he begins his fight for survival. Through the experiences he has along the lake, he grows from an insecure boy to self-sufficient man...in only two months. This is a riveting story that I could not stop reading. I really enjoyed the story line, but I most enjoyed getting to know Brian on the inside. This book was one on the Science book list. My students will really enjoy the book. I definitely recommend the book for middle school kids to read.
Main Character: Brian Robeson
Brian is thirteen. Along with all the other angst of being a teen, he has to deal with the fact that he saw his mom cheating on his dad. They are in the middle of a divorce and he is angry that he has this secret. He struggles with wanting to tell his dad and not wanting to tell him the terrible secret. The story opens with Brian in a plane on his way to visit his dad from New York to the Canadian Wilderness. While en route, the pilot has a heart attack and dies leaving alone and frightened. Brian panics and decides to fly the plane until it runs out of fuel. He has no idea of where he is heading, or if he is on the right original path. He ends up crashing mercifully through some trees and into a lake. He survives the crash with injuries and brings himself up on the beach. Once he comes to, he begins his fight for survival. Through the experiences he has along the lake, he grows from an insecure boy to self-sufficient man...in only two months. This is a riveting story that I could not stop reading. I really enjoyed the story line, but I most enjoyed getting to know Brian on the inside. This book was one on the Science book list. My students will really enjoy the book. I definitely recommend the book for middle school kids to read.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Julie of the Wolves
Author: Jean Craighead George
Main Character: Julie aka Miyax
What an interesting book. I really like that she learned to coexist and even become a part of the family with a pack of wolves. The family took her in as her own and protected her and cared for her. In return, she protected them when she could and cared for them immensely. Amaroq was the head wolf, following in order of status were Silver, Nails, Kapu, Zing, Zat, Zit, Sister, and Jello. She went out on her own as a 13 year old girl who is part American and part Eskimo. She understood some of the ways of the modern world and be eventually she found that being an Eskimo was who she really was. This a story of survival and of learning. I found the bond of the wolves and her very poignant. She lost her mother at age 4, her father at the age of 11 and was sent to live with an aunt to go to school. To her, her father was the wisest man that lived. Eventually she found that her father had not died, but had run away to start a new life. He was different and became all the things that she despised about the Americans. Her disappointment led her to live her life on the tundra rather than go to San Francisco. Overall, it was a great story, though the underlying premise of her marriage and the near-rape experience for her running away seems a little mature for some of my students. I am sure they will take more away than that part when they read this book. This is one of the books on my science books list.
Main Character: Julie aka Miyax
What an interesting book. I really like that she learned to coexist and even become a part of the family with a pack of wolves. The family took her in as her own and protected her and cared for her. In return, she protected them when she could and cared for them immensely. Amaroq was the head wolf, following in order of status were Silver, Nails, Kapu, Zing, Zat, Zit, Sister, and Jello. She went out on her own as a 13 year old girl who is part American and part Eskimo. She understood some of the ways of the modern world and be eventually she found that being an Eskimo was who she really was. This a story of survival and of learning. I found the bond of the wolves and her very poignant. She lost her mother at age 4, her father at the age of 11 and was sent to live with an aunt to go to school. To her, her father was the wisest man that lived. Eventually she found that her father had not died, but had run away to start a new life. He was different and became all the things that she despised about the Americans. Her disappointment led her to live her life on the tundra rather than go to San Francisco. Overall, it was a great story, though the underlying premise of her marriage and the near-rape experience for her running away seems a little mature for some of my students. I am sure they will take more away than that part when they read this book. This is one of the books on my science books list.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Night of the Twisters
Author: Ivy Ruckman
Main Characters: Dan, Arthur, and Stacy
Dan and Arthur are best friends. Total opposites, but they were like brothers. Their day started off like any other summer day. Little did they know that their lives would be changed forever that night. What a great story! When left alone with his little brother (6 month old Ryan), Dan and Arthur heard the siren go off, tornado looming. They ran with the baby to the basement bathroom just in the knick of time. After what seems like a lifetime, they come out to find the house is gone except for the foundation, and Arthur's sister Stacy calling to them. Escaping the house they find Dan's mother and a neighbor who is trapped. Only twelve years old, Dan and Arthur come to the rescue of many people that night. This is a true story of bravery in the face of horrible destruction. This was a book on my science books list, and I will definitely have it on my class list for the students to read in the spring.
Main Characters: Dan, Arthur, and Stacy
Dan and Arthur are best friends. Total opposites, but they were like brothers. Their day started off like any other summer day. Little did they know that their lives would be changed forever that night. What a great story! When left alone with his little brother (6 month old Ryan), Dan and Arthur heard the siren go off, tornado looming. They ran with the baby to the basement bathroom just in the knick of time. After what seems like a lifetime, they come out to find the house is gone except for the foundation, and Arthur's sister Stacy calling to them. Escaping the house they find Dan's mother and a neighbor who is trapped. Only twelve years old, Dan and Arthur come to the rescue of many people that night. This is a true story of bravery in the face of horrible destruction. This was a book on my science books list, and I will definitely have it on my class list for the students to read in the spring.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Plantations of the Low Country: South Carolina 1697-1865
Author: William P. Baldwin, with research by Agnes L. Baldwin and pictures by N. Jane Iseley
This book is a collection of pictures and descriptions of the many beautiful houses and churches of the Low Country. To those who don't know, the Low Country is the area in and around Charleston, SC including Edisto Island and Fripp Island just to mention a few. Again, I am doing family research and this is just another one of the many I have found recently. I really enjoyed the history that was put into the descriptions. I wish there had been a few more pictures, though the ones that were in the book were really beautiful. I found a few of the houses and churches that I want to go and see in person to help me on my search to know everything about this branch of my family. I especially liked some of the quotes used from an outsider's point of view like the northerner that was passing through to Fripp Island on Black Creek. I have never been much to learn about history until now...I always thought history was boring. Little did I know that all it would take to get me to learn about it was to throw in some relatives. Ha ha. I just like stories and stuff to feel real to me, and now history like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War seem far more real than used to feel.
This book is a collection of pictures and descriptions of the many beautiful houses and churches of the Low Country. To those who don't know, the Low Country is the area in and around Charleston, SC including Edisto Island and Fripp Island just to mention a few. Again, I am doing family research and this is just another one of the many I have found recently. I really enjoyed the history that was put into the descriptions. I wish there had been a few more pictures, though the ones that were in the book were really beautiful. I found a few of the houses and churches that I want to go and see in person to help me on my search to know everything about this branch of my family. I especially liked some of the quotes used from an outsider's point of view like the northerner that was passing through to Fripp Island on Black Creek. I have never been much to learn about history until now...I always thought history was boring. Little did I know that all it would take to get me to learn about it was to throw in some relatives. Ha ha. I just like stories and stuff to feel real to me, and now history like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War seem far more real than used to feel.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Tales of Edisto
Author: Nell S. Graydon
I have been researching my family genealogy lately. I have found one branch to have begun in the US in Edisto, SC. The earliest time I have found them is back to the late 1700's. I have taken it upon myself to find any and all resources that have been written about Edisto Island. This is one of the many I have hunted down. I really have enjoyed the history that was interwoven into the stories that were told in this book. It was originally written in the 1950's. Nell interviewed many of the older residents on the island and was able to glean some great stories and information. Many of the people in the stories are linked to my lineage and I love feeling as though I have a personal connection with them. This was a good read, not only for me because of the family connection, but it would be for anyone who likes to hear about the old south and their ways. It was a great time of wealth, hardship, and extraordinary people.
I have been researching my family genealogy lately. I have found one branch to have begun in the US in Edisto, SC. The earliest time I have found them is back to the late 1700's. I have taken it upon myself to find any and all resources that have been written about Edisto Island. This is one of the many I have hunted down. I really have enjoyed the history that was interwoven into the stories that were told in this book. It was originally written in the 1950's. Nell interviewed many of the older residents on the island and was able to glean some great stories and information. Many of the people in the stories are linked to my lineage and I love feeling as though I have a personal connection with them. This was a good read, not only for me because of the family connection, but it would be for anyone who likes to hear about the old south and their ways. It was a great time of wealth, hardship, and extraordinary people.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Talking Earth
Author: Jean Craighead George
Characters: Billie Wind, Petang, and Coootchobee
This was a wonderful story about a young Indian girl. She was doubtful of the things that her tribe believed in. She was sent on a journey to find the animal gods that talked. Along the way she showed great knowledge and perseverance. She became one with the earth and the animals to fight her way to the Gulf of Mexico on her mission to find the truth. She befriends a panther cub which eventually finds his family again and in turn helps her in a great time of need. She meets another Indian boy who is on a quest and together they find the answers they sought. The descriptions of the land in this book are terrific and fully support any Earth science program. This is on our reading list for the literature-science connection. I highly recommend if for middle school aged students to read.
Characters: Billie Wind, Petang, and Coootchobee
This was a wonderful story about a young Indian girl. She was doubtful of the things that her tribe believed in. She was sent on a journey to find the animal gods that talked. Along the way she showed great knowledge and perseverance. She became one with the earth and the animals to fight her way to the Gulf of Mexico on her mission to find the truth. She befriends a panther cub which eventually finds his family again and in turn helps her in a great time of need. She meets another Indian boy who is on a quest and together they find the answers they sought. The descriptions of the land in this book are terrific and fully support any Earth science program. This is on our reading list for the literature-science connection. I highly recommend if for middle school aged students to read.
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Black Pearl
Author: Scott O'Dell
Main characters: Ramon, Luzon (the old Indian), and Sevillano (the diver)
It is set in La Paz, Mexico (interesting because I have a friend with the same last name). Ramon and his father own a pearl diving company. They sell pearls that they find from the coves. He has recently turned sixteen and his father has made him a partner in the Salazar company. Luzon comes from a neighboring cove to sell pearls. Ramon decides to ask Luzon to take him to his cove to teach him how to dive. During this time he hears that the infamous Manta Diablo lives in the cave near there. I believe that the manta is what we would call a mantaray...or a large sting ray. I am not sure but it is what I imagined it to be. Apparently, in their culture there is the largest and meanest manta they call Manta Diablo. It is a legend mothers tell their children, sort of what I would guess to be like the big bad wolf. During his last dive, Ramon finds the largest pearl he has ever seen and he takes it. Luzon warns him that it belongs to the Manta Diablo and that he should give it back. Sevillano turns out to be Ramon's adversary in the story. One of the last scenes of the book has Sevillano fighting the Manta Diablo while Ramon watches from the boat. It is an interesting story. I think a middle school student would like it, though I did not enjoy the story as much as some of the others. The ending was not finite enough for me because the author does not actually say what happened in the scene near the end of the book. This was another book from the science literature list. I will probably not use this one.
Main characters: Ramon, Luzon (the old Indian), and Sevillano (the diver)
It is set in La Paz, Mexico (interesting because I have a friend with the same last name). Ramon and his father own a pearl diving company. They sell pearls that they find from the coves. He has recently turned sixteen and his father has made him a partner in the Salazar company. Luzon comes from a neighboring cove to sell pearls. Ramon decides to ask Luzon to take him to his cove to teach him how to dive. During this time he hears that the infamous Manta Diablo lives in the cave near there. I believe that the manta is what we would call a mantaray...or a large sting ray. I am not sure but it is what I imagined it to be. Apparently, in their culture there is the largest and meanest manta they call Manta Diablo. It is a legend mothers tell their children, sort of what I would guess to be like the big bad wolf. During his last dive, Ramon finds the largest pearl he has ever seen and he takes it. Luzon warns him that it belongs to the Manta Diablo and that he should give it back. Sevillano turns out to be Ramon's adversary in the story. One of the last scenes of the book has Sevillano fighting the Manta Diablo while Ramon watches from the boat. It is an interesting story. I think a middle school student would like it, though I did not enjoy the story as much as some of the others. The ending was not finite enough for me because the author does not actually say what happened in the scene near the end of the book. This was another book from the science literature list. I will probably not use this one.
The Voyage of the Frog
Author: Gary Paulsen
Main Character(s): Uncle Owen and David
The story begins with the death of David's favorite uncle who taught him to sail. He is set upon a quest to scatter the uncle's ashes at sea where the adventure really begins. He survives great peril when he gets caught up in a storm and some wonderful encounters with the ocean like the whales he rested with in a cove. It is a story where the 13 year old boy comes of age and learns what life is really about. I really enjoyed the book. I read it for my science literature collection and would highly recommend it for any middle school student to read. As a matter of fact, I am contemplating having my students read it as a whole class novel.
Main Character(s): Uncle Owen and David
The story begins with the death of David's favorite uncle who taught him to sail. He is set upon a quest to scatter the uncle's ashes at sea where the adventure really begins. He survives great peril when he gets caught up in a storm and some wonderful encounters with the ocean like the whales he rested with in a cove. It is a story where the 13 year old boy comes of age and learns what life is really about. I really enjoyed the book. I read it for my science literature collection and would highly recommend it for any middle school student to read. As a matter of fact, I am contemplating having my students read it as a whole class novel.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Incredible Journey
Author: Sheila Burnford
Main Characters: Bodger (old white terrier), Luath (young retriever), and Tao (siamese cat)
The story was a poignant tale of three pets that were put up at a friend's house 300 miles from the owner's home while they were away on holiday. When the friend went on a trip, the younger dog who never forgot about his master decided it was time to go home. He led the journey and the other two followed along. Each animal had its strength, without which they would not have survived. The old dog had trouble in the beginning and almost dies. With the help of the cat, he is nursed back to health and they continue. The cat is the main hunter, the young dog is the one with the internal compass and size, and the old dog has the good attitude and faith in humans. All of these traits help them on their journey home through often rough terrain. They fight off bears, a raging river, a porcupine, and a lynx. It is a very interesting book. I read it for my science class because of a literature-based approach book. I am glad that I did. I would recommend this book for middle schoolers, but they should be warned there is a fight for survival which includes animals eating other animals.
Main Characters: Bodger (old white terrier), Luath (young retriever), and Tao (siamese cat)
The story was a poignant tale of three pets that were put up at a friend's house 300 miles from the owner's home while they were away on holiday. When the friend went on a trip, the younger dog who never forgot about his master decided it was time to go home. He led the journey and the other two followed along. Each animal had its strength, without which they would not have survived. The old dog had trouble in the beginning and almost dies. With the help of the cat, he is nursed back to health and they continue. The cat is the main hunter, the young dog is the one with the internal compass and size, and the old dog has the good attitude and faith in humans. All of these traits help them on their journey home through often rough terrain. They fight off bears, a raging river, a porcupine, and a lynx. It is a very interesting book. I read it for my science class because of a literature-based approach book. I am glad that I did. I would recommend this book for middle schoolers, but they should be warned there is a fight for survival which includes animals eating other animals.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: JK Rowling
Main Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Voldemort and countless others
It was definitely an interesting way to end the series. I foresee a gory movie though. I think at some point the story morphed from a children's tale to more of an adult one. There was cruelty, probably due to the fact the story revolved so much more around Voldemort than ever before. I like the way Rowling wrapped up the subset stories in this book and answered the questions that had been burning in my mind for some time. She gave Snape more depth, along with Ginny. It was put forth to me that Hermoine lost some of her moral compass in this book. I am not sure that I agree with that thought process, I would like to think that she simply gained the life experience she needed to realise that people aren't perfect like the books would like them to believe (the books from their educational experience at Hogwarts). I think she may have finally come to the understanding that there is a time and place for decisions that are not favourable to most "moral" people.
I liked finally learning more about Dumbledore and his family. It was a nice twist to have the brother finally come around and be a help in the war, though he seemed a bit peeved at first. I loved to hate Rita Skeeter and this book just egged that on. I thought it to be a very interesting twist that Rowling chose to make Voldemort unaware, and even daft about certain things. I thought he was supposed to be all-powerful and all-knowing. I suppose that would have been one of the only ways that Harry had to beat him without the help of Dumbledore. I also like the fact that the Malfoy family finally came to realise that Voldemort was not as great as he once seemed.
I liked the book. In the end, Harry turned out to the be the boy (man) that everyone hoped he would be. It was a fitting end to a fabulous series. Oddly enough I can't wait until the last two movies come out. I have enjoyed the films thus far and I am intrigued to see how they finish off the series.
Main Characters: Harry, Hermione, Ron, Voldemort and countless others
It was definitely an interesting way to end the series. I foresee a gory movie though. I think at some point the story morphed from a children's tale to more of an adult one. There was cruelty, probably due to the fact the story revolved so much more around Voldemort than ever before. I like the way Rowling wrapped up the subset stories in this book and answered the questions that had been burning in my mind for some time. She gave Snape more depth, along with Ginny. It was put forth to me that Hermoine lost some of her moral compass in this book. I am not sure that I agree with that thought process, I would like to think that she simply gained the life experience she needed to realise that people aren't perfect like the books would like them to believe (the books from their educational experience at Hogwarts). I think she may have finally come to the understanding that there is a time and place for decisions that are not favourable to most "moral" people.
I liked finally learning more about Dumbledore and his family. It was a nice twist to have the brother finally come around and be a help in the war, though he seemed a bit peeved at first. I loved to hate Rita Skeeter and this book just egged that on. I thought it to be a very interesting twist that Rowling chose to make Voldemort unaware, and even daft about certain things. I thought he was supposed to be all-powerful and all-knowing. I suppose that would have been one of the only ways that Harry had to beat him without the help of Dumbledore. I also like the fact that the Malfoy family finally came to realise that Voldemort was not as great as he once seemed.
I liked the book. In the end, Harry turned out to the be the boy (man) that everyone hoped he would be. It was a fitting end to a fabulous series. Oddly enough I can't wait until the last two movies come out. I have enjoyed the films thus far and I am intrigued to see how they finish off the series.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Hop-Frog
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
Main Characters: Hop-Frog, Trippetta, the King
Poe writes poetry, short stories, and novellas. I have enjoyed many of his poems and long stories so I decided that I will try to read as many as I can find on the open source. This particular story is about a jester named Hop-Frog. He was taken from his home along with another, Trippetta, when he was young because he was a dwarf (as was the girl). The dwarf was aptly named Hop-Frog because he didn't walk, but rather hopped which the king thought to be amusing. The story crescendos when Hop-Frog convinces the king and his court to dress up as orangatans for the masked ball. He basically tarred and feathered them, got them to wear chains, hung them from the ceiling and caught them on fire. Wow. Poe sure has one heck of an imagination. In the end, the dwarf and the girl get away. It goes to show that one can only take so much abuse before they get away and/or retaliate.
Main Characters: Hop-Frog, Trippetta, the King
Poe writes poetry, short stories, and novellas. I have enjoyed many of his poems and long stories so I decided that I will try to read as many as I can find on the open source. This particular story is about a jester named Hop-Frog. He was taken from his home along with another, Trippetta, when he was young because he was a dwarf (as was the girl). The dwarf was aptly named Hop-Frog because he didn't walk, but rather hopped which the king thought to be amusing. The story crescendos when Hop-Frog convinces the king and his court to dress up as orangatans for the masked ball. He basically tarred and feathered them, got them to wear chains, hung them from the ceiling and caught them on fire. Wow. Poe sure has one heck of an imagination. In the end, the dwarf and the girl get away. It goes to show that one can only take so much abuse before they get away and/or retaliate.
Monday, July 2, 2007
The Catalogue of the Universe
Author: Margaret Mahy
Main Characters: Angela, Tycho, Dido
I originally saw this book and though it might be a good one to add to my classroom collection. So I put it on my wishlist. It was given to me as a gift a few weeks ago and with time on my hands I decided to read it. This book was more of a romance than I expected and less of a science book. While it had some good science material in it about the stars, I do not believe it would be good for kids at age 12. Two teens become friends after viewing a lunar eclipse, though they have known each other since they were 5. He has been in love with her since they met, and she has been in love with romance. It seems like a typical one-sided relationship for him until she realizes that romantic ideas have a place, but do not rule all we do. She finally sees him for the wonderful person he has always been and falls in love with him. Though I do not usually read romance-type stories, it is a nice story and I am glad that I read it.
Main Characters: Angela, Tycho, Dido
I originally saw this book and though it might be a good one to add to my classroom collection. So I put it on my wishlist. It was given to me as a gift a few weeks ago and with time on my hands I decided to read it. This book was more of a romance than I expected and less of a science book. While it had some good science material in it about the stars, I do not believe it would be good for kids at age 12. Two teens become friends after viewing a lunar eclipse, though they have known each other since they were 5. He has been in love with her since they met, and she has been in love with romance. It seems like a typical one-sided relationship for him until she realizes that romantic ideas have a place, but do not rule all we do. She finally sees him for the wonderful person he has always been and falls in love with him. Though I do not usually read romance-type stories, it is a nice story and I am glad that I read it.
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