I.Q: The White House (Book Worksheet)

Main Characters: Quest, Angela

Summary: Angela had always believed that her mother was killed from a bomb but discovers the truth with her stepbrother, Quest as they get involved in the Secret Service and Israeli Mossad. Angela learns that her mother faked her own death and is currently an undercover agent trying to act like her twin sister- a former and now deceased terrorist. Angela's mother, Malak discovered that there is a ghost cell made by terrorist groups that is planning to take over the world. With the help of a group called SOS (Some old Spooks), Angela, and Q, Malak works to protect the president and to destroy the ghost cell. 

1. careful

2. Be precise and careful.

3. 
Quest: clever, confused, sneaky, intelligent, observant, brave
Angela: kind, smart, quick, brave

3a. I think Q is very observant because he was the only one that noticed that Wayne Arbuckle's (a disguised terrorist) face kept on slipping as if it were a mask. This caused Q to get suspicious and look around even more carefully. When the President asked the two kids, Angela and Q if they recognized a special watch on somebody, Q easily answered with a full description and he was complimented by the president for being observant. When the two kids were forced into the library by a terrorist with a hostage, Q noticed somethings that ended up saving his life. I think Q's observantness is very helpful to the SOS team. Q has a knack for seeing things that others don't. This may be the reason why he wants to become a magician or the reason he is observant may be because he wants to become a magician.

4. A memorable scene from the book was when Q and Angela found the secret passages in the White House and went to find a terrorist that was holding P.K. (President's Kid) as hostage. Nervous, the two kids went after a terrorist cook who had a knife and was threatening to kill P.K.
This scene showed a lot of courage in the two kids.

5. The author is trying to tell you that your parents love you and that they would give up anything they have for you like Angela's and Q's parents.

6. I would rate this book a 7 because the book had an interesting plot and storyline but the story barely had any meaning. It was a rather fast and shallow book. I did like the story though.


7.
Beginning:
Angela and Q are invited to the White House so that their parents, a band called Match, can perform.


Middle: While Malak is working undercover, Angela and Q must find the "moles" or terrorists, in the White House.


Ending: Malak, Angela, and Q save the President's children.

The Lava Walk

2012, a video of a man walking over lava, was posted on YouTube. Many people didn't think this was real or possible. They thought it was a illusion or trick. A geologist says that although walking across lava is possible, you shouldn't try it because it is very dangerous. If you slip you will fall into the molten lava that have temperatures from 700°C to 1200°C, which could cause the water inside our bodies to vaporize and "explode from the inside" Erik Klemetti(an Assistant Professor of Geology at Ohio's Denison University) studied this video very closely and came up with a theory which he posted on his volcano "Eruptions blog"
Erik Klemetti says that walking across lava is technically possible but he says that the attempt is very "idiotic". This feat was possible because the lava had a dark crust moving on top of the flow. The lava appeared rather stony, hard, and rough. Although it might not seem like so, lava is viscous unlike water. When researches have to study lava samples, the lava can be resistant and hard to scoop up out of flows. This man's astonishing feat was aided by the fact that the lava was rather cool and slow. Klemetti says this kind of lava is called a'a lava; a cool and oozing kind of lava. Although a'a lava is cooler then other types, it is still extremely hot. The man in the video is nicknamed, the "lava art craft worker" Walking around lava or being near lava can be very hot, even if the lava flow is small. This short clip was filmed on one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mt. Edna in Sicily. Although the crust might look hard, it can be very deceptive, the crust can actually be very thin. The "lava art craft worker" might have survived the walk across lava, but  at 0:08 in the video, you can see that in his last step, his foot slightly caught on fire. This man was lucky to survive this stunt. Even though walking across lava might sound cool, it's not. In fact, it's really hot! (unintended pun) Don't try this at home or anywhere else!
Links to check out:
scienceblogs.com/eruptions
www.wired.com/wiredscience/eruptions/
and sources:
http://www.dogonews.com/2013/7/1/video-of-the-week-it-is-possible-to-walk-on-lava
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/man-walks-on-flowing-lava-lives-to-post-it-to-youtube

Turtle Guide

Each year, volunteers from the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire make sure that all the newly born loggerhead sea turtles make their way to the ocean. This year, when the 112 small baby turtles hatched on the Caribbean Islands, people noticed that the turtles were hatching far away from the ocean, near the airport. Because the loggerheads use moonlight as their guide, they can get confused with all the flashing lights in the airport and the moon and end up going in the wrong direction. A couple years ago, the innocent group of turtles were killed on the road because they were misled by lights other than the moon. To make sure this won't happen again, the volunteers from the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire watched the eggs when they began to hatch. When the July 1st, the day the turtles would be going into water finally came, the  volunteers created a human wall around all the small turtles to block out all light besides moonlight. Because these volunteers created this wall, all the baby turtles survived and got to the ocean. Loggerhead sea turtles are one of the many endangered species; many of the baby loggerheads that only hatch every 2 or 3 years die from land animals and older adult loggerheads are preyed upon by larger animals (For example: sharks.). There are also many unintentional deaths caused by fishing trawls. Protect the turtles!

The Sheep that Cried Wolf (by a text message)

       Soon, the sheep in Switzerland will be texting each other all the time! A team of researchers and scientists are trying to create a collar that can monitor a sheep's heart rate and send a urgent message when there is a spike(in the heart rate) while fighting off the wolf that caused the spike. Although testing is still in early stages, so far, scientists have developed a collar with a heart-rate monitors. They put the test collar on sheep and scared the sheep with dogs. The sheep heart rate's rose quickly. The team plans to find a way to make the collar send a text message to the shepherd. They also plan to add a device that scares the wolf off with a noisemaker or a type of spray while the shepherd or whoever is in charge of the flock comes to rescue the sheep. I think that this idea can be used for other things besides protecting sheep. For example you might get a phone call when there is somebody trying to break into your house. I think it is a good idea that can be used for many things because regular alarms that beep sometimes doesn't work. But a person is more likely to respond to a text message or phone call than to a lot of "beeping" noises.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Book Worksheet)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
By Mark Twain
Main Characters: Tom Sawyer, Aunt Polly
Summary: Tom Sawyer is a clever young boy known for his pranks and tricks. He lives with his Aunt Polly and Tom's younger half brother, Sid. Tom is in love with Becky Thatcher. He shows off to her but he accidentally reveals that he liked Amy Lawrence before. One day, to take away his warts, Tom decides to take the dead cat he found to the graveyard at midnight with his friend Huckleberry Finn and wait for the devil to come and take the cat and the warts away. Tom and Huck find 3 people instead at the graveyard, Muff Potter (a drunk man), Injun Joe, and Dr. Robinson. Injun Joe stabs Dr.Robinson to death while Muff Potter is knocked out. Then Injun Joe takes the knife and puts it in Muff Potter's hand. When Muff Potter woke up, he saw the knife in his hand and the dead body. Injun Joe lies to Muff Potter that he did it. Muff Potter believes Injun Joe. Joe Harper, Huck, and Tom decided that they wanted to be pirates. They ran off into the forests and stayed like that for days. Tom didn't want Aunt Polly to be grieving for him, thinking he was dead, so he went to her house secretly and left a secret message. But Aunt Polly didn't get to see the message. After a while Joe and Huck wanted to go home because they were homesick and tired of fishing and playing all day. Then Tom told them the reason why they should stay. It was because they wanted to make their parents or relatives miss them than they all come out the last day. When the gang came back home on the day of their funeral, everyone was surprised and treated them as heroes. When Tom and Huck explore the a "haunted" house they discover Injun Joe and another buff man talking about a hidden treasure. They almost catch Tom and Huck but the two kids are saved by the creaky stairs. Becky Thatcher forgave Tom and they were good friends again. When all the kids get together secretly, they all decided explore a cave. Becky and Tom get lost in the cave and are separated from the others. The other kids don't realize. When Becky's mom realizes that her daughter was lost many people are sent to the cave to begin hunting for the two kids. Tom meets Injun Joe, who is sleeping in the cave. When they are finally found, the Judge puts up a big metal door to block the cave's entrance. Finally, Tom announces that Injun Joe, the murderer, is in the cave. When the Judge opens up the cave, Injun Joe, dead, was laying on the ground in front of the door. After Injun Joe's body is cleared out. Huck and Tom go to find the hidden treasure that they believe Injun Joe was looking for in the cave. They become rich from the treasure which was $12,000.




1. clever

2. Everybody has a different way of showing love.


3. Tom: clever, proud, immature
Aunt Polly, loving, caring, kind

3a.

4. A memorable scene from the story was when Tom made almost every kid in his town help him paint his fence. After Aunt Polly gave him the punishment and he started to paint, Ben Rogers who was eating an apple, came by. Tom started to make it seem like painting the fence was fun. When Ben asked why he was working, Tom said that it wasn't work. Tom made it seem so interesting that Ben offered his apple to try painting the fence. Tom convinced many kids to paint the fence for him. After Tom was finished, he had many things that kids gave to him to try washing the fence.

I chose this scene because it was very funny and it showed that Tom was good with words and is a good persuader, it also showed that Tom was very convincing.

5. I think the author is trying to tell us to have fun in our life. When we are children, we have big imaginations and we love to play. I think the author is telling us to play while we are children because once we become adults, we're to busy for playing and imagination nonsense. Tom really didn't waste his childhood, he was a pirate, a robber, and he even found treasure. In the end of the book it says that the story ends because Tom would become a man and writing about a man would be boring.



6. I would rate this book a 10 because it was very well written. The characters were realistic and interesting. The plot was intriguing and the story was clever and funny.


7.
Beginning: Tom and Huck see Injun Joe murdering Dr.Robinson and framing Muff Potter.



Climax: Tom, Joe, and Huck run away to be pirates and come back on their funerals



Ending: Tom and Becky Thatcher, who like each other, get lost in a cave and find Injun Joe, scared they run away and are saved while Injun Joe dies in the cave searching for a treasure that is found by Tom and Huck who later on become rich(from the treasure).

Texting Makes You More Truthful

 People are more honest when they are texting. Psychologists did a research on 600 different iPhone users. Fred Conrad and his colleagues asked questions to the people. The iPhone users had to answer the questions by voice (calling) or by texting. The people that answered by texting were more truthful about answering the questions. The questions, for example, were about how much they exercised or how much alcohol they drink. The people who texted were also more precise and specific. While the people who answered the questions with their voice rounded numbers, the people who texted used exact numbers. Psychologist Fred Conrad thinks that people think about their answers more carefully when texting and that people don't care much about looking good to the person asking questions. Researchers plan to use texting as a technique in the future for conducting surveys. I think that another reason people might be more honest because they think that their text will be inside the memory of a phone forever while a person who asks questions and receives answers can forget things. I also think it is scary that people are more truthful in texting than actually talking. This shows that people have changed a lot and that more and more people are texting. (I learned this from research) People spend about 1- 1 and a half hours a day on texting and about 2.5 hours on social media. If people aren't even honest while they are talking, they next thing you know, everybody will be texting even if they are right next to each other. I think texting wastes time, phones were made so that you can talk to someone far away by calling, but now it is a texting device.

The Ghost Army

During World War II, the United States Army created a group of soldiers called the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. 1,100 soldiers, (artists, designers, or actors) had a mission to confuse the enemy with fakes. These men were unofficially called the "Ghost Army". In 1994, when soldiers were moving through Europe, the Ghost Army sent fake radio messages for the Germans to overhear. They sewed different shoulder patches onto their uniforms to look like a lot of different units of soldiers. Speakers were set up to broadcast recordings of marching soldiers and trucks driving so that it sounded like a lot of American soldiers were coming. They made inflatable rubber tanks (like the picture above) truck, and weapons for spy planes to see from the air. Nobody knew about the Ghost Army until 1996 because the mission was top secret. I think that the whole Ghost Army idea was brilliant and clever. I also wonder who thought of the idea to trick all the enemy soldiers by using fakes. (After some research, I learned that it was Ralph Ingersoll who came up with this idea.) I think that it is possible that other countries have made a Ghost Army and that two countries can fool each other. I think a flaw to the Ghost Army is that the enemy might take the risk of attacking the Ghost Army. Most likely, they will soon realize that these people are no soldiers and they will know that they are fakes. But the Ghost Army was lucky and the enemy didn't take the risk of attacking. I wonder if America or another country will use a Ghost Army in the future.


Source(s): http://www.ghostarmy.org/ and the magazine called "Muse"

It's Back!

I am going to be doing "Article Writing" again. Check out my older posts if you haven't already. Article Writing is when you read an article and you write about it. (Pretty self explanatory)

Sherlock Holmes (Book Worksheet (Edited for Mr.Holmes))

The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Main Characters: Sherlock Holmes



1. Write one word that best describes the character(it's actually supposed to be story)

genius


4. Most memorable/impressive CASE.

The Greek Interpreter was a very impressive case.

I found it memorable because of the introduction of Sherlock's brother, Mycroft. Mycroft Holmes is even more of a genius then Sherlock. But Mycroft doesn't want to become a detective. I think this was a quite difficult mystery to solve and yet Sherlock did it. It was very interesting to me. Also Sherlock and Mycroft was observing people and they analyzed that a man was a widower, had children, and was from the military and that he also had fought in India.

I would rate this book a 10 because I love the  geniusness (is that word?) of Mr.Sherlock Holmes. I found it quite intriguing. I think the author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle must also be a genius to have come up with this amazing character. I love how the story is written in Watson's point of view. Sherlock Holmes can merely look at someone and tell everything about them, and in the end, it all makes sense if you listen to how he got to a conclusion.

A Single Shard (Book Worksheet) + Book Worksheet Update

(IMPORTANT Update: New part to the book assignment- write about one character.(does not have to be favorite character))


A Single Shard

By: Linda Sue Park

Main Characters: Crane-man, Min, Tree-ear

Summary: An orphan in Korea named Tree-ear lived with his friend, Crane-man under a bridge that was in the town called Ch'ulp'o. Ch'ulp'o is known for the potters in the town who make beautiful celadon ware. Tree-ear is intrigued by the work of one of the best potters in the village, Min. Tree-ear keeps on watching Min working on pots. Tree-ear accidentally breaks one of Min's creations. Instead of paying Min, Tree-ear offers to work for Min. Min makes Tree-ear cut wood, and dig up clay but never actually pottery. After Tree-ear worked for the broken creation, he asks Min if he could keep on working. Tree-ear asks Min why Min can't teach him pottery, Min grows angry and says that potters only teach their son pottery. In rage, Min says that his only son, Hyun-gu One day, out of curiosity, Tree-ear follows another potter, Kang, whose skill is not as great as Min's but is decent. Tree-ear spy's on this potter and sees that Kang had developed a whole new style that is quite beautiful. It is an inlay design. Tree-ear knows not to tell Min. If you were chosen for the royal commission, your work would be sent to the king. Getting the royal commission was Min's life's desire. Tree-ear knows that Kang's new style will definitely get him the royal commission. After the emissary comes to look at all the potters' works. He looks longest at Kang's new design and Min's beautiful work. After choosing Kang for the royal commission, the emissary who admired Min's work, gave him a second chance to make something with the new design. Tree-ear is sent on a mission to go to Songdo, a town far away from Ch'ulp'o. Tree-ear is attacked by robbers on the way and Min's work is flung over a cliff. Tree-ear is horrified and goes down the cliff to find small pieces of the celadon. The largest shard is the size of his palm. Tree-ear is determined to deliver this single shard (title) to the emissary. The emissary admires even this small piece of work and immediately orders for the royal commission to be for Min. Min finally decides to teach Tree-ear pottery and treat him like a son. While Tree-ear was on the trip, Crane-man had died because he had fell into the river when a man crossed the bridge. Min's wife gives Tree-ear a new name, Hyun-Pil.

1. line

2. There are always consequences for actions, whether the consequence is good or bad.

3. Crane-man: Wise, caring, proud
Min: Proud, sad, hard-working
Tree-ear: hopeful, brave, determined

3a. (look at the update)

I think Tree-ear is a rather determined person. Even in the beginningIf I were in his situation, where the pot was smashed by robbers and I was throwing up all over the place, I wouldn't have gone down the cliff with hope to check if they really were smashed like Tree-ear did. I would of mourned for the pots. Tree-ear thought of jumping off the cliff. But he didn't. I think that it is possible that I might of(if I was Tree-ear), because in Tree-ear's position, there was no easy way out of this situation. I wouldn't have been surprised if Tree-ear actually took a leap of faith. Tree-ear went down with hope that I don't know how he got and he found the biggest piece and decided to take it to the emissary. I think that took a LOT of determination and courage. Think about the things that could happen. What if you were rejected or accused of stealing your master's (Min's) pots by the emissary? Tree-ear was brave.

4. The scene in which Min explains to Tree-ear how Crane-man died was very memorable. It was very sad, a farmer crossed the bridge and Crane-man was pushed into the cold water. The shock was too great for his heart and he died. When Crane-man's body was found, he was clutching the small monkey that Tree-ear had made him. (Note: Crane man had one good leg and the other leg was broken) Then Tree-ear said, "Wherever you are now, I hope you are walking on two good legs." and he cried.

This was a strong sign of friendship between Tree-ear and Crane-man, I noted that Crane-man called Tree-ear little monkey a lot: Crane-man was clutching the monkey (Also in the end of the book is a small note by the author that talks about a inlay celadon pottery that an unknown maker known as the "Thousand Cranes Vase" It was dated during the time of Tree-ear! I think the author is saying that Tree-ear made (although I know it is not true) the celadon pot)

5. The author is trying to tell you to never give up. Tree-ear didn't give up even when all the pots were shattered all over the floor. Min didn't give up when his inlay design didn't come out right. Crane-man didn't give up when his newly made sandals for Tree-ear didn't fit. So don't give up!

6. I would rate this book a 10 because I really liked the ending. (Meaning the small note at the end. Look at 4.) I also liked the plot.

7.
Beginning: Tree-ear begins to work for Min.

Middle: Tree-ear is sent on a mission to deliver the pots and they are smashed by robbed.

Ending: Min gets the royal commission and Tree-ear is treated as his son, meaning he will learn pottery.

The Giver (Book Worksheet)

The Giver
By: Lois Lowry
Main Characters: Jonas, The Giver

Summary: In the future, everything is perfect. No war, no hunger, no pain, but no love or warmth- everybody is assigned to a job when they turn 12. Jonas is a boy who is about to turn 12 and receive his assignment. When he is chosen as the Receiver- the one person who is supposed to be wise and honored- he is scared and confused. The people who gave him the job told him he needs bravery and that it will be painful. The Giver gives Jonas memories of times when there was war, hunger and also happiness, love. Jonas is getting all these memories, colors. Not only are they bad but they are good too. Jonas wants others to feel it to, but it is now gone. Jonas wanted to leave this world of sameness. Jonas leaves with Gabriel, a Newborn who is to be Released. Jonas goes away from all the sameness to a world of everything.

1. different

2. A world with pain and love/warmth is better than a world without both.

3. Jonas: confused, thoughtful, different
  The Giver: wise, thoughtful, happy

4. I think the part in which Jonas and Gabriel hear music, people singing, something that was also forgotten was memorable. The Giver said that his favorite memory was music and when he was about to give it to Jonas, Jonas said, "No. You keep it." The Giver and Jonas both had the memory of music.

I found this memorable because I think it was very kind of Jonas to let the Giver keep that memory, the part in which Jonas heard music was also memorable because it was the end.


5. The author is trying to "give" you the message that even if pain is bad and it hurts, we would have love. People took away all that to make things perfect and easy for them, but in order to know what is good, there needs to be a bad. When Jonas asks his parents, "Do you love me?" They say, "Precision of language please. The word "love" is very generalized and is so meaningless that it's become almost obsolete."

6. I would rate this book a 10+ if possible because it had such meaning and I loved it. It had a wonderful plot, beginning and ending.

7.
Beginning: Jonas is chosen as the Receiver.


Climax: Jonas learns love and pain.


Ending: Jonas runs from the world of sameness to a world of love and pain.

The Hunger Games (Book Worksheet)

The Hunger Games

By: Suzanne Collins

Main Characters: Katnis Everdeen, Peeta Mellark 

Summary:

In the future, there are 12 districts, the 13th was destroyed in a rebellion against the Capitol. Panem, the Capitol, forces each district to send one boy and one girl to fight to the death against all the other children from different districts live on TV. Panem made districts do this to say that the Capitol had all the power and that if the districts were to start a rebellion again, they would be destroyed. When Katniss's sister, Prim, is chosen by the Capitol to compete in the games, Katniss Everdeen from District 12 steps up to take her place. Katniss surprises everybody including herself and becomes a different person. People start to admire her and she becomes a contender. The other boy from her district, Peeta Mellark, says he loves her and that he had a crush on her ever since he saw her. He does this to get sponsors and also because it is true. Katniss must act as though she loves him back to get even more sponsors although she doesn't really love him. Soon they are the "star-crossed lovers" In the games, Katniss becomes allies with a girl name Rue. When Rue dies, Katniss is determined to win for herself, family and friends. There is a rule change that two people from the same district can win together. Katniss finds Peeta and they work together. When they all the last two, the rule changes back saying that only one can win. Katniss thinks that Panem needs a victor no matter what so she and Peeta prepare to die. At the last moment they are announced victors of the Hunger Games. But the two people are in trouble. They must keep on acting in order to stay alive. 

1. power

2. Making the right choices and decisions can change and end your life.


3.
Katniss Everdeen: brave, thoughtful, kind
Peeta Mellark: clever, caring, thoughtful


4. I think the scene in which Katniss tells the Avox that she should have tried to save her was memorable. The the Avox taps her lips with her fingers then points to Katniss's chest. Katniss interprets as- you should have ended up as an Avox too.

I chose this scene because I think the Avox was saving that she forgave her and good luck, it was memorable.

5. The author was trying to tell us about war and that people can do anything to survive. I also think the Hunger Games was a message to us that we could become like that one day and we should make the right decisions. Some of the children in other districts called Career Tributes prepare for this annual event. They train to fight and to kill. They aren't hesitant about killing somebody. They don't think twice before they do it.


6. I would rate this book a 9. The book was interesting. But I don't think I would read the next book. The plot was very different from other books but I think that it could of been better. I liked the ending though.
I think another reason why I might of disliked the book was because I watched the movie first.


7.
Beginning: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become tributes and Peeta says he loves her.


Climax: Katniss Everdeen is determined to win and finds Peeta to work with him while acting as though she loves him back.


Ending: They win together and must continue acting in order to live.

Uglies (Book Worksheet)

Uglies

By: Scott Westerfeld

Main Characters: Tally, Shay

Summary: In the future, in order to prevent people from being prejudice from other's looks, there is a new law in which you must go through an operation (when you turn 16) to become "pretty" which makes you "perfect" like all the other pretties. Before you go through that operation, you are an "ugly." Tally is an Ugly who will soon become a Pretty. Her best friend, Peris, became a Pretty first and is now living in New Pretty Town. The Uglies are separated from the Pretties and so, Tally can no longer see Peris until she become a Pretty. Tally wants to see her best friend so badly, she secretly goes into the town and crashes a party, meeting her best friend and also making one too. On the way out, Tally meets Shay, a girl who has the same birthday as her, meaning they will both go through the operation on the same day. They quickly become friends, but Shay doesn't want to become a Pretty. Shay runs away and on the day Tally is supposed to become a Pretty, she is given a choice to either turn her friend in, or never become a pretty. Tally goes on a mission to find out where the runaway Uglies go, but instead learns the new side of becoming a Pretty. Tally reaches a town called Smoke and finds that there is a whole different world where people don't become Pretty, meaning there are no Uglies or Pretties. Tally learns that becoming a Pretty doesn't only change how you look, but how you think too. Tally accidentally signals the Specials (a group of Pretties who were trying to find Smoke for a long time) and betrays all her new friends that she made at Smoke. Shay is forced to become a Pretty and Tally decides to help out in a medical experiment and she goes to become a Pretty.


1. think

2. Different can be good, even if it means being ugly.

3. Tally: loyal, thoughtful, understanding
Shay: rebellious, different, arrogant


4.  I think a memorable part of the story was when Tally told David, her friend, the truth about why she was there in Smoke and when Tally decided to help out in the medical experiment. She plucked up a lot of courage for that.

I chose the scene because it left me thinking that Tally was very brave.


5. I think the author is trying to tell us that it doesn't matter what you look like. Shay liked how she looked like and she disliked the idea of the operation. She thought that it was the exact opposite, instead of making you stunning and attractive, it made you boring, dull, and like everybody else in New Pretty Town. She wanted to stay as she was.

6. I would rate this book a 10, because it left me with a cliffhanger, making me want to read the next book in the series. I liked the plot and the idea of Uglies and Pretties.

7.

Beginning:
Tally sneaks to New Pretty Town to meet Peris and finds Shay on the way back.


Climax:
Shay runs away and Tally is forced to either find Shay or never become a Pretty and stay Ugly.


Ending:
Tally learns the truth about becoming a Pretty and betrays all her new friends in Smoke, on accident, making her want to fix something, so she decides to help out on an important medical experiment.

The Big Wave (Book Worksheet)

The Big Wave

By: Pearl S. Buck

Main Characters: Kino, Jiya, Kino's father
Summary:
Kino and his friend Jiya live in Japan where earthquakes and tsunamis are frequent. Kino's father is a farmer while Jiya's father is a fishermen. Jiya's father and family is taken by the "Big Wave," a tsunami. Jiya stays with Kino's family and is offered a choice to live with either a wealthy man who lives on an island safe from the coming tsunamis or with Kino's rather poor, family. Jiya chooses to live with Kino's family. A long time later when Kino and Jiya are both older men, people begin to build houses again near the shore the tsunami had once washed away. Jiya marries Kino's sister, Setsu. Kino builds a new house on the spot where his old house once stood and starts a new life.


1. live

2. Have courage and live your life

3. Kino: thoughtful, kind, afraid

Jiya: afraid, brave, sorrowful

Kino's father: wise, kind, thoughtful

4. A memorable part was when Jiya and Kino were inside the Old Gentleman's house examining it to see if Jiya would want to live in it or not. Jiya was looking around at all the things and the Old Gentlemen repeatedly saying how poor Kino's family is and that Jiya should live with him. Then Jiya's face turns red and he shouts "no" in a rather harsh way.

This was memorable because I think it took courage to stand up to that man who was offering Jiya anything he wanted, it must have been very tempting.

5. The author was trying to tell us that fear should not get in our journey of life. We should put down things that have already passed. What good would it have been if Jiya mourned for his brother and his parents for the rest of his life? Jiya moved on and lived his life. That doesn't mean who forgot them, he simply moved on.

6. I would rate this book a 10 because it had a lot of meaning.


7.

Beginning:
Jiya's family is taken by the Big Wave.


Climax:
Jiya refuses to live with the Old Gentleman and continues living with Kino's family.


Ending:
Jiya moves on and restarts his life.

The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt (Book Worksheet)

The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt

By Patricia MacLachlan

Main Characters: Minna Pratt, Lucas Ellerby

Summary: Minna Pratt is a girl who has a strange family. Her mother is a writer who asks strange questions, her brother, McGrew is also weird. Minna Pratt plays the cello and wishes she had a vibrato. SHe meets Lucas Ellerby, who's family is exactly opposite. Minna wishes for a family like his and he wishes for a family like her's. In the end, Minna gets the vibrato she wanted and she talks to her mom about how her mom doesn't listen to anything she says.

1. truth

2. Facts and fictions are different truths


3.  Minna Pratt: unique, curious, thoughtful

     Lucas Ellerby: unique, curious, thoughtful

4. Minna slowly gets up from her bed as moonlight streaks out of the bedroom window. She slowly picks up her cello and plucks a string. It makes a deep sound. She sits on a wooden chair and starts playing softly and slowly. After a while, she puts the cello down and calls Lucas. He answers on the first call, "Congratulations" I found this part memorable because it shows the closeness of Lucas's and Minna's friendship.


5. I think one message from the story is to be glad that you're yourself. Although you might think someone else is luckier than you for some reasons. There are always bad sides and if you were that person, you might want to be who you are right now. Minna and Lucas wished to have families like each others.

6. I would give this book a 10 out of 10 because it was a great book I liked the title a lot and the way Minna keeps on making connections.


7.
Beginning: Minna is living her life normally, she never practices the cello and her mom ignores her constantly.

Climax: Minna meets Lucas, who plays the viola and she "falls in love"

Ending: Minna goes to a music competition with Lucas and her other friends, Minna also finally  gets the vibrato she always wanted.

Summer of the Swans (Book Worksheet)

Summer of the Swans

By Betsy Byars

Main Characters: Sara, Charlie, Joe Melby

Summary:
Sara lives with her Aunt Willie because her mother died and her father left her. Sara lives with her sister and brother, Charlie, who doesn't talk because his brain was damaged when he was young. One night after Sara takes Charlie to see the swans, he disappears. Joe Melby, her enemy, helps her find him and Sara learns that Joe Melby was actually not the one who stole Charlie's watch.

1. feelings

2. Love can be silent and shy.

3. Sara: Emotional, caring, protective

    Charlie: calm, thoughtful, sad
 
    Joe Melby: Innocent, shy, thoughtful

4. There are swans sort of just moving around in the water. It is extremely quiet and nobody was moving. Everything is still and Sara and Charlie are staring at the swans. The swans are gracefully gliding along, silent.

I chose this scene because I like the mood, this scene describes the relationship between Charlie and his sister- silent love.

5. I think one message the author was trying to share to the readers was don't judge a person by their first impressions. Sara hates Joe Melby because she thinks that he stole Charlie's watch and she doesn't even have proof. It was actually Joe Melby who found the watch and returned it. But yet, Sara detests Joe Melby for that reason. But she finds out the truth and learns that he is actually nice and he asks here to a party.

6. I would rate this book a 10, because I thought the writing style was very good and the author is one of my favorites. The author described the scenes very well and I liked the ending a lot.

7.

Beginning: Sara takes Charlie to see the swans


Climax: Charlie is missing


Ending: Sara and Joe Melby find Charlie