Book Reviews

Dark Visions: This graphic novel goes on for two hours. It has two main characters. The characters are exergerated very much. Their body's are transformed into perfection plus the women have bigger than normal breasts, and the men have huge muscles. “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” and “V for Vendetta." both have been turned into motion pictures and they turned into being a big waste of money and time.

The Homer of the Ants: This story isn't metophorical and drags on. People are fascinated with the comparisions of ants and people, however, there actually aren't many relatable comparisions. The information on Ants that was given wasn't interesting and didn't capture the audience's attention. The information about humans was nothing new and interesting.

The Road: The author of this book has created a visually stunning picture of how it looks at the end to two pilgrims on the road to nowhere. He does a great job creating the scene. However, the author doesn't say actual facts to make the book more realistic. The tale is very biblical. At the end, it implies that it happened through godly fanaticism.

Why the Earth is flat

All my life I have been taught that the Earth is round. However, I have found new evidence that the world is in fact, flat. The Earth is flat because when ships are sailing across the ocean, they slowly disappear over the horizon but you are still able to see the tops of the sails. Another piece of evidence that the Earth is flat is that the shape of the curved shadow of the Earth on the moon during eclipses. In the bible, it states that if you stand on top of a mountain, you can see the whole world. You could only do that if the world was flat. Based off of Eratosthenes’ measurement, there is variation of the sun’s elevation with latitude. Also, there’s a variation of a star’s elevation with latitude. If one sees new stars as one moves north or south, it’s on the Earth’s flat surface. Another reason why the world is flat is when one drives, they drive in a straight line that is flat.  If the Earth was round, the cars would fall off the Earth. It makes sense that the Earth is flat because we’re all still standing straight and not falling off.

On Turning Ten

The Author had deep, fulfilling dreams as a kid. He wanted to save lives, be in a magical dream, save citizens, and rule the world.  He ponders each night wondering why he wasn't doing any of those dreams he had such high hopes for.  He reflects on his own reflection; he decides to let them go.  He is too old to think such things.  He is no longer young and enthusiastic; he is now a middle aged man working a minimum paying job.  He once was a shinning star, and believed nothing could take his light.  However, time after time, his light began to fade. The poem is effective because it mentions the past, future, and present.  It gives examples of his feelings and uses vivid similes.  This poem fits into my own personal childhood experience because all of us have had dreams as a kid, at different ages.  We all have experienced the happy moments when we want to become something that includes something we love doing.  For example, at age ten, I wanted to be a vet. By age thirteen, I wanted to be an actress. Five years later, I still don't know what I positively wanted to do. No one knows. That's why we all take one day at a time, and let fate decide for us.  Maybe the Author was destined to not be any of the things he wanted to be as a child.  He didn't grasp his dreams and capture the moment himself.

Definitions

Beauty: Using as many products as possible that help you gain confidence, sex appeal, youth, beauty, and love.

Denial: Refusing to admit to your mistakes or downfalls.

Evil: Human wickedness that has developed throughout every new generation.

Definition Essay Questions & About my Spring Break

Definition Essay Questions
There are plenty of fresh ideas enlisted in this definition.  The writer gives a lot of examples of what a Yankee is.  A Yankee is known as an American,  pin-striped New York baseball team or the Northern forces in the American Civil War, the soldiers from north of the Mason-Dixon Line, or a Yankee can be a chap born so far north in Vermont that he's nearly Canadian, who comes over to help with his taxes ever year. I would have defined this idea to be shorter and more detailed. Such as, a Yankee is someone who lives or is from the United States, or someone who is from England or from one of the northern states.

Before I read what a Yankee was, I understood the allusions. If I wouldn't have read the definition first, I would have been a little confused.

 

Before the writer gave out the meaning of a Yankee, he made small connections and made it more relatable.  The writer made you think about the word first, before giving you the information. I think the writer did dwell a little too long what a Yankee is not before they told us what a Yankee actually is.  I don't want to waste my time reading something that isn't important.

Can you point to (write down) one sentence that functions as thesis statement in this essay?

"To most of the world, a Yankee is an American, anybody who lives in the United States."

 

My Spring Break

For spring break, my family and I went to Moab, Utah. On Saturday morning, at six, we arrived at the airport to fly into Colorado, then drive to Utah for five hours. Once we got to Utah, we stayed at a little ranch called "Red Cliff's Lodge." It was a small, secluded area that was surrounded by cliffs and mountains. It was away from the little town, so it was peaceful. The first two days we were in Utah, my family and I went on six miles hikes. We saw so many amazing things, such as arches, native American pictographs, canyons, and much more. The second day we went on a calm horseback ride. The third day we rafted down the Colorado river. I got a really bad sunburn that day. The last day we were there, we went mountain biking. That was my favorite. Going down the steep hills, while trudging through the rocks gave me a little bit of an adrenaline rush. I loved it. Once Friday came around, it was time to leave. I was ready to come home. I always get home sick if I'm away for at least a week. The vacation was a cool experience and I'm grateful that my family gave me the opportunity to go there.

 

 

 

 

A modest proposal

1. The thesis is that he is very far from being confined to proive only for the children of professed beggars, and that it is of a much greater extent and should take the whole number of infants at a certain age who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them as those who demond their charity in the streets.

2.  at most not above the value of 2s.,  I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders; . I again subtract fifty thousand for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year

3. I began to realize the essay was ironic after the 10th paragraph.

4. The Irish are presented as victims and are also blamed.

5. Yes, the essay functions as a satirical attack.

6. The purpose of the last paragraph was to show that he has no interest helping the public good of his country.

7. The only labor work I do is work at Dairy Queen. I do as i'm told. I get paid, so why would I argue about doing my job? I chose to do the job, So I will do it.

8. Putting babies up for adoption is a part of marketing babies. Young mothers who do not want their babies give them up, and put them up for adoption. That's how I would advertise babies. I would keep their names french but I wouldn't name them after meat because I don't want people eating them.

I want a wife

1. Yes, it does have a thesis. She states that she wants a wife and then she explains what she wants the wife to do for her.

2. She really wants a wife and that she expects them to do everything for her.

3. Yes, it seems like she really wants this kind of wife. No, there is no such person who would do that.  Brady is asking way too much from one person.  She basically wants a person that will do everything for her.

4. Brady stated that she wants her wife to do everything for her.  She wants her to cook, clean, take care of the children, and much more.  She won’t find someone who will do everything for her.  She might as well just get a butler.  I don’t think any woman would want to be a wife that Brady is asking for.

5. Dear Brady,

                I don’t admire your article on “I want a Wife.” You are asking way too much and expecting way too much out of one person.  It’s not fair.  What are you going to do for your wife, if you ever get one?  From reading your article, it looks like you will just be working and providing money.   That doesn’t work, though.  A marriage takes work and effort from both sides.  The marriage will never work out if you expect one person out of the marriage to do everything.

The little girl and the wolf-

I didn’t exactly like this one, but it I liked how there was an unusual twist at the end. It surprised me because I didn’t expect the little girl to shoot the wolf at the end. I can tell that he is mocking the story, “little red riding hood,” by having the wolf dress up the grandma.

The birds and the foxes-

I liked the story since it was different and had a twist at the end. I didn’t expect the foxes to ruin everything at the end. I can’t tell which fairytale story they’re trying to mock.

The Bear-

I didn’t really understand the meaning of this story. The only twist was when the bear would do cartwheels and such, then go back to resting himself back to health. I can’t tell which story Thurber is trying to mock.

Fables and Fairytales

1. The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion-
The fox and the ass went into the woods to hunt, then they ran into the lion. The Fox went up to the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass, if he would pledge his word that his own life should be spared. The Fox led the Ass to a deep pit, and promised that he should fall into it. The Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, quickly caught the Fox, and then attacked the Ass at his leisure
Moral: Traitors must expect treachery.

2. The Camel and the Arab an Aesop's fable-
An Arab Camel-driver asked a dumb question to the camel.
Moral of Aesops Fable: Do not ask obvious questions

3. The Dog and the Shadow fable-
A dog had a piece of meat, and as he was crossing a body of water, he saw a shadow of himself, but thought it was another dog. He let the piece of meat go, meaning to share it, but instead, he lost his meat.
Moral of Aesops Fable: Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow

4. The dogs and the hides-
Some dogs saw cow poop in the river so they decided to drink the water.
Moral of Aesops Fable: Attempt not impossibilities.

5. The Cock the the Jewel-
A cock found a jewel and was thankful that he found it and not his owner.
Moral of Aesops Fable: Be content with your life

6. The Two Crabs-
A mother and a child crab were walking down on a sandy beach and the mother told the child crab to walk with more grace. The child told the mother to set a good example for her.
Moral of Aesops Fable: Example is the best precept

7. The two pots-
Two pots were left on a bank of a river and one told the other that they might touch and hit one another. Moral of Aesops Fable: The strong and the weak cannot keep company

8. The Two Frogs-
Two frogs were hanging out in a dried up pond. One of the frogs suggested they leave, but the other one wanted to stay because the pond might get filled with water again.
Moral of Aesops Fable: Do nothing without a regard to the consequences.

9. The Three Little Pigs-
There were three little pigs who were trying to build stable homes to avoid a big, bad wolf.
Moral of the three little pigs- Face your fears

10. The Ugly Duckling-
There was a new duckling born, but he wasn't the best looking. Everyone made fun of him for his looks, instead of his personality. But in the end, the ugly duckling ended up being more talented and beautiful than all the others.
Moral of the ugly duckling- don't judge a book by its cover.

The mighty lion has great, big, yellow eyes.
His teeth are white and shiny; it would be easy for him to eat me in one bite.
As I lay upon the beast, i'm not feared by him in anyway.
He may be a beast in one's eyes, but in mine he's so much more.
I brush my long, beautiful, red hair each day,
The crab, and flounder, and the seagul are my true friends
Only dreaming of the prince to except me for my fin, and not my feet.
I pop my head through the surface of the water, to see the beautiful prince galloping to music on his boat
If only there was a way for me to escape from the underworld
Ursula seems to be helpful and kind hearted
She turns my beautiful long fin into two long, skinny legs
However, now I cannot use my extravagant voice
My world literally falls into a whirlpool of confusion, and I lose my legs
However, the prince accepts me for who I am, and I am granted my legs for life.
Even though we're small, we gotta work hard to get our food in order to survive
The grasshopper only wants to play hard, and not work hard.
I work day and night, feed the mice, and prepare for my step sister and step mother
Day by day I get no appreciation for what I do.
My wardrobe consists of a little, red riding hood
I never realized my grandma had such big eyes and sharp teeth.
The madhatter is wishing me a very happy unbirthday,
while the crazy white rabbit is hopping down the chalky sidewalks yelling, "I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!"
The heavy, bulky matresses are crushing my delicate, round figure,
I just wish this girl would realize i'm underneath, and save me from my smuthering soon-to-be death.
Doppy is my favorite as he walks down the stairs with his ears wiggling, and chuckling with his goofy laugh,
It's so kind of all twelve of them to let me stay here, afterall, i'm usually not welcomed anywhere.

People walk so slow in the high school routes

The ‘swag’ they claim to have is very dead

The freshman girls and boys have sad pouts

We’re all just here but rather be in bed

Running on limited hours of sleep

I wish these teachers would cut me a break

I can tell all of these desks and chairs are cheap

My math teacher kind of looks like a snake

Taking a test I do not understand

Ignorant kids taking my parking spot

Reading books which I cannot comprehend

The male teachers are wearing an ascot  

I just really want to get out of high school

These four long years have been such a whirlpool

1. The title of this story is called, "I believe that Rabbits Grow From Dandelions." The first paragraph of the story was quite depressing. I love animals, and rabbits are one of my favorites. The first paragraph explained how the owner was holding the Flemish Giant rabbit in her arms as it barely breathes. The next paragraphs talk about how her dog and cat had a feeling that their friend rabbit wasn't doing well. By the end of the story, the rabbit dies, and the owner sprinkles its ashes over the dandelions. While they're sprinkling the ashes, they see a couple rabbits poke their heads up from the ground, and that makes the owner feel more secure that her rabbit is in a better place.

2. The story is called, "Forgiving my Dad." The title is pretty self-explanatory. This man had hard feelings for his dad his whole life, and finally managed to forgive him once he had a son of his own. He realized that forgiveness was the best thing to do, in order for him to have a healthy and better relationship with his own son. I understand where he's coming from, not wanting to forgive his dad for all the wrong he has done. But by being the bigger person, and forgiving him, it leaves him with a better feeling for the future. I think this story is eye opening for anyone who has held a long grudge against someone close to them.

3. The third story I read is called "Spring." I felt this story was a little ongoing and some parts were irrelevant to the point of the story. It was basically how this lady had a husband who has a drinking problem, and he finally recognized his problem. She was proud of him for taking care of his wrong-doings, and getting held. Later in the story, she starts talking about the weather and how it speaks to her- Which I find weird and not related to the story in anyway. The story was mediocre. I didn't find it to be inspiring at all.

4. The last story that I read is called "Puppy Love." The author explains how in a weird way, she wants to be like her dog. She describes her dog to be outgoing, fun, care free, and lively. She wishes that she wouldn't take everything so seriously, and just enjoy life. She agrees that dogs are a man's best friend. She says that her dog has opened to eyes to a new life. She wants to be opened with all kinds of love in all aspect of life. She believes that her dog is the best role model for her to accomplish this happiness.

Reaction

I got goose bumps as I listened to the criminals’ story.  They explained how their stable home, turned into a chaotic version of hell.  Their grades went from skyrocketing, to falling. Their bodies went from clean and clear, to dirty and toxic.  The way they explained how their life developed into a worse situation each day, really and truly opened my eyes.  To be honest, I have never been the one to try drugs or alcohol.  I never even considered them. In my mind, I only focused on school and my social life.  I knew I didn’t need drugs or alcohol to make myself happy.  Instead of going out on a Friday night and partying, I go see a movie with a friend or stay home to look after my sister.  I have a job, I earn money, and I appreciate everything that I earn.  Each dollar that I earn, I savor because I know how valuable it is.  I would never throw it away to get drugs or alcohol.  My own way of getting high is shopping until I’ve blown my two weeks worth of paychecks.  Listening to these criminals really made me realize how I have such a good life.  I’m so appreciative to have an amazing, supportive family, kind friends, and a welcoming home.  Each day I know how much closer I am to reaching my dreams.  I could never imagine throwing it all away for drugs.  I could tell that the men who shared their story today completely, and totally regret everything they have done in the past.  I wish I could’ve sat down with one of them and have a long, meaningful conversation just so I could see how they truly feel. 

It is the first day of school and everyone is nervous. It's freshman year and it’s certain that everyone wants to make a good impression. All the boys are dressed up with button up shirts, and the girls are wearing long, flowery dresses. However, the new girl doesn't get the dress code memo. She is completely ostentatious with her glittery, low cut shirt, her daisy duke shorts, and all her sparkly bling.  It seems as if she is a radiant sun.  "Nice dress," says one of the boys as she walks by him.  As she walks down the hallways, everyone is blinded by all the light reflecting off of her dress and jewelry. The one boy looks directly at her, and is blinded and falls on the pavement where he suffers from losing his sight. 

She attends her first class, taking her seat front row and center, where everybody can see her.  She sticks out like a sore thumb.  The teacher stands in front of a single board, droning on about the rules of the class.  "The school will not tolerate obscene attire," says the teacher.  Though everybody is looking at her, she thinks she looks splendid.  She believes she is the best dressed at the school, and doesn't care about what anybody else thinks. 

The only problem is that beneath all the jewelry and nice clothing, she has a terrible fungus that is highly contagious, and spreads like a wildfire.  She often looks at the clock, wondering when her friends will find out her families well guarded secret.  This is the fifth town she had moved into and is really enjoying it more than the others.  The outbreak at the previous towns were rapid and terrifying, she doesn't understand why it didn’t affect her the same as everyone else. She just wants to be one of the regular popular girls at school.  So she runs like a cheetah to JCPennies and buys the most scrumptious washcloth she can find, to compliment her showy attire.  Everyone knows that washcloths are in style, and bath towels are out. When she puts on the washcloth, she starts to spasm like a wild gorilla. Unfortunately, she is allergic to the material that the washcloth is made out of. But, since she had nothing else to wear, she has to work with it, and look fantastic. 

The doll really did look like a live baby from a distance

The doll really looked realistic, its eyes were small and squinty, the mouth was small and shriveled, its fingers were half the size of my pinky finger, and its hair was wispy and short.

I had to treat the doll like a real baby because the computer inside also measured any abuse to the doll, such as shaking or neglect

I had to treat the doll like a real baby, which would be to rock it to sleep, speak nicely to it, and make sure it gets fed and put to sleep regularly. The computer inside the baby measured any abuse to the doll, such as violently shaking or neglecting the baby.

 The people in the restaurant were so quick to judge me because they assumed I was a teenage mom.

I could tell the people in the restaurant were to quick to judge me by the way they stared me down, rolled their eyes at me, and whispered secretly into one another’s ears. I knew they assumed the worst of me since it looked like I was a teenage mom.

1. What are the strengths of your partner’s essay? Why? My partner told a very sad, strong story. It was inspiring how strong she was to experience the death of a best friend, and still managed to get through it. I loved the way that the story flowed, and made everything easy to read.

2. What areas could use improvements? In other words, what suggestions can you give

your partner that will help his/her paper improve?

My only suggestion would be to give some descriptions of what Darian looked like. I would have loved to be able to imagine what he looked like throughout the story.

3. What is your favorite literary device used in your partner’s essay?
I love how she used the word 'vivid' to describe her memories, and she also included some important details about the memories she had with him.
4. What is the part of the paper that stands out as the most "catchy" or important?
Everything. The title was very catchy, and made me wonder what had changed her life on April 5th. The first paragraph was catchy because she mentioned how she never saw anything wrong with her best friend, and that she excepted him for the person her was. It was a well written story that was very heart warming and inspiring.

I think that I did a pretty good job recreating the scene,  and describing what the lady and my neighbors look like. Within the story, I used many different metaphors, good description details, feelings, and sounds. I think that I created an image for the neighbors and the lady so well, that you could imagine what they looked like in your mind as you read the story. I used dialogue, but I suppose I could have used more. I used many descriptions for the time of day, what the day looked like, what the temperature was, so that the reader would be able to imagine the story better.

1. What did you think of this narrative? I found this narrative to be informative and interesting. I learned some knew things that I didn't know about Helen Keller.
2. What was most interesting or engaging about it? The first paragraph about Helen Keller being seven years old was very intriguing. I like the description about her hand touching the water and how it felt to her.
3. What surprised you? Even if Hellen Keller is blind and deaf, she is a very intellectual woman.
4. Did this change your outlook on Helen Keller at all? Why or why not? I did a research paper about Helen Keller a couple years ago, and I always thought she was a brave, smart woman. My good perspective on her will never change.
5. Copy and paste three examples of vivid detail and imagery that helped enhance the story:
-"Light! give me light!" was the wordless cry of my soul, and the light of love shone on me in that very hour.
-In the still, dark world in which I lived there was no strong sentiment or tenderness. I felt my teacher sweep the fragments to one side of the hearth, and I had a sense of satisfaction that the cause of my discomfort was removed.
- I knew then that "w-a-t-e-r" meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!
6. How can a narrative be more engaging than something like a biography? Why is it important to get someone's personal perspective? A narrative can be more engaging than a biography because it's a story, other than just basic facts about a person. It's more interesting and exciting to reading. It is important to get someone's personal perspective because it's good to expand your horizon and see how other people see life.
7. Make a bulleted lists of some things you could write a narrative about

• Life changing moment
• Inspiring story
• Something tragic that happened

Where I'm From

I was born six hours prior to the year 1994

I was an early welcome to the New Year

Confetti and whistles celebrating down the Hospital hallway

My name comes from the Greek origin for man’s defender

I am here to protect and defend

Four years into my life,

 Comes a baby sister and a best friend

I come from the eight hour car drives to the salty waters and sandy dunes

Wind whipping through my hair as the cool ocean touches my toes

Throwing little crackers to the hungry seagulls on the beach

I come from the dangerous water rafting of the Montana Mountains

Paddling for my life

            Making sure we don't go over board

In my closet, consists of all my childhood memories

                To the 18 year old stuffed bunny, from the pictures at the petting zoo

At the edge of my bed sits my dog every night

                To make sure I sleep tight

Kitten awakens me every Sunday to make sure I get the morning eggs

                Sitting on the kitchen floor, looking up as she begs

Phobias such as clowns and snakes will always haunt me

                But I know I am here to protect and defend.

1. Yes, I love English classes. English is my strongest subject. I love writing narratives and short stories.
2, I enjoy writing short stories, poetry, comic strips, letters, science fiction, and fantasy.
3. I like reading romance novels, anything by Nicholas Sparks,  mysteries, letters, notes from friends, fantasies, magazines, and interviews.
4. For my Creative Writing class, I had to write seven stories, then for the final exam, I had to write a reflection for each of them. I really despised doing it because I couldn't remember what I was thinking when I wrote the stories, which were written months ago.
5. C (I don't have a hard time with it. I just don't have a lot of time to read)
6. I like classroom discussions because it allows everyone to give their opinion in a respectful way.
7. When there is a class discussion, I usually listen to what others have to say, then I tell them if I agree or not, and give the reasons why.
8. I work at Dairy Queen outside of school, as well as volunteer at a homeless cat shelter.
9. Over the weekend, I applied for Scholarships, went shopping with my mom and sister, worked for five hours, drove around to different stores to find the perfect Birthday gift for my dad, and watched Netflix.
10. There is nothing important that you need to know. I look forward to learning and participating in class discussions/assignments.
11. What college did attend?