It's Kind of a Funny Story Week of 10/29-11/1

Pages: 117-286
Prompt: Miscellaneous: After Reading I wonder



                                So Far in It's Kind of a Funny Story....

         Last time when I wrote my blog I described that Craig was so worried about not being smart in his school. One night during everyone was sleeping Craig was trying to come up with a plan that can kill himself. Craig decides to call the Suicide Emergency Number which eventually leads him to the hospital. Craig decides to go to the hospital by himself in his bike, but it's kind of easy because he lives two blocks away from the hospital. Craig is checked into a room in the middle floor and he even has his security officer.  His parents find out and they vista him briefly because the nurse took away Craig's phone. Craig comes in with another patient called Jimmy and a helper named Smitty takes them to a different floor. Craig makes friends with Noelle a girl who cut her own face and they force Craig to participate in the activities.


                   After Reading I wonder.....

    After reading I wonder if Craig has become more social in the hospital than he was in the outside world. I wonder while so much people can relate to Craig even though Craig and other patients are completely different from each other. I ask myself why did that girl cut herself? Did she mental pain or physical pain? Now that I remember why does the old man Humble look at the world so negative? I think that in our mind we can at least think of something positive about the world. I forgot to mention but Humble is the second friend Craig makes at the hospital and Humble is actually the first person Craig can relate to. Every time I read a new chapter I kind of think that the hospital in which Craig is staying is kind of like MacNeal Hospital. It was just simple thought because they describe the cafeteria has good food and it's pretty big. I don't know why but ever since I was little kid I kind of like to explore hospitals just like Craig.


               Some more Wondering

   I just can't explain to myself why Craig's friend Aaron called Craig a loser just because he's in a hospital. I wonder why Aaron would do such a thing to Craig just because Craig had a mental incident. If I was one of Craig's friends I would go to the hospital and visit him instead of calling him mean names. Another thing I can't explain to myself is why they won't allow patients to have their cell phones. In one part of the book had an urgent emergency and he needed to call his family. He wasn't able to call them because they took away his cell phone and the phone in the hospital gets too crowded. In my opinion I think it was destiny that Craig made so many friends in the hospital because who knew that his so called "best friends" were going to dump him. I wonder what other kind of food they give in Craig's hospital. I know that in MacNeal Hospital they have coffee,fish, and my all time favorite cheesecake. After I read part of the book those are some of things that popped right into my head.


  I think that Craig's hospital looks kind of like this. I think this because they give so many specific details that anyone can think this is how Craig's hospital looks like. In the book they mention that this is almost like heaven to Craig. Craig has new friends, gets good food, good advice, and he doesn't have to worry about any work.

     This week I'll be commenting on Isabelle R., Nikolas, Athziry Blogs.
     

It's Kind of a Funny Story 10/21-10/25

Test Readiness: Compare the plot of what your reading with your favorite book.
Pages: 0-117



                      Introduction to It's Kind of a Funny Story

       The book I'm reading this week has to do with a high school that is extremely worried about his future. In the beginning of the book the main character Craig is studying for the readiness test so he can go to Executive Professional High School. He has to study different subjects and he has to be able to get all 800 questions correct. Luckily he was accepted to the school but after going to his first day he notices that he's not as smart as the other kids. Craig gets piles and piles of homework eventually he falls into a great depression. In the part I'm in the story Craig has thoughts of suicide and right now he recently goes to Dr. Barney. Dr.Barney is a therapist who has close connections with Craig in chapter 14.



                      Comparison of Plot

      It's Kind of a Funny Story and Wonder have almost the same plot because both of the main characters have trouble in school. In Wonder the character August has difficulties in school because he's afraid of people making fun of his face. In It's Kind of a Funny Story Craig is worried about not being smart enough and he's a little afraid of losing his best friend. August almost has the same feeling about his best friend because he discovers that his buddy Will hates him. Craig is jealous of his friend Aaron going out with the girl he was in love with. Craig gets piles and piles of homework while August from Wonder is not that convinced of showing who he really is. The difficult between these two characters is that they're to afraid to show who they really are. I think everybody can relate to this because I imagine that everybody has at least encountered one of these problems. Craig's problem is that he's to afraid to show his intelligence and August is afraid to show his personality.


                  Plot Continued.....
     In the last paragraph I mentioned that both of the main characters are afraid to show who they are, but they also like to share their emotions. In It's Kind of a Funny Story Craig likes to share his feelings with Dr.Barney because he feels that that's the only person he relate to. One of Craig's favorite things to do is ask a person how they started. When Craig asked Dr. Barney, the doctor says that he started the same way Craig did. In Wonder August mostly shares his feelings with his sister Via and sometimes his Mom. Via has strong emotions toward August by standing up to him and even letting her best friend Miranda go into their personal life. Craig also sometimes let's his sister Sarah give him some advice and every single Sarah has to know what Craig's condition is. I forgot to mention but in both of the books emotions play a big part in the plot. Sarah always tries to lift up Craig's spirit and hoping the best for his brother.

       In It's Kind of a Funny Story school plays a big part in the book because Craig wants to have the best education he can get possible. Throughout the book Craig always saying that he needs to get into a good high school so he can get into good college. Once he even tries to suicide himself just so he can pass the test.  

                                                    

                     Note: This week I'll put the comments in my classmates blog page instead of my blog.  I will comment on Gabe, Athzirary, Nikolas

Fire Star 10/14-10/18

Prompt: Miscellaneous/ Describe the main characters

Fire Star: Pages 316-548

                                    Ending of Fire Star

          For the ending of Fire Star Lucy's hair turns more red and Elizabeth tells David the story of her beloved Arthur. Elizabeth fell in love with a man named Arthur and Gwilanna forbid Liz to go out with Arthur. One day Gwilanna cast a spell on Liz which made her pregnant and that day Liz had the baby. Unfortunately Arthur had a misunderstanding so he ran away and Liz never saw him for the last 10 years. Arthur is revealed to be a monk and David goes to the arctic to save Lucy and Zanna. There's an evil alien called the Fain and that creature has the ability to possess  any person that creature wants. Later in the story the Fain possess an Inuit man named Tootega and has a battle with the teenager David Rain. Tootega dies and Zanna, Lucy and Arthur are able to escape. Sadly David stays in the arctic and goes missing. Back home Zanna reveals that she's pregnant and that Arthur has gone a little bit blind. 

                                Description of the Main Characters

          In the series and in the book there are 5 main characters not including the magical clay dragons. The first one is Elizabeth Pennykettle and she is described as a responsible parents and a caring mother. She worried a lot when Lucy goes missing and at one point of the story she still feels like her little girl is at home. Liz is a descendant of an ancient girl named Guinevere and she has the magical aura of bringing mini clay dragons to life. David Rain  was revealed in this story that he has a little bit of the magical powers of the Fain. Some ways I can describe David Rain is that he is adventurous, encouraging, and caring. He is willing to give up his life for his girlfriend Zanna and being able to try to destroy the evil Fain. David cares about all the people around him including his mistress family and even his neighbor. All the clay dragons love him they look up at him as a role model and a powerful ally. He is a little bit lazy because he's held back and almost never goes to his local college, except when he needs help from Dr.Bergestrom.

                         Supporting/ Main Characters Description

          The third main character I'm going to start with is Lucy Pennykettle daughter of Liz, descendant of Guinevere and Gwendolen. Later in the story Lucy has red hair instead of brown hair and her hair changes because she is descendant of Guinevere. Lucy is brave, sometimes stubborn, and has green eyes. People in the book mention that Lucy is like an exact replica of her mother Elizabeth and sometimes Lucy's eyes change into a violet color. Arthur is a religious, caring, and understanding man in the book. Since he had so much depression he went to an island outside of the United Kingdom which is full monks. He changed his name into Brother Vincent and  when the Fain invades his island his only friend who supports him is Brother Bernard. Arthur is understanding when his does not misjudge the dragon Gretel when it comes to the island. Zanna is powerful, supportive, and adventurous. Zanna is revealed to have enough power to over run the powerful sibyl Gwilanna and is supportive to the wounded polar bears in the story. She seeks adventure when she tries to save the dragon Grockle while fighting Tootega.

Polar Bears play a big part in the story because they have some kind of connection with dragons. In the story a female polar bear tries to protect and shelter Lucy when she's trapped in the arctic. A spirit of a ancient polar bear gives power to David Rain.

                    Comments
Stanley,

               I liked your choice of vocabulary and how you described the character's life right before you explain the plot. In the book I just finished I also had a character named Bacon. Your writing made me think about how I should have added minor characters in my blog too. At the end of your blog I found myself wondering about the question you asked at the end. What genre is this book? Thanks for the characters names!


Marisa,

             While I was reading your blog I was reminded by the goddess Gaea because she was mentioned in my book too. You described the character with deep thought and I liked how you gave specific details about Gaea. I forgot to mention that in my series Gaea will be the next antagonist in the fourth book. It's amazing how in both of our books Gaea is power hungry and she wants to take complete control of the world. Thanks for the info about Gaea!


Gabe,
               My first comment is how many books in the were world rage series? When you said that Drew got out of Lyssia does that mean that his spirit was trapped inside of Lyssia? It's amazing how so many events and action can happened just in 30 pages. I liked how you sequenced the events and you explained more about the shadows. I can relate to this because in my book there's a kind of powerful villain sort of shadow just like in your book. Thank for the current events!
           

                 

Fire Star- 10/7-10/11

Page: 218-270
Test Readiness: Compare


                                             The Story So Far:
             
                  In these pass few pages Gwilanna has forced Lucy Pennykettle to wash the dishes, make dinner, and to try to grow more red hair. Lucy has changed throughout these few chapters she has grown red hair because she is a descendant of a little girl named Guinevere. Guinevere was a little girl who witnessed the last fire tear of the dragon Gawain. Anyway Lucy has discovered a hidden cave within the cave she is hiding. Lucy has discovered ancient bones of a girl and a polar bear. She thinks that the girl is Gwendolen and she thinks that the polar bear might the ancient leader of the polar bears which is Ragnar. Gwilanna disguises herself as a Oreo black raven so she can find out where Zanna is hidden. David tells a message to a black raven and sends the bird to the artic so Zanna can know how much David loves her.



                                          Comparison
           
                  One way I can compare the character's situation my life is that in the story David is worried about Zanna and last week I was worried about my mom's surgery. I took some prayers from home to school so I can pray every hour while my mom was in surgery. In the story David even passes out because he is so sad that Zanna has gone missing in the arctic. I was so happy that my mom got out from the surgery fine, while David was happy that he was able to send a message through a bird. In the story it kind of taught a moral which I think was an enemy can be turned into a friend. I think this because the black raven in which David sent the message through used to be his enemy in the first book of the series. At the end David and I both got satisfied because are problems went away except that David is still hasn't been able to rescue Zanna. This book kind of help to get more ready for reading test because I was able to make connections and comparisons with my life and the character situations.






                            More, More, and More Comparisons

               Another comparison I have with a character is with Elizabeth Pennykettle because she misses Lucy so much that she cleans her clothes and even makes her breakfast even though she isn't there. I kind of felt that way when my mom was in the hospital because I would go to room and sometimes I would even make two bowls of oatmeal in the morning. Henry Bacon and I both similar because we both like to read a lot of non-fiction books. We both like to go to  the library even though Henry Bacon has a library in his house. When I grow up I want to buy a big house so I can put a giant library and a fireplace. One of the libraries I like is the Estate house library because they have cozy chairs, a fireplace, and a large selection of books. I forgot to mention something the Estate is how the largest house in America is called.



This icicle cave represents where
Lucy is hidden and where she discovered the ancient bones of Gwendolen. This is the place where Gwilanna is forcing Lucy to work and do nothing but grow more red hair. This is the first time Lucy has encountered  a polar bear face to face. This is the first time I hear that a polar bear doesn't do anything to a human.

                                           


                                                     Comments
Jenna Kozak,
                       I've always wanted to read your book so I just had a quick question how many pages does "Little Chicago" have"? Jenna, does this book count for your 40 book challenge and what kind of genre is Little Chicago? I liked how you explained that the boy will do anything for the girl. The other thing I like is that you would put yourself in the author's shoes and you're even thinking about rewriting the story. Thanks for writing!

Carlos,

       Last week did you read the Order of the Phoenix? I saw the movie for half blood but I wanted to ask you does Voldemort have a large part in this book than the other books? My connection is that I've only read the first book in the Harry Potter series. I wonder why Voldemort has so much anger issues because he is so determined to destroy Harry Potter. I liked how you made a long explanation of the picture you put. Thanks for the info!

Emily,

    This week are you reading another short story from your book or is it still the same short story? One comment I had is that the girl in the story is basically a tomboy because she dresses like a boy. I liked how you put "I'm walking the walk and talking the talk" in your blog. My other comment is that I always like how you put so much information in your blog. My last question is what kind of genre is your short story book? Thank for your Recommendation!

"The Lady or the Tiger" Ending

Without  the slightest  hesitation, he went to the door on the right, and opened it. In that very moment all eyes were focused on the door and everybody  saw  the great big smile on the king's face. While the Princess yelled in horror and she couldn't bare to look. Sadly the lover of the princess choose the door where the tiger was hidden and it only took him 2 seconds to look the tiger in the eye. The tiger devoured him just like if someone was eating a piece of grilled stake on a nice sunny summer afternoon. The tiger ate him all the way to the last bone and the princess was horrified seeing her father smile. The king ordered the body to be taken away and the princess vowed to never, ever love again in her life. The crowed that was seated in the front row were extremely furious because their clean white robes were covered in tomato red blood. They took the tiger to get washed and for a glass of water because who's going to eat a nice dinner without something to eat. The king loved the tiger so much

that he even accepted to keep him as a pet. Although he kept the tiger in the cage and he was so happy he bought all the wine in the land. He ordered steak for his dinner that night and the princess was so angry she couldn't bare to eat. The king ordered red wine because he was eating red meat and white wine wouldn't go well with steak. That night when the king was sleeping like a puppy the princess snuck out and vowed to never come back home. The first thing she thought of doing was to visit her lover's grave but she forgot that they took the body to where the dogs live. The dogs were suppose to feed on the lover's bones. The princess was never going to live a happy ending. 20... years later
The princess lived in a cottage right outside the village and she didn't have to go to the market to buy food because when she came to that cottage she found a cow. She also found an apple tree, a field filled with grape vines and a nice cosy home. While the king got married and had a new daughter which he vowed never to let her go out of the tower. Since his other daughter fell in love he decided to just lock his new daughter for all eternity. The End

Fire Star : Week of 9/30/13- 10/4/13

Prompt: Miscellaneous "Are the characters realistic? Why or Why Not?
Pages: 1 to 218

                                                         Introduction

                   I am currently reading the third book in the Last Dragon Chronicles series written by Chris D. Lacey. In the first book all of the characters were introduced which was David, Elizabeth, and Lucy. It's about a tenant named David Rains comes to live with the Pennykettles. He discovers that Liz Pennykettle makes clay dragons that magically come to life. Each dragon has a unique power for example Davids' dragon Gadzooks can help write the future and help him write stories. He later has another dragon called G'Reth which is a wishing dragon. Lucy is a little nosy girl who always gets in to David's personal life. This series has to do mostly with dragons and polar bears because they both connect in a way. This is the series introduction I hope you like it and will even want to read it some day.




                                                    Realistic or Fantasy?

            I forgot to mention in the other paragraph that the main villain so far is an old lady named Gwilanna. She's a magical and powerful sorcerer that can change any size or form. Gwilanna want to resurrect Gawain the last true dragon that ver existed on Earth. Gwilanna is kind of realistic because she has many human features and although she is evil she cares about her relatives. She is Liz and Lucy's great aunt which was said in the first. Liz is very realistic because she cares about her family and acts like any ordinary mom. She buy groceries, works to support her family, and gives real life advice. Lucy is like any typical child because she is sometimes spoiled, she liked to get into peoples business which eventually leads her into a big discovery. David is a typical college student who wants to get a job as a writer and a publisher. In the first books  he wrote a book about something that actually happened. It was the life and legend of Conker the squirrel. In the book they even mentioned a real publishing company which is Apple Book Publishing. Those are some of the first few character, the last paragraph will explain the third book's plot and of the other character's are realistic.



                                          The Fate of the World
          Oops! I did it again I forgot to mention one more important character which is a 20 year old woman named Zanna. She is David Rains second girlfriend (because his first one left to go work in Africa). She is described to be a Goth and that she likes to put on black lipstick in her mouth. Zanna is a little bit realistic because she attends school and lived a normal life until Gwilanna came along. Zanna has a boyfriend and is in love like any other college girl. Another supporting character is Henry Bacon which is an extreme neat freak. Henry Bacon is realistic because he complains like any other neighbor. The good thing is that Henry doesn't that the dragons come to life and he's so into science. In my opinion I think Henry is the most realistic character ever because he was a science teacher, he lives in a normal house, and doesn't do anything magical.  The plot like I mentioned before is that Gwilanna is trying to resurrect Gawain the dragon and she's trying to destroy Zanna. Zanna has almost the equal power to Gwilanna that's why Gwilanna thinks she is a threat. Another character is Dr. Bergestrom he is kind of realistic because he studied normal science in college except that he always acts weird when someone mentions polar bears. He is a research doctor and live a normal life as a college instructor in David's school.

                                                Comments
      Nadrian,
                      I really enjoyed your "Favorite Book of All Time" post because you used so many astonishing words that made the post very interesting. I've only read one of the Harry Potter books but I think the first one had an amazing plot. I wish I understood why Voldemort is so depurate to kill Harry Potter. Voldemort has anger issues just because  baby Harry defeated him. Thank for your recommendation!

Jesus,
        I like how you put the word suspense in your blog because now I'm more interested in reading the Kane Chronicles. I like the idea of you saying that it left you hanging because I've checked out books just like that and it gives you the idea of not putting down the book. One of my question was does the Kane Chronicles have to deal with the Percy Jackson series? On goodreads this book is under the category "Popular 7th Grade Books". Thanks for the info about the book.

Emily,

        My first question is each story interesting, does it make you want more?  Another thing I want mention about your blog is that I liked how you pointed out which were you favorite and least favorite characters in the book. Your writing made me think about putting more quotes in my blog because your quotes gave me an idea on how the characters are like. My other favorite thing about the blog is that you wrote how you felt about the book. Thanks for the spoilers!

The stars make a big part in the book because it explains that dragons can travel through stars. This helps them know the future. It also says that each star represents someone important. For example Gawain last dragon on Earth and Ragnar leader of the polar bears.

My Favorite Book of All Time

        My favorite book of all time is Wonder  because it has to do with real life problems and the life struggle of a 10 year old boy. In Wonder the little boy doesn't look like other kids and people get scared when they see him. The boy's name is August Pullman and at the beginning of the book he explains to that he doesn't live a normal but is  very elated  that he has a wonderful family and supportive sister. The reason this book is called Wonder is because through out the book you have to wonder how his face looks like. His life problem begins when his parents tell him he has to begin going to a regular school.  Through out the book he goes through more sticky situations and he even makes more friends.



        The reason that August doesn't want to go to a regular school is because he wants to avoid the one to one eye contact. In a section of the book August explains that he is embarrassed to eat in front of other people because crumbs and crumbs fall out of his mouth just like waterfall. Throughout the book he gains friends and he's feeling like he finally has a regular life. Sometimes characters in the book are jealous that August has a supporting family and a sister that he can count on. Just like I said before he gains new friends and enemies. He and his new friends make a new club called the Summer Club I think. This paragraph basically explains his new life in school and how supportive his family.


       My favorite character is August Pullman because he has to go through a lot of life changing problems. For example he no longer has more surgeries and he finally goes to a regular school. In the beginning of the book he's home schooled by his mother. His mother is a writer and publisher which gave August in advantage in Language Arts. He mentions that his mom is not very good in Science. August Pullman is known to be a great student with such amazing bravery and encouragement. One of my favorite quotes from August is "Every person should get at least one standing ovation". This is very true because every person has their unique talent and kids should be encouraged where they go.


        I encourage people to read it although people from my Homeroom already read it. This book can be an excellent choice for  the realistic fiction category in the 40 Book Challenge. I also recommend you read Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie even though I haven't read it. Another great realistic fiction book is Schooled, yet again I haven't read it.