Darth Plagueis 12/16-12/20

Pages: 80-191
Prompt Miscellaneous: Describe the most important event

                 So Far in Darth Plagueis

   In my last blog I mention that Darth Plagueis was negotiating with some crime lords. After the meeting Plagueis hears someone lurking outside of his apartment. Plagueis discovers that it has to be some sort of Jedi or possibly another Sith lord. He takes out his red lightsaber and he attacks the stranger. They have a short fight when Plagueis realizes that this stranger is a Sith lord named Darth Venamis. Darth Venamis was Tenebrous's secret apprentice, but Plagueis couldn't care any less so he decides to knock him out. The secret Sith lord is taken to a laboratory in order to maintain his health and force support. Plagueis decides when the time is right he might take on Venamis as his new Sith apprentice. The wise Sith lord goes to a meeting with some senators from his home planet. The point of going to this "meeting" is to hear a person's point of view of the Sith. At the end it didn't satisfy him so he decides to kill the speaker without anyone realizing the murder.


    The Most Important Event in Darth Plagueis

 I haven't finished the book yet but in these few chapters a lot of important events take place. The events that take place have to do a lot with Plagueis's new Sith apprentice and future events that might affect the galaxy. There are elections for a new king going on in the planet Naboo and Plagueis wants to make sure that one of the candidates doesn't win.  Plagueis goes to another meeting with his fellow friends and Banking Clan members. One of the candidates in the election is a named Cosinga Palpatine. In order to make sure that this man doesn't win they decide to make Cosinga's son Palpatine their spy. They decide to sent Plagueis to negotiate with Palpatine so he can learn more about Naboo. Plagueis arrives at Naboo and he is greeted by many people and they even offer him a free dinner. Plagueis refuses the dinner because he states that he hates eating while he's negotiating. This is only Part 1 of the important event.

         Part 2 of the Most Important Event

  After Plagueis arrives he decides to go looking for Palpatine. He searches far and wide but the sixteen year old is nowhere to be seen. Plagueis goes to the library where the front desk lady tells him that Palpatine is currently in a Youth Program. Later Plagueis finds this "program"and he calls out Palpatine. A young man turns around and says"How do you know my name" but Plagueis mentions"I know more about you than just your name". Plagueis tells Palpatine that he needs to spy on Cosinga Palpatine. Palpatine finds it quite amusing spying on his own father and after that meet-greet Plagueis and Palpatine turn into very good friends. Cosinga later finds out about this meeting so he prevents Palpatine to talk with Plagueis. Cosinga takes his whole family including Palpatine away from Naboo. Palpatine grows into anger and he kills his own family, while Plagueis waiting for him in the spaceport. Plagueis decides to make Palpatine his new Sith apprentice and he gives Palpatine the name "Darth Sidious. Overall the important event was that Plagueis found his new apprentice.


  I put a picture of a master and apprentice because it symbolizes the relationship between Plagueis and Palpatine. In this book a master and apprentice represents a new era and a new beginning. Plagueis decides to make Palpatine his new apprentice because they have a lot in common. In my opinion I think apprenticeship means friendship.                    
                   

This week I will comment on Steven, Jenna, Jesus R.  Blogs. 

Darth Plagueis Week of 12/9-12/13

Pages: 0-80
Prompt Test Readiness: Describe the important ideas of the story

              Introduction to Darth Plagueis 

   This week I recently started to read a Star Wars book called Darth Plagueis. This book has to do with the life of Darth Plagueis. This mysterious character has never been mentioned in the Star Wars movies and this shadowy figure is the master of Darth Sidious. In the Star Wars movies Sidious is the Emperor in the old movies. The prologue begins with Darth Sidious in a apartment in the planet Coruscant. Sidious is feeling a great sense of power and that's when the story truly begins. Darth Plagueis is with his master Darth Tenebrous and their goal is to take over the planet. There in a dark, shadowy cave and suddenly the giant rocks start to fall on top of them. The rocks trap Darth Tenebrous under the rumble and Plagueis has the to choice to save him or not. Plagueis decides to kill his master Tenebrous and as award he takes his lightsaber. Plagueis decides to go to his home world which Muunilinst so he secretly gets on board a ship.


                  Important Ideas from Darth Plagueis

    I forgot to mention it in the introduction that Plagueis's main goal is to find the formula to immortality. One of the most important ideas in the book so far is that Plagueis is trying to find a way to live forever. Plagueis has been alive for over 80 years because in the book they say "I've been Tenebrous's apprentice as long as an average human might live". In my opinion I think that an average human lives about 80 or over. Plagueis mentions that if he accomplishes this goal he'll hold ultimate power that no other Sith lord has ever had. In the book so far Plagueis is the only Sith lord that still exists. The main idea behind this plan is that Plagueis wants to see the Jedi fall to their so that he can be the supreme ruler of the galaxy. Plagueis mentions that the only way he'll obtain immortality is by making sure that his new apprentice doesn't murder him.

                             Important Ideas Continued.....
   The book Darth Plagueis has to do a lot with trust and negotiations. The biggest crime lords in the Star Wars universe are the Hutts. The Hutts are big slimy looking worms that have the most powerful empire in the galaxy. In the book Plagueis negotiates with the leader of the Hutts because he wants to keep them in peace with the Muuns. This is an important idea because in the summary of the book they mention that throughout the book Plagueis has to do a lot negotiations in order to keep himself alive. The reason that Plagueis wants to keep the Hutts peaceful is because he's afraid that they might try to assassinate him. The Hutts have dozens of bounty hunters at their disposal and Plagueis might not be powerful enough to handle all of them. The idea of trust plays a big role because Sith always mistrust themselves which eventually leads to their destruction.

I put a picture of the Greek gods of Olympus because they represent immortality. In the second paragraph I mention that Plagueis's main goal is to live forever so that he can be the ruler of the galaxy. Plagueis wants to fight the ultimate rule between life and death, but the question is will it lead to his destruction.

This week I will comment on Athziry, Steven, Isabelle R.'s blogs. 

The Giver/The Wednesday Wars 12/2/13-12/6

The Giver Pages: 163-180 (end)
The Wednesday Wars : 0-264 (end)
Prompt Miscellaneous: Which character do you like the best? Why?
     
                                            Spoiler Alert 
           
                   Ending to the Giver/Intro and Ending to the Wednesday Wars
 
    This week I recently finished the Giver and a book called the Wednesday Wars. I give The Giver a 5 out 5 stars and I would give the Wednesday Wars 5 stars. In the last chapters of The Giver it describes Jonas's journey to Elsewhere. In the first part of the ending Jonas decides to bring Gabriel with him and both of them almost die because of the harsh conditions during the journey. At the end Gabriel and Jonas reach a place where they hear music and in my opinion I think it's Elsewhere. The Wednesday Wars is about a boy named Holling Hoodhood who has recently entered 7th grade. Holling is going through a lot mostly thinks like the Vietnam War, Mrs.Baker, and Hoodhood and Associates. The time in this book is 1967. Mrs. Baker is Holling's  teacher and in the beginning of the book she hates Holling's guts. Holling's father is the owner of a company called Hoodhood and Associates which is very successful. Holling's father wants to get the architect contract from Mrs. Baker's company Bakers Sport Emporium so he forces Holling to be nice to Mrs. Baker. In the next couple of paragraphs I'll explain the rest of the Wednesday Wars. 

                      Favorite Character from the Giver/the Wednesday Wars

   My favorite character in the Giver is Jonas because he is very courageous and determined to know the true secrets of the past. At the end of the book Jonas has so much determination to find the place called Elsewhere along with baby brother Gabriel. Jonas doesn't want to be like the other people in his community because he wants to know the true pain and pleasure of the past. Another reason that Jonas is my favorite character is because he cares a lot about his siblings especially his brother Gabriel. I can relate to this because when my sister goes on vacation to another state I worry a lot especially if they're safe and sound. Jonas is very caring about other people mostly of his friends and his family. Jonas does whatever is possible to keep his brother alive and safe. A good thing that describes Jonas is that he never ever gives up. Jonas tries to keep himself alive and especially safe from the planes that are trying to track him down. That is why Jonas is my favorite character from The Giver.

              Favorite Character from The Wednesday Wars

     In the Wednesday Wars the character that I like the best is Holling Hoodhood. Holling Hoodhood tries as hard as he can to make Mrs. Baker like him. In the city that he lives there is a north and south side. On Wednesday afternoons the kids who live in the south side go to a church and the kids from the north side go to a different church. Holling lives right in the middle of the city so he is forced to stay with Mrs.Baker. The other thing that I like about Holling is that he likes to read classic books and how he learns a lot about life by reading these books. Mrs. Baker makes Holling read Shakespeare plays and stories every Wednesday afternoons. At first Holling hates reading these plays but later in the books he learns a lot about life by reading these plays. Later in the story Mrs. Baker is reported that her husband is lost in battle. Holling is very determined to find Mrs. Baker's husband that he cheers up Mrs.Baker. At the end of the story they find Mrs. Baker's husband and Holling and Mrs. Baker become very good friends. My favorite character is Holling because we both like to help people and we both have a lot of determination.

I put this picture because having a sibling plays a big part in the Giver. Throughout the book Jonas cares a lot about his little brother that he transfers memories. Jonas learns that his father is going to "release" Gabriel from the community. Jonas decides to save Gabe's life by bringing him along to Elsewhere.
                   

                    
This week I will comment on Steven, Emily, and Amelia's Blogs. 

The Giver 11/25-11/29

Pages: 0-163
Prompt: Discuss why you like or dislike what you are reading
                                   
                                            Spoiler Alert 
                             
                               Introduction of The Giver
            The Giver talks about a community that is has no war or pain. The community is very strict and everything is under control. A boy named Jonas lives with his family unit and his 8-year later 9 year old sister Lily. Jonas has a perfect life because he does his volunteer hours, he doesn't tell lies, and his family is as perfect as can be. Jonas is about to be a Twelve and being Twelve is the most important part of your life. Jonas is about to receive his assignment in the Ceremony of Twelves but they suddenly skipped his number. The Chief Elder says that skipping Jonas number was not an accident because Jonas will be the next Receiver of Memories. In order to be a successful Receiver Jonas will need to be trained by the Giver. The Giver holds the true pain and happiness of the world and throughout the story he begins to have stronger feelings towards Jonas.


                          Why do I like This Book?

           The first time I started to read this book I thought it wasn't going to be adventurous and exciting. After I read chapter 12 I realized that this book holds a grand adventure because of the memories of the Giver. I enjoy this book because it has a lot of explicit details and the book got even more better in chapters 17, 18, 19, 20. The reason that these chapters were amazing was because they revealed the true of many mysteries of the book. When Jonas first received his assignment the council of Elders mentioned that there was a failure with the previous receiver ten years ago. Another reason I like this book is because it doesn't tell you right away the truth of some of the mysteries . You would have to read the end to find out the truth of some of these mysteries. When you read more and more chapters it makes the book more suspenseful.


                      Why I like This Book  Continued.....

          The first reason I like this book is because it showed me how to be more thankful with my family. In one memories Jonas sees a happy family sitting in a table laughing and joking with each other. The feel thankful because I have a happy family and actually I get  to spent time with them every day. I think you people should be more thankful of their family because kids like Jonas doesn't have the  privilege to have love in his family. Another reason I like this book because in the chapters I just read the revealed the truth of one of the mysteries. I found out that the previous receiver was a girl named Rosemary. The Giver transported the most painful memories to Rosemary but she couldn't bare these memories. Rosemary left the Giver and she told the Council of Elders that she wanted to be released. I found out that released means that they kill whoever is released. In the 20th chapter it was revealed that Rosemary was the Giver's daughter.

I put this picture because happiness and memories play a big part in The Giver. Jonas wants to share his memories out loud with the people in his community. Jonas wants to change the community by releasing the memory of happiness and love. Jonas is determined to go to Elsewhere so he can change the world.

This week I will comment on Gustavo, Amelia, Steven's Blogs.
                                       

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 11/18-11/22

Pages: 0-172
Prompt Miscellaneous: Do any of the characters feelings change as you've read
             
                        Introduction to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
     This book tells about the story of a 14-year old Native American named Junior although his real name is Arnold. Junior and his family are suffering poverty mostly because Junior's dad spends the money in wine. Junior is born with a problem in his skull and his skull is very delicate which means that he can't play football. Junior has a best friend named Rowdy who is the toughest and most angry kid in the school. Rowdy father abuses and that is the reason that Rowdy behaves almost like a bully. Rowdy's mom is very supportive while his dad is also loving but he has a bad addiction to wine. Junior also has a sister named Mary but in the middle of the story Mary runs away with her boyfriend to Montana. Junior feels like he's not getting his full potential in his all Native American school so he decides to go to an All American School. They start to be racist to Junior because he's Native American. I don't know why but this book was banned in many schools around the United States.


              Emotions Behavior/Change in Behavior

   Throughout the book many of the main and supporting characters feelings change. Arnold a.k.a Junior changes a lot since the beginning of the book. At first Arnold was a very quiet guy who really didn't get into fights too much. Later in the book when Arnold goes to his new school his anger builds up and he punches the school bully. Arnold was very shy around girls and he didn't talk to girls too much. In his new school Arnold falls in love with a girl named Penelope and as a matter of fact he invites her to the school dance. Arnold was a very happy until the middle of the book when he begins to hate himself and changing from to happy to angry. Another character that changes dramatically is Arnold's best friend Rowdy. Rowdy and Arnold used to hang out all the time by going to the school fair and other activities. After Rowdy learns that Arnold is moving to a new school he goes up to Arnold and punches him in the face.


            Change in Feelings and Behavior Continued....

   Rowdy stops talking to Arnold throughout the book although Arnold forgives Rowdy for punching him. Rowdy so far hasn't forgiven Arnold but he doesn't hate Arnold. Last character that changed a lot was the bully Roger that Arnold fought in his new school. Roger actually feels proud that Arnold punched him in the face and he even makes Arnold popular. After the school dance Roger even invites Arnold to breakfast in Denny's. Roger pays for everything that Arnold and Penelope ordered which was a total of $40 dollars. Roger even supports Arnold during their basketball games but Roger doesn't know about Arnold's poverty problem. In basketball practice Roger lets Arnold beat him so that  Arnold is able to be in the team.Throughout the book Roger is proven to be a good friend by paying his dinner and driving Arnold home.

I put a picture of Denny's because this is the location where Arnold gets his first date and where he realizes that Roger is a true friend. Arnold finally has the chance to talk to Penelope about himself. Roger volunteers to pay for Arnold and Penelope's bill and he drives Arnold home. His dad was suppose to pick him up but he didn't have enough money for gas.

This week I will comment on Jenna, Gabe, Marisa B. blogs. 
     

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie 11/11-11/15

Pages: 0-273 (end)
Prompt: Summarize what you just read
                                                                   Spoiler Alert 
           
                  Introduction to Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie/Ending
    
    Since I finished this book I give it a five out five stars. It has an excellent plot and you can vividly understand the story. I recommend it for people who are trying to find a realistic fiction book. This book was a lot better than It's Kind of a Funny Story.  You might be saying that I read fast but to tell you the truth over the four day weekend it gave me chance to read 70 pages a day. I really didn't have anything to do. Drums,Girls, and Dangerous Pie has to do with a thirteen year old boy named Steven who has to with his brother's illness. Steven is a typical ordinary kid and he has a crush on a girl named Renne and he plays in the All-City Jazz band. Actually Steven Alper is very lucky because he's the first seventh grader to join the All-City jazz band. He has very hard working, supportive, and kind parents which always try to embarrass him. Steven also has a five year old brother named Jeffrey which constantly annoys Steven. Later in the book Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia and it turns Steven's world upside down. The family starts to have financial problems, and Steven is starting to fail his classes because he has to much to worry about. Steven doesn't really see his mom too much because she has to go with Jeffrey every week to Philadelphia. Jeffrey's specialist is in Philadelphia and later in the book Steven's dad starts to ignore him.

                Summarizing the Story
    If you're wondering dangerous pie is a blend of coffee grounds, raw eggs, smashed shells, coke, uncooked bacon, and three racing cars. Jeffrey mixes these together and calls it his special "dangerous pie". It kind of makes Steven angry because he stirs the items together with his special sticks which were signed by a famous drummer. Steven one day makes oatmeal for his brother Jeffrey and he puts Jeffrey on the top stool in the kitchen. Suddenly Jeffrey falls from the stool and his mom immediately drives him to the hospital. Later that day the family learns that Jeffrey has been diagnosed with leukemia. Steven's best friend is Annette which she has a secret crush on Steven. In the beginning of the book Annette hates Renne Albert because Steven starts to pay more attention to Renne Albert. Since Steven has been missing class because of his all city band rehearsal he starts to fail his most important subjects reading and math. Jeffrey has had to go to the doctor numerous  times and the hospital bills have been causing the family financial problems.
                             
                           End and Summary of Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
     
        Later in the story Annette falls down the stairs and is unable to play her piano solo in the upcoming concert. Mrs. Gulley the school counselor has been guiding Steven throughout the story by telling him to change things he his able to change. Steven's mom suddenly gets sick which means that Steven and has dad have to drive Jeffrey to Philadelphia. In the hospital Steven meets a girl named Samantha which has and even worse case of leukemia. They became very good friends and Steven gives Samantha one of his drum sticks. In the next band rehearsal Annette comes up with a plan to make the concert a fundraiser and all of the money will go to Steven's family. It's the day of the concert and everyone is cheering to Steven. Suddenly Jeffrey gets very sick in the middle of the concert and has to go immediately to the hospital. Steven decides to go with his family to the hospital. In the hospital while the doctors are doing some tests on Jeffrey, Steven decides to go visit Samantha. When Samantha isn't there he goes up to ask the nurse where Samantha went. The nurse tells Steven that Samantha passed away early in the morning. Before dying Samantha leaves Steven a letter and inside the letter are the drumsticks that he gave to her. Samantha tells Steven in the letter to always remember her when he's using those drumsticks. The story ends with Steven graduating 8th Grade and Annette becoming his girlfriend.

These drumsticks play an important role in the story. Jeffrey uses these drumsticks to mix up his "dangerous pie". These drumsticks helped Steven make it to the All-City Jazz band and he has a pair of drumsticks signed by a famous drummer. When Samantha dies she includes the drumsticks that Steven gave her the day they met inside the letter. Steven mentions that the drumsticks he gave to Samantha will always be his most special pair of sticks.
 

This week I will comment on Stanley, Isabelle R., Julia S. 

   

It's Kind of a Funny Story 11/4-11/8

Pages: 279- 444 (end)
Prompt Test Readiness: Define what is needed to make a good setting
                                      Spoiler Alert 

                          Ending of It's Kind of a Funny Story
     This weekend I finished the book It's Kind of a Funny Story and overall I really didn't like the book too much. I would give this book a 3 out 5 stars, but at the very end they kind of give a moral or lesson.
The first thing that happened was that Aaron called Craig in the hospital and apologized for all of the mean things he said the other day. Aaron mentions that he broke up with his girlfriend Nia after finding out that she took drugs. The reason Nia took drugs was because of her depression and mental illness and she actually took the same pills that Craig took. Nia visits the hospital and is planning to date Craig but Craig rejects her offer. Throughout the book Craig mentions how much he loves Nia but in the hospital he started dating Noelle. At the end of the book Craig spends his last hour in the hospital watching Blade II with his new hospital friends. Craig is released from the hospital and tells the reader to live, live, and live.



                      Defining the Perfect Setting

      The one thing that I did like about this book was the setting. Craig gives us specific details by telling us that he lives in lower Manhattan and each type of food they give in the hospital. He evens tells us if he lives in the upper or lower part of Manhattan. Craig liked Noelle so much that he gives us some background information about her and even specific details about her eyes. He mentions that she has beautiful green eyes that looks like fresh cut grass. He cuts look like the wrinkly face of an elderly person. The Noelle description has nothing to do with the setting but I just wanted to point how she looks in the book. Anyway the hospital in which Craig is staying seems similar to MacNeal Hospital because of the food. Craig mentions that it's huge hospital that has about 4 to 5 floors and that's exactly how many floors MacNeal has. Since Craig is staying in the part of the hospital that has the people with mental illness I picture a huge nurse's station, food carts, and a public telephone.


                 Recipe for a Perfect Setting/Hospital Setting

     The last few details that Craig mentions about the hospital is that the cafeteria is a huge place lined up with dozens of tables. Since I've been to a hospital cafeteria  they usually have tables of four and other tables that are reserved for other patients. Craig mentions that his table has four seats and that the height of the chair is like 5 ft. I think that some things that make a perfect setting is when the writer tells reader the height of a chair or table. The writer uses the five sense every time the main character goes to a new location or setting. The writer describes each color with feeling such as the buss was so yellow that it looked like one of Zeus lighting bolts. The writer doesn't  just say the old man was very old because a good writer says the old man was old that his wrinkles were growing wrinkles. The writer for example mentions the size of a brick from a building and the texture the brick has. That is what I think makes a perfect setting.

This picture represents the ending of It's Kind of a Funny Story. At the end of the book Craig tells the reader to live, live and be happy for yourself. Throughout the book he was worried about school, future job, and the future. The hospital changed him by making him enjoy life more instead of sitting at home studying. Overall he went from boring to excitement.

       I will comment on Gabe, Steven , Nadrian this week for my blog.