Mockingjay

Srishti G.

11/18/10

Reflection on Books 1,2 and part of 3 which I am reading now)

Mockingjay

By: Suzanne Collins

If my stories did not take place in the future (part of a setting), the story could not happen.  One reason being the United States still exists and the whole idea of the Hunger Games revolves around the fact that the citizens of the United States went against the government, failed and now these harsh districts have been created. So, if it took place in modern times clearly the citizens, at least, as a whole, we are not trying to overthrow the government. Also, technology used in the book will not be invented in several more years such as bathtubs that have custom buttons to receive an automatic shower.  The force field outside the housing of the tributes in order to ensure they don’t commit suicide can also be described as futuristic technology. Although I do not think the author does a good job of bringing a futuristic feeling to her story. The idea of the future becomes written as words instead of in the sentences and general story. I do not think enough futuristic technology is shown. Also, in the future why most people would be leaving under harsh conditions and has barely any food. Most people don’t even have cell phones or a computer although SOME are lucky to have televisions. Once again not futuristic I understand this represents her perception of the future but I strongly disagree with her. She would probably do best writing an action packed story much like the Hunger Games but in a present time.

Wolves of the Beyond

Srishti G.

11/18/20

Pages Read: 1- 20 (log on first couple pages, not that interesting so going slowly but I am reading other books and getting more than my 100 page goal.)

Wolves of the Beyond

By: Kathryn Lasky

The conflict in my story right now comes between a mother, her pup and the society. This conflict can be describes as character versus society. The mother births three babies, two like their dad and one silver one. The she-wolf quickly notices that the silver pup has a splayed paw. She knows if she gets caught by the Obea, a barren wolf who takes charge of doing all the dirty work for the pack.  The splayed wolf quickly becomes noticed by the experienced Obea and the baby is left out t o die. The Obea skillfully places the pup on a rock so that when the waves come in the pup will drown.  Dirty jobs include placing abnormal pups, thought to make the pack weak, outside the territory to suffer to death. Since the Obea has no offspring of her own she has no motherly.  Since the Obea has no offspring of her own she has no motherly instinct. Now, the mother and father of the abnormal pup will both be thrown out of the tribe. I predict that the mother of the pup will be reunited with her pup. I think this because something good has to happen in the book in order to keep the reader engaged in the book since everything in the book has been sad so far. The author knows that if nothing favorable has happens readers will become bored.

Only the Best

Srishti G.

11/18/10

End of Book

Only the Best

By: Beverly Lewis

Along with my harder books that meet my level of reading I always enjoy reading an extra book from a younger age on the side. This week I read “Only the Best” by Beverly Lewis. I really enjoy this book because I like how at the end everything works out so great. I also enjoy how well the author shows the main character, Jenna, transferring from one emotion to another and the author does a great job of showing how Jenna grows as a person.  At the beginning of the story Jenna, a dedicated gymnast, finds out her parents are adopting a baby. She feels gloomy and jealous.  And worst yet they have to go pick up the baby on the day of the biggest meet of her life; at the Olympic Training Center. Throughout the book Jenna gets used to the idea and when Jenna sees all the stuff for the baby and a picture her heart melts. I LOVE reading books over and over because each time you notice something new that makes all the difference in the book. Also, if you are reading it at different ages, you pick up a different and more matured conclusion every time.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus

11/11/10

Chapters: 1-3

By: Srishti Ghosh

The Autobiography of Santa Claus

By: Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guinn

I can so relate to how Santa feels in the beginning of the book when people start making up ridiculous rumors about how far he has traveled. I can relate to it because I have seen it happen before where one small comment or actions becomes a big deal and soon everyone knows about it but have the wrong facts. For example, one of my friends told her friends that she might be moving to a bigger house. The next time someone told me about it I heard a totally different story. They told me she had already moved into a house in Solon and she would stay at our school only until the end of the quarter. Of course, I knew that did not even closely resemble the truth because her family had decides not to move at all. With Santa, there are rumors going around that he has gone as far as the northern coast which in represents the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. He, in fact, never went more than 50 miles, and the rumors began to annoy him. Once again I can relate to that. For example when one kid jokingly slapped another kid and rumors became that they had gotten into a major physical fight which I knew had not really happened I felt annoyed. I like when I can connect with a character because it helps me better connect with the character. It also gives me a more profound understanding of the book.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus

11/10/10

Pages: 1-14, Total read 57

By: Srishti Ghosh

The Autobiography of Santa Claus

By: Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guinn

Each year, usually following the first snow of the year, I enjoy re-reading one of my favorite books: The Autobiography of Santa Claus.  Yes, the book claims to be written by Santa Claus himself but I highly doubt that. The book begins in a country called Lycia which now has become a part of Turkey. At this time people did not live long and at nine he lost both parents.  He began to notice all the poor people who were not as well off as him for he came from a rich family. His gift giving began with a man named Shem and his three daughters who could not marry their beloved for they could not afford dowries. At this point in the book Santa faces himself with both an internal and external conflict. At his first attempt to deliver coins the the girls he falls off his ladder and scares not only himself but also the neighborhood. He fears that he will fail again and not be able to escape like the first time. He battles with himself and final decides he will go. This represents internal conflict. Next, he must figure out how to leave the coins without being notice. This proves an external challenge because the windows are really high. I think it would be considered external conflict because he does not face any challenges with himself such as deciding what do but how to do it. This affects the plot because he quickly learns the gift-giving will not be easy.