Dragon Road Blog Post #4

Author: Laurence Yep

Pages Read: 190/288

Genre: Historical Fiction

Report Section

Dragons are preparing themselves for the next game,. Ont the way to the gym, Professor takes newspapers and gives team to the team. As son as they received the newspaper, they flipped to the sport's section. They saw Flash(Calvin) making his one-handed shot to the basket. Rest of the team got jealous, when Jack said that its good that some of them got in the paper, they are still the team. They started celebrating, when Professor told them that war is starting. China and Japan are fighting, and there are also some problems in Britain, Germany, and Finland. China is always stronger, but somehow Japan turns the battle in their hands. When They got to their next game, they had to play the giant. Opponent's player was so tall, that he could dunk without jumping, not even hopping. All of the passes went to him in the paint, but somehow Hollywood managed to defend the giant very well. After the lot of effort they managed to win the game. Because i was winter, crowd would rather stay at home than come in the gym and watch the game. When manager that made sure that this game happens came to the team, they did not receive money, because there was no crowd. When Dragons headed for their next game, they did not sleep in the hotel, they slept on some abounded farm, and it was very cold for them to sleep there. Half of the team got sick, but Alphonse jeered them up with his jokes. When they got into the gym for their next game, Jack informed Calvin that he should be careful, because the team they are going to play is professional team and they are called Davis Brothers. Their main and best player was their guard, and Calvin needed to guard him. He was too fast for Calvin, but Jack gave him an advice how to stop a man that strong. Calvin listened to the advice and started insulting their guard. After few minutes, guard started missing his shots, but the referee still called fouls for the opposing team, so Hollywood did the same as in the last game they played when referee did the same. At the end, they won by seven points, but this time there was crowd and they started booing when their team lost, but when they started going toward the Annie(the car), they heard Davis' coach yelling and bullring their guard, and they felt bad, but Jack told Calvin not to jump in and save the guard, and of course, as always he listened Jack's advice. They headed for the Idaho, for their next few games.

Response Section

I really like what I've read in this part of the book. Calvin finally got on the cover of the newspaper, but still war is starting. China is much stronger than Japan, and its winning too, but somehow Japan always knows China's weakness. Rest of the team got jealous of Calvin, but still happy that one of the Dragons got on the cover. Calvin still writes post cards to Grandpa Joe, and Jean, an whenever team gets paid, most of the Calvin's and Barney's money go to their managers, Jean, Tiger, and Grandpa Joe. Only thing that I don't like about the book is that the book is only about the basketball games. I love basketball, but I expected that there will be some conflict out of the basketball, and basketball games, but writer really knows hoe to make those basketball games alive. Before the Davis game, barney had to stay in the locker room to wash the dirty laundry, and Jack did not allow Calvin to help him, he wanted him to play poker with the rest of the team. On the court, players started listening to Calvin more than usual, and that's when he realized that this is his new family. I think that Grandpa Joe and Jean will come to watch Calvin, and he will get surprised. I also think that war will get more serious, and America will get involved in it, but who knows, everything is possible. I am satisfied of what I read, and my recent reading has fulfilled my expectations. 

Passage Section

"I opened the paper. Sure enough, they'd gotten me in mid-jump with the ball soaring out of my hand and angry, open-mouthed opponents glaring up at me. The first line of the article said it all: Last night a gang of Chinese bandits stole the ball, the show, and the world's attention, and and the ringleader was a kid phenom, Flash Chin, who not only has larceny in his heart but more bounce than a jackrabbit."

This was the time when Calvin got on the cover of the newspaper, and everyone got jealous, but still happy that the Dragons got the spot in the news paper.

Memoirs of a Geisha #5

Memoirs if a Geisha
Arthur Golden
500/500
Historical Fiction


Sayuri is 18 now and she doing okay with her new companion mr tottori. He treats her well and compliments her a lot. Since sayuri is becoming very popular and earning a lot of money mother decides to let sayuri have a bigger room then hatsumomo. Hatsumomo is very mad and decides to go into her room one day and finds Sayuri's diary which has thoughts that a geisha shouldn't reveal and her thoughts about people like the chairman but in the end she just let sayuri have it. Hatsumomo's career is over after a few weeks due to her not trying as hard anymore to be  a geisha and according to a doctor she was mentally unstable, Mother kicked her out and everyone believes that after a few years she became a prostitute and an alcoholic and died. As for pumpkin she was lost without hatsumomo as her sister but she was still a pretty good geisha. It was a though time during world war II but they had general tottori to support them, they also helped soldiers and other okiyas by giving them goods. General tottori was taken into custody and they're okiya was searched. The war was getting worse and worse and now the men couldn't help the geisha's any longer and they were all on their own but one day Sayuri met up with Nobu and they decided that after the war they would be companions and he would help her and her family in the war. During the war many people died, Sayuri went to live with another family and sold kimonos while mother worked as a nurse int eh local hospital and Tottori died eventually. The family he was staying with was really nice to her but she got really thin and was very worried about the people she cared about. After the war ended in 1945 it still wasn't safe for her to go back to her okiya so she stayed another year. Nobu came to see sayuri and told her that he could take her back home and he could be her danna and he would give her lots of jewellery and treat her right as soon as his company got back on their feet. She returned home after a few weeks and went to see all her old friends like memeha, pumpkin and nobu. She made her appearance as a geisha again and performed for american soldiers. She decides to have a party with Nobu, Pumpkin, Memeha and Chairman and it is loads of fun. Sayuri entertained the minister and chairman a lot for a long time after that and Nobu asked to be her Danna. They all went on this really nice honeymoon thing in and island with Chairman and Nobu but all she could think about was Chairman. Her plan was to make Nobu break up with her and see her sleeping with the minister but instead Chairman saw her and not Nobu. They end up talking about it a few days later and They find out that they have both been secretly in love with each other! Chairman becomes her Danna and then we see forty years later she lives in new york with her son and Chairman died peacefully and in love with her.

I think this book was actually pretty good i liked the story line but it was a bit too long for me. I am so happy that hatsumomo is finally out of Sayuri's life and that she will never bother her again. Im also really happy that Chairman and sayuri are finally together. Im also really glad that Mother is okay after the war. I wonder what happened to pumpkin and nobu after wards.



- "how curious is it what the future brings us. you must take care, Sayuri, never expect too much"(485)
I really like this quote because it is true that you never know what will happen int he future, Sayuri probably expected Nobu to forgive her and Pumpkin to be her friend again but that didn't happen but at teh same time she probably didn't think that she would be with Chairman but she did in the end, you can never be sure of what will happen.

The ravenmaster's secret #5

The Ravenmaster's secret
Elvira Woodruff
Historical novel
196/214

Summary

After visiting Maddy's cell  that morning, Forrest thought of her all day and couldn't concentrate on his work. While he was walking with his father, he met warder John and was informed that Maddy's father passed away while trying to escape from a boat. Also, he said that Maddy was safe but Forrest couldn't help but think how hard it would be for Maddy since her father passed away in right front of her. Later that day, while he was feeding the birds in the shed,  he noticed a worksman standing near. The man asked Forrest if he has a "sprig of heather given for luck" and Forrest says "yes". The man tells Forrest that Maddy's trial has been denied and she will be sent to the Bloddy Tower again that night and also asks him if he is a good enough friend to save her life and to consider helping her escape until the day after.

Forrest decides to help Maddy's escape even if it costs his life and Ned supports him because his life is not worthy since he will be caught by Simon Frick since he escaped. They go to Maddy's cell and plan to disguise Ned as Maddy, and Maddy as Ned. Then Maddy disguised as Ned will get out of the tower with Forrest and Ned will escape afterwards when Forrest comes back and draws in the Warders' attention.  Forrest succeeds in the first step to get Maddy out of the tower and returns to the tower pretending to have dropped the prisoner's supper and coming back with another. Forrest shows the warders' Tucks new tricks and also shows them Tuck talk. While the warders were engrossed into the tricks, Forrest sees Ned escape and returns to the shed. Ned returns to the shed with a news that he encountered the mysterious man and that he told him that a boat is waiting for Maddy at King's Stairs. They hurry to the King's Stairs and encounters Simon Frick.

Reflection

It was surprising to see an English boy help the escape of a Scottish girl and have a "real" friendship between them. I can't wait to see how their escape ends and if they do, if they will ever cross paths again.

Passage

"Is it true that you are a friend of to the daughter of Owen Stewart?"
Forrest felt his heart racing but said nothing.
"A good enough friend to save her life?"

This passage shows the final question Forrest has to answer. If Forrest agrees to help Maddy's escape, his life will be in danger and his family would be watching their son or a brother hang. If he chooses not to help Maddy, he will feel guilty that he was not able to fulfil his pledge of friendship with Maddy. Forrest finally finds an answer to help her but I'll have to read on to see how it goes.

Chains #5

Chains
Laurie Halse Anderson
Historical Fiction
Number of pages read: 250/300

After the fire, Isabel continues on working but her thoughts are always on Ruth. On some days she had thoughts about becoming a rebel like Curzon but she decided not to listen to them. Lady Seymour was getting better from her injuries from the fire, she could walk with help and talk. Madam was not pleased by this at all because she thought that Lady Seymour would die of these injuries for sure and leave her fortune to the Locktons. One day, on Isabel's way to the water pump she found out that there was a battle recently and recognized Curzon in the line to go to prison.  After a dinner to celebrate the capture of Fort Washington, Isabel thought about her situation, and finally she had a plan. 3 days later Madam received an invitation from a friend to visit her in Greenwich Village and this was Isabel's chance to sneak up to the prison. Even though a voice in her head whispered to her not to do it, she went to the prison introducing herself as Curzon's sister and bringing food for him and the other soldiers. Curzon told her what the battle was like and how he had to witness a person's head shot of by a cannonball and how his own leg was shot. Then she shared the food she brought with the soldiers. When the sergeant asked her to be their message carrier she disagrees, she didn't want to be 'fooled by the Patriots again'. Lady Seymour was struck by an illness while visiting Greenwich with Madam, they come back and call a doctor to see her and Madam tries suggesting to send Lady Seymour away to South Carolina saying that she will recover there faster, but just wanting to get rid of her. The doctor however disagrees with her which makes Madam even angrier. It was then decided that Isabel should take care of Lady Seymour while she is ill. A few days later she went up to the prison again and sees that many of the people in prison have died and Curzon seems very feverish and doesn't want to talk. That night Lady Seymour says that she knows that Isabel has been bringing food to the prison and that it is a very good thing to do but tells her to make sure Madam doesn't find out. When she goes to the shop to buy food she is even more surprised that the shopkeeper knows she's been helping the prisoners, but he supports her and tells her to continue doing so and to keep quiet. The next time when she comes to the prison the guards tell her that the rules have changed and that she cannot come into the prison. She finds Curzon's cell window but he is very ill so he cannot speak to her or hear her. Christmas day soon approached and this was the one day which Isabel could have off from her work, but Madam stops her and tells her that she knows she's been going to the prison and tells her to stop doing so or else the Lockton's will start being suspected of being rebels. 

I have really enjoyed this book and I couldn't stop reading it. I really like the way the author wrote everything with so much detail and how well she described the feelings of the characters. I also really enjoy the plot of the book because there is a lot of suspense and interesting turns of events. This book so far really has fulfilled my expectations because I didn't expect a historical fiction book to be so interesting and enjoyable to read. In my further reading I expect that Isabel will keep on helping the soldiers in prison no matter what Madam says but will finally get caught and have to run away.

Quote:  "Madam will beat you bloody,he's not your concern, it's not your place. Go back, go back before it's too late."
These are Isabel's thoughts on her way to the prison, she knows that Madam will probably beat her if she finds out that she's been going to the prison and helping the rebel soldiers and that thought is pulling her to go back home and telling her it's not her concern or place. But she is brave enough to go into the prison and help the hungry soldiers and Curzon anyway because she thinks it's the right thing to do.

To Touch The Stars (A Story of World War Two) by Karen Zeinert

Title of The Book: To Touch The Stars ( A Story of World War 2)

Author: Karen Zeinert

Total Pages: 126

Pages I Have Read in Total: 105 (105/126)

Pages I Read This Week: 21 (21/126)

I really enjoyed reading my book this week. The part of the book that I was reading this whole week was really interesting and had a lot of action. It basically had two important things that happened. The first was that her and the other candidates try to find who are the people who tried to cause trouble to the candidates by doing something to the machine of their aircraft. The second important thing that happened was that Elizabeth, the main character, tried to have a flight during a storm, which is something really difficult and dangerous because it can kill the pilot who is trying to do it, then she couldn't do it so she went to the ground. She thought that she would leave the program, but her teacher told her that she is one of the best pilots and she has one more chance.

I hope the next and last part of the book will be even more interesting and with a lot of action taking place.

Chronicle of a Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Blog Post No. 5)

Chronicle of a Death Foretold 

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Genre: Crime Fiction

Number of pages read:100/120

Summary: Twenty three years after the murder of Santiago Nasar, the Vicario brothers were became free once again and were let out of their cell. Pablo married Prudencia Cotes, learned how to work with precious metals and lived a peaceful life. His brother, Pedro, earned his first sergeant stripes and one morning he and his patrol went into guerrilla territory and "was never heard of again" (Marquez, 83). Bayardo San Roman fell into deep depression and became an alcoholic. His house collapsed because the spirit of widower Xius' dead wife wanted to claim what was her's. Bayardo San Roman's mother, sisters and aunts went to get him to the hospital. Angela Vicario looked very old, even though she was only in her forties. She had a wrinkled face and gray hair. After a certain period of time, she saw Bayardo San Roman exiting a hotel. She recalled many good memories of him and fell in love with him again. She wrote thousands of letters to him to prove her love, but she did not get a single response. One day, he came into her house with his clothes and belongings, as she said in one of the letters and expressed his love towards her.

Reflection: Now, after a 100 pages of the book, I got used to Marquez's style of writing and his time shifts. I was surprised when I read that Angela Vicario turned so old in only twenty three years. I was also surprised that Pablo decided to live peaceful life. I am looking forward to finishing the book. 

Passage: "At the window of a house that faced the sea, embroidering by machine during the hottest hour of the day, was a woman half in mourning, with steel-rimmed glasses and yellowish gray hair, and hanging above her head was a canary that didn't stop singing. When I saw her like that in the idyllic frame of the window, I refused to believe that the woman there was who I thought it was, because O couldn't bring myself to admit that life might end up resembling bad literature so much. But it was she: Angela Vicario, twenty three years after the drama."

I chose this passage because I like the description of Angela Vicario. It clearly shows Marquez's mysterious style of writing, for he had not revealed who he had been describing at the beginning, but only after his description was finished, he gave away the identity of the person.

Title: Water for Elephants
Author: Sara Gruen
Number of pages read: 196/331

 While was reading the book this week many interesting things happened. The bull (elephant) that Uncle Al got wasn't stupid after all. The performance that it had during a parade was amazing that everyone was cheering and taking their hats off. After this Uncle Al decided that the bull should perform at the spec with Marlene. Marlene and Rosie (the elephant) didn't certainly get so well but still the performance was amazing. Unfortunately, Marlene hurt her leg a lot and needed a doctor to heal it. When August came to say how amazing Marlene was he caught Jacob's hand around Marlene trying to reduce the pain. This didn't please him much but he was able to stay calm. Soon after this Jacob finally realized how much he loves Marlene. A week later Marlene was feeling much better and Rosie finally learned how to walk properly next to August. In return August didn't harm her and hit her. Later Jacob had to be a doctor in order to help one of his friends Camel. He couldn't do much so they called a real doctor who told them that Camel had a some what paralyze from drinking. Camel was also on redlight. This meant that he wasn't getting paid so Jacob and Kinko (his roommate) had to keep him with them so he was save. My favorite part was when Marlene asked Jacob to come and see him. They talked for a while and even discussed a little about that one kiss they had. Marlene made it clear that the kiss wasn't a mistake but when Jacob reached out to kiss her again she told him to leave.

So far I think the book is good even though it can be a little confusing at times. I really liked the part when  saw Marlene's and Jacob's relationship growing even though there is still a lot they cannot do. They really have to watch out and I think that is why nothing serious except feelings are happening among them two. "I...I'm not really sure," she says. "I hardly know what to think anymore. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I know what I'm feeling is wrong, but I just...Well, I guess I just wondered..." (195)

This passage describes Marlene's feelings about Jacob. It is clear that she likes him and has feelings for but she is just scared to break the rules, mostly scared of August and the actions he might commit. I predict that later in the story Marlene and Jacob will be together, hiding their relationship away from everyone. This might cause a big fight among both Marlene and August and August and Jacob.