The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian-Sherman Alexie

Summary

The story is about a teenaged named Arnold "Junior" Spirit. Junior lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation, where he discovers that alcohol is more important to most people than an education is. So Junior decides to transfer from his reservation school to Reardan High, a white school that is more than twenty miles away. Once Junior arrives he notices that he is the only Indian in that school. His best friend Rowdy will never speak to Junior again because he is a traitor. Most of the students there treat Junior treat him like an outcast. Junior must fight to improve his social standing both on and off the reservation. He surprises himself when, as a freshman, he makes the varsity team and eventually even becomes a starting player.

Connection

I can relate to Junior because in my old school in elementary i remember I went to a school were there mostly was all white people. At that time I couldn't speak english that good. I didn't want to talk to anybody because I was afraid that the kids will laugh at me. I kept practicing and trying to learn as much as I can. I started to talk to more kids and they didn't laugh at me. My english was getting better. In the story it says that Junior felt lonely cause he was the only Indian. This shows that Junior wanted to work on his social skills so the kids would talk to him and not be an not feel like he was invincible.

The Giver By- Lowis Lowry

Summary
So far in my book it's about a young boy named Jonas. He is an eleven-year-old boy who lives in a controlled society some time in the future. In his community, there is no suffering, hunger, war, color, music, or love. Everything is controlled by the Elders right down to who you will marry, who you receive as children, and what you will be assigned as a job. 
The Elders are the only one with the memories. No one else has memories. They can't remember what they did in the past. Jonas wants to figure out why do they do this. The people have no freedom because they have to do what they are told. It's almost as they were slaves.

Conflict
The conflict of the novel is that Jonas is about to turn 12. This is the age when it is decided by the elders what job you will be given as an adult. This shows that the people are not treated fairly. They have no decision on what they can work. The other conflict is that Jonas is trying to figure out why the elders do this.

The Invention Of Hugo Cabret- By - Brian Selznick

Summary
So far in my book Hugo finds out that the mechanical man writes the signature Papa George. Thats the godfather of the little girl. The little girl is named Isabella.  Hugo thought it contained a secret from his father. Isabelle immediately started to blame Hugo because she thought he stole it. The mechanical man also drew the picture of the rocket going in to the moons eye. That was Hugo fathers favorite movie. Isabelle and Hugo go to Papa George's house and shows him and his wife. Papa George goes into tears and tells them were they got it from. Hugo tells him from a mechanical man. Papa George show's them a bunch of pictures that he use to draw. One of them was the rocket going into the moon's eye. He starts ripping them because he didn't want to remember. Hugo and Isabella are confused because why would Papa George have these pictures? Who really is Papa George?

Prediction
I predict that Papa George has something to do with the mechanical man. I think he created it or helped built it. I shows that he has something to do with it because he started to go into tears and rip his drawing when they showed his the picture of the rocket going into the Moon's eye. Hugo fathers said that only magicians had these mechanical machines. Could Papa George be a magician?

The Invention Of Hugo Cabret- By - Brian Selznick

Summary
So far in my book Hugo made a bet with the toy booth man. The man said if Hugo cleans up the store and fixes his broken toys he might consider giving him the notebook with all the drawings and secrets. The old man niece said she will help get the notebook if he let's her see what's inside. Hugo doesn't want know one to look at the notebook. Over a few weeks the girl and Hugo became good friends. Hugo needs the notebook fast because his dad gave him this mechanical man. Its made of clockworks. It really rare. Hugo dad told him that he want's him to fix it up before he died. If he fixes the mechanical man will write a secret message. Hugo is trying to fix it without the notebook but there is only one part missing. It needs a heart shaped key. Hugo realizes that the girl has the same key. Why would she have it?


Conflict
The conflict is that Hugo needs his notebook with all his dad drawings so he could fix the mechanical. The Old man took it from him and now Hugo has to work for him until the Old man decides to give it back to him. This shows that Hugo will do anything to get that notebook back. Also the mechanical man needs a heart shaped key in order for it to work. The little girl has the same key.

The Invention Of Hugo Cabret- By - Brian Selznick

Summary
So far in my book there is a young boy named Hugo. He lives in the walls of a busy train station. The only thing that he has is a notebook filled with inventions and secrets that his dad left behind before he died. One day Hugo tries to take a toy from the toy booth. The old man catches him. He won't let him go until he empties his pockets. Hugo takes out his notebook. The man opens it and is amazed by the work. The old man takes the notebook and let's Hugo go. Hugo can't let him go. The old man goes into the cold streets of Paris. Hugo has to go after him to get is notebook back because it contains secret inventions.

Character Analysis
Hugo is brave little kid because he lives alone in a busy train station. In the text it says his dad died and he is all by himself. He has to take care of himself. This shows that he his brave. Hugo is also courages because he tried to steal a toy from the toy booth. He also followed the old man into the cold streets of Paris. This shows that he really wanted his note book because it contained secrets.

The Experiences of Native Americans- By Victor Hernandez

Native Americans were marginalized in society in many ways. It all started in 1879 when a man named Captain Patt wanted to take the Native American children an show them the "way's of a white man". Captain Patt asked permission from the parents if he could take the kids to a new school named Carlisle that he built. Captain Patt wanted to mold these Native American children into being more civilized. He believed they needed to completely abandoned the "Indian-ness". His saying was "Kill the Indian,save the man". They didn't care if the Native Americans didn't want to do this. They even cut of their hair and made them wear different clothes. They wiped the kids for not behaving or not doing something correctly. Then they just started to bring Native Americans by force without their parents giving them permission. The kids got home sick and 2 girls set their room on fire. The Native Americans were not seen as people. They pushed back and now the Native Americans have their own land that the U.S Government can't touch.

The purpose of Shanice Britton’s essay is trying to show that Native American people are the same as us. They wear the same clothes and go to school. She watches MTV and goes on Facebook just like the rest of us. They do the same as any other person but they just have some traditions like any other race. They live in houses with electricity and running water. When theres a basketball game the whole town goes to see the game. Just because she is Native American doesn't mean she is different. She wants people to see Native Americans are the same as any other person in this world.

If You're Reading This- Trent Reedy

SUMMARY
Someone keeps sending his dad letters to Mike. He wants to know who it is. Each letter gives Mike a mission to complete. Like get an A or get your drivers license and take a chance with a girl. Mike try's to accomplish all the goals that his dad wanted him to do. But the biggest mission may be at home and the story's in the letters is more intense than he ever imagined.  Mike's goes through big obstacles to accomplish the goals. He try's to contact his dad army division to see if they any information about his death. What seem's odd to Mike that his dad was killed August 28, 2005 and in the letter Mike's dad said that he only had 249 days. If he only had 249 days left in September 04 he should been back home by the time he was killed. Could this be the last letter? Could Mike's dad still alive?

Signpost
One signpost that I found was ToughQuestion. Mike keeps asking himself if he could accomplish all the goals that his dad wants him to do. Some goals are easy but some are harder then they seem. He doesn't know if he should tell his mom about it too because she doesn't want to make her cry.

Feeling Invisible

I remember in 3rd grade. I was the new kid. Everybody in recess played together and I was all alone. I just played by myself. I took about 2 weeks for me to find friends. I remember sitting with of bunch of boys but I sat in the corner. Then I made friends and got a lot of friends. Now I was playing kickball with all my friends in recess. I got so happy after that.

Tolerence

If I say a word that might affect somebody I will try to stop saying that word. There are some words that come out of your mouth and don't even realize that there hurting someone else. If someone says a word that I don't like I will tell them to stop. I think tolerance is to have your own opinion about something and if people don't like your opinion thats ok. I remember in third grade when someone said I hate retards and this kid that had trouble learning and had disabilities started to cry and I saw him crying. I will stop saying those words. 

IF YOU'RE READING THIS- Trent Reedy

Summary
So far in my book Mike is now in the football team. Joining the football team has changed his life. All the girls stare and say hi when he walks down the hallway. All the guys talk him. He is really popular. The team doesn't go easy on him. They make him stay extra 15 minutes after practice because he started he got in the team so late. Mike gets another letter waiting for him in his bedroom. Mike doesn't tell his mom or sister because he doesn't want them to be sad. Mike's dad tells him to be happy and if he really likes a girl go after her. Mike likes this girl named Isma. She is in history class with him and there both doing a project together. The boys have a big dinner party and a local restaurant before their big game against the trojans. The owner of the restaurant talks to Mike and feels sorry for his father's death. How does he know that today is the anniversary of his fathers death?
Could this be the guy thats sending all the letters?

Character Analysis
I think Mike is really perseverant because he won't give up on the football team. In the text it says that some of his teammates make him do suicides until he pukes. This shows that Mike really does want to be in the football team and he won't give up and quit even though his teammates don't want him. Also he helps out his family by working. He helps them even doe his dad is gone.

If Your Reading This- Trent Reedy

Summary
So far in my book it talks about a teenager named Mike. He a sophomore in HighSchool. He lives with his mom and his sister. His dad died when Mike was just eight years old. He died in the war in Afghanistan. Mike want's to join the football team but his mom won't let him because he got injured playing football in his middle school football team. A letter arrives just a few weeks before his sixteen birthday. It says "If you're reading this the I'm very sorry but I was killed in the war in Afghanistan. Mike doesn't know who sent it. Who could've kept all these letters? Mike reads the rest of the letter. It talks about how he is really sorry for getting killed. He wants Mike to be the man of the house and to enjoy being sixteen. He wants Mike to try out for football to. Would more letter be sent?

Connections
I remember when I wanted to join the soccer team at my school but my mom kept saying no because one time I was playing soccer with my friends and I broke my ankle. She was worried that I would get hurt again. I kept begging and begging until she let me join. It was just like Mike trying to join the football team but her mom said no.

Hatchet by: Gary Paulsen

Summary

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on a plane from New York to Canada to visit his father. His parents were recently divorced. When the single-engine plane he is in crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a jacket and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present and the horrible secret that has been breaking him apart since his parent’s divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger and sadness. It will take all he knows and determination, and more courage than he knew he had in order to survive the obstacles that lay ahead.

Character Analysis

Brian is courages because instead of just giving up because he is stuck there. He decides to fight for his life. He does anything he can to stay alive. Being stuck there made him find all the braveness he had this whole time. This shows that even doe the plane crashed Brian kept pushing forward so he could survive.

I Funny A Middle School Story By James Patterson

SUMMARY
This book is about a a kid named Jamie Grimm. He is very good at being funny and telling jokes. His favorite uncle frank tells him to sign up for the annual comedy contest in New York. Jamie goes and signs up for the contest. There is really funny people but Jamie wins the contest. Everybody was so happy he won. His step brother Stevie starts a rumor that the only reason he won is because he is in a wheelchair. Jamie tells his friends what really happened and how he ended up in a wheelchair. Jamie proves everybody wrong by becoming the greatest kid comic.

Connections

I read a story about a boy with down syndrome. He wanted to join his basketball team and made it. People were making rumors that the only reason that he made the basketball team is because he had down syndrome. He had to show that he was really good at basketball. In one game he left the whole crowd speechless. He made an incredible 16 points. The team got that win. Everybody believed him that he was really good now. This shows that even doe people brought him down he showed what he could bring to the table.

Shakespeare Makes The Playoffs- By Ron Koertge

Summary
So far in my book Shakespeare Makes The Playoffs Kevin, Kevin dad and Anna go to a poetry slam. All of them say some poetry. All of them are pretty good. Kevin is starting to like Anna but not that much. His dad is still throwing his moms stuff away. Kevin is always thinking about Amy. Kevin has another game and still Mira doesn't show up. Kevin his having second thoughts about whether he should break up with Mira and go with Amy. Amy has so many talents she likes poetry and plays the piano. Mira doesn't even know what poetry is. Mia,Kevin and other friends to go to the L.A river to clean it up. Amy is also there too. She comes very year with her mom. Kevin and Amy talk about poetry. The next day Kevin has playoffs for his baseball team. There facing a hard team. His dads there and Anna. Kevin wants Mira to be there but she isn't. There is a more important person that came to the game. He sees Amy in the crowd.


Predictions
I predict that Kevin will go with Amy. In the text its says that Mira ignores Kevin because she's to busy taking pictures with friends. Mira wants Kevin to write her a poem but she doesn't know what it is. Amy really understands Kevin an has the same likes as he does. This shows that Kevin is liking more Amy because Mira treats him bad. Also Kevin has to understand that hid dad is happy with Anna. I think Kevin will like Anna later on.

SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS BY: RON KOERTGE

SUMMARY

In my shakespeare makes the playoffs it's about a young boy named Kevin Boland. His life is pretty good because he has a cute girlfriend, his baseball team is going to the playoffs and he likes to write poetry. Kevin still is not happy maybe because his girlfriend doesn't like poetry and doesn't show up to any of his games. Also his dad threw away a bunch of his mom's stuff and wants Kevin to meet a new woman named Anna. Kevin finds this girl named Amy that loves poetry. Amy has a boyfriend and Kevin has Mira. What is so bad about having a poetry buddy? 

CONFLICT

The conflict here is that Kevin is not happy with his life. In the text it says that his girlfriend doesn't like poetry and doesn't come to his games. His dad wants him to meet a new woman named Anna. Kevin finds a girls named Amy that loves poetry Kevin likes but she has a girlfriend and she has a boyfriend. This is important because he has to make a choice to stay with Mira that doesn't like poetry and never goes to his games or Amy that love poetry like him.

Dog Days- Divided We Fall

Summary:

So far in my book Dog Days-Divided We Fall Andrew And Dash Leave the Home Guard because they kicked them out. Now Andrew and Dash hunt down bad guys by themselves. Andrew's brother keeps sending him letters about the war. Andrew is anxious to join but he can't. In one hunt he finds a young african-american named Susan. She is a runaway slave. She escaped her master trying to find freedom. Andrew has a choice to help her or turn her back to the Home Guard. Andrew's loyalty will soon be tested. This important because Andrew's has to be loyal to the Confederate army or help the runaway slave.

Prediction:

I predict that Andrew's will help her out.  If i was in Andrew's shoes I will totally help the girl out. I will brake the loyalty because I will feel bad for her. In the text it says that her leg was bleeding because she was running and hit her self in a thorn bush. She was also trying to find her mother because they sold her to another master. If my mother was taking away from I would fight and try to find her. It feels horrible for your mom to be taking away. I would stich her leg and take her to a better place. This shows that if I where in Andrew's shoes I would help her out.

Dog Tags Divided We Fall- By: C.Alexander London

Summary-
So far in my book Dog Tags Divided We Fall its about a young boy named Andrew and his dog hound named Dash. Andrew is all about loyalty to family and the army. Andrew's brother named Julius is in the Confederate army. Andrew wants to be like his older brother. Even doe he is to young for the army he still enrolls in the Home Guard. Northern spies were abroad in the countryside and so were runaway slaves and deserters. A dog like dash will do good in this job. He's one of the best hound dogs in the Mississippi. Hunting people isn't the same has hunting animals. This is important because soon Andrews loyalty will be tested like its never been before. This shows that even doe he still cant enroll in the army he finds ways to help the Confederate Army.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS-
Andrew is really brave because hunting down criminals is very dangerous and you can be killed. Andrew has to put his life on dash's paws. Andrew is also very courages. Hunting down criminals is one of the best things and Andrew and dash like to do. The hate criminals that don't obey the law. In one of his missions he has to hunt down a criminal that left the Confederate army and ran away. He was and very dangerous criminal. He almost got cut by a criminal that hit him with his knife. Andrew and Dash still make the best team in the state of Mississippi.

Hellen Keller Biography- By: Leslie Garrett

I believe the theme of Helen Keller Biography is Perseverance.  Helen Keller has to go through a lot because she is blind and death. She is still fighting for life. In the text it says that she goes to college of the death and the blind. Annie is her tutor. She takes care of Helen. She doesn't give up on her earthier. Hellen has accomplished a lot of amazing thing in her life. Hellen is the only death blind that has got an arts degree. She is also and American author, Political activist and lecturer. Helen was a member of a socialist active party. Even doe Helen was blind and deaf she let's nothing get in her way. This is important because she is blind and deaf but always try's to fine an easier way. 


Hellen Keller is one of my heroes because she is death and blind but that doesn't stop her. She has won many awards over her lifetime. I would want to accomplish goals like she did. Normal people don't accomplish as much as her and she is blind and death. This shows that she lets nothing get in her way and overcomes all the obstacles.

Helen Keller Biography- By: Leslie Garrett

In my book Helen Keller Biography so far its about a young girl named Helen Keller.  She was born in June 27,1880.  She had a bad fever when she was young. In the text it says her parents did not take her to the doctor. They wanted to wait if the fever would go away but it only got worse. Then one day Hellen just sat still. Her mother named Kate was scared. She shined a light at Helen eyes but nothing happened. Kate got more scared. She shouted into her hear and nothing happened. They took Helen to the doctor and the doctor told them he had bad news. Helen Keller was blind and deaf. This shows that Helen has to overcome more obstacles than normal people but, she is a bright woman.


I predict that Hellen Keller will go on with her life and accomplish great things in her life. I predict that she will make the blind and deaf proud. She will accomplish great achievements even doe she is blind and deaf. This is important because even doe she has obstacles in her life Hellen Keller doesn't just stop and do nothing about it. She wants to do great things.