Drunk marriages could affect young children....

Star by V.C Andrews
Pages 12-21

Star's mother always went to a bar to drink and drink and do nothing but drink and star would go to the bar to get her mother to come homr to make dinner for the family but instead she would come home and throw things around the house and plates smashed all over the floor. All this drinking gave star nightmares and monsters in her bedroom. One night when stars mother and fatherhad a fight, her father put a pillow case over her head and tied it around stars mothers neck so she fell and she knocked things overa chair and kicked a living animal.

Do you think all this would teach everybody a lesson about drinking too much or do you think they wont care and keep with their actions as it is now?

This Book Has Style

Creature by John Saul
pgs 52-284

Im not too familiar with scary books other than Goosebumps and a Stephan King book or two. This book is from the horror genre but it really isn't anything that will have you hiding under the covers. It does on the other hand, have a type of style that i have never read in a horror book, and i myself sort of like. It gives you a comfort level that is...well...comfortable. Not really at any point in the story does the author make you fell like your life is in jeopardy, or something of yours is at stake. It takes place in a jolly town, the the sun is allways shining, and the people are constantly smiling. It doesnt go for such a scary setting, but i think the author makes up for it by letting the reader use his/her imagination to picture the way it looks. the idea of the story is scary but the way it is presented is not. Have you read a book that does the opposite of what is intended? Have you been actually scared by a book?

Messed up marriages could be painful.........

Star by V.C Andrews (the wildflowers)
Pages 9-12

One reason why Star's parents broke up is because of money problems but that is not the whole entire reason, there are others to add on to that problem. Star's dad is a painter and also a carpenter. Star's parents get into arguments of how her mother does not have to think about what she needs to get done, she just does it. Not all relationships or marriages have money problems, some have money problems, others have their own jobs for there own money, more have a good relationship or marriage that they share well with all of their belongings. If people have things to get done when i know everybody does try get it done and out of the way of everything else and then they done have to find time to get it done later when you are not busy with something else.

Do you think money problems would break up a relationship or a marriage or if it is just something they use to get what they want about everything?

Finally Discovering What's actually in the woods...

Only reading 3 chapters..after Lonnie and Benjay's gruesome discovery. The book goes back to the girls from the beginning of the book and it goes on from there.
This part of the story relates to me of how camping in the woods and telling scarey stories to each other can actually be scarey because after hearing all the fake and made up stories you start to think to ur self [can that really happen?].
Well these girls sat around telling them, after wards they began to scare them selves with their own untrue stories when all of a sudden they hear some one or something creeping outside their cabin, and when they finally realized that nothing was there, they kind of freaked their selfs out so bad that they were a little too scared to sleep cause they felt that some one was watching them... After all fear is only a feeling, it can never kill you.

Have you ever had a dream, that your only fear came true how would u feel or react to it?.

A Fresh Start...Or So They Think.

Creature by John Saul
(Pages 23-52)

In my last post the Tanner family had just moved to Silverdale. In the next couple of chapters the town is described. It is a small town with allmost nobody in sight. It seems very unexpested that a bad thing will happenin a small town where the only thing keeping it on the map is the recent arivall of TarrenTech and the high school football team that is unusually good.Mark catches up with a cousin he hasnt seen in a while. Once scrawny and weak, his cousin is now towering with a muscular build. Back when they were younger they had a close friendship but now that the two have nothing left in common, Mark feels uncomfortable around him. The book stats to reveal the school that is a mysterious place but is too perfect for the Tanners to relize. Mark is suprised that the jocks have pretty much any privalge needed. They can leave early to train for the football team, and dont get it counted against them in their grades. It all just seems too perfect and i dont feel it can last long.

Have you ever had everything go your way one day and felt like it wasn't going to stay that way? Do you get jelouse of people that seem to have the perfect life?

Don't trust strngers

The Hitchhiker by R.L.Stine
Pg 21-ending

James hitchhiking to get away from something, a voice that continues to haunt him. Christina and Terri begin to worry when there trip turns for the worst. Continuing to hear that a hitchhiker killed a man on the radio, Terri begins to worry. James of course gets upset and angered that she would think he would do such a thing. But when the three leave James' cousin's house and continue to drive back to Cleveland find out their being followed. But by who? An unknown man who come to find out his name is Art is mad and wants revenge. To whom is he getting revenge on? Can you imagine the turns in he story when now James finds out that he isn't the only one that was hitchhiking. He fears for his life when Terri disappears then Christina and him become kidnapped. What could possibly make Art so mad to want to hurt Christina and James and even maybe Terri. Finally the truth comes out and everyone is fighting for their life. But who's going to live and what twisted story will be revealed as Christina begs for her life and James helplessly watching. Reading this book made me realize that innocent has no certain look innocent is what everyone wants to be seen as.

Do you trust just anyone? And if they look innocent does that mean they are?

Creeping in the woods..

(pgs.20-78) from chapters 5-14

Through out the book, new characters were introduced (Lonnie & BenJay). Lonnie is the son of a [police officer], hes the kind of kid who jokes around and is very curious of things.. Till he see's the girl he likes with her boyfriend then he decides to follow them..untill he loses them in the woods so he figures that they went inside a cabin, then all of a sudden he discovers an unknown bloody gruesome scene inside. He has his father that doesnt believe him and his friend (BenJay) that thinks something is up with lonnie but hes willing to find out what really happened inside that cabin. If you were in this kind of situation would you take things into your own hands and find out who or what could have done such a thing?

Picking up strangers can be dangerous

The HitchHiker by R.L.Stine
Page 1-20

Although I am just starting this book I have read some interesting facts about the hitchhiker (James). So far within the few pages I have read I know that there is something that James is running from. A voice that seems to follow him saying "Please don't, James. Please-don't hurt me.". Although it is unclear why James is running and why he hears these cries it seems as if he is running from something bad, something he did. James Hitchhiked his way from Key West to Lauderdale with an old man and now James has been picked up by Christina and Terri. Christina and Terri spot James hitchhiking on Highway 84 and pull over to pick him up. Although he looks like a nice guy Terri still believes that picking up a stranger is not a good idea. With James' attitude towards questions that the girls ask Terri begins to worry. As for James he think he has told the girls a little to much about himself. So for now he keeps quiet.

If you were on your way home and seen a "hot" guy or girl hitchhiking would you pick him/her up?

Star's life with her wonderful grandmother (blog 1)

Star by V.C Andrews (horror)
Pages 1-12

Star went to go see Dr. Marlowe for therapy sessions, wishes she could go home so she dont have to tell other people her problems. Stars mother lastly worried about whether or not her clothes and etc. were in style. Star thought if she told Misty or Cathy her problems, they would not be able to handle listening to it. (stars problems were not available yet) Star's grandmother was a very helpful 68 year old woman. She had alot of good friends, some had alot of money and other ones did not. Some of her friends were also wealthy people and she would help them out as much as she was able to. She loved to help her friends and loved ones. She was trying to explain to Star that people dont have to have alot of money to have friends. All because Star thought you did and she didnt understand that until her grandmother explained the whole situation to her. Star's parents were not dead and buried but they were to star though there were no funerals. Instead there was a parade of lies and crippled promises from the days she was born until now. Her parents were always fighting and arguing about something so Star felt like her parents were not there for her at all.

How would you feel if your life was just like Star's? Would you feel like you have no one but your grandmother and friends, or would you be able to handle being without your parents for the rest of your life? Think about it!!

Friends aren't always perfect

Fall Into Darkness By Christopher Pike
pg. 132-end of book

Life isn't what it appears to be when you look around. As for Sharon she learns to realize that people she trusted the most have secrets that could kill. While the book is going back and fourth from the present time of Sharon's experiences to the night Ann died you realize how twisted people could be. Secrets spilled and friends turning on friends, even turning on the ones they love. The horror of knowing what a friend can to do their friends. The darkness of them slowly revealing for everyone to see. You thought being in the dark alone was scary. Read this book and find out what else can be terrifying.

Keeping in mind that horror can come in many ways like experiences and sounds this book keeps you wondering even if you know what had happen. Being able to learn from mistakes is one of our best qualities as human beings. So why make the mistake twice even three times. Though this book may seem a bit boring at first the ending has a surprise and it is worth reading. Keep in mind that not everything around you is what it seems and that life isn't something you should waste away.

Why do you think some friends turn on other friends or even the people they love?

Creature, John Saul (pg. 1-22)

So far john Saul's book creature has been a little slow.but from what i read on the back of the book the intesity should pick up a bit.The story starts with Mr. Tanner stuck in his all-star highschool quarterback days. He wants to re-live those glory days through his son. Ever since his son was born he dreamed that he woud place the Tanner name on the map once again. His father puts way too much pressure on his son Mark in my opinion. Mark is a sweet boy that loves taking care of animals and is considering being a vet. He seems to have no ambition to follow in his fathers footsteps.Mrs Tanner is on Marks side of the situation. I agree with both of them.If I wasnt cut out for football bcause of my size i woldn't let my all-american father push football onto me.Mr tanner gets a call from TarrenTech where he works.At first I thought he was going to get fired and so did he,but he got a promotion.This may not play out the way it sounds.This is acctually not good for mark.He has to start all over and meet new friend. I dont think its jus gonna be a happy go lucky neighborhood.This is where it will get intersting.

Night Wood By Patricia Windsor (1-20 ch.5)

Characters:
(casey, gena, and maryann) they are not all the same, they each got a personality of their own. Casey is the Free Spirit, the one who likes to have fun at anytime and doesn't care if she gets in trouble or not, and gena shes the quiet one who keeps her thoughts to herself and does what shes told, and then there's maryann, shes almost like casey but she has her own personal problems at home, where her father dont care about anthing but to yell and hurt her and to get drunk.

In the book "Night wood" the characters seem real and believable because they go through realistic events that many people experience. Three girls ditch a school trip to spend a week at a remote cabin in the woods. Instead of the party time they hope to share with their friends, they are stalked by something strange and horrifying. There's no place to hide and no one will hear their cries for help. These characters remind me a little bit of myself and a few friends of my own that i hang around with. The girls in the story relates to an event in my life, where I missed to hang out with my friends and went camping for the weekend.

Fall Into Darkness By Christopher Pike (pgs1-131)

Fall Into Darkness contains many horrifying thoughts then horrifying experiences so far. This book also contains a mystery theme to it as well. My impressions of this book so far are good. Though this book goes back and fourth from the experiences to the courtroom it keeps the story alive and keeps you ahead of the game. Though you know what Ann Rice is up too, you still want to finish reading to find out the outcome. I think this book has the perfect theme to it. It keeps you on the edge of your seats. As the story begins to unfold the truth behind the "death" of Ann Rice is unfolded as the scheme was told. Ann wanted to get back at her friend Sharon McKay because she blamed her for her brother's suicide death. Ann got her finance (Paul Lear) to help her in her scheme to get back at Sharon. As the story unfolds the truths, it unfolds secrets kept and the truth behind the relationships between friends.


I'm happy that I choose this book because I like horror but I like mystery more and this book contains both. The outcome of this story is unimaginable and I can't wait to see what is going to happen. I admit I don't like to read books, but if a book can catch my eye I read it. This book is full of unexpected events and yet you know there coming. Understanding the fact that friends can turn their back on you at any moment is hard to understand or even believe. Many people don't expect their true friends to do something bad to them until it happens even then it's still a shocker.

Characters revealed so far:

Ann Rice (deceased/fake death plan)
Sharon McKay (Ann's best friend/suspect)
Paul Lear (Ann's finance/suspect)
Fred Banda (Sharon's date)
Chad Lear (Paul's brother)
John/Johnny Richmond (Sharon's attorney)
Margaret Hanover (Prosecutor)
Judge Warner

Our Group Blog Response

Our group choose horror as our genre because horror gives us a sense of excitement and usually has to do with the supernatural which is beyond this world, which makes things interesting and scary. We believe that people read horror books because they give excitement and sometimes can actually give people a reason to be afraid. Just like watching a movie about a serial killer, reading it in a book can be just as horrifying. Horror you can say is when you get goosebumps and you feel like someone is watching you. Horror has always been a way to entertain people and its way of entertaining is still increasing to this day.

Character

Do the characters react the way you think you would in a similar situation? Do you find their actions troubling? Are their actions consistent with their characters? If not, perhaps ask yourself if it is reasonable for anyone to be expected to act consistently in character!
"The Lovely Bones"
After Suzies death, her younger sister Lindsay was going through a phase that people go through when they lose a loved one.
She wasnt the same, she bagan keeping to her self and not doing her regular activities and she was becomming more depressed as the days went on. The character Suzie shes looking down from heaven and watching her sister and family of how they react to her death.

Assessment - Indy Reading Project - December

Megan - 5/5 Responses

Megan, your responses tend to be a bit short, but they're getting there.  Sounds like Anya has a pretty two faced peer group.  BTW, a lot of people keep their illnesses to themselves because they don't want to burden others.  Does this play into Anya's decision, or is it simply embarassment?

Justine - 3/5 Responses

Justine, we really need to work on development of these responses.  You're going to need to elaborate.  This is where the thinking comes in.  For example, where are there people of the type you describe in your last response?  What is the setting like?  Does it create a mood?  Represent anything larger than itself?

Julia - 5/5 Responses

Nice work this quarter.  Your responses are developed and well thought out.  And three books?  You go.  I wish I could bottle what you have and distribute it!

Shawn - 1/5 Responses

Shawn, this is the second ball you've dropped.  You've got a lot going on upstairs, and this effort is unacceptable.  d

meeting the characters... no would not like to

No i would not like to meet any of the characters in this book. I think that they have some type of strange habits including not being nice, then being nice for two examples and the way they act with eachother. They all talk about anya behind her back about her hair cancer and one tried to be nice and make her a get well card and was going to give it to her. On the other hand she told another girl in the book about her making a card for anya and the one girl that got told about the card told her not to give it to her. She said that because she does not like her and that anya might not of wanted them to know about her hair cancer. I would not really like to meet some people like them.

My Personal Reaction

Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

certain parts of the story describe how Susie Salmon was murdered, how she was cut up by a razor and her body was dumped in cement so her evidence could not be found, while reading this made me feel uncomfortable how someone could do such a thing, even though its written in the book, theres also terrible people out there that really do these type of things to human beings.

Because of Anya by Margaret peterson Haddix

The characters do not react the way they would in a real situation. Because of Anya's hair cancer, she does not want anyone to know about it because she will feel all embarrassed about people knowing about it. She tries to hide it but that does not work, some girls found out about it and others did not. That is not how it would be in real life because if it were real life then most people would tell other people about it. They would tell people that they would trust and that would try to help them and pray for them to get better.

Because of Anya by Margaret peterson Haddix

The Characters do seem real and believable just by the way they act. The act like they are the ones that actually tell the story. The way they act shows that they are believable and good people on how they care for anya. Anya is the one with the hair cancer. She was trying not to show it or let anyone find out about it. Although the way that she acted and the way it looked gave it off to some girls in her class. Especially it being the same as her real hair and how it looks exactly like her real hair, it still shows no matter what it looks like.