I have recently started reading "Star Girl," by Jerry Spinelli. I've heard people talk about this book that they read when they were younger, but since I've never read it, I decided to. It's about a very unique girl who calls herself Star Girl. She started a High School in Arizona with a boy named Leo, after being home schooled for her whole life. At first her outgoing ways are insulted, then eventually become an important part of the school.
I think the school kids were first so skeptical of her ways because they had just seen no one like her before. Who was so ego - less and put everyone in front of herself. But also because of her caring ways, they learned to like her. And that's when everyone started to express themselves, instead of being the whole body of school they used to be. Before Star Girl, the main character once said that anyone who started to express individuality would snap back like a rubber band.
All in all, she did endure a lot of bullying before she began to be accepted. If a school was such strict principals was introduced to someone with such little principles it's not surprising to see them react with such confusion. I think the moral of this story is to accept all people, and how they act. I think this book sticks with that theme throughout the whole story, with their examples of bullying and impressions.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Romeo and Juliet Essay
In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, he creates a story of love, death, and sacrifice. The Montague s and Capulet's are always fighting, and they are sworn enemies. Romeo and Juliet don't have a lot of independence because of their roles in society, parents expectations, and their secret love.
The Montague and Capulet family are both high class in their society. In Act 1 in the book, Juliet's family threw a big party and that's when Romeo, Mercutio and their friends sneak in. "Through fair Verona, find those persons out/ whose name are written there, and to them say/ my house and welcome on their pleasure stay." (1.2.36-38) That was said by Lord Capulet when sending out the serving man to give out the invitations. Though Romeo is a Montague, he doesn't fight with the Capulet's constantly like his cousins do. "O, the people in the street cry "Romeo", /some "Juliet", and some "Paris", and all run/ with open outcry toward our monument." (5.3.198-200) Because people know and support those characters in the book and their town.
Their parent expect Romeo and Juliet to do well, for her to be obedient and respectful, and Romeo to be quiet and good. Her parents set Juliet up for an arranged marriage and expected her to go along with it. "The Country Paris, at Saint Peters Church/ shall happily make thee a joyful bride." (3.5.199-120) And because of the families outrageous fights, the Prince had to break them up. "Montague, come you this afternoon/ to know our farther pleasure in this case, /to old Free - Town, our common judgement place." (1.1.102-104) The word "common" shows that is happens a lot that they meet. His cousins are expected to cause trouble with the Capulet family.
Romeo and Juliet is a famous story to people of forbidden love. Their families hated each other they couldn't eb seen together. "I hate the word/ as I hate hell, all Montagues,/ and thee." (1.1.71-72) So even if there was a chance for them to be together it had to be in secret. Their families would stop them from being together if either of them found out Romeo and Juliet's relationship or marriage. In the quote, Tybalt is expressing his hate for Romeo and the Montague family.
All in all, Romeo and Juliet had very little independence. Between their parents views, societies views, and family feuds, they both had to keep their love secret.
The Montague and Capulet family are both high class in their society. In Act 1 in the book, Juliet's family threw a big party and that's when Romeo, Mercutio and their friends sneak in. "Through fair Verona, find those persons out/ whose name are written there, and to them say/ my house and welcome on their pleasure stay." (1.2.36-38) That was said by Lord Capulet when sending out the serving man to give out the invitations. Though Romeo is a Montague, he doesn't fight with the Capulet's constantly like his cousins do. "O, the people in the street cry "Romeo", /some "Juliet", and some "Paris", and all run/ with open outcry toward our monument." (5.3.198-200) Because people know and support those characters in the book and their town.
Their parent expect Romeo and Juliet to do well, for her to be obedient and respectful, and Romeo to be quiet and good. Her parents set Juliet up for an arranged marriage and expected her to go along with it. "The Country Paris, at Saint Peters Church/ shall happily make thee a joyful bride." (3.5.199-120) And because of the families outrageous fights, the Prince had to break them up. "Montague, come you this afternoon/ to know our farther pleasure in this case, /to old Free - Town, our common judgement place." (1.1.102-104) The word "common" shows that is happens a lot that they meet. His cousins are expected to cause trouble with the Capulet family.
Romeo and Juliet is a famous story to people of forbidden love. Their families hated each other they couldn't eb seen together. "I hate the word/ as I hate hell, all Montagues,/ and thee." (1.1.71-72) So even if there was a chance for them to be together it had to be in secret. Their families would stop them from being together if either of them found out Romeo and Juliet's relationship or marriage. In the quote, Tybalt is expressing his hate for Romeo and the Montague family.
All in all, Romeo and Juliet had very little independence. Between their parents views, societies views, and family feuds, they both had to keep their love secret.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Clouded Leopard Declared Extinct in Taiwan
I recently read the non - fiction article, "Clouded Leopard Declared Extinct in Taiwan," by Douglas Main. It's about a new study about how the Clouded Leopards have now been declared extinct by Taiwan's Central News Agency. The only one left is stuffed in a museum. Even the United states have been looking for them in Taiwan with no results since 2001. There has also been 1,500 set up in the mountains of Taiwan with no results either.
I think it's really sad how a whole species of animal can become extinct. It shows how not enough precaution was shown the protect it. Oblivious all animals are important to keep safe, even a few numbers of them. There could have been a few taken into captivity a few years ago. That thought probably never occurred to zoologist because maybe they thought that that wouldn't be needed now. And that it wasn't necessary, then and now.
The authors purpose was the explain this new finding about the leopards extinction. I think it's a really interesting and sad topic. But his article was informative and wasn't bias.
I think it's really sad how a whole species of animal can become extinct. It shows how not enough precaution was shown the protect it. Oblivious all animals are important to keep safe, even a few numbers of them. There could have been a few taken into captivity a few years ago. That thought probably never occurred to zoologist because maybe they thought that that wouldn't be needed now. And that it wasn't necessary, then and now.
The authors purpose was the explain this new finding about the leopards extinction. I think it's a really interesting and sad topic. But his article was informative and wasn't bias.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
How Not to be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler
I just started the book, "How Not to be Popular," by Jennifer Ziegler. It's about a girl named Maggie, whose17 and all she's done is move from place to place her whole life, never more then 8 months. Making friends and finally adjusting to her new home, then leaving again to the next place. It seems like she would never learn until she is moving to her new home in Austin, TX, and has the idea to simply NOT be friends with anyone. To be the weird one and the loner type, but I think this is a good idea and bad idea because it could backfire, and she might have people try to be friends with her.
Even though I understand that Maggie just doesn't want to have anything to loose when she leaves Austin, I think this plan could go really wrong. Or there could be a plot twist and she has to stay here longer than expected. Already in the book she turned the popular girl group down in class, and also a chance to sit at the popular lunch table twice. It's nice that she really wants to keep to her plan, and I understand how hard it can be to change schools and have to make new friends. And with her schedule of always moving around, it must be really painful to loose connections with all the friends you used to have.
All in all I think Maggie should be careful on the actions she makes over the next months in Texas, and realize even though she doesn't want friends, she might accidentally make them. Some people just don't know how to get a clue, and those might be the people that latch on to her because they want a friend.
Even though I understand that Maggie just doesn't want to have anything to loose when she leaves Austin, I think this plan could go really wrong. Or there could be a plot twist and she has to stay here longer than expected. Already in the book she turned the popular girl group down in class, and also a chance to sit at the popular lunch table twice. It's nice that she really wants to keep to her plan, and I understand how hard it can be to change schools and have to make new friends. And with her schedule of always moving around, it must be really painful to loose connections with all the friends you used to have.
All in all I think Maggie should be careful on the actions she makes over the next months in Texas, and realize even though she doesn't want friends, she might accidentally make them. Some people just don't know how to get a clue, and those might be the people that latch on to her because they want a friend.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Hunger May Be Driving Spike in Sea Lion Strandings
I recently read, "Hunger May Be Driving Spike in Sea Lion Strandings," by Megan Gannon. It was an article about little sea lion pups being found on the shores on South California. Nearly 1,100 have been found. Biologists are mostly clueless as why, but their best guess' are hunger. Environmental issues have killed their normal food of sardines and anchovies, so they are left with barely nothing to eat. Some have been rescued on shores and brought into captivity.
I think what's best for the pups right now is to move them into captivity. It's going to just be safer for them, older sea lions can adjust their diets easily to a new food, but it's much harder for the little sea lions. Some of the ones have been found with lice, but that is not the reason they have been washed up on shores. Some was even found with pesticides on and in them, but I think those are more secondary causes. In shelters, they can be better taken care of until they are better. Though no one can help all the sea lions still in the oceans, we can feed the ones that we can reach to make them better.
It's sad to hear this because getting food to all the animals who have been losing it is impossible. Environmental conditions have been targeting all of us, which of course includes animals. The hard part is try to help them.
I think what's best for the pups right now is to move them into captivity. It's going to just be safer for them, older sea lions can adjust their diets easily to a new food, but it's much harder for the little sea lions. Some of the ones have been found with lice, but that is not the reason they have been washed up on shores. Some was even found with pesticides on and in them, but I think those are more secondary causes. In shelters, they can be better taken care of until they are better. Though no one can help all the sea lions still in the oceans, we can feed the ones that we can reach to make them better.
It's sad to hear this because getting food to all the animals who have been losing it is impossible. Environmental conditions have been targeting all of us, which of course includes animals. The hard part is try to help them.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Blog Review
I think Kimberlee's post on Love and Other 4 letter words was one of her best. She really expresses her thoughts on the book and the main character. It's was an interesting topic about the self conscious feelings, that I thought she expressed really well. I've read some of her other posts before and I've noticed that she really tries to incorporate her own feelings of the book in her summaries of them.
From her blog, I think I can learn to talk more about the characters of the book. In mine I like to write about the other characters in the story, or the connections the main character has to them. But I think I can learn more about how to focus on the main characters and about their roles in the story, I think that makes the post more relatable to other people. And I know I can make more text to self connections or other connections to the story that way.
From her blog, I think I can learn to talk more about the characters of the book. In mine I like to write about the other characters in the story, or the connections the main character has to them. But I think I can learn more about how to focus on the main characters and about their roles in the story, I think that makes the post more relatable to other people. And I know I can make more text to self connections or other connections to the story that way.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
13 Gifts by Wendy Mass 2
I am still reading "13 Gifts," by Wendy Mass. Tara is now in the town of Willow Falls and is actually impressed in small ways. Though she didn't expect much of the small town, the people there have surprised her. Even on her second day in the town, she's already made new friends! Which is really unlike the usually Tara, being pretty reserved, and staying away from people she might become close to. I think she is doing this because of all the moves she's gone through over her life.
Tara has moved many times, and has learned not to get to attached because she is probably going to move again soon. But this has always been a conflict for her, because her mom has always pushed her to be very social. I think her mom just wants Tara to make the most of whatever place they are in. But really, I think Tara just needs to stay in one place and make real friends. Even though that is out of her comfort zone, she is finding out how amazing friendships can be in Willow Falls.
All in all I think Tara is going to make new friends and want to stay in Willow Falls longer than just the summer. She is also going to find out why she belongs there, because she can relate to many of the new characters in the book in small ways. And even though the author makes the place of Willow Falls seem very unique, and she makes the people seem like that too. Like her cousin is a math genius, and two new friends only communicate through black boards to each other. While even though Tara is shy to the new town now, I can't wait to see her understand it better.
Tara has moved many times, and has learned not to get to attached because she is probably going to move again soon. But this has always been a conflict for her, because her mom has always pushed her to be very social. I think her mom just wants Tara to make the most of whatever place they are in. But really, I think Tara just needs to stay in one place and make real friends. Even though that is out of her comfort zone, she is finding out how amazing friendships can be in Willow Falls.
All in all I think Tara is going to make new friends and want to stay in Willow Falls longer than just the summer. She is also going to find out why she belongs there, because she can relate to many of the new characters in the book in small ways. And even though the author makes the place of Willow Falls seem very unique, and she makes the people seem like that too. Like her cousin is a math genius, and two new friends only communicate through black boards to each other. While even though Tara is shy to the new town now, I can't wait to see her understand it better.
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