SSR Late Post

Marissa Goliszewski
Period: 3
How to Ruin My Teenage Life
By: Simone Elkeles

What I find interesting about my book, "How to Ruin My Teenage Life," is there is this seventeen year old girl Amy where her life is going totally wrong. Her mom got married and moved to the suburbs, and now they are going to have a baby. Amy moves in with her dad in Chicago and signs him up for an online dating service. When she does, she has to pay and steals her dad's credit card with out him knowing. Later on, he finds out and is very mad. That is all that i found interesting about my book so far.

SSR late post

Well when I was reading "Mexican Whiteboy" what I found interesting were the characters. First of all Danny, the main character is a half mexican boy who is really skinny and really tall. He isn't very strong but he can throw a baseball harder than some major leaguers. There is also Uno, who is half mexican and half black. Danny and Uno started off enemies and then practicing baseball brought them to be best friends. They try to save money so they Uno can go live with his dad, and Danny who can see his dad for the first time in years. They use baseball to hustle some kids from different schools. What I find interesting is the way baseball is used in this book and the dynamic characters.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

(This is for the post that was late for last week). Well so far in my book i like that Henry (from the future) travels back to the past of Clare's childhood and he meets her several times and they fall in love. But when Henry and Clare meet in the present he has not yet visited her childhood because that was Henry's future self, so Clare knows all about Henry. But Henry thinks hes just meeting her for the first time. I thought that was interesting because its an odd twist to the story. It can get confusing at times but its interesting to read. Its just such a unique book.

-------Rachel Costello period 1

The Lost Boy , By; Dave Plezer

Something i really liked about my book is the fact that David is still trying to find a home and its taking him so long, yet hes stronger then ever. Hes learned to not get to close to each of the foster parents hes getting switched to. I'd find it hard to be able to do that because i would feel alone. The fact that his brother might be going through the same thing he is may be to hard to believe. I think David is a strong individual and can survive through this all.


Mildred Knapp
period 3,
English 1

Topic of the Week Dean Khater Per.3

www.nytimes.com

This article shows that the halloween we are used to may no longer exist. To have so many wounded on a night like halloween is unimaginable. Halloween is a time for people to dress up in their fairy tale figures or idols and collect candy. Halloween has always been a toime to dress up and give out candy and go out with your friends to collect candy. Unfortunately is has become a time for bad people to carry ouy their sinister thoughts. Halloween is becoming a scary time of the year and people are less excited about it. This year I also noticed the least number of trick or treaters and kids. I think there should be a rule about all this nonsense and violence.

SSR Novel Summary

Dean Khater

In my book that was instresting was the part where joe brings a gun to school. He was told by alot of poeple that he is stupid. He and his only friend Dylan wanted to get revenge. SO they got a .22 pistol. They are planning to get back at their school. But when and how? I am so excitied to what will happen.

"Shadow Boxer"

Something that i found interesting in my book would have to be the fact that George and his brother love to box. I think that is interesting because most of the time brother never agree on a sport they like or they do different sport. I also find it interesting because they dont just both like boxing they help each other out and try to mak themself better. I also think it is weird because most brother like to be better than the other but not with George and his brother. I like the fact that the sport does not come in between them and their family life together. That is what i find interesting about my book so far.



BY:BYRON DURAN

ssr Oct 30

I am reading Mexican Whiteboy. The point of view in general is 3rd person. It impacts the story at different times because sometimes it gets confusing to understand. I think it is meant to be like this although maybe it would be easier in another point of view. It also has too much detail in some parts while in 3rd person. This is why sometimes I read it again because it either focuses on something else or I don't get what it is meant.

Martin Rangel

Period 1

JOE ALONZO 1st period

My book is The Big Field, by Mike Lupica. The book is written in first person. The story really wouldn't be different if the book was written in any other point of view. Because of the story being written in first person it lets the reader know more about whats going on in the story. So its good that the book is written in first person. But if the story was written in like third person, you would maybe get confused on who is talking. So i wouldn't change the point of view.

The Lost Boy , By; Dave Plezer

The point of view my stories told from is first person told by David himself. I think this is a good way to tell the story from because it explains a lot of how it feels to be in Davids position. He has absolutely no were to go and sometimes there's no where to place him. I would hate to be a foster child and have to worry if I'm going to sleep in a bed that night or not. i think if this was told in his fathers point of view we would understand why he didn't help David in the first place.His father also doesn't seem to care for David which is heartbreaking.

Mildred Knapp
period 3

SSR

Title: dreamland

Author: Sarah Dessen

Assignment:

The point of view in this story really creates the mood. I think if it was told by a different person in the story it could be a very depressing diary or a person talking about a disappointment. The story is told by Caitlin the main character, and she doesn’t really seem to care that her sister is missing. This story is fine as it is, so far. I think if the point of view was to b changed that it should be a narrator telling the story in 3^rd person omniscient. This way it is not focusing in on just one person. It will make the book more interesting to me. That is about the only thing I would ask for about the point of view.

A CHILD CALLED "IT"

A Child Called "It" is a great read because it is told in the first person point of view. First person point of view helps with reading this book a lot. It helps because Dave is telling of how his childhood went down. He can say all the emotions and pains he felt as a child. Which would help give me an understanding on how cruel his mother was. Maybe third person oministinct would be better told for this book because then it would include all of the feelings and thoughts of the other characters like mother, father, and his brothers. Knowing mother's thoughts on why she punished David so much would be very helpful.

By:Mary Garbacz

SSR Assignment 10/31

The book I am reading is "Can I keep my jersey?", by Paul Shirley (himself). So far I am about three quarters done with the book and this book has been very interesting and exciting. I think this book is very fun to read because of the point of view of the story, which is first person. Paul Shirley is telling his life as Pro basketball player. Where I left on reading today was Paul had a very bad injury, where he is internally bleeding where he is going to miss the rest of the season so that means the Chicago Bulls are trying their best to get rid of Paul and release him. I often want to keep reading more and more of this book because Paul is telling the story of his life in his point of view. Which I think is pretty awesome to read about. I personally think that this book would not work in any other point of view because this book is a autobiography on his life. This book would most likely be very boring or not interesting to read because Paul is not telling his life as a NBA player someone else would be. I would probably never have picked this book out if it was written in a different point of view. The way Paul tells his life story is very funny and exciting to read.

Joe Kamenske Period 3

SSR

Marissa Goliszewski
Period:3
How to Ruin My Teenage Life
By: Simone Elkeles

My book, "How to Ruin My Teenage Life" is told in first person point of view. I don't think it would work in any other point of view because to me I wouldn't be able to understand it well. Since it is told in first person I can understand it a lot and see what the other person is coming from and what they are thinking. I feel like I am the person and I am the one in the story. The girl Amy is talking about her life and how it's bad and good. If it was in third person it would seem like they are writing about another person and there life, but it's her life so you can understand it a lot better.

"Shadow Boxer"

The point of view in my story impacts the story in a good way. The point of view in my story is first person. It benefits the story because you get to see how the main character feels see and get to hear his thoughts. I think the story would work out with a different point of view. But I also think it wouldnt be as good as it is with the first person point of view. The reason why i like the first point of view is because I feel like I am I the book talking to the other characters and doing everything the main character is doing and I hear his thoughts. With the other point of view I dont feel like I am there. That is why I rather have the story in first person.


BY:BYRON DURAN

SSR

Marissa Goliszewski
Period: 3
A Child Called It
By: Dave Pelzer

    The most powerful part in my story so far would have to be the plot. I think the plot is the most powerful because everything revolves around it that are important in the book. Some events are when "IT" gets very abused by his mom rather it's at home or in public. Another time is when teachers and principals at school ask "IT" tons of questions of why he has bruises all over him and how he steals other people's food. Also, a big event is when his parents get a devorice. His mom never did anything to him when his dad was home, but now his mom could do anything she wants to him.

SHATTERED GLASS

I have just finished reading my book and it ended in a tragedy. The ending was the most tramadic event with all the characters. Simon Glass was pushed to the end. Rob, Young, Bob, and Coop were at the scene of crime when in the end Simon Glass was killed. Simon was getting fed up with the others that he released the truth, about him and the boys. Rob, Bob, and Young couldn't stand the point, because they always thought that they were on top of everyone but now realized how life really was. After Simon showing the ugly side of him, the boys couldn't take it and took the bats that were by them and started to beat on Simon. Rob and Bob took action in the beating while Young watched and while Coop got injured trying to stop it all. Their lives have now been changed drastically.

By: Mary Garbacz

SSR

Title: dreamland

Author: Sarah Dessen

Summary: Now in this book Caitlin is seeing or dating a young boy named Rogerson. She is blindsided when with him. Now that they are seeing each other more frequently she is introduced to some of his friends. They are not all that great; I don’t like them or Rogerson. The most powerful thing about this book is the fact that anything could blind a person. The moral is simple and easy to relate to. Drugs and the wrong people put together, is what someone gave Caitlin. She even forgot the fact that her sister is missing. To me she is forgetting about her family more and more, as she hangs out with Rogerson.

SSR Dean Khater Per.3

My book is Holdup.

I say that the characters in my book are the most powerful element. There are five main characters. Each one is explained in this book. They all work at Burger Heaven. Each one have different personalities, but they have a connection with each other. The whole book is about these people. Then later on they all would do something they never thing of doing.

SSR Oct. 23

I finished reading the Battle of Jericho. It was an amazing book to read and it definitely had my attention throughout the whole book. What is powerful about the book is the plot, The sequence of events are so unpredictable in this type of book. Its the plot because it in the lives of the warriors of distinction they are looked up to. But what they don't know are the events that they force the pledges to do during the evening. Every single thing that happens has a huge impact on the outcome of the whole process of becoming a warrior. In the end they realize that those horrible things they were forced to do were not worth it, too bad they realized too late as Jericho's cousin Josh lost his life in the final event before joining the club.

Martin Rangel

Period 1

SSR 10/23 Assignment

I am still reading " Can I Keep My Jersey?" By Paul Shirley himself. It is a very good book so far, it makes me want to keep reading more because it is very interesting. While reading this book I think the most powerful thing about the story is the point of view. It is so powerful to me because Paul wrote this book about his life, This book really shows how hard it is to play in the NBA. This book makes me want to read more because it is from Paul's prospective.When i was reading the book it didn't even feel like i was reading  it because the point of view was so good. It made me feel like Paul was telling me his story in person. Because of the point of view being so powerful, this book i actually enjoy reading. Whenever I have to read i usually never want to read more or find out what happens next. But this book does because where I am in the book Paul has may it to the NBA. And he isn't on just any team he is on the Chicago Bulls!

Joe Kamenske Period 3

SSR - 10/23 Mrs. Buys - Mr. Kenealy - Zach Smith

I'm reading "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen. This is an enjoyable book to read. It's about a child named Cole that is really bad and gets into a lot of fights because he is abused at home. He has a lot of anger towards his father and he robbed a store. Another student named Peter told on him so he beat this kid up and that made the kid half retarded. Cole was threatened to either go to jail or spend a year by himself on an island. Cole chose the island to live on. Cole felt he was unable to be harmed and was so tough no one could ever harm him. I'm enjoying this book but it is very sad.

"Shadow Boxer"

The most powerful thing in my book would have to be the characters. The characters make the story powerful because with out the characters and thier backrounds the story would be boring and it will have no point. For example George is a character that is having a hard life but that does not stop him from helping mom around the house, and his brother with school and showing him how to box. And his backround makes the story ten times better because when he was little his dad used to teach him how to box everyday and gave him good advise about boxing. Untill his dad died but George still remembers everything his dad told him and is now passing on the good advise to his brother. That is why the characters are making my story powerful.

BY:BYRON DURAN

SSR blog 2

As before this is about the book that I'm reading right now. The book connects in a way where the characters in the book are trying to get in an exclusive club. In a way this relates to me because in Mexico, a couple of years ago, I wanted to hang out with the older boys and some of my cousins that were in the baseball team. A couple of others boys also wanted to do that so, they made us go and do stuff for them like buy them sodas or get their equipment. By doing that we could practice with them and we felt cool. This relates because in the story they do things to become "worthy" of the warriors and join the club.

SSR blog 1

I wasn't really reading anything back then so I will do it about what I am reading now. I am half way through The Battle Of Jericho. It turns out the pledging activites for the Warriors club are really what he was expecting. They have to wear these ugly pink shirts at school everyday during the pledge week. They also have to do harsh stupid activities in the evening. Jericho wants to reconsdider about his decision but he thinks its the only way that Arielle is going to be with him. He notices that the Warriors are very hard on the only girl in the pledges wanting her to quit, but she is very tough, tougher than most of the boys. Jericho also has to decide whether stay a pledge or go to a trumpet contest where he might earn a scholarship.

Martin Rangel

Period 1

SSR

The book I'm reading is Heat. It is by Mike Lupica. So far in the book the setting of the story is in New York city. The main character Mike has the physical surrounding of he New York Yankees stadium. This is a major part of the book because mike favorite pitcher is always there and giving people autographs and he gets to see him. Mike wants to become like him because he is one of the best pitchers in the league and Mike want to become like him. This is also and important part because he is poor and does not have a tv so he can never see him if he didn't live by the stadium. Scott Quinn

SHATTERED GLASS

In my book I would say the setting is at high school. In the last chapter I read the main setting was at Simon Glass's house. Simon was throwing a congratulations party for Coop. Coop got a 21 on his test that colleges evaluate. Which means Coop will receive a four year scholarship to any school he will choose to go to. To get more votes to be class favorite Simon decided to throw the party at his house since his parents will be away for the weekend. Simon holds the party in his backyard since he's making a barbecue. Simon has a pool and everything so people will enjoy themselves.

By: Mary Garbacz

SSR

I started a new book called "Lawn Boy." His grandmother gives him a riding lawn mower for his birthday. She says it was his late grandfather's mower. So he decides to cut the lawn. When he finishes the yard, a neighbor wonders if he can get his own lawn mowed. Soon he's mowing for the whole neighborhood. In a few short days, he has over three hundred dollars stuffed in his pockets. This story takes place not to far in the past. He walks by foot asking people if they want there lawn cut.

-Tomasz Parzadka

SSR

I am reading the Battle of Jericho. It is in the present day and it involves lots o fphysical surroundings like cars, buildings. Most of the story is in school and in the warriors warehouse. All of this adds to the story just fine because they need these sorts of things to make the story work. For example the warehouse where the toy drive took place. Also it is used for their tests, rituals and exercises. School is another important factor because thats how it all got started by the warriors which is the oldest club in school. If these werent here it would be confusing and pretty much boring. The setting is one of the most important factors as it holds the whole story in place.

Martin Rangel

Period 1

SSR

Marissa Goliszewski
Period: 3
A Child Called It
By: Dave Pelzer

The setting in the story, "A Child Called It," would have to be David’s home. He lives in a middle class neighborhood in an average house during the mid 60's and 70's. It is located at Daly City, CA. The city stretches to the Pacific Ocean on the West and almost to the San Francisco Bay on the East. It shares a border with San Francisco. The setting adds on to the story because all the events happen there. His mom abuses him there, especially when his dad isn't home. Also, he lives there so the author always mentions that he's at his house.

SSR Setting Dean Khater Per. 3

My new book is Holdup
The setting is in a fast food place called Burger Heaven. There are 5 teens that dont know each other yet. They all work there and wear old nasty uniforms. They always talk with the coutomers and that how they get in truble. They all go to the same school too. Their names are Jordan ( the smart one), Alex(the werid one), Taresha (the Hot One), And Mauel (the clam One).

SSR Setting

This week I am still reading " Can I Keep My Jersey?" by Paul Shirley (himself). Where I am at in the book the setting is in Barcelona, Spain where Paul is playing for a team in the European Basketball League. It is almost the end of the season it is late February, where Paul and his team are on the way to the playoffs when all of the sudden in a game Paul gets hurt really bad. then the next week, it is March 6, When he founds out that he going to take a month to heal and another month to get ready to play basketball again. His shoulder is all messed up and so is his neck. Now that he can't play basketball for a month he goes one of the most famous beach in Barcelona, which is across the street of his awesome apartment. Paul is hoping he still can play basketball because he doesn't know what he will do without it. He lives in downtown Barcelona, so he walks around town enjoy all the great sights with his younger brother who just came to Barcelona to visit him. Most of the day Paul hangs out with his brother takes the train around town hoping to see the girl of his dreams all while enjoying that he is still getting paid for sitting on the bench because he is hurt. Since he has been in Spain for almost 6 months his Spanish is getting very good and he is really starting to like Barcelona even though he can't even play basketball in front of all the screaming Spanish local fans.

Joe Kamenske Period 3

"Shadow Boxer"

The setting of Shadow Boxer though the story is around Boston, the name of that city is they live in is not said. The physical surrounding is a bunch of big buildings and lots of streets. The way they get around there town is by bus or they walk to where they need to go. The man made structures around them would have to be the buildings and the streets. The time period in tmy story would have to be in 1990. The geographic location is in Massachusetts. Something that happen during the books time period is that In China, the anti-foreigner Boxers occupy Beijing. International force ends boththe siege and boxer rebellion. Those are the six devices of setting.

BY:BYRON DURAN 3

Setting SSR 10-13

Im reading a book called "Fish" by FILL IN THE BLANK. The setting is somewhere in a third world country. I get this from the six devices of setting. In the story they walk as transportation, which shows there is little money. The physical surroundings are mountains, dry regions, and run down buildings. Broken buildings, roads, and guns are the man made structures are in this story. The historical time period is the twentieth century. The geographic location is somewhere in the desert. This setting adds a feeling of hopelessness. It shows how the poor conditions of the land contributed to the difficulties that the people had. ------ Andrew LaRusso

Setting

The setting of my story is a small town in Iowa around the 1960s. The small town is filled with corn and crops for harvesting. Windmills fill the remainder with a small town by the farms. But, in Ray's backyard, there is a baseball field filled with magic. The story takes a new setting when Ray Kinsella went to go meet the guy who was in his head. While on this trip he goes through Chicago and Cleveland on the road to Boston. In Boston, they visited a man made structure of Fenway Park. In Chicago, Ray visited Wrigley Field. The setting varies during the story.

trait - ray kinsella

A trait I could describe my main character as is determined. He is determined because he doesn't give up on what he wants to do. For example, he wanted to live in Iowa on a farm and that's what he did. He did a lot more too. He continued his determination by building a baseball field in his backyard. He wanted to meet Shoeless Joe Jackson and that's what he wanted. So he built a baseball field and made sure he saw him and many other players including his dad.

- Alan spies

SSR assignment

Author: Peter Benchley
The Deep
Period 3
Joe Cosenza
10/11/11

In this book there are basically three main characters, and they are David Sanders, Gail Sanders, and Treece. I would say that David is adventurous, meaning that he always wants more! He tells Treece that he wants to know more about the Goliath, and he will do anything to get to know more. When Treece came up from scuba diving with the materials that he found, David asked if that was all he had and why he didn't have more. This shows that David just wants more and more.(Speech) David also shows actions towards being adventurous. For example, Henri Cloche is the man that wants the stuff from Treece and David that they find on the wreck of the Goliath, but they do not want to give him this stuff. Treece tells David to go back home to his real house because he doesn't want Cloche to punish him in any way. David tells him "NO!" because he wants to find more stuff about the Goliath, and he doesn't care if it causes him emotional and/or physical pain.(Actions)

SSR Assignment.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets By J.K Rowling.

My 3 main characters are Harry Potter, Hermoine , and Ron. Harry is very curious. In the book, he is always wondering how certain magical things work, or trying new things like floo powder. Which is a way of travel through fire. Hermoine is very caring towards Ron and Harry. Shes always concerned on what they are doing. Like if they were going to do something dangerous she will always ask what would happen if they get caught. Ron is very brave. He had the idea of driving the family car to Hogwarts and completed it. They arrived there safe enough. This is why they are the main characters. Because they are curious, caring, and brave.

Naihal Wajid

SSR Novel

Dean Khater
Im still reading the book TheRivaly.
My Charactor is going to be Stevie. What he does is very deticating. He loves to write about sports. Espcially the Army-Navy rival. He took the job to write about the sceruity and the game. He took two hours to cover the scerutiy. Then to get to know the team that took like an hour. He also talked about how the presdient. All those hours of talking about the game was long. So that show how deticated.

"Shadow Boxer"

A character trait my main character George has would have to be that he is brave. I say he is brave because he is a fourteen year old kid who has lost his dad. And now that his dad is gone he has become the man of the house. But that is not it because now that he is the man of the house he has to take care of his mother and brother. Another reason why he is brave is because even of his age that does not stop him to go out and find a job so that he can help his mom pay the bills. He also helps his brother with home work while his mom is working or is cleaning around the house.

Another trait that my main character George has is that he is a very smart kid. I say he is smart because when he was younger his dad showed him eveything there was to know to boxing and life. Now that he is older he has decided to show his brother eveything that his dad showed him about boxing and life. He is also smart because he knows his way around his city. Another reason why he is smart is the fact that even though his life has been messed up he doesnt let that stop him from doing good in school and follow his dream.

BY:BYRON DURAN

SSR

In the book "The Beet Fields" the main character is a boy that runs away and works at a young age. I would describe him as adventurous. I would say this because he runs away from home and decides to work on a farm. He meets Spanish people to work with for a while and makes some money. Another way he can be described as adventurous is that at the end of the story he decides to join the army. He went through working on a farm to being a carny and then at the end joining the army. That's pretty wild and adventurous. So that's a way i would describe the main character.

-Tomasz Parzadka

The truth about forever

In the book "the truth about forever" by Sarah Dessen the main character Macy, i would say is very helpful and reliable. She tries to help her mother and her sister out as much as she can like when her father died suddenly. She was there to support her mother and sister and she tried not to show her emotions because her sister and mom needing support because they were crying soo much. "When my dad died, we all reacted in different ways. My sister seemed to take on our cumulative emotional reaction: she cried so much she seemed to be shriveling right in front of our eyes. I sat quiet, silent, angry, refusing to grieve, because it seemed like to do so would be giving everyone what they wanted. My mother began to organize." She shows here how she didn't want to contribute to the sadness and all the crying. also is when she helps her mom out with her job, of selling houses. And in order to help sell house you have to look nice, and just recently Macy says that she just started worrying about her apperance. She says she wants to match her new personality of perfect. Her hair flat, laying just the right way, putting concealer on and foundation onand spending a full half hour putting on eye shadow and curling her lashes and putting mascara on and mousterizing. And as you can see she's pretty much all around a good daughter.

Elizabeth Hunt

Period 3

SSR # 6

In the book I am currently reading called " Can I Keep My Jersey?" By: Paul Shirley himself it is a autobiography based on Paul's life as a basketball player. he was not just any basketball player he was a basketball Vagabond, He played on eleven teams in five different countries all in four years! So far through the book Paul has really shown that he is a very determined, and also shows he will never give up trying to make his goal of playing in the NBA. Paul is very determined for everything he does, even what he says, such as in the book he says " well at least I tried, and still able to keep trying until a team wants to sign me for a year". No matter what people say, what his teammates think of him, Paul doesn't care at all. All Paul cares about is getting to the NBA, and as long he is getting paid and having a job as a basketball player he doesn't care where he will play next. All of his coaches he has ever had thought his live has always had no faith that he had a chance to be in the NBA, none of his friends thought so, nobody not even his own family. But that didn't stop Paul to keep playing basketball the game he loved, the game he was very good at but not great because then he would be a superstar in the NBA not a guy who travels to team to team every couple of months hoping one of these days he will get a call from a NBA team needing to sign him. Paul's dream did come true, other people would have gave up, quit , move on with their lives, not Paul he believed in himself and that one day came when he got signed with the Atlanta Hawks on a 10 day contract for 100,000. Paul finally made his goal of being on a NBA team showing that any person could make it as long as you work for it, never give up, believe in yourself, try your best, and to never listen to what other people say about you all that matters is what you think of yourself. And that's exactly what Paul was. So far this book is very interesting and exciting it makes me want to read more and more, and the suspense is very good  in this book.

Joe Kamenske
Period 3

SSR

Marissa Goliszewski
Period: 3
A Child Called It
By: Dave Pelzer

  A character trait that I would use to describe the main character, "IT" would be resilience. Resilience means the ability to survive in any situation. In the story, "IT'S" mother abuses him a lot. She beats him all the time. She even beats him even if he didn't do anything wrong. She hits him so hard that he has bruises all over. At school, all the teachers and principles always ask what happened to him. Also, his mother starves him. If he's lucky he will get his brothers leftovers. Sometimes he even steals food from other people at school because he needs it to survive.  "IT" is feeling very terrible. He is thinking what he has to do in order to continue to survive. "IT" is very lucky he is still alive.

SSR- Breaking Dawn (assignment 6)

Nariman Shehaiber

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Period 3

Edward Cullen is Bella's husband and the father of Renesmee. He is another main character in the book Breaking Dawn. One word to describe him would be loving. Edward is very passionate and kind towards Bella and their daughter as well as his family. He always tells Bella that he loves her and everything is going to be okay. He never lets her go somewhere on her own because he says it hurts too much to see her walk away from him. Whenever there is harm, Edward stands protectively in front of Bella and Renesmee. Even when he's scared Edward always tries to look and stay calm for the sake of his wife and daughter. He's so devoted to his family and would do anything to keep them safe.

SSR Oct. 9

Two traits I would use to describe my character, Shane would be athletic and mentally tough. First he is athletic because he is an incredible pitcher and has tought himself to play in the outfield. He has an incredible 90 mile an hour fastball and a good changeup. He bounced back from his terrible season last year. He has been going to the weight room and worked on his mecanics. Also he is mentally tough because he has overcome all of his problems so far like his father's suicide and the fact that he was arrested no longer haunts him. In his previous season he sent a batter to the hospital and that made him pitch terrible for the remainder of the season. But now he is as good as new.
Martin Rangel
Period 1
High Heat

Topic Of The Week Dean Khater Period 3

http://www.time.com/time/world/article

My international topic is of the Palestinians' request to join the United Nations. On Sept. 23rd. of this year the Palestinians put in their request to become the 194th member of the United Nations. The majority of the other countries applauded the Palestinians for this move and rallied behind them except for Isreal and the United States. The U.S. threatened to veto if they won majority approval from the U.N. The U.S claims peace can only be reached thru negotiations, that have failed for the past twenty years. Isreal's continuous building of illegal settlements on land that is supposed to be for the Plaestinian state is the main obstacle. In 1948 the U.N adopted a resolution that would divide Palestine between Isreal and the Palestinians but that resolution is still in the works. The Plaestinians have waited for 63 years and now the time has come to claim what is theirs and to respect U.N resolutions that were accepted by the world. With the U.S being Israel's biggest ally and largest donor of foreign aid the ball now falls in the U.S's court.

Joe Alonzo first period

My book is Bud Not Buddy. The character bud has a couple of traits. The first one is that he is really skinny. The story says that everyone asks whens the last time he had eaten. The second trait is that he is an orphan. It says in the book that his mom died and he doesn't know his dad. So that proves that he is an orphan. So those are my two character traits and my blog for this week. I will be ready for next week's blog. So thats it for this week.

Kristyn Oliver Period 1 topic of the week

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-libyal5e7kt4yc-20110929,0,1766100.story

This story is about international news. It is about Gaddafi the horrible and corrupt leader. The libyan troops are trying to find Gaddafi, so what they are doing is they are going to attack Gaddafi's home town to see if they can find Gaddafi. These attacks to trying to find Gaddafi are killing and hurting many of the citizens there. They did not give up the search for Gaddafi because many believe he is still in Libbya and teh rebal forces are trying to find him. I picked this article to show internation news because this whole thing with Gaddafi and the rebels has been going on for a while now. I really dont thing they are going to find Gaddafi. The search for him has been going on for months now. The articles about this are in the news paper or on the news all the time so it also seemed important. When I read this artile it got me thing so that is another reason why I picked this article to show internatino news.

Characterization ssr 2

The book im reading is called "Fish". The main character is Tigre. He is caring and small. I got that by finding the characterization in the book. I said he was caring. In the story he shows he is caring by saving a fish out of a drying puddle. Throughout the story he is always concerned for the fish. He asks if the fish wiuld be able to breath. And he even gives it fresh water once in a while. That was the characters actions. I also said he was small. Tigre is a boy who is small. I got that from the characters appearance. The guide in the story blatenly states that he is small. He can fit thorugh a very narrow tunnel. And can hide behind a shrub without being noticed. He also was able to sit on his dads shoulders. If he was a big boy he would not of been able to do that. ----- Andrew LaRusso

SSR Assignment 10/3

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets By: Jk Rowling.

Right now, basically Harry is on Privet drive for the summer. He is Miserable and feeling forgotton because he hasn't gotten a letter from either Ron or Hermoine. It turns out it was because of this house elf (Dobby) that says that Harry shouldn't go back to Hogwarts because something evil is about to come. But He refuses to believe it because it's Malfoy's elf. Then Dobby runs down the stairs and uses magic under Harry's name and gets him in trouble with the ministry of magic. Uncle Vernon is so furious that he locks Harry in his room. But, Harry awakens suddenly in the night, and sees Ron out his window.

SSR assignment : The Lost Boy , Dave Pelzer

I aready finished the book "the child called it" and now im reading the second book named the lost boy. It's about dave moving to a foster home and he's taken away from his mother. He moved to two different homes and the fact he's finally away from his mom seems to him too hard to believe. He's happy hes now away from his mom but he's still scared shes going to find him and take him away. His father seems to not even care about him at the moment but yet before they were so close. His brothers are also mad at him for telling the familys secret.

_Mildred Knapp
period 3

Mexican White Boy, By Matt De La Pena

I am almost finished with my book, Mexican White. I just read about how Danny and Uno played a base ball game for some money. They had planned to steal the money and run off. But when they had managed to do that, they had some trouble because they fought some of the kids when they tried to snatch the money. Uno yelled at Danny when they were on the bus, because Danny didn't do what he told him to do. Uno told him to run for the bus and don't look back just get to the bus stop. But they made a lot of money , about 80 dollars. I am only a few chapters away from done then i will start a new book. So this is what i have for this week.

Joe Alonzo, 1st. Period

Runner by Carl Deuker

Well my book is pretty much coming to an end now. Chance finally told his father about his drug smuggling after his boss committed suicide and now that the leaders are trashing his boat up trying to find the red packages.Chance finally realizes that the red packages he was keeping safe weren't drugs they were actually explosive Semtex sticky stuff. His father immediately knows that Chance was not dealing with some not so dangerous drug dealers he was dealing with a greater danger, dangerous serial killer terrorists. So instinctively Chance's father knew what to do, he told Chance to go tell everything to his friend and he would worry about the rest. After Chance told everything to his fathers friend they were informed that the tiny dancer, Chance's fathers boat was gone which was really weird because they hadn't moved the boat in over 5 years. So suddenly Chance knew that he wouldn't have moved the boat unless the terrorist hijacked the boat. He was suddenly called to go up on a helicopter to look for his father. After looking for his father for over 30 minutes, they found him and the boat. Chance's father was putting up a great fight with the terrorists to stop them from crashing into a huge boat where hundreds of people would die. Chance suddenly looked that his father went up to the top of the boat and looked up at Chance and smiled like he had never done before and then tragically the boat blew up. His father died a hero and saved hundreds of people.That's pretty much how the story ended.

-Enrique Miranda, 3rd period

SSR

Author: Sarah Dessen
Title: dreamland
Summary:
So far in this book Caitlin the main character is sixteen. It was her birthday, and she woke up to her parents being heart broken. It was crazy in their house, because her sister ran away. Her sister's name is Cassandra, and she is 18. She ends up calling her father and tells them that she is ok. Her mom already knew that she was with her new boyfriend. They still don't know where they are though.
- Natalie Sarabia, Per. 3

Hiroshima by John Hersey

This weekend I just finished this book. This is about the bombing of Hirshima in World
War 2. This book talked about 6 characters that were in the bombing and were able to survive. They talked about at the ending about how there were 100 ,000 people died and how people lives would never be the same or even the city. Also the author says that the bomb can be so much stronger and kill more people because of the scientist that were working there after the bomb found new information to make it stronger. I think this is one of the best books to read if you want know more about how they put their lives back together and how they were able to take care of the situation.
By Scott Quinn
1st Period

shoe less joe

Alan Spies

Ray was on his journey to find the guy who is the voice inside his head. Along the way, he visited Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park to go to Boston. Once, he got there he met the guy. He told him that he doesn't understand why, but he had to take him to a baseball game and how he would explain everything later. The dude thought he was crazy. He thought of leaving him but he couldn't because he thought he was going to shoot him. Instead, he accepted the offer and actually felt pretty comfortable about it. They ended up going to the game together and talked about how Ray is a character in one of his books and his brother.

SSR

The book I just started reading is High Heat, by Carl Deuker. It starts out in a baseball game, Shane Hunter's dad gets arrested. Shane is confused and feels bad. He starts feeling bad and the next couple of games he pitches horrible and blows saves. When his dad comes back everything is weird but nobody wants to say it. Soon after his dad starts acting like everything is alright and he starts getting depressed over time. One day after Shane pitches incredible and gets home he realizes his dad commited suicide. So far the book seems interesting and I hope it starts getting better.

SSR

I am still reading The Beet Fields and it is a great book. So far in the story there is a kid that ran away from home and through out his journey he has been working and working. But I will start off at a part where he catches a ride with an older man. There speeding down the road and the next thing you know a pigeon comes flying through the windshield and kills the driver and the car goes into the fields. The boy then leaves that car and goes by foot. Then another car picks him up. The lady takes him home and feeds him. Then they go to town for a carnival where he meets the carnies. He decides to leave the old women and live with the carnies which are also run a ways. That is so far what I have read.

-Tomasz Parzadka

The truth about forever

In the book "The truth about forever" by Sarah Dessen, the main character Macey and her mother are dealing with loses. First Macey's father dies unexpectedly while going for a jog. And Macey begins to blame her self and starts to see her mother is too. Because Macey's dad had asked her to run with him that morning but she didn't want to. But five mintues after he had left she decided to join him, but it was too late... She saw him on the ground and a nice neighbor was next to him giving him CPR. But all she can focus on now is school and trying to help her mom sell houses Because she knows inside that her moms suffering more than she is. Like after she starting going through all the things in the garage and giving it all away... But now Macey has more to focus on like a boyfriend of a year and a half.. That won't give her much personal affection and she doesn't understand why. And she has to give everything she has to figure everything out.

Elizabeth Hunt

Period 3

Summer of Fear.

I just finished the book 'Summer of fear'. In the end Rachel was right about Julia being a practicing witch. Everything that has happened bad, was accountable by her. Rachel and Julia got into a fight, then Julia revealed that she wasn't really Julia at all. She was named Sarah, and she stole Julia's identity after she died. Rachel then locked her into a room in search to save her mom. while she was gone, her little brother was tricked into letting Sarah out of the room. Sarah left their house, and never to be seen again.

my book is Shattered Glass by Gail Giles

What happened in my book was the decision of a group of friends to turn the class geek into one of the popular guys at school. What I read last week was how Simon the geek was helping one of the friends, Young, to take Creative Writing class while his dad believes that he is taking advanced biology. All the guys when to Simon's house except for Rob, pretty much the leader of the group. While hacking into the school's network the boys found something unusual about Rob. When Simon was going to erase Rob's absences, he saw that Rob Haynes wasn't his real name. Rob was his middle name. So now the boys won't mention it to Rob but they are wondering why Rob wouldn't tell them anything about his life or his parents.

By: Mary Garbacz

"Shadow Boxer"

So far in my book "Shadow Boxer" I read that the main character George had lost his dad and now he has to help his mom and his brother. Since Georges dad past away George has be showing his brother eveything his dad ahd showed him about boxing and life. After George showed his brother how to box his borother thinks he can get in any fights and win. But George told him what their dad told them and said dont get in fight just to fight walk away and be the bigger person. But his brother doesnt listen and gets in a fight and id getting beat up by a person that is Georges age. George sees his brother getting beat up and trys to give his brother a chance to get up and fight back but he couldnt get up becuase the kid was sitting on him. Then George runs and gets the kid off of his brother and beats him up and knocks him out.


BY:BYRON DURAN

Monster Quassim Winters Per.1 SSR

My book is called Monster by Jonathan Kellerman. Its a pretty good so far. Currently in the novel, the detectives are questioning other suspects in the murder case. So far nothing has come across to them, not even help from the victims family. As the search for the killer moves on, the agents are scrambling to try and find some kind of clue or lead that can lead them to the killer and the closing of the case.

SSR 5

The book that i am now reading is " Can I Keep My Jersey?", by Paul Shirley. It is auto biography, So for in the story Paul is telling the story of his life and how his professional basketball career all started when he was just a small boy playing in his grave driveway with his brothers on their old junky hoop. In Paul's small hometown in Kansas were his house was on a intersection where the streets didn't even have a name. Paul also said he is going to tell how he was just an ordinary kid how happened to grow to be 6'10 and was very good at basketball. So far in the story Paul is summarizing what his life was like as a pro basketball player, not any pro basketball player. One that played on 11 teams, in 5 different countries, all in 4 years. Before he started his crazy short NBA career, Paul when to Iowa State University where he wasn't one of the stars on the team but he was one of the key contributors which led Iowa to back to back conference titles in his junior and senior years. The only reason he wanted to play basketball in collage was because he got a full ride academic scholarship, not an athletic so he got his collage degree for free. Paul never thought he was good enough to play Pro ball, he didn't think anything of it until graduation day of collage from Iowa State. Where he convinced himself with the help of his good friends to at least try to make it to the pros before he starts his long, real life working career. That's all i read up to, so far this book is very interesting, it makes me want to read more.


Joe Kamenske
Period 3

SSR Summary

Marissa Goliszewski
Period 3
Title: A Child Called It
By: David Pelzer

In the book, "A Child Called It," there is a four year old little boy that gets abused and his mother is the one who abuses him. A mother who acted all sweet and like a mother in the past years betrayed her own son and treated him like dirt all because she started drinking. He gets beaten for no reason at all just to make his mother feel better. He gets beaten whether it’s just punched or kicked or put over a stove and burned, his mother even told him to eat his little brothers dirty diaper. “IT”s father tries to help him as much as he can, but at times it is hard for him to because of his wife. When his father is at home, his mother doesn't do anything. When he goes to school he takes other kids lunches because he never gets any food. He is lucky if he gets his brothers left over fruity pebbles that are left over in the bowl. Sometimes he gets caught stealing other kids lunches and when he does the principle and teacher find all these bruises all over his body and ask what happened. They to talk to him about it but doesn’t want to so they call the police and sees what happens after that. That is all I read so far in my book.

SSR- Breaking Dawn (assignment 5)

Nariman Shehaiber

Period 3

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

In my book, Edward and Jacob took the baby out of Bella. It was a girl and they named her Renesmee. A mixture between Rene (Bella's mom) and Esme (Edward's mom). Afterwards, they went hunting when Bella was well enough. Edward was very amazed by how Bella used her senses when she hunted, any other newborn vampire wouldn't have been able to do that right away. After they were finished hunting, Bella wanted to see Renesmee. Edward didn't know if that was such a good idea because Bella could easily lose control and attack the baby. Like Jasper did to Bella in the first book of the series, Twilight. Bella was offended and demanded to see her baby girl. So, with everyone standing around Bella, ready to protect Renesmee if needed, Bella walked into the house and saw baby Renesmee in the arms of Rosalie. Bella was amazed by how beautiful Renesmee was and immediately fell in love with her daughter.

SSR assignment

Book: The Deep
Author: Peter Benchley
Joe Cosenza
Period 3

This week I am still reading The Deep. In this part of the story, the guy from the beginning of the story that wanted the first ampule from Sanders and Gail is back. He captures Sanders and Gail because he hears a rumor that they have found another valueable ampule of some sort of medicine. They don't want this man, Henri Cloche, to get the ampule, so they do not bringn it with them to his house. When they get there, he doesn't believe that they don't have it, so he makes them strip down to bare body, searching for the ampule. He told them not to tell anyone about this because he basically kidnapped them, and their friend Treece won't help them. Sanders and Gail go to Treece's house and tell him all about the experience with Henrri Cloche. That is how far I got this week in the book.

Extra Credit --- Emmys

A woman named Melissa Mcarthy won an emmy for ooutstanding lead actress in a comedy series. She was born in Plainfield Illinois which is not too far from here! I also really like her as an actress. I think she is funny and very entertaining to watch. I recently watched Bridesmaids, which she was in. I thought she was absolutely hilarious! It made me feel happy for her for winning an emmy and for coming so far in her actig career. http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/melissa-mccarthy ----Andrew LaRusso

SSR summary #2

This week i finished the book Shakespeare: A novel undead. Im going to summarize the ending of the book. Will and Kate were gettiong ready for the opening night of will's new play when he smells the undead. The whole crowd is just lifeless zombies. Will sees the queen watching and knows he has to protect her. Kate and Will fight of the zombies and make their way up to the queen. They find something very unpleasant, Nigromante. He has killed the queen's guards and is taunting her. He fights Will and almost kills him, so Kate lets him drink her blood. He then regains strength and kills Nigromante. The queen afterwards has Will work for her as a bodyguard and Kate goes back to Reginald. In the end Will has a brillant plan to fake Kates own death so they can run away together. I thought this was a very good book and recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers. --- Andrew LaRusso

SSR assignment. [ A Child Called "It"] by David Pelzer

The main character of my book is David Pelzer. He faces many struggles to try to survive the pain his mother is giving him. His mother doesn't really seem to care about David at all and calls him many names. Truely deep inside Davids like any other kid and makes mastakes. The author David as David himself, explains himself as a strong brave young boy who went to the fullest just to make his mother happy. All he got in return was a beating and awful punishments. In my eyes all David did was try, try to succeed to get his mother to be caring and happy once more as he used to know her.

(character methods used:
what others say
what author tells us/says.)

_Mildred Knapp, english 1 -period 3

SSR

Author: Mimi McCoy

Title: The Babysitting Wars

Summary: This book is about how three girls want to raise money so they could go to Wonder World. The main character Kaitlyn was the main money collector. She was a babysitter and a good one at that. She knows the whole neighborhood, and the neighborhood knows her. Then a new girl comes to town and things start to change. Nola is a babysitter too, and she is hanging around Kaitlyn’s crush, Topher. Then to me it seems like she is not spending time with her friends anymore.

Natalie Sarabia, per. 3

SSR Assignment 9/25.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone by JK Rowling: Chapter 16.

Harry Potter is of course, the obvious main character. He demonstrates this because he is incredibly brave and motivated to find the truth. In chapter 16, he is brave enough to go past Fluffy (the three headed dog) and catch the person trying to steal the sorcerer's stone along with Ron and Hermoine. The author tells us that Harry had been trying to figure out who Nicolas Flamel was and what he was famous for; being the creator of the sorcerer's stone. Then, all on his own Harry unravels the whole mystery of the story. That's why he's the main character.

Scott Quinn 1st period

My book title is named heat and the author is named Mike Lupica. This is so far a great book about a boy living in New York city and is living with his brother Carlos. The main character of the story is named Mike Arroy. His character traits is that he is a brave and is a nice person. He is a brave person because his father is dead and lives wig his brother that is under the age of having Mike. If the cops find out they are going to be deported because they came on a boat to America. So he has to be quite and play baseball without telling the truth about himself. He is a nice person because he is always protecting his friends an making sure that they Re ok. Mike is also trying to help out his brother anyway that he can.

my book is Shattered Glass by Gail Giles

My main character would have to be Simon Glass. To describe his personality Simon is more of an outcast because nobody wanted to be friends with him. Most kids at school judged him by how he looked, which was a geek who was chubby and unattractive. Now Rob and his friends are still proceeding to make Simon into a cool guy at school. After hanging out with Simon, Rob and the others have realized that Simon is a funny guy because he makes them laugh when he makes a joke out of someone or something done. Simon is a friendly character because he told Young(Rob's friend) that he would hack into the school system to be sure that Young can take creative writing class except report cards and others will have him taking advanced biology. Through the making of the cool Simon Glass Rob and the others are seeing that he can become their friend.

By: Mary Garbacz

Runner by Carl Deuker

The best way to describe my character is by his personality. One of the key aspects of his personality is his maturity. Chance is one of few kids who grow up doing stuff on their own. Without anyone telling them what to do or how to do something. Chance has always shown great maturity since his mom left him. From then on he lived with his father who was never home because he was always out drinking. So Chance grew up taking himself to school, working at different places for money, learning how to cook, and now even paying all the bills. Chance never had a real chance to be a kid because of him learning how to live on his own, and doing everything on his own. He even said in the book to one of his moms friends that he wished he would have been told what to do and learned from his parents how to do things growing up, but sadly that never happened. He's now looking forward to being recruited by the army so now someone will be giving him commands and now getting the chance for someone to tell him what to do. Chance's life is a really different life than most of us have, and I think we should be grateful for not having such a difficult life like Chance

Enrique Miranda, 3 period

Shadow boxer

One way to describe my main character George is the he is brave. George is brave because he is still living his life like nothing happen even though his dad is no longer with him. Another reason why he is brave is because since his dad is gone he had to step up and become the man of the house at the age of fourteen. Another thing is that now he has to take care of his mother and his brother and take care of himself. That is what makes my main character George brave.


By:BYRON DURAN

SSR4

One way to describe the main character Rachel is smart. Rachel is smart because she knew something was up with Julia. She was persistent to the end of the book with her suspicion. She talked to her neighbor about her. She even checked out books to find out more. No one believed her when she was accusing Julia of being a practicing witch. They were wrong, Rachel pulled through and proved Julia was up to no good.

SSR

Martin Rangel
period 1

I have just finished reading tears of a tiger. One trait i would use to describe Andy would be that he is athletic. He became the captain of the basektball team after his friend died. He also uses his skills to deal with his depression from the accident as he gets distracted and focuses only on the game. Another trait would be his mixed/hidden feelings about the accident. At first he couldn't hold it together, but then he started seeing a pyschologist, Andy fooled them all as he acted like he was improving but he was actually getting worse. Finally he couldn't take it anymore and decided to end his life with a gunshot. It really shocked them as they thought he was improving. This is a really good book.

SSR 4

I have just finished reading "Slam" by Dean Myers. This book was very good, it never got boring, i never got tired of reading it. Overall i thought it was a great book. Slam, the main character has influenced me with his great character traits such as always being determined to do everything. Like in the story he is always determined to win get good grades, go to collage. Everything he does, he lives off of success. He always plays his heart out even when his team is down, have no chance to come back, tired, they are the underdogs, no matter what he tries his best to win. The two methods of characterization that he uses that show he is determined is how he feels about basketball, school, his girlfriend, his family, and his future. Also i believe he shows he is determined when of people in the story talk about how focused and determined he always is when he wants to do good for something. Such as basketball or his school work. This book has really inspired me to try my best at things, never to give up, and to always believe in yourself.

Joe Kamenske

Period 3

SSR Novel

Dean Khater
One trait I m using to descibe my main character is his actions. In the story he goes to games or news to get the scoope for his post. Now he is exploring the Army-Navy games's sercerity for his story. Steven is a good kid that works hard. He just does his job good. His main story in this story is the mystery at the game. Now he is trying to slove that for another story.

SSR 4

I would describe my character in many ways. But the main way I would describe him is strong. He is going through alot right now in the book. I would describe him as strong because he works every day at a young age. He is only a boy that ran away and started to work alone. He did have some friends in the beginning but he lost them to. He didn't get hurt at all. He didn't cry about it and he still did what he was told to do. He would wake up early in the morning and work until night all for five dollars, every single day. This is why I think he is strong, mentally and physically.

-Tomasz Parzadka

lock and key

In the book Lock and Key the main character is Ruby. One characteristic of Ruby is she is very stubborn. One example is that she refused to go live with her sister. But she ends up having to go live with her anyways. She said that she was doing fine living without her mom anyways and didn' understand why she had to go live with her sister. Even though Ruby turned eighteen in the next couple months the police told her she had too. The second example is that she refused a ride home from Nate who is Ruby's new neighbor. Who offered her rides to school and she refused but ended up having to get rides with him everyday because she wakes up too late to take the city bus. So even if Ruby is stubborn she doesn't get her way anyways.

Elizabeth Hunt

Period 3

By Sarah Dessen

SSR- Breaking Dawn (assignment 4)

Nariman Shehaiber

Period-3

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

One word to describe my main character in Breaking Dawn who is Bella, would be strong. Bella is physically and mentally strong. She is fighting for her and her baby's life and doesn't want to give up even in the worst times. She does everything she can to keep that baby alive. She doesn't let Carlisle take it out of her and she doesn't let anyone try to harm it in any way. Also, when Bella is hurting and Edward asks her if she is okay she tells him that she is fine, the baby is just getting big. She is not only protecting the baby with actions, but also with words. When the bruises start showing up on her stomach and her ribs keep breaking she tells everyone that the baby just needs room to stretch. She stays strong not only for the sake of herself, but for the sake of the people around her because she doesn't want them being worried about her. She is a strong fighter.

SSR Assignment

Title: Stargirl
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Period: 3
Marissa Goliszewski

A character trait that I would use to describe my main character, Stargirl would have to be different. Stargirl is very different in her own way. In the book, it says that she was not dressed like the other girls. She wore a long white dress with ruffles. She also always carries a  ukulele on her back. Stargirl always knows when it's someones birthday. At lunch whenever it's someones birthday she would go up to them and start singing while strumming her ukulele. When she cheers at football games, she cheers on for the other team instead of her own team. Everyone in the book sees her as very different because no one does that except for her.

SSR assignment

Author: Peter Benchley
Title: The Deep
Period 3
Joe Cosenza

A character trait I would use to describe my main character, which is David Sanders, would have to be outgoing. He is always looking for adventures and new wrecks and ships to discover under the water. He is outgoing because his actions and speech depict it. He always tells his wife that he wants to go discover new wrecks and ships. Sanders is also excited most of the time because he is just that kind a person that always has a smile on their face. He also says it in his words too! Sanders is very sociable and that is a sign that shows he is outgoing. He enjoys talking to new people and meeting them. Sanders loves to tell new people about the discoveries he has made also.

SSR characterization

My main characters name is William Shakespeare. He is talented and quick. I got this from the characterization i found in the book. I said he was talented because everyone he meets says he is the best playwright out there. Also he is most well known for being a playwright. I also said he was quick. I said this because whenever he is escaping the zombies he always makes it out alive. He also caught up to his mistress when she was across the city of London. ----- Andrew LaRusso

The Child Called "it" by Dave Pelzer

As I'm reading a new book i picked out (The Child Called "it") i can honestly say it is the most amazing yet saddest book I've ever read. Dave gets abused by his drunken intoxicated mother. This book makes me realize i should be thankful for the mother i have. His mother doesn't let him ever eat, and if hes lucky his own vomit. As I'm reading this book it hurts me deep in my heart and makes me wonder what did Dave ever do to deserve this. Getting poisoned from being forced to swallow and getting hit for no reason is pathetic. If his father were to even say a word his mom would always win the argument. Honestly i wish child abuse would just end.

_Mildred Knapp
period; 3

Runner by Carl Deuker

I really don't like that Chane is smuggling drugs for Money. Why cant he just get a legal job not an illegal one. People are starting notice his smuggling but still don't really get what he's actually doing. Chance is pretty much getting away with his smuggling by telling people that hes looking for stuff to write about on the school newspaper. Except he's actually not, he's actually looking for boxes with drugs between these 2 giant rocks. Chance's father told him that he must quit his job immediately after the owner of the bike store tells Chance's dad that he has the full time job. I hope his dad gets the job so Chance can quit his illegal drug smuggling before he gets caught. What i've learned so far is that if you really need money find help dont do illegal smugglings like Chance.
-Enrique Miranda, Period 3

SSR Novel

Dean Khater

I liked that in the story Steve got a life time experince. He got a tour at the Army's collage. He also got to meet the President of the Washington Post. He also got to meet a former Army collage football player. While he was at the Army's acmedy, they said a speech that inspired the fans of Army football and Steve. I learnded that when you have a chance to make something big you jump on it. Also that when life throws oppurtutines that you take them and make the best of them.

The book I am reading is called Shattered Glass by Gail Giles. The story is how a popular guy named Rob is going to have a plan to make Simon Glass, the class geek, into a cooler/popular person. Rob and his friends have went to Simon's house to help him out by picking out clothes, etc. This can effect me because it shows that I must give everyone a chance to show who they are and that I can't just ignore them. Also, I have the ability to help those who need it. I can help those who feel lonely during school by communicating with them or any other people. This also effects me by letting me know to let others help me to becoming a better individual.

By: Mary Garbacz - period 3

Heat

The book I'm. Reading is Heat by Mike Lupica. This book has effected me by how the main character is so poor. He shows me that you can do anything if you work hard at it. Also his dad died a couple of months ago but he still wants to accomplish his goal that his dad told him he can do if he works hard. His goal was to play in the Little League World Series. This effected me by that you need a goal to set for yourself because if you work hard enough you can achieve it. This a good book so far and effected me by how strong Michael. Scott Quinn 1st period

Heat

The book I'm. Reading is Heat by Mike Lupica. This book has effected me by how the main character is so poor. He shows me that you can do anything if you work hard at it. Also his dad died a couple of months ago but he still wants to accomplish his goal that his dad told him he can do if he works hard. His goal was to play in the Little League World Series. This effected me by that you need a goal to set for yourself because if you work hard enough you can achieve it. This a good book so far and effected me by how strong Michael.

To Be Mona By: Kelly Easton

In this book, Sage, has to put up with a lot. For example,she has a whole lot of problems at school, she has issues with her boy friend, she is loosing her best friend, and she has to be the responsible one of her family. This book has really taken an effect on me. I may not get every thing I want in my life, but this book makes me appreciate what i have. Where Sage on the other hand has to deal with what little she has. She has to do everything in and out of her house. I have to do very little but i still whine when i am told to do something. So, thanks to this book i will try my hardest to appreciate what i have and be willing to do things for my family just like Sage. In the book, Sage at first wished she could be any one but who she was and have anything that she didn't have, but in the end she was satisvied with what she had and was glad to have it. I too now feel the same.
By: Lizzy Forbes

Tears of a tiger,

The book I have been reading is Tears of a tiger. Until now it has been really interesting. It is about a group of friends who are in their school's basketball team who get in a car accident and their capitan,Rob dies. Andy who was driving the car was drinking as well as the others except for B.J. Andy was the one that had trouble accepting what had happened and has been really depressed. He is currently seeing a pyschologist to help him along the way of forgetting about the accident. This is a very extraordinary story so I'm excited to see how this book blows my mind.

lock and key

In the book lock and key Ruby is dealing with a lot of family issues. This has affected me in a way of seeing how bad life can really be. Instead of money problems or not getting what you wanted at the store, etc. It shows to me that you could have it much more worse. Because in Ruby's situation where her mom totally doesn't care about her and she has to move in with a sister that she hasn't seen in years. But she still finds a way to see the brighter side of things. Like finding friends and trying to keep in touch with old ones. And maybe even a boyfriend soon. But can't seem to stop thinking about her old life and how it had changed so fast. Sometimes she wishes that she could change it all back. But this book really affected me to look differently at situations and life's not really as bad as you think it could be.

Elizabeth Hunt

SSR ASSIGNMENT.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
Right now, I'm in the part of the book where Harry Potter finds out that Hagrid has a dragon egg, which is illegal. When it hatches, it starts to create terrible trouble for Hagrid to handle. So, they decide to owl Ron's brother in Romania to see if he can take it in. He sends back the message that his friends are coming to see him and they can stop by the tallest tower at midnight. That's their chance! They take Norbert (that's what Hagrid names it) up the flights of stairs under the invisibility cloak and give it to the friends of Ron's brother. On their way down, forgetting the cloak, they get caught by Mcgonacle. I like this part because it shows that they are adventurous and eager to get things done as well as having to be forgetful. That's what I like about the book. Even though it's Fantasy, the characters still have human characteristics.

Summer Of Fear.

I am still reading the book "Summer of Fear". The way this book has effected me was the feeling that I'm not alone. When i say that, i mean that i relate to this book a lot. Just like Rachel; sometimes i feel like someone's ruining my life intentually too. Or, even the way she doesn't like to do things with the person who makes her mad. I can also connect to Rachel the way that if she finds something interesting; she has to go find out more about it, just like me. For that reason, I think thats why i enjoy this book so much.

- Tina Maciaga.

SSR

There are a lot of feelings that you can get from the book "The Beet Fields." One of my feelings is gratefulness. I say gratefulness because the boy in the story didn't have much. He ran away and went working on farms. He had to pick beets at such a young age. He only got to eat dry bread and a bit of peanut butter. Then he met these illegal immigrants and had been a part of them as a family. They were like a family to him because he hated the ones at home, and never treated him right. So I am grateful to have my family, a home, and something to eat. Unlike him he has to go hunting for food. He catches pigeons. unlike him I can go to the store and buy some meat. So that's why I am grateful because not everyone has great things. Be happy with what you have.

-Tomasz Parzadka

Stargirl By: Jerry Spinelli

By: Marissa Goliszewski

I am still reading the book, Stargirl By: Jerry Spinelli and in Chapter 14 there was a basketball game. Stargirl went and she cheered. She cheered for the Mica team, not the opposing team Sun Valley. Sun Valley was ahead until their best player, Ron Kovac, broke his ankle. The loss of the best player on the other team made the Electrons(Stargirl's team) to come from behind and win the game. Two nights later things went differently. There was another game. It was against Glendale this time. All five of the Glendale players were good and the Mica team lost. At the end of the game, someone threw a ripe tomato into Stargirl’s face. I feel very sorry for Stargirl. I mean if that happened to me I would feel very embarrassed and upset. I would also feel humiliated and feel like no one likes me or cares about me. That's probably how Stargirl feels. She didn't even do anything wrong, they just did it because they don't like her.

SSR #3

I am still reading "Slam!" by Dean Myers. This book has effected me by changing the way i look at things in the story such as Slam himself, his family and friends, his life in the ghetto and his life at a rich smart white school. But most of this book as effected the way I look at basketball. The book has told me that basketball in the life of Slam is his life. Basketball is what keeps him out of trouble, its what makes him want to go to school and do his school work, its what makes him want to do good in school, its what makes him a want to get smarter, stronger, and better at everything, including basketball. But most of all I think if it wasn't because of basketball Slam wouldn't want to get up and start his day, he would be stuck in his old ghetto high school, "Carver" were there is a very low graduating percentage, and even a lower percentage of their students going to collage. He would be living on the "stump" like most of the kids in his neighbor hood. The stump is like living off everything sleep anywhere, they wake up and sell illegal drugs all day until they get caught and go to jail or join a gang or get shot. That is why this story has effected the way I look at basketball and Slams life.

Joe Kamenske Period 3

"Shadow Boxer"

A way that my book effected me was that it made me feel lucky and greatful. I say this because unlike George I dont have to be the man of the house at the age of 14 and help take care of my brother and help my mom take care of the house. I also feel greatful because George lost his father and I still my father in my life to help me make goood chooses in my life. This book also should me how happy that I have a good life and dont have that many hardships in it like other people do or like how George does. That is how my book has effected my so far.


BY:BYRON DURAN

SSR 3- Breaking Dawn

This week I'm still reading Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. In this part of the book, Jacob and Seth are still trying to protect Bella from the wolf pack's plan to kill her. Edward and Jake are beginning to become closer and are starting to like and respect one another a bit more. Jake left his pack just to protect Bella, and I think that's part of the reason Edward started respecting him more. This part of the story is probably my favorite because of Edward and Jacob getting along and because this is part of the rising action. The rising action, to me, is the best part of the book. I'm excited to read on and see if the wolves attack and what happens to Bella and the baby.

-Nariman Shehaiber (P.3)

SSR 3

This week I am still reading The Deep by Peter Benchley. In this part of the story, the main characters are diving to find remains of the Goliath(the sunken boat). While there are down there, they find a bottle of medicine in a special kind of glass. When they take it back to land, the glass owners offer to pay big bucks for it, but they turn it down to actually see what its worth. The couple takes it to the closest guy that knows everything about the Goliath, and he says it is something valueable; therefore, he wants to examine it, so they leave it there for him to look over. My opinion on this is AWESOME because they found a valueable piece from the Goliath that people want. This makes me think if I ever found something pricey like this bottle of medicine, and who I might sell it too, or how much I'd charge it for. I liked this part of the book because I think this might be part of the rising action, and to me, the rising action is the most intense, and most interesting part of a story.

By Joe Cosenza

SSR 3

This week i am still reading Shakespeare a Novel Undead. This time when i read it talked about how Kate told everyone that her nurse had the plague. This caused everyone to flee in terror and they had to lock her nurse in the stables. I have mixed emotions about this. From Kate's point of view it seems like a good idea because now Kate doesn't have to worry about her nurse checking up on her every minute, and can do whatever she wants, and be free. I also think what she had done was a very mean thing to do. I mean Kate locked her own nurse in the stables by telling lies. That seems very dishonest and cold to do to her. Overall i felt very sorry for her nurse and her predicament, and i felt anger towards Kate for doing such a thing. ----- Andrew LaRusso

SHATTERED GLASS

I can connect to what I have read in my book because a group of friends have a plan to help a kid that nobody really likes to become a more popular. My friends and I in eighth grade did the same thing except we were going to help a new girl have some friends to talk to at school. We didn't want her to be left out since she was new to school and didn't know anyone. The difference is that Rob and his friends from in the book were helping a kid out that most people knew since grade school and a kid who just was an outcast. Rob and his friends were going to do that for their satisfaction. My friends and I were going to help out the new girl because we knew its tough on the first day starting at a new school. The new girl ended up to become a friend of ours. In the book it doesn't seem like Rob and his friends will become good friends with the kid Simon Glass.

By: Mary Garbacz

SSR connection

24 girls in 7 days_ by Alex Bradley.

In the book i am reading it is around prom time and everyone's looking for dates. i can connect to Percy and Natalie( Jack's friend). reason being that they are trying to help Jack find a date to the prom. my friend and i had to help our friend out. Jack is a shy kind of guy and so is my friend. One difference is that Jack's looking for a prom date and shes looking for a homecoming date. So we basically had to ask people for her or find someone to ask her. Jack still didn't find anyone and neither did my friend, but Jacks friends, aswell as my friend and i are still on a mission to help our close friend to find a date to homecoming.

{Mildred Knapp.}

SSR

author: Gail Giles
title: Dead Girls Don't Write Letters
summary:Well, this book is an interesting piece of work. There are so many twist in this book, one including how Sunny (the narrator) knows that her sister is dead. Once Sunny gets a letter from her dead sister she knew something was wrong. Her sister said that she was coming home and when she arrived Sunny and her dad automatically knew that it was not Jazz. Their mother was still so lost on her pills that she thought it was Jazz. so the dad told Sunny to go through dinner so her mom would feel batter even though they both know there is an impostor among them. then Sunny wanted to know why would a person do such a think like this and she drew up a plan.

Harry Potter Connection.

In the first Harry Potter Book (Chapter Thirteen), I connected with Harry, Ron, and Hermione about trying to find out about Nicolas Flamel. I was doing a research project on Ghandi in Sixth Grade. I headed to the library just as they did. I searched tons of books and even watched a movie on him to tell the right and accurate information. As the chapter goes on, they eventually figure out Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone. And that is what the dogs protecting underneath them.

SSR Conection

Dean Khater,

I can make a connection to my book The Rivaly with Steve. He likes to be compatative and tries to be better than Susan. When the Army-Navy was coming he jumped on the opportunity to beat her. Im like steve because I like to compatative and beat my friends at everything. I also like to be better than friends at sports so i can be better than them. I think im more compatative than Steve because if i loose i get really mad.

SSR- Breaking Dawn (connection)

My connection to Jacob's point of view section of Breaking Dawn would probably be that Jacob was protecting a dear friend. The wolf pack wanted to kill Bella because they thought her baby would be a threat to them. Jake was appointed to kill Bella but he simply could not do it. He loved Bella so much that he left the pack to protect her along with Seth. I could connect to this because if I was told to kill or even hurt a friend I would never be able to do it. I believe in karma, and what goes around comes around. Not hurting a friend is good karma for yourself. Also, you gain your friend's full trust and respect. Both Edward and Bella saw that Jake had really changed for the good. Edward became more accepting of Jacob and I could tell that there's going to be a really good relationship between the both of them.

Nariman Shehaiber

lock and key

In the story lock and key Ruby and her family doesn't get along all to well. And it's sort of the same situation in my family, because were always fighting. Like no body can ever get along, we all have our differences. And choices of opinion and how we look at a situation. And in Ruby's family her sister Cora left right after high and got scholarships to college and totally forgot about her mother and sister. So then her mother decided to do the same. And she looks at her decisions differently than how other people might. But i mean every family has its problems.

Elizabeth Hunt period 3

SSR Connection

The connection I have with the book "Slam!" by Dean Myers is Greg or "Slam" is that he loves to play basketball and so do I. Also he is in high school, Slam's mom always wants him to do good in school just like my mom and she says school comes first before fun and games. Just like Slam's mom said to him when he was to busy worrying getting better at basketball then to get his grades up. He grew up watching his brothers playing basketball and he started to play very young like I did we both wanted to be good as them. Now in the story Slam is better than his brothers by far. He can dunk! Obviously that's where he gets his nick name. More and more I read of this story the more i can connect to it. When first started reading it was boring but now I can stop reading it.

Joe Kamenske period 3

9.11

9.11
well to me this day was a horrible way to start over,but that is exactly what it did. the day known as 9.11 was the acts of terrorist attacking the pentagon, the twin towers in New York, and a Pennsylvania farm location in the United states.The planes crashing into Americas soul made the US stronger. this horrific event lead the US in a better direction starting with tighter air port support systems. Things like that made the US take the wars and battles to the other country's so we don't fight on our soil. this attack was the first real fight on our soil, the first and last because the United States thinks of its people first.

9/11 Extra Credit

It starts off by saying how long the 9/11 attack has been, three-thousand six-hundred fifty-two days. Also saying how families gathered to honor 2749 people that died on ground zero. Not only did the workers die but so did the heroic firemen and officers that tried to rescue them. Another 224 people died in Pennsylvania where they were also honored. In there honor President Obama read Psalm 46, which talks about God as “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Former President Bush quoted Abraham Lincoln saying “I pray that our heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement.” There was also a few of moments of silence first at 8:46 a.m., the time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the north tower, and again at 9:03 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 175 smashed into the other tower. Another silence at ground zero and at the Pentagon came at 9:37 a.m., when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into what had been considered the unshakable nerve center of the world’s most powerful military. Finishing it of by saying God Bless and Rest In Peace.

-Tomasz Parzadka

"Shadow Boxer"

The connections that I have with my book, would propbably be that the main character. Becasue he is fourteen year old, he is love with the sport that his dad show him which is just like me but my dad thought me how to play soccer. Another thing that I can connect with is that George and his dad have a really good relationship. Which is just like me and my dad.


By:BYRON DURAN

Connection

A connection I have with the story The Light In The Forest is that I remember when my teacher would tell us about the pilgrims and the Indians. How they came to America for land. But in this story the white people came to take people. So then in both stories they had to fight for the land. After a long battle there is only 1 winner. This story also reminds me of other historic battles. Such as the battle of Little Bighorn. Also between the Indians and English.

-Tomasz Parzadka

Summer Of Fear.

In the book 'Summer Of Fear' Rachel feels like everyones against her, ever since her cousin Julia came to town. Everything Rachel does, she gets let down; like she's not good enough. But, everything Julia does is perfect. I can connect to this because I have four older brothers, and it's hard being compared to them. I can relate to Rachel because I feel ignored sometimes too, or nothing I do is right either. When it was Rachel's birthday, she didn't want to celebrate it; just because the fact that Julia was going to be there. I can admit I do the exact same thing, sometimes when i get so mad at someone in my family, i don't want to do anything with them. Even if it means I can't have fun, I don't want them there.

-Tina Maciaga.

Stargirl By: Jerry Spinelli

Marissa Goliszewski
  Summary 

There's a girl named Stargirl Caraway that's a new student at Mica Area High School. She's going into 10th grade and used to be home schooled. She's not like everyone else, she wears no makeup and dresses very different. There's a guy named Leo and his friend Kevin that want her to be a guest on their in-school TV show Hot Seat. They don't know her that well, but with the rumors that they heard about her they think she would be a good guest. A girl named Hillari Kimble tries to make sense of Stargirl and thinks that she was planted in the school. Leo thought if she was a plant, she couldn't be on Hot Seat. The next day of school Stargirl changes and becomes a whole different person. She wears an outfit that everyone wears and wears makeup to try to fit in with the rest. Leo thinks about her a lot especially at night in the moonlight and he decides that she must be real.

Connection 

A connection that I have to the book, Stargirl By Jerry Spinelli is at school Mallory Stillwell, the cheerleaders’ captain, invited Stargirl to join the cheerleading team. Stargirl does and even wears the same clothes that the other cheerleader’s wore. My connection is that I have been a Cheerleader for about five years. I’ve been on St. Alberts, Flying High Cheer galaxy which is a competitive team for two years, Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School, and now Oak Lawn Community High School. Just like Stargirl she’s on the Cheerleading team at Mica Area High School. That’s my connection that I have to the book.