Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Significance: This story is about true love. That true love is invincible, and can get through anything. A wealthy lady (Darcy) is dating a lovely, smart, gentleman, when she meets his friend, who she has an affair with. She thinks that she is in love with both guys until she is reunited with her former friend from middle school. Its also about karma; Darcy does many naughty things in her past life, and she has to pay when she is unexpectedly pregnant with twin boys. It seems her life can’t get any worse, but she is broke, and hasn’t bought anything for the babies yet.
Perspective: This book was written by Emil Giffin. I am experiencing this story from Darcy’s point of view. If it was from her ex-boyfriend/fiancé’s point of view he might think of her actions a bit juvenile when Darcy sees nothing wrong with it at all. This book was probably taken place in present days because of most girls presently are obsessed with shopping, and Darcy practically lives at the mall. If this story was written by a male, I think that the story would be totally different; the main character might be a guy, and he is obsessed with girls, and skate boarding, and he probably wouldn’t be pregnant.
Evidence: Something Blue sounds very true, and could actually be a real story because the author used the names of real stores, and the name of her company is a real company. That tells me that the author could kind of relate to the main character because she knows all of the facts in the book. I knew that Darcy would end up liking Ben because the author made him take care of her while she was pregnant. At first, I supported Marcus’ opinion; that Darcy was nothing but a spoiled, wannabe, brat. But as her character developed, I realized that she really cared about the environment, and I felt sorry for the things she went through.
Connection:I could totally relate to her bad karma experience because now I am so cautious, and think that what comes around goes around. I know a lot of my friends who are just like Darcy, obsessed with shopping, and only cares about themselves, and their needs, and they don’t care about the consequences until it’s too late. The author used an original plot, and touched it up with emotion, that made me cry at the end. It wasn’t boring, and although I have read many books with the cheating, spoiled, pregnant lady, I found this one exciting, and powerful. This book also inspired me to read the prequel: Something Borrowed.
Supposition: I believe that after Darcy, and Ben get married, and raise the twins, they will live happily ever after. If Darcy was a bit older then she might not have been a glamour lady. People these days are so into appearance that they don’t see through the clothes, and fancy make-up into what really matters, the soul, the heart or the person. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t pursue looks, but don’t make it your main concern. Set your priorities straight, and make love a priority.

When Dad Killed Mom

Significance: This story taught me to love my parents no matter what because they will always love you, and appreciate you. Show love to both parent; Jeremy was a Mommys boy, and Jenna loved his Dad more. When the Mom died, Jenna barely felt sympathy for her because she didn’t get close to her mom. And she could not accept that her Dad was the killer. You have to tell someone if you love them before its too late.
Perspective: This story was written by Jullius Lester. If this story was written by female, it might have been When Mom Killed Dad. This story alternates from Jeremy’s perspective, to Jenna’s perspective. Jeremy uses kid like vocabulary, as opposed to Jenna who talks about teenager stuff like boys, and shopping. You can also tell how they are both on different sides; mom, and dad. I love both of my parents equally.
Evidence: I think that the author wants you to think that the Dad is guilty, but is using Jenna’s relationship with her Dad to try to get the readers to feel sorry for the Dad. At the end, the author put evidence behind to prove that the Dad killed her, but the author also made him apologize and made him learn his lesson; Never kill anyone. I also noticed that Jenna, and Jeremy get very depressed after the death, and take it out by being mad.
Connection: Sometimes I get really mad at one of my parents, and think that I hate them, but at the end, I know that I still love them so much. And I know many parents get split, or divorced, but killing is soooo bad. I think I’m connected to Jenna in a way because when my dog died, I was devastated, and I tried getting my mind off by playing more sports (getting a boyfriend in her case) I also noticed that after he died, I got really close to my other dog.
Supposition: If Jeremy was on his Dad’s side, and Jenna was on her Mom’s side, everything would be different; Jeremy wouldn’t of found Mom’s diary which had physical evidence that the Dad was having a affair with one of his therapist patient. Also, the Dad was attracted to Jenna (eww) and I don’t think she would of let him touch her if she didn’t like him as much

Apple Whites by Stephanie S. Tolan

Significance: I thought this story definitely taught me the importance of not judging a book by the cover. A boy named Jake Semple who is known as a “bad boy” only because he looks scary with his scarlet red hair spiked into individual points on his head, his all black wardrobe, and too many earrings to count. In this society it would be considered kind of cool, but to this country side town, just by looking at him made them back off. He had gotten kicked out of all of the schools in his hometown, and a generous home schooled family decided to give him a chance, and except him into there family learning styles. This is a family that looked past his bad boy rep, and accepted him for who he really was: a talented little caterpillar, waiting to crack out of his cocoon.

Perspective: This story was written by Newbery Honor author: Stephanie S. Tolan. I liked how the perspective of this story was told between 2 main characters: Jake, and E.D. I liked how E.D was part of the family, and was really the only person who hated having Jake stay in her house. Jake also hated being accustomed to there weird traditions, but over time, both of them make the best with the situation. Both characters are totally different, but at the end, they become the best of friends. I also learned that sometimes the story changes when another person tells it. They each may leave out very important details.

Evidence: I believe that this story is sort of old because Jake smokes, and our society doesn’t allow kids to smoke. I felt that the author really used detail to paint a picture of the story in my head because. All of the details in the story are factual which made it way easier to read the story. The fact this story is telling us is to realize that everyone has a good part in there body, and by being surrounded with loving people would help you change. The outside of someone isn’t nearly as important as the inside.

Connection: I would say that I would totally relate to E.D because she doesn’t like her family, or thinks that she doesn’t fit in with the family most of the times because she is neat, organized, and very independent as opposed to her family which are messy, obnoxious, and very social people. For me I feel that I am more independent than my family, and that I am more of a fun person than they are. The connection between E.D, and Jake is very negative now, but overtime I feel that they could probably end up to be in a very interesting relationship together. (Boyfriend/ Girlfriend) I find it cool that 2 people that may look totally different end up being so alike.

Suppositions: If the author chooses to write a sequel, I think it should focus more on E.D and Jake together. It should also focus on the potential of E.D, and Jake’s creative talent. If this story was told from someone else’s point of view like Destiny (the younger brother of E.D) it would probably be less detailed, and there would be a more basic plot. I like it better when there is an older point of view to the story. That way I can totally relate. If Jake was not an appalling guy, and he was more…. Nerdy, then the story would be totally different. First of all, E.D and Jake would be best friends. Plus, Jake wouldn’t like the home school, but only because it wasn’t traditional, and he wasn’t being taught enough. If you change one little detail in the story, the whole story could change dramatically.

Flour Babies By: Anne Fine

Significance: This story teaches us that caring for a baby takes a lot of responsibility, And that you shouldn’t take your parents for granted. Or in this case parent. This story is about a kid named Simon Martin. His class is assigned to a project where you have to care for a flour baby, substituting a real baby, and keep a baby journal recording your journey. At first he isn’t so happy about this project, but later, he realizes that by not caring about the baby, He is more like his father who walked out on his childhood when he was young. Then he gets made fun for caring for the stupid project. This story taught me to respect my parents seeing how much trouble, and things that they gave up for me.

Perspective: This story was written by the author Anne Fine. The author is a lady, and I felt that she did a really good job explaining the story from a young boys perspective. The story was from Simon’s point of view, so we saw what he thought. It probably took place in the late 80’s, or early 90’s because most schools don’t do flour babies as a health project. Personally I would love to do a Flour Babies project.

Evidence: The author is clearly for Simon learning about why his father left him that he does literally anything to find out why. Like he convinces all of his classmates to finish the project by lying, and Simon rarely lies. At the beginning I didn’t know understand what the author was talking about when they said that Simon Martin (The main character) and Martin Simon got mixed up, and they were sent to the wrong classrooms. At first I kept reading Simon Martin, not Martin Simon.

Connection: There is a history of schools using flour babies to teach kids about early parenthood. I think that there isn’t any connection between Simon and me because I have both of my parents currently with me, and also Simon is considered a “hoodlum” and doesn’t really have a history of good grades, perfect attendance record, and such to his reputation. I think that I’m would be considered more of a “geek” kind of person. I can relate Simon’s teacher to one of my former teachers because he doesn’t care for the students work at all, and hates that he got stuck with the lowest student education group.

Supposition: If they made a sequel for this book I would really like it to talk about Simon finding his dad because the end only stated that he learned why his father walked out on him, and that he learned the lesson behind the whole flour babies scheme. If this story took place in our present time, I bet they would use mechanical baby dolls that monitor all that you do to the baby.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by: Brian Selznick

Significance: This book teaches everyone that if you set your mind on doing something, and will do anything to accomplish it, your dream will come true. Hugo devotes his life to finishing the automaton. After the death of his dad, he is forced to live with his uncle, who one day disappears, and makes Hugo live by himself. Also, it informs us that pictures are worth a million words because the author, Brian Selznick, makes the story with mostly pictures.
Perspective: The author of this story is Brian Selznick. This book was probably taken place in the thirties because Hugo, the main character, lives in the clock, and makes it run manually, and now most clocks are run digitally. Also Hugo went to the theatre, and there were still black, and white movies. If Georges Méliès was telling the story, we wouldn’t know a lot about Hugo’s life, and how Hugo’s dad helped preserve the invention.

Evidence: The invention of the robotautomaton was made by Georges Méliès, and the evidence for that was the key to wind it up. There was only one , and it belonged to Georges wife, which was then stolen by his daughter. The alight drawings in the notebook that belonged to Hugo’s dad, is one of the only memories Hugo has of his dad. During the beginning of the story, we had no evidence of where Hugo’s uncle had disappeared. Hugo lived by himself until the Méliès adopted him.

Connection:I couldn’t relate to Hugo that well because I don’t stay by myself, I don’t steal toys, or anything for that matter, and I am not allowed to wander the streets by myself at night, and beg, or find food. I could however, connect to Georges’s daughter because I rarely make promises, I am very sensitive, and I believe in doing what’s best. Hugo’s devotion to finishing the automaton connects to me wanting to finish the novel that I am writing.

Suppostion: I think that Georges Méliès’s daughter, and Hugo would of made a great couple because they are, the same age, and both enjoy going to the movies, and both believe in accomplishing their Personal Legend. If Hugo had never chosen to steal the toys from Georges, he wouldn’t of finished it because he wouldn’t of met his daughter, and gotten her key to work it. He would still be living in the clock, and making them work, and he would still be begging for food.

The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts. By Lilian J. Braun

Signifigance: This book is very signifigant because it tells us that you shouldn't under-estimate anyone, or any animal in this case, of their ability of what they can, or cannot do. Cats are the least "things" you would expect to help Qwilleran solve the mosted talked about mystery in Pickax, and until further evidence is found, you wouldn't think that Boswell, a crippled old man, would committ murder to the most loved lady in that county. This book is part of a series of novels, and thats where i think the author gets some of her inspiration. She also has 2 simese cats like in the story. I chose to read this book because the title is very creative, and eye catching. You would expect to read about a cat who could talk, and seeing unrealistic ghosts, but it turns out to be a different story. Also with a great title, it plays with your imagination, and sends you thinking about possible soloutions, and you haven't even read the book yet.

Perspective: The author of this book is Lilian Jackson Braun, and she is known for creating these "The Cat Who..." books. I think this story's time period was in the 1950's because the murder scene wasn't as properly checked looked at as crime scene investigations now in days. I am looking at the these issues at a narator's point of view, but since Qwilleran is the main cahracter, and the character that the narating is based apon, we look at his thought the most. I want the reader to think of this book as a reminder to always judge someone by their personality, not there looks, intellegence.

Evidence: This is a mystery story; so much evidence is needed to support the concluconclusion. So if one thing changed, everything would change. That is what makes a murder mystery so hard to comprehend, you have to memorize a lot of little details that make up the conclusion.sion. Like if Qwilleran never found the family tree in the bible, he might not of solved the case. And if he never got the call from Ms. Cobb at night, he wouldn’t be asked to stay in her apartment, and he wouldn’t of found the evidence in the apartment, he wouldn’t of gotten the proof he needed in the museum, or from his nosy, and loud neighbor, Boswell, who ends up to be the murderer. But the evidence proves your assumption.

Connection: I really couldn’t relate myself with any of the characters because they were in another time period, and they were all old, but I could relate an incident that this book is trying to teach us. In the book they taught me not to make assumptions without proof like I said in the last paragraph. It taught me that anyone, or any thin is capable of doing anything. Like sometimes someone pulls a prank, and we immediately assume that the kids that goof around the most did it. Later on we found out that someone you might not of thought would do, did it. This reminded me of a quote by detective: “after eliminating all of the suspects, the unimaginable is the faultier.” I think that is his quote. It means after you figure out the obvious criminals didn’t do it, it’ll be the improbable person.

Supposition: I think that if Qwilleran never hired Ms. Cobb as his housewife, they would of never known each other, and Qwilleran wouldn’t of solved the murder that woke up Pickax. Also if Qwilleran was a lady that would totally change the story. First of all he wouldn’t go out with a girl librarian, and she wouldn’t have helped him get the facts to solve the mystery. Events lead to events, and those events lead to more events, and that leads to details, and pretty soon your at the conclusion. So if one thing changed, everything would change. That is what makes a murder mystery so hard to comprehend, you have to memorize a lot of little details that make up the conclusion

Frindle - Andrew Clements

Significance- I think that this story is very significant and has a lot of meaning because it tells the us that your imagination is your own limit to what you create. In this story, Nick is getting punished, and blamed from alot of the teachers for creating a replacement word (Frindle) for the word pen. Everyone should read this book because it talks about someone that isn't afraid to break free from fear, and get the nerve to create something that could get him in so much trouble. A risk like this takes strength, and confidence. I'm not saying to not listen to your teachers, but if you find something not fair, or something that needs to be changed, them go for what you heart believes in.
Perspective- This story was written by Andrew Claments, who is a Christopher Award winning author. I am looking at this from Nick's point of view, and I am on his side. For the whole story, I thought that the mean language arts teacher was the bad guy, but at the end, I figured that she was all for the frindle idea in the first place. (This is a 3rd grade level book)
Evidence- The authors brings up alot of facts while making the character fight the teacher. He tells us alot about the origin of the Webster Dictionary, and alot of facts about the origin of the word pen. In my opinion, although he is the main character of the story, I felt that he was not developed with much detail. I would sure like to know more about him. In the story he gets interviewed by many news casters, where are the details about that. I guess that they only put big details for the important parts, but every part should be important in the book.
Connection- This story is specifically connected to kids telling them to create things that you believe in. This story has inspired me to start saying the word frindle instead of pen. And one of my goals is to create the word gorange, which means beautiful, or gorgeous. That way there will finally be a word to rhyme with orange. If Nick hadn't made the word frindle, there wouldn't be this story. I know that this is a really a third grade level book. but it has inspired me to borrow my sister's Andrew Clements books.
Supposition-If this story took place back in the prehistoric age, maybe Nick would be calling a rock the frindle. Well, actually, back then, the english language wasn't developed. If Nick was older in the story, maybe in 7th, or 8th grade, I don't think the teachers would hate hime using that word so much. They would let him say that word as long as it didn't affect his work. If the story took place at HTMMA, it would actually turn into a short fad.