Book Title: The Skin I’m In

Author: Sharon G. Flake

3. Select 1-2 passage/quotes from the test that hold meaning for you. Explain why you chose the specific passages/quotes, including any significance to the plot, themes, or messages of the book.

Passages:

p41; I didn’t used to mind being this color. Then kids started teasing about it.  Making me feel like something was wrong with how I look. And when Daddy passed away, that just made things worse.

-I chose this passage because this book is mainly about a girl struggling at school because of her skin color and overcoming it. The passages shows her questioning the world WHY she has to be the one who’s being bullied.  I think this passage explains the main cause of this book very well.

p73; “The more she sewed them clothes, the better she got. She started picking up after herself. Got a job and all. No, ain’t nothing good come from loving somebody so much you can’t live without ‘em,” I say. “No good at all.”

-Maleeka said this quote in class while they were talking about the book, Romeo and Juliet. Some said that dying over somebody is romantic. However, Maleeka’s opinion was different. She knew the real consequences of it by seeing her momma suffering because of her Daddy’s death.

I really like this book because the voice of Maleeka is honest, powerful, and readers-dragging. Also, the story about her is pure, and realistic.

~YJ

Book Title: Into the Land Of the Unicorns

Author: Bruce Coville

6. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or Why not?

-In my opinion, Into The Land Of The Unicorns could be recommended to anyone, not only my friends. It drags the reader into the story with its wonderful plot and characters.

What I really liked about this book was the twists and turns involved in the adventure of Cara because they are all unexpected and surprising. Thus, I kept reading and reading. I was eager to know the ending, if Cara would return the amulet to the queen, or if the hunter would capture Cara and the company. Most important, the descriptions that the author made for every scene absorbed me and I could clearly picture the scene.

Furthermore, once you start reading Into The Land Of The Unicorns, you won’t be able to stop because it is filled with so many interesting details. Another thing that would keep the readers reading this book is the mysteries that happen. They make the reader curious about the solutions!

After all, who wouldn’t want to read the book that if full of adventure, twists and turns, and mysteries?

Book Title: Great Expectations

Author: Charles Dickens

‘Great Expetations’ is a story of excitement and danger, adventure and murder, but most of all self-discovery. (quoted from the introduction of the book.)

As the introduction said, the book is about MURDER!!! (scary, huh?!) Anyways, while I was reading this book, I found a lot of unique words. So this time with my book review, I decided to do unique vocabs in the story& meanings of them& examples from the book.

Here’s the list of words that I found interests (remember, these are some of the words that “I” found interests!) :

Marsh- (n) an area of soft, wet land

Example: Though I was hungry, I dared not eat mine, for I had to have something in reserve for frightening man on the marshes, and his friend, the still more frightening young man.

Hulk- (n) an old ship that is now not in use as a ship.

Example: ‘Another convict’s escaped. There was a convict off last night, escaped from the hulks, and they fired warning of him.’

Pantry- (n) a small room near a kitchen where food or dished are kept.

Example: I heard her steps proceed to the pantry.

Forge- (n) a place where metal objects are made by heating and shaping.

Example: Joe had got his coat off, and went into the forge.

Misery- (n) great unhappiness

Example: He took up his glass, looked at it through the light, put it down-extended my misery.

For this book review, I decided to do a character analysis of Dawn Rochelle, the main character in the book. The basic summary of the book is based on a girl called Dawn Rochelle going through a disease called ‘cancer’.

Traits:

-Optimistic

Evidence: p20; ‘She brushed her long, auburn hair and tied it up in a pony tail. “So,” she told her reflection, “in a few weeks I may be bald.” It bothered her a lot.It had taken her years to grow her hair past her shoulders. “I’ll get it cut tomorrow!” she said firmly. If she was going to be bald, then she’d get used to short hair right now!’  If you know that you have cancer, it’ll be hard for you to admit it. However, Dawn admitted the fact and found a way of being positive which helps to heal a disease.

p31;’Dawn nodded, feeling renewed vitality and hope about getting well. “I wish I could draw,” she mused. “I’d draw a picture of an army of teddy bears charging out to fight these green, gloppy looking blobs. My teddy bears would be riding white horses and carrying long lances like knights of the Round Table.” She started giggling at the thought of Mr.Ruggers leading a brigade of pandas, potbellies, and fuzzy-wuzzies in her defense.’ Again in this passage, she thought of positive thoughts and tried to think in a optimistic way.

-Friends-loving

Evidence: p85; Sandy hurtled across the flooring shouting Dawn’s name, and flung herself in to Dawn’s arms. Both girls jumped up and down, shouting, laughing and talking at once. “I can’t believe that I’m here!” Sandy cried in her soft West Verginia accent.

“Me either!” Dawn shouted. “We’re going to have so much fun! I’ve already saved us beds in our cabin!” Dawn told her’

She became so excited when Sandy came to go on a vacation with Dawn. She is always amused with her friends.

-Strong; harsh in a good way

Evidence: p12;’Dawn blinked very hard and angrily forced down the rising lump in her throat. “I’m not going to cry!” she told him through gritted teeth. “It won’t help. It won’t change anything.”‘

p21;’Her parents kissed her good night and left. Dawn lay in the unfamiliar bed blinking back a sudden rush of helpless tears. “Stop it!” she commanded herself. “Crying won’t help!”‘

She tries not to cry because she knows that it changes nothing. I think holding on to tears for thirteen years girl isn’t easy especially when the reason for the cry isn’t simple.