The Fairy's Mistake

The Fairy's Mistake is a great book by Gail Carson Levine. I love her books because she makes me laugh and enchants every story she retells. This book is a retelling of an old fairytale that I once read. Funny, when I read it, I thought it was just like Toads and Diamonds, another of her books. It was hilarious, and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I just finished re-reading it for the tenth time yesterday, and I got it on Friday! I just love this book. For those who are not familiar with the tale, here it is: A young girl, named Rosella goes out to the well. A fairy disguises herself as an old lady. Rosella gives water to the lady. She is rewarded by the gift that whenever she speaks, jewels come out of her mouth. Her sister Myrtle tries, but the fairy turns herself into a knight. Myrtle doesn't give water to the fairy and says something mean. The fairy makes bugs, and reptiles come out of her mouth. Soon a greedy prince takes Rosella away and Myrtle is terrorizing the kingdom with the bugs. In the end the fairy has had it. She fixes everything, and life goes on happily. That is the story (not the original of course). Tomorrow I will write about The Princess Test a retelling of the Princess and the Pea. Until tomorrow....

Fun Night

I love Fun Night (or in other words Halloween)! We have so much fun. Of course I don't go trick-or-treating like other people, I stay home. I'm sure you're wondering, how is that fun? Wait, there's more to it then just meets the eye. While all the lights are out and no candy is set, our own little Halloween party is going on inside. To protect the little ones from seeing scary stuff, we don't do costumes. Instead, we set out to carve our pumpkins. This time however, we had three! I got the biggest, my youngest sister got the medium-sized one, and my other sister and my little brother, got to have the smallest. We each pulled out the 'brains' and then set out out to put a smile on the pumpkins. My pumpkin was carved in the traditional way we do it: Hearts for the eyes, they symbolize seeing with love; Cross for the nose (don't ask me why); Fish for the mouth, it represents that verse: 'Jesus said unto them, And I am making you fishers of men. Now go and the disciples left him." We are to be fishers of men and speak the gospel; Bibles for the ears, to hear the Word of God. Noel and Joseph's pumpkin was fashioned like the regular jack o' lantern. Angelina had the word Jesus written on one side, and a cross on the other. After carving, we changed into pajamas. We ate pizza, popcorn, cookies, roasted and salted pumpkin seeds, and drank soda. Then we watched the fourth episode of Star Wars. It was so much fun! Though, we didn't get to watch the fifth or the sixth, but we are going to watch the sixth tonight. That's all for now, and I hope that I can write again soon!

Kirsten and the Runaway Friend

In my homeschool group there is a girl my age named Hannah. She is a very good friend of mine. We both happen to like American Girl mysteries, so she lent me a book that I have been trying to find. I liked it a lot, and wish that I could repay her for her kindness. This book was very mysterious. Though usually (I don't want to brag) I'm very good at figuring out a mystery, five chapters before the main character; I realized that I hadn't figured it out this time. Instead this time I was lost, not seeing how one thing could connect to the other. Here's how it was, picture this: there's half of the family on each side of rushing river. They can't swim across it, so they need a bridge. But what is it that they can use as a bridge? There's nothing around. Its impossible for them to meet, but they try anyway. That's sort of how it is with this book. I see both sides of the mystery, but what connects them? Until the last chapter, I couldn't figure it out. That just goes to show you how great a detective I am. At least, I know I can figure out some mysteries. Anyway, I enjoyed this book immensely, and highly recommend it for a girl with a good eye, and a love for mysteries. Till next time...

Keepers

Keepers was awesome yesterday! We had so much fun making scarves. On them were pockets! I loved adding on the large buttons to finish off my scarf. Yaya (my grandma) helped me learn how to tie knots and sew on buttons. There is nothing like having your own grandma help you sew something amazing. This may not be complicated or really big, but it was a good fun project, and I enjoyed it. Soon, we will make patterned scarves, instead of keeping the black ones. That will be fun. Maybe I can give Yaya my scarf for Christmas since I won't be needing it, and I'm sure she would like it. Well that's all until tomorrow...

The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure

A classic mystery, The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure, is a mysterious read. Full of fun and of course mystery, this book is one of my favorite classic mysteries. Besides starting a whole series, and creating some entertainment for readers, there used to be a television show of the Hardy Boys, their first mystery The Tower Treasure. Let me introduce the Hardy Boys: Frank, a sensible, dark haired high schooler, who loves a good mystery; Joe, a blond, but still just as avid and clever-minded as his older brother, a very good detective. In the 1970's, another television show was based on the Hardy Boys (proves that I'm not the only person who likes their books). Mr. Franklin W. Dixon wrote very interesting books. I like them. This one re-opened the Hardy world to me. I haven't read any of the books, and this one brought me back to my senses. I love a good mystery, and I'm sure I always will like the Hardy Boys books.

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer

Hi! Back to my normal blogging. NOW I finally have a book to write about! The Dragon in the Sock Drawer is an awesome book for younger readers. It is about two cousins, Jesse and Daisy. Jesse's over adventurous (and kind of chaotic) life is tiring him out, so Jesse goes to stay with his cousin and best friend, Daisy, in America. Both are into fantasy (like me) and have fun making their 'Museum of Magic.' When Uncle Joe takes the two up to find rocks,  Jesse finds what is called a 'thunder egg.' They are supposed to be full of crystals, but Jesse's egg happens to smell like red chili peppers and talk. The egg's surface even breaks three of Uncle Joe's tough saws, that would cut you if you touched them! Jesse's life changes when the egg hatches and out comes a dragon. However, the evil St. George, dragon-slayer and blood-sucker of dragons (he drinks the dragon's blood to keep him alive for centuries), shows up and he takes the dragon. Panicked, Jesse and Daisy find a way to save their dragon. The dragon turns into a sheepdog (a clever disguise). The cousins are allowed to keep him for now. I really like this book.

Dandelion Fire

Dandelion Fire is a good book.  I had fun reading it. It sends a chill down your back, one that you half enjoy, half fear. This book is funny at parts and ultimately drags the reader into it. The mystery gets bigger and bigger, you find more twists and turns, more walls (questions), more opponents racing to get the end. You are in the thick of it, understanding something, but then you turn around and that person gets the last laugh. When will it stop? The questions that must be answered will be answered: In the third book. Will life ever be the same? Till next time...

Kanani

This book is really cool. It shows how family and friends support each other. Kanani helps her cousin, Rachel, who has come to stay a month. Kanani thinks that Rachel is kind of stiff and brags a little, but overall a pretty nice girl. She thinks that Rachel needs help. But when they get into a fight, Kanani feels bad. A funny, out of the ordinary, circumstance (a seal caught in a net) brings the girls back together. Kanani is American Girl's girl of the year, I really like her!

Old and New

With no book to write about, I decided to turn to something that's been on my mind. I've been looking at Mom's screen saver, waiting for it to get to the latest pictures. My favorite photos are the old photos. When I was younger, we could go to Disneyland. Old memories of my first time on Splash Mountain come back to me. And newer ones when we went to the condo at the San Diego Beach, with the bay a short walk down the street. That's why I have a scrapbook. I'll always remember when I met old friends, or how we celebrated last year's Christmas. Old and new, our memories are dear.

The Thirty-Nine Clues: Vesper's Rising

This is a really good book. Here is the general plot: The Vespers have already come out. They're ready to fight. Nobody knows who they are, and if they can be handled. Amy and Dan aren't ready. They can't have expected the clue hunt. They can't have expected it to change them. And now, with their normal life back, they're not ready.  Now Amy and Dan are expected to keep something safe. A Madrigal treasure.... I really liked this book.

100 Cupboards

100 Cupboards is a really good book. It's very mysterious. I also like the fact that the cupboards are magic. I like magic. I'm going to get the second book and the third book. I think they sound interesting. But I don't exactly understand where the witch, Nimiane, comes in. She's from Endor, but what does she have to do with Uncle Frank and Dotty? I'm sure she'll be explained in the next book. So until next time!

American Girl Story Contest

Based on the new girls created, this contest is definitely a fun one. I have already started my story. It has to be submitted by September 9. It has to be between 500 and 1000 words. I am nearly done. I could get it finished today! I might just do that. The prize is one of 20 doll collections. I am so excited. I can't wait to see if I win anything. If I don't, who cares. I just won the Kay Snow and eventually I'll get my very first book published. And that's the way I like it. So, till tomorrow...

Kay Snow Competition Awarding

I'm feeling pretty good. I just won third place in the Kay Snow Competition. I loved the fact that I got a cash prize (despite the fact it's only ten dollars). I have a certificate with my name on it and the title of my story. I am so excited! Half of it will go into my treasure chest (made to keep the money for my graduating year) and the other half will go to my Christmas shopping money. And, of course, one dollar is an offering for the Lord. He blessed me more than I could have ever imagined this year. Winning that competition (1-5 grade, when hundreds of people were entering) was a miracle. So I'll buzz by tomorrow. Bye!

Konos: Determination

Determination! I will be determined to make my dream, to be the youngest novelist ever, come true. Competing athletes in the Olympics have determination. People with handicaps are determined to live a good life despite their problems. Builders working are determined to finish.

In our Konos unit study, we are talking about determination. While studying the Olympics, we did our own mini games. I sort of won the crawling race (instead of a foot race). For discus, we threw a paper plate. I won again. Then for javelin we did a toothpick. I won a third time. In wrestling we did arm wrestling. I did not put my heart into it, and eventually gave up trying (I really didn't want to do arm wrestling) and Noel won; she is pretty strong. Of course it was the younger children against each other and I against Noel. For handicaps we watched a video on deaf people and watched a cartoon without any sound. "It was so odd," Lina said. When studying blindness we had to close our eyes and Mom described something and we had to guess what it was. When we learned about Joni Erik Sentada we had to paint with our mouth! It was fun and hard. It taught us to appreciate all the abilities most of us take for granted. Today we learned about different bridges. Wow! Some are amazing! Well, I'll write tomorrow...

Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story

Sootface is a good book. It is one of the many versions of Cinderella I've read. This retelling is suspenseful. I wonder every time I read it what the young "prince" (or magical cheiftan) looks like. In this version a test is given to determine who will marry the prince, it was interesting. Each young girl was sent to speak with the "prince's" sister and asked an important question. If she answered correctly, she would be wed. I loved the fact that the "prince" had a bow made of rainbow and it was strung with white fire. "Like the Milky Way, the Path of Souls," Sootface said. In the end Sootface and the "prince" all live happily ever after. But what version doesn't she? I think this was one of the most interesting versions of Cinderella.

Into the Gauntlet

Into the Gauntlet is the last of The 39 Clues series. I've read it before, but I really like it and decided to get it again. Now I currently am trying to join on the website. It's ridiculous. We can't get on to Yahoo. com to read the email so I can officially join, so I am really annoyed. Frankly, I don't know what you can do on there once you join, so I'm not too ecstatic about the whole thing. But, hey! Reading the book was fun, so at least I get that out of it. So, write tomorrow!

Summer Stuff

The summer has been very interesting. Packed with swimming days, field trips, and visits from friends; we have had the time of our life. We watched some new movies this summer and did the Summer Reading Program. At the beginning of summer we went and watched Cars 2. Joseph was lucky, he got a Cars ™ toy (he's the youngest, mmpphh)! We said hello and goodbye when our Tia Nene came for a week and left. She left before my birthday on July 10th. Then it was my birthday....

Now we have a new tradition. For each of the girls' tenth birthdays, we will go to American Girl Place. Woohoo! On my birthday, Pop and Mom decorated. I usually make decorations for everyone's birthdays, and for my birthday they put up streamers (pink and white ones), white stars (with a pinkish sheen and short streamers hanging from the bottom), pink and silver balloons all over the floor, and the rock things (Mom says they are used to hold down balloons) wrapped up in paper.  It was soooo amazing. Mom and Pop gave an awesome present: they gave me a Kit Kittredge outfit. I got two shirts and a card from Yaya & Yayo. Tia gave me a hand-made card. Nana gave me a book and a Ruthie ™ doll. Also, I thought we were going to eat at a Chinese restaurant. Pop and Mom had another surprise for me: we ate at the American Girl cafe`! I never had eaten there before! I got my own magazine with my photo on it and I showed Nana all the historical American Girls. I read books and then we rode the trolley and explored the Farmer's Market.

After that week, Pop's B-Day came. I decorated, we gave him presents, were lazy and watched movies all day. The rest of the summer we swam, played, did workbooks, and basically all had fun. Plus, last week we went to a drive-in! We had airheads, popcorn, granola bars, and an occasional sip or two of Pop's Mocha Frappuccino. Pop made a picture of what the drive-in looked like. I enjoyed this summer!

Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine is a book I am writing. It is about a girl named Gwen Brown, who lives with her Mom, Dad, and brother, Jonathan, at her grandparents house. Fifty percent of their bank money is lost and Gwen's Dad loses his job. All of a sudden, big accidents start happening and it's all in the hands of God. But when their house catches fire, the family is doomed to move in a new house. Finding that it is not so bad, Gwen tries to make friends with the girls at school, but nobody wants to invite her into their circle. After building another treehouse, with her inventions helping pull things up and move around, Gwen discovers a Jewish girl who is not welcomed either. Despite the fact that they live in families with different cultures (Christianity and Judaism), the two become fast friends; they share crafts, stories, and foods they make. They even trade gifts! Everything seems perfect, and the girl is even learning to acknowledge the fact that Jesus, could be the messiah! When everything appears wonderful, and the little candle of happiness in her heart has just been lit, the world comes crashing down around them. Gwen's friendship is forbidden and she is not allowed to meet her friend. Worst of all, the house they are boarding in is not going to be their temporary home! They're leaving. Meeting in secret and reading the Bible to her friend, Gwen wants the girl to believe in Christ, but can she make it happen before the moving day? And will she ever see her friend? A Bible based novel, this story is going to be packed with friendship, love, loyalty, faithfulness, family, and God. I can't wait to get it finished and send it in! Maybe it will be published...

Shakespeare's Secret

This is a really good book! It was mysterious, but it wasn't that creepy-mysterious type. It was more like an intriguing-mysterious. I think that the author should write a sequel about Anne Boleyn, titled Anne's Secret. It would be a really good book, at least I think so. I wish she would keep writing books! I would look for them in the 5th and 6th Grade section in the library. This book is awesome!

Swiss Family Robinson

Swiss Family Robinson is a really good book. It wasn't at all like the movie, story-wise. There were more adventures in the movie, and you also didn't find out about Emily being a girl for a little while. In the book they spoil it real quick. But it's still a really good book. I liked the festival they had. It was so cool! I really like this book! Now I'm going to have to watch the movie again....

Jonathan's Predicament

Mandie has just gotten her father's house! Now, she is going to New York to visit Jonathan Guyer, the young man she met on her way to Europe, with her grandmother. She doesn't know why her grandmother is acting odd about visiting the Guyer's house, but she doesn't want to come. Mandie goes with her friend Celia to visit Jonathan and stay at his house. But when they find a dog, a mysterious girl comes and claims the dog is hers. The dog, having no tag, barks at her and growls. Mandie, Jonathan, and Celia do not know why she claims him. Then one day they see the butler, Jens, speaking to a foreign man. Jens does a lot of conversing with the people, and finally Mandie figures out that the girl is Jens daughter! Jens is paid to get a house where he and she can live. Then Mandie goes home. Christmas will be coming soon, and Jonathan and Joe will finally meet. Mandie can't wait! Till next time...

Meow?

I wrote an article about the Pet Expo that we went to last weekend.  Here it is my article:

Meow?

              The Pet Expo finally came around. Before heading out, Noel Grau, age 7, said,"I remember getting allergic to the rats last time. My eyes got red and puffy and I started sneezing. It was an embarrassing first. But I love the kitties and rabbits. They are adorable." After this quick memory, the Grau troop headed for the car. When they got to the Pet Expo, they found a chilling breeze awaiting them from the beach. Frank Grau Jr. (Pop) said, "It isn't as exciting as last year, when we were looking for a dog, but when I'm with my family, I enjoy myself. Also, there were some new things that were cool to see and it comes once a year, so it's a special event to everyone. I like seeing the bulldogs and little llamas. The horse show was funny. They had it last year. I'm sure the kids enjoyed all the baby animals and had just as much fun as I did." The family entered through the gates and took a little route to a big building, in which the show office was, where Nana worked. She comments,"It's exciting and interesting to work here. It's fun to see the Adoption Center and the horses. It is cool to see different places, San Diego, Sacramento, and even Las Vegas. I like Splash Dogs, where dogs go and jump for their toys in the water. The Pet Expo can get busy, but it's still amazing to see people at work here."  Nana walked around with them for a little bit, and showed them the Kids' Aquarium Contest. Then she left. They saw shows with knights. They touched starfish, dogs, cats, turtles, and a variation of other pets. Then they went to see a farm at the back of the fairgrounds. Nana came and ordered a pizza or two and saw the baby piglets. They were so cute, especially the runt. Then the Grau's departed. All in all it was a wonderful Pet Expo.

                                                                                                                    -Trinity Grau, 9 

Mandie and the Schoolhouse Mystery

Mandie finds pirate treasure in this book! She learns about a pirate by the name of Jeremiah Grey. She finds his treasure, all in secret rooms underneath the schoolhouse. She is excited, but she has more problems. There are rats in her room and everyone in the school claims they have a pirate ancestor by the name of Grey! Finally, Mandie finds the actual owner of the treasure, who doesn't want it. Since he is poor, Mandie and her friends help him. They restock his pantry and fix up the house. In fact, it looks like new when they're done! I can't wait to write about the next book!

The Jungle's Song

I made up this poem on Monday, during a W.I.T.A. meeting. It was so much fun! Pop is going to send it in to Babybug, with an illustration of his, and see if it can get published. I'm so excited. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to put it down here, so that all my readers could see it! Here it is:

The Jungle's Song

A twig cracks,

The tiger roars.

A leaf flutters,

One parrot soars.

The air is creamy,

The moon is white,

The Jungle sings,

On a perfect night.

The Firebird

The Firebird by Gennady Spirin is a very good book! This tale is taken from three Russian folk tales: Ivan-Tsarevitch and Gray Wolf; Baba Yaga; and Koshchei, the Immortal. In this tale, a great and mighty Tsar has discovered that something has been eating his golden apples! When his third son, Ivan-Tsarevitch finds out what it is, a firebird, the Tsar sends his son to get the bird for himself. Ivan meets a wolf who helps him to get to the palace in which the firebird is kept. But Ivan touched the cage in which the bird is kept, and instantly the king and his guards come. Ivan begs for forgiveness, and because Ivan's father is his friend, he consents, only if Ivan finds and gives him the horse with a holden mane. So Ivan goes. But he touches the golden bridle on the horse. The same thing happens, this time the king asking for his daughter that Koshchei the Immortal has. Ivan seeks the help of Baba Yaga the witch, whom the wolf advises. He finds the princess and falls in love with her, fighting courageously against the evil Koshchei and slays him once and for all. The two kings are given what they asked for, and Ivan marries the princess. Great story!

American Girl Magazine

American Girl Magazine is a fun, safe magazine for girls only. In the September/October Issue I got from the library, I learned a lot about girls unlike and like me! One of the amazing things I read was about a family that had just twins in it. The second set of twins born were both girls and wrote to American Girl. Their names were Kerima and Zenebe. In their family they have twin dogs too! They have older brothers who are twins and twin baby sisters also! Kerima loves to draw and is older by one minute and Zenebe is taller and a little shy. She likes to sew. Each one is different in her own special way, and alike in the same way! That's what's so cool about American Girl. They don't care if you are a really popular girl and have an amazing life or job, they don't care if you don't really have that many exciting things to share. They let you be yourself!!! I love American Girl Magazine!!!

The People of Sparks

Here is a great sequel to the first book, The City of Ember. I really liked reading it. I imagined the book like it was a movie, like it was happening, like it was real! I thought it was such a cool book! I learned more about the history of the Emberites, and met many new characters along the way. I really liked this book, though a lot of the tales about who did this stuff was a lie. Nevertheless, I really liked this second book!

The Viper's Nest

The Viper's Nest is the seventh book in the 39 Clues series. It is very good. Amy and Dan have now met the persuasive, purely evil, Isabel Kabra. She is determined to follow the next lead while Amy and Dan are stalled. Amy and Dan are not ones to be intimidated and pursue the next clue. It leads them to Lybia, Dan's style city. Of course he goes crazy with junk food, but Amy doesn't give him a lot of time to think about that. Soon, they find the next clue, and escape the clutches of their ruthless competitors. Their next destination? China. Their next historic relative to study on? Puyi, a supposed-to-be-emperor. I think that the seventh book was great!

In Too Deep

This book is awesome! The kids go to Sydney, Australia, one of the places I'd love to visit! On top of that, if it could get any better, they learn a lot about AMELIA EARHART!!! She is awesome! I've read so many books about her. She is one of the most awesome, most amazing figures, in history! She drove a plane by herself! Sadly, my fun was cut short when trouble came to take it's wages. The Kabras, Alistair Oh, and the Holts. Amy meets Isabel Kabra. Isabel Kabra is the mother of Ian and Natalie Kabra, one of their most deadly foes. I like this book a lot!

The Black Circle

In this book, Amy and Dan Cahill travel to Russia! They are in for some big surprises. Amy keeps having flashbacks about the night her parents died, but ignores them as more is learned about the Lucian branch and they travel through Russia. Irina Spasky and Isabel Kabra are now getting ready to pounce, though Irina is having second thoughts about what she's doing. The Kabras want to side up to the young troop (which includes their au pair, Nellie, and their ever hungry cat, Saladin), but Amy and Dan want none of it. They explore museums and libraries, learning more about what they are pursuing. Along the way they meet Natalia, the daughter of Anastasia, daughter of a previous Tsar in Russia. They discover the fifth clue, and get a lead to Sydney, Australia. It is really cool. The 39 Clues is an awesome series! I can't wait to write about the sixth book!

Marigold and the Feather of Hope, the Journey begins

Marigold and the Feather of Hope, the Journey Begins is the first book in The Fairy Chronicles series. The books are about nine year old girls who can turn into fairies. They are amazing. My favorite fairy is Firefly. She is really cool. She can do a lot of cool things, and doesn't have to worry when she flies. Those who don't believe in fairies only see a firefly, hence the name, "Firefly." My favorite mentor is Madame Swallowtail. She is a lot like Mom. She is graceful and elegant. She is wise and knows what to not do. She is really cool. I also liked the extras in the back of the book. Right now my Pop is scanning the extras, like recipes, for me. I really like The Fairy Chronicles!

The Danger Box

The Danger Box is a good book, written by Blue Balliet. I learned a lot about Charles Darwin. I loved The Gas Gazette, a newspaper that the kids in the book put out. My articles are just a family thing, and I just write about family events. But now, I've got some cool ideas about something I could do. Anyway, I loved the book. It took me a long time, because we've been busy, but I finally finished it. If I could take three things from the book and make them real, I would take out Zoomy, Lorrol, and The Gas Gazette. I think that would be so cool! The Danger Box is awesome!

Kay Snow Competition

I am entering another competition. The Kay Snow Competition is for kids to write a short story that is 1,500 words. Not a lot, and there have been others with more words, but it is still going to be fun. If I win, I will get a cash prize. I can't wait till I send it in and hear the winners. I'll soon write about my twenty millionth competition I'm entering....

One False Note

The 39 Clues continues in this new tale. Their next destination is Vienna, Austria and the main ancestor that they're focused on? Mozart and his sister, Maria Anna "Nannerl" Mozart. There is something funny with their family, especially the Mozart family. Now that the kids have a bunch of clues to what they're looking for, they have some cousins on their trail. They figure out the next clue: Japan. So they are headed to Japan. Can't wait to write about the third book....

The Maze of Bones

The Thirty-Nine Clues is a great book series. There are two kids named Amy and Dan Cahill. Their parents died in a fire, and their guardian abandoned them when they began the search for the thirty-nine clues. The clues lead to some great power, the source of the Cahill family's power. There are four branches of the family. The Lucian, Janus, Tomas, and Ekaterina branches. There is also another branch, the Madrigals, that are very, very, very, deadly. Nobody knows much about them and the Madrigals don't associate with anybody else in the family. Certain people, randomly selected, in the family, are called to choose between two options. They can either take one million dollars per person and walk away, or become a contestant, in the search for the thirty-nine clues, against other dangerous players.  Amy and Dan have twelve opponents. Amy and Dan manage to find the first clue, Ben Franklin, and get a lead start. I can't wait to write about the second book...

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a good book. It is not at all like I would have imagined it, though. Mary Poppins is not at all like she is in the movie. She is short-tempered, impatient, vain, and many other things. Not to offend the author, but I like the movie better than the book. Most of the exploits of Mary Poppins, Jane, and Michael are featured in the movie. I sort of wish that the Mary Poppins in the book was like in the movie. Nevertheless, Mary Poppins is a fun book, and I like it!

The Wall and the Wing

The Wall and the Wing is one of the best books I have ever read. There is a young lady named Gurl. She meets this boy named Bug. Together they discover her hidden past, what she can do, what he can do, and become the best of friends. At the end, Bug is amazing! He flies twenty stories high and dives down super fast, landing just an inch above the ground. I love the idea of flying, but personally, I'd rather be invisible. I mean, yeah flying is cool, but I totally think that being invisible would be fun. I can probably make myself a flying jet pack or something. I would be able to sneak past Pop in hide-and-seek or tag, maybe even capture the flag! And not only that, there would be more uses, such as sneaking an extra cookie or two...

At the Stroke of Midnight

Though it is not a book, and it's not going to really further my education in writing, I decided to write about the new i-Pad app that Pop bought. I have gotten through quite a bit of it, and I find it amazing.

I would love to have been the one to think up this story. It is about a novelist who is staying in an old house to get inspiration for her new book. There are ghosts, mysteries, and more! My family loves it, except Angelina (she's so scared she needs someone to go into the hallway with her). It keeps us guessing what will happen next. I've been guessing and I bet I'm close to the truth. I would love to tell you, but that would be giving all fun away! I really am liking this app!

The Mystery of the Cupboard

Feeling like I needed a story about little people, I turned to one of the offshoots of The Indian in the Cupboard series. Omri knows far more about the cupboard, now that he's found his wicked-great-great grandmother's notebook. It carries the secret to the cupboard. As the book continues, he learns more about the cupboard than he thought possible. This book is wonderful and I could read it again and again!

LA Zoo (Snow Days)

The L.A. Zoo is a wonderful zoo. We go there a lot each year, and it is so much fun. I really liked the new Asian elephant exhibit, though the elephants wanted to go inside. Guess why? Because there are heated floors inside! The bear didn't seem to like the snow that had been placed on the ground either. Only the snow leopard seemed to like it. He was sleeping, then he woke up and walked to the back to rest in the snow. He batted it, then turned around and around before actually resting. I also really liked the aviary. It was so much fun going to the L.A. Zoo!

The Ben Franklin Exhibit

At the Bowers Museum, last Sunday, we explored the Ben Franklin exhibit. We did a group "electric shock" experiment, went to Philadelphia, stood trial before the British court, and tried out one of his inventions. I liked the journey to Philadelphia best. It was so cool! I can't wait to go there again sometime!

James and the Giant Peach

I had never read this classic, but finally, when I got to the point that I had no books to read or write about, I plucked the book off the bookshelf. I had started it a long, long time ago, and never read more than two pages. I have to say, I like the book much better than the movie (no offense to the directors). It is so awesome. I never knew about the cloud men or the fact that the ladybug marries the fireman. Kind of funny, wouldn't you agree? A ladybug, marrying a fireman! It's ridiculous. I like this book a lot!

Valentine's at the Library

Today we will go to the Paul A. Biane Library for the Valentine's program. It was fun last year and I can't wait to go again. It is so much fun! We play bingo, and we get decorate-the-scene sheets. We have bean-bag-toss and so much more. I just can't wait. It will be so much fun to have Valentine's at the Library!!!

Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows is a good book that I enjoyed a lot. It is heartwarming and I never read a book about dogs like this ones. Yeah, I get to watch the movie soon. My Dad says the book is better than the movie. I can't wait to find out! Till next time...

W.I.T.A.

Today I am going to a meeting at my friend's house. She has started a group called W.I.T.A. I am in. It is really excited. Soon we will be going! This is my first meeting, and I just can't believe that I've joined. It will be so cool. It is a writer's group, perfect for me. I can't wait!

The Diary of Anne Frank

This book is one of the best I ever read. It is a bit sad, but overall it is very, very, very good.  I kind of giggled at the first few parts, but then I sobered at the part where Anne Frank learned about how her family had to go into hiding. Why did people hurt others just because they were different? It seemed pointless, yet sometimes I wonder what reason had the Germans come up with? Whatever it was, it wasn't a good excuse, and I am one who would not join him ever, if I had lived back then.

To Kill a Mockingbird

One of the best stories I ever read, To Kill a Mockingbird, is an award winning classic. It won the Pulitzer prize in 1961 and was made into an Academy Award-winning film. To Kill a Mockingbird is an awesome book. I had never read the book before I watched the movie, but my Pop still let me watch it. Pop decided I should tell him if, even though I watched the movie already, I thought it was like the movie. It has been a while, so when I read it, the movie came rushing back to me, and I remembered everything about the movie. The book reminded me so much of the movie and when I watch it again, I am sure it will be the other way around. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best books in the universe!

Betrayal at Cross Creek

Betrayal at Cross Creek is about a Scottish girl who's family is being betrayed. Elspeth is living during the time of the Revolutionary War. She believes in what the patriots fight for, yet she doesn't like the way the Scottish are treated by the rebellion forces. When two of her cousins get angry at the patriots for frightening Elspeth, they run away to join the British Navy. Afraid for their safety, Elspeth's grandfather joins the Loyalist Militia. When someone gets word to the Rebellion Force about where the troop of Scottish and British men are headed to, Elspeth's cousins and grandfather become endangered. Soon, one of her cousins is killed in the battle, and Elspeth faces the greatest mystery of all her life: who betrayed her family? This intriguing story is one of my favorite American Girl books of all times!

Claude Monet: The Painter Who Stopped the Trains

Claude Monet was an artist who painted a lot. He was not very popular, until he painted The Gare Saint-Lazare. Immediately, the public started recognizing his art, and soon Monet gained the respect of a top art critic and one of the most famous authors at the time, Emile Zola. Mr. Zola wrote this review of Monet's work:
                
                        Monsieur Claude Monet has the most distinctive personality of the Impressionists. He has exhibited some superb interiors of the railway station. You can hear the trains rumbling in, see the smoke billow up under the huge roofs . . . . That is where painting is today . . . . Our artists have to find the poetry in the train stations, the way their fathers found poetry in forest and rivers.


Monet's place as one of the greatest painters became known more and more all over the country. Monet soon earned the nickname "The Painter Who Stopped the Trains."

The Search for WandLa

The Search for WondLa is a good book. It is very thick, but for me it is easy. I like it. It is about a girl who lives underground on Earth. Earth has been changed a lot. Now there are aliens and cool inventions, and Earth is called Orbana. Eva Nine is the girl who lives underground. When it is time she will come up onto the surface and meet other humans. When a dangerous alien tries to destroy her home, she leaves and travels upward. When she gets up to the surface she has many adventures. 





                                                              

Me and My Friends

The last time I did my blog, I wrote an abridged version of one of my stories. I shall now write an abridged version of the second chapter:


                                                                              Chapter 2
I blinked and rubbed my eyes. This wasn't happening, was it? I looked around at my new surroundings. I spotted a sign made of a cinnamon sticks and gingerbread points. I licked my lips as I looked at it. There were six signs on the cinnamon stick in all: Cookie Town, Fudge River, Candle Maker, The Frost Village, Candy Cane Lane, and another one I shivered at. The letters were frosted in dark, black letters: goblins, BEWARE! I stepped back and tripped over something. I turned around, expecting to see a dirty, green goblin. Instead, it was Gigi! She was running and bouncing on the crumbly, frosted cookie road. I gasped. July was running to Gigi, and Story and Hilda were hopping up and down. I felt Kit moving in my bag. This was magic! Kit teeter-tottered over the edge, then started to fall. Story, having loooonnnnggggg arms, grabbed Kit around the waist and snapped her over. I watched with amazement. "Hi guys, I mean girls!" I laughed and sat down. Gigi smiled and ran over from playing with July. Story pulled Hilda and July over with her stretchy arms. "It's good to see you again," Gigi said. July nodded and climbed up my arm. Story grabbed Kit and Hilda and jumped up to hold everyone around my neck. Gigi jumped into my bag. The sun hit the mountains, and I shielded my eyes. "We better find somewhere to rest," I said. I shivered thinking about the sixth sign. It wouldn't be safe to be out here in the dark with goblins roaming, I thought. "I'm hungry!" Announced Kit. I looked down at my bag, where she had jumped to. She smiled sheepishly, and I grinned back. "I want to explore," July commented. "Yeah, well, there are goblins out here, just so you know," I informed everyone. "Oh." Suddenly, I heard grunting and looked over my shoulder. There were about fourteen goblins at my heel.
"Run!" I yelled. I zipped my bag and started running as fast as I could. This wasn't a game of tag with Pop at home, I reminded myself. If there was one thing I had learned from tag, though, it was to find an accurate hiding spot until the enemy has passed. However, there was no shelter. Only me, and stuffed animals who don't even have teeth! Suddenly, I felt arms carrying me up. I blacked out.
                                                           *********************
When I awoke I was hanging from an oak tree, upside down. A rope was tied around my leg and I twisted around to look at my foot. I was trapped!!!

Me and My Friends

I am writing a story about me falling into a magical world. Wow! I thought it would be fun to write an abridged version here of the first chapter:


                                                                       Me and My Friends
                                                                   #1 The Magic Funhouse

     I looked around the fairgrounds at all the rides. There were smells of corn-on-the-cob, roasted turkey leg, and churros. I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked to my right. Behind a building, there lay a funhouse. "Oh! Lets go there first!" I dragged Pop's hand and finally, when he wouldn't go any faster, I broke free and ran. "Trinity!" Called Mom. I stopped and slowly turned around. "Yes?" I was disappointed. "Don't run away from us, OK?" I shrugged. "OK." I walked slowly toward the funhouse. When we reached it, I looked up at the plastic sign.  The sign read in swirly writing: Magic Funhouse. It looked like wood. So realistic. I jumped and just barely touched it. I gasped. It was real wood. I glanced at the man running it. He was all smiles. I smiled back at him. He had warm, brown eyes, and dark hair. He was dressed casually. He was wearing a gray shirt and jeans. He had a fedora on and he held it to his chest as he bowed low. "Welcome to my amazing, magic funhouse. An adventure awaits you inside." I looked down at the bag slung around my neck. Gigi, July, Story, Hilda, and Kit rested in it. Kit's head was so small and it blended in with the bag. I could see her twinkling, blue eyes. Go on, she seemed to say, ask how much it is. I felt assured, so I looked up. "How much is it to go inside the funhouse, sir?" The man smiled. "My name is Mr. Mann, and the magic funhouse is free." I looked hopefully up at Pop. He grinned. "Go ahead." I ran in, my heart leaping. What were these "adventures" Mr. Mann had been talking about? Whatever they were, they were sure to be amazing. I climbed ladders, took a little ride on a mini roller coaster, and did so many other things I couldn't possibly remember. I finally found myself at a room filled with nothing but doors. I stared around in puzzlement. Some doors had fake backgrounds, but some were just plain oak doors. I stared at a gingerbread house. This looked promising. I closed my eyes and opened the door. I stepped through and opened my eyes. A swirl of colors had taken effect in the air, and I felt dizzy. Silver and gold sparkles glowed and glittered in the air. They settled after ten seconds. I blinked and looked around. This wasn't the funhouse at all! 

Hoofbeats of Danger

I am a big fan of American Girl. American Girl is a big company that sells stuff for girls. There are also books, completing the list of things that American Girl sells. At the library there is a whole section of American Girl books. I got a few. One of the books I got from the library is Hoofbeats of Danger. I like it a lot. I have read it five times. The book is set during the wild west. I love the wild west, and so the book appealed to me greatly. I like this book a lot!

Remembering My Childhood

As I look at Mom's screensaver, displaying pictures of us in our younger years, I yearn for it to be that time again. We had so much fun, and it was just nice being little. I want to be seven, six, five, or even four years old again. It was so much fun! Although, it's not exactly that easy to be a littler kid again. Why? Because you can't! Although many people wish they could, there is no turning back those days, and we had our fun, but now we're older. We can't play and be princesses or pirates. We can't ride little rides at the fair, and play dolls or spies. Memories of our childhood is all we have, and remembering it like it was just happening is all we can do.

The Fences Between Us

At Barnes and Nobles, I used half of the money on a gift card I got for Christmas. With the money, I got a book from the series Dear America. It is not actually a series, as much as just a set of books. Each book is a diary from someone in history (not real of course, fictional, historical characters). I got the book on Piper Davis, I girl living during World War II. This book is very, very, well written. I like it a lot.

Tell Me a Dragon

Tell Me a Dragon, by Jackie Morris, is a very good book. While short, it proves to be one of my favorite storybooks. Most of the time I read novels, and when I read a little kid book, that's something. This book, however, is not only interesting, it's... eye-catching! You see, I love fantasy, and my favorite fairytale creature is a dragon. I'd love to have one for a pet. During the entire book, all you read about is someone's dragon. In the end, my favorite part, the author implores the reader, "Tell me about your dragon?" The list of possibilities of what the reader's dragon could be like is endless. This book just goes to prove that Jackie Morris is a great author.

Bye, Bye

For Christmas this year, my Tia Nene came over to California again. We have had a lot of fun having her here, but I'm afraid that tomorrow she leaves. Yes, it's true, but at least I'll have great memories. Tia Nene does a lot when she comes over and we try to make the most of it. She makes cards, so we've learned new techniques from her. It is fun to have her come over. In the past, my family has gone to Las Vegas, Disneyland, Victoria Gardens, and other fun places. This Christmas, we just kicked back and had some fun at home. I stayed up with everyone for the New Year, and exchanged jokes with Tia Nene. It's fun having my aunt coming each Christmas and our birthdays.

Happy Holidays!

So much has happened during Christmas vacation. Family, friends, making cards for soldiers, going up to the mountains to visit a family in our homeschool group, and more! But in the last week and days, we celebrated the holidays. First, Christmas. Not the the exact day of Jesus' birth, but what can we say? We weren't there to know when Jesus was born. He could have been born in Summer, for all we know! So with all the Christmas stuff we were busy and then there was the party (more like a little family thing) for the New Year! For the first time ever, I managed to stay up to midnight. I have been allowed to, but I couldn't stay awake! We (Joe, Lina, Noel, and I) had sparkling apple cider. Our little get-together wasn't much, but it was still a ton of fun! For now that's all, but tomorrow there'll be more...