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!