Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin (my November reading)

http://www.thepicnic-basket.com

Review: In seventh grade, when she meets the new girl, Phoebe considers herself normal--not extraordinary in the least. But as she becomes friends with Mallory and she grows into herself, Phoebe grows to be stronger and and much more than ordinary. When Ryland, Mallory's older brother comes into the picture, Phoebe's friendship with Mallory starts to change and mystical happenings surround this trio. This fantastical novel will keep you interested and will enthrall you in the emotions and conflict of the story.
Rating: 9 on a scale from 1-10
Progress: Done
Similar to this book: Impossible by Nancy Werlin, Wicked Lovely series (Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, and Radiant Shadows) by Melissa Marr

Codename: O. Henry

We recently read "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry in class and are currently doing a background check. 

• real name: William Sydney Porter
• born- September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina
• when not writing he was a :
• ranch hand
• bookkeeper
• bank teller
• editor of The Rolling Stone
• time in jail- a little over three years(1898-1901) for embezzling a bank
• received the maximum reduction of time for good behavior
• famous for- surprise endings or use of dramatic irony
• has an award named after him that is given annually to the author who has the best stories printed in American magazines 
• married Sara Coleman but she was never fully healthy and died in 1897
• had a child with her but it died in infancy
• after jail sentence went to New York city in an effort to get away from his past
• remarried to a childhood sweetheart, but the marriage was a failure 
• became an alcoholic at the end of his life
• died-June 5, 1910 in New York City

Sorce: http://go.grolier.com/, 

Baby Blue

Blue is a color used in “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allen Poe to symbolize birth. It is the color of the first, most eastern room in Prince Prospero’s castle. Prince Prospero first sees the intruder in this room and this is where the chase begins. This sanctuary of cerulean and azure represents the start of life and the welcoming of a new being into the world.

            The color blue can mean many different things, but it often stands for freshness and new life.  True blue makes one think of a clear sky first thing in the morning, a stream bubbling on its way to the open ocean, and buds of flowers, such as delphiniums and irises. The ebony clock is the quietest in this room, since is the farthest from the source of the sound, yet you can still hear it chime on the hour.  Blue is a primary color and therefore a building block for many other colors. From it sprouts green, a color of energy that comes with being young, and purple, a pigment that represents youth and playfulness. Blue epitomizes beginnings and the water essential to life. It is a calm color meant to sooth restless and wailing souls. It tells of loyalty and trust, faith and sincerity. It is a pure shade that exemplifies innocence and truth.

            Blue is the color of a newborn baby’s eyes. I know this because I was at the birth of my little sister, Chloe. She was a mess in her first few moments of life. She was scrawny, naked, and covered in shiny, white goo that made her look unnaturally pale. She had only taken a few breaths, so there was not enough oxygen in her small appendages making them appear slightly blue. In the next few hours she would be cleaned up, washed off, and swaddled in a blanket—making her rosy and clean without the marks of birth on her. Blue is very important to “The Masque of the Red Death” because without this color or that particular room, the Prince and The Red Death would have no starting point and the events of the story might not have happened. The blue embodies the beginning of life and newness. I experienced the role blue plays in birth, when I met my younger sister for the first time. It does not matter if its cobalt, indigo, aqua, or sapphire, blue represents life and bringing fresh souls into the world.

Halloween costumes

For Halloween I dressed up as Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games (see book review). I wore her wedding dress partially changed into the Mockingjay dress from the interview in Catching Fire. My little sister went as a butterfly.

Mr. Poe

Edgar Allen Poe was a famous poet and author. He was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts and died on October 7, 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland. According to the Edgar Allen Poe Museum Poe called Virginia home, yet The Poe Society of Baltimore claims he spent more time and more important things happened when he was in Maryland. Both of his parents were dead before he was three years old influencing his outlook on death and giving his tragic writing understanding and background. Poe enlisted in the West Point Military Academy, but was dismissed in 1831. He married to his cousin Virginia Eliza Clemm, age thirteen, in 1836. This seems like it was very rushed for her young age and could have been better thought out. "Murders in the Rue Morgue" was one of Poe's first detective stories. "The Tell-tale Heart" was written in 1850 and "The Black Cat" in 1845. "The Raven" was published in 1845.
I imagine Edgar Allen Poe to have been quite a character. He had many unfortunate events in his life, but these happenings added experience to his stories and brought about a need for writing. His stories send chills down my spine and gain my admiration for his irony and symbolism.

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/130

information from:

http://www.poemuseum.org/life.php

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/130

http://www.online-literature.com/poe/

http://www.eapoe.org/index.htm

http://poestories.com/stories.php

I'm back!!

Hey, I'm back on blogger! Here at school we're starting the second quarter and the literature unit in English. I can't wait to read some Shakespeare and we have a trip to the Folger Theater in D.C. that sounds like it will be a blast! We are also working on a Edgar Allen Poe unit which sounds very interesting. Furthermore, we are studying the basic parts of speech. I hope to have lots of fun and learn some interesting new things.

Ten Cents A Dance by Christine Fletcher

A lot of kids have jobs, especially in Chicago in 1941. But Ruby has to support her mother and sister completely on her measly wages from the meat factory. When she has a minor catastrophe at a dance and she happens upon Paulie Suelze. He tells her how she can earn loads of money doing what she loves. She gets the job and soon she's working ever night from ten to two: dancing with lonely men at the dance hall and then going to supper with some of the customers afterward. This is Ruby's dream job, but will she spot the danger and scandal under the glamorous silks and satins of her new profession before its too late?

This tribute to the author's great-aunt has an addictive sense of reality. It includes the traditional story of a girl growing up and the mistakes that go with it. It tells of tradegy and fortune. I would recommend this book to anyone, but it would be most enjoyed by a teenage girl interested in historical events and everyday happenings.

Final Position Paper! (sigh of relief)

Literacy in the Modern World

            Literacy is not only the skills of reading and writing, but also the ability to understand, analyze, use and communicate information. It is a definite problem in the modern world. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Adults and children have trouble reading, writing, computing, and performing other tasks necessary for everyday life. Particular groups of people defined by their race, region, and age have lower literacy skills than others. Since technology plays such a large role in our lives, it is negatively affecting reading. Because of all the educational problems today we need to better understand how to teach the next generations to our best ability. We need to work together to raise literacy rates and educational standards so that all over the world people have a better understanding that will help us solve present and future problems.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/cart.asp?from=stock&basket=yes

             
Literacy is still a problem all over the world but certain regions, races, and generations have a bigger problem than others. America is the twenty-first most literate country out of 180. Georgia is the most literate country and Mali is the least (“List of Countries by Literacy Rate”). In America, Caucasian and Asian people have overall better literacy than African-American and Hispanic people (Kutner). Children’s literacy has increased in the past few years, but teenagers and adults are reading less and with less proficiency (“The Future of Reading). Catherine Snow and Patton Tabors commented, “…redefined literacy, itself, as a far more complex process than was conceived in the past.” Literacy is still a major enigma in the modern, fast-paced, and highly technological world and we must focus on the least literate and educated to change it.

            Technology today is leaving less and less time in our lives for traditional reading; it could also be altering our brains and changing literacy for the worse. The internet has proven to be full of inaccurate sources and multiple distractions. Reading online, like Wikipedia, blogs, and eBooks, has been shown to lower incomes, employment, and test scores. Many search engines, such as Google, show sites according to their popularity or number of hits. This could be detrimental to the diversity of information taken off the web because people usually only look at and read the first few websites with each reader contributing to a high ranking of the site on the search engine (“The Future of Reading”). McLuhan in “The Future of Reading” says, “…the medium in which one receives information is at least as important to the recipient as the content itself.” While technology is necessary for some tasks and useful for others, traditional reading should still be a part of our lives.

            There are always plans for future success, including ways that could help our world be more literate—in quantity and quality both. Studies have shown that family support and help is necessary for good literacy skills. Snow and Tabors confirm the importance of “one-on-one parental attention and affection” directly with literacy. Furthermore, reading and the pursuit of knowledge must be kept enjoyable so as not to be avoided later in life. Animals, not excluding humans, learn most of their actions and habits from their parents. So, parents must be good role models for their children—reading and using literacy often and accurately in everyday life (Snow). If a child is exposed to literacy in a less casual environment than school they have a better chance of enjoying it, reading a lot more, and being more proficient at reading.

            Some say that technology is the next step in the evolution of reading and is helping us to adapt to the changing world. This is because information online can be quicker and easier to find. Likewise, if the internet is used correctly and cautiously then one can access many accurate, reliable sources. Also, one must acknowledge the fact that reading online makes it almost impossible to focus on long sources such as books. Being on the internet decreases memory and shortens concentration, too (“The Future of Reading”). Traditional reading is beneficial to one’s literacy and should be considered for a pastime or research and if one wishes to use technology it must be used in moderation and not carelessly.

Certain people today believe the main factor that affects a child’s literacy is their parents’ social class. It is true a better educated and often high class parent has a bigger and rarer vocabulary which influences their children. Contrary to that belief, direct transfer methods which help with a child’s literacy include written material such as grocery lists, notes on the refrigerator, and newspapers. These materials are common in many higher class and also working class homes, as well as some lower class homes (Snow). While social class does have some effect on children’s literacy many other factors play a bigger part in their education.

            Literacy is decreasing everywhere and we must recognize what helps and hurts education and then act on it. We should work the hardest for better literacy in the areas and groups of the world where it is lowest. Moreover, we should use the right tools to overcome illiteracy. Finally, we must help the younger generations, so literacy will improve in the future. Technology should not be excessively used and approached with care when researching and learning. Social class has less impact on children’s literacy; whereas the support of their parents and if they are surrounded by literacy in everyday life have more impact. With the environmental, cultural, and economic troubles today, the focus on literacy is more important than ever. Education is the key to many global problems; therefore we should continue to focus on improving literacy rates to prepare for the future.

Works Cited

Kutner, Mark, and others. "Literacy in Everyday Life: Results from the 2003...Executive Summary." Literacy in Everyday Life: Results from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult.... April 2007: iii-vi. SIRS Government Reporter. The John Carroll School Library, Bel Air, MD. Web. 22 Sep 2010.

"List of Countries by Literacy Rate" Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 3 October 2010. Web. 3 October 2010.

Snow, Catherine, and Patton Tabors. "Intergenerational Transfer of Literacy." FAMILY LITERACY: DIRECTIONS IN RESEARCH AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE --SUMMARY AND PAPERS OF A NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM. Jan. 1996: 73-80. SIRS Government Reporter. The John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. Web. 28 Sep 2010.

"The Future of Reading." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 19 Sept. 2008. The John Carroll School Library, Bel Air, MD. Web. 24 Sept. 2010.

Gathering Information--Notes 3

Snow, Catherine, and Patton Tabors. "Intergenerational Transfer of Literacy." FAMILY LITERACY: DIRECTIONS IN RESEARCH AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE --SUMMARY AND PAPERS OF A NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM. Jan. 1996: 73-80. SIRS Government Reporter. The John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. Web. 28 Sep 2010.

·        Family encouragement and support is necessary for good reading and literacy skills

·        Social class does play a part in a child’s literacy, but not as much as many surveys say

·        Direct transfer of knowledge

o   Includes simple transfers such as grocery lists, notes on the fridge, or newspapers in the home

·        Practicing literacy

·        Keeping literacy enjoyable so it is not avoided

·        Sometimes defined as a social practice—“…a natural reaction to certain societal needs…”

·        “…the linking of literacy with the one-on-one parental attention and affection.”

·        Parents literacy and linguistics affect their child’s  skills like vocabulary and extended discourse skills that lead to better literacy

·        Adult education classes, early childhood classes, parenting classes, and familial interactions –all are programs that support children’s’ literacy

·        Parents should be a good  role model for their child’s literacy

·        “…literacy is a complex capacity that changes as children grow…”

Gathering Information-Notes 2

"The Future of Reading." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 19 Sept. 2008. John Carroll School Library, Bel Air, MD. Web. 24 Sept. 2010.

• Reading on the internet has proven to decrease a person’s memory and concentration

• The internet can have false information and because of the way search engines use “hits” to determine the listing of websites “’may decrease the total diversity of ideas and sources in the public domain, for everyone is looking at the same high-ranking, highly accessible, most easily available sites.’(sociologist, James Evans)”

• The increase in reading online instead of actual books can lower incomes, employment, and test scores

• Some say the internet and e-books are just the next step in the evolution of reading like the invention of the printing press

• Information is quicker and easier to find online and if you are careful you can access many accurate sources

• There has been a decline in literacy rates of adolescents and adults

• The use of technology is often linked with the decreasing literacy

• Books are more linear and laid out while blogs are scattered—some believe this makes books help us concentrate deeply on one topic at a time and others think that life is not organized so the helter-skelter technology prepares us better

• The internet might be altering our able to focus on a book and our whole thinking process because the way it allows us to skip around so often

• There have still been very successful books printed lately that are widely read, but books sales are starting to slow down

• Online articles allow us to read a summary or quickly scan instead of spending hours reading whole books—therefore some people read online to avoid reading books

• “…the medium in which on receives information is at least as important to the recipient as the content itself....’each…has its own intrinsic effects which are its unique message.’(McLuhan)”

• Reading a book is thought to be more cognitively enriching, making one ruminate, make connections and inferences, and use their imagination

• Online documents can have questionable statements and poor grammar

• Traditional reading is also linked with success—people who read traditionally are said to have better jobs, exercise more often, volunteer, and are said to be overall more productive, but technology advocates say that the internet has more diverse material and more views than a book

Gathering Information-Notes Article 1

"Educating Condemned Prisoners (sidebar)." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag.  Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 25 July 2003. John Carroll School Library, Bel Air, MD.  Web. 24 Sept.

·         “…those who have been sentenced to death? Should they be given access to educational programs as well?”

·         Education in prison sometimes keeps released inmates from crime

·         Except for Alabama, Arizona, Texas, and Maryland all states offer some sort of education for condemned prisoners

·         If condemned inmate may not leave their cell for education

v  Though they may have educational materials

v  Watch educational television programs

v  Take a correspondence class

v  Be taught through the bars

·         Courses are basic literacy or high school level

·         Very few allow condemned inmates to have college level courses

·         Some believe inmates on the death row should not be educated  because  they will never be in the outside world again

·         The prisoners have done awful things and  some think that allowing them education is rewarding them

·         But others say that the learning makes the prisoners better behaved

·         “They’re living here for a long time…we want them to be able to make good decisions about how they’re going to conduct themselves.”





http://sks.sirs.com/

Maximum Ride

Maximum Ride. A teenage girl with 98% human DNA and 2% avian DNA. A girl with wings. And super-human strength. Oh, and don't forget she has weird powers. Plus, there are five other bird kids just like her. Well, maybe not just like her. Because Max is destined to save the world. Let me introduce you to the flock: Max, the leader; Fang, her second in command; Iggy, who's blind; Nudge, Little Miss Chatterbox; the Gasman (don't ask); and Angel who can be a creepy mastermind or, well... down-right angelic. They grew up in dog cages in a place called the School where mad scientists (that's right mad scientists) did experiments on them Ever since they escaped the School they've been hiding away. But suddenly, the mad scientists and their minions, other experiments called Erasers (part-wolf, part-human), came across the flock's safehouse. After that it's a wild goose chase (no pun intended) for the Erasers. Until Angel is captured and taken back to the School.

If you pick up this book out of boredom or randomness... be ready for the ride of your life. It is fast-moving and intense. Perfect for any reader with a wild imagination and sense of adventure. Also, there are four more books in the series to read after you're done with this one and they're all just as good. If I could change one thing about these books it would be the ending of the most recent edition to the series Fang: A Maximum Ride novel. Luckily, Mr. Patterson has hinted that the series is not over (YAY!) and the next book might be called Angel.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

12 districts. 24 tributes. 1 boy. 1 girl. One survivor.

After the Capital has put down all the rebellions, it reminds the 12 surrounding districts of its power with the Hunger Games. Each year it forces the districts to send 1 boy and 1 girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to the Capital. One of the 24 'tributes' will win The Hunger Games by being the last survivor. This not only includes staying alive in the wild, but also escaping unnatural disasters and killing off the other players.
When Katniss Everdeen, a hardy 16 year-old, hears her little sister's name read over the loud speaker as a tribute, her worst nightmare's come true. She immediately steps forward and volunteers to go in her sister's stead.
This imaginative story is an amazing edition to Young Adult fantasy. I believe it sits on that golden shelf with Tamora Perce's Lioness Rampant series, Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments, J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, and all the other old classics and new favorites. It's an absolutely gorgeous tale of one girl's struggle between humanity and life. Katniss is one of those characters you can't help, but love and admire and the ideas behind this book are fresh and exciting.
Recommended?YES!!

My Research Questions

 Here are some questions that I would like to find the answers to through research and address in my research paper on literacy.
1. Do computers and technology today help or hurt literacy among young people?
2. In other countries, especially third world are male and female literacy rates the same?
3. Is literacy among adults still a problem? Or have we fixed it?
4. How can we assure that future generations are all literate?

My Research Paper proposal

Topic: Literacy
Search terms:
1. “Literacy rates”
2. “Literacy in America”
3. “Literacy in the 21st century”
4. “Teaching Literacy”
5. “World Literacy”
6. “Decline in Literacy”
7. “Reading”
Literacy
Literacy rates are a growing problem today. The National Assessment of Adult Literacy gave tests which showed that about 14% of Americans have trouble reading and writing comprehension (www.caliteracy.org/rates/). If a person cannot read with ease they often end up dropping out of high school, which creates cost issues. Almost 80% of high school dropouts depend on health-care assistance from the government (www.americanliteracy.com). People who are considered illiterate run into problems at work, but also at home. Someone with a low literacy rate often cannot write letters, help their child with homework, fill out forms, read prescriptions, and more (www.caliteracy.org/rates/). I thoroughly enjoy reading and writing and am usually found curled up with a book. The fact that some children, teens, and even adults struggle to read and write or cannot amazes me and makes me think deeper about what we could do to increase the literacy rate.


Image from: www.usd231.com/webschools/Forms/SubPage.aspx?menu=5_612



Letter to Naomi Porter

Dear Naomi,
   My name is Madison and I am a high school student like you. I have read many good books this summer, though your story, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, is among my favorites. I also went to summer camp at the Maryland Zoo and the Maryland Institute College of Art. At the very beginning of summer break I visited Washington, D.C., with my best friend for a one-week leadership forum.
  The time when you regained your memory and remembered who your friends were and why you liked the yearbook was pretty cool. I enjoyed when you reinvented yourself, cut your hair, and gave up trying to be how everyone else remembered you, but the part I like best about your novel was how you and Will started to rework your friendship. Also, the fact that you were found n a typewriter case and the way that this played into your life was fascinating and very unique.
   Gabrielle Zevin told your story quite well. It was descriptive, yet interesting and to the point. I found it to be quite realistic. Your feelings about your mother and half sister seemed so true and the way they shifted and changed appeared even more so. Many of your choices were unexpected and still fit your character perfectly, adding suspense and creative twists to the story.
   I want to know more details about what it was like starting on the yearbook again when Will was in the hospital. Was it super awkward? Did any of the other students on the committee make snide remarks about you leaving? I know Gabrielle said that the committee accepted the fact that you were filling in for Will, but was anyone really happy to see you, welcoming you back? Also, do think you'll ever be more open talking about your adoption? Does it bug you that you'll never know your true roots? Or are you completely content with what you have with your adoptive parents? What was your main motive for not acknowledging your memory when it returned? I think that if you told someone about it or started acting a bit more like you used to earlier on it might have been easier to patch up your old relationships.
   Before reading your story, I'll admit I hadn't thought about identity loss much. Now I have an idea of what it is like to lose such a big and important part of yourself. Our past affects our present and future so much and nobody can fill the gap but you once its gone. In the future, maybe you could give a speech at the hospital telling of your experiences to doctors, nurses, and sociologists. It might help them to understand how much memory loss affects a person and that it's just as serious as many other injuries and may lead to mental issues, such as depression.
   Thank you for listening to my thoughts about your story. O also want to thank you for showing me to stay true to my friends and hobbies. You might want to take my and Will's advice and wear a helmet when you go down the school steps.
Sincerely,
    Madison M.

My leadership forum group and Abe Lincoln

  

The Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevins

    This novel is the story of Naomi Porter, an adopted teen. At the end of summer, her best friend Will and her go to the high school to work on the yearbook, which they are co-editors for. Everything goes well until they forget the new (and expensive) camera inside the yearbook office. They decide to flip a coin to determine who will go back and get it. If Naomi had just went along when Will declared he would be heads, then maybe Will would have been the one to get the camera. He might have tripped down the steps and ended up in the emergency room not knowing what went on in his life for the past four years. He probably wouldn't know who his best friend was, why he liked the yearbook so much, or who he had a crush on. But, none of that happened because Naomi insisted on being heads.
    Naomi Porter is the protagonist in Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevins. As an orphan,  she does not like to be pitied and therefore is not very sympathetic. Naomi can be stubborn, but not unfair. Also she is introspective and very dedicated, especially to the school yearbook.
   Naomi gets a concussion and loses her memory, she spends a lot of time recovering and trying to remember the last four years of her life. Then, fed up with the frustrations of her complicated old life, she starts reinventing herself and filling the gaps in her mind with new memories-- even ignoring her old life when she eventually regains her memory. But, Naomi comes to realize that forgetting her past troubles will do no good and looks upon her initial accident as a fresh start to resolve old problems.
   Gabrielle Zevins did a wonderful job conveying the moral that you cannot ignore unfinished business and you must forgive and work out your messes, so you can move on.
   Naomi is most directly affected by her memory loss, she does not remember her feelings towards people or even the people themselves. Ace, her boyfriend from before the accident, also is affected because Naomi can't remember why she liked him, which leads to their breakup. Will was Naomi's best friend preceding her identity loss, but afterwards she doesn't know what is between them and can't understand his jokes or what he  likes so much about  the yearbook.  Overall,  Naomi  drifts away from her  old friends and acquaintances because she does not enjoy the way they remind her of what she doesn't have.
    Talking to her mother in the hospital and getting reintroduced to Rosa Rivera both make the divorce and Naomi's memory loss very prominent and tangible. Gabrielle Zevins combines these issues in each of the scenes so that Naomi has to vividly relive all her feelings as if the divorce just happened.
image from http://buscolibrary.whitleynet.org/memoirs.jpg

My Unique Profile

My friends and me with spaghetti and meatballs cupcakes that we made.

Chloe and me riding a camel at the zoo.

I live in Maryland with my mom, dad, little sister, and miniature schnauzer. I am a bibliophile and chocoholic. I like being on stage and take a jazz and musical theater classes. I am a freshman at the John Carroll School and am really excited for high school. Also I volunteer as a historical re-enactor at the Hays House, the oldest house in Bel Air. I would describe myself as dependable, enthusiastic, and creative. Plus, I am very interested in drawing, sculpting, & painting. This year I hope to improve my visual art techniques, while keeping a high level of academic achievement and working on my critical thinking skills.