Muskrat 2.0 Librarian Challenge 2012
1. Obtain a St. Clair County Library card if you do not already have one. (You will need your parents with you to obtain a new card. Requirements are listed on the above link).
2. Check out a book! (You could try an ebook from the new SCCL Overdrive account)
3. Complete the Writing With Writers Book Review workshop.
4. Write a book review of a book from the SCCL, using the workshop as a guideline. Check for spelling and punctuation errors! Post to this blog by clicking on Post a Comment underneath this post. Comments will be reviewed before posting.
15 comments:
The Tragedies of William Shakespeare (1994 Modern Library Edition) by William Shakespeare
Book Type: Other
Review by: Kaila W.
Michigan, Grade 10
This is a collection of thirteen tragedies. It has modern spelling and punctuation, and a glossary in the back.
This is a good book for Shakespeare fans because it includes ALL the tragedies. It is neat, and includes line numbers, but it doesn't have a page-by-page glossary, such as the Bantam and Folger versions do. My favorite play is King Lear- it is about a King who is driven into madness due to the abandonment of his daughters.
Kaila, you may enjoy an adaption of King Lear that starts Patrick Stewart called "The King of Texas". I studied that made for TV movie in a theater class and it was very interesting. Did you read all of the tragedies? Or did you already know that you liked King Lear and chose that particular work?
Hannah McGregor 11th Grade muskrat 2.0
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I had a friend recommend this book to me in school and then I decided I would read it this summer, I’m glad I took his advice and read it. The Perks of Being a Wallflower are one of the greatest books I’ve ever read hands down. Stephen Chbosky is a great writer and this book really touches home base for me and I’m sure for other teenagers or anyone who reads it. This book is about the life of a high school freshman named Charlie a very reserved, quite smart kid. At the end of his 8th grade summer his best friend and only friend Michael had committed suicide. As Charlie enters high school he feels alone cause he was really only friends with Michael but then Charlie meets Patrick and Sam the self-named “misfits” but they take that name cause they are happy with it. Once Charlie, Sam and Patrick all hang out more Charlie becomes okay with that name too cause he just likes belonging somewhere. This book show the real side of high school not some cookie cutter sugar coated fantasy of everything’s perfect and everyone’s happy. It exposes the sides of what really happens in high school when kids are dumb, young and innocent not knowing any better and trying anything they are given. This book is defiantly an eye opener, it’s a fiction book but it has great purpose. I like the writing style because it is through the eyes of Charlie it’s a bunch of journal entries where he tells what happens and speaks his mind. “And I swear in that moment we were infinite” one of my favorite quotes it describes a time where like nothing else matters all worries are gone and your frozen in a happy state where nothing can go wrong at the time. Charlie really did feel infinite at times with friends like Sam and Patrick how could he not. They helped him get over his sadness and feel happy for himself. Stephen Chbosky’s book is being made into a movie and it releasing this autumn in theaters. I think every teen should read this book because it really teaches you to look at things from a different perspective and think differently about living your life.
Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
Review by: Allison Urban
Grade 9
Reunited starts with three girls, Alice, the bookworm, Tiernan, the rebel, and Summer, the "girly girl." These three girls were best friends, until their favorite band, Level 3. So when the band announces a one-time-only concert, Alice buys Tiernan, Summer, and herself tickets, and they travel across the country to see the show.
I really liked the setting in Reunited. The story started in New Hampshire, but they ended up in Austin, TX. The girls stopped in many different states, too. I love the cover, too. I give Reunited a 4/5 stars.
Vanessa weisenbaugh
grade 11
book; kissed by an angel
author;Elizabeth chandler
This book is about a teenage girl, who believes in angels. She has little statues of angels all over her bedroom. She soon falls in love with this boy named tristian, hes a jock, doesnt really assossciate with anyother people out side of that group. little didi tristian nor ivy knew, they liked eachother secretly. They fell in love. One day they were driving and they had a car crash. Trisian died and ivy stopped believeing in angels. So, trisian is on the other side now, trying to tell ivy shes in big trouble and someone killed him. To sad though, because he can't. Reason being is because ivy doesnt believe in angels. Soon enough she believes again and lets her know. Will she find the killer and survive? who knows...oh ya me.:)
Review by Alex Kvocka
Book: House of the Scorpion
This book overall, was very good. It keep me reading and reading. The author Nancy Farmer described characters and places very well. This book also took place in the future. The book was about a clone named Matt. He lived with a women named Celia in a shack inside of the Alacran Estate. Matt was a clone of the richest and biggest drug lord in the world. His name was El Patron, he was 143 years old. Celia was a cook at the big house were El Patron lived. Matt was not a clone to take over the Alacran estate when he was older, but to simply supply El Patron with transplants so he can survive longer. Matt meets a girl named Maria and they are friends all through the book. Most people hate Matt because he is a clone and nobody likes clones. But some people respect himand the rest of the book is about how Matt discovers new things and tries not to get killed. Again overall this book is really good and keeps you reading page after page.
Marissa Stegman 12th Grade Muskrat 2.0
Dead Reckoning: the New Science of Catching Killers
Wow! This book is definitely an eye opener to what really goes on in the world of a forensic scientist/pathologist. I choose this book because I was researching my 'want to be' career and many people suggested this book! I'm glad I read this and I've learned a lot about forensics that they don't exactly put in the television shows.
In this book it takes you through the procedures a forensic scientist would have to do from the autopsy, to witnesses, to the court room. Michael Baden, M.D. doesn't skip a detail when it comes to this book. One part I remember specifically is when he described the horrid smell of a dead corpse. All in all I say if you're in to shows like NCIS or CSI this is a good read!!!(:
Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt
Isabella Marinelli, grade 11
I wasn't sure about this book at first, but it definitely grew on me. I was first aware about it because I was going to read it in Anchor Bay, but then I moved and I have always been curious about what it was about so I decided this was a perfect opportunity to find out and read it. It all begins with a few children and their mother in Rhode Island. She tells them that she will be back soon and to wait in the car by a shopping area. She never came back for them and they were only left with about seven dollars to feed all four of them. Dicey Tillerman, a thirteen year old girl, is the oldest of the kids and must take care of all her younger siblings. They use their money sparingly and try to find their way back to their mother. They travel to a park where they try fishing and meet other lost children. Then they try to go to their aunt’s house that ended up deceased and so they make their way to their Cousin Eunice's house. She wanted to be a nun so unconsciously Dicey knew they couldn't stay there. Eunice also wanted to send Maybeth away. After very far travels they come to find their grandmother. At first she was afraid she didn't have enough money to take care of them and she was afraid that she would make the same mistakes that she did with Dicey's mom but the kids fell in love with her, her farm, and her land. She took them in and was a better mother than their own will ever be. I liked that in the end the kids turned out safe and happy.
I have read divergent(2011) by veronica roth. it the hunger games meet harry potter. it comes with another good book insergent(2012). both are exellent books. i found divergent in a bookstore at hope collage it took me a week to finish it. it about a girl and the choice she makes. i totally recommed this book. i give it 5 out of 5. and everyone on youtube and people i hhave talk with say its one onf the best books ever.
katie janusch 9th grade muskrats 2.0
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Trevor Burgett 10th grade
Muskrat 2.0 media
I wrote my book report on The Hunger Games. It is the first of three books in the trilogy.
The first thing that I liked is that the author broke the book into three parts. The first part introduces the main character, Katniss and tells you how she lives. It also explains all the events leading up to the games. The second part is about the game and everything that happens during the games. The third part is all the events that happen after the games.
The second thing that I liked about this book is that it was written in a trilogy. I like the trilogy because it continues the story on after one book and I can keep reading about the character.
I really liked that this book was written fast paced. I also liked that the author described everything that was happening during the games so well that you could close your eyes and imagine exactly what was going on.
The quote from my favorite part of the book is “The world has transformed to flame and smoke. Burning branches crack from trees and fall in showers of sparks at my feet. All I can do is follow the others, the rabbits and deer, and I even spot a wild dog pack shooting through the woods. I trust their sense of direction because their instincts are sharper than mine. But they are much faster, flying through the underbrush so gracefully as my boots catch on the roots and fallen tree limbs, that there is no way I can keep apace with them.” During this quote the forest had been on fire and it shows what was going through her mind during it. I found this part of the story very interesting.
Yes I would highly recommend this book to a friend because it is a great book. I found it very interesting and fast paced, always keeping me wanting to read more. I usually don’t like to read much but it was hard to put this book down!
Don Quijote de La Mancha
Miguel de Cervantes
Reviewed by Shelby Mauchline
11th grade
Don Quijote de La Mancha is an intermediate textbook in the Spanish Language. This book surmises the adventures of Don Quijote with a series of comics dispersed about nineteen chapters. In the margins there are Spanish-English translations of various unknown slang that may be unfamiliar to the reader. There also exists a full glossary in the back of the book for those not fully immersed in the language.
Don Quijote lived in La Mancha, a province in Spain. He occupied his time by reading books about chivalry. Many hours of reading and little hours of sleep made Don Quijote go insane. He believed that he was a knight and that he must go out and tend to the needy. With his trusty steed, Rocinante, and his sidekick, Sancho, Don Quijote experienced a series of unrealistic adventures. These included anything from fighting giants that were actually windmills to attacked monsters that were merely wine bags. At the end you will discover if the townsmen of La Mancha were ever able to cure Don Quijote of his insanity.
I would recommend this book to anyone learning Spanish with at least two years of experience in the language. This book contains a peek into Spanish culture with bits of humor compiled in as well. Don Quijote would be superb for those with an interest in knighthood and chivalry because for myself, having a minor understanding of the subject, I was a slight bit lost in some of the terminology. All and all, reading this book had a positive effect on my understanding of the Spanish language.
The Tragedies of William Shakespeare (Macbeth) by William Shakespeare
Book Type: Spooky
Review by: Kaila W.
Michigan, Grade 10
One interesting thing about this play is that it is often called ''the cursed play'' because saying ''Macbeth'' in a theater will curse you, so they say. Actors say ''the Scottish king'' instead.
Review of Macbeth ONLY
———
This play is about a thane of Scotland named Macbeth who kills the king because he wants more power. To keep his power, he continues to murder others. I liked this play because it was very dynamic. To the witches in the opening scene to the death of Macbeth, I was always entertained. This play is very psychological, it really made you see into the mind of Macbeth. This play is also an eerie setting- set in a castle and a battlefield in the midst of a raging thunderstorm. I loved the soliloquies.
The wedding
By Nicholas Sparks
I recently read a book called the wedding by Nicholas Sparks. The book was well written, and kept me interested until the end. The wedding, had many details and was heartfelt. If you like a good romance this book is for you, it’s perfect for all ages. Both old and young will get something from this book. The wedding made me have faith that any marriage can work and love isn’t ever lost forever.
The book is about a thirtieth anniversary of a failing marriage and the husband(Wilson) who does surprising gestures to put it back together. He goes to Jane’s(his wife) father Noah for advice on saving the marriage. He comes up with a plan with the help of his oldest child of three, and many others. The books climax leads to a surprising wedding in the end.
The book takes place in North Carolina 2003, but it also shows flashbacks from Wilson and Jane’s past, the good and bad times. Wilson often goes to creekside(the nursing home) to visit Noah as they talk and feed a swan at the pond.
The author Nicholas Sparks did a perfect job on this; his normal romantic writing was as good as ever in the wedding. Nicholas Sparks has written and published eighteen heartwarming books and seven of which have been made into movies, in my opinion most if not all of his books will be turned into movies.
This book is a great choice for anyone who loves a heartwarming romance, ‘the wedding’ is full of many surprises and the book may leave you either laughing or crying. I highly recommend it.
-alecia ahles -sophmore
My Book Review:
Leah Hacker Summer 2012
Muskrat 2.0
Do you like holidays? Christmas especially? Charles Dickens did, even If he didn’t have much money! He wrote the book “The Christmas Carol” What I’ve recently read this summer! I would say the genre was Fiction, because well it’s made up for starters, and because he talks about Ghosts and brings Ghosts in it to try and get “Scrooge” to change! Well obviously Ghosts aren’t really either so!
I didn’t like that they used such big words ALL the time because if you read it to a little kid to bed or in general or a younger kid reads it they wouldn’t be able to understand some parts of it, due to the big vocabulary. But however, I did like how it was all about one person, the main person (Scrooge) you could find out things easily that way. Also you didn’t have to go back and fourth between a bunch of characters. I felt like the authors/ narrator’s voice was a man with a deep voice, I can’t really explain why maybe because it was about boys I don’t really know, I just head that voice in my head.
There are some upon this earth of yours," returned the Spirit, "who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all out kith and kin, as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us."
"External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty."
Those are two quotes that I picked from the book that I liked, I picked the first one because I felt like people could know the “old” you but it says you can change your ways no matter what, and that you can only change yourself not anybody else. I liked the second one because it stood out to me I liked the word choice, and how it was said, just the way he described it made it pop out to me! I actually really liked this book! Throughout reading it you find out that Scrooge actually ends up changing because of Marley and the ghost. I think that it’s great that he ended up not being so selfish anymore and started to immediately help others & Tiny Tim! To me that shows that people really can change! You really just got to try because honestly you can do anything. I also like how Scrooge changed and everything, I feel like people who read this would like it too because we all have something we want to change, and after reading this I thought of the things I could change about myself.
A little about the Author! His name is Charles Dickens. He didn’t have a lot of money, and this book didn’t help he thought he was going to get 100 “pounds:” but only ended up getting 250 “pounds” because of material costs and stuff like that. He was one of the first five people to write a Christmas book! He is known for Christmas. He wrote “The Christmas Carol” in six weeks, started it in November 1843 and published it December 17th 1843!
(Hope I did good I tried my best![:) Finally I AM done with my muskrat 2.0 projects!!:)
Running with Scissors by:Augusten Burroughs
Review by:Gabby Perkins
Augusten ia a young boy living in a troubled home. His parents fight to the point his mother goes clinically insane. So in a desparate attempt to find her self and get some time alone she has her twelve year old son apoted by her shrink.
Augusten was a very clean and intelligent boy. This was mostly due to the fact he was gay, which he later finds out as is his mother. The finches were am odd and dirty folk which he did not enjoy. BUt wthey welcomed him whole heartedly and with time he came to fit right in.
This memoir of a young Burroughs is both wickedly twisted and hilarious. BUrroughs is fearless in everything this book has to offer. I would highly recomend it to anyone that wants a bold and satisfying read.
Post a Comment