Final Book Reports

Hi Students!

Here are the final book reports. Unfortunately, I only received reports from six students; however, the six that I received are all excellent.

Enjoy!

And thanks again for your hard work this semester.

Alejandro's Report

A Dangerous and  Suspense  Crime  Story

Have you ever seen a crime in your real life? What would you do, if you saw a crime and  you are the witness.  Some people don’t want to involve in this situation because they know that their life will be in danger. But, in this story you will be amaze  in the intelligence, integrity, courage, and wisdom of the eleven years young boy. The story was started  when Mark, the important character in this story, witnessed  the crime which he saw , and he worked with his lawyer Reggie Love to solve this crime. This story entitled, “ The Client “ who  was written by John Grisham of Arkansas,U.S.A. The story is really  amazing and full of suspense such as, the scene that Mark discovered the murder case which the Mafia was involved.  Mark’s life  became terrible because Mafia was the powerful group on that time. Moreover, we will learn the exact meaning of the four words that the level 4 students had studied in “ The Giver,” such as intelligence, integrity, courage, and wisdom, because mark  has these four qualities that he used in this story. I would recommend this book to all students of ELI  who want to improve their knowledge about English Language. The Client is really interesting and helpful book. I learned a lot of vocabulary words and the story is really interesting and challenging. In addition , the author is one of the World’s best selling  crime writer , and The Client was his fourth book.

Chiho's Report

The Fruitcake Special

Author Frank Brennan

About girls delicate feeling and family relationship

This book is interesting. First, I can understand this main character’s feeling. She is twenty-seven years old and still can’t find a best man for her. Her aunt, Mimi, worry about her. “ ‘So soon? And you’re not married yet? Your mother was married when she was eighteen. Eighteen! And you were born when she was nineteen!” (p 8) Sometimes, parents, grandparents and aunt worry about their daughter too much. She doesn’t need worries about her marriage. Then, Aunt Mimi recommended one ‘boy’ so she lied about her partner and she used ‘fruitcake’ to attractive men. I think ever girl can understand these kinds of feeling.

Second, we can know about family connection from this book. Aunt Molly lost her husband and changed. Her sons and relatives cooperated with. “The boys never went out much with me and my parents or with our grandparents. Aunt Molly always stayed at home.” Such as, Aunt Molly don’t go out of her house, so the family managed to go her out. These days, family relationship becomes weaker and weaker. I learned that we have to cooperative and think with each other from this book.

     We can know people’s delicate feeling from this book. We can notice very important things, that is why I recommend this book.

Ikumi's Report

Book Report

      I watched a terrible short movie several days ago. The movie gave me fright, and the day after I sensed someone behind me. I don’t like ghosts that frighten me, but I don’t know why I’m curious about them. I read The Canterville Ghost and Other Stories which is written by Oscar Wilde. I enjoyed reading this stories and I wanted to read more the literary works of the author. I have two reasons of recommending of the book.

       First, this book has three short stories. If you read this book, you won’t get tired. Moreover, the first story gives the impact and interests keeping reading this book. The first story, The Canterville Ghost, is that the ghost frightened a family, and the family, especially Mr Otis, frightened the ghost as the revenge. The beginning of the story gives reader fun and reminds reader of the memories like a child. Then the story is getting serious. The ghost felt weak gradually and then Mr Otis’s daughter met the ghost. Finally, the ghost apologized for his crime and she prayed for the death of the ghost. I felt the love at the ending, and I was moving. I think that not only this story but all stories have the concept of mystery and love. You might be looking forward
      Second, this book is well worth reading because Oscar used easy, difficult, familiar, and unfamiliar words. In short, there are various words in the book. Totally, I think it’s easy to read, so I could finish in only one day. When I met the word that I didn’t know, I tried to skip and continued reading, finally I could guess and understand without looking for the meaning of the words. The book is good for the students in level 4 to spend doing what you like or refresh. In other words, it might be too easy for students in level 4. I recommend reading the book as hobby.
      In conclusion, I learned what love is from the book. Although each story is short, you might be able to enjoy reading this book. Sometimes it’s mysterious, and sometimes it’s touching. It’s easy to read it, so I recommend it.

Kazuki's Report

             The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

     I want to recommend this book, because reading this book makes me exiting and it makes awesome imagination. It was little bit difficult to me but it was really interesting book. And also this story can be seen in a lot of movies. It is very famous and so interesting.

     There is a person who named Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll is living in London and he is a doctor’s of medicine and law. One day John Gabriel Utterson, who is a lower, watch that Mr. Hyde who is small and ugly guy often goes in and out of the house of Dr. Jekyll. He saw several times that and he thought why that guy goes in to Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll is very kind and good person, so he couldn’t understand why such a bad guy goes in to his house. However, the truth was that Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was same person. Dr. Jekyll made a medicine that can change to another person who is Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde is made by bad part so he is very bad person. The story goes, ordinary days Dr. Jekyll is very kind person, but in night he change to the bad guy Mr. Hyde and do bad things.

     I love these kinds of story’s that is like Dual personality. It is very interesting that two personalities in one person. But this story was not only two personalities in one person but also changes his apparent. That part made me very interested me. I want to read lest of the book after writing this. I didn’t know this story is very famous in the word until I read this book. This story is in lot of movies so I will watch this movie after I finish. 

Shinobu's Report

The prisoner of Zenda

Have you ever been same face people with you? Also, If you met him, what would you do?  This story is that Rassendyll, central character of this story, experiences a lot of things in exchange for King Rudolf who have same face with Rassendyll. I recommend this book for two reasons.

Frist, He experiences as new King in exchange for King Rudolf and fights with enemy who don’t agree with that Rudolf become King.

He and people who approve of King Rudoulf struggle with people who disagree with. They want to protect King Rudolf and their secret that Rassendyll is not real King. Ultimately, Rassendyll fight with aide of anti King Rudolf in head-to-head competition. If that is the case, can he defeat him for protecting himself and their secret?

Second, He falls in love Princess Flavia who becomes engaged to King Rudolf.

He love her but he is not Rudolf So He wonder about whether to confess that he is not Rudolf or not. This is because she do not love Rassendyll but Rudolf. He can’t stand to blow off her. If that is the case, can Rassendyll confesses the fact and his feeling and be happiness with her!?

This story has adventure, mystery and romance. I read this book for 1 day because this book is very fun. However, I can’t satisfy this end. How about you?

Yasna's Report

Fears and Disabilities: A Book for Children, Youths and Adults

A colorful robe, a carved piece of wood, and a long song save the history of a hostile community. Orphans children with artistic abilities are responsible of the maintenance of these objects, but also they have a bigger responsibility that it is to write the future. In a story full of colors, fear of the unknown, and hope of a better future, Lois Lowry makes to beat stronger the hearts of her young readers again. Gathering Blue is an excellent book for children, youths and, adults because it teaches to overcome the fears and live with disabilities.

Kira, the main character, is a two syllables orphan girl with a twisted leg. (In this community the number of syllables in the name shows how much experience or years people have). Throughout of the story, she has to face the fear many times, but she understands that it’s part of the life, “Because of fear, they made shelter and found food and grew thing. For the same reason, weapons were stored, waiting” (p. 2). However, the most horrific moment for Kira is when she discovers that Thomas the carver, the little singer Jo, and herself are the artists who will create the future. In the beginning, she is confused, but then she realizes that they can change their history and build a less hostile community.

This book also develops a topic that is not common in children books such as the life with disabilities. It is important because they can learn to do not make differences and include them in their groups. For example, when Kira born with her twisted leg, her destiny was to go to the Field of Leaving (cementery) as all the people with disabilities. However, her mom fought to keep her. Thus, when Kira found to her father -he hadn’t been killed for the beasts-, he has a disability too, now he is blind. In a conversation about their life, she told him, ““Mother said pain made me strong.” Telling him, she was no longer embarrassed, but proud, and she wanted him to be proud, too” (p. 201) and she feels she is not alone anymore because his father lives in an unknown community where most of the people have disabilities, and they live in peace. Finally, she understands that her mission is to be the painter of her community because she has the power to paint a better future for them.

If level 4 students enjoyed reading The Giver, sure they will enjoy this book of Lois Lowry. They will learn that the fear is something that all people have to face, and the disabilities are some stones in the life, but also these can hide wonderful advantages that simple people can’t see at a glance.

Speed Reading #20 Answers

These are the answers for Speed Reading #20, "Modern Art."
1. D
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. B

HW for Monday, April 30th

1. Speed Reading (#20 "Modern Art")

2. Book Report #3
**Please email to me by 5 pm~!

3. Timed Reading (p. 164-166) (optional)

*12 minutes to read and answer.
*Check answers when finished (see below)

*Timed Reading Answers:
1. C 2. A 3. C 4. D 5. C 6 C

Final Exam Giver Response Questions

The following response questions about The Giver will be included on the final exam.

1. Describe a character that you relate to in the book. What is it about this character that you like? How is this character similar to you or someone you know? What did you learn from this character?

2. Describe your favorite part of the book.  What happens? Why do you like this part of the story?

3. Explain what you will take away from The Giver. That is, which aspect of the story will you continue to think about in your own life? How did reading this story change you or your perspective on a given topic or issue? How has this story affected you personally?

Week 15 Giver Activities

1. Reading
Read chapters 22-23.

2. Discussion Topic: The Words Intelligence, Courage, Integrity, and Wisdom

• Find passages/parts of the book that represent the word you chose in week 7. In other words, when do Jonas' actions require him to have/use intelligence, courage, integrity, or wisdom.  Bring these passages to present to class. Be ready to discuss how/why the passages you chose represent your word. 
• How/Why will Jonas need these qualities  (words) after the end of the story? 

3. Week 15 Giver Response (collected)
Please answer the following questions based on your understanding of "The Giver." Please write your response in your own words; in other words, DO NOT COPY FROM THE BOOK or any other source.

• Think of an experience when you or someone you know  had/used (intelligence, courage, integrity, wisdom)? Describe your/their experience. Explain why you/they needed this word during this experience.  
• Make a  prediction about your own life: When will you need this word in your future? How will this word help you? 

4. Practice Quizzes

Quiz for Chapters 22-23

HW for Wednesday, April 25th

1. Speed Reading #19 "The Great Pretender"

2. Part of Speech Puzzle (handout from class).

3. Josh's Book Report Comprehension Questions (collected)

• Please answer the question below: 
• 1. Why does Josh recommend this book? List two reasons. 
• 2. Describe two aspects of what life was like in Montana 100 years ago. 
• 3. What is "packing?" Note that you may have to read around the word a bit to find out the meaning from the context. 
• 4. What happens to the main character (Norman Maclean) and his crew (workmates) in Hamilton.

Josh's Book Example Book Review

A Humorous Perspective on Montana’s Present Past

A one-day, 26-mile hike down a mountain without a drink of water; a dog that loves chasing down coyotes all summer long; a grizzly bear that pops out of nowhere when you least expect it; and a cook who plays the poker table as well as he handles a frying pan. What do all of these things have in common? They are but a few of the many interesting scenes, people, and animals found in Norman Maclean’s colorful story USFS 1919: The Ranger, the Cook, and a Hole in the Sky. This story comes highly recommended: reading it will surely bring a smile to your face (it's hilarious!) while at the same time you can catch a vivid glimpse of Montana’s fading but still present past.

While there are no laugh-out-loud scenes in USFS 1919, the story’s subtle but prevalent humor leaves the reader with a smile that remains for days. Take, for instance, the scene in which the protagonist, Norman Maclean, and his fellow forestry companions adamantly argue with a crew of surveyors from the U.S. Geological Survey about the naming of an unknown creek across the border in Idaho. The surveyors are unsure of whether or not they should mark the creek with its given name, “Wet Ass Creek,” given the inappropriateness of the title. Norman and his crew insist that the creek keep its original name. Having a little fun with the federal surveyors—who are, by the way, from out-of-state—Norman and his gang accurately and amusingly point out, “There are only five thousand Deer Creeks in the country. Let’s keep the America’s only Wet Ass Creek” (p. 159). The surveyors put it to a vote, and the original name wins out. Norman, who is only 17 in the story, envisions the area surrounding the creek as a new national park—Wet Ass National Park, “where all the pilgrims from Brooklyn can stop their cars in the middle of the road and let their children feed the grizzlies and vice versa” (p. 160). In the end, the joke is on Norman and his crew: when the map is published, the name is shown as “We-ta-se Creek”, bearing little resemblance to the original.

If nuanced “Montana-style” humor wasn’t enough, USFS 1919 offers a vivid view of what life was like in western Montana a little less than 100 years ago. With a multitude of traditions, characters, and scenes that describe a Montana that was shaped by mountain men, loggers, firefighters, and women who were as strong as their men, the story places the reader in a picture of a world that is rapidly vanishing but can still be seen by those with observant eyes. Importantly, the story follows the adventures of 17-year-old Norman Maclean during his last summer working as a fire lookout. Norman’s role-model in the story is Bill, the head ranger in the Bitterroot Valley, who teaches young Norman about the ancient but intricate art of “packing.” As Norman keenly observes of Bill, “with a rope, he was an artist” (p. 128). And in a world where there “were still few roads across the mountains and none across the Bitterroot Wall” (p. 129), this type of artistry was not only highly valued but also necessary for survival in the still untamed wilderness. While the art of packing is not as common now as it was in the Maclean’s story, take a trip into the roadless Bob Marshall Wilderness area just east of Missoula, as ELI teacher Lisa Willis recently did, and you will find that your guide's "packing" skills reflect a tradition that has changed little since the days when Norman and his hero, the ranger Bill, packed animals over the Bitterroot divide. Another part of the story that provides a descriptive reminder of Montana’s past is the scene in which Norman and his crew set the stage to double their money in Hamilton after collecting their summer’s pay. As stated above, the crew’s cook is as skilled at poker as he is in the kitchen; hence, the crew comes up with a plot to hustle (win against dishonestly) the rough poker-playing crowd at the Oxford, the toughest poker bar in Hamilton. The cook does indeed win all the money at the table; however, what happens next is a fight that leaves the cook hiding under the table and young Norman and his crew fighting half the town of Hamilton! While this type of scene is unlikely to occur in this day and age, if you walk on down to the Oxford in downtown Missoula (no relation to the Oxford in the story), you will find an intensely silent group of die-hard poker faces sitting around a game of “Texas Hold ‘em.” Furthermore, even today it is not uncommon to read about a bloody brawl (fight) that has taken place on the cracked concrete outside the Oxford. Indeed, it might be a better idea to observe the infamous locale from across the street!

If you enjoy learning a little about the colorful history of the place you now live,  you will find USFS 1919 to be a humorous perspective portrayed through the eyes of a young Norman Maclean. Moreover, you will find yourself in a piece of Montana’s past that is still present today. Who knows? One day you might find yourself hiking next to “We-ta-se Creek” in need of a “cincha” knot in order to make it back to your car.