True Stories of Crime & Detection, Prompt: Do you like what your reading? Why or Why Not? 12/15/2014 - 12/19/2014

True Stories of Crime and Detection

By:Gill Harvey

Blog By: John Zalazinski 

12/15/14 - 12/19/14

I absolutely love this book, as I've been reading it has been getting better and better, and here's why. The stories that are told are interesting crimes that were committed really lures you to read more. Although it only (so far) has told stories from the late 1800's and early 1900's it is still a really good read if you plan on being a crime investigator. It is based on True Stories as you can tell clearly  by the title so if you are more of a fiction person would recommend to steer clear of this book.

It does get confusing at and you might yourself losing your spot every once and a while but you'll catch up quickly. My favorite story in the book so far is about a police force that was setup by a former French criminal who escaped an unescapable prison twice and wanted to stop living that life and start anew. If I ever get a chance to do a report on that specific group I would be more that really proud to do so. It just interest me a lot to know that people can change in a moment's time. 

 

For people who aren't big fans of reading this might be the ticket to get hooked. I really had no idea 

what to read when it was time for homeroom, but now I do and hopefully more stories to come. I would really love to similar books to this but it may be really hard to find. If really have nothing to do spare time, please if a local library is close to you see if they have it.

 

Loser, Prompt: Are the characters realistic? Why or why not? Week of 12/8/14 - 12/12/14

Loser 

By: Jerry Spinelli 

12/10/2014

John Zalazinski

Prompt: Are the characters realistic? Why or why not?

The characters are realistic and relatable here's why. Zinkoff he feels lonely at times then when he is appreciated he feels the best feeling in the world. He can relate to a living, breathing, person right now, maybe because they feel invisible even when they are seen and don't JUST want to be recognized they want to be recognized for something special. Its like when Zinkoff got an A+ on a test an everybody loved him. It was like when Zinkoff on 5th grade field day when he just stayed at a neighbor's house(sorry spoiler). 

There is also the Waiting Man. A lot of people can relate to him, mostly because they're wanting for their returning solider to come home and be with their family. I hope none of them have been waiting for over thirty years, but if they are they have really good patience and a lot of hope. The Waiting Man can relate to my grandma because when my dad was gone she hoped and hoped he would come back and he did. I hope the Waiting Man will get his wish, the only way to find out is to... READ ON.

  

Only a few people can relate to the "leash girl" who is on a leash because her parents couldn't handle her. Kids like that are referred to "leash kids" because if you turn around or blink for one second they are already gone. That was how Claudia was described and she might get lost (wink wink) later in the book. Hopefully she and other kids like that are going to be better soon.

Loser, Prompt: Do any of the characters feelings change as you read? Explain why or why not. 12-1-2014 to 12-5-2014

Loser 12-3-2014(Week of 12-1-14 to 12-5-14)

By: Jerry Spinelli

Blog By: John Zalazinski

Prompt: Do any of the characters feelings change as you read? Explain why or why not.

Donald Zinkoff feelings change a lot during the book. One chapter he's sad, but then the next he's happy. For example, when he is the only person in his class to get an 100% on his test everybody wants to be around him, but when Field Day comes he's left out and forgotten. This might mean there will strong chance of the reader getting confused. You don't have to worry if you do get confused because that's normal. 

I don't know about Andrew though. Andrew is one of the characters in the story that stays in the background but does have something to do with the story. You couldn't really tell the expression Andrew has when he met back with Zinkoff because his voice is neutral I guess. His feelings are neutral because you couldn't tell if he was sad, happy, or even angry because he has the same tone of voice. For example, when he asked Donald (Zinkoff) "....your dad still a mailman?" there's no expression because the book doesn't mention if he says it with a smile or even laugh. 

Donald's dad you can if his feelings change easily. When his "new" car breaks down there would be a low tone, gloomy mood to his voice. You can tell when he wants to encourage Zinkoff and when he is unsure of his son. It makes the book a little more interesting than it already was because his dad is such an interesting  and "colorful" person.

Loser, Prompt: Describe a Character That you would like to meet, List 4 questions 11/17/2014 - 11/21/2014

Loser

By: Jerry Spinelli

Prompt: Describe a character you would want to meet, List 4 questions for them

11/19/2014

The character I would want to meet is the "Waiting Man",  he has been waiting for his MIA(missing in action) brother for over three decades. No one knows his name or why he still might be waiting for so long. He must have so much hope to wait so long, I guess that's one thing no one in the story has assumed yet. Anyway those are some the reasons why I would like to ask him these four questions.

When did you find out that your brother was MIA? Was it after your parents found out or was it you that found out first. Even though most of the time parents usually break the news sometimes it can go the opposite way. Do think people calling you the "Waiting Man" is acceptable? I know this might slip your mind, but you do know people call you that because every time people see you your just standing there looking at the doorsteps.


What was the relationship between you and your brother like? It has to been really strong, right? If you waited this long I guess the answer is obvious. After all these years, why are you still waiting?
Ever took in consideration that your brother might be ... dead? I know its really tough for you to answer this but trust me if need to let something out. Its okay if you don't want to answer. I just want to hope the best for you.

I Survived True Stories, Impact Word Choice, Dialogue, & Specific Incidents 11/10/14 - 11/14/2014

I Survived True Stories

By: Lauren Tarshis

11/13/2014

Prompt: Analyze the impact word choice has on the meaning or tone of a text, Analyze how dialogue or specific incidents reveal information about characters. Make sure include textual evidence.

There is no real actual impact word choice until the disaster strikes or the climax of the story. It really reveals the terror the characters are experiencing throughout the horrific event. Although, it is sometimes hard to spot the impact word choice especially if you're confused on what's happening in the story. It is actually really rare for a character to use sophisticated word choices in this particular kind of book. I think this because of the story being a little bit fast-paced at times, but it could just be me.

There is not that much textual evidence because I haven't got that far into the book yet, but there is one thing I think that will suffice. Its the year 1888 and a man is trying to predict the weather, he predicted light snow, but he got more that, as a matter of fact he got the exact opposite of light snow. It is pretty obvious that he is a weather man, but there was no TV in the 1880's so he must've had a job in the newspapers, possibly. Either way his prediction is wrong.

The tone is very bright and happy at first, but it's when everything goes south, literally. Everybody who is actually involved in the story is brave and doesn't think of anything besides helping. The people who are confused during the catastrophe tend to panic al the time and scream in terror. Nobody in the story seems not to care about what's happening around them. Hopefully that doesn't happen anytime soon.

I Survived: True Stories, Questions I would Ask the Author 11/03/2014 - 11/7/14

I Survived: True Stories

By: Lauren Tarshis

Writing Prompt: If you could talk to the author, what questions would you ask? Why?

I would literally have too many question to ask Lauren, but for now here are three. "What inspired you to make the I Survived series?" It is just so amazing how she writes these books year after year, you would want to know what backs up her never-ending strive that she has. I honestly might go on to being a writer instead of an engineer because of her books and how well they are written. I think this book besides "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" actually go me into reading in the first place, and I don't think I would be at least a little bit interested in reading if it wasn't for me discovering her books.

"What book did you have the most fun writing?" I know it might not be a hard one to answer considering there is only seven books, I think. I still need to know because hopefully she enjoys what she does and never gives up on one thing and just moves on to another. A lot of people want that kind of inspiration in their life and never want that inspiration to fade. It is really cool how she always manages to push through page after page! Plus, it will be really cool to know she has as much fun writing the books as much as I love reading them!

"What would you do if you were caught in the midst of those disasters?" Hopefully the only thing I'll hear won't be RUN. She seems a like the person that you would want to push you to be better. If I was in the same room as her I wouldn't leave her behind, never! Even if it would mean losing my own life. I think she would be the leader in any kind of situation really. I really would advise her not to be with me in a disaster because to be honest, the only I would do is panic.

Lauren Tarshis

The Book

Poe Reflection 11/07/2014

Poe Reflection

By: John Zalazinski 

I really didn't know anything about Poe not even that he was a writer in the horror genre. That has changed since the Poe research I have done. He did have a tough life especially with his family members dying of tuberculosis and getting robbed by his own cousin. I'm still wondering if he got his inspiration from the things he experienced in his life. Is he trying to signal something about events that actually happened?


It might be a long-shot, but what if he did use things that happened during his life or what happened around him for inspiration for his short stories. Dark and sad things did happen at the start of his life like his parents both dying when he was just three, and getting adopted by his new family having them die also from the same exact disease. Having something happen in his life like that might be the reason why he chose horror and write extremely dark stories.


What I find most interesting is that his parents were an actor and actress, so I guess he would have some dramatic and intense genes inside of him. Knowing that, it is no surprise that Poe is famous for his writing. Hopefully he did know he had talented parents when he was a baby. What I find interesting but in a disturbing way is that he married his cousin Virginia when she was thirteen. I know it was I time when it was okay do that, but I hope few people were kind of freaked out by the idea.