Beagle and Hayes Blogspot

Becoming Naomi Leon

2007-04-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

Thoughts by, Tabatha Wagner
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! I was so sure that Naomi would be taken by her mom, but she wasn't, thank goodness! I can relate to this book because of my real mom!

Boy2Girl, by Terence Blacker

2007-04-19T04:59:00.000-07:00

Thoughts by, Tabatha Wagner
I thought that it was weird that Sam really got into being a girl. I thought he was so into being a girl, he would change into one like with surgery. I was surprised he told all his friends that he, Sam, had been a girl the whole time! I loved this book! I couldn't put it down!

Pirate Curse, by Kai Miller

2007-03-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Review by, Jenna Johnson
Pirate Curse is an exciting book filled with pirates, monsters, and evil forces. This book alternates passages narrated by 14-year old Jolly and Monk. Jolly is a polliwog, or a person that can walk on water, and is a pirate. She and Monk are joined together to save the world from an evil force called Maelstrom. The books shows how Jolly and Monk start a friendship that will last a life time and meet extraordinary people on the way.

One of the most interesting things in this book is the pirate ship battles. It's interesting because you see how the battles were in the old days and how entertaining it is. In my opinion this book is a must-read book. I say this because once you start this book you will never put it down.

Stowaway, by Karen Hesse

2007-03-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

Review by, Trevor Stoimenoff
Stowaway is an exciting tale of a ship full of sailors traveling by ocean around the world, to find an unkown continent. Set in the 1700's, the crew faces difficulties with the ship, the crew and nature itself. A young boy, who paid three other sailors to get him on the ship, hides on the ship all the while.
This story is focused on him, and from his point of view. Stowaway is an exciting story of courage, perserverance and friendship. The author really gets the point that working together is very important.
My favorite sections of the book are when the crew meets island natives. Some may be friendly, but most are deceiving thieves. The natives all trade with the sailors, but everyone wants something different. In my opinion, this book starts of out slow and boring, but as the ship traverses farther and farther it gets better and better.
The unique journal format makes this book interesting, and far more intriguing than most books. I say this because when you are reading a book, the format is always the same, normal format. Variety is the virtue of life, and this book is choc-full of it!

Criss Cross, By Lynne Rae Perkins

2007-02-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

Review by, Diana Sanchez
This book is basically about teenage kids, and what happens to them over the summer. The main character's name is Debbie. She has an older sister and she wishes she could have her own room. She reads a lot, but wishes something exciting would happen. Along with her friends, Hector, Lenny, Phil and Patty, she learns about love and friendship.

I loved the way this book wrote things in the perspective of all characters. I loved when Debbie met Peter at Mrs. Bruning's home. I liked that she kept in contact with him. I also enjoyed reading about how Hector was trying to impress the sunny and beautiful, Meadow. This book was absolutely amazing! You have got to read it!

Stargirl, By Jerry Spinelli

2007-02-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

Leo, actually, most anyone hasn't ever known anyone like Stargirl. She sings happy birthday at lunch while playing the banjo (http://www.barefootsworld.net/midijamboree.html#h), wears prairie skirts, smiles constantly and carries her best friend, a rat everywhere. She is blissfuly unaware of others' opinions of her "oddity" and is ready to make friends with everyone. It isn't until Stargirl and Leo become close that the pain of "normalcy" sinks in.
While reading Stargirl I thought of people I know like Stargirl. It always seemed these people were searching for something to "complete" them ( We do this a lot http://www.mybrotha.com/you-complete-me.asp). Although, upon finishing Stargirl, I began wondering if those of us so involved in the "normalcy" of fashion and media, etc... are missing out on the adventure and freedom of "oddity." Wouldn't it be fun to dress like Pippy Longstocking, wear sunglasses everyday, wear bright red lipstick, all black and a curly bleach blond bob, watch the sun set in the desert each night, roll in the snow then sit in a sauna, drive randomly and stop at interesting restaurants, give everyone hugs and actually have them hug back (http://www.freehugscampaign.org/), play in the rain, not fix your hair and roll in the mud, scream out when you love someone, wear flowers in your hair...?

Battle of the Books Submission Form

2007-02-21T05:59:00.000-08:00

Battle of the Books BLOG!

Share your knowledge, communicate with team members, post and read reviews to refresh your memory!

Name:_________________

Title of Book:_________________

Author:_____________________

Items to consider posting:
Odd characters
Unusual Events
Important Settings

List or write in paragraph form below. Turn in to Ms. Block or Ms. Almo!

2007-02-21T05:50:00.000-08:00

Have you read a book you think others should know about?

BLOG IT!

Share your thoughts on the Grand Ledge Middle Schools’ Blogspot! Submit this form to Ms. Block or Ms. Almo and check www.msblocksclass.blogspot.com a few days later. Your review will be posted!

This review was submitted by:_______________________________

for

Title of Book:_________________________

Author:_____________________________

Requirements: Two paragraph maximum! Complete sentences, written in paragraph (5-7 sentences) form must be used.

Use this checklist and the example on the back to help! DO NOT simply list the following.

____ The book’s main subject is…(Paragraph One)
____The author's main point is…(Paragraph One)
____One of the most interesting things in this book is…(Paragraph Two)
____In my opinion, this book is…(Paragraph Two)
____I say this because...(Paragraph Two)

Writing As Practice for the Future

2007-02-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

Government requirements and standardized tests, such as the MEAP, have encouraged Grand Ledge Public Schools to enhance curriculum requirements for writing. From Elementary through High School, teachers are required to teach more writing skills and are to encourage writing in their classrooms daily.
We have many avid readers at Hayes and Beagle. This blog will give them the opportunity to share what they have read and to practice their writing skills.

Explaining The Contest

2007-02-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Team participants at Beagle and Hayes are reading a collection of titles chosen by Ms. Almo and Ms. Eger. Throughout the year students have been answering weekly questions and participating in monthly goals. As a way to refresh their memory, students are able to start using this blog to write book reviews and to read other team's reviews!

Assassin, by Anna Myers

2007-02-20T05:13:00.000-08:00

Assassin, by Anna Myers

Alternating passages narrated by John Wilkes Booth (http://www.nps.gov/archive/foth/booth.htm) and a young girl named Bella who becomes a seamstress for president Lincoln describe the events leading to Booth's assassanation of President Lincoln. From page one I was hooked. Booth is an actor as are Bella's parents and she is fascinated by his appeal on stage (Ford's Theater - http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/633.jpg). But, when Bella's mother dies, her father takes her to live with a Grandmother she hardly knows and who despises the idea of acting. While Bella adjusts to life with her Grandmother and learns to sew in preparation take over her Grandmother's position at the White House, Lincoln (http://www.gallatindesign.com/websites/presidents/images/biopics/lincoln02.jpg)wins the presidential election, Booth joins the army to get closer to Lincoln and their lives become closer and closer to colliding.
I enjoy historical fiction and think Myers explored the thoughts of John Wilkes Booth well. The intertwining lives of the two characters makes me think of how I may be influenced by others and how it may be hard to avoid pressures of people we admire. Assassin is well written; Myers is wonderful at making the inner thoughts of Booth and Bella seem real.