Blog 10B-Notable Moment: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
After reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, my overall opinion of the book was that it was a cute story that definitely served to teach some lessons. These lessons were seen through actions of the different animals, such as Nicodemus no longer believing in stealing. Although, of all the different journeys the rats had, and the different experiences that brought each different animal to the Fitzgibbon’s farm, Mrs. Frisby’s journey into the house was a notable moment for me.
It is first of all ironic that the task that lies ahead of her is the same task that her late husband, Jonathan Frisby, would perform for the rats. Also, this is the first part of the book where we, as the reader, are introduced to the Fitzgibbons and see them socializing as people. This awakened me up as the reader to the fact that I wanted Mrs. Frisby, the little mouse, to escape and not be captured by the humans. I wanted her to be set free.
The first thoughts of Mrs. Frisby after she had been caught in the colander by Billy were, “A few days! Mrs. Frisby felt sick. And after a few days—then what? Would they let her go? Or would Billy plead for a few more? But even if they did set her free—her children were alone; the rats were coming tonight to move her house. Why had Billy picked today, of all days, to sit on the stool?” This quote shows the maternal side of the mouse in that she is worried for her children, and then she becomes worried for the moving of the house, which is what got her captured in the first place.
By the end of the chapter, Seven Dead Rats, Mrs. Frisby becomes worried for the safety of not only her kids, but also the safety of the rats. This is portrayed at the end of the chapter where it is stated, “And now she had another urgent reason to get out of the cage. Somehow, she had to warn Nicodemus. All in all, this moment was notable because it shows the interaction of mice and people and how they are similar in values of family and friends.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Blog 10A: Anticipating the Novel-Mrs. Frisby adn the Rats of NIMH
Blog 10A: Anticipating the Novel-Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is another book that I have not read. I am also unfamiliar with this book, and haven’t heard of it till this class. After reading the back cover, the book appears as though it will be “cute”. We will see if my opinion changes once I have read it. Based off of the back book summary, the book is about a widowed mouse with four children and she must move from where they are situated to their summer quarters or die. The one thing standing in the way if their move is the youngest son has pneumonia and he cannot be moved. This is where the rats of NIMH come into play.
First of all, I am not sure what NIMH stands for so I went to look it up and found that it stands for the National Institute of Mental Health. Don’t know if this was just a surprise for me, but I was a little taken aback by this. The rats come from NIMH, and they are not normal rats, they are laboratory rats. The book does look interesting, now that I have figured out a little more about it, and hopefully reading about these little mice will not only be cute, but also enjoyable.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is another book that I have not read. I am also unfamiliar with this book, and haven’t heard of it till this class. After reading the back cover, the book appears as though it will be “cute”. We will see if my opinion changes once I have read it. Based off of the back book summary, the book is about a widowed mouse with four children and she must move from where they are situated to their summer quarters or die. The one thing standing in the way if their move is the youngest son has pneumonia and he cannot be moved. This is where the rats of NIMH come into play.
First of all, I am not sure what NIMH stands for so I went to look it up and found that it stands for the National Institute of Mental Health. Don’t know if this was just a surprise for me, but I was a little taken aback by this. The rats come from NIMH, and they are not normal rats, they are laboratory rats. The book does look interesting, now that I have figured out a little more about it, and hopefully reading about these little mice will not only be cute, but also enjoyable.
Blog 9A-Anticipating the Novel: The Lightening Thief
Blog 9A: Anticipating the Novel-The Lightening Thief
Well, I have already purchased the Lightening Thief, so I figured why not write at least one blog on it, so here it goes. Since this is just an anticipating the novel blog, I intend only just to judge the book by its cover and back, and maybe even do a little research online. Based off of the cover, the book seems captivating the scene is very gloomy and shows a skyline with water and a boy holding a sword and in the air is lightening.
After reading the back summary, it seems as though the boy in the picture is Percy Jackson who is the main character in the story. The book seems full of excitement, and the story seems to have a thick plot line based on Greek mythology. Also this book is a part of a series, but it is the first book in the Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. While looking this book online, I also discovered that there is a movie which was made after the book. I will admit that I probably will not read this book, but all in all, it seems as though it would have been an enjoyable read seeing as though it was a New York Times #1 best-selling series.
Well, I have already purchased the Lightening Thief, so I figured why not write at least one blog on it, so here it goes. Since this is just an anticipating the novel blog, I intend only just to judge the book by its cover and back, and maybe even do a little research online. Based off of the cover, the book seems captivating the scene is very gloomy and shows a skyline with water and a boy holding a sword and in the air is lightening.
After reading the back summary, it seems as though the boy in the picture is Percy Jackson who is the main character in the story. The book seems full of excitement, and the story seems to have a thick plot line based on Greek mythology. Also this book is a part of a series, but it is the first book in the Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. While looking this book online, I also discovered that there is a movie which was made after the book. I will admit that I probably will not read this book, but all in all, it seems as though it would have been an enjoyable read seeing as though it was a New York Times #1 best-selling series.
Blog 8-Analysis: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Blog 8: Analysis of Nesbit, Lewis, and/or Rowling-
After reading all three novels assigned by Nesbit, Lewis, and Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was definitely my favorite book. The Magicians Nephew came in second, and was followed by The Phoenix and the Carpet in third. As a result, I have chosen to do my analysis on Harry Potter. There are many different themes that run through harry potter, anything from relationships to different nationalities, and even race, all of which we discussed in class. One steady theme that I recognized throughout the whole book was that of growth.
I felt this theme, or idea, was shown constantly in the book. Whether it be the relationship Harry had with Ron and Hermione, or the one he had with Mad-eye Moody. Each one grew in its own unique way, and this was especially true for Harry’s relationship with Cedric Diggory.
Both boys were chosen to represent Hogwarts for the tri-wizard tournament, but from the start there was a dislike for Harry which was shown in the pins that the students wore. These pins read, “Support Cedric Diggory—the real Hogwarts champion!” and when pressed flashed another saying, “Potter stinks”. When it came down to it though, Harry was the first to reach out to Cedric and warn him of their first task, which were the dragons. As the story progressed, Harry then is stuck with solving the golden egg, but Cedric is the one to give him advice and help him complete the task. The last task is where the true growth between the two boys is seen. In the end, Cedric is killed, but Harry is the one who brought his body back with him, and was visibly upset about the series of events which unfolded.
While I felt that Cedric’s and Harry’s relationship was the one that grew the most in this book, there were also others that were very important and influential on the book. These included relationships among Dumbledore, Mad eye Moody, Krum and Hermione, and many more.
After reading all three novels assigned by Nesbit, Lewis, and Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was definitely my favorite book. The Magicians Nephew came in second, and was followed by The Phoenix and the Carpet in third. As a result, I have chosen to do my analysis on Harry Potter. There are many different themes that run through harry potter, anything from relationships to different nationalities, and even race, all of which we discussed in class. One steady theme that I recognized throughout the whole book was that of growth.
I felt this theme, or idea, was shown constantly in the book. Whether it be the relationship Harry had with Ron and Hermione, or the one he had with Mad-eye Moody. Each one grew in its own unique way, and this was especially true for Harry’s relationship with Cedric Diggory.
Both boys were chosen to represent Hogwarts for the tri-wizard tournament, but from the start there was a dislike for Harry which was shown in the pins that the students wore. These pins read, “Support Cedric Diggory—the real Hogwarts champion!” and when pressed flashed another saying, “Potter stinks”. When it came down to it though, Harry was the first to reach out to Cedric and warn him of their first task, which were the dragons. As the story progressed, Harry then is stuck with solving the golden egg, but Cedric is the one to give him advice and help him complete the task. The last task is where the true growth between the two boys is seen. In the end, Cedric is killed, but Harry is the one who brought his body back with him, and was visibly upset about the series of events which unfolded.
While I felt that Cedric’s and Harry’s relationship was the one that grew the most in this book, there were also others that were very important and influential on the book. These included relationships among Dumbledore, Mad eye Moody, Krum and Hermione, and many more.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Blog 7B-Notable Moment: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Blog 7B-Notable Moment: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the series written by J.K. Rowling. In this book, Harry Potter is chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament and the way in which he was selected for this tournament was very unique. First of all, Harry’s age proved to be a factor in him actually being able to put his name in the Goblet of Fire for the tournament. This is because Dumbledore stated,
“To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation, said Dumbledore, I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross the line.”
This quote is significant because it shows that Harry was not the one who put his name in the Goblet of Fire, it had to be someone else. The following night when the Goblet of Fire chooses Harry Potter, it is evident that he is an exception to the rule in more ways than one. His name somehow getting placed in the goblet is one exception, his age is seen as another, with him only being fourteen at the time. Also, there are normally three magicians who are chosen to compete, but Harry is the fourth. Lastly, because Harry’s name was placed in the Goblet he has to compete in the tournament till the very end. It is ironic how during the feast,
“Harry thought briefly of Dumbledore’s insistence that nobody under seventeen should submit their name, but then the wonderful picture of himself winning the Triwizard Tournament filled his mind again…he wondered how angry Dumbledore would be if someone younger than seventeen did find a way to get over the Age Line…”
This quote is just one example of the foreshadowing that J.K. Rowling uses to show to the reader that there are exceptions to the rules and Harry Potter proves that he is an exception.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the series written by J.K. Rowling. In this book, Harry Potter is chosen to compete in the Triwizard Tournament and the way in which he was selected for this tournament was very unique. First of all, Harry’s age proved to be a factor in him actually being able to put his name in the Goblet of Fire for the tournament. This is because Dumbledore stated,
“To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation, said Dumbledore, I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross the line.”
This quote is significant because it shows that Harry was not the one who put his name in the Goblet of Fire, it had to be someone else. The following night when the Goblet of Fire chooses Harry Potter, it is evident that he is an exception to the rule in more ways than one. His name somehow getting placed in the goblet is one exception, his age is seen as another, with him only being fourteen at the time. Also, there are normally three magicians who are chosen to compete, but Harry is the fourth. Lastly, because Harry’s name was placed in the Goblet he has to compete in the tournament till the very end. It is ironic how during the feast,
“Harry thought briefly of Dumbledore’s insistence that nobody under seventeen should submit their name, but then the wonderful picture of himself winning the Triwizard Tournament filled his mind again…he wondered how angry Dumbledore would be if someone younger than seventeen did find a way to get over the Age Line…”
This quote is just one example of the foreshadowing that J.K. Rowling uses to show to the reader that there are exceptions to the rules and Harry Potter proves that he is an exception.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Blog 7A-Anticipating the Novel: Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire
Blog 7A: Anticipating the Novel-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I am finally getting around to writing this blog for anticipating the Harry Potter book that we will be reading this week for class. Of course I have heard of Harry Potter, and I have read some of the books, but I did not get around to reading this book in my childhood. I believe that I stopped after the second or the third book in the series. I know most of these books are a continuation of the previous one before so it will be interesting to read the fourth book in the series.
Also, along with it being the fourth book, The Goblet of Fire was also made into a movie some five years later. It will be interesting to see some of the differences between the movie and book since I already watched the movie. Although this is one of the longer books, I think that it will be one of the more enjoyable ones since I am already familiar with it.
I am finally getting around to writing this blog for anticipating the Harry Potter book that we will be reading this week for class. Of course I have heard of Harry Potter, and I have read some of the books, but I did not get around to reading this book in my childhood. I believe that I stopped after the second or the third book in the series. I know most of these books are a continuation of the previous one before so it will be interesting to read the fourth book in the series.
Also, along with it being the fourth book, The Goblet of Fire was also made into a movie some five years later. It will be interesting to see some of the differences between the movie and book since I already watched the movie. Although this is one of the longer books, I think that it will be one of the more enjoyable ones since I am already familiar with it.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Blog 6B-Notable Moment: The Magician's Nephew
BLOG 6B: Notable Moment - The Magicians Nephew
In the Magicians Nephew, a notable moment that stuck out for me was when Digory is instructed by Aslan to go to the place where he can get an apple to protect Narnia from the witch. In this scene, Digory is able to go through the gates and enter this place where he grabs an apple and stuffs it into his pocket. We later discover that the witch has already made it to this place and she is eating the apples which are for bidden. The sign on the entrance gate read:
“Come in by the gold gates or not at all,
Take of my fruit for others forbear,
For those who steal or those who climb my wall
Shall find their heart’s desire and find despair.”
Digory realizes that he is able to take some of the fruit and bring it back to Aslan, but he is not to eat any himself. This scene shows that Digory is smart in the way that he follows all the rules written on the gate. The witch, on the other hand, is selfish and tries to get Digory to eat an apple himself. She also tempts Digory with the idea that he could sneak off and bring an apple home to his mother and heal her. These nasty words by the witch show that there is evil in this second world, and although it may be hard, resisting temptations can be for the best.
This proved true for Digory because Aslan let him take an apple and bring it home to his mother to help heal her. All in all, I felt that this notable moment showed that Digory had grown as a person and was able to resist the witch in her evil ways and do the right thing, which was not eat the apples in the situation at hand.
In the Magicians Nephew, a notable moment that stuck out for me was when Digory is instructed by Aslan to go to the place where he can get an apple to protect Narnia from the witch. In this scene, Digory is able to go through the gates and enter this place where he grabs an apple and stuffs it into his pocket. We later discover that the witch has already made it to this place and she is eating the apples which are for bidden. The sign on the entrance gate read:
“Come in by the gold gates or not at all,
Take of my fruit for others forbear,
For those who steal or those who climb my wall
Shall find their heart’s desire and find despair.”
Digory realizes that he is able to take some of the fruit and bring it back to Aslan, but he is not to eat any himself. This scene shows that Digory is smart in the way that he follows all the rules written on the gate. The witch, on the other hand, is selfish and tries to get Digory to eat an apple himself. She also tempts Digory with the idea that he could sneak off and bring an apple home to his mother and heal her. These nasty words by the witch show that there is evil in this second world, and although it may be hard, resisting temptations can be for the best.
This proved true for Digory because Aslan let him take an apple and bring it home to his mother to help heal her. All in all, I felt that this notable moment showed that Digory had grown as a person and was able to resist the witch in her evil ways and do the right thing, which was not eat the apples in the situation at hand.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Blog 6A: Anticipating the Novel-The Magician's Nephew
Blog 6A: Anticipating the Novel: The Magician’s Nephew
The Magician’s Nephew is a novel that was published in the Chronicles of Narnia Series. While I have heard of this series of books, I have yet to read them all, but I have read one, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The book that we are reading, The Magician’s Nephew, is the sixth book published in this series, and is about the journey of two children. Their Uncle Andrew is the magician who sends the children to another world. This book not only explores the fantasy world, but it also has many elements in it which are similar to C.S. Lewis’s life.
The children are similar to C.S. Lewis in that they are growing up in the early 1900’s in London, the same time that Lewis was. Also, both the children and Lewis lose their mothers in early childhood, and their fathers live in another country as they grow up. The children and Lewis, on a lighter note, both wanted a pony when they grew up. Lastly, this book has a little more humor and is a little lighter in tone compared to the other books in the series perhaps due to Lewis as a older man reflecting back on his childhood.
Judging from the cover, it is clear that there is an aspect of fantasy in the book by the horse with wings, and the children riding it over a vast countryside with mountains, trees, and water. I then went on to read the first line, last line, and ninety-ninth page to anticipate the novel in a new way. The first line opens the story up nicely and clearly stating that the story begins when my grandfather was a child, illustrating to the reader that the book happened a while ago. The last line, and the ninety-ninth page were both quotes so it was harder to comprehend these. All in all, I look forward to reading the book and seeing what new adventure lies ahead of me.
The Magician’s Nephew is a novel that was published in the Chronicles of Narnia Series. While I have heard of this series of books, I have yet to read them all, but I have read one, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The book that we are reading, The Magician’s Nephew, is the sixth book published in this series, and is about the journey of two children. Their Uncle Andrew is the magician who sends the children to another world. This book not only explores the fantasy world, but it also has many elements in it which are similar to C.S. Lewis’s life.
The children are similar to C.S. Lewis in that they are growing up in the early 1900’s in London, the same time that Lewis was. Also, both the children and Lewis lose their mothers in early childhood, and their fathers live in another country as they grow up. The children and Lewis, on a lighter note, both wanted a pony when they grew up. Lastly, this book has a little more humor and is a little lighter in tone compared to the other books in the series perhaps due to Lewis as a older man reflecting back on his childhood.
Judging from the cover, it is clear that there is an aspect of fantasy in the book by the horse with wings, and the children riding it over a vast countryside with mountains, trees, and water. I then went on to read the first line, last line, and ninety-ninth page to anticipate the novel in a new way. The first line opens the story up nicely and clearly stating that the story begins when my grandfather was a child, illustrating to the reader that the book happened a while ago. The last line, and the ninety-ninth page were both quotes so it was harder to comprehend these. All in all, I look forward to reading the book and seeing what new adventure lies ahead of me.
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