Weedflower and The Bracelet

Weedflower and The Bracelet were both good historical fictions books. They portrayed the stories of Japanese-American girls placed in American concentration camps. Sumiko was teased at school and finally made a real friend at the camp. The Bracelet's main character is Emi, and she had a best friend, whom gave her a bracelet as a going away gift. I felt a strong connection with both characters.
Like Sumiko, I was teased in school for being different. Sumiko was teased for her race, and I was teased because my family was poor. I grew up with many good friends in my neighborhood, but I did not know what a good friend really was until I met Ginni. If the Japanese would not have bombed Pearl Harbor, Sumiko would not have met an Indian boy named Frank, and if Katrina would not have hit, I would not have met Ginni. We both had to say goodbye to our friends in the end.
Emi reminded me of my friend, Sahara. She lived in my neighborhood, and we were really good friends. One day September 11th happened and idiots started to harass Sahara and her family. Sahara's family constantly had to pick trash off their lawn. Even though Sahara did not move to a concentration camp, her parents would not let her out play. They were afraid someone would try to hurt her. She was a prisoner in her own home. Eventually, her family could not take the abuse anymore and sold their house.
I never really understood what the Japanese-Americans' went through until now. I grew up knowing that the United States had concentration camps for the Japanese-Americans, but I did not care. They were not slaughtered like the Jews. I went through Katrina, so I know what type of mental toll it takes to be forced to leave everything behind. At least people were nice to the evacuees; Japanese-Americans faced a ton of racism.

Assignment.6 Chelsea Bussey

The Harry Potter is a fictional character in a fantasy series written by J.K. Rowling. He parents were killed by an evil wizard when he was one. At first he did not know he was a wizard and lives with his mean relatives. Around his 11th birthday, Harry leaves and attends Howarts School of Magic and Wizardry. He makes many friends including Hermione and Ron and a few enemies. Harry also learns how Lord Voldemort killed his parents and tried to kill him and also left him with a lighting bolt scar on his forehead. Voldemort tries to steal the Philosopher's stone, bu Harry saves the day.

I agree that Harry Pottery should be read in school. I would definitely have it as part of my instruction because it is a very well written fantasy series, and children love it. Having Harry Potter in my class would represent any usual problem. Someone always wants to start a problem, like the guy who tried to sue the government over saying "under God" in the pledge of allegiance. Having the children interested in reading is just one of the many pluses with the book.

Censorship can be a good thing, especially in a subject is too mature, but it usually is not. Many people try to get things banned for attention or fanatical reasons. Why would anyone want to stop a child from reading something they could understand ad makes them happy?

Assignment.6 Chelsea Bussey

My 95 Ford Taurus car caught on fire after class yesterday. My mom and son were in the car when this happened. They are fine, but the car's entire under the hood part has melted. I am having a very hard time trying to write this.

Assignment.5 Chelsea Bussey

Celia

Determined, happy, creative, and adventurous

Wife of Pedro Knight

Lover of music, dancing, and her family

Who feels joyful, strong, and energetic

Who finds happiness in music

Who needs to show the world how to salsa

Who gives 100% in her quest to become a singer

Who fears she has to leave her family, friends, and Cuba forever because of the revolution

Who would like to see everyone smile

Who enjoys sugar

Who likes to wear colorful costumes when performing

Resident of Cuba and then New York City in the United States

Cruz

(Celia Cruz was born on 1924 in Havana, Cuba to a poor, but loving family. She had 13 brothers, sisters, and cousins living with her. A teacher told her she needed to become a singer. Celia invented salsa dancing and even had her own band. She loved to sing and dance. She would shout, "Sugar!" at the beginning of each performance because she loved it especially in her coffee. Celia won many awards and has her own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. She died July 16, 2003.)

Assignment.4 Chelsea Bussey

Winn Dixie

I am a stray mutt.

I have a dirty coat, missing fur, and smell.

I cause havoc in the grocery store produce department.

I am rescued by a girl, whom calls me her dog.

I am named Winn Dixie.

I smile.

I get taken to her home.

I have a home.

I have an owner who cleans and feeds me.

I help my new owner ask her father questions about her mother.

I help her father answer those painful questions.

I am afraid to be left alone.

I am taken everywhere.

I am tied to a tree outside of church.

I am allowed in church after hollowing.

I catch a mouse at church.

I pick out a nice red collar and leash.

I make friends with a bird which hates dogs.

I scare a librarian because she thinks I am a bear.

I help my owner make many friends with troubled pasts.

I am scared off by a thunder storm during a party.

I scare my owner because she thinks I am lost.

I am found and have a loving home.

I am not a stray.

I smile.

Assignment.3 Chelsea Bussey

The Thief Lord

Where shall I start?

In the orphanges?

The hospitals?

What are you doing?

What do you think?
Why?
What can we do?
So what are we going to do?
There you see?
Can't you understand that?
Should I go now?
Children on general?
Is he going to come with us?
Do you know this boy?
have you forgotten?
How could this happen?
Were they on their own?
What's in the bag?
Your reward?
Fake money?
Don't I know you?
Were thet searching for you?
Because of the thefts?
You told your uncle everything?
What should we do?
Will you come with me?
And how are we going to get ashore?
Can you see it?
Does he know about the merry-go-round?
Was it always here?
Does it matter which figure you sit on?
Which one do you want?
The sea horse?
Or the mermaid?
What are you waiting for, Prop?
You really can't wait, can you?
Are you sure you won't change your mind?
I've got to decide?
If I did want to, could I change back again, ride in the other direction?
Do you want to feel it?
How do I look Prop?
Different?
Do I look like my father?
Is she rich?
Is there anything else I can do?
Your aunt?
That's her?
How are you going to get by?
Are you going to start stealing again?

Assignment.2 Chelsea Bussey

Everyone has their opinion on what a makes a book good. My version of a good book does not have to be an award winner, extremely complicated to read or understand, or even teach a moral lesson. It is something that sucks someone, whom maybe not even like reading, into its world to the point that they can not pull away from it. It is also something a person can pick up anytime and have it be just as good as the first time they read it. Some good books are the Color Kittens, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Adventures of Remi, any of the Thornton W. Burgess series, and Ender's Game. Good book is also the first pharse my 10 month old son put together.

Assignment.1 Chelsea Bussey

I sort of remember my mom reading me the Color Kittens while she was rocking me to sleep in a rocking chair I had in my room. I was very young, and she did this every night. All of my grandparents used to read to me, and my grandpa(dad's side) still continues the tradition by reading his favorite books from his childhood like The Advenures of Remi and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit and Friends. I have discovered, devoured, and loved an entire book series. I have also struggled with reading from a very young age, and it really made me hate reading. I love being read to, though. Ender's Game made a difference in my life by making me like to read again. I read for pleasure now.