Weedflower

I learned so much about World War II from reading Weedflower. I knew that Japanese were placed in internment camps, but that was the extent of my knowledge on the subject. This book opened my eyes to the situation and made me feel as if I was living through it myself.
I felt Sumiko's pain and embarrassment when she was shunned at the birthday party. I also felt her pride in not wanting to let her family know what had happened. I admired her ability to be positive in a difficult situation. I could see and smell her flowers; the ones she worked so hard to grow in a place they shouldn't have been. I felt the connection between Sumiko and her little brother. I can see the friendship growing between Sumiko and Frank. I dreamed her dreams; to get out of this place and have her own flower shop. As I was reading, I became Sumiko.
Cynthia Kadohata wrote this book to draw in the reader. She not only wrote the book to inform, but to show what happened from an insider's perspective. Normally, I don't like to read historical fiction, but Sumiko and her heartwarming story stole my heart. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it ended too soon and left me with too many questions. What happened when they moved away from the camp? Was her aunt's job successful? Were they reunited with her uncle and grandfather? Did she ever see Frank again? Did she own a flower shop?

Censorship

I remember hearing about the possibilty of Harry Potter being banned when I first read the book. I couldn't really see what they thought was so bad about it. To me, it seemed like any other fantasy book. It wasn't trying to convince me that "magic" was real or that I should believe I'm a witch. It was just a purely fictional book that allowed me to enjoy reading.
I don't think it should be banned because of it's content. People can find something to criticize about every book. The idea of religion comes up with Harry Potter because of the magic, but then the book The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was also considered to be banned and it is a religious allegory. They both explore the idea of magic and witches, yet some people feel that Harry Potter is worse? I don't see how they could put those in separate categories.
If I were teaching a group of 4th, 5th or even 6th graders, I would use this book. It is an exceptional example of high fantasy. It allows students to get out of their daily routine and travel to a magical place where all kinds of interesting things happen. As I read it, I enjoyed being able to escape to Hogwarts. Harry Potter is one of those books that draws students in from the very beginning. From the very first page, they can't put it down! This is the kind of book that needs to be put in the hands of a kid who hates to read novels. It might seem like an extremely long book at first, but they'll get so sucked in and read it in no time! Then, they'll feel great about themselves and be willing to read another long book.
I can see where some parents might have issues with the book. There are some parts that are "scary" and might be too mature for some students. I read this book in 5th grade and occasionally I had nightmares about Voldemort or I would be reading it late at night and get scared in my bedroom. Other than that, I think parents should view this book as strictly what it is, high fantasy.
Overall, I love the Harry Potter books. I get really defensive if someone says "I hate those books, they're advocating the devil," especially if the person hasn't even read the book. I don't believe J.K. Rowling was trying to make anyone turn to witchcraft with her writing. I don't see anything wrong with the books and really enjoy them for what they are, fiction.

Anne Frank

Anne
Loud, Talkative, Popular, Jewish
Child of Otto Frank
Lover of family, friends, and writing
Who feels trapped, scared, and lonely
Who finds happiness in a boy named Peter
Who needs a place to be free from oppression
Who gives her family support
Who fears being found, never being a part of the outside world again, and being separated from her family
Who would like to see what it’s like to not be Jewish during that time
Who enjoys being with friends
Resident of Frankfurt
Frank

Not Alone

I am quiet and secluded

but I am not a witch

I wonder how life would be

if I were not alone

I hear the chime of my mistake tree

and think about how I’ve changed my life

I see a little girl

chasing her dog up my path

and I just want a friend

I am quiet and secluded but

I pretend I am not lonely

I feel like I could love this girl

if she will let me into her heart

I reach out and touch her

to let her know she’s not alone

I worry that I will grow old alone

living with only my mistake tree

constantly reminding me of

things I’ve done wrong

I cry thinking the same might

happen to this little girl

I am quiet and secluded

but she keeps me company

I understand what it’s like

to feel out of place

I say a prayer that she

will find companions

I dream of how my life would have been

had I met her sooner

I try to encourage her to make friends

with the kids in the neighborhood

I hope I can make a difference

in her life

I am quiet and secluded no more

I am not alone

Found Poem

Talks with God

On a summer night, Harriet gazes at the sky and talks with God.

I set the North Star in the Heavens and I mean for you to be free.
My mind is made up. Tomorrow, I flee.

Lord, I'm going to hold steady on to you.
I'm going to see you through, child.

Lord, send me a sign.
The hour has come.

Lord, I can't make it alone.
Harriet, you dreamed that saints saved you, but mortals will give you refuge.

Don't let them catch me and take me back, don't let my journey end here.

I don't know who to trust, Lord.
Search my face in theirs, and for my hands in their work.
What have you in your hands?

I will arm you against your enemies, but you will not harm a soul, and no harm will come to you.

Should I leap, Lord?
Trust me to protect you, child.
Swing low, sweet chariot.

Lord, I miss my folks.
Harriet, your father taught you to read the stars, predict the weather, gather wild berries, and make cures from roots.
Use his lessons to be free, you will meet again.


Lord, I can't outrun them.
Shed your shoes and wade in the water to trick the dogs.

Thank you, Lord.

Lord, don't let nobody turn me 'round. I'd rather die than be a slave.
Harriet, keep going. You have already glimpsed the future.


Fly, Harriet. Your faith has wings.

Have you deserted me, Lord?
Harriet, when you were a girl, you hid in a pigpen to shun the whip. You fought hogs for table scraps, almost starved before you faced the lash. I am with you now as I was then.

Lord, make me strong. Help me fight.

How far, Lord?
As far as you can walk with me, my child, and I can carry you.

Not far now, child, not far now.

Is this heaven, Lord?
Not heaven, Harriet, free soil.

Lord, I am a stranger here; all my kin are down south.
I would make a home for them here. I would give my own life to free them.
Then go back for them, daughter. But first, go to my house to prepare for the journey.

I am ready, Lord. Lead me.
Harriet, I will make a way for you.

Harriet, be the Moses of your people.
But I am a lowly woman, Lord.

Harriet, I have blessed you with a strong body, a clever mind. You heal the sick and see the future. Use your gifts to break the chains.
I will do as you say, Lord. I will show others the way to freedom that you have shown me.

Save all you can, daughter.

It wasn't me. It was the Lord.
I always trust Him to lead me and He always does.

Well done, Moses, well done.

On a summer night, Harriet gazes at the sky and talks with God.

A Good Book

I think a good book is one that draws you in so much that you can’t put it down; you want to keep reading to find out what happens. Coraline, by Neil Gaiman, fits this qualification. At first, I thought the book was kind of boring. It was slightly confusing, but everything was explained as the story unfolded. In the book, Coraline gets bored one day and explores the new flat her family has moved into. She finds a locked door in a room she’s not supposed to be in. She gets the key and enters an alternate universe through the door. She finds that this other world looks almost exactly like her own world, except that in this world her “other” mother gives her everything she could ever want. This magical world offers her new worlds to explore that constantly change and a room with toys that are interactive. Everything seems wonderful on the outside, but then her other mother puts her in “time out” in a dark closet and Coraline discovers her nasty secret. Her seemingly wonderful other mother had hidden her real parents and had plans to keep Coraline in this alternate world forever and eventually suck out her soul. Coraline made a plan to trick the other mother into letting her go and giving her parents back. Once Coraline is safely home, she realizes that she is happy with her life just the way it is and she didn’t like always getting what she wanted.

This book has a moral, but doesn’t actually say “the moral of this story is…” It reveals the moral as part of the story and therefore raises awareness but doesn’t make the book feel like it’s “teaching” you. The book is also very original. It allows kids to use their imaginations and form a picture of this other world in their minds. Coraline sucked me in without my even realizing it. One day I was just reading it, then all of a sudden I couldn’t put it down! I just had to know what was going to happen to this little girl.

Thinking Back...Haley Cromer

I don’t actually remember when I first began reading. As a child, the women in my life (mother, aunt, grandmother) all read to me. My mom would read a “bedtime story” to me every night before bed. Every time I visited my grandmother, she would read to me from a collection of children’s stories in a book that reminded me of an encyclopedia. My favorite story for my grandmother to read to me was “Hansel and Gretel.” I’m not sure why it enticed me so much, but it was my favorite. In kindergarten, I couldn’t wait to begin reading by myself. I read the books teachers sent home for homework and then moved on to the children’s books on our bookshelf at home. I eagerly looked forward to trips to the library with my mom.

A few of my teachers read aloud to the class, but the teacher that stands out the most in my memory is my 4th and 5th grade AG teacher. We had a small language arts class and she had a section of her room that had a couch, a few chairs, and bean bags. Every day we would gather in that corner, get comfy, and read. Sometimes we would read our individual books, but other times (my favorite) we read a book as a class. She would let us pick characters and read that part (kind of like reading a play). It got us engaged in the book and made it fun to read. We read books like Hatchet, The BFG, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Island of the Blue Dolphins. I loved every one of these books, and I partly owe my appreciation for reading to this teacher. Now as a young adult, I still love to read. I don’t have as much free time to read during the school year as I do during the summer, but I still try. It makes me sad when I hear people say they hate to read or reading is boring because reading is my escape, my chance to explore places I’ve never been and to live things I would never be able to.