The Wedding

Title: The Wedding
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publication Date:
Page Count:
Type:fiction
Started On:10/9/07
Finished On:10/28/07
Grade: A+





1. Why did I decide to read this book?

-I decided to read this book because I had already read and seen the movie of The Notebook. The Wedding is the second book to a series so I was interested in reading it because I like the book before it. My friend read it and loved it and said I would also like it. I read the back cover and decided that it sounded good.

2. Plot Summary.

-Jane and her husband Wilson lived alone now that their kids were away. They had lived separate lives while the kids were there and now all they have is each other. One year Wilson forgets their anniversary and Jane is really upset about it. Now, Wilson vows he is going to make it up to her no matter what he has to do. He plans ans makes tons of arrangements to create the perfect gift. He takes the whole week of their anniversary off. Jane and him were sitting in the living room when their daughter came in and said she wanted to marry her veyonce and on her parents anniversary which is in eight days. They had a lot of work to do, but Jane was really excited for her daughter because she didn't have a real wedding herself. Some how all the plans work out without any problems. Wilson is all of a sudden a great help which makes Jane so happy. The night before the wedding Wilson creates a romantic and Jane is so surprised and happy. On the actual night of the wedding their daughter comes down in a regular dress and not the bridal dress that she was supposed to. Jane was wondering what was going on until Wilson told her that it was her wedding and their daughter was just playing along to make it special. while all of this was going on Jane's dad was really sick and they think he has gone crazy because he talks to a swan and thinks it is his dead wife. The swan disappears for a while and ends up at the wedding. This is very special to Noah and everything turns out good.

4. Who are the main characters and what roles do they play in the novel?

• Jane-Wife of Wilson, the only person that doesn't know whats really going to happen at the wedding.
• Wilson- Jane's husband and the one that forgets their anniversary, but makes it up eventually.
• Noah- Jane's sick dad.
• Kate- Jane and Wilson's kid that pretends that it is her wedding.

5. What was the main conflict?

-The main conflict is when Wilson forgets his and Jane's anniversary. She moves with their son and is thinking about filing for divorce. This is not only a result of the forgotten anniversary, but since the kids moved out the two have lived separate lives due to the fact Wilson works all the time. The forgotten anniversary just put everything over the top. Another conflict is Noah's health. It is not only his physical health that is in danger, but his mental health is as well. This is something that worries Jane to death. Noah thinks that a certain swan is his wife and talks, feeds, and visits her everyday. While he was doing this he tripped over a root and got hurt more badly then he was in the first place.

6. What is the climax?

- I think their is two major climax's in this book. The first one comes when Kate tells her mom that she wants to marry her boyfriend, Keith, on the night of her parents anniversary. This is in eight days. That point on everyone gets excited and anxious. The other climax is when Kate comes down in another dress and not her bridal dress. She then tells her mom that she would be getting married and not herself. This is so sweet and romantic on Wilson's part. It turns the story around because everyone thought Kate was to get married and the big wedding happened two days ago and not that day.

7. What is the significance of the title and why is it appropriate?

- I think the title is very appropriate. The whole story revolves around the wedding. Jane has always wanted a wedding because she got married in a court house. This wedding was all that Wilson had worried about for a whole year after he forgot the anniversary. So the whole story involved a wedding and is very romantic so the title is very appropriate.

8. Opinion.

- I loved this book. It is way better than any book I have ever read. It is defiently my favorite book that I have ever read.I loved romantic books and this was the best book. It made me laugh and cry. I seriously cried the whole time I read the book. I honestly couldn't put it down. I know most people say that but I am telling the truth. This was a really great book.

Journals 10,11,12,14

12/10/07-Have you ever experience major appliance failure at your home? What happened?
- I haven't really experienced any appliance failure. The closest I have ever come to an appliance failing was my fault not the appliance. I didn't know you had to let the dial click on a stove of a gas oven. Then I smelled gas and I tied to turn it off and flames shot pretty high. Grandma told me how to fix it and if I do that again I may burn the house down.....whoops.

12/11/07-Rudolph died. (Bulb burned out) Name his replacement.
-Olive is his replacement. He is supposedly the other reindeer. So even though he doesn't have a red bulb I figure he has more experience than any other reindeer that would be able to take Rodolph's place.

12/12/07-Favorite Holiday Cookie?
-My favorite holiday cookie would have to be the snicker doodle. They are my favorite cookie anytime though. I also really like the store bought ones with the pretty picture. They are very good and only take like six minutes. I have already eaten like three boxes.

12/14/07-What would you name a female Calico kitten?
- I honestly don't know what to name a kitten. I would have to see how it looks and its personality. I have never had a pet to name so it would have to be a very careful process because I have to have the right name if I ever get a animal especially if it is my first.

Journals 11/26/07-12/7/07

11/27/07- Any adventures over break?
- No, I didn't have any adventures. I had a normal break. My break mostly consisted of playing basketball and hanging out with my friends. If I wasn't doing that then I was at home bored.

11/27/07- Is our society too sensitive? Santa can't say HO-HO-HO anymore.
- Yes our society is way to sensitive. I think that they have been saying HO-HO-HO for ever and we have to change it now that is pretty dumb. I think our society needs to get over it and let the tradition of saying Ho-HO-HO continue.

11/28/07- Should Lit taught in high school be censored?
- No I don't think it needs to be censored. I think by high school you know a lot of it by now and will be more mature about it. I think it should be censored to a certain extent. What we have read so far has been good.

11/29/07- How early is to early for Christmas decorations?
- To early is before Thanksgiving. Way to early for Christmas decorations is before Halloween. If you put them up before Halloween then you skip two holidays. If you put them up before Thanksgiving then you look silly.

11/30/07-Christmas tree-topper: star, angel, or other?
- We have always had an angel for a tree-topper. Christmas wouldn't be the same without the angel on top of the tree. I couldn't imagine a star or something else on our tree.

12/3/07- Pity WVU fans, or revel in their misery.
- I don't think they should do either. I think they should just stop talking about it. The fans including myself have to accept it because it happened. Having pity doesn't change anything. It doesn't matter if you make fun of us because at least we got that far. Don't pity us because we don't need pitied and you can make fun if you really want because we don't really care.

Do you prefer a white Christmas...or would you rather have a warm winter?
- I want a white Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be white. There should be snow falling. I would hate Christmas if it was warm because it wouldn't be the same. I love snow and if there was snow Christmas would be perfect.

Title: Telling Christina Goodbye



Author: Lurlene McDaniel



Publication Date: 2002



Page Count:



Type: fiction



Started On: 10/30/07



Finished On: 11/3/07



Grade: A











1. Why did I decide to read this book?



- I decided to read this book because my friend read it and thought I would like it. She really liked it and said I should give it a try. I looked at it and it looked like something I would read. I like books that deal with kids my age and this book is a true story about kids my age. So after reading the back cover, I realized I would like it and decided to read it.

2. Plot Summary.

-Their are two couples that are really good friends. They are seniors in high school and they thought their year would be great. The two girls are really good friends and always look out for each other. The one couple always gets in fights, but claim they love each other and the other couple is always nice to each other. The two couples go to a basketball game where Tucker and Christina get in a fight. They hurriedly get in the car with the other two, Thrisha and Cody, along the way they hit ice and wreck. The wreck left two severely injured, one in a coma, and one dead. Now everyone has to face all the new challenges coming after the wreck and how to deal with them.



3. What is the setting and why is it important?

- This story take place in Mooresville, Indiana. It is during basketball season at first. Then the story continues throughout the rest of the school year and into the summer through the beginning of the next school year. Taking place in basketball season was very important because on their way home form the game when they wrecked. When they wrecked they slid on ice and basketball season is in the winter so that was also an important factor. The fact that it happened throughout the school year was also significant because it shows how hard it was for the people to get through the rest of the school year.



4. Who are the main characters and what roles do they play in the novel?

• Christina- Tucker's girlfriend and Thrisha's best friend. She was the girl killed in the wreck.
• Tucker- Christina's boyfriend that was driving the car. He now has to deal with killing his girlfriend and hurting his friends.
• Thrisha- Christina's best friend that was severely injured in the wreck. She has a very hard time dealing with the aftermath of the wreck.
• Cody- Thrisha's boyfriend that is left in a coma after the wreck. He can't really remember anything that has happened.
• Abby- A friend from school that has helped Thrisha through her loss.
• The parents of the kids- They helped the kids get through it the best they can.

5. What was the main conflict?

- The main conflict was the wreck. The conflict is both how it happened and how they dealt with it afterwards. When Cody got out of his coma he didn't remember anything, not even his girlfriend Thrisha. So, she has to deal with the death of her best friend and trying to get her boyfriend to remember and love her again. While all this is going on she has Tucker, who she never like that much because of the way he treated Christinia, who is trying to stick with her because they are the only two that are going throughout the same thing. Tucker has always had conflicts. He had little feuds with Christina when she was alive, now he fights with himself for the wreck. He now has to deal with how everyone looks at him, especially Christina's parents who blame him up until the end when they realize it was an accident.

6. What is the climax?

- The climax of the story is also the wreck. The wreck changed everything up until that point. The story goes from being happy and normal to very sad and as far from normal as you can get. From the point of the wreck on all the people involved lead totally different lives. It also changes everyones outlook on life.

7. What is the significance of the title and why is it appropriate?

- The title is very appropriate for this book. It explains everything after the wreck. Everyone has to tell Chrisinia goodbye sooner then they thought. Thrisha has a hard time letting go. She has to get through a whole year of "firsts" without her. So, I think the title is perfect because the situation that the characters in this book have to go through.

8. Opinion.

- I really liked this book.Even though it was really sad and I pretty much cried throughout the whole story, I loved reading it. I really liked to read books about kids my own age and this was one of them. It also made me realize that something like this could happen to anyone. I honestly couldn't put the book down. I really liked it.

Journals 11/5/07-11/16/07

11/5/07- You won the lottery what do you do first?
- The first thing I would do is be really excited and probably jump and down over and over. Then I would Keep some of it and have lots of fun. Then next I would put some of it away. I would also help some other people if they need it.

11/6/07- Lottery winner...which of your friends/family gets a chunk?
- I would give my parents some because they have given me a lot. My grandma would get whatever she wants because she has helped me a lot and has given me a lot just like my parents. I would help anyone in my family if they need it because they are my family and they have always been their for me. My friends would also get money if they really need it.

11/7/07- Lottery winner... will you still go to school/ get a job?
- Yea I probably would. I would still need to get and education to get a job. I still need a job because if I ever run out of money then I always have a back up. I would be really board if I didn't go to school anyways.

11/8/07- Lottery winner...would you give to charity and which one.
- Yes, I would give to charity. I probably wouldn't give it to one particular charity. I couldn't decide which one to give to. I know that I would give to the cancer societies, money for the poor and homeless, and to people that have lost a lot in natural disaster such as the Katrina victims.

11/9/07- Is it fair to other clubs and organizations that the bulk of Keyser High School fundraising goes towards the sports complex.
- I can't complain to much about the sports complex because I play sports and I am glad we are getting a complex and it is going to be really nice. I don't really think that we should forget about other clubs though because it is not fair to them because they deserve it just as much as anyone else. Another thing is that it just seems as though the football team gets more than anyone else because they do get a lot. It doesn't really bother me though.

11/13/07-Are the current speed limits reasonable or should they be raised or lowered?
- It really doesn't matter to me. I think they are alright. I mean they don't bother me. The speed of the speed limits isn't really a topic that I complain about or really even worry about.

11/14/07- What is at the top of your Christmas list?
- Well, I really don't want anything in particular. I like when people surprise me, so when they ask me what I want for Christmas I normally just say that I don't care. I really don't want any certain thing that bad.

11/15/07- Have you been naughty or nice this year?
-I have been nice. I always try to be nice. I was never naughty this year seeing that I am a good girl. I may have been a little mean but I always try to apologize and be nice. So, I have defiantly been nice this year.

11/16/07- What is the most essential menu item in Thanksgiving dinner?
- The most essential menu item would have to be the turkey. I mean what is Thanksgiving without one. I love mashed potatoes and gravy so if that wasn't their I would be sad. My grandma also always makes meatballs for Thanksgiving and if she didn't it just wouldn't be the same.

Journals-10/29/07-11/2/07

10/29/07- Which CW character is your favorite?
- My favorite Chocolate War character is Jerry. I like Jerry because he stickes up for what he wants. He goes through everything that happens no matter how bad and contnues to stick to what he believes.

10/30/07- If you could go back in time and change one event from your past, which one would it be and why?
- Their isn't a specific event that I would really want to change. Of course their are little stupid things that I have done over the years that I would like to change, but their are too many to count. I pretty much like how my life is going and I don't really want to change.

10/31/07- Promote a new teacher to new principle.
- If any teacher should become the new principle it should be Mrs. Woy. I think she would be a good principle because she nows how things should go and would do all she could to make them better. She is a very nice teacher and everyone would respect and like her.

11/1/07- Are you to ole to trick- or- treat?
- No i don't think I am to old. My dad thinks I am to old though. So since he thinks I am to old and he makes the rules I guess I am to old.

11/2/07- Whats your dream vechiale? Explain.
- I don't really care. I don't really no the difference between cars. I really just want a car that will run and dosen't look like it will fall apart at any second.

Journals 10/22/07-10/26/07

10/22/07- An easy class with loads of homework, or a hard class with little homework?
- An easy class with a lot of homework because you will be able to finish the homework in class. The homework will be easy enough to do quickly at home. If you had a hard class with little homework then the homework will be hard and take longer to finish.

10/23/07- Which of the decades has the best music?
- The 80s decade is the best because my mom listen to the music when she was my age. She still listens to it and got me into listening to it. If any of the decades were better it would have to be this one.

10/24/07- Do you like to hunt? Why?
- Yes and no. I like to hunt because I think it is fun to walk through the woods and see deer then shoot them. I don't like hunting because you have to get up really early. I also don't like hunting because I have to be quiet and sit still and if you know me then you know I can't really do either of them.

10/25/07- Nearly nine weeks into school...has your initial new lunching changed?
- I don't really like it as much. People still pass and with this new lunch line it is worse because you have to walk all the way around the cafeteria. If you just let us go to the line we want to go to then not as many people would pass.

10/26/07- Do you (or will you someday) play the lottery?
-I have never really thought about playing the lottery. I may play when I get older but I am not really sure. I have never really wanted to play, so maybe I won't play when I get older . I guess it just depends how I feel about playing it when I get older.

Journals 10/15-10/19

10/15/07- What is the most annoying pet naming convention?
- The most annoying naming convention is when someone gives their dog a full name. I think it is really stupid. No offense to the people that do do that. I also think when people give their dogs names that don't fit them, for example a huge dog named fluffy.

10/16/07- Of all the pets you have ever had....which one had the coolest name.
- I have never had a pet. I couldn't tell you what the coolest name was. If I had a pet all their names would be cool.

10/18/07- Suggest a few JT questions of future use.
- I don't really no any journal topics. I think you want us to give you suggestions because you are to lazy to think of them yourself. I think you should think of them yourself.

10/19/07-Great Job with Lousy pay or Lousy Job with Great Pay?
- I think a great job with lousy pay. This would be better because atleast you like your job. You would want to go to work everyday and you could eventually get more money. With a lousy job you wouldn't want to go to job and would hate your life.

Journals-10/9/07- 10/12/07

10/9/07- How do you like your eggs?
- I really like dippy eggs. They are really good. I have liked them since I was little. Scrambled eggs are really good to. I like to eat egg sandwich's to so I really just like eggs anyway.

10/10/07- Write me a get well/message/Sentiment.
-I hope you know that if you were really sick of course I would write you a get well sentiment. I mean you have to be really sick. I don't consider a sun burn sick. They do make sun tan lotion that you could invest in to prevent a sun burn. If you really wanna be a sissy and say that your sunburn hurts so bad and you can't come to school then I hope you get better soon.

10/11/07- Redecorating is imminent...Which three posters should go? Why?
-The first one to go is the Wolverine poster. I wanted that one to go the last time you redecorated. I just don't like how it has "Wolverine" down the side. Other then that I don't care what posters you get rid of. I really like the Batman one in the cave so please don't get rid of that one.

10/12/07- Are/were you satisfied with your first marking period performance in this class?
- I am ok with it. I think I could do better though. I mean my grade is ok but I don't really wanna settle for it. I am relieved that the class is weighted though.

Journals 9/28-10/5

9/28- Video Games: Do violent video games negatively influence who play them? Will playing violent games make a violent person?

- No. I honestly don't think so. Games are just games they shouldn't influence anybody. I mean there are many other media influences that would influence kids more than stupid video game. I do think kids get to much addicted to them, and I do think people should get out a little more but I don't think they will make them a violent person.

10/1- Did you have trouble completing the quotes assignment?

- No, not really. I think I would have been more confused if it was the first time I had ever done them but I did them last year so I knew what to do at least. Some of the quotes were confusing, but I after I figured out what they meant it was easy. The hardest thing for me was actually to sit down and new them.

10/2- Who is your Hero?

- I have a couple heroes. Brittani Riley is my hero because she is my friend, she is nice, she is good at sports, and she drives me around. I have always told her she is my hero. Ariel is my hero of course because she is my favorite Disney character and she is so nice to everyone. Chris is my hero because he puts up with me and anyone that can do that is my hero. Plus he is really nice. Last but defiantly not least my family because they have done everything for me.

10/3-Critique each hallways homecoming decor.

- The sophomores are the best because I helped decorate it. The tornadoes in that hallway are the best. Honestly I do like that are hallway looks good, but so does the Juniors and seniors. I didn't think the freshman hallway was good at all, they didn't even spell freshman right. At least they tried though. I like how the Juniors wrote the fight song. I like how the Seniors used plates for a tornado.

10/4- Based on your life now...predict your death.

- I really don't want to think about how I am going to die. When I do die I hope it is when I am old and I die peacefully in my sleep. Based on my life now though I will probably have a major fall and die. I fall a lot so if I was to die now it would be because I fell off a Cliff or something.

10/5/07- Homecoming game. Who will win? By how much?

- I think keyser will defiantly win. I think they will win really bad. They should at least by three touchdowns. I think the score will be like 35-7. It maybe even higher then that. I don't think southern will be that good so we should run all over them.

Book Synopsis: It's not easy being mean

Title: It's Not Easy Being Mean

Author: Lisi Harrison

Publication Date: March 7, 2007

Page Count: 224

Started: 9/10/07

Finished: 9/25/07

Grade: A



1. Why did I decide to read this book?
- I decided to read this book for many reasons. The main reason is that I already read the series up to this book and I wanted to finish it. The book before left you hanging really bad and it made me want to get this book to find out what happened. All the books before have been really good so far and I wanted to see if this one would be as good. The books in this series are about things I can really relate to and I wanted to read more.

2. Plot Summary.
- The plot starts out with the four main characters going back to OCD( Octavian Country Day School), after being expelled for three weeks.These girls are considered the most popular girls in the seventh grade and they call themselves the "Pretty Committee." After all the new drama of them returning to OCD settles, they are overcame with a new mission. They have to find the key that unlocks the secret room, that when obtained means you will be the most popular " Clique" in the eighth grade. This years eighth grade alpha decides to make finding the key tricky this year since it is the fifth year anniversary of handing the key down. Normally they just hand the key down to the seventh grade alpha, which in this case would be the Pretty Committee. It ends up that Layne finds the key, but compromises and ends up giving it to the Pretty Committee. On top of all this, their is boy drama, drama within the clique, and the thought of a Pretty Committee member moving to L.A. to star in a new movie.

3. What is the setting and why is it important to the novel?

- The setting takes place in the city of Worechester New York. It takes place all around the city around their school, massie's house and guesthouse, the soccer field, and Skye's house. Their is about three weeks of school left. This is significant because they need to get the key before they are in eighth grade because having the key means your the eight grade alpha. Finding the key wouldn't be as important as if it was later int he year. It wouldn't be as important if they were in a different school. If it was any other place or time they wouldn't have to worry about finding the key at all.

4. Who are the main characters and what roles do they play in the novel?

• Massie- She is the seventh grade alpha. She is very rich and head of the Pretty Committee.
• Alicia- She is Massie's best friend. She is boy crazy and is pretty second in command of the "P.C."
• Kiristen- The athletic and less likely to get into trouble "P.C." member because she is at O.C.D on a scholarship.
• Dylan- She is a "P.C." member that is always stressed about her weight.
• Claire- She is the newest "P.C." member she was at once left out. She is friends with Layne and she is the only one with a boyfriend, and she is wanted to star in a movie which makes Massie really jealous.
• Skye- She is the eighth grade alpha. She is the holder of the key.
• Layne- First to find the key with Claire so they could compromise with Massie. Massie considered her a Loser Beyond Repair (L.B.R)

5. What was the main conflict?

- The main conflict was finding the key. While trying to find the key other problems come about. Massie lied to Skye and now has to fix her first lie with other lies. Claire ditched the Pretty Committee for a luncheon with her manager. So, they throw her out of the "P.C." They now have to comprimise with Layne and Claire. On top of all this there is tons of girl drama that takes place.

6. What is the Climax?

- The climax of this story is defiantly when Layne and Claire finds the key right after Massie kicks Massie out of the "P.C." Massie is now really mad because if she wouldn't have thrown Claire out of the group then they would have the key. Claire will only give the key to Massie on a few conditions. Now Massie is really stressing because being alpha means everything to her. Layne is willing to give the key back on a few minor conditions and Claire really just wants back in the "P.C." and a few other conditions. They end up compromising so everyone gets their way.

7. Whats the significance of the title and is it appropriate?

- The title is very appropriate in this case. These girls are very mean and they think it is very hard to to be mean and stay the alphas. They think it is a very hard task. I would not change the title. It suits the book very well. The title fits very well with all the other books in the series. I think the title is very good and appropriate for this book.

8. Opinion.

- I really like this book. It was very Interesting book. It really fits with the other books in the series really well. I didn't want to stop reading it. When I finished reading I didn't want to stop and I wanted the next book to read right then. This book really relates to me and it was fun reading it.

Journals-9/20/07-9/27/07

9/20/07: Continuing with the food theme: What fast food franchise should open in Keyser? Which should we get rid of?

- I think we should get a chick-fila. I love that restaurant and every time I'm in Cumberland I make sure we go there. If it was just in keyser it would be a lot better because I wouldn't have to go all the way to Cumberland and I could eat it almost everyday. I think we should get rid of Long John Silvers. Every time I go in there or even smell their food i want to puke.

9/21/07: Continuing with the food theme: Have you ever eaten Octopus? Would you?

- Yes I have eaten octopus. My Aunt made me try Calamari. It was actually pretty good. I would eat if again if I could.

9/24/07: Are you (or were you) nervous to get your drivers license?

- Yea I am kind of nervous. If I pass I will be excited to actually get them. It is kinda scary though because you all by yourself. I am really not in to much of a hurry to get them though because I already have my permit and I don't think I am that good of a driver. I really just want the card that says if I want to drive by my self I can.

9/25/07: Is punishing the entire class for the transgression of a few fair? Is it effective?

- I don't think it is that fair. Sometimes people didn't do anything wrong to deserve punishment. It is really effective though because no one wants to make the rest of the class mad at them because everyone got in trouble because the few people acted dumb.

9/26/07: Video games: Which one has fritted your life away?

- No video games have fritted my life away. I don't play video games. I have never really sat down to play a video game except for maybe one minute then I realized I can't play video games and gave up. I have really never had the need to play a video game so none of them has fritted my life away.

9/27/07: Which one is most fun to watch others play?

- I really wouldn't know. I have never really watched anyone else play an video game. IF I have watched someone else play I don't even remember the name of it.

Book Synopsis:The One Left Behind

Title:The One Left Behind

Author:Willo Davis Roberts

Publication Date:2007

Page Count:144

Type:Fiction

Started On:8/29/07

Finished On:9/7/07

My Grade:B

Why did I decide to read this book?

- I decided to read this book was because the cover got my attention at first. I read the back of the cover which looked like something I would be interested in reading. So I asked the library teacher if she read it and like it she said that it would be a book that I would like. I was going to pick author book but i really liked that book.It was only one hundred and forty four pages so i figured even if I didn't like it that it wouldn't be a waste of my time.

Plot summary.

- This book is about ten year old girl named Mandy that lost her twin sister around 2 years ago due to food poisoning. The rest of her family had moved on with their lives. Now that her family have things of their own to do and her best friend (which was her sister) is gone she has no one. Her family go in ten thousand different directions over the long week end all thinking that another has Mandy, they end up leaving her home alone with only the dog and the memories of her sister to keep her company. As the week end went on she noticed some weird things happening and decides to investigate. She comes across a wrecked car with a boy that kidnapped his baby brother to save him from being kidnapped by real kidnappers and they are now running away from those kidnappers. She ends up getting in the middle of trying to help them and gets herself in trouble and they all have to relay on getting help now.

What was the setting and why was it important?

- The setting is a house on a beach that is on the opposite side of a small town. The house is located where it is isolated from mostly everything and everyone. The only things around is the ocean, a wooded area, a old small cottage, and an deserted lighthouse. The story takes place on Labor Day weekend. The setting is important because the family goes different places over the weekend. Since they left Mandy behind and they live so isolated from everything else no one knows she is alone or may possibly be in trouble.

Who are the main characters and what role do they play?

- Their are a couple main characters. Mandy and her dog is the most important. Her dog was the only character that was always their for her. Mandy was the girl left alone and helped the next main character named Zander short for Alexander. Zander was the boy that kidnapped his brother dusty so he would be saved from the two real kidnappers. The Carol was Zander and dusty's babysitter and the sister of one of the kidnappers. Their was also Uncle Frank who was schizophrenic and he ends up saving the day.

What is/are the main conflicts?

- The main conflicts are Mandy being lonely because her twin died. She was also scared that someone was breaking into their house and stealing things while she was home alone. The conflicts involving Zander was he over heard the kidnappers were planning to kidnap his baby brother. He decides to take him himself which causes the kidnapper to find him. The last conflict is that Mandy gets involved and Zander, dusty and herself were trying not to get caught.

Describe the Climax.

- The climax begins when the kidnappers come to Mandy's house and asks if anything supicicious has happened. Mandy knows their was but says nothing. Then she finds Zander and Dusty and ends up in the middle of everything. Then it gets worse when Zander tries to drive the kidnappers car with Mandy, Dusty, and Mandy's dog in it.They end up getting caught and the kidnappers take them to their motel. There they threaten to kill Mandy and Zander so they can't tell the real story. Then they would get ransom money for Dusty from his parents.

Significance of the title , is it approprite would you change it.

- I think the title fits very well. It defiantly describes how Mandy feels throughout the whole book. It also tells how she is alone all the time. Everyone leaves her behind when they go their separate ways so the title is perfect. I wouldn't change it at all.

Opinion.

- I though the book was alright. IT wasn't really the greatest, but it was pretty interesting. I thought the ending was pretty dumb because it didn't seem very realistic. I would read a book like that again, but it wouldn't be my first choice. For the most part it was good.

Journal 9/10-9/19

DOL:



9/10/07- Plant those Japanese iris bulbs next to the daffodils, Pam, if you want an attractive display next spring.

9/11/07- Terry doesn't run very well, but he always enters Run For You Life, a five-mile race held an Labor Day.

9/12/07- Neither of my parents is able to take me to the Village Theater to see Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest.

9/13/07- Adriana, please set those books of Shakespeare's plays on this stand; we'll be using them later in class.

9/14/07- Shawn said that neither of the singers was professionally trained, but their rendition of "maria" was stunning.



9/17/07- Neither my friend nor my sister has the time to address these envelopes; maybe someone else can help.



9/18/07- Rob told us that the picture has not been hung properly, and it will have to be taken down and done correctly.



9/19/07- Keiko and I have to order these items: two dozen pizzas, three cases of juice, and, I suppose, enough placemats for everyone attending the festival.





JT:



9/10/07-Comment on the Salty Hamburger story.

- I think the story was pretty silly. Why would someone get so mad over that hamburger when you can just get a new one. It was just and accident that could happen to anyone. They shouldn't punish that lady.



9/11/07-Do you think 9/11 happened as reported, or was/is their a sinister conspiracy/cover up?

- I defiantly think it happened as reported. How could you create so much disaster and destruction for just a cover up? I don't think they would fly a plane into multiple places and kill themselves for a cover up. I would hate to see what they are covering up or conspiring to do if that was the case though.



9/12/07-Would you consider Brittany Spears fat?

- Well compared to what see used to look like before then yea I do. She did have two kids so I mean you have to take that in consideration. I really don't pay that much attention to her, everyone is saying she is fat and I saw her picture in a recent magazine and she didn't look very skinny.



9/13/07-Do you perfer this year's "enrichment" block to last year's study hall/tutoring? Explain.

- Yes. I really like the way we have enrichment this year. I know what we are doing everyday in their and its not the same thing everyday which makes it good. I also like how it gives us kind of a break from the one and a half hour blocks. Also, I really like how on certain days I can get my homework done.



9/14/07-"Cheaters never prosper?"<- True Statement?

- Yes it is a true statement. I hate when people cheat. If you cheat you never get anything out of it because they either didn't do it themselves, or they don't know how to do it. When you cheat you didn't win fair and square so you don't truly deserve what you got.

9/17/07-It is better for your location (house, classroom ect.) to be too hot or too cold.

-I would rather be too cold because I can always get warmer. You can always bring more cloths and add layers to make you warmer. Their are only certain ways to get colder and you cant do them all the time.

9/18/07- Invent a new candy bar.

- A gummy bar is what I would call my new invention. It is a gummy in the form of a candy bar. their would be three section to it a cherry section, a bluerasberry section, and a strawberry section. It would be a delicious twist between gummy worms and candy bar.

9/19/07- Continuing with the food theme which McDonald's item should be permanently removed from the menu?

- I think if any item should be removed it should be the fish sandwich. Who goes to McDonald's to buy a fish sandwich? They only go their for either hamburger and fries, or chicken of some sort.

Journals 9/4-9/7

DOl-

9/4: "Sally, whom did you see at Fox's Pizza last night?" Megan asked after algebra class.

9/5: By the time the Fourth of July parade ended, the light drizzle became a downpour, and few people remained on Main Street.

9/6: In my opinion, Twelve Angry Men is the more powerful play of the two I read last week in English class.

9/7: Tana lent me a copy of Computer Facts, the magazine that published the article "Computer Graphics."

Journals-

9/4: An honor (sort of ) of a holiday: Whats the worst kind of Labor?

- I really don't know what the worst kind of labor is. I would think that a slave would have to have done the worst kind of labor. I also hear that a pregnant women's labor is pretty hard. Sometimes just working an everyday job can be hard labor on a bad day.

9/5: Should Michael Vick be allowed to return to the NFL?

- No, they should not allow him to return. Hoe has already been in trouble before. What he did to those dogs was really bad and I think he should get as tough of a punishment as he can get. I really don't think the NFL should want to be associated with him or what he was about after that. When you are an athlete in the NFL you are a role model and he is defiantly not a good role model and I don't think the NFL should represent him.

9/6: Which city/landmark in the "Mainland" U.S. would you most like to visit? Explain.

- I would like to visit Disney World. Even though I have been there before I loved it and would go back anytime I get a chance. The Little Mermaid is my favorite character and in Disney World you can see her everywhere and even see her so I love that place.

9/7: Two weeks: Respectfully grade the new principals (Twigg, Saturday).

- I really like Mr. Saturday. He is really nice and talks to everyone. I honestly don't know what Mrs. Twigg is like because I have never really seen her around.

Journals 8/28/07-8/31/07

8/28/07- Even though their parents objected, Captain Ron took her and her friend on a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.

8/30/07- Aunt Felicia said, "Golfing is more relaxing than swimming or jogging."

8/31/07- Mark's father is an engineer at the Ace Farm Equipment Co.; his mother is an illustrator at Herrara Publications, Inc.


-Will the new lunch line setup succeed? Discuss.
I think the lunch line takes a little bit longer, but i am not really sure yet since it has been confusing so far. It is alot more organized and I think eventually it will be alot less confusing. It does stop all the passing that used to happen in the lines, which is also good.

-Beans or Franks? Discuss.
I would have to say franks because I think franks aer hotdogs. I really like hotdaogs.
I actually had a hotdog last night. I like beans also but they are not something I would eat as much as franks.

-What was your most memorable summer adventure?
My most memorable moment this summer was going to Gettysburg with my softball team. We went to a tournament and saw that Gettysburg was near and we wanted to see a ghost tour. We were pumped the whole time waiting to see ghost. We looked around for the tour we wanted to go on and we finally found it and it was all booked. We were really mad but we had fun walking around together.