book 5

Dear Ms. Zrihen,      09/27/11

I am enjoying reading the book, Myths and legends of the World, written by Geraldine  McCaughrean.  The genre is definitely folk-tail.  The stores take place in many places like scotland, america,etc. The main characters are to many to name all but a few are Re, king Arthur, and Kahakura.  They were all round/dynamic.  The plot evolved in the following way threw the stories: First, a story of miners, then men on the moon, then the sphinx then leprechauns, and so on. The main problem was varying thru-out the story. The tone or mood of the book is suspenseful. A theme that appeared in the book is don’t be greedy. The moral of the book is that you should not be greedy.  From my point of view, I could see that in almost all the stories, those who were greedy ended up losing out (or dyeing). The author organized the book through a series of short stories.  The author’s purpose was to entertain and pass on lessons of morality, and how things cam to be. Her perspective was that in life, you should be generous to the needy.  

“Raven greedy to add all these pretties to his collection, let go of the moon.”  This was written on page 117.  I picked this passage because it shows the greedy loose everything.  The passage is significant to the story because Raven lost his treasure out of greed. 

I used several reading strategies throughout the book. Before reading, I skimmed and scanned through this book, or I flipped through the pages looking for text features to see whether or not I would like this book.  Also, my mom recommended it to me.  While reading, I would quiz myself on what I read after each story and re-read parts I didn’t understand.  After reading, I am writing this, and I quizzed myself.

Figurative language I saw in the book: illiteration, simile, metaphor, oxymoron, personification.

I would rate this book 5 stars ***** because once I start reading, even during dinner when my mom tells me to, I can’t put it down.  And at the end and middle of every page, there is a cliff-hanger so you want to read more all the time.  

Sincerely, 

Mikey Rogatinsky

Book 4

Dear Ms. Zrihen, 09/20/11

I am enjoying reading the book, Myths and legends of the World, written by Geraldine  McCaughrean.  The genre is folk-tail.  The stores take place in many plases. The main characters are to many to name.  They were all round/dynamic.  The plot evolved in the following way threw the stories: First, a story of miners, then men on the moon, finally the sphinx. The main problem was varying thru-out the story so far. The tone or mood of the book is exciting. A theme that appeared in the book is don’t be greedy. The moral of the book is that you should not be greedy.  From my point of view, I could see that in all the stories, those who were greedy ended up losing out.  The author organized the book through a series of short stories.  The author’s purpose was to entertain and pass on lessons of morality.  Her perspective was that in life, you should be generous to the needy.  

“So Kahakura took home to his tribe the amazing secret of fishing nets- how they are used and how they are made.  As long as the sea runs and the fish run in the sea, the Maori people will never go hungry for fish, nor empty of love.  It is as the gods wish.”  This was written on page 19.  I picked this passage because it shows that with hard work you can learn a new skill.  The passage is significant to the story because Kahakura teaches them to fish and so they can be independent in getting food and not completely reliant on him. This was generous of him. 

I used several reading strategies throughout the book. Before reading, I skimmed and scanned through this book, or I flipped through the pages looking for text features to see whether or not I would like this book.  Also, my mom recommended it to me.  While reading, I would quiz myself on what I read after each story and re-read parts I didn’t understand.  (Not yet finished with book)  

Figurative language I saw in the book: illiteration, simile, metaphor, oxymoron, personification.

I would rate this book 5 stars ***** because once I start reading, even during dinner when my mom tells me to, I can’t put it down.  And at the end and middle of every page, there is a cliff-hanger so you want to read more all the time.  

Sincerely, 

Mikey Rogatinsky

Book 3

Dear Ms. Zrihen , 09/13/11

I enjoyed reading the book, The Adventures of Tom sawyer, written by Mark Twain.  I only have 50 pages left.  The genre was historical fiction.  The Adventures of Tom sawyer takes place in America. The main character or protagonist is Tom.  He was a very round or dynamic character because the book describes his as troublesome, young, good at figuring things out, and fast. I don’t believe there is an antagonist because the boy Tom fought ended up being sad when he couldn’t find Tom.  The foils are Huckleberry Finn and Joe Harper.  The 2 of them go on adventures with Tom, but are not exactly the main character.  Other characters are Aunt Polly, Sid, and Mary.  

The plot continued to evolve in the following way: after Tom and Huck witnessed a murder, they ran into an old warehouse.  Then they discovered a man sleeping. He had been present at the murder. Tom, Huck and Joe decided to run away to an island. Later, Tom gets homesick and comes back to spy on his family. While spying, he learned that his family was going to have a funeral for him because they thought he was dead.  He had an idea and goes back to the island. After telling Huck and Joe, they decide they should attend their own “funeral.”   They attended their own funeral and Tom’s family discovered they were still alive.  Tom returned to school.  The main problem or issue was that school finals were coming up soon. Tom resolved this issue by taking the finals. 

The tone or mood of the book was exciting, but a little slower and less suspenseful.   A theme continued to be adventurous.  The moral of the book is that you should just do what you are told because what goes around comes around.  

From my point of view, I could see that Tom is a very mischievous and quick-witted boy.  The author organized the book through chronological order.  The author’s purpose was to entertain.  His perspective was Tom was mischievous and mildly self-centered.  

“ Vacation was approaching.  The school master, always severe, grew severer and more exacting than ever, for he wanted the school to make good showing on examination day.”  This was written on page 140.  I picked this passage because it shows that Tom went back to school and his teacher is becoming more strict with punishing him.  The passage is significant to the story because it shows that though mischievous, Tom still has some regard for the rules. 

I used several reading strategies throughout the book. Before reading, I did the 5 finger test, or check the vocab. Also It was recommended, or suggested to me.  While reading, I would always think of what to type or quiz my self and talk about it or discuss it.  (50 pages left)     

Figurative language was noted in the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: simile,   metaphor, alliteration,personification,and oxymoron.

I would rate The Adventures of Tom sawyer ***** (five stars) because once I pick it up I cant put it down. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Rogatinsky 

Book 2

Dear Ms. Zrihen , 09/6/11

I enjoyed reading the first three quarters of the book, The Adventures of Tom sawyer, written by Mark Twain.  The genre was historical fiction.  The Adventures of Tom sawyer takes place in America. The main character or protagonist is Tom.  He was a very round or dynamic character because the book describes his as troublesome, young, good at figuring things out, and fast. The antagonist appears to be developing slowly because I believe it is the person who Tom was fighting.  Tom was fighting him because he threw a rock at Tom. Other characters are Aunt Polly, Sid, and Mary.  The plot evolved in the following way: First Tom tricks Aunt Polly and runs away. Then he gets in a fight, after that, he gets in trouble(witch happens often). Later, he goes to the cemetery with Huckleberry Fin, Lastly he witnesses a murder. The main problem or issue was Tom must decide weather or not to tell. The tone or mood of the book was exciting and suspenseful.   A theme that appeared in the book was adventure.  The moral of the book is that breaking the rules doesn't pay off(unless you’re Tom).  From my point of view, I could see that Tom is over confident yet cautious.  The author organized the book through chronological order.  The author’s purpose was to entertain.  His perspective was Tom was over confident.  

“ They continued to whisper for some little time. Presently a dog set up a long, lugubrious howl just outside-within ten feet of them. The boys clasped each other suddenly, in an agony of fright.”  This was written on page 79.  I picked this passage because it shows that Tom is not always as brave as he seems.  The passage is significant to the story in the sense that Tom is not always as brave as he seems.

I used several reading strategies throughout the book. Before reading, It was recommended, or suggested to me.  I also did the 5 finger test, or check the vocab.  While reading, I would always think of what to type or quiz my self and talk about it or discuss it.  (still not yet finished)     

Figurative language was noted in the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: simile,   metaphor, alliteration,and oxymoron.

I would rate The Adventures of Tom sawyer ***** (five stars) because I cant put it down. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Rogatinsky