Monday, February 22, 2010

Book Review: Magyk


Magyk, by Angie Sage, is an action packed fairytale with many characters revolving around a princess, and her past. When she turns ten, it is revealed to Jenna, the adopted daughter of the Heap family, that she is the late queen's princess. Around the time Jenna was taken in by the Heaps, they had had a newborn son, Septimus, who was quickly proclaimed dead by the midwife, and rushed away. Where he really was, no one knew. After finding out that the "queenling" was still alive, Dom Daniel, and evil, power-hungry wizard, eager for the throne, sets out to kill Jenna, so that he can be king. With the help of Marcia Overstrand, the Extraordinary Wizard, (the most important wizard) the Heap family, Jenna, and a strange young boy who they picked up called Boy 412 from the army, escape from their home and have many adventures escaping from Dom Daniel and his evil minions. Silas Heap, the father, finds a way to get half of his family-including Jenna, Marcia, and Boy 412- to his Aunt Zelda's cottage which is a safe place in a marsh. There are many more attempts, made by Dom Daniel, to kill poor Princess Jenna, but all their tries are thwarted. The book closes with Jenna and her family safe, (at least for the moment!) and Boy 412, who has always wanted a family, is revealed as Septimus Heap, their long lost son.


One of the main themes in Magyk, is that you don't have to be related to be a family. Though Jenna is not really related to the Heaps, they treat her like she is their own. Before it is revealed that Boy 412 is Septimus Heap, he is still treated nicely, especially by Marcia Overstrand and Jenna, who made attempts to bring him closer to the family. There were many people who helped the Heaps, as they struggled to keep themselves, and Jenna, safe. Though many weren't blood related, it was almost as if they were family. In these ways, it is clear that you don't have to be related to be a family.

I would recommend this book to people who like fantasy and action. Though there were times when it was a little slow, much of the book was filled with action scenes and magic. Even if you don't like reading about magic or fantasy, the adventure side is very exciting. In conclusion, I would recommend Magyk, by Angie Sage, to people who like action books, and even fantasy and magyk!

picture



Thursday, February 4, 2010

Science System Essay: Letter to the Human Body Corp.


Dear Human Body Corporation:

How would you like to be stuck in a bed for the rest of your life? Well, that's what would happen if you decide to fire the circulatory system. If you fired the circulatory system, the heart would not beat! Without us, the blood wouldn't circulate through the body. To top it all off, you would be sick all the time. It is my firm belief that you should not fire the circulatory system.

For one thing, the heart wouldn't beat at all. This could be fatal, because you wouldn't be able to breathe. If the heart wasn't beating, it couldn't pump blood into the body. My main concern is that you would eventually die! Those are some reasons not to fire the circulatory system.

Without the circulatory system, blood wouldn't circulate through the body, causing all-around trouble. First, carbon dioxide would stay inside the body and pollute it. The circulatory system is responsible for getting oxygen to all the cells, which is important, but would not happen if you fire the circulatory system. Without oxygen, the cells, including brain cells, will die. If you want the blood to continue circulating through the body, forget about firing us!

The circulatory system helps keep the body safe from bacteria and viruses that make you sick, and without it, you would be sick all the time. I hope you like being sick, because there would be no way to fully recover. From being sick all the time, you would become very weak. Because of that, you wouldn't be able to exercise or participate in activities, making the body unhealthy and unhappy. Those are some consequences of being sick all the time.

Please don't fire the circulatory system. We understand the budget cuts, but having less money is not as bad as a heart that doesn't beat. Without this system, blood would not circulate through the body. The worst part is you would be sick all the time! So, stay out of bed and don't fire the circulatory system.

From,
The Circulatory System

picture

Thursday, December 10, 2009

5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay: Laptops in School? No Way!


Oxygen, water, and food. I'm not seeing any laptops on that list of necessities. It would take thousands of dollars to buy laptops for every student. Many students already have access to computers at, and away from, school. Finally, students could abuse the privilege of having a laptop. Those are the reasons I think a laptop shouldn't be given to every student at BMS.

So much money is involved in having laptops. It will cost thousands of dollars to buy the laptops in the first place, which doesn't include any programs or anti viruses they might need. Internet access is not only going to cost the school, but also our individual homes. Also, if one was broken, the school would have to pay for a replacement, or for repairs. Buying laptops for BMS is far too expensive.

There is also computer access all over town where students can do schoolwork. We already have two computer labs at BMS, and there are several computers open at Kettleson Library. The majority of students have desktop or laptop computers at home. If not, most students have a friend who has a computer at home. These three reasons show that it is almost impossible no to find a computer in Sitka.

Some students may abuse the privilege of using the laptops. Most kids who are computer smart, could hack, causing a problem. Laptops are very easy to drop and that could, again, cause damage. There is no guarantee that the laptops will be used for schoolwork, as some students go to unblocked bad sites that are inappropriate or carry viruses. It is very possible that abuse could happen.

Every student at BMS should not be given a laptop for three reasons. First, it costs way to much money. Laptops are not needed because students already have access to computers. Finally, the privilege of using the laptops could be abused in multiple ways. In my opinion, a laptop is definitely not a necessity for BMS.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay Practice


Celia, The Best Boat There Ever Was!


When I grow up I think I'd make a great boat (Lund). I've always enjoyed being out on the water. I am also a pretty good naviagator. Most of all, I'm really tough. Therefore, I will be the best Lund ever created!

Being on the ocean is something I really enjoy. It's so exciting, and just a little bit scary, to be in rough seas, while being tossed around. When I'm on the water, I feel free, but tiny in the big ocean. I am to the ocean, what cookies are to milk. Being able to be in the water as a boat for the rest of my life would make me very happy.

Navigating has always come naturally to me. There was that time when I was on an Allen Marine Boat and we were hopelessly lost and I managed to read the charts to find out where we were. I'm always aware of my surroundings and remember what certain places look like. Whenever I go out on the boat with my dad, I look at the GPS all the time. Being able to navigate is just another step closer to becoming a Lund skiff.

I have become very tough throughout my life from climbing, pulling up skates, being stuck in wind and snow, carrying my tenor saxophone, ect. I have learned how to hold my breath for a long time, which is tough itself, from swimming. When I become a boat, I will definitely need to hold my breath and be durable. The time I spend outside has made me very tough, and is sure to give me and an advantage when it comes to becoming a boat.

The three most important ingredients required in order to become a successful Lund is a love of the ocean, being able to navigate, and having a certain toughness, and I've got all of them! I want to take the longest trip on a skiff ever made! I'm never so happy when I'm in the midst of sea life. It's like Safaya said, "Celia, you're a fish!" When I become a boat, I will surely be the happiest Lund the world has ever seen, and that is why I'll be the best Lund there ever was.

I got the picture from http://www.seahawkair.com/SKIFF-1thumbnail.jpg

Monday, October 5, 2009

owl city

hey peeps!!! Check out this awesome site!! http://www.owlcitymusic.com/home.aspx

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Cheezy is gone

I'm very sorry to say that *sniff* Cheezy is dead!!! He died of natural causes at age 3 days. A funeral will be held in honor of him after lunch. Please come and pay your respects.
Will post The Giver book review soon.

Super Awesome Post of Awesomness

Hi!! I would like to say that I now [']_['] have a new pet snail named gary. He is pretty tired right now. He was fighting with my pet fly Cheezy. Cheezy has mood swings a lot. Anyway, I'm training them to be in the circus, so they will have to learn to get along. Thank you for your antention.