Picture Prompt

Here is something new for you today.  Take a look at this picture. 

Writing Prompt: Who are those boys and what happened for them to end up like that?

Latest Chapters

So I think it's good that people are starting to accept Auggie a little more than they had.  I think it helps him feel a little more normal. 

Bun then there is Via.  She has a big issue with Auggie and he finds out why she kept the play a secret.  Interesting. 

Then their dog is dying. 

It's interesting how you can be in a big fight with someone, but then something big happens, like a dog dying, and you tend to forget why you were really fighting in the first place.  You actually begin to realize that whatever it was you were fighting about doesn't even compare to what just happened. 

Justin

I'm thinking Justin is a real stand up guy.  By stand up, I mean he's a really good person.  I love how this chapter is simply his thoughts.  If you think about it, you hear how everyone has sacrificed to help Auggie.  Justin is now a person who can't get Auggie out of his thoughts so I think he is going to be one of those people who helps Auggie in some way. 

I was really taken aback by Via's comments about her brother.  On one had, I totally get why she doesn't want Auggie to come.  But on the other, I don't know why she is making a big deal out of it.  But I also don't know what it would be like to have a brother or sister like Auggie. 

Share your thoughts. 

Summer and Jack

In reading the section on Summer, I totally wish there were more people in the world like her.  If that were the case, we'd have a pretty awesome world.  Issue is, there are always going to be people like Julian and Jack that act like they are really nice and cool and are actually jerks. 

I don't know how far you will get with read aloud today, but you will begin to read about Jack some.  I was kind of shocked with his reaction, but it also confirmed that there is some good in him.  It also confirms that Julian is a complete fake.  I'm dying to hear more about Jack.  I hope he figures things out!

Wonder

In reading these last couple of chapters, I was somewhat shocked to hear what Jack Will had to say.  Through out the book, I had the feeling that he was the one person that was on Augie's side. 

I was surprised that Augie would eaves drop on the conversation between them though.  But it did give him the opportunity to hear the talking without them know it was really him. 

I was heart broken when I heard what they had to say.  No one should have to go through that in their life no matter what they look like or how they act.  People should be able to live a normal life.  They don't have control over how they look, what they say, etc. 

I am wondering what will happen in the next few chapters.  Augie has kept to himself since he has been home.  What is going to go on?  I'm expecting a lot of different responses to this post! 

RULES

In the latest chapter we read, we are beginning to see a bit of a friendship develop between Jason and Catherine.  They seem to have made up from the time she drew him.  They start to chat a little, and at first Catherine is scared and doesn't know what to do.  Eventually, she makes a card with her name on it and puts a picture of her with it.  This gets her mind flowing!  She sees that all of this cards are black and white and have no detail.  Jason asks Mrs. Morehouse to make more cards with pictures and she says she can't.  So Catherine jumps in and says she will, but she has no idea what to do.  If you were Catherine, what would you put on his cards?  Why would you put those things?  What would they look like? 

RULES

We just started this book, but you found out a lot about the character Catherine in it.  Tell me about her. 

Where the Red Fern Grows

Saddest story I have ever read.  I was completely heart broken by what happened to Billy's dogs.  This story really shows the connection you can have with a pet.  Losing something like Billy did would be extremely difficult.  Especially if the things you lost were the result of them saving your life.  I think it would be different if they dogs were old and they had a chance to do everything together their whole lives.  But their lives were cut short and they didn't get that chance.  His dad made a great point that GOD didn't think they should be separated as a family and that is why they were taken from him.  Maybe that's true.  I still believe he would have preferred to live out their lives together.  I want to know how you felt about the book. 

Beauty Contest

During this last chapter, Billy is finding out what it is like to be part of a "band" of hunters.  The contest is all he hoped for, but also very unfamiliar to him.  At one point, he finds out there is a "Beaut Contest" for the best looking dog.  I really don't think Billy has any idea what a beauty contest is or how to prepare for one (he ends up using butter to groom his dogs).  But in the end, his true love for his dogs shows and it even helps him win the contest.  Little Ann ends up walking straight to him and everyone goes crazy when this happens.  He ends up winning the silver cup.  Even though I have read this book 20 times, it still makes me feel so proud and happy for Billy when good things happen because of all the hard work he has put in.  What are your thoughts about the Beauty Contest?  How are you feeling as we read this story? 

The Bet

An extremely interesting event happend in our story Where the Red Fern Grows.  Billy and his grandfather decided to take the bet that the Pritchard boys made.  All in all, it seemed pretty harmless.  Three boys hunting the elusive Ghost Coon.  But we know from the story the Pritchard's aren't very well behaved kids.  As the scene evolves, Billy and his dogs don't tree the Ghost Coon so he pays off his part of the bet.  Suddenly, the dogs find the Ghost Coon, but Billy doesn't have the heart to kill it.  This is where the story takes quite a turn.  They Pritchards start to beat up Billy, but Billy's dogs end up fighting with the Pritchard's dog and almost kill it.  Then the unthinkable happens.  Rubin, who had taken Billy's ax, goes after his dogs to kill them.  He trips over a stick and lands on the ax and dies. 

I don't know what I would do in this situation.  Shock is they only way I could describe how I would feel.  I want you to tell me your thoughts as you heard these last two chapters.  What was going on in your mind? 

First Racoon

The big day has come, and Billy has treed his first coon.  Now the problem is, the tree is absolutely huge!  He tries to cut it down but he can't.  He's just a small boy and cutting it down is too much for him to handle.  I always felt bad during this part because he has worked so hard, and now can't get the coon down.  But his good old grandpa comes down with a great idea to keep the coon in the tree.  I always love how he helps him out when he's in a tough situation.  Do you have anyone like that in your life?  I also love Billy's determination and grit!  I don't know if there is a character that I have ever read about that is like him.  In my mind, everyone should have to go out into the woods and cut down and big tree like him.  If you have ever done it before, you know it isn't an easy task.  You have to be determined to get that done.  If everyone had the same traits as him, they would all be very successful.  How would you describe Billy after these first few chapters? 

I've written a lot.  Now it's your turn!

Dog Training

I always enjoy this chapter.  I find it interesting to find out how he caught the raccoon.  When I first read this book, I didn't think his grandfather's trick would work, but it did!  When his dad killed the coon, I always felt bad.  I guess I have a soft side!  I also love how hard he worked to train his dogs.  I think it is always important to put the work in when it comes to training his dogs.  I want you to make a prediction and say if his work will pay off.  Will his dogs be good hunting dogs or not?  Why do you think they will be?  Let me know any of your other thoughts on this. 

Where the Red Fern Grows

LOTS of happenings in this chapter!  It is amazing to me to see how hard he worked for his $50.  It shows how determined he was to have hounds of his own.  I think you all would find it very difficulty to save that kind of money.  I love they way his grandfather reacted to seeing all the money!  It again shows how much he cares for his grandson.  I think he reacts this was because he never thought anyone could work that hard or save that much over a 2 YEAR PERIOD!  I want to know what you think about this chapter?  What part was your favorite?  Do you think you could ever do something like Billy?  Share your thoughts!

Splendors and Glooms

Tell me about this book!  I want to know what you thought of it and what you thought about the ending?  I am wondering what Parsefall meant by saying "I have somekin to tell you."  That has me thinking.  I think he is very mischevious and will make things difficult for the Wintermute family.  What do you think? 

Latest chapter in Deadend in Norvelt

Well it seems to be that Mr. Spizz isn't such a bad guy after all.  I was surprised at what he said when he went to Jack's house and actually seemed nice!  I always thought he was a bad/mean guy.  Then at the store, his nose started bleeding again!  OH NO!  I was really hoping it was fixed!  This would have made him mom so happy!  Do you think he will let Mrs. Volker fix it again?   I was also surprised that his mom saw him.  I felt bad that he had to give up his get out of jail free card.  What are your thoughts about Mr. Spizz and also his nose? 

Norvelt latest chapter

In the latest chapter of Dead End in Norvelt, a mysterious death has taken place.  It is a Hell's Angel member.  It makes me wonder what this might have to do with the book.  I was also curious to hear Miss Volker talk about seeing a person act like this before.  What might this mean?  Also, make some predictions as to what effect this death might have to the plot of the story.

Dead End in Norvelt

We came to an interesting part in the book when Jack mowed down the corn field when his mother told him that if he does he will be grounded forever. If you were Jack what would you do? Would you mow it down like your dad told you to or would you leave it be like your mom told you to? When Jack is at baseball practice he sees his mom coming with a wooden spoon in her hand and Jack can feel his nose start to bleed. Jack starts running widly and looks like a turkey with its head cut of. I think that was a funny part in the book and want to know what you would do if your mom came to your baseball practice with a wooden spoon in her hand. What do you think will happen to Jack when his dad finds out about him shooting the sniper rifle? I want to all of your thoughts about this chapter.

Final thoughts

What are your final thoughts on the story Rules.  Describe your OPINIONS.  What do you THINK?  I want this to be more of your thoughts and not a summary.  You SHOULD use evidence from the story to help support your thoughts. 

Party

In this chapter, Catherine decides to go to Jason's party.  Everything seems to be going extremely well until Jason asks about her neighbor.  Catherine mentions that Kristi would have had fun at the party, but she went to the community dance with Ryan (in my mind, she is very nevrous at this point and is talking very fast).  Jason drops the bomb and asks Catherine to go to the dance.  She then start to rattle off all her rules and it makes Jason very upset.  He asks if she is embarassed by him, but she won't give him a straight answer.  She keeps referring to her rules.  This makes Jason very upset and he leaves and so does Catherine.  What do you think about this whole situation?  Why wouldn't she go with him?  Why won't she tell the truth?  What does this hold for their friendship (he says he likes her!!!!). Lots happening and I want to know your thoughts. 

Catherine and Jason

At the end of the chapter, Catherine is putting cards into Jason's communication book.  The card "together" had her and Jason sitting on the bench together, but Jason isn't in his wheel chair.  He tells her he wants it in the picture and she makes another excuse as to why she didn't put him in it.  This upsets Jason and he turns and rolls away. 

I think now Jason is beginning to know why Catherine acts the way she does.  She has a tendency to not show these feeling and makes excuses for why she doesn't want stuff.  I want to know why she does this.  Why does she always make excuses?  Why hasn't she told Kristi the truth?  Why did she answer for Kristi when Jason invited her to his party (why didn't she ask Kristi)?