Robin Hood - John

John has been fighting to get his little town of Barrington because they’re all in poverty. He’s been stealing money from the rich in surrounding cities while also stealing things like food and water. Him and his gang of “outlaws” have been caught many times and escaped with their lives. John is what the people need a selfless hero they can look up to and admire.

Once John and his companions broke into a mansion, stole money and food, then gave all of it to the poor. On their way back they were ambushed by police. Using his quick wits John threw a smoke bomb and lead his team out into the busiest part of town so they find their way back to Barrington and distribute their goods to the people. Thats just one tale of John and his comrades.

Ares

Ares is the god of war who started this war and choose Troy as his side but he deceives and lies to help himself and not Troy. In a modern version of him the Sheriff from the TV series Robin Hood lies and deceives his followers into thinking Hood is the bad guy when in reality he’s trying to take over England.

The Sheriff is no God he’s but a servant to Prince John who is leading the rebellion to take over England. The Sheriff and Ares both deceive and life lie to please themselves. I think these changes were made to make him more human.

I think that it was a good but interesting change because the Sheriff dies and Ares can’t die.

The Hobbit Movie and Book

In the book and movie The Hobbit the main character Bilbo Baggins is an Adventurer at heart, but hadn't discovered that until the Wizard Gandalf persuaded him to come on the adventure of a lifetime. The movie strays from the quite a bit from the book but did not disappoint. The same plot is held between the movie and book which is Bilbo is recruited as a burglar to help kill the Dragon Smaug. The movie and book are similar in many ways but the movie changes important things.

First of all, a major character in the movie is barely even mentioned in the book. His Name is Azog The Defiler. He is the most important enemy from the first part of the movie. In the book though he was killed years ago and his son is one of the main adversaries but is only seen at the end in The Battle of the Five Armies. Which he is slain like his father in battle.

One major scene that has changed is when Thorin Bilbo and Company Arrive and leave Imladris (Rivendell) they have completely different feelings about the elves. The Dwarves didn’t want to leave in the book because they were so tired and hurt. In the movie they snuck out in the middle of the night trying to evade the elves. Same thing when they arrived they were greeted with spears in the movie but in the book they were greeted with songs and laughter.

The attitudes of the dwarves and Bilbo were angry when they had to leave because they were well fed and safe in Imladris. The movie they were hostile at the elves because they didn’t help them years ago when Smaug the dragon killed most of their people and invaded their home.  They had no love and gave no thanks to the elvs in the movie but they said they couldn’t thank them enough.

These differences didn’t do anything but create more tension and more action scenes. Which is why I think it should have stayed the same. Too much action and comedy can ruin a book or movie. They are similar in many ways but not these.

I am the....

Being a rich millionaire sucks. I’m stuck in a huge house with no one to share it with, the only other person in this house is my servant. I occasionally have huge parties with over a hundred people, a lot of staff serving people food, and a lot of cooks making the food. On the days when no one is here I get so bored, I explore my land for anything interesting.

One day I discovered a cave under my house. It was big and pitch black and when I turned on a light, a thousand bats came soaring at me. I got knocked out and bruised by the bats. It inspired me to become the Batman. This is only the beginning of my legend. I am the Batman.

I prowl in the night looking for a fight with crime. I fight with the skill of great warriors from the past, but I never take a life if I can help it. I clean the streets of my great city. Evil fears me, the citizens love me for I have saved many of them. I am the one and only. I am Batman.  

Deal with the devil

Authors Note: This piece describe James's battles against evil and his hardships on his way there.

In the book the The Dealer,  by Robert Muchamore, James is a twelve year old boy whose dad hasn't been seen since he was born and has a mom who died a year earlier. As a results of his mom dieing and his dad that has disappeared James is left in a orphanage as a result of these tragic events. However James is picked to join a secret agency that uses children to spy on unsuspecting criminals, which allows James to leave the orphanage to become a Cherub, the secret agency that uses kids as agents.

The Dealer, gives me the feeling that all of the story is real because it uses real world problems like drug dealing, and relationships. I feel like I’m with James on his mission.  James is a believable character because, he is like any other average teenage old boy that loves video games and girls, but he’s also amazing at math and most other subjects. James also has friends, goes to school, and plays sports he’s not just a spy he lives a somewhat normal life with it. He also has to rely on himself to do things not just his friends.

James had to rely on himself to survive when he was attacked by a rival gang of KMG. So he thought on his feet and narrowly escaped with his life. James used his quick thinking and self reliance to survive something no other 12 year old could have other then other Cherub agents. He also did something else no other 12 year old could have done (out of Cherub), he killed a man and defeated the evil he led with it.

James may have defeated the evil of this criminal, but it won’t stop the drug dealing in Great Britten. This proves that the battle of good v.s. evil is an ongoing battle that is not going to end soon because there is always going to be laws. There will always be disagreement. Good won this battle but the war is not ending any time soon.

Robert Muchamore did a great job of showing the readers the meaning of the battle with good v.s. evil and to rely on themselves using realistic fiction. It’s hard to believe that all of this could be happening right now. It’s a great way to show what secret agents go threw on their missions, and what they do when they're not being watched.

"After You, my Dear Alphonse”

Some things that were said are very important to the story and  this is why. “Boyd wants to grow up and be a big strong man so he can work hard,” Mrs. Wilson said. “I’ll bet Boyd’s father eats stewed tomatoes.” Is an important quote because Johnny's mom suspects  Boyd's dad is big and strong like a lot of blacks were back then.

Another is “Boyd, Johnny has some suits that are a little too small for him, and a winter coat. It’s not new, of course, but there’s lots of wear in it still. And I have a few dresses that your mother or sister could probably use." This is a racist statement that offends Boyd because not all blacks are poor and broke like Johnny's mom assumes.

The last is “There are many little boys like you, Boyd, who would be grateful for the clothes someone was kind enough to give them.” This is the last racist statement Johnny's mom makes, he declined the clothes because he didn't need them and his family was already well off.

"We are of two different kinds,"

"We are of two different kinds," is a great quote by the elder waiter. He is referring to many thins when he says this, one is he’s older. Another is that he is ok with staying at the café unlike the youthful waiter who just wants to go home to his wife. It shoes that with age come patience. 

Gods of Imagery

The Gods of Middle Earth created everything in their land. We as readers can’t see this land but the imagery in Silmarrillion gives a great idea of what it looks like along with its inhabitants.  J.R.R. Tolkien did an amazing job at describing everything around Middle Earth including the people.  The way he explains it the landscape and what happens to it makes the difference in the book.

Middle Earth is a unique place that’s nothing like anyplace in the world. It has many different  areas with very different looks and feels. For example they explain Rivendell the home of the Elves. It explains the waterfalls and secret entrance through the mountain. The people are even more interesting to hear about.

The Elves, Dwarves, and Men were created with great care so they specialize in certain things. The elves are tall intelligent peoples they are also great archers and strategist.  The dwarves were made to last. Tough, short, and stubborn. They are great warriors and even better miners.  They are known for their great craftsmanship of gold and other precious metals. The race of men is just like we are nothing special they do it all build fight and explore.

J.R.R. Tolkien did an amazing job of giving immense detail in the book. The only time I’ve seen middle earth better is in the movies themselves. You could imagine man, dwarves, and elves living in harmony together on the beautiful landscape of Middle. In my opinion no other book gives better detail of landscape and inhabitants.

Summer is Coming

Authors note: I wrote this because I like the poem

Summer grass what a wonderful thing. But after a long winter it needs to grow. Summer Grass tells of the need of water for the grass to grow so it can reach its full potential beauty, and without it the grass will die. The poet Carl Sandburg did a good job of using personification and anaphora. It’s as if the words fly off the paper.

During the poem the writer used many personifications to give the reader a good feel and tone in the poem. Such as summer grass aches and whispers were used during the poem.  As I read the poem these person like descriptions grabbed attention so did the anaphora.

Along with the anaphora. The author really creates an overall tone with the line: The rain hears; the rain answers; the rain is slow coming; the rain wets the face of the grass.  When the anaphora was used it created rhythm, which affected the readers perspective because it gives it a new feel right from the beginning.

The figurative language in the poem is used in the piece because it creates the tone the author is trying to create. The personification creates a nice feel.  Also, the anaphora used in the piece creates a very good rhythm. Without the examples of figurative language the reader would probably have little care for the poem. Which is why i loved it.

Closer to Home

Authors note: This is a Parody of This is just to say about stealing a base in baseball.

I have stole 
the base 
that was closer
to home

and which 
you were probably 
protecting
for the team

Forgive me
it was worth it
beneficial
and safe

Steve and Elijah

Authors note: I wrote this because I felt Steve and Elijah were very similar.

Steve Herman from Monster and Elijah from Elijah of Buxton are two young black kids that have everyday problems but both go through life changing experiences over the next year. They’re both poor and in a unique situation. Steve and Elijah are both soft hearted and kind but are in a bit of a pickle.

Steve is in jail for something he didn’t do and Elijah was  by slavers even though he’s free, but
Steve gets to go through trial and Elijah gets unfairly taken for no good reason. Elijah had the opportunity to escape and did but Steve went to jail with nowhere to run. Steve faced trial for almost a year and Elijah got away in the first week,

Steve and Elijah were both good, educated, and skilled at what they do but the difference between them besides age and appearance are what their special skills are. Steve is a skilled filmer he makes movies for his school he even wrote one about his experience in jail and at trial. Elijah is a the best rock chunker of his time. He can throw with his left and right and has amazing accuracy. He so good he fishes with those skills.

Neither of them have the best life but they’re not the worst either. Elijah and Steve are great examples of kids in adult situations. They’re both brave and strong like adults but the think like the children they are in my opinion they could be brothers. They are very similar in many ways.

Heart Break

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Curtis is about the first child born free in Buxton, Canada named Elijah. One of his friends Mr. Leroy gave his money to Preacher to buy his family out of slavery, but Preacher kills his companion and takes the money for himself. So Mr. Leroy and Elijah go after him but when they get there Mr. Leroy has a heart attack and makes Elijah promise he’ll get the money, kill Preacher, and free his family. When he does Mr. Leroy passes and leaves Elijah in America alone.

I believe Elijah takes on this task and starts at the place they were headed, the inn. I think Preacher will be there but captured by slavers and Elijah will be captured too. They will have to work together to escape from the slavers.I think Elijah will kill the preacher in a strange turn of events and escape with other slave that are there. Elijah will give Mr. Leroys money to others from Buxton so they can buy Leroy's family like Elijah and Leroy set out to do.

The Monster in Him

In Monster by Walter Dean Myers Steve Harmon is writing a movie about his time in jail and trial. The point of view is from Steve Harmon as he endures the worst thing of his life, trial. From the way Steve describes it you feel bad for him and you feel like King is a bad person. It’s those feelings that keep you on his side.

One way Steve’s point of view influences the reader's interpretation is how his perspective describes his relationship with King. He says that King is just an acquaintance. In Steve’s words “I know him from the neighborhood.”  Which in the jury’s eyes and yours separates him and King and makes him seem innocent and King more guilty.

However, the reader would feel a lot differently about Steve if the story was written in Petrocelli’s point of view. For instance, the reader wouldn't think Steve was innocent they would feel he was guilty because that her job as prosecutor. If she had it her way Steve and King would go to jail from 25 years to life without parole.

Steve makes the reader believe that he’s innocent and doesn't deserve to be here. His point of view is the difference maker. I know if this story was in almost anyone else s point of view I would've thought he was guilty. His point of view is the big thing.

As you can see, the point of view of this story forces the you to see just Steve’s side of the story. In Monster, Steve’s perspective makes the reader want him to be released and King prosecuted. Steve seems like a great kid and if you knew him before this turn of events even you wouldn't think he did it.

Hope is a Powerful Thing

Imagine waking up every morning and not knowing where your next meal is coming from or where you’re going to sleep tonight. You may think that it’s hopeless that you’ll ever live a normal life. That may be hard for you to comprehend it’s hard for me to, but for Michael Oher a 16 year old black kid it’s reality. He had the slightest hope of living a better life and that hope led him to a christian school where white people outnumber blacks 10 to 1. He found hope in one of the families, the Touhys giving him hope. That’s why I think hope is the theme.

Michael Oher finds hope when his friends dad takes him with to a christian school for his son and convinces them to let Michael in too. Then a family that goes to that school takes him in as if he was their own. That family the Touhys feeds him, clothed him, and gave him a place to sleep. These are examples of new hope given to him and it helped a lot because now he’s a NFL star.

New hope is something you see in sports a lot. Like claiming the player you drafted is the star of the future and will lead you to victory. When Billy Beane started his moneyball campaign he gave the A’s new hope. He saved a dying franchise by changing the way he bought players. He gave players who thought their careers were done hope and the whole franchise.  Like when the Touhys took Michael in and gave him hope.

Hope is what drove The A’s to the playoffs and Michael to the NFL. It’s also what gave Frodo from Lord of The Rings the power to destroy the ring. Sam supplies Frodo with hope as he fights the ring. Frodo relies on Sam because all his hope in succeeding has depleted. Sam is a beacon hope for Frodo. Hope is what wins a battle and Sam had to have enough for him and Frodo. The Touhys were Michaels Sam there what gave him hope in succeeding.

Hope is what wins battles and Michael Oher's battle is no exception. He relied on the hope of a new start and got it with the Touhys when they took him in. He wouldn’t be as successful as he is now without the Touhys to help him through it. Hope is a powerful thing that can save your future from your past. If you have enough hope you can do almost anything.