c16sh » Reviews

The Rats of NIMH series by Robert C. O’Brien and Jane Leslie Conly

c16sh — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:09:48 +0000

I read the book R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH (pronounced “nim”) by Jane Leslie Conly. It is the sequel to Rasco and the Rats of NIMH (2nd of the series) by Jane Leslie Conly and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1st of the series) by Robert C. O’Brien.
The rats can read, write in perfect script, use electricity, and MUCH more. These super-intelligent rats were captured in a laboratory called NIMH but escaped to a farmer’s yard in the first book. Then they help Mrs. Frisby and her family, who are field mouses, move there house so the farmer’s tractor doesn’t turn there cinder-block house over.

In the second book, they get a visit from Rasco, a city rat who has escaped from his family and father, Jenner. Rasco also has overheard farmer’s planning to destroy the rats home entrance which is a rosebush. Then they move to Thorn Valley and the Emerald Pond is there main source of water. But construction workers are also planning to dam Emerald Pond.

In the third book, Margaret and Artie who are two children wander away from their campsite and end up living in a hut next to the rats. Because this is the best book out of 3, you have to read the book to find out!

The Tempest, by Shakespeare

c16sh — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:10:44 +0000

Last Thursday, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th (Me), and 5th graders went to the theater to see an adapted version of the Tempest performed by the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at the Dalton Middle School. The setting includes some trees with a landing in the middle. There are many different costumes for each person. For example, Prospero is the Duke of Milan and wears a lot of dark colors. He also has a stick that she uses. Ariel, Iris, Cers, and Juno are spirits and wear white. There are a lot of funny characters like Trinculo, who has a puppet and talks in a very high voice when she is talking for the puppet. I thought it was a very good play!

I have included some links to learn more about The Tempest and

The Dalton School:

Dalton Homepage

Dalton Middle School

“Behind the Mountains Are More Mountains”

c16sh — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:08:17 +0000

That’s a quote from a historical fiction book I read called Behind the Mountains by Edwidge Danticat. It takes place in Haiti and is based on the author’s own story. Behind the Mountains is about a girl named Celiane Esperance who lives in Beau Jour, Haiti. Her father immigrated to Brooklyn, New York and Celiane, her mom, and her brother Moy are about to move to Brooklyn and live with her father. Edwidge Danticat uses historical facts weoll For example on page 64, she writes about President Artiside being elected Haitian President in 2001. Another example, is Haitian Independence Day, which is also New Year’s Day on page 100. Also, on pages 119-120 there is William J. Clinton’s outgoing speech as president and George W. Bush’s Inauguration. There is also some very descriptive words such as when Celiane says, “I feel like I’m floating, but I surely see I am in a hospital bed,” on page 38. On page 39 she says, “I feel like I have been thrown about and have had my arms and legs stretched out like an old rag doll.” Edwidge Danticat says, “I know the Haitian language is Creole but her diary is in English, so it is like Celiane’s book is in Creole and I am her translator.”

From the Ukraine to the United States: My Oral History Immigration Book

c16sh — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:14:04 +0000

For Edinger House’s immigration project, I was supposed to interview someone I knew from another country. I interviewed my babysitter, who came from the Ukraine, which is in Europe. She came with her mom, dad, one set of grandparents and her 2 sisters for religious freedom. The process was very long! First I interviewed her with a tape recorder. Then I transcribed the interview. Then I made a draft on an AlphaSmart 300 and a draft on a laptop. Then I made a book dummy and finally a book, with illustrations. My book was 25 pages. On my cover, I made a Ukrainian flag and an American flag. I learned a lot about her because even before the interview I didn’t know she was an immigrant!