8th article pictures

Here are a few pictures that can be used for the arts/features page or where ever needed.

seventh article of the second marking period

In his newest children’s book, James Patterson (with the help from Gabrielle Charbonnet) writes another fascinating tale. In the middle of the night, siblings Whit and Wisty are kidnapped by people who are working for the One Who Is the One (the new man who is now in control of their country). He then accuses the brother and sister of being a witch and wizard.

Before being separated from their parents, Whit receives a small journal from their father and Wisty got a drumstick from their mother. On the children’s way to jail, the two objects they got from their parents unlock many secrets and many questions unfold. With help from the magic-like items from their mom and dad, they help the two teens try to escape from jail and reunite with their parents again.

I personally thought this was a good book and a quick read. The beginning was suspenseful, the middle filled with mystery, and the ending filled with surprises. Other books by James Patterson have been phenomenal and this story was almost as good. I can not wait for the sequel of Witch and Wizard to come out in December.

sixth article of the second marking period

Eighth Grade Bites Book Review

Eighth grade, a challenge for most of us so far. But compared to Vladimir Tod, we’re the lucky ones. He has to keep his secret of him being a vampire while dodge the bullies and watch out for the principal that hates him. Only his best friend Henry and his aunt Nelly know his huge secret. His mother and father were killed in a fire when he was a little kid. But when one of Vlad’s favorite teachers goes missing, a suspicious substitute takes his place, Mr. Otis Otis. With Mr. Otis teaching about mythical creatures, Vlad is afraid that his new sub could expose his secret to the whole school. Then there is another man looking for Vlad. More like hunting for Vlad. He wants to find him, and he wants him dead. Eighth grade couldn’t get any more difficult for Vladimir Tod.

This is the first of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer. It tells a tale of this half vampire boy who has to deal with his secret without being killed, like his poor mom and dad were when he was a kid. I suggest this book to all, if you like fiction or are in love with vampires. You also get to read it from a perspective of a kid your age, so you can relate very well to some of Vlad’s problems.

I have just finished reading the second and third book in this series and can’t wait for the fourth book, which comes out in February 2010. I couldn’t put this book down while reading it. If I was in the middle of watching TV, I would get this book and would read that instead. That was how much I wanted to get through this series. I extremely suggest this book and its companions.

fifth article of the second marking period

A new idea, from of our journals. You know you're a Cabbie if...

Ahh… so many reasons to love Cab. We love all of the problems with this school even though everyone else seems not to. Everyone who goes to this arts school pretty much loves it. And they show it too. You know when you’re a Cabbie when you practice your arts any where, any time. Let it be in the hallways, science, or at lunch. Where ever you go, there will most likely be someone breaking out into song or dance.

Nobody at Cab cares what your major is. Whether you’re a dance, visual, or communications, people respect your talent. They actually think that your cool and when people call you weird, you usually take it as a compliment. You can be whatever you want to be at Cab.

One of the things that I absolutely love about Cab is when you walk into the building or are walking through the lobby. There is always somebody playing the piano that sits in the lobby. No matter what time of the day it is, there is someone sitting at that piano and playing it. I think you’re a Cabbie when you walk through the lobby during class and see someone playing the piano.

Kids at Cab are special in a good way. And they are perfectly fine like that.

fourth article of the second marking period

not the normal book review that I do, maybe not even a features article. oh well...

With the construction almost over at Cab Calloway, there are many new problems arising. Besides the auditorium problems and the air conditioning being on in the winter, there are some other issues. One has come to my attention through my good friend, Samantha. She is on the Charter swim team and one of the lights in the lane she swims in is broken. Every time she goes to push off of the wall, she cuts her foot on the broken pool lamp.

The coaches are aware of the problem and all they have done to do to fix it is put a thick piece of plastic over the top half of the light. The bottom half of the light is still exposed and you are still able to cut your foot on the glass. The members of the swim team are outraged! The light has been broken for over a year and the school can’t spend the little amount of money that is takes to fix this small light with a big problem.

This damaged light also slows down the swimmers. They have to put their feet around the light while trying to avoid being cut. While doing this and while racing at the same time, the swimmers don’t meet their prior times. During a recent meet, Samantha had to race and avoid the broken light. Her times were slower than they normally are.

Samantha is going to talk to the coaches again and hopefully fix this problem. Until then, good luck swimmers!

third article of the second marking period

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Book Review

This first of five books starts off this out of space series by Douglas Adams. In this comedy science fiction novel, Arthur Dent’s house is about to be demolished in order to make way for a bypass. Luckily, his friend Ford Prefect warns him that the Earth is about to be destroyed and they escape catching a lift on the ship of the people who are going to obliterate Earth, the Vogons. However, when they are found, the two get thrown into space.

Fortunately, Arthur and Ford are picked up by the president of the galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox. Also on this ship are Trillian, who was picked up by Zaphod when he visited Earth and Marvin, a deeply depressed robot. From there, most adventure begins. Zaphod wants is looking for the famous and legendary planet, Magrathea.

I began to read this story when my brother had to read it over the summer. He had read it and said it was an amazing book. After he said that, I just had to read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book is full of humor and exciting adventure and I truly enjoyed it. I am already on the second book, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and it is just as good as the first story.

second article of the second marking period

House of Dark Shadows Book review

In this mystery tale by Robert Liparulo, the King family moves to a new house that will change their lives forever. Nearly invisible from the road, their new house is right next to the woods and is a bit rundown. But Xander’s, David’s and Victoria’s parents approve. However, when weird things start happening once they move in, the three kids get spooked.

In the dust, there are footprints of giant feet and sounds come from the mistaken direction all over the house. There is also a closet that transports David to locker 119 at the new school. Events get even more outlandish when Victoria finds a hallway that had doors that lead to portals to random lands. The kids start to think that this hallway is really cool until their worst nightmare happens…

This is the first book in the Dream House King series and it starts off this exciting sequence. Filled with secrecy, suspense, and scariness, this book is impossible to put down! When I finished the first book, I just had to get the others and see what was going to happen. Go out and get this book!