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!

First article of second marking period

sorry it's a little late!

There are multiple books in this series but this review is going to be about the first fantastic book in this sequence. The first book is called The Fairy-Tale Detectives. In this first tale, two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne are sent to live with their grandmother, Relda Grimm whom they have never met before. They are sent to live with her in Ferryport Landing after their parents mysteriously disappear.

During their first day, they learn their deep and dark family secret. They are actually descendents of the famous of the Brothers Grimm. And all of the people who live in Ferryport Landing are in fact the characters from all of the fairytales that the Brothers Grimm have written. But not shortly after they arrive, all heck breaks lose and they have to stop it.

I absolutely loved this book and the series it is in. There is suspense, mystery, and I highly suggest getting the whole series. Even though there are seven books, the story continues incredibly through all of the stories. So what are you waiting for, go get reading!!

8th Article

Too Much Stress
Not really a features article but...

Eighth graders have lots to worry about this year. They have to do all of their school work, after school activities, getting at least exceptional grades, and most important, getting into a good high school. There are so many things for just one little person to do in their eighth grade year. I don’t know how these people do it!

This eighth grade year started off with the Renaissance Faire and all of the projects that came with that. Now for Ms. Peter’s class, we have to do a project for her. There are also all of the major and minor assignments and portfolios for high school auditions. There is so much to do in so little time.

I’m sure that the teachers do realize that this is an important year for us, but do they have to assign projects all the time? I just wish that we could have a small break in all of these tasks and homework assignments to just get a minute of my portfolio work in. even though we do have the weekends to get work done; many people are involved in sports and other activities that take place outside of school.

I think that many other eighth graders would agree with me that there is a lot on our plates this year. But I hope that we could work together and get through this. Best of luck to everyone!

Epic Poem 7th article?

Epic Poem
By: Greta
Hope you like it!

They said it was all a myth.
However on January the fifth,
the twins found that two-thousand-twelve
Problem was condemned
not on the government, but on them.

They found that folder on that one day,
the day the lives of the USA,
were in their hands.
They had to follow the plans
and the arduous demands.

First they found the polar bears,
sinking up north.
So they went forth
and while up there,
They saved every single hair
on those polar bears.

Then, to stop the price of gas from rising,
They found other children
who brains were quite surprising.
Their IQ’s were high
And with their help, the economy didn’t die.

The war was next, it had to stop.
But one genius’ leg needed to be chopped.
He was hurt, his leg amputated.
Although they kept on going, blood being shed.

The world started to blow, everything was vanishing.
The kids went to Iraq; however they were soon to be banished.
Leaders had no time for childish games.

It was money they wanted, not power.
The kids had to hurry, though,
for the earth was being devoured.
She handed him the money, just in time.
And when the bell chimed…

Time was reversed, everything back to normal.
Everyone was alive, back to the beginning
of the year two-thousand twelve.
No one but them was aware of what
they had been through.

For the rest of their lives, they lived with the thought,
That for that long hard year, they had fought.

And saved the world.

Renaissance Faire review

Just recently, most of the eighth graders went back in time, to the time of the Renaissance. Going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance faire was a great experience. While you are there, you can watch a human chess match, a sword swallower, and the ultimate joust. But these are only some of the wonderful performances at the faire.


You can also buy many souvenirs, for example, jewelry, costumes, puppets, and you could get a wax molding of your hand! As for food, there were many choices. Although only a few were Renaissance related, such as a turkey leg, most restaurants had modern food.

Despite the fact that the food and items there were a little overpriced and the bus ride there and back took a while, the entertainment made up for it. It feels like you actually go back in time to Renaissance. You get to see some really fun activities that would actually take place in the Renaissance. When you become an eighth grader at Cab, I highly suggest going. You will have a blast!

The Graveyard Book book review

The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman

From the author who brought you Coraline comes another amazingly spooky book, The Graveyard Book. In this thrilling tale, Nobody Owens, escapes death. However, his family did not. They were all killed by a random murderer and somehow Nobody miraculously escaped to the graveyard up the hill. The ghouls and ghosts in the graveyard saved him from the man Jack, but they can’t do it forever.
In the first five years of his life, he only makes one human friend, Scarlett. But since they were only little, she just believes in him as an imaginary friend. By the time Nobody is ten, he just wants to be normal and go to school like everyone else. Except that the man Jack is still out there, still trying to kill him.
If you have read Coraline, then you know the kind of writing style Neil Gaiman has. His books are eerie and spine-chilling. I thought this book was tremendously good but I would not read this book in the dark. It is a little scary, although it doesn’t let you go until you finish reading this extremely amazing weird-horror.

If the Witness Lied book review-4th article

Greta Sweeney


If the Witness Lied By Caroline B. Cooney, something horrible happened to the Fountain kids and no one can seem to forget. Forget the horrible accident that appears to be poor two-year old Tristan’s fault. He killed both of his parents. While his mother was pregnant with him, she had cancer and if she had gotten the chemo, then Tristan would have died. Instead, she risked her own life and sadly died soon after her son’s birth. And then, just two years later, he accidentally backed the family car into his father, which killed him. Since there was no one to take care of Tristan and his brother and two sisters, their step aunt Cheryl took the place of mother.

Now that Tristan is about to turn three, Aunt Cheryl wants to bring everything up again. She wants to turn Tristan into a TV baby. But Tristan’s older brother, Jack, will not let that happen. Along the way to getting Tristan away from evil Aunt Cheryl, he and his sisters find clues that lead to another killer of their father.

Filled with suspense, this book was great! I loved everything about this story. Creepy books like this just entertain me way too much. I imagine that this happened to my family or it was and it just scares me sometimes. But I could never stop reading books

Unwind Book Review

Unwind By Neal Shusterman

In this futuristic book, after a second civil war over abortion where a decision was reached involving the pro-life and the pro-choice. When your child comes to the age of 13-18, you can sign for them to be unwound, where their body parts are harvested to be used later. And since that not all body parts are used, the unwinds don’t theoretically die.

While looking at some papers in his dad’s office, Connor Lassiter finds out that he is going to be unwound. He decides to run away and that just creates a ton of mayhem. While escaping, Connor teams up with two other unwound’s and they are on the run together.

They go on adventure that will either end up in life or death. There is action, romance and drama. I truly enjoyed this book and could not put it down once I started. I highly suggest reading this fantastic book.

The Hunger Games book review

This summer, I got to read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I had wanted to read it for a while and when I got to read it, I loved it from the very first page. In this book, Katniss Everdeen and her mother and sister live in a post-apocalyptic world in which there are twelve districts. Each year, if you are from age twelve to eighteen, you have to enter your name into the Hunger Games however many times depending on your age.

Katniss and her twelve year old sister, Primrose, go to the ceremony and Primrose’s name is chosen to compete in the game where you have to be the last on alive to win. But Katniss volunteers and takes Primrose’s place going to the Hunger Games along with the boy that was chosen, Peeta.

In this futuristic novel, you hear Katniss story about how she fights for her life, literally. This book supplies much action, drama, and even love. I really enjoyed The Hunger Games. Even though this book was 374 pages long, I could not put it down. I stayed up for hours one night reading so I could finish. I would highly recommend it for anyone who needs a good book to read. There is also the sequel to this book, Catching Fire. I can hardly wait to read this next book. I hope that it will be just as good as the first.

short story

A new state, a new school, a new beginning. This is a place to start over, my dad told me, a clean slate for the new school year. None of these things made me feel better. He never was the one to help me out in tough situations. My parents were divorced and my older sister had gone to college this year. So on this fine morning I had only my dad to encourage me to get up and go to high school.
I woke up grumpily at five thirty, took a shower, and got dressed. When I came downstairs for breakfast, my dad was just about to leave. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to school? This is your last chance.” He asked for the hundredth time. “No Dad! That would be so embarrassing to be dropped off by my dad!” I whined. “Fine, fine! Have a good day at school!” he replied and left for work.
After my dad left, the house felt so empty without my sister nagging me and bossing me around to put my dishes away or walk the dog. Since I had fifteen minutes left until the bus came, I took m y dog, Jessie, for a walk on the side of our house. When I came back, I didn't have many minutes left until the bus came. I grabbed my bookbag and lunch and ran out the door. I ran towards my bus stop and saw the bus pull up. the bus driver apparently didn't see me running because they started to drive away. This was not the best day.
I could either walk the three and a half miles to school or call my dad and ask him to pick me up. I choose the second option, even though my dad wasn't that happy about it. But I got to the school with minutes to spare.
I walked into the main office and asked the secratary where my homeroom was. She led the way down many hallways and showed me the correct door. I thanked her and walked into the room. My homeroom and english teacher, Mrs. Brown, greeted me and gave me my scheduale. She showed me my seat and right when I sat down, the bell rang. I sighed and walked to my next class. Turns out, four out of my seven classes were wrong and spent half the day wandering all over the school looking for the right rooms.
This was going to be a 'great' year