How does money show in the text?

   I am reading the poetry book named "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by, Shel Silverstein. The book is poems made by him. All of the poems are so different from each other. Some serious others funny. His poems are so unique and each and every one of them have a message. Even though many of them are funny, in the end it gives a message to the readers. I love Silverstein's books and poems.
   The poem "Smart" goes like this:
My dad gave me one dollar bill
Cause I'm his smartest son,
And I swapped it for two shiny quarters
Cause two is more than one!
And then I took the quarters
And traded them to Lou
For three dimes I guess he don't know T
That three is more than two!
Just then, along came old blind Bates
And just 'cause he can't see
He gave me four nickles for my three dimes,
And four is more than three!
And I took the nickels to Hiram Coombs
Down at the seed-feed store,
And the fool gave me five pennies for them,
And five is more than four!
And then I went and showed my dad,
And he got red in the cheeks
And closed his eyes and shook his head--
Too proud of me to speak!
   As you can see, the poem is for small children. This text contains money because the son traded the dollar for five pennies in the end of the poem. This poem shows that the son is smart, but he didnt really know what the money was worth. But it also shows that the son can count. The message in this poem is the journey of a little boy trading a dollar bill and counting the coins he got from other people. 
   In conclusion, I can relate to this poem because when I was small I did the same exact thing! I showed it to my mom and she just laughed. But I learned to count and my mom explained to me and I learned what a dollar bill was actually worth. But what I am trying to say is that I learned to count! 

Fair Or Not Fair?

I currently finished the book "Kiki Strike inside the Shadow City" by Kirsten Miller. The book is about a girl named Kiki Strike, she is very mysterious and dangerous. Ananka is a girl who wants to know more about Kiki and starts following her. Once they become friends, that's when the adventure starts. After they become friends Ananka and Kiki take some girls and together they explore the Shadow City. But after a explosion went wrong in the Shadow City, Kiki disappeared out of nowhere. And the gold that the girls found were missing too. Ananka and the other girls know that Kiki betrayed them for gold. Now they are on a mission to find Kiki Strike pay for what she did. Did Kiki Strike really betray them or is it something else?
   It's not fair that Kiki just left the girls and disappeared without telling them anything. she could have said at least something to the girls. And the fact that the gold that they all found is missing is even worse. It only means that Kiki left with all the gold. Why would Kiki ever do that? Did she need the gold for something? It wasn't fair to the girls because, they all trusted Kiki and now Kiki is their enemy. It wasn't right for Kiki to disappear like that.
   In conclusion, I can relate to how the girls feel when Kiki left. I had a really good friend and she moved away. When she was gone, it felt like I was betrayed. I couldn't see her anymore and I felt like I couldn't trust her anymore because she moved. I still talk to her but not as much as before. So, I think that was how the girl's felt when Kiki left.

Social Awareness Project
   *write an original literacy piece responding to a specific social problem/issue
~covered~
Every word they say is like a knife stabbed into my heart.
"Terrorist,terrorist,terrorist" they screamed.
Why me?
Just because i'm covered from head to toe?
I smile at them with confidence
But inside i'm dyeing little by little
But I know it doesn't matter
Because, I am a Muslim and i'm proud to be one.

The process in writing this poem mostly reflects on my personal life. I have been called a terrorist and this was exactly how I felt. This is a specific memory at a specific time. I have been called names for covering my hair and showing no skin. But I smile away the tears and my confidence is my strength in life.
   The poem is about bullying and how I felt when I got bullied. Bullying can lead to many things and most them are not positive. This poem is about my life and how I felt when I got bullied. But the confidence I had never let me down.

*Write a reading response on a social issue in a literary work
Mean Girls by, Rachel Crow
   This song is about bullying and how people feel when they get bullied. Getting bullied is not funny or even close to cool. The person who is being bullied gets hurt even if the person doesn't show it one bit. In the end of the song lyrics tell you that the person who is getting bullied, don't care what people have to say and have more confidence than ever. Also the person who is bullied made new friends and isn't getting bullied anymore. Getting bullied hurts a lot even if you can't show it.
   The song "Mean Girls" by, Rachel Crow is very deep about people who gets bullied and how they feel when they get bulled. For example, in the song when it says " How would you feel if you running home crying lock yourself in your room, don't want anyone to see ya." This means a lot. This quotation shows that the person who is getting bullied can't hold anymore emotions so, when they go home they let their emotions out. Crying leads to bleeding, then injures, and finally death. Bullying is a serious problem. Another example is, "someone's looking at you weird calling you a loser." This quotation means more than it sounds. How would you feel if someone called you a loser? I would feel hurt but I wouldn't show it one bit. My confidence is stronger than my tears.
   In conclusion, I can relate to this song so much. I have been in these situations and felt the pain of what others felt too. The song is about bullying and bullying is no joke. Bullying can cause serious problems such as death. Be careful with your words.
*Observe your surroundings and write 2-3 para about it
   On Friday November 16, 2012 there was a group of kids that were walking in front of me after school ended. They came across a stop sign; but they all ran while a car was coming. The car stopped, it almost hit one of those kids but the kid barely noticed. My heart literary stopped when I saw the group of kids running and the car almost hitting one of them.
   The problem with that scene was when, the group of kids ran when there was a stop sign, and a car was coming their way. Someone could have been seriously hurt.

The truth about forever

   I am currently reading the book "The truth about forever" by Sarah Dessen. The book is mostly about things that happen to Macy; who is the main character. Macy's father died about a year ago, and she was there when he passed away. Macy's boyfriend broke up with her over e-mail, while he was away at Brain camp. Jason told her that they needed a break in their relationship. She started this new catering job that she loved, and she is making new friends and seeing life in a different way.
   Macy is the kind of girl who doesn't really hang out with friends, and she doesn't go out a lot. She usually stays home and studies for the SAT test. But once she started her new catering job, she felt more alive and was seeing life differently through her eyes all of a sudden. For example Kristy one of the workers in her job said "finally, your getting out and enjoying life for once." That was on page 115. Usually when Macy goes home her house is quiet. Her mom always seem to be working and her older sister move out of the house. Macy is tired of being alone, she needs to go out and make some friends!
   I think Macy and I have some connections. I used to be just like her! From school I used to go to the train and home. Once I got home nobody is in my house because, everyone is at work. But now since 8th grade started I made new friends and hang out with them. Me and Macy have some common things.
   Even though I just started this book I can tell, that it's going to be a wonderful book and I can't wait to finish it!

Hurricane Sandy Response

   Diane Zoller Ciatto, the author of "Hurricane Sandy and nor'easter", wants the reader to know that after the storm Sandy, the U.S Northeast with floods, fire and ice. 1.4 million homes and businesses face near freezing temperatures without electricity and heat. Drivers are in line desperate to receive their ration of fuel before the service stations or their cars run out of gas. At least 113 were killed when the storm came in New Jersey cutting a wide swath that left about 8 million, mostly in New Jersey and New York, without power. People are suffering from the hurricane and have no where to go.
   According to Ciatto, "New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on Sunday that an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people in New York City were in need of shelter." This makes me feel bad for all those people out there without any electricity or even a house to be safe in. And to make matters worse, there is a strong "Nor'easter" by Wednesday that will bring below freezing temperatures, wind and heavy rain fall. Also in New Jersey 143,000 voters voted by email. People couldn't vote by the machines because, there was barley any electricity! The author is telling the readers how people are suffering and wanting them to feel guilty; so they can do something about the people who are suffering from the damage of the hurricane.
   After reading this article, I have realized that I have a house that I am sleeping in; and I also have electricity. While people in New Jersey and Lower Manhattan have no electricity at all and no shelter. And on top of all that, winter is settling in. So people who don't have electricity are also going to suffer from the cold. I hope that people who have lost their homes will stay save somewhere and get electricity back. We all are one big family in America.

Revised "The Drummer Boy Of Shiloh"

   Do you ever feel left out of something? Do you ever feel like you don't fit in? Well, that's exactly how Joby feels in the story "The Drummer Boy Of Shiloh" by, Ray Bradbury. It was an April night, the soldiers were whispering "me, I'm the one, I'm the one of all the rest who won't die." While the soldiers were whispering Joby thought "I got only a drum, 2 sticks to beat it, and no shield." Joby locked himself down and had no confidence in himself.
   The general helped gain Joby's confidence and strength back. For example, the general said to Joby, "you want to cry some more, go on ahead. I did the same last night." The general is saying that it's okay t cry because, he cried last night. That Joby isn't alone crying and there is no problem with crying. The general also said, "it's the truth. Thinking of everything ahead. Both sides figuring the other side just give up, and soon, and the war done in weeks and us all home." The general meant that there is so much ahead of us, and all I can wish for is to be home safe and sound. When the general talked to Joby, he realized that even the general cried. That he is not alone feeling that way. The general helped Joby throw away the lock inside his heart, and have confidence in himself.
   At first, Joby had no confidence in himself and locked himself down. Joby's emotions built up realizing he has no shield, but only has a drum and 2 sticks. He felt like he was naked with no armor or gun just him, with no weapons at all. He was blinded, but now realizes he can do more with a drum and 2 sticks. After the general talked to him, he felt like there was life back in himself. He saw the war differently through his eyes after the general talked to him. For example, the drum was facing toward the ground and in the end Joby turned it toward the sky. Close to his heart. This shows that Joby sees the drum differently and is very grateful for having the drum and such power.
   In the beginning of the story, Joby felt like i was the end of him. He wouldn't be able to shield himself from danger, pain, and tears. He had no confidence in himself and felt left out. But when the general talked to him, he felt so much better. It was like a place where there was no flowers and wasn't colorful at all. Then all of a sudden the whole place bloomed into beautiful flowers and the place was like a rainbow. That was how Joby felt when the general talked to him. The general was like a father. Sometimes, you just need someone to lean on. A few words can change how you fel and see the world differently. 

Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins

   In the book "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins, Katniss is the main character. President Snow is very angry with her because, she made the game makers of the Hunger Games have no choice but too have two victors instead of one. She is also faking to be in love with Peeta (the other victor.) She is faking because when she was in the arena Peeta was hurt and needed medication to heal his injury. By giving entertainment they can get things they need the most. But now all that is over. President Snow announced that this time in the Hunger Games, all the past victors will be in the arena. So this means that Katniss and Peeta will have to go through the nightmare once again.
   In my opinion, Katniss is pushing the buttons on President Snow and the capitol itself. She kind of harassed them because, she went against their rule. It was very brave of her to do that because the President can kill her right now but he's still keeping her alive. President Snow wants to see how far Katniss can fake the love for Peeta; because he knows that they really aren't in love. I wonder what's going to happen on the day of the wedding day of Katniss and Peeta.
   In conclusion, Katniss and Peeta are going back to the arena again and is hoping to come back alive once again. But this time it's a bit harder because, there are more skilled people. I think that the Hunger Games won't happen because, something big is coming and the Hunger Games of that year is not going to happen. And in the end of the book Peeta and Katniss will be married but they are still faking the love. Collins words are very and powerful. The words that she uses grabs the reader and puts them into the book.