katie!

Tj

2010-02-09T10:03:00.001-08:00

October 17, 1994, that is an important day in my life even though I was to yet born. This day means a lot to my life because it is the day my brother, Tj, was born. I admire Tj, he’s my big brother and I feel like he can help me, and I can learn a lot from him. He has many faults, but who doesn’t? He isn’t always nice to me, and I don’t like him at times, but there’s a lot I can learn from him and I think there is a lot to like about him too.
One thing I find admirable is how responsible he is. He always does his homework right when we get home, and that’s something I could use some help on. He rarely loses things, or forgets to do something. His grades aren’t always great, but he also has some pretty hard classes. Around his friends he doesn’t always act smart, but when it comes to getting things done, he always does great. He doesn’t always want to admit it, but he is very smart, and very responsible. He always puts his homework ahead of his friends. I feel like I really need to work on these skills, and I admire him very much for being so responsible, and being a good example for me.
Another very admirable quality about him is that he is dedicated. He works out and trains every day after school and even on weekends. He dedicates all his free time into sports, mainly baseball, and school. I think I could really learn from this, because I always put my friends and having fun ahead of anything else. In the summer he rarely has time to hang out with anyone, except his friends from the baseball team. He dedicates his entire summer, and now his free time after school in the winter, all for baseball. At least he has something he loves so much that he will dedicate all his time to be the best at it.
The final thing I admire the most about him is the way he can entertain people, and he is a very good people person. He likes to talk, and he is not at all shy, he is also very funny, and rarely boring. I don’t consider my self shy or boring, but I do consider him a little more fun to be around. He always makes me laugh, even if its for something very stupid. All I know is I don’t get bored around him. He likes to talk about anything, and he will try to keep himself and others easily entertained. He doesn’t need to be with his friends or constantly doing something to be happy; he can just keep him self entertained. I admire how it’s so easy for him to make people laugh, and keep them happy.
There are a lot of things I admire about him, but these are just the main reasons. We fight a lot and he isn’t always the nicest, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t admirable. I love Tj, and think he is a great person and sets a good example for me. He is a great brother, and October 17, 1994 was a great day for me because he came into my life.

book report#2

2010-01-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Again my book is Twilight, and this time I’m going to talk about the ending.

In the beginning of the book Bella and I have similar qualities. We both like sun, and she lives in a warm place, which is where I would like to live. Also both of our parents are divorced and her step dad, like my brother, travels a lot for baseball. They don’t say much about her home life in Phoenix right away, but I guess I assumed our lives were kind of similar. In the end of the book however, things are different. Bella has found love in Edward, and I haven’t experienced that. Also she now seems to be fearless, especially with Edward. She also accepts the Cullen’s for the vampires they are, and I know I would not. In the end she is willing to give up pretty much anything for Edward, and just to be with her true love. She was willing to give up her family, her friends, and her life as a human, just be with Edward forever. I don’t see us as the same, or alike at all at the end. She found love, and won’t let it go, and that’s not the same as my life.

I recommend this book to a lot of people, for a lot of reasons. Its fun to read and you won’t want to stop. It’s best for girls because it is a romance, and about Vampires, two things not common in books boys enjoy. For me it was time consuming, but well worth it and it can go very fast if you just keep reading.

book report #1

2010-01-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

My book is Twilight, by: Stephanie Mayer. Many of you have read this book I assume, and not all of you enjoyed it, but i did. This book is about a seventeen year old girl named Isabella "Bella" Swan, right away in the book she has to move out of Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington. After arriving in Forks, Bella soon meets the youngest Cullen, Edward. Bella and Edward become very close, very quickly. You then find out that Edward is a vampire, and so is his whole family. From there comes a great, thrilling adventure, that will keep you non stop reading.

I have really enjoyed reading this book, like I said; it is very exciting, fun to read, and extremely hard to put down. What I have liked most about this book so far, is when Bella and Edward are together. The favorite part for me in the beginning is when Edward tells Bella he is a vampire. I liked this because he is showing her everything he can do, and telling her that he isn’t a hero, he’s the bad guy. I liked a lot of things already, and so far I have only talked about the beginning.

For the character choices I want to talk about Bella, because the whole story is between her and Edward, but more so Bella. Bella has already had to make some big decisions, just in the beginning. The thing about her is that she doesn’t listen to other people, or always do what makes sense. She follows her heart, or at least she does with Edward. First off she has to decide if she wants to visit her dad in Forks, or travel with her mom and step dad. Then after Edward saves her from a car crash, she chooses to learn more about him, and spend more time with him.
Like I said I have enjoyed this book, and so far I only wrote about the beginning.

book report:2

2009-11-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

Once again my book is A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book the First: The Bad Beginning By: Lemony Snicket, and it is about the Baudleaire orphans. I have not learned a whole lot from this book so far, but i have learned a few things. One of those things would be to always stick together. The Baudleaire children have been through a lot, but they never left each other's sides. Since I did not learn a whole lot from this book I will mention one of the small lesson I learned. I learned that in order to get married you need to have a judge present, a signature of approval, and a witness.

I do think others would enjoy this book, it is a creative and inventive story, but i would mostly recommend it to children of younger ages. The reason for this is that they do not swear, or use violence; to me the most inappropriate thing in this book is when Count Olaf tries to marry Violet. Also it is just a very creative and it could happen, but it wouldn't happen in this exact matter, so this book is pretty unrealistic. Which makes it better for younger people. If you enjoy creative, lively stories then you would enjoy this book.

I would rate this book pretty low, it was a good book; although it is better suited for younger kids. This is also a good book to read as a younger class. This is a good book, but i would rate it low because it is not my kind of book.

book report:1

2009-11-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

In my book A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book the First: The Bad Beginning By: Lemony Snicket there are three main characters named, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, also known as the Baudelaire children. They haven't had to make a whole lot of decisions in the first half of the book; most have been made for them. In the beginning the Baudelaire children become orphans when there parents die in a terrible fire leaving no remains. Once there parents are dead and they have no house, they must live some where new. They children have no say in where, because the parents would want them with an in town family member, which is hard enough to find. Once they move into Count Olaf's they don't have much of a say of what they do while they are there. I don’t agree with the fact that they don’t get to make any decisions for themselves, but also they are all below 18, so that legally can’t.
I don’t think I am like any of the characters in my book; also I can not really relate to them or there lives. They lost there house and parents, the most I have lost was my family being together. There parents are dead and mine are separated. They have to move in with an un heard of uncle, but I would have a relatives ready to take me in a heartbeat. I do consider myself smart, but I don’t like to invent like Violet, or a reader like Klaus. I guess one way that I am like all of them is because no matter what none of us would ever leave our families.
I did enjoy reading this book; it is interesting and fun to read. It had strange and random twist, and always kept me wanting to know what Count Olaf would pull out of his sleeve next.

Memoir

2009-10-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

I went to Illinos one time with my friend hanna! We were all set to go we had passes to get out of school, but we decided it would be more fun to sneak out the back door of the school. once we had packed and got food we were on our non-stop way to Illinois, but we did take a few stops. When we were almost to the Hotel we hit major traffic. I felt desperate, to get to the hotel. Also i felt sick, and tired. As if i maypuke, or pass out! finally we got to the hotel! We hung out with the baseball players, and that was tons of fun! We watched a lot of baseball, and they toook 3rd in the tournament! That was great! Still the best part for me was Hanging out with my best friend Hanna and my favorite people from the baseball team, Zoe and Caz (brother and sister), Dj and Deandra (also brother and sister), and Erik Jarosch! It was the best weekend of my life, and i will never forget it!

Conflict

2009-10-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

In my book Glass by:Ellen Hopkins Kristina becomes a druggie. There are many conflicts in this book.
One of the conflicts is the conflict between Kristina and her mom. Kristina wants her own life, but her mom isn't sure she can give her that freedom. With everything Kristina has done to her family and herself she does not have any trust in her family. That doesn't stop Kristina from getting what she wants. Her mom wants to keep and eye on her, Kristina want to be left alone. As the book goes on the battle between Kristina and her mother continues to drag on. The more mistakes Kristina makes, the less trust worthy she becomes. Kristina does not understand that if she would be respectful or good for a little bit, her mom might give her more freedom or trust. This battle goes on between any mom and daughter but this one seems to be non-ending. With everything that happens with Kristina I don't think it will end soon.
The second conflict in my book, Glass, is the one between Kristina and Bree. This is just about the most important conflict! The conflict between being who you really are, or the person you want to be. Kristina is and always will be Kristina. The problem is that isn't who she wants to be. Bree is her alter-ego, everything she loves about Bree is what she becomes when she isn't with her family. Kristina and Bree are constantly fighting about what should come out of her mouth. What she should say, and what is better off in her head! Kristina and Bree constantly are fighting over who she wants to be and when she want to be that person.
The most important conflict is the one between Kristina's addiction, and the normal life she is giving up. While the monster calls, Kristina hides and leaves that part to Bree. The drug is to powerful for pure self will! Kristina is constantly fighting of all the demons that come with being a druggie. Trying to sleep after getting high, and trying to look and stay normal while being high. Kristina is constantly fighting with demons and alter-ego's.
The main conflict of this book is that Kristina wants to do drugs, but she knows it will ruin her life and she will no longer have any self will. Fighting what you want to do, and what you should do. That's the whole main problem or conflict in my book Glass by:Ellen Hopkins.

Kristina Georgia Snow- ending

2009-10-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

As I told you in my first character description my character is Kristina Georgia Snow, and she is a druggie, for the second time. In the beginning she was certain she could stop before she got addicted. Now that I am at the end of the book I realize that is not in the least bit true! Kristina is now more addicted then ever, and more of a druggie then anyone would have expected. Now Kristina has lost all hope in a normal life.In the beginning of my book Kristina worked hard to make a normal life, now at the end it was easy to destroy all that! Also in the beginning Kristina does not want to be judged, she doesn't want anyone to know about drugs. At the end everyone knows about Kristina's addiction she doesn't bother to even try to hide it.
Another thing that changed is Kristina doesn't care what people think of her anymore. Why should she, no friends, already has a boyfriend, and always high enough not to care.Not just her personality changes, but so does her physical looks. In the beginning Kristina still had her mom fat. Now, single handily done by the monster, Kristina is skinnier then possible. It's amazing what a lack of food can do to your weight. Also Kristina no longer cares what she looks like to other people, she already has a boyfriend so what's the point, and she's to high to notice what she looks like. Now Kristina also looks the part of a druggie.Another way Kristina changed is her perspective on life. In the beginning life was terrible through Kristina's eyes. You would think she thinks of life worse now, but no she is as she would call herself, "an optimist." She knows nothing will change, but why not wish things would be different. I think this happened because she no longer has anything to lose.
Also in the beginning f my book Kristina had all the love in the world for her baby. Things are not quite the same at the end of the book, now Kristina cares more about herself, and her home. Probably her home more so. The sad part of that is that Kristina doesn’t even care about herself or her home. Which means she does not care in the least about hunter, or the family she left behind. Kristina in the beginning of the book would say all the time how big of a mistake she made, and is still making, but she no longer continues to think of that as a mistake. Now it is just her life, she is miserable, but she got the freedom she always wanted.
That is Kristina Georgia Snow at the end of the book Glass by:Ellen Hopkins.

Theme /Moral/ Lesson

2009-10-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

In my book, Kristina becomes a druggie, for the second time, this time worst then the first. Now finding that the drugs have better quality, how could she not get addicted again. Kristina doesn't seem to believe that, she claims she will stop before it gets out of hand. Now Kristina has ended up worse then she ever expected! No longer able to care for her baby while being high, and not able to give up the drugs, Kristina moves out of her home, and "on her own."
One of the lesson's I learned was not to judge a book by the cover. Normally when you here people say "Don't judge a book by it's cover," they are taking about saying mean things about people when you just met them. That's not really the case in this book. In this book, they are talking about not just assuming everything is alright, and that this person/ family is perfect, or they have a great like. Things may seem that way, but it usually isn't the way it seems. I think the author was aiming to teach readers to get to know people, and don't assume that somebody has it so easy, or anything like that.
The other lesson I learned was to maintain self respect, and always take care of your self. In the book Kristina completely falls apart, physically and mentally. Mentally Kristina can just no longer try to live a normal life and stay high. She starts to lose her normal maintality of thinking, all she can think of now is getting high, when and where she can do it. Physically she stops trying to hide the fact that she is an addict, everyone knows by now, why bother to hide it. When she moves into the apartment with her boyfriend, it looks like the home of a dealer. Considering that's what she and Trey no are, I suppose that is normal. I think Ellen Hopkins was trying to teach her readers to always have enough pride to take care of yourself. Also to care about your surroundings and the people who surround you.
The most obvious lesson is to make good choices. Think before you act, this lesson is in a lot of books, but this book especially broadcast that lessons. Kristina’s life is so dirastically changed when she makes bad choices for the first time at her dads in the book Crank. Even though it shows mostly in Crank it is also shown here. If she would have stuck with the choice to stay away from drugs, nothing in this book would have happened.
That's what I think Ellen Hopkins was trying to teach, or atleast that's what I learned!

Recommendation

2009-10-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

My book is really interesting, but definitely not boring. It is also fictional, but loosely based on the true story of Ellen Hopkins' daughter's very real walk with drugs. It's about a girl, Kristina Georgia Snow, who gets caught up in the bad life of drugs. This book is the second book following the book Crank. In Crank, good girl Kristina, goes to visit her "bum-of-a-dad," in Albuquerque. She meets a boy, who introduces her into the dangerous world of drugs, and it doesn't help that her father himself is also a druggie. Now in Glass Kristina has a baby and has worked hard to give up drugs, But she can no longer take it. She finds drugs in her old party pal, Robyn, in Stockton, California. Now that she's back on the track, life is good, or for about a week it seems. Kristina's baby gets baptized, and Kristina is a no show. She got too busy high, in the casino, with her dad and his girlfriend to remember her sons baptism. Also Kristina meets a boy, but not just any boy, Robyn's dealer/ boyfriend, Trey. Kristina falls "in love," with Trey, Trey and Kristina are very exclusive, but also not telling anyone. Kristina gets kicked out of her house, by her parents so she moves in with Trey's uncle, Brad, and nieces. Now life is easy, Kristina has easy access to drugs, works as an at home maid at Trey's uncles, and two devoted boyfriends. Trey, the nice young part time lover, and then Brad, the kind, caring, supportive, full time lover. While Trey is out at Stockton for college Kristina gets lonely, so while living in Brad's house, why not have a secret lover. That's not all, but i would hate to say anymore.
This book is Crazy, and completely Spine-Chilling! It's scary to think about the thoughts that go through Kristina's head, and the life a druggie leads on, but it is also one of the most exciting books i have ever read. I did not want to put this book down, it makes you think, and it makes you feel, it makes you sick, and it makes you cringe, but it is a book that i will tell you that you have to read. You can never really judge a person by the outside, and this book says it best. Things can look normal on the outside, and nothing may seem wrong, but things are never what they seem.
I would recommend this book to people who like real life story's, and to people who like to learn about how some bad decisions can change your life. Also i would recommend this book to people who like interesting crazy books. It is a bit graphic, and not always appropriate, but it is worth reading, but you might want to wait until you will be able to understand it better. So even though it is not entirely appropriate, and you may want to wait until you are older to read this book, it is worth waiting.
That is my recommendation of the book Glass, by Ellen Hopkins.

Setting

2009-10-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Again my book is called Glass, by Ellen Hopkins.

My book is set in Reno, Nevada. That is where Kristina and her family live. The setting is important to my book, Kristina lives in a town that is known for partying and black-jack. I suppose no matter where you live, there will be drugs, but in Reno, they seem to be easier to find. Which contributes a lot to the book.

Probably the most important setting is the snow family house. This is where most of the book takes place. Kristina sleeps, eats, takes care of hunter, and even gets high in her house. She fights off the questions of her mom and Scott, and deals with being around her family. Kristina doesn't describe her room, but she does say it represents her before she met the monster or drugs.

Another very important setting is the Seven-Eleven down the street and "over the hill," from Kristina's house. This is where Kristina decides to apply for a job. Kristina knows she needs money, and Bree knows the only way to score is to get money. So they decide the easiest way to do this is to work, and somewhere convenient is the best place. The Seven-Eleven is home to some of the scummiest people Reno has to offer, but that doesn't bother Bree any. This is also where Kristina finds her newest connection. Kristina also smokes and is about to turn 18, which means she can now buy her own cigarettes

"... in two more days not only will I be old enough to buy them, I'll have them at my easy disposal."

In order to find drugs for the first time in a long time Kristina drives to Stockton, California. Robyn, Kristina's old party pal, is in Stockton. Stockton is not a big part of the setting, but it is where Kristina finds drugs again. So it does affect the book, and Kristina.

The other important setting is the apartment Kristina and her boyfriend Trey buy together. It is a small, beat up, trashy, one bedroom apartment. Drugs all over, and Trey starts dealing out of the apartment. For a little bit Kristina takes Hunter to live at they're apartment. Lets just say it is not a suitable place for a baby. Kristina and trey do not live in the apartment long, but it is important to understand how bad of a place Kristina ends up in, thanks to drugs.

And those are most of the important settings.

Krinstina Georgia Snow

2009-10-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

My book is by Ellen Hopkins, and the title is Glass. It is the sequel to Crank.In Crank Kristina gets caught up in drugs when she goes to visit her "bum", of a dad in Albuquerque. She has a baby and is now living a normal life of no drugs, at least that is how things start. Kristina can no longer take the life without drugs, she can't stand being trapped in the house with her family and her now four month old baby. Yes, Kristina knows she is not doing the right thing she just can't resist. Kristina was a nice, caring, family first, friends later kind of girl, living by the code of dare. When her alter-ego comes into play, she's not exactly Kristina anymore. Bree comes around when Krista wants to "party". In order to trick her parents Kristina comes back into play. Bree is mean, manipulating, and good at getting what she wants. In the begining of the book Kristina is trying hard to put her life back together, Bree has a different idea. Kristina stays sober for about 13 months, occassionally taking a "Pick-Me-Up.”
"From a purely omniciant point of view, it makes no sense whatsoever, I freed myself from physical addiction, no rehab but to endure sweating, puking, cardiovascular jumping jacks. The mental bond however,seem as strong as ever, and the piece of me that recognizes that knows i might be making the biggest mistake of my life."
Kristina doesn’t like her physical apperence. She isn’t gorgeous, but when she’s bree she feels dominant. Bree and Kristina may look the same, but Bree has all the confidence, Kristina is shy. Kristina has brown hair, and no boobs, but Bree could care less. Now after having a baby Kristina has a stomach that shows she’s a mom, and a lot of extra fat. She is sick of being a mom. Her body is no longer her own, and one thing Kristina really misses is guys. She wants a boyfriend, and someone to love her. That is alittle hard to do having the body of a teenage ex-druggie with a baby. One thing Kristina can not stand about her apperence and having a baby…
“Having rock hard boobs, that are a whole cup size smaller then they were before I had a baby!”
She no longer wears make-up because she has no where to go, no friends left in town, just her family and her baby.
That’s what Kristina is like in the beginning of the book!

about me!

2009-09-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hey, I’m katie. I’m thirteen! My friends are my life! I am currently an eighth grader and I attend north junior high! I love being around people! I spend a lot of time with my friends, but I’m not too busy to be with my family and do homework! I consider myself responsible, but I need to work on my study habits! I do pretty well in school, and my favorite subject is math! I like to play softball and soccer! I have three dogs, London, Lily, and Jessie! I love to eat, and to play games with friends and family! Board games and outside games are always fun! That's all i have to say about me, and this is my blog!