Title: Homecoming

Author: Cynthia Voigt

Publication date: 1981

Page count: 318

Type: Fiction

Started on: 10/3/07

Finished on: 11/2/07

Grade: A

1. Why did I decide to read this book?

I decided to read this book because I wanted a book simular to the last book I read. It also looked like a good book to read. I read the back and it sounded like a good book to read. Also the libraian told me it was a good book. She alsl told me that everyone that read this book liked it.

2. Plot summary

The story is about four children and their mother. The childrens names are Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy. Their mother took them on a trip and they stop at a mall their gets out and nevers comes back. After two days they relized their mother is not coming back and they start to walking to Brigdport were their aunt lives. They have no money or any food and it is a week long walk to Bridgport. On the way they find some money on the ground for food. When they get to their aunts house they found out that she had passed away. They had a cousin they did not know about that still lived there. Their cousin took them in and a mounth passed and she decided to adopt them. They did not like it there so they ran away to live with their grandmother that they just found out about. They took a bus half way to thier grandmothers and they ran out of money. They walked for about two days and them they stoped at a farm and offered to pick vegtiables for money. The man let them but when they wanted to leave he would not let. They ran away from him and ran in to a circus and the circus people protected them from the man and his dog. After two days The people from the circus took them to their grandmothers in Crisfield. When they get there their grandmother told them that they can not live there but they can stay for the night. The next day they did a lot of work to her house and Dicey would tell their grandmother there is a lot more work to be done for a excuss to stay an other night. After a couple of days of doing work their grandmother told them they could live there because during the couple of days she started to like them being there so she told them they could live there with her.

3. What is the setting and why is it important to the novel?

The setting of this book is on the eastern cost. They follow the ocean down to Bridgport from Provence town. The setting in Bridgport was not what they expected they wanted to live next to the ocean like the did in Provence town. They did not like it there and one reason was because they were not next to the ocean. When they went to Crisfeild to live with thier grandmother they lived next to the bay and they were happy with that.

4. Describe the main characters and what roles do they play in the novel?

The oldest is Dicy and she is thirteen her role was to get her family to Bridgport and then to Crisfeild. She also had to keep her family together. The second oldest is James he is ten and his role was to help Dicy with the youger ones. The third child is Maybeth and she is nine her role was to look cute so people would give them money for food. The yougest is Sammey he is six and he made problems for the rest by not wanting to go with them and also he complained every day because he did not want to walk anymore.

5. What is/are the main conflicts in the novel?

The main conflicts are their mother left them in a parking lot with nothing. They have no money and they try finding money on the ground. An ohter conflict is they have to sleep outside at night and some nights it was raining. When they get to their aunts house they find out that their had passed away so cousin was going to take them in but they do not like her.The last conflict is they want to live with thier grandmother and when they get there she tells them they can not stay

6. Describe the climax of the novel?

The climax is when they get to Crisfeild. They want to live with there grandmother but she will not let them. She let them stay until them found a place to go. During that time they showed her by working on her farm that they were good children. One day they went to the store with her to help and on there way back to the farm she told them that they can live with her. She also told them to call her Gram.

7. What is the significance of the book title?

The significance of the title is they do not realy have a home. They are trying to find a new home. The first family member they went was going to take them in but they did not like it there. The second family member they went to said they could not stay. Finally the second family member thier grandmother said they could stay and they found a new home.

8. What is my opinion about this book?

My opinion is I liked it. It was a very interesting book. I also liked it because it was a sad book at the beging and it had a happy ending. It was interesting because of how they got money. Also it was interesting because of how them got some of there food.

10/29 -11/2

DOL:

10/29

The audience rose to their feet and applauded at the end of the play The Weir.



10/30

In Shakespear's play Julius Caesar, Mare Marc Antony proclaims, "I come to bury Caesar not to praise him."



10/31

"Whom did you call, Caitlin, for information about store hours? her mother asked after Caitin was off the phone.



11/1

Neither the mayor nor the members of the Bamgor City Council were willing to approve the new housing development.



11/2

My brother and I helped Mother by washing the dishes, vacuum-cleaning the carpet, and dusting the furniture.

JT:

10/29

It you could go back in time and change one event from your past which one would it be?

If I could go back in time I would keep my dad from buying me a trampoline. I would do that because I poped my knee out of place on it. Now I have a lot of problems with pain in my knee and it still pops out sometimes.
10/30

Pick a teacher to promote to principal. Why?

I do not know who to promote to principal. Some teachers could be a good principal. Others could be a bad principal.

10/31

Are you too old to trick-or-treat?

Yes I think I am to old to trick or treat. I think that because you take the candy from the little kids. Also it takes the fum away from the little kids.


11/1

What is your dream vehicle? Why?

My dream vehicle would be a Dodge truck. I like the body style. I also like them because they have a lot of power to them.


11/2

You won the lottery what would you buy first?

If I won the lottery I would give alot of it to my parents. I would do that because they spent a lot of money on me. The rest I would keep for college.

10/22 -10/26

DOL:
10/22
Last Thursday night the lettuce at Shoprite didn't look very good to Mother and me.

10/23
Serena told us that only a few of Emily Dickinson's poems were published during her life time; all the others were collected, edited, and published after her death.

10/24
My grandad enjoys outdoor activities in all seasons: fishing, hiking, and camping.

10/25
Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood has a forecourt on which the signatures, handprints, and footprints of famous movie stars have been set in concrete.

10/26
Manuel, please bring this furniture catalog to you're father; I believe he wants to order some chairs.



JT:
10/22
Which of these decades has the best music 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s ?

I think the 80s and 90s had the best music. I do not know any 60s or 70s music. I think the best of the 80s and 90s music is the 90s.

10/23

Do you like to hunt? why or why not?
Yes I like to hunt. I like to hunt because it is quite. I also like to hunt because I get to shout things.

10/24
Nearly nine weeks into the school year has your initial new lunchline opinion changed?
No my opinion of the lunch line has not changed. I still do not like it. Changing the lunch line has not helped anything.

10/25
Do you or will you someday play the lottery? Explain

I do not think I will ever play the lottery. I think it is a waist of time. I think it is also a waist of money because small chance to win.

10/26

Which Canterbury piligrim is the most interesting?

The most interesting Canterbury piligrim is the nun. She is interesting because she dresses diferent from the other nuns. Also because she does not act like a nun should.

10/15- 10/19

DOL:
10/15
Jose Merino's autobiography was short but, regardless of its length,very informative.

10/16
One of the players has not been coming to practice, because he doesn't have any means of transportation.

10/17
To help overcome jet lag when flying overseas, eat light the day before embarking.

10/18
I should finish writing a letter to Luisa's sister, but first I must finish this book report.

10/19
"Sarah's notes were different from mine when we compared them at the end of the lecture, " Raul stated.




JT:
10/15
What is the most annoying pet naming covention?
The most annoying way to name a pet is when they name them after the pet that has died. I think they should have thier own name. Also when you name a pet after the old pet it reminds you of them and can make you sad.

10/16
Of all the pets youv'e ever had which one had the coolest name?
I think my cat Patches had the coolest name. He was a black and white cat. He got the name because he looked like he had black patches all over him.

10/17
Suggest three journal topic questions for future use.
Should ask about our favoret color. Ask more about pets. Also ask about our favoret hobby.

10/18
Great job with lousy pay or lousy job with great pay which is better?
I would pick great job with lousy pay. I would pick that one because I would rather go to a job I like than to a job I hate. Going to a job you hate would make you depressed.

10/19
A easy class with loads of homework or a hard class with very little homework?
I would pick the hard class with very little homework. I would pick it because I think you would learn more in class. Also you would have more time after school to do what you want.

10/1/07-10/12/07

DOL:

10/1

"It was he who fell off the sailboat on Thunder Lake!" Dr. Alvarez shouted.

10/2

"Will someone lend me his or her copy of Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms"? Calvin asked.

10/3

I have only two more pages to read before I can start this assignment.

10/4

Mr. Tosca has fewer uniforms to wash each week, because he doesn't work at the garage anymore.

10/9

We should have set the bookcase between the windows, but its size prevented us from doing so.

10/10

Pioneer Hall, the oldest building in town, was dedicated on September 29, 1865, by Mayor Blake G. Crothers.

10/11

Doesn't Mark have any plans to submit his essay "The Underestimated Teenager" to School Day magazine?

10/12

Near the end of our history class, Wendy and she gave their report on the Russian Revolution.

JT:

10/1

Did you have trouble completing the quotes assignment?

Yes I did have troube completing the quotes. I think some of the quotes was easy but most of them was hard. I did the easy ones and some of the hard ones.

10/2

Who is your hero?

My dad is my hero. He is there when I need him. He also trys to help when I need him.

10/3
Critique each hallways homecoming decorating?
I think the seniors hallway was the best. The sophmore was second best. The freshmen hall was my least favorit.


10/4
Based on your life now predict your death.

I predict I would die from heart problems. I think that because it runs in the family. Also diabeties because it also runs in the family.

10/9
How do like your eggs?
How I like my eggs is scrambled. I do not like my eggs any other way. I realy do not like eating eggs at all.


10/10

Write me a get well card/message/sentiment.

Sorry you feel bad. Hope you feel better. Get well soon.



10/11
Which three framed posters should go and why?
I think the poster with Superman holdig the flag should go. I think the one with Wolverine sould go. Also the do not like the one with Superman breaking through the wall.


10/12
Are you satisfied with your first marking period performance in this class?
Yes I am satisfied with my grade. I am satisfied with all my grades. I hope I do as well or better on the next marking period.

Where the Lilies Bloom

Title:Where the Lilies Bloom

Author:Vera and Bill Cleaver

Publication date:1969

Page count:210

Type:Fiction

Started on:8/30/07

Finished on:9/27/07

My grade: B

1. Why did I decide to read this book?

I read this book because it looked like a good book to read. The title sounded interesting. I read the back and it sounded like a good book. I also read it because someone told me it was a good book. I also like fiction books.

2. Plot summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible):

The story is about a fourteen year old girl named Mary Call Luther and her two sisters and brother. They live in North Carolina with their father. Their father is sick and dies. Before he died he made Mary Call promise not to tell anyone he has died, not to let Devola her sister marry, and to keep the family together. After their father died they started wildcrafting to make money. Then people in the town started asking were their father was and they would tell them he was sick and when people came to see him they would tell them he was sleeping. After a while they became desperate for money because it was winter and they could not go out to wildcraft. Then Mary Call broke all of her promises and her sister married a man named Kiser Pease. After Devola married him he gave Mary Call and her brother and sister money and food but they still did wildcrafting for extra money.

3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?

This story takes place in North Carolina in the Appalachian mountains. They live between two mountains called Sugar Boy and Old Joshua. It is important in the novel because that is were they buried their father. Also that is where they do their wildcrafting for money. It is also important because it is mentioned a lot in the book.

4. Who are the main characters, and what roles do they play in the novel?

Mary Call Luther is the main character. She make promises she could not keep. Also she tries to take care of the family. Romey Luther is her brother that helps Mary Call with everything. Then Devola Luther her sister she takes care of the house by clean it and she does all the cooking but at the end she marries Kiser Pease.

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?

The main conflict was people trying see Mary Calls father and he was dead but she could not let anyone know. The second problem was Kiser Pease would not leave them along about their father. The third problem was in the winter the weather was so bad that part of their house caved in. The fourth problem was during the winter they could not wildcraft and they had no money. The fifth problem was Mary Call had problem with her family because they did not want to listen to her.

6. Describe the climax of the novel.

The climax is when Mary Call is about to lose their house. Also Kiser Pease finds out her father was dead. After that happened Devola married Kiser Pease and he paid for their house. The rest of the town found out about their father death so Kiser Pease went and became Mary Call and her brother and sisters guardian. Also he built them a barn for their cow because it was living in the house.

7. What is the significance of the book's title? Is the title appropriate, or would I change it to something else?

The title only goes along with part of the book. If you read only the first half of the book you would not know where they got the title. At the end of the book it tells you about it. It is called Where the Lilies Bloom because at the end of the book it becomes Spring and all along the mountains there is large areas of liles every where. I would never change the title because I think it is a good title for the book.

8. What is my opinion about this book? Why (give specifics)?

My opinion of this book is it is a good book. I think other people should read it. I think it is a good book because it is the type of book I like to read. Also I think it was a good book because it was not a boring book. I t was the type of book that made you want to read more to find out what happens.

Journals 9/18-9/28

DOL:
9/18
Rob told us that the picture has not been hung properly, and it will have to be taken down and done correctly.

9/19
Keiko and I have to order these intems: two dozen pizza, three cases of juice, and I suppose, enough placemats for everyone attending the festival.

9/20
Marcus said, "I should lie down for a while before I paricipate in the track meet; otherwise, I'll not be in top shape."

9/21
After celebrating Hanukkah, Alan, Chris, and I left for Cable, Wisconsin, to ski at Telemark, a nearby resort.

9/24
While he was cleaning the yard, Dad found a newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, that had lain under the bushes since last March.

9/25
"Victor, when you leave the storeroom, please take some chalk back to the classroom," Mr. Lewis said.

9/26
Juanita and I had taken the extra books to Ms. Parson's room, so Jim had to use ours.

9/27
Both Sherry and Luo are in the play Our Town, and they are nervous about opening night.

9/28
At Imports Motors the Belvederes saw a used Honda with air-conditioning and leather upholstery.






JT:
9/18
Invent a new candy bar describe its composition and name it.
If I invented a new candy bar it would be made with white chocolate. It would also have almonds and carmel. It would be called Chocolate Bar.

9/19
Which McDonalds item should be permanently removed from the menu?

I think the salad should be removed from the menu. I think the salads are nasty because they taste bad. Also I cant tell what half the stuff is in it.

9/20

Whish fast food franchise should open in Keyser?

Whish one would you get rid of?

I think we should get a Texas Road House in Keyser. I think that because thier food is good and you can have all the penuts you you want thier. The restraunt we should get rid of is McDonalds.

9/21

Have you ever eaten octopus?

No I have never eaten octopus and I never will. I do not like any seafood at all. Also I think it sounds nasty.

9/24

Are you or were you nervous to get your drivers license?

Yes I was nervous to geting my license. I was so nervous when tried to get them I failed the first time. The second time I went I was not as nervous and I got my license.

9/25

Is punishing the entire class for the transgressions of a few fair?

No I do not think it is fair. I think the few that were bad should get punished. It is not fair for punishing people for something they did not do.

9/26

Which game has frittered the most of your life away?

The game I play the most is Guitar Hero. I play it the most because I think it the best game I ever played. It is also my favorite.

9/27

Which game is the most fum to watch other play?

I think Guitar Hero is the most fun to watch other play. I think it is funny watching other people play and they do not know what they are doing. It is also fun to watch other people play that are good at the game because it is a game that takes a lot a time to get really good at.

9/28

Do violent video games negatively influence those who play them?

Will playing violent games make someone a violent person?

I think it depends on the person if it infuences them or not. Like me games does not influence me to do something violent. Then thier is people that are influenced but I think most of them a little kids.