Thursday, November 17, 2011

Jake's book review

I am reading the Invention of Hugo Cabret. The boy is, the one person that is running the clocks at the train station. He lives in the walls of the train stashin in a small cabin. The mechanical man is found in Hugo's small cabin in the wall of boxes and I wonder how did the mechanical man get there in the first place.  The man in the toy booth saw Hugo break a toy mouse and he fixed it like no problem, he took small prices of toys so he can fix the mechanical man. I thought I could do that but I would not steel. Soon Hugo's dad died in a fire 2 days from when the train hoped the track and went in the wall and came out on the other side.  I wish I  read it again, I cant Waite for the movie                                                                                                                  by Jake

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Book Review by Nadia

Dear observer,
I am reading a book called MEET ADDY.  It is about a girl who runs away with her mom so they can be free from slavery.  The characters in this book are Addy, Mom, Dad, Sam and Esther.  The setting in this book is back on the plantation and in the woods at night time.  The problems in this book are Sam [Addy’brother] and Addy’s papa were sold and when mama and Addy planned to run away they could not come and neither could Esther [baby sister] because she was too loud.  The main event in this book is in the woods when Addy was running away.  One exciting thing that happened while they were running away is while they were crossing a river there was a whirlpool and Addy’s mom got sucked up so Addy had to save her all by her self. The conclusion of the book happens when Addy and her mom find a house with a kind lady who helps them get to Philadelphia.  I did not like the book, I loved it. You would to and in fact there is a whole series of these kind of books.  The series is called AMERICAN GIRL. They are really good!
Nadia

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Little House on the Prarie By Molly

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I don't know if I ever write with such great detail [as the author in my book] but I know that you do! You said I might want to read, Anne of Green Gables. What is that about?

I agree that the best books are the ones where people make mistakes and have to learn from them. There is some suspense in my story. I wouldn't say too much, but some.

I love how in my book, it is Christmas time and I love Christmas. I predict that Laura is going to get a horse for Christmas. I also predict that Valentine's day is going to come up soon in my book and Laura is going to get a lot of Valentines. This book makes me want to just read every single second and go on. I want to get more time to read it and really be a character in it.

I have read a lot in my book and watched a lot of shows on it too. My family are big fans of it and we watch the show together sometimes.

This book helped me to get more into reading and I want to read it all the time. It is very interesteing to hear all that is going on in her life. As compared to other books on people that get into trouble, this one is the best I have read, becuase I have never heard of so much craziness ever.

I agree with the author about how Christmas is the best becuase it makes me feel in the spirit. I can't wait to read the next book.

Going to my peace and quiet,
Molly

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Ink Heart by Alex

Dear Mrs. Moseley,
I am still reading Ink Heart.  Right now I am going to try to answer all of your questions and tell a little about what happened in the book.  It is a very interesting book and I think you will like it.
Yes, my dad said that when I am done reading I can watch the movie!  Ink Heart is a really long movie if you get the original version (which is hard to get).  My dad also warned me that it is a very scary movie too.  So I am really looking forward to watching it after reading the book!  I am interested if the movie will be a little different than the book.
I believe that Mo, the dad lies so much and babies her so that she does not know about Capricon and all the other evil things that are in the world.  It says that Meggie ALWAYS knows when he is lying but she realizes in the end that her father slipped a lot of lies behind her back.
I am a lot like Meggie because I love books and I started to love and hate books when in first grade my mom made me try and get #1 reading trophy ( I had to read an average of 6 half point 3rd grade level books a DAY, and got a total of 214.5 in Accelerated Reader for the year!!!).  I started to develop a love for certain books and a hate for certain books.  I love fantasy, sci-fi, folktale, and fiction…
I left off reading last time, when Capricon took Mo.  Now Meggie leaves in the middle of the night with Mo’s case and packed a couple of things in it. I predict Meggie will have a lot of adventure because Meggie is leaving to go into the dangerous night and just wonder around trying to find her dad… I am anxious and scared for Meggie.  Capricon is a scary character.  I can’t believe I would have to leave in the middle of the night and have to go find my parents that were kidnapped.  I think that makes Meggie really brave!
I am looking forward to reading what adventures Meggie will have.  I am on page 97 so there is still a lot to read.
Your Friend,


Alex

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Mighty Jackie

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I just finished reading a book called, The Mighty Jackie. She is a girl baseball players. I dislike the part of the book where Babe Rule thinks that a girl should never play baseball because they are too lady like to play. Whatever.

This book makes me want to become the second girl ever to make it to the MLB. I learned that no matter what, girl have every right to play baseball.

If I could be any character in this book, I would like Jackie Mitchell becuase she is the first MLB girl baseball player and she believes in herself. If I could talk to one of the characters, I would ask how did it feel to get your butt kicked by a girl?! I asked you a question, Babe Ruth!

After reading the first paragraph of this book, I knew I was going to fall in love with the book, becuase girl baseball players and baseball are my two favorite things, like ever!

This character reminds me of myself becuase every day I go outside and practice pitching until my arm starts to hurt and my hand cramps. OW. I am goign to fulfill my life's dream of becoming a famous baseball player for the Rangers MLB team.

I am going to be a famous ball player like Jackie Mitchel.

From your soon to be famous MLB player,
Sophie

P.S. Get ready to see me on T.V. in 21 years

Sunday, October 2, 2011

What makes a letter REALLY good? By Mrs. Moseley

I have been reading some amazing letters by my students. I got to thinking, what makes them so good?

A good letter is marked by a few things;

1. It is fun to read! The letter is written just as the student is thinking. The letters where students write exactly as they talk, are the most fun. It is the letters that just give a bunch of questions and a summary that are very tedious (and very unfun) to read.

For example:
Dear Mrs. Moseley,
I love this book. Do you like this book? I really think you should read it. It is a book that is so much fun to read. I highly recommend this book to you. I don't know what else to say, so bye!
(You can see my struggle: It is hard to write back to a letter that has many words but doesn't really say anything)

2. It is filled with deep thinking. It's the different between a letter that states; "I am just like the character because we both have brown hair." (Very surface level thinking)
and
"I am like the character becuase we are both constantly looking for new things to do. Both the character and I are always seeking out new adventures and new things to learn" (see the deeper thinking here?)

3. I can tell the student has read the letter over at least once before turning it in. It is obvious that some letters have not been read through before turning in. It gets very confusing becuase sometimes words or even complete sentences are repeated.
For example: "I really lik this character becuase I like this character because they are really nice."

I am so proud of the students and how they have written letters that display their ingenious thinking! Keep up the good work!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I am reading, The Mysterious Benedict Society, it is good. I am on page 23, so I don't know a lot about the book. I wonder why they have a house on the front cover.

The character I like the most is Miss Perumal. She has so much hope in Reynie when he is taking the test. She is also nice. The character I dislike the most is the pencil lady. That is what Reynie calls her becuase she called out really loud, "Pencils!" when Reynie was thinking about pencils. The pencil lady is loud.

The place where they took the test reminds me of school and the big test reminds me of the TAKS test that we took. When they were taking the test to see who will be passing and doing another test, I felt like I was doing the big test becuase it had so much detail.

The title looks like it is a mystery book, but it is not, I think. You know why? Because it has the word mysterious. I hope it is a mystery soon, if it is not, I don't care at all becuase I love the book.

I dislike the part of the book when Rhonda told Reynie he could cheat on her paper. I would not want somebody to cheat on my paper and I think that Reynie should have told the pencil lady.

About your question, Babymouse is the kind of mouse that just wants to have fun. You are right, Babymouse is too easy for me. Back to my questions and subjects, Miss Perumal reminds me of my mom becuase she is so nice and hopeful.

I love writing to you,
Abbey

Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Red Pyramid

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I just finished reading, The Red Pyramid, by Rick Riordan. I was very surprised by how this story ended. While I was reading, I predicted that Sadie and Carter would rescue their dad's body from the red pyramid. I was wrong, they ended up blowing up the red pyramid with their dad's body still in it. I was right that they were trying to save their dad's body, but I was shocked that the red pyramid ended up accidentally blowing up. My prediction was wrong.

I also predicted that the white crocodile was made of clay. It turns out I was right. Phillip was a shabti, a shabti is a statue made of clay that can come to life in the form it was created in. Since Phillip was created in a form out of clay in the shape of a crocodile, he could come to life as a crocodile. The neat thing is that he can die and be reformed out of clay and come to life. I was glad my prediction was right.

I am also reading Punished by David Lubar in literature circle for your class. I do not care for this book because it uses so many puns. I know the puns are a big part of the story, but there are so many that it is distracting. It feels like David Lubar puts puns in the story even when they are not necessary. I would like it better if there were puns, but not so many.

You asked me what you should read next. I thought about it for a while, and I think you should try a dystopian book. Dystopian books take place when the world is falling apart with diseases, bad leaders and war. My favorite dystopian series is, The Hunger Games. I think that is the one you should try first. In the series, Katness is chosen to go into a fierce battle against fellow teenagers. It's a fight to the death! Does that sound like a book you would like to read?!

Sincerely,
Travis

You can write great leads to your response letters too!

I (Mrs. Moseley) had to laugh at the introduction to this response letter,

"I walked into the library to find a book, WOW! There is was - giant pandas. One day later...BORING! The book is so lame, I mean seriously, who cares about the colors of giant pandas? I did learn that most giant pandas live in China."
-Emily
Is it okay to not like the book you checked out? Sure
Is it okay to write about the book you didn't like in your response letter? Yes
Is it okay to write a great lead in your response letter - ABSOLUTELY!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Cupid Doesn't Flip Hamburgers

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

In your last letter you asked me, how does a pretty princess relate to Edward? The reason Disney and pretty princesses relate to Edward it because they both take me on an awesome adventure!

I feel like Edward changed becuase he got thrown overboard and fell into the water and came out with a new personality. He was nice, loving and people hugged him. It can't happen to you or me but metophorically, it can!

My book is smashing! It is called, Cupid Doesn't Flip Hamburgers. It is not about hamburgers, that is funny. My book is really about a new lunch lady who makes better food but puts love potion in her cookies and puts bottons on people's shirts that make them love crazy! I couldn't put the book down when the boys made a different cookie and put it in the jar! I would have made it more yummy.

The best part, hands down, was when the love potion wore off. Then the old lunch lady left and moved to the mountains. Wow that was really funny when a girl liked a guy and was flirting with him and battering her eye lashes. It really made me laugh hysterically! Seriously, what was she thinking? I would never flirt with a boy. Instead I would talk to a boy, not flirt. I would not flirt becuase it is icky and gross and boys have cooties until they are in high school.

It made me want to barf when the teacher and the principal were hanging out. (The teacher's husband died :(
The teacher in Cupid Doesn't Flip Hamburgers is most like Mrs. Moseley (which is you) becuase how elegant she is. Her personality towards her students and how great she is. She is the best teacher in 4th grade.

Most people would say that lunch ladies food is gross, but apparently not her food. The old lunch lady made slop, the new lunch lady makes hamburgers, fries and a water.

An incredible thing happened when I was reading this book. A little boy snuck in and tried to change the cookies, but she caught him and gave him a cookie. He was soooo surprised. But it was a bad thing he was trying to not have her do that.

My last thought is maybe their class was all like our classroom.

Starting on my next response letter,
Molly

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I just finished reading, The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes. My feelings changed in this book when Abby believed in herself and she actually tried to do well in life. She made a difference to me and friends and family. It makes me feel like I can do what I believe in but if I don't try, I will never succeed.

One thing the author does well is, she has such an excellent imagination. I think the author, Anne, actually has been through these things. She entertains me and the world. Anne Mazer is incredible!

The setting is important because the story is based on soccer and Abby and also her house because it is almost like the main character. I think the setting should have taken place outside because she is mostly playing soccer, so I should have been able to have the setting outside.

I think the author's purpose is to entertain because she is telling a story, but there could have been someone who has actually been through this but she is just using her imagination.

I learned how to not give up and try my best. I like this book, because it makes me feel powerful like you can do it. If Abby was alive, I would be her best friend because I just love her personality.

I didn't understand how she was that calm about going into the fifth grade. To me, its a big change in life and it's a new world. You are growing up!

The book helped me to become stronger in life. I think I am shy but I still speak to others, I just need to practice like Abby did.

The title of this book is important because it's telling a story. It's saying, 'okay, this story is going to be about Abby and her life'. It's really based on her.

The character I dislike is Brianna because I think all she does is brag about herself. She doesn't really care for other people.

A connection I have is that I really love making people feel happy. I love cheering up my friends. Abby motivates herself by drinking protein shakes in the mornings.

Ready to hear your thoughts,
Jaelen


Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - by Seth

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I'm reading this book, The Incredible Journey of Edward Tulane, and there is a big change. I mean, he went from a mansion and silk clothing to a poor boy's arms. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't Pelligrina that is doing all this to Edward, maybe it was God. I'm sure it was God becuase I don't think Pelligrina has that kind of power. What do you think? Maybe it could be true, then maybe Pelligrina is a witch.

Can you feel Edward as he is going through all this? I can't even imagine how painful that must be for him. How do you think the other families, such as Nellie, Lawrence, Buck, Lucy and Abilene feel? Abilene may have forgotten about Edward, he's been gone for years and years. She is all grown up now.

I think Edward will walk up to Abilene's house becuase he misses her so much and (now) he loves her with all his small heart. I think Edward liked Sara Ruth more than Abilene. Cause in the book, he said, "There's just something about Susan." I wonder if someone else is leading this very sad story? Maybe Pellegina only threw him off the ship and now someone else is doing the rest of the story?

I'm still curious,
Seth

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - by Molly

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

I think the purpose for Kate DiCamillo to write The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, is to show to how to love and learn.

I admire Edward, becuase he is funny and cute and a great thing to read about. I don't understand why everyody in the story, doesn't like Edward.

I dislike that Sara Ruth died. I am very, very sad for Brye. She was probably his best friend.

Edward reminds me of my old stuffed bunny named Bun Bun who now belongs to my sister becuase I grew out of him and gave him to her. He is now being ripped up.

I admire Edward becuase he is a cool character who changes and becomes nice.

If I were Bryce, I would probably be crying for a week thinking about my sister. I would be worrying and crying the whole time.

My thoughts about Edward changed. At first, Edward was selfish, rude, mean, and self centered. Then he changed and was nice to everyone!

My feelings for the book have been changing and getting depressing, but I still love it!

Waiting for Edward,

Molly

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Kickoff!

Dear Mrs Moseley,

I was reading this cool book called Kickoff! I could really relate to it because I love football. I predict that they a going to go to the championship game, but lose. I think that because this is real, so not every time you will win. I think one will not make the team, but somehow will later.

The characters are like me because we both like football. I like this book not just because it is about football, but because bad and good things happens and it is a twist each time. That makes it more entertaining.

The character I like most is Ronda because I can play with him in Madden 12, and he seems like a nice guy. The thing the author does well, is talk about almost every detail in the book.

I don't understand why the brothers hid, how bad could their day be? The place they are p, reminds me of the first day of school because I was so nervous but my say wasn't bad. I admire Ronda and Tiki because I can already see that they don't give up and never lose sight of their goals, no matter how hard it gets. They care for each other and stick together.

From: Jake

P.S. Do you like football, why or why not?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane ch 17

Dear Mrs. Moseley,

We just finished the 17th chapter of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I felt very sorry for the girl bcause she looks very sick and they hardly have any money. I hope she will make it, but it doesn't look like she will.

I hope Edward makes it back to Abilene, because he is a changed rabbit now. He would care fir her but it is too late. He should have always been kind. If I were him, I would always be kind.

I would not want to be Edward because he has been on such wild adventures.

By: Xander

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Cosmic

Cosmic
By Frank Cottrell Boyce
Review by Mrs. Moseley

I just finished reading the book, Cosmic, by Frank Cottrell Boyce. It was pretty good. I admit that there were times that I was confused, but as I continued through the book, it worked itself out. The main character, Liam, is bright and creative. The problem is, he can't seem to fit in. He is not only tall for his age, but other characteristics make him look like a grown man. If you looked like a grown up, how would your life change? I think if I was a kid that looked like a grown up, it would be very traumatic. I realize, though, that there would be perks. Like Liam, I might try driving a car, just out of curiousity.
Of course, now that I am a grown up, it isn't as exciting as it looks when you are a kid. Liam learns this lesson too, as he pretends to be a dad so he can go on a super secret mission. He learns that being a dad is much harder than it looks. I think Liam sounds like a fun dad (even though he is only 12), because he is always playing and having a good time. 
The super secret mission is traveling into space in a rocket. I had to ask myself if that would be any fun. I think it would be a good time, but I think I would be pretty scared in space. Especially if something went wrong; like it did in Cosmic.
I would recommend this book to anyone who feels like they don't really fit in, or kids who really want to be a grown up.