'Harry' by Rosemary Timperley

'Harry' is a story which I have read for the intensive English class. The setting took place on England and the main characthers are Christine, Christine's mother, and Harry. Some people might think this book as a mystery, but others might think this book as a horror. This is because the story mainly talks about Christine's brother 'Harry' who is dead. When Christine was playing in the garden, she started to talk to herself. Her parents thought that it was an imaginary friend and is not rare for kids to have an imaginary friend. However, Christine kept talks about the imaginary friend 'Harry' and thinks Harry is a real figure. Christine's mother became suspicious of the existence of Harry and attempts to find basic information about Christine from the adoption center. Christine's mother could get an information that Harry is Christine's brother and that he loved Christine so much as a sister. They were borned in a poor family, and their father was so stressed about their daily lives and tries to suicide himself and tries to kill all the family members by sealing the house and using gas. Harry noticed the gas coming inside the house and attempts to escape the house. He hold Christine tightly and came out of the sealed house by breaking the window. While escaping, Harry died because their houses were located in a high place. Because Harry hold Christine tightly with his arms, Christine can survive. After Christine's mother heard this, she noticed that Christine's school had ended. She called the school and asked where Christine is. The teacher told her that a boy who introduced himself as Christine's brother had took Christine together to home. Christine's mother felt something wrong and found out that Christine disappeared.
The story ended like this, and It was a sad, thrilling, and touching to me. I generally enjoyed this story and I would like to recommend this book for people who like thrillers.

'The Landlady' by Roald Dahl

For this week, I had read another short story which was written by Roald Dahl. The story made me think of the feelings of the main characters Billy and it was very vivid to me that I could imagine the situation. The setting tooks place in Bath, England and the main characters are a boy named called Billy and the landlady.

The overall story is about a boy called Billy who is travelling to Bath for his future career. He was struggling of finding a place to sleep, but eventually finds a place. He went there as if a magic power pulled him to the house. When he knocked the door, a women just popped out of the door as she expected his appearance. It made me suspicious from this part and I had an idea that this story will be kind of a thriller. The landlady kept giving teas and biscuits to Billy which made me suspicious. She also stuffed animals in her house and there were only two guests over years. When Billy said that he was familiar of the names of the guests, the landlady tried to ignore him , and I could briefly predict that the guests were famous for their disappearance. The story ended mysteriously and I think Billy will probably be staffed with the guests together.

This was an interesting story to read, and it was a nice thriller to read. I didn't lose tension while I was reading and the story made me guess what will happen at the end.

'Examination Day' by Henry Slesar

Examination Day is a short story which is written by Henry Slesar and I have read it during the English class. The setting took place in the future, and the main characther is a boy called Dickie. In Dickie's world, the government control everything and does not want people to be intelligent so that they won't seek revolution. In the story, every students at the age of 12 has to take a test which is to find how intelligent they are. If the child has overwhelmed the standard intelligent rate, he/she will be executed. This was the reason why Dickie's parents didn't like Dickie asking questions about the surroundings and gave him only comic books to read. The date of test day came, and Dickie's parents were extremly worried about Dickie's results. The concern of the parents came true, and Dickie had to be executed at the end of the story.
After reading the story, I thought that this could likely happen on near future and we should prevent it. Anyway, it was an interesting story to read and quite sad.

'The Hitchhiker' by Roald Dahl

This week, I read a very interesting story which is written by Roald Dahl during the English class. The overall story is about a hitchhiker who can steal things from anyone without being noticed. The hitchhiker was described as having ratty face, and sharp pointed ears. Everyone should have expected the hitchhiker as a bad person or an antagonist. However, he was indeed a good guy, who helped the driver from being in a trouble. The story ended when the hitchhiker stole the notes which had the driver's address,name, and basic information. The driver thanked the hitchhiker and was surprised about his magic hands.

The most thing I had enjoyed about this story was the ending and the twist. I never expected that the hitch hiker will be the good guy and it was interesting that I could not predict the right conclusion.

'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant

I decided to read this short story because it was interesting and was a homework as well. The story was about a woman called Loisel who was suffering from her lifestyle. She envied rich people because they were beautiful and looked like they were enjoying their lives. She had a husband who was working in the Ministry of Education. He was poor, but loved his wife. One day, Loisel's husband brought an invitation for the company people to come to a banquet. Loisel's husband was pleased to receive that invitation, but Loisel was not so pleased because she did not have clothes to wear. Her husband decided to buy a dress for her which he had saved for a gun. Loisel was not satisfied of the dress because she thought that luxuries were missing. Her husband did not have enough money so she decided to borrow from her friend Madame Forestier. Losiel decided to borrow a necklace from her. It was successful for her because she was able to enjoy the banquet. After the banquet, she realized that she lost the necklace. Her husband and her panicked and eventually lost it. For the ten years, Loisel worked to earn money to afford a necklace to give her friend instead of her necklace. After ten years, she saw Madame Forestier and talked all about the occasion. Madame Forestier was astonished because Loisel looked so ugly. Madame Forestier was also astonished because her necklace was an imitation. The story ended like this, and I was impressed by the twist of the story. It was an interesting story and was fun to read.

Reading journal-3 Harry Potter chapter 9~10

I had a plenty of time to read books this week, because it was a term-break vacation. I decided to stick on my book Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone.
Chapter 9 was about a broom race between Harry and Malfoy. Malfoy just threw Remembrall, which was Neville's to the other side of the castle. Malfoy thought that Harry can't catch it, but Harry did and everyone shouted Harry's name. Malfoy felt insulted and just went to his dormitory.
In Chapter 10, it was about Halloween day. Everyone except Hermione was enjoying the holiday in the banquet hall. Hermione was crying in the bathroom because Ron made fun of her. Harry and Ron were worried about Hermione, and decided to search her. In front of the girl's bathroom they saw a big troll going inside, and realized that Hermione was still in there. They should have asked the teachers for help, but they did'nt have much time and decided to rescue Hermione. They came and threw a rock to the troll when the troll was about to hit Hermione. The troll changed his aim and started to attack them. They were paniking because they did'nt know what spell to use. However, Ron remembered a lifting spell from the previous class and used it to the troll's club. The club hit the troll back and the troll fainted. Then the teachers came and scolded them because they were worried. Hermione was sorry to them and was thankful for their help.

Twilight Chapter 1-2

This week, I've started to read a new book called 'Twilight'. I've decided to read only a bit from this book because I wanted to know only the main plot and my friends had recommended to me. The fist chapter was about the main characters of the book. The girl called Bella, was the main character and she just moved to a new place because her mother and her father had divorced. I'll finish this book after I finish reading Harry Potter. I think the story will about a love story between Bella and a boy.

Reading journal-2(Chapter 8)

I started enjoying the book 'Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone'. Until now, the main plot is that Harry had parents who were magicians and his parents were killed by a dark wizard.

He was sent to his uncle(uncle bernon).

His uncle and aunt did'nt like him because they thought that he was extraordinary and it was embarassing to hang out with him. Their sun Dudley also bullied Harry.

Harry did'nt know that his parents were magicians and they were murdered by a dark wizard because his aunt and uncle never told him.

Then, Hagrid the gamekeeper of Hogwarts come to Harry and told him all about his parents and that he is a wizard. Harry was astonished when he heard that, but he started believing Hagrid after he saw magics.

Harry made new friends, Ron and Hermione in Hogwart. Ron's family was poor and Hermione's parents were muggles.(Known as people who can't do magic)

Freshmans had to be sorted out to four dormitories Gryffindor, Ravenclaw,Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Harry and his friend, Ron and Hermione eventually were sorted out to Gryffindor and they were relieved that they were not sorted to Slytherin ,because Slytherin was related to dark magic.

Until now, I think the author described the settings and surroundings delicately. It made me imagine and made me keep reading the book. It was also interesting to me that magicians call people who can't do magic 'muggle'. I think I can finish this book in 2months. Can't wait to read!!

My first reading journal

This week, I found out that I had'nt read 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' yet, so I decided to read it.
August 19th : I read the first chapter of it , 'The boy who lived'

August 20th : I read the second chapter of it , 'The vanishing glass'

August 21th : I read the third chatper of it , 'The letters from no one'

August 22th : I read the fourth and fifth chapter of it , 'The Keeper of the keys' and 'Diagon Alley'

August 23th : I read the sixth and seventh chapter of it, 'The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-quarters' , 'The sorting hat'Reading Profile:

I often choose a novel or a nonfiction for leisure in a month. Because of school work, I couldn't read so much so I usually choose a book to read each month. When I was in middle school, I usually read books to fall in sleep earlier. Now, I am old and I read books for knowledge and fun. In my opinon, I think reading is a good way to accumulate our knowledges and to improve imagination.

I often choose adventure and mysteries. I like these kind of books the most because it is interesting and it makes me imagine the scene easily.

In the past year, I think the most enjoyable book I had read was 'Twilight'. It was enjoyable for me because vampire was involved and I had already seen it through the movie.

The favorite author of me is 'Roald Dahl' He had established many books and the books he made were good. The story structure was interesting and it was quite humurous.

In this year, my reading goals is to read 30 books. I'm not sure if I can achieve it , but I will try my best.
*Two new vocabulary words: steer, mufflesteer:to control or manipulate things like cars,boats and other vehicles.muffle:making something quiter and more difficult to hear.

*Web links:http://www.sd68.k12.il.us/schools/orchard/LMC/Book%20Covers/sorcerers_stone.jpg(Photo of the book)http://www.hp-lexicon.org/images/film/ps/film-ps-dvd-cover.jpg(The celebrities who are involved)

One quetion that I have chose:Is there an interesting minor characther? Describe him/her and explain why they are interesting.

In my opinion, I think the most interesting minor characther is Hagrid. Hagrid is the gamekeeper of Hogwart and he is half blood giant and human. He is a very huge man and the author described his height as about 3 meter. He is the person who told Harry that he is a wizard. When he was a student in Hogwart, he was expelled because of am imputation. However, the head master forgave him and let him to work as a game keeper. He is a member of the order of the Phoenix and is helping Harry Potter to fight against Voldermort. In conclusion, the most interesting characther for me was Hagrid.