Plot or go for it?

One day I was wondering- if you were to write a book would you first plot the events or just start writing? I personally think it depends on what kind of book you want to write. I also think it depends on your individual writing voice.

I also started wondering- do people who plot plot in daily life and do people who go for it go for it in daily life?

Timothy Basil Ering

Last Friday, an illustrator named Timothy Basil Ering came to our school. He showed us how he became an illustrator starting from when he was 1 year old! He said he drew everywhere. He told us that he even drew on his homework then quickly added that he still paid attention in class.

After a while he started telling us about the books he made and illustrated. I was surprised at how much an illustrator payed attention to the world and the things that are going on. I think a very funny thing happened in his presentation. He showed us his first detailed sketch of Despereaux and everybody went "aaaaaaawwwwwnn" with admiaration for the cute and adorable little mousy and Timothy Basil Erring said,"Every time! The same reaction! I can remember the pitch and tone of that sound! Every time!" In the background. Some of the kids and teachers started laughing. But, I have to admit, that Despereaux was cute! He was fluffy and looked so shy! When Timothy was done with presentation we had a raffle. Two people won and they both got a free book with Timothy Basil Erring's signature.

I can tell that Timothy is a nice guy and I hope he enjoyed his visit. I certainly DID!!!

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Today, I went to the movies and watched Fantastic Mr. Fox with my friends. The movie is based on the book by Roald Dahl. I didn't like the movie as much as the book. I feel as if the movie didn't give a clear idea of what was going on. I also feel as if the movie that washed away the creative and exciting parts of the book away. I don't recommend this movie.

I have also watched a movie based on one of Roald Dahl's books. It was called James and the Giant Peach. It was TERRIBLE!!!

I think that it is hard to make a good movie out of one of Roald Dahl's books. His books are very cleverly written, but if you transpose them into movies, they become quite boring.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Summary/reveiw)

I like the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I like this book because it has a very intriguing style and beginning. The author starts off the book with two very unique paragraphs; " The story I'm about to tell you takes place under the roofs of Paris ... ... ...But before you turn the page, I want you to picture yourself sitting in darkness, like in the beginning of a movie ... ... ... You will eventually spot a boy amid in the crowd ... ... .... Follow him because this is Hugo Cabret. His head is full of secrets ,and he is waiting for his story to begin."That introduction really made me want to read on.

There was only one part of the book that I didn't like. It was the ending. I feel as if the ending never satisfied me. I kept wondering, " Grampa Goerges wasn't successful in movies and that is the only problem?"If I were the author,Grampa Goerges would also lose his memory.

There are two quotes in this book that I like. " I like to imagine that the world is a big machine. You know machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and types of parts that they need. So, I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means that you have to be here for some reason, too. " The second quote is that "Did you ever notice that machines are built for a reason? Maybe it is the same with people. If you lose you purpose, it's like you're broken."

Some parts of the book had so many pictures in a row that they looked like mini movies.

I forgot to tell you that I love the style of this book; pictures with words. There were about the same number of pages of words as pictures and one picture takes up two sheets of paper.

I like the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and strongly recommend it!

Bud, not Buddy

I think the book Bud, not buddy is a pretty good book. It got a Newberry medal. The only part of the book that I don't like is the end.

This book is about a boy named bud. everyone calls him buddy. his mother had passed away when he was 6. bud does not know where or who his father is. Soon he thinks his father is Herman E. Calloway, a famous Jazz musician. So he sets off to find the person who he thinks is his father. Soon he finds Herman E. Calloway and soon joins his band. He also realizes that Herman E. Calloway isn't his father. But Herman E. Calloway is his grandpa.

I recommend this book. I think children will like it.

Kira - Kira

I really like the book Kira -Kira. It is a Newberry Award book. The author is Cynthia Kadohata. This book is about a girl, Katie. The book tells about her life. Katie has a sister named Lynn. She is Katie's older sister.

In the story Katie's family moves from Iowa to Georgia. Lynn explains to her why people stop walking on the sidewalk to stare at them. And Lynn shows Katie how to look beyond tomorrow. Soon Lynn becomes sick with anemia and lymphoma . Suddenly the whole family seems to be falling apart. It is Katie who reminds them that something is always Kira-Kira--- glittering in the future, no matter what.

I like this book because if Katie feels sad, I feel sad. When Katie is angry, I feel angry. And when Katie is tired I get tired. I like the style of this book. I strongly recommend it.

Redwall

Redwall

(The wall, The quest, The warrior)
By Brian Jacques

Red Wall is about a mouse named Matthias. Matthias needs to kill Cluny. Cluny is a very mean rat. He wants to take over Redwall.
Matthias needs to retrieve a magical sword to defeat Cluny. in order to get the sword he had to pass a snake. The snake reminded me a little bit about Medusa, because if you stare straight into the snake's eyes you will fall asleep and then the snake will eat you. I like Redwall because it makes you want to know what is going to happen next.

"I - am that is."

• Booklist best books of the 1980's
• School library journal best books of 1987
• ALA "75 Best Books of the Last 25 Years"

Bunnicula

Bunnicula

Bunnicula is about a bunny named Bunnicula, a cat named Chester, and a dog named Harold. Chester is sure Bunnicula is a vampire-rabbit. Harold and Chester try to figure out if Bunnicula is a vampire before it's to late. This book was written by Deborah and James Howe.