Cranford

And when Mrs Forrester pretended she did not know what cakes were on the tray,
no one looked surprised. But we knew, and she knew that we knew, and we knew
that she knew that she knew that we knew, that she had made the cakes herself
that morning.

It was the first time I read the Mrs. Gaskell’s novel. Cranford is a common village and it’s one of the fascinations. Some events happen in Cranford, however, it’s not so big events. Most of novels have some big events and their story develop. Considering that, I think Cranford is a unique story. Even if love story is my favorite genre of story, the story drove me crazy. The story tells us that everyone has kindness and thoughtfulness. The peaceful village sometimes fills with grief because of deaths. They made me surprised because they suddenly happened. It’s one of features of the story that men are saviors. For example, it’s Peter. Miss Matty was bankrupt and had little money. People who live in Cranford helped her to make her living even if it was unsatisfactory. Then, her brother suddenly appeared and he became rich person. It’s unbelievable but it’s typical of Cranford. I want to read other Gaskell’s story. (205 words, total 12,682 words)

Elizabeth Gaskell. retold by Kate Mattock. Oxford University Press 2000. YL is 3.8 and 15,000 words.

The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Stories

Then he spoke words that I will never forget. “Now do you hear it? I heard it. I
have heard it for many minutes, many hours, and many days, but I could not
speak. Now I am telling you. She was alive when we put her in the tomb! Will she
be here soon? Is she coming to punish me? Can I hear her feet on the stairs? Can
I hear the sound of her heart?”

It was a first time I read novels written by Poe. I learned about Poe last semester and I thought that I wanted to read his novels. I found this novel which was retold to read easily by a writer in the library. Then I decided to read it soon. It is consisted of five storied; The Fall of the House of Usher, The Maelstrom, The Barrel of Amontillado, The Murders in the Rue Morgue and The Stolen Letter.
Firstly I read “The Fall of the House of Usher.” I think it is one of the most famous novels of Poe’s. I watched the movie a little when I learned about him. It was so scaring and dark movie to me. I especially scared Madeline and Usher and I think I can’t live with them even if Usher is a friend of mine. If I have to take care of him, I may take him out from the house. It was weird that a story of Ethelred and their condition had a similar circumstance.

Next, I read "The Maelstrom" and it was weird story too. It seems like a Japanese old story, Urashimataro. The old man said that he became old when he realized. I couldn't understand the true meaning of the story.
Then, I read "The Barrel of Amontillado." It was a story of murder. The beginning was filled with Monstresor's hate for Fortunato. It was easy to understand how Monstresor desired to kill Fortunato. In addition, Monstresor had a brutal personality because he pretended that they were good friends even if he thought of Fortunato's death. The end of the story was terrifying. There might be something in the tombs.

Next, I read "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." It was a brighter story than the other stories. The process of solving mystery was interesting. It was impossible to clarify the murder's nationality because there were many testimony to it. Many readers may think that the murder is human. However, he was not a human but an orangutan! It was easy to satisfy readers about the testimony.

Finally, I read "The Stolen Letter." It is so hard for me to understand what "D---" and "G---" mean. I want to ask someone, who are a English speaker, about the meaning if I have a opportunity. (452 words)

It was written by Edgar Allan Poe, published by Pearson Education Limited. YL is 3.4 and 11,000 words.

Pamela

Oh my parents! I didn't know what to say! But now I think I understand why I
don't hate him. I'm afraid I'm beginning to love this gentle Mr. B. But don't
worry, I won't lose my virtue now.

I leaned about "Pamela" in a British literary history class. I wanted to read it because I liked love story and I wanted to know why "Shamela Andrews" was written after "Pamela" was published. It was easy to understand Pamela who is a maid in a big country house and Mr. B who her mistress's son's feeling because this story was written in an epistolary style. So we could read it through their letters. It was a first time I read the novel like it.

The subtitle of "Pamela" is "Virtue Rewarded." I think that Pamela excessively insisted on keeping her virtue from Mr. B. I think she was scared to accept her love for him. Then she escaped from him and tried to go home. I couldn't cotton to her character. I think Mr. B might judged her by her appearance.

It was interesting and I want to read "Shamela" soon.

It was written by Samuel Richardson, published by Black Cat Publishing, YL is 4.5 ~5.5 and 15,500 words. (189 words and toal 7,783 words)

Romeo and Juliet

JULIET: But if they see you, they’ll murder you.
ROMEO: There’s more danger
in your eyes for me than from twenty of their swords!
JULIET: But I don’t
want them to find you here!
ROMEO: The dark night will hide me from their
eyes. And if I have your love, they can kill me. I prefer to die than to live
without your love.

The reason why I read Romeo and Juliet is this story is important to read (the?) twilight saga. There are many quotations of Romeo and Juliet in twilight saga. Then I wanted to know and read it deeply. Edward and Bella are really similar to Romeo and Juliet except their death.
At first, I thought Romeo was very coward and effeminate. However, he was a skilled swordsman. It was cool but his power became one of causes of tragedy. His love for her was passionate and her love for him too.
It was sad to me that the Capulets and the Montagues settled their differences after Romeo and Juliet died. Even if they did earlier, Romeo and Juliet could continue to live and love each other.
I didn’t know that it was not written as literature for reading but playing. Then, I want to watch the movie both Leonard Whiting and Leonardo DiCaprio played. (218 words)

It was written by William Shakespeare and published by Penguin Books.
YL is 3.4 and 14900 words.

Anne of Green Gables

Marilla looked at Anne’s unhappy face. “I can’t give Anne to Mrs. Blewett,” she thought. “Wait,” she said. “First I have to discuss things with my brother, Matthew. He wants Anne to stay with us.” Anne looked at Marilla in surprise. Then she jumped up and ran across the room. “Can I really stay with you at Green Gables?” she asked. “Did you really say that?” “I don’t know,” said Marilla. “Now sit and be quiet.”

After I read “Anne of Green Gables,” I became to love Anne. She was really an honest and thoughtful girl. At the beginning of the story, she was poor because Marilla said that she didn’t want Anne. Anne had experienced unhappy life and she wasn’t needed every time. So it was good to her that Marilla and Matthew decided to stay with her. She was too honest so she made mistakes sometimes. However, I think it is one of her strong points not weak points. Her green hair made me surprised because it was impossible to be green hair. I wondered what color her hair was. It may not describe in detail. The book ended at the scene which Anne and Gilbert became a friend. I thought that he loved her. Then I searched about that, I had my expectations met. She got married to him. I want to read the original book. (229 words)

YL is 2.4, 8000 words. M.L.Montgomery and Penguin Books

M.T.H #18 ~Buffalo Before Breakfast

Jack looked back at the vast herd. As far as he could see, there was
nothing but buffalo.
Now Jack knew for certain they'd come to the time before the white
settlers and soldiers had arrived, before the end of the great buffalo
herds.

In this story, Jack and Annie were not in danger. In stead of them, Black Hawk who was their friend was facing danger. He seemed to show his bravery to them but he couldn't do that.

It made me feel sad that the number of Bison was decreasing because of immigrants. Black's family saved Bison to restrict hunting. Fortunately, some people realized the fact that Bison was likely to die out. It was a good story to recognize the selfishness of human to animal anew.

Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5,172 words. (124 words)

The Wish Fish

One day, he catches...a magic fish! The fish gives Bob and Bet three wishes. "I wish to be a rich," says Bob.

Bob could catch a magic fish but his greediness made him back to be an ordinary man. This story said that greediness took a chance to be a little happier because Bob and Bet could be a rich if they didn't became greedier. (64 words)

M.T.H #17 ~Tonight on the Titanic

The back of the Titanic was rising out of the ocean. The front of the ship was
going down. Jack tried to go around the smokestack without falling. In the
dark, he could barely see the tree house. It was stuck between a smokestack and
railing. It was lying on its side.

It was a story at the Titanic. I knew the story of the Titanic and the difference in social standing at the age. Even though I knew that things, it was disappointing for me that many third-class passengers didn't have a chance to get into the lifeboats. Then, Annie and Jack were brave and wise because they decided to help third-class passengers escape. Their kindness made them put in danger like previous stories. It was an unexpected development that a little puppy saved them from danger. I wanted to know his identity and what happened to Morgan. I'm looking forward to read the next story soon.

The series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5,137 words. (154 words and total 4,614)

Clever Rabbit and the Wolves

He was in the middle of a ring of wolves. "Mmm! Dinner!" said Big Wolf.

It was a funny story and Rabbit was funny too. I thought Rabbit was not clever but funny. Little Wolf was very cute because he was interested in Rabbit's dance. If he wasn't interested in dancing, the wolves could eat Rabbit. I thought they were family and Little Wolf was their son, so he might not be blamed by them. 

Usborne First Reading Level 2

Clever Rabbit and the Wolves

Retold by Susanna Davidson

(86 words)

M.T.H #16 ~Hours of the Olympics~

The statue was at least two stories high. It was a bearded man sitting on a throne.
"This is the temple of Zeus. And that is a statue of Zeus himself," said Plato. "The Olympic Games are played in his honor. He is the chief god of the Greek gods and goddesses."

I hadn't read this series for a long time. I have read the twilight saga which were long stories and thicker than this series. So it was very easier for me to read.

Jack and Annie went to ancient Greece and they watched the very first day of the Olympic Games. I was surprised because Annie watched it, though girls were not permitted watching the games at that time. I thought Annie was very brave girl.

I didn't know that the ancient Chinese, Irish and Greek believed the Milky Way in several ways. Morgan's explanations were very romantic. If I have a enough time to watch the stars, I want to search Pegasus.

The series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5078 words. (171 words and total 2,380 words)

Eclipse

She was so closed to what she wanted – the focus of her whole existence for more than a year now was just so close.

My death.

Her plan was as obvious as it was practical. The big blond boy would attack Edward. As soon as Edward was sufficiently distracted, Victoria would finish me.

It was a third of hour twilight saga. It was a very exciting and thrilling story. And I didn’t want to read any more sometimes. Bella was suffered from feeling for Edward and Jacob. Edward was too kind because he hoped not his happiness but her happiness. So he didn’t mad at her when she realized her feeling for Jacob. Then I realized how he loved her. So I was very glad that she chose Edward in the end. However, I couldn’t feel at ease to her decision. I thought she would be beside herself if Jacob appeared suddenly. I hoped that she was in love with Edward only.
The descriptions of history were difficult for me to understand. I wanted to try to read again and understand these histories. There were many expressions in the writings so it was also difficult. I wanted to acquire expressions like that. I thought it was the most memorable that “Gotcha” which Alice said. I felt how cute she was. And I thought Jasper and her kept lovely relationship.
The next story is last. So I want to read and know the denouement soon.

It was written by Stephenie Meyer, the twilight saga and published by Atom. (257 words, total　2,079 words)

New moon

There was the faint rumble of a growl in Edward’s chest. I ignored him. “Taking
into account, then, that I won’t you put any of you in danger either way, I want
you to vote yes or no on the issue of me becoming a vampire.” I half-smiled on
the last word, and gestured toward Carlisle to begin.

“New moon” is a second of “the twilight saga” I felt Bella’s overflowing despair was written well. It was very hard to me how she loved him. I heard that the author, Stephenie Meyer, thought the story’s theme was “lost love.” After I read the story, I thought the expression matched very much. She loved Edward, deep down in her heart thought she could not say that to him. I could know her feeling when she fell off the cliff to hear Edward’s voice. The saddest thing was the pages from 85 to 92 because only months were written. I believed that it expressed Bella’s feeling. She should spend time with numb.
I expected Jacob was a werewolf. He was very kind and thoughtful but I wanted Bella not to love him. Because I thought whether she loved him or not, she should feel a whole in her heart.However, I felt happy when they could meet again. I was surprised that she wanted to be a vampire. I didn't want her to be a vampire, I want to know she become or not soon by reading next story.

It was written by Stephenie Meyer, the twilight saga and published by Little, Brown and Company. (256 words, total 1,559 words)

twilight

I stared because their faces, so different, so similar, were all devastatingly,
inhumanly beautiful. They were faces you ever expected to see except perhaps on
the airbrushed pages of a fashion magazine. Or painted by an old master as the
face of an angel.

I read “Twilight.” It took for four days to finish reading. It is one of the greatest novels that I have ever read. I thought there were many appeals of this novel. Edward was one of them. His talks were really sweet. Every time I read his sweet talks, I got embarrassed. For example, “You are my life now.”
It was very scary for me that Laurent considered Bella as snack for vampires. Then Laurent said to Carlisle, “You brought a snack?” I felt that it was a real vampire’s attitude toward human.
I like this novel rather than Harry Potter series. In addition, this novel is easier to read. I read Harry Potter series last summer and it was very hard to read. I couldn’t read almost of sentences without using a dictionary and a guide book. In case of “Twilight”, I didn’t need to use a dictionary not so often.
It was written by Stephenie Meyer, the twilight saga and published by Little, Brown and Company. (212 words)

M.T.H #15 ~Viking Ships at Sunrise~

The serpent's head rose higher and higher above the water. Jack couldn't
move. "He's beautiful!" said Annie. "Beautiful?" cried Jack. The serpent's neck
was as tall as a two story building. Its green scales were covered with sea
slime.

I haven't read the series of books these days. I forgot a little of the story first. While I was reading the book, I gradually remember the story. It was a adventure at the age of Viking; called Dark Age. I learned about the Viking as I was high school student, so I was glad to be able to know about them on this story. I thought that Jack and Annie were very brave. They could get back to the house if they didn't worn to monks. Even if they know it was dangerous to them, they chose the way to help the monks. I want to view the real Viking ship someday. 

YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5453 words. (148 words, total 9,167 words)

M.T.H #14 ~Day of the Dragon King~

“The Dragon King is afraid of the power of our books and learning,” said the
scholar. “He wants people to think only what he wants them to think. Any day he
may order the burning of the books!”

Recently, I haven’t read any books because I was busy and I can’t make time to read. So I was glad to read the series of Magic Tree House. It was a story of ancient China. I think it is one of the most interesting stories in this series which I have ever read. The reason is that there were many histories and folktales in this story. The First Emperor appeared in the story. I learned Chinese history and world history when I was high school student. So I was excited when I found the name of him. I was also excited as the Fen-Shu, the Great Wall of China and real persons of “the Weaver Star and the Cowherd Star” were appeared. I especially excited and surprised when I knew the man and woman were the base of the Weaver Star and the Cowherd Star. The next story is also world history, Viking. I’m looking forward to read it.
The series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5,318 words. (209 words)

M.T.H #13 ~Vacation Under the Volcano~

                                                                           

 

"Annie!" he cried. "What?" Annie appeared at the door to the dining room. "V-v-volcano!" shuttered Jack. "What?" said Annie. "It's--it's coming--a volcano--at noon!" said Jack. Annie gasped. "What time is it?" cried Jack. "So that's what the soothsayer meant!" Annie said. "The end is near!"

It was an adventure at ancient Rome. I thought an erupt was so terrible but Jack and Annie were brave. The first work as master librarians was too hard because Jack and Annie was next to death. I though Annie had something amazing talents because her intuition was true. I want Jack to believe it. Then they will escape from emergencies. After I read it, I want to know about Pompeii more. I don't know about the end of Pompeii in detail so I'm going to study about it. 
The series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5821 words. (144 words)

M.T.H #12 ~Polar Bears Past Bedtime~

When they looked up, the polar bear rose up on her hind legs. She lowered her huge head, as if she were bowing back to them. At that moment, the sky exploded. The night became a giant swirl of red, green, and purple lights. It looked like a genie coming out of a magic
lamp.

It is the adventure at the arctic. I knew somethings about the arctic. For example, the seal hunters wear sealskin clothing. I wonder how feel to wear and touch it. The cubs were so cute because they pretended that they can't move and it made Jack and Annie surprised. I wish I could play with cubs! It was great that Jack and Annie solved all of five riddles. So they became the Master Librarians. I'm looking forward to read the stories which they will make a venture as the Master Librarians.
The series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5659 words. (154 words)

M.T.H #11 ~Lions at Lunchtime~

Suddenly, he had a new plan. "Get under that giraffe," he whispered. "Now
you're the one who's nuts," Annie whispered back. But Jack grabbed her hand. He
pulled her over to the giraffe and underneath it. The giraffe's legs were so
long, Jack and Annie could stand up under it.

It was interesting when Jack and Annie was able to scare hyenas. I imagined that hyenas were so dangerous but I knew they were coward. I didn't know that Masai warriors got honey. They seem that they don't wear protective clothes, so I wonder they are bitten by bees.
I want to visit Africa and see various wild animals in the future.
The series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 5181 words. (117 words, total 4,867 words)

M.T.H #10~Ghost Town at Sundown~

Jack didn't have time to think about what he was seeing. He knew it might
be his only chance to escape. Using all his length, he pulled himself into the
saddle. "Go, Dusty, go!" Dusty took off at full gallop over the prairie. Jack
held on for dear life as they split the wind.

It was the story at the Wild West. I was interested in Wild West shows, so it was exciting and interesting to me but it was a little long. The most memorable seen was the time when Jack rode on the back of Dusty. I think he was sure of cool at that time. Annie puts themselves in difficult situations every time. However, it led them to successes. I want make a friend like her someday!

I found the interesting expression that "His mouth dropped open." This expression made me image his face clearly.

This series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 6147 words. (154 words)

M.T.H #9 ~Dolphins at Daybreak~

“Hooray!” cried Annie. Jack looked over at her. She was clinging to the fin of
another dolphin! Her dolphin was moving through the water. Jack grabbed the fin
of his dolphin. Then the two dolphins swam smoothly through the water, pulling
Jack and Annie toward the reef.

First of all, I was glad to be back the Magic tree house. I was very envy them because they swam with dolphins. However, it is differ from other series so I believe that I can do that if I really want to do. I was moved that Jack said it was a real pearl today's adventure. I think he has a baautiful heart and feelings. I want Jack and Annie to become Master Librarian. This series is Random House, YL is 2.5~3.5 and 4761 words. (129 words)