~Authors Note: PROMPT-Select one of the more interesting chapters we've read so far and discuss what you found of value in the text.

The chapter which interested me the most was chapter 9, where Tom and Huck witness Injun Joe murdering the doctor in the graveyard.  This chapter is very important to the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, because it’s where the first severe conflict is formed.  Without this chapter, Injun Joe wouldn’t have become the murderer that the characters fear. The book's plot would've been very weak if Mark Twain hadn't written this interesting scene. Instead, this book would be about Tom and Becky's relationship together, and his amazing pirate adventures.  It would have no real "seriousness" in it.

Chapter nine is irony because it's very unrealistic. Two preteen boys happened to be at the exact same place at the exact same time at which a terrible murder was committed. Has that ever happened to you? Injun Joe, the evil in this chapter is completely in control while Huck and Tom are weak and stupid compared to him.  There was another character, Muff Potter, who had potential to turn the story around, but he then got too drunk. The chapter starts off when Tom and Huck head to the graveyard to remove their warts with a dead cat. They arrive, but then 3 strange men arrived and the boys hid. Two of the men murdered the third which was the serious conflict.  The death symbolism was that it was a decision that could kill them, or keep them guilty and alive. If they didn't tell someone in authority, Injun Joe would get away even though Muff Potter would have been blamed and probably hung for their crime. If they told the police who had actually killed the doctor, Injun Joe would most likely come back for revenge. Some irony symbols are; barking dogs that Tom heard, a graveyard, midnight, and worm-eaten graves.

In conclusion, I believe chapter nine is one of the most important chapters in the book, because it’s where the conflicts start and the whole Injun Joe business.

What Happened?

Author's Note: Before, I had written this poem without thinking about it but later I realized it was about my dog who had to be put to sleep a while ago. I added more poems and not all were by me.

Why am I being put to sleep
When there is a promise I need to keep
Of playing, snuggling and giving joy
To a little girl or lonely boy.
God put me here to make them glad,
Did I do something wrong?
Was I bad?


You never said, "I'm leaving."
You never said, "Goodbye."
You were gone before I knew it,
Only God knows why.
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
That no one could ever fill.
It broke my heart to let you go,
But you did not go alone,
For part of me went with you,
When God called you home.


Every time I mention your name,
You know I love you just the same.
Whether it's singing or writing,
or even a bit exciting,
You are the only one that matters to me.


I know you don't want any more
Of cuteness in your face.
But I know that sweetness,
Could put a smile to that stony face.
No need to train,
Horrible health,
Just look and love.
Remember the last.
Cuddle and feed,
Treats by hand.
Then let her go home,
I know you can.

Silver Moon

~Author's Note: I remembered this but I don't know where it came from. I thought I should share it with you.

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silvery shoon.
Walking 'round she peers and sees,
Silver fruit upon silver trees.

Mockingjay

~Author's note: I wrote this because we were working on the modes of literature and we had to figure out what mode a book, movie, or t.v. show was. If there are people who are going to read this book, don't read this entry as it contains the plot line for the book. It's a spoiler for it.

Mockingjay is a tragedy. It starts in a world of conflict. The districts are rebelling against the capital of Panem. Then Katniss, the main character, agrees to become the mockingjay, the head of the rebellion. She gets in action fighting battles. (Rise to Power) Then Peeta, her really good friend comes back from the capital with his memories all messed up. She loved Peeta and couldn't stand what had happened.(Tragic Flaw)She then marched to the capital and lost Gale and Finnick, her close friends. (Tragic Fall) Then once they reached the center of the capital, she sees Prim her sister, get blown up by a bomb. (Death/ Death Symbolism)

Words of the Day

Chattel- a movable article of personal property.
Multifarious- having many different parts, elements, forms, etc
Crepuscular- Of, pertaining to, or resembling twilight; dim

Does Patriotism Matter?

Does patriotism still matter? It is a question that many people are still trying to answer. Some say yes and some say no. It is a matter of what you think and what you believe in. I see. I think. I believe.

Patriotism is a love or devotion to one's own country. I believe in patriotism because I'm an American, not an "Englishman". Have you heard of the Revolutionary War? Do you know what the war was fought for? If you haven't heard of the war, it was fought because the New Land (America) wanted freedom from England. If we never fought in the war we would be an England citizen right now. We'd be bigger than England itself! In the past, we would have had to pay taxes on everything and would be forced to be part a certain religion, England’s religion. We’d talk with an English accent.

Thankfully, men and women were courageous enough that they would fight for us and America. In all the wars, America wouldn’t have survived if wasn’t for these brave people. Often, they would leave comfort, friends and family behind to go fight for our freedom. Many never came back and those who did, didn't get the credit they deserved. Hopefully that will change because somewhat recently, they actually had a ceremony for World War 2 veterans.

Also, many songs are recognizing America or her veterans in some sort of way, just like Zac Brown Band's Chicken Fried. Some of the lyrics are, "I thank God for my life, and for the stars and stripes. May freedom forever fly, let it rinng. Salute the ones who've died. And the ones that gave their lives so we don`t have to sacrifice, the things we love."

Patriotism is the reason we have a thriving country. We are free from all other countries so we can grow and do things that many other countries can’t, or won’t, do. We have different religions, different climates, accents, and music! We are a country that has many different cultures.

Now think of what it would be like if we didn’t have patriotism. We would be a country of chaos. We would probably still have slaves and servants, which could have been you. We wouldn’t have some of the movies we have. We never had the Wild West and we probably wouldn’t be as developed as we are now with technology and such.

So the next time you put your hand to your heart and recite the pledge of allegiance, think of why you are saying it and what it means to you as a person. Those veterans deserve your respect. Patriotism is important from wars to traveling from country to country. Patriotism is important. I think it and I believe it.

A Clearing in the Woods

~Author's Note: This was a stream of consciousness journal entry. The idea was a clearing in the woods. I imagine a clearing in the woods mystical and beautiful, so this is what came up.

I sit on the glassy rock, bored. Then I look up and notice that there are golden, red, and brown leaves falling gently around me. I can hear birds chirping out to each other, trying to outdo the others, and can scent the last of the flowers blooming. Squirrels are scampering lightly, racing each other for nuts in the trees. It was like I was in a trance, listening to no one, yet someone. I lurched up and stumbled forward to find the unidentified source of the strange calling. I take a step out of the woods, into a clearing, and realized I could walk forever, except for the fact that it was the forest calling me. I am now fully into the clearing. I walked to the center of the clearing and plopped down. Slowly, silently, animals started to appear. Deer and raccoons and lizards alike all circled around me and, startling, bow down. They part down the middle to where a beautiful wood and ivy throne is waiting. Their question is clear.

Gingerbread Houses

~Author's Note: It was a journal entry and I was thinking about my grandparents house so I decided to write about one of the things my brother and I do there.

At my grandpa and grandma's house in Minnesota, we make gingerbread houses every Christmas. Nathan and Ruth would make one together  while my brother and I would make our own houses. Ruth and Nathan are two of my grandparents' kids. We would make licorice sidewalks, gummy people and yummy animals. The actual houses were made of  graham crackers with a milk carton from school in the center of the graham crackers. We end up having a contest between who's  best and the winner gets a slice of homemade apple pie. Everyone gets one piece in the end but it’s always a lot of fun. Unluckily the last two years we haven't  been able to go thanks to bad weather and working hours between everyone. Hopefully we'll be able to go this year. And the next, and the next.

St. Louis

Hi everybody! Today I arrived in St. Louis after driving about six and a half hours. We are staying at The Pear Tree Inn, which doesn't have a good view. :) We went over to the Gateway Arch. We bought our tickets to go up to the top of the arch when the person who sold us the tickets asked us, "Are you claustrophobic?" We were wondering why when we noticed the "cars" we were going to ride up in. It was a 5 seater and it was in sphere car like thing. It was no wonder people were asked that! It was soo cool at the top. I made friends with this little girl whose name was Kate. We looked at the Busch Stadium, home of the cardinals. It was a lot of fun but now we are at the hotel hoping for some sleep before tomorrow when we finish driving to Muskogee, Oklahoma. Goodnight!

September 20

Author's Note: I created this because I found this one cool website where these facts were listed and decided to share them.

Did you know that on this day in

• 1860 – The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of the United Kingdom) visited the United States?
• 1982 – The National Football League players began a 57-day strike?

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