My Final Entry in Reading Log

Book Title: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett                                               March 28, 2012

Part 1

REFLECT

                This novel tells the uplifting story of a young girl of fortune, who is left impoverished after the death of her father. Her clear imagination and joyful attitude keeps her world turn around and make her situation bearable despite the tough times and disregard that she came across.

                As a young child Sarah Crewe was brought over from India by her father to enroll in a girl’s seminary in London. Her greatest happiness was to “imagine” things to make more magical, both for herself and those less privilege than herself. She was the favorite among all the girls in the seminary, her first day in school surprises everyone, and her versatility stunned her classmates.  She owned gorgeously and wonderfully fashioned clothes, French maid and personal carriage, these possessions set her apart from the rest that eventually carved jealousy in Miss Minchin, the rapacious head of the school. The sun does not always shine, after her days of joy the rest of her day in the seminary was field with grief and sorrow. The day her father died was also the day her life turned drastically into hell. She was left alone in poverty, it was a harsh time for her, she has to put herself in a situation she never gone to visualize. But despite how inequitable life was she remained strong and brave, and resisted all the pain and criticism she got from the people around her. Sarah somehow was lucky enough to have a circle of friends that gives her strength and helped her throughout her distress.

CONNECT

                “The sun does not always shine so it’s ok to lose sometimes”. Looking at the reality of life we do not always take the trophy home, sometimes it was the others who much deserve it. And Sarah Crewe who had experienced the bitterness of life never surrendered and fought for her right to live. Her optimism made her strong enough to carry all the pains of life that the death of her father brought her. And indeed we do the same thing, I do not look at things negatively, instead I gaze at them as if I can go beyond it. Although there was this tough circumstance we may inevitably bump into just like Sarah Crewe faith to our mighty creator would enormously bring us remedy.

QUESTION

                What if Sarah Crewe’s father did not die? Would she experience the same occurrence? What if she was never found by the Indian Gentlemen? Would her sorrow continue?

PREDICT

                   Maybe Sarah Crewe would live a happy life with the Indian Gentlemen. Probably she will help Becky out of her poor situation now that she’s already free from Miss Minchin’s ferociousness. And eventually she will continue helping those marginalized individuals especially the young ones.

Part 2

     I have already witness this story in television when I was young and I thought it wouldn’t make any difference if I read the novel of the same story, but I was wrong then, in this novel Sarah Crewe was portrayed experiencing the dire bitterness of life. The pain she had was unbearable if it was to occur to some. And amazingly Sarah Crewe despite her young age she was able to continue life and live it the way others live it.

   "How it is that animals understand things I do not know, but it is
certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a language which is
not made of words and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps
there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without
even making a sound, to another soul."

    

  Looking at this line we may think that it is impossible to talk to an animal and get an answer from them, would that be some kind of foolishness? But with the case of Sarah Crewe her situation impels her to look for someone whom she can share her ache and she found it to animals. Probably the difference between friends and animals is that friends we only allow them into our company, and animals like our pets we allow them into our solitude, and this what happens to Sarah Crewe she share loneliness to her animal friend.

Book Title: Captive Witness by Carolyn Keene                                       February 28, 2012

Part 1

1.       Reflect

When I started reading the novel I find it incredible for Nancy Drew to be a brilliant detective at her age. While the pressure and tension in the novel increases her capability to figure-out everything gets more fascinating.

 I like the way she managed to put control over the situations and how she play it on her palm. She is as good as those proficient detectives in the city. Her optimism really I admired the most. No matter how easier said than done the problems were, she could easily crack them all. Like when she was situated in a circumstance where she was to rescue ten innocent children from the Hungarian port to be fetched at the port of Austria. Her expertise as a young detective was then dared. The obstructions she might encounter were too perilous for anyone to vanquish. Rescuing the children requires a mature mentality in order to get through it. But Nancy at her age of 18 did not fail the children and the people who expect a lot from her.  Her ability to think of ways to decipher puzzles was fast, precise and accurate.

I was also enthralled by how she understood and analyzed the things that happen around her and could easily predict the outcomes of it.

2.       Connect

Back when I was young I used to play games such as hide and sick. Kids would probably look for the others who are hiding without even thinking where? So they lose the chance of winning the game. They even spend much of their energy just to find the other kids.

Just like Nancy Drew analyzing was the thing I do first before I moved for a look. Where could be the possible hiding places they conceal themselves from me? This question was already established at the back of my mind. I disburse less energy and finding them made it easier for me. That is why at the end of the day I somehow win the game.

Nancy Drew’s courage and bravery were counted to be the most important elements that brought her to triumph. I may not be as Nancy Drew whose courage and bravery was tested in impermeable situations but instead facing my fear proved how courageous and brave I am. Yes, because when I was in elementary I used to have a stage fright but I realized circumstances whether complicated or undemanding has to be confronted.

3.       Question

I wanted to know if Nancy Drew has this special feeling for Ned Nickerson. Is Nancy Drew attracted with Eric? Why does Nancy’s father, Carson Drew let her handle tough cases that would put her daughter’s life into danger? What if Nancy Drew and the rest of the group were not able to pursue their plan? And what if they fail to rescue the children? Perhaps when Herr Guttenberg took Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson in hand and they were not able to escape could Professor Bagley and Eric succeed in rescuing the children?

4.       Predict

I think Nancy Drew will be awarded as an outstanding young detective. She might end-up as a popular and in demand detective of her generation. Perhaps she’s going to choose Ned Nickerson over Eric. And most probably Nancy Drew will handle more hard-hitting cases that will put her in danger, but I trust how she will overcome those cases she is about to encounter.

Part 2

                                                                        Purok Lansong,Tambler

                                                                  General Santos City

                                                                                                     February 28, 2012

Dear Nancy Drew,

            You know what! I’m a big fan of your character in the novel “Captive Witness”. I really admired how you play your role as a young detective in the novel. Your ability was fascinating; it was surprisingly unbelievable that at the age you have you act as if your one of those pioneers detectives in the field.

             Perhaps, an ordinary young lady would have been running and hiding herself and cry out loud if she will be confronted with the same circumstances you had encountered, but amazingly you just did an extraordinary shift to every obstacles you are in. Your mentality was far of being young anymore you think as if you knew what would come out in a certain circumstance.

            Honestly, your relationship with Ned Nickerson is quite intriguing. But I believe you have this special feeling for him, though sometimes you find him some kind of a bragging but a good-for-nothing school boy. Well, lucky for you because even if he makes himself stupid in front of you, he’s always been there holding up for you. I hope your gonna choose the right beau for you. And I supposed it is Ned Nickerson.

            I wish I could play the same role you played. But for the mean time your function in the novel will surely encourage and inspire me to do my best as a person.

Respectfully Yours,

Denden a. Andang

            

My Second entry for READING LOG

Book Title: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow                                                        January 29, 2012

Part 1:

1.       REFLECT

Certainly, human knowledge would somehow put an end to any agony man would probably bump into. But there are people who are most certainly using this knowledge in sinister intention. Though human knowledge is perhaps considered the sturdiest advantage a man can possess, there are things man mostly forgot that is far effective and far advantageous; it is being faithful and courageous.

        In this novel I find it pretty amazing to be encouraged and be motivated by the characters. I admire how Joseph Sullivan, Sky Captain of the Flying Legion faced the enemy with his P-40 Warhawk, despite how huge and monstrous the enemy he still managed to crushed and brought down this robots. The battle was most probably similar to the clash of Goliath and David, where David a small chap overthrows the giant Goliath. Regardless of how powerful the knowledge of the villain who was Totenkopf proven by his creation, the monstrous robots, it didn’t stop Joe from protecting the world. His courage and faith was fairly strapping to stop Totenkopf from his evil plan.

 I also regard Joe’s dedication to save his friend. Joe really knows how to treat a friend and this is the best thing in him that I want to reflect on.

Though the story seems to be unfeasible, somehow it teaches us the things that do not require any knowledge at all but a bit of consideration from us that these things do really work beyond imagination.

2.       CONNECT

As a person I always reflect on my principles in life, “a man who lives without friend, dies without witnesses”.  Just like Joe I really wanted to protect my friend no matter what it takes for me to do. My friends are always there for me, to hand a help or give some remedy to an existing problem, like Dex who was Joe’s friend even if the help that Dex lent to Joe was far off possible still the portrayal of the true essence of being a real friend was shown.

Being able to treasure a friend is something that everyone should do. Because having them around makes world for us really worth living. They give color to our unpainted horizons. Everything that my friends have shared me was remarkable. The laughter’s and the cries which made our friendship strong were experiences the world has nothing to match. Perhaps I would not be able to face the day without them around.

A friend beyond distance, time and place are always a friend and nothing more.

3.       QUESTION

What if Totenkopf didn’t die at all? And I wonder who killed him? Why would Totenkopf build a world of his own? And is he going to do that? Is really a genius or a just mad scientist? What if Sky Captain was not able to stop the evil plan of Totenkopf? 

4.       PREDICT

I think Polly and Sky Captain would end- up as a married couple. Despite how difficult for them to be with each other still Poll cares a lot for Sky Captain and Sky Captain does to. And I believe they do love each other.                                                                 

Part 2:

INTERVIEW

                This is it! Right now I’m with Sky Captain, Captain Joseph Sullivan of the Flying Legion. This time we would be able to know some of the things about this hero, who save the world from the evil scheme of Totenkopf.

                Here we go.

REPORTER:  So, Captain Sullivan or shall I call you Sky Captain, are you ready?

SKY CAPTAIN: Emmmmm… I think so. (Laughing)

REPORTER: Sky Captain what’s in your mind when you heard about this Totenkopf’s evil plan?

SKY CAPTAIN: Well, at first I find it hard to believe this, I mean who among us here would have wanted to destroy the only planet where we could exist? The earth is huge and I think no person who is in good mind condition would have had a plan of destroying the earth.

REPORTER: Yeah, that is quite unbelievable, and I’m pretty much sure about that. Well anyway Sky Captain, since the sinister idea of that evil genius was true, how do you manage to carry the responsibility of saving the world from Totenkopf?

SKY CAPTAIN:  Honestly, if I would have to do it alone? Well, definitely I would end-up digging my own grave. That’s why I owe a lot from those people behind me who supported and helped me, to my friends and to my troupe as well. With our collaboration we were able to keep the earth safe and sound.

REPORTER: Indeed, two heads are better than one, now Sky Captain I heard about this woman- Polly Perkins, do you have something special for her?

SKY CAPTAIN: (Sighing). Wow! That sounds pretty personal. (Laughing) Well honestly Polly is an important person in my life and to be honest with you guys, I do have this special feeling for her (Laughing). That’s it! I think the rest should remain private. (Laughing)

REPORTER: (Laughing). OK Sky Captain as you wishes. Now this time I had this final question and I want you to answer this wholeheartedly, ‘you ready Sky Captain?

SKY CAPTAIN:  Do I have any choice then? (Laughing)

REPORTER: OK Sky Captain, How does it feel to be saving the world and be a hero?

SKY CAPTAIN:  (Thinking). It has been my commitment to protect the world from evil. You know, it feels really great to be one of those individuals who devoted themselves from protecting the world and its people. And I think nothing in this world matches the role that we play. And about being a hero? Honestly, I don’t consider saving the world as a heroic endeavor, why? Because in the first place we live here and there is no other place aside from earth where we could live in. As its dwellers it is indeed our responsibility to protect it, we are obliged and liable to preserve this gift from God.

REPORTER:  Very well said Sky Captain. Indeed that is undeniably true. So thank you very much Captain Joseph Sullivan of the Flying Legion for giving us this chance. Thank you Sky Captain.

SKY CAPTAIN: You are very much welcome.