An Educational Journey: Sophomore Year

I have been extremely remiss in writing on this blog and I apologize all over the place. Unfortunately, something know as life has prevented me from being more diligent.


As a sort of a 'catch-up' post, I thought I would do one of my favorite things: a list. So here is a list of the things I am doing during my second year of high school.

• Latin--this is a new thing. I joined a class/discussion group this year and part of the curriculum is latin. Once I got the idea through my head that no work, no gain, it actually became rather enjoyable. I hope that it will make Spanish easier to learn--and English to understand.

• Biology: I admit, I'm behind the conventional curve with science. But as long as I get the required credits in, it'll all even out in the wash. My class (my mother wasn't excited to have a squeamish student learning hard-core science like that in her house) started two weeks ago and so far I am enjoying it. We'll see how I feel when it comes to dissection. I'll just keep telling myself that it could be, and has been for people I know, worse than dissecting a pig fetus. Moving on.

• Math: We did math through the summer, but I'm ashamed to say that I slacked off for a good part of the year on Algebra and now I am paying dearly. However, for the last couple of weeks my teacher-of-all-subjects has sat next to me to make sure that I understood what I was learning and I admit, it has eradicated the feeling of throwing spaghetti at the wall. She calls it 'Algebra Camp' and I call it...well, never mind what I call it. It's not the most fun experience in my life, but I'm sure it won't be the worst. I'm just glad I have this option.

• Reading/History/Language Arts: These three subjects really fit in together. I'm not entirely sure what particular time period in history I'm doing (I'll probably pick books off of the Ambleside list, but we shall see). The group mentioned above seems to have an essay assignment every week, so my writing better be good by the end of this year.

• Miscellaneous: I hope to start giving violin lessons to beginners, and perhaps finish sewing my 1940s costume--which I started a long time ago. Those are my hopes, but it seems that my main accomplishment in my free time is deep-cleaning my room (I'll get pictures up as soon as possible on Lucie Land) and sleeping. Does anyone have ideas about adding hours to the day? I'd sign a petition.

Well, I suppose that's all for now. I'll attempt posting some of the things I write for school here.

Adios!

Rebecca and Rowena: Rebecca

When Rebecca is captured along with the household of Cedric the Saxon, an invalid and her father, Isaac, she withstands a harrowing experience in the castle of their captors. Because of her nationality and faith, her very life is often at risk

As a Jewess in medieval England, Rebecca is despised on account of her rank in society, not withstanding her extraordinary beauty. She is the loyal daughter to her father, Isaac of York, a moneylender. When troubles rear up about her, she proves that although she is a pariah, she possesses a laudable amount of mettle. After being captured with her father, the wounded Ivanhoe and the whole of Cedric's household, she is separated from her father. Only by entreating an old resident of their prison is she able to attend to Ivanhoe. While doing so, she begins to fall in love with him, knowing that there is no hope because by all accounts in medieval England, he is above her ethnicity; when Ivanhoe discovers that his healer is a Jewess, he treats her with coldness inherent to his breeding and the culture of his land. Throughout the book, she shows that she is kind, ready to help and has a very humble nature.

Many readers and critics regard Rebecca as more interesting than Rowena. Perhaps it is because Scott develops her role and personality in the story, making her seem warmer and more inviting than her counterpart Rowena, who comes off as cold and pious. To amend the rather discouraging finale to the story (when Rowena marries Ivanhoe) another Victorian author, William Makepeace Thackeray even wrote a sequel entitled Rebecca and Rowena, in which Ivanhoe is remarried to Rebecca. I suppose that that is one of the advantages of fiction; you can find a way to change it if you don't happen to like the outcome of the story!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

By Charles Dickens CONCLUDED BY Leon Garfield
Rating: 10+
Recommended Reading Age: 15

This was the last book that Charles Dickens wrote, and he had only reached the twenty-second chapter when he died in 1870, leaving this book far from finished.

After Edwin Drood disappears, suspicion of murder is harbored toward two men: John Jasper, Edwin's uncle, and Neville Landless, a mysterious young man who has recently settled in the the town with his twin sister, Helena. For the next 11 months, dread and conjecture circulate in this book. Did someone kill Edwin Drood? If so, who and why? Or did he leave of his own accord?

As I neared the the twenty-second chapter of this book, I got the feeling that I get when something that I really love is about to be gone. As that chapter was the termination of Dicken's writing, I felt as if no great expectations could be held for the writing skill of this person Leon Garfield. However, I feel that he did an excellent job of simulating the signature style and wit of Dickens in his writing. At times I could not tell if it was the added author, or Dickens himself. Also, Mr. Garfield did an exceptionally imaginative job of resolving the mystery. I couldn't have done it myself.

Please note that there are other conclusions to this mystery, done by other authors, and I only review the one done by Leon Garfield.

Julius Caesar

by William Shakespeare
Rating: 10+++
Reading age: 14

Now, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's plays apart from this one: I just don't need to know all the sordid details...*ahem*. However, this one is completely void of that, because it is about politics in ancient Rome. (There is one inappropriate mention in the beginning from the notes of "the Annotated Shakespeare" copy, but it may or may not be translated from old English correctly).

Anyway, I devoured this play in about two days--it was that interesting. It is, as the title says, about Julius Caesar, but instead of stopping with the assassination, it goes on through the decisive battle of Philippi (Brutus and Cassius vs. Octavian and Antony). It is very interesting to read of such well-known events as the Triumvirate and the soothsayer who is said to foretell the happenings of the Ides of March as written by somebody who lived 400 years ago.

All in all, this book was a satisfactory read: well written (of course, it is Shakespeare) and void of the inappropriate intrigue and debauchery.

The Bronze Bow

The Bronze Bow: by Elizabeth George Speare
Rating: 10
Recommended Reading Age: 12

Though not terribly challenging to read, this book is an excellent story about the time of Jesus. The story is about a young man who is part of a guerrilla rebel band. They are bitter about the Roman conquest of Israel and are waiting for the Messiah to come, who they envision as a great military leader coming to beat back the Romans.

The main character, Daniel, is one of the most bitter because of the cruelty inflicted on his family by the Romans. Through a complex series of events he is forced to leave the rebel band. He lives in the village, caring for his mentally troubled sister. He eventually meets Jesus and subsequently has to let go of his preconceived notion of a vengeance-wreaking Messiah. The climax is very touching (I don't usually cry with books, but I think that I cried at the end of this one). I really love this book, it has a wonderful plot as well as some good points to help understand this period of Ancient and Jewish history.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

By Baroness Emma Orczy
Rating: 10++
Age: 13


I suppose that before I read this book, I had preconceived notions about its storyline, partly from a Looney Tunes that is called The Scarlet Pumpernickel and from an old movie with Hermione-something-or-other. Neither of these even bordered on the suspense-full storyline of this book. Especially not the Looney Tune.

The story is about a mysterious English man who seems to spirit condemned aristocrats right from the guillotine during the French Revolution. The rebel "French government" has worked itself into a tizzy over the fact that even their wittiest spies are unable to apprehend the elusive character. This is why they send over Chauvelin, a spy disguised as a diplomat, to try to find out who the man is. Through a series of events, Chauvelin uses threats about Marguerite Blakeney's brother to force her to help spy out the Scarlet Pimpernel. Marguerite is the wife of Lord Percy Blakeney, an intimate friend of the Prince of Wales and therefore the center of London society, making Marguerite a likely person to be of help spying. This task sends Marguerite into a whirlwind of agony over whether to betray the national hero, or save her brother from death. I could go on and on, but I don't want to ruin the story!

This was such a wonderful book that I could not bear to put it down. Even at 1:30. AM. I had had some Mountain Dew the evening before, thinking it an innocent equivalent of Sprite in regard to caffeine (lol. ahem). So I was up all night. What a perfect time it was to finish the novel!

The Shining Company

The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff
Rating: 8
Recommended Reading Age: 13

When I first started this book, I thought "oh, this one isn't half as good as The Three Legions." So I put it down. Later, when I was really bored, I picked it back up and read it. I am so glad that I did!

The book is about when a king of the British called for extra warriors to beat back the Saxons. The main character is Prosper, who is chosen as a prince's shield bearer. He follows his lord into the ensuing conflict, where both his fellow shield bearer and master are killed. He then rescues another man after he was wounded the rest is very exciting.

There were quite a few *ahem* disgusting moments, where some deaths were described enough so that I could get the idea about just how awful they were.

All in all, however, I really enjoyed this book.

The Lantern Bearers

The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff
Recommended Reading Age: 13
Rating: 10

This is the third and last book in the "trilogy*" that consists of The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch and this book, The Lantern Bearers. I thought that this book was very bitter-sweet.

It starts on a rather happy note: the main character is Aquila, a Roman soldier on leave at the family farm. About a chapter into this book, however, things begin to change, when Aquila is called back to the fort. After a disastrous episode, he is taken captive by a band of raiding Saxons. The rest of the book is all about his escape and subsequent joining of a British war band.

I really enjoyed how this book showed him as he really grew up, from being a bitter and angry young man to being a more mature person in his mid-thirties. There are many parts that really touched my heart.

*This, along with the three books being a chronological series, has been published as one volume called The Three Legions.

The Silver Branch

The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
Rating 10 +
Recommended Reading Age: 12

This book (like The Eagle of the Ninth) was a very good story about Britain close to the end of Rome's rule over her.

When the main characters warn the emperor of an internal plot, he acts angrily and sends them away. Later, at the exiled characters new post, they hear that the usurper, Allectus, has succeeded in murdering the emperor and acceding the throne. For the rest of this story, they work to bring together a band to fight Allectus, seek revenge for the old emperor's life and save the future of Britain.

I would recommend reading this after reading The Eagle of the Ninth, because there are points in this book that, for people who have read the before mentioned, will bring many "Oh, wow, I remember that" moments.

The Eagle of the Ninth

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
Recommended reading age: 12
Rating: 10+++

After borrowing this book from the library about a year ago, and returning it after reading the first page, I have finally read it to completion. It was wonderful!!!

It is a story about the Roman rule over Britain. The main character is Marcus, a young commander of a cohort. He comes to Britain and takes charge of a frontier outpost. Soon trouble brews and Marcus's leg is maimed in the ensuing battle and he has to retire from service. Through a series of events, he finds himself on a dangerous search for a Roman banner lost to the British. For the rest of this very exciting adventure, I was turning page after page, anxious to know what happens next. I refrain from going into details because I know just how frustrating it can be to have a story spoiled.

One thing about this book I wonder at was the obvious ingenious ways of idol-worshipers. They somehow found a way to make their beliefs seem real, even though they were manufacturing them "behind the scenes." But what is even more astounding is that (at least some of the time) the people orchestrating the ceremony actually believed that the gods were a reality. I find that amazing.

Anyway, I give this book an A+, 10+, 10/10 and 100%. That's all.

Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Recommended Reading Age: 14
Rating: 10+

Oliver Twist was probably one of the best books I have ever read. The literacy was great and the plot was enthralling.

The story starts with the main character, Oliver, being born in a parish workhouse. He lives in squalor there for the first years of his life. Through a series of events, he goes to London. While on the road there he meets a boy who is part of a gang of reprobates which is made up of pickpockets and a harlot. They try to lead young Oliver into their life but he escapes, for a time. All to soon, however, he is recaptured and held by the gang. Eventually, he is saved yet again and he goes to live in happiness. The grand finale is wonderful for him, yet justly awful for the criminals.

This book was clearly written for an adult audience, so you're going to come across drinking, smoking, murder and harlotry (there are no details on this, I think that it was included so that the woman could have an occupation befitting a criminal). There were also some bad words. However, all of these things were clearly explained by Dickens in his preface. He said "As I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the dregs of life (so long as their speech does not offend the ear) should not serve the purpose of a moral..." I was struck by this reason and I think that it is a very good one. In this book, the criminals are not to be envied. They are painted in such a way so as to reveal just how frightening they are and how undesirable their life is.

Don't get me wrong, that is not the bulk of the book. I don't want to paint it as all bad, because it wasn't. I haven't told half the story, so that it will be just as suspenseful if and when you read it. There were some touching and humorously sarcastic parts. It also reflects well the general views of the different classes in Victorian England. A wonderful read.

A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Rating: 10+
Age: mature 13 and up

A Tale of Two Cities is a wonderful book written by the illustrious 19th-century author, Charles Dickens. It is a thrilling, fast-paced story set in England and France both before and during the French Revolution. While off to a rather slow start, do not let this discourage you. Press through, trust me. It's worth it.

It is a very exciting story, but it does do a good job *ahem* describing the cheerful and nonchalant blood-thirstiness of the French Revolutionaries. It has a very touching climax which is very sad and shows real love. It is, as the back of the book published by Cathay Books, "a story of injustice and betrayal, but also of love and supreme sacrifice."

The way Charles Dickens weaves together a plot with the use of wit and good writing, truly does make a story worth reading. I strongly recommend this for everyone. You'll see what I mean.

David Copperfield

David Copperfield: by
Charles Dickens
Rating: 10+
Age: mature 12 up

David Copperfield was a great book! A trifle long, perhaps,but I was by no means eager to see it end. This book started out very nicely, and the slower bits that I mentioned that were in The Tale of Two Cities, were virtually non-existent, so if you have never read Dickens, this is the book to start with (I've only read a few, so I reserve the right to change that!).

The gist of the story is this: a little boy grows in a normal childhood setting for the first few years of his life, with his sweet, young mother and doting maid, Peggotty. All to soon, however, his mother marries a hard, angry man and David's new father, Mr. Murdstone, hates him as does the latter's sister. They persecute David until his mother dies and after that, they send him off to work in a factory. Eventually, he runs away to an old aunt. He grows up in a happy family enviroment with his aunt and her rather eccentric companion, Mr. Dick, who is all but crazy. (This actually brings many chances of comedy to the story line.) This is just part of the beginning of the book, and the rest is very entertaining. There is some romance, and one time when he falls in love with a girl and her father is strongly against it, but they follow through and marry after the father died ( I thought that that was sad). There is one other part when David's friend runs away with a girl, but the author did a very good job portraying just how devastating it was to all concerned. On the whole, this was an excellent book, well worth reading.

Thirteen Days/Ninety Miles: The Cuban Missile Crisis

Thirteen Days/Ninety Miles: The Cuban Missile Crisis by Norman H. Finklestein
Recommended Reading Age: 11
Rating:9

This book is about how, for a suspenseful thirteen days, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R teetered on the brink of a war that could have blown up the world.This book outlines the events of the crisis well, especially JFK's involvement in it. Wonderfully informative book.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Recommended Reading Age: 9
Rating: 9

This is a rather sad book about post-World War II Japan. The main character is a girl who develops leukemia as a result of exposure to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She is 11. When she hears a myth that if a sick person were to make a thousand paper cranes, they would be healed, she sets out to do so, but after she has made a few hundred, she dies. This is a true story.

The Endless Steppe

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig
Recommended Reading Age: 9 up
Rating: 10

I've always really appreciated this book. I have read it about four times and when the library basket runs low and I'm bored with every other book on our shelf, I pick this one up and read it. It is about a ten-year-old girl who is deported from her beloved home in Vilna, Poland with her family at the brink of World War II. The book describes the hardships of living in Siberia, not only in its renowned winter, but in summer as well. Some of the things that they do so that they can just barely survive are quite remarkable (no, I am not talking about gruesome episodes, but of hard and tedious work). The only thing that I can think of that is objectionable is that in one chapter the main character talks about a crush that she had. Other than that I can't think of anything. This book was a very good read.

My Friend the Enemy

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhIbBhjgJxxJf5sTeWqnwO8lG-8vEdJ2ZlX37Fmnm-nGJZS4YnjI_Gt5I0PvEOj9PO6KpJLcVdGviAfDnNuwPTOakDJaP9LAaCDWrNc3yEE4S4z627sm4b-Mbdxr6Tt6X9fEIMkNpqkR/s1600-h/my+friend+enemy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVhIbBhjgJxxJf5sTeWqnwO8lG-8vEdJ2ZlX37Fmnm-nGJZS4YnjI_Gt5I0PvEOj9PO6KpJLcVdGviAfDnNuwPTOakDJaP9LAaCDWrNc3yEE4S4z627sm4b-Mbdxr6Tt6X9fEIMkNpqkR/s200/my+friend+enemy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240517834021159890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:webdings;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Book Review III: My Friend the Enemy by J.B. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cheaney</span> Recommended Reading Age: 9 Rating: 9 </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This book is about a girl named Hazel who lives in Oregon and her neighbors, the </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-size:100%;">Lanskis</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> who are hiding a young Japanese boy during World War II. Hazel often goes to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-size:100%;">Lanski's</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> property because there is a hill there that she uses to scout for enemy planes. While there one day, she discovers that they are actually harboring a Japanese boy who escaped from an internment camp. She and the boy become good friends, until Mrs. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" style="font-size:100%;">Lanski</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> gets word that her soldier son is missing in action. She turns on the boy and he is caught. A great read, </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-size:100%;">especially</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> if you are studying</span> <span style="font-size:100%;">World War II.</span></span> </span> </span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:webdings;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> My Friend the Enemy by J.B. Cheaney
Recommended Reading Age: 9
Rating: 9

This book is about a girl named Hazel who lives in Oregon and her neighbors, the Lanskis who are hiding a young Japanese boy during World War II. Hazel often goes to Lanski's property because there is a hill there that she uses to scout for enemy planes. While there one day, she discovers that they are actually harboring a Japanese boy who escaped from an internment camp. She and the boy become good friends, until Mrs. Lanski gets word that her soldier son is missing in action. She turns on the boy and he is caught. A great read, especially if you are studying World War II.