Reading+Logs-Kiara

=__**Reading Logs**__= //The reading logs I wrote in Term 1, as well as my whole recent Reading Log Page, have disappeared somehow, but I will do more reading logs to make up for the ones that went missing.// =__**Term 3**__=

__**Title:**__ Panda In The Park __**Author:**__ Lucy Daniels __**Genre:**__ fiction narrative

__**Plot:**__ Mandy Hope's mum, Emily, is spending some time working at a wildlife conservation organization to save endangered giant pandas! Mandy and James are offered the marvellous opportunity to join Emily Hope in China for an unforgettable adventure! Soon after their arrival in China, they spot a lone panda cub who shouldn't be where he is. It's vital that the cub and his mother are quickly reunited if he is to be saved, but time is running out...

__**Response:**__ I found this book quite enjoyable and interesting.

__**Language Used:**__ It used fairly simple language. The language used has been the author's vocabulary choices, most likely because it appeals to readers of most age groups. This text certainly appealed to me because the author uses descriptive writing, such as "//James's face was like a ghost's as he pointed to a twisted and rusted bit of metal that was barely visible under a branch of bamboo that was heavily laden with snow.//" This story also includes words like "//tremulously//".

__**Text To Self:**__ I can relate to this story because I, like Mandy, have a strong passion for animals and I, too, would love to rescue endangered creatures when I grow up. Like Mandy, I have experienced an injured animal that I am determined to help, but then I have been instructed to keep away from it.

__**I Learned That:**__ Pandas are sensitive creatures that are easily caught in traps. I have also learned that giant pandas are rare and endangered, particularly in parts of China.

__**Text To World:**__ I can compare facts in this book to facts in the world. Giant pandas are endangered and are rarely seen, as stated in the book.

__**Recommendation:**__ I recommend this book to people of all ages who have a passion for animals and enjoy heart-warming tales of animal adventures.

__**Rating:**__ 5/5 =__**Term 2**__= __**Title:**__ Lookout Rock __**Author:**__ Jane Carroll __**Genre:**__ fiction narrative

__**Plot:**__ Jessica's first day at Belletree Primary School is awful and she wants it to come to an end - she is lonely and upset. She is unhappy that her parents chose to leave town, without any consideration of her feelings. Then Jessica meets Amy Heugen and she loves visiting the Heugen's farm. On her first stay at the Heugen's farm, Jessica meets Amy's brother, Will. Then, suddenly, Amy is distant and secretive, and there is something terribly wrong with Will. What is the matter with Will? Is it possible for Amy to ever be the same again?

__**Response:**__ This book was very interesting, and it hooked the reader in so it was difficult to stop reading. Once I was done reading this book, my belief, that animals are better true friends than people, was confirmed. In people, friends are hard to make and they are never always there for you, but in an animal, it is simple to make a friend, and that animal will try harder than a person to keep your friendship lasting, as well as always being by your side.

__**Language Used:**__ The language in this book is simple, but descriptive. It uses description, such as "//He had greying blond hair and a smile that creased his face and almost closed his blue eyes.//"

__**Text To Self:**__ I can relate to how Jessica felt when she first went to Belletree Primary School because I have also felt lonesome and left out when I started at a new school. I can also relate to how joyful she felt when she found a true friend because I have had four true friends - three people and a dog.

__**I Learned That:**__ True friends can't always be there for you when times are hard, but I still believe that animals are the best true friends anyone could hope for.

__**Text To World:**__ It is very common for people all around the world to have difficulties finding friends and for people to discover their true friends.

__**Recommendation:**__ I recommend this book for people of all ages who enjoy heart-warming stories of friendship and growing up.

__**Rating:**__ 3/5



__**Title:**__ Fireballs From Hell __**Author:**__ Rose Impey __**Genre:**__ fiction narrative

__**Plot:**__ Sam, Luke and Jamie have a band called "Fireballs From Hell". Well, they have a shed to practise in, a couple of instruments to play, and they've made a demo tape, in the hopes of becoming a proper, official, professional band. But when they are cheating, the girls join in and the representative of "Mega Records" shows up, what will they do? When their road to stardom comes to an end, Sam has another plan...

__**Response:**__ I only read this book because I was out of books to read. I was not interested in it, but I have never left a book half-read, so I read the whole book in the end. It was not at all a good book and I found it boring to read.

__**Language Used:**__ This story uses words like "//nonchalantly//" and "//glorious technicolour//". Apart from a few sophisticated words, the text was simple and easy to understand.

__**Text To Self:**__ I can relate to Sam because, like him, I am usually determined to please others and I am persistent and creative.

__**I Learned That:**__ It is better to do the best you can and don't feel ashamed if you don't reach your goal or if your best is not good enough and others are not impressed - at least you tried.

__**Recommendation:**__ I recommend this book to people of all ages who do not think their best is enough and who need to learn that anyone is good enough as long as they are determined and persistent and do their best.

__**Rating:**__ 0.5/5



__**Title:**__ Steve's Summer __**Author:**__ Trevor Wilson __**Genre:**__ fiction narrative

__**Plot:**__ Steve was awaiting a fun-filled, perfect summer holiday with his mates, but his parents have different ideas. They send him off to stay with his grandfather in Coopers Bay, while they have the time of their lives in Europe. What will Steve do now? Will Steve ever grow to think good of his grandfather, with his crusty, old dump of a cabin. What will happen to Steve's grandfather when he leaves - his grandfather's cabin is crumbling away, and he is lonely.

__**Response:**__ This was a good book. Some parts of the story confused me a little, but I enjoyed reading it.

__**Language Used:**__ This story uses basic language that is easy to read and understand. It also uses descriptive words like "//impulsiveness//", "//apprehensive//", "//parched//", "//shrewd//", "//uncanny//" and "//ambling//".

__**Text To Self:**__ I can relate to Steve's feelings when he felt left out while his parents were in Europe because I have felt left out before, when others go to fun places without me.

__**I Learned That:**__ Sometimes, people and places are not what they seem. I also learned that it is not always good to be judemental; you need to know a bit about a person or place before you form your judgement.

__**Recommendation:**__ I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading a book to the end, no matter how boring some parts of it are.

__**Rating:**__ 1/5



__**Title:**__ One Golden Year __**Author:**__ Coleen Hubbard __**Genre:**__ narrative

__**Plot:**__ Caitlin and her mother decide to raise a Golden Retriever called Albion, until he is old enough to help a disabled person. As Caitlin cares for and trains Albion, they form a special bond and love each other more than anything. When the time comes, how will Caitlin let her best friend go? Once Albion is gone, will Caitlin ever have the courage to raise another?

__**Response:**__ This was a sweet, heart-warming book that really hooks the reader in.

__**Language Used:**__ This story uses a wide variety of vocabulary and descriptive sentences, like "//Arranging her pillow and blanket on the nubby gray carpet, Caitlin snuggled down in front of the crate.//"

__**Text To Self:**__ I can relate to this story because, like Caitlin, I too have given up my best friends many times.

__**I Learned That:**__ Best friends come and go. All you can do is hope for a better friend to come along.

__**Text To World:**__ All around the world, people care for and train dogs and prepare them for helping disabled people.

__**Recommendation:**__ I recommend this book to all, especially people with a love and passion for dogs.

__**Rating:**__ 3/5



__**Title:**__ Into The Dark __**Author:**__ Nicholas Wilde __**Genre:**__ narrative

__**Plot:**__ Matt is blind; he can only see grey in a place of colour. Then he meets Roly, a friend who makes it possible for Matt to see. But Roly is dark, mysterious and secretive. A shadow of fear creeps between their friendship. Could it be something that happened a long time ago, in their past lives? What does this mean for Roly? What will happen to Matt? Will their friendship last?

__**Response:**__ This story was quite confusing and difficult to understand, but it was a good book.

__**Language Used:**__ This story has simple language, and some parts of it are really descriptive, like "//Her chuckle broke the mood that had held them; he was glad to let the incident slip away, for her sake, to let their thoughts shift into tomorrow.//"

__**Text To Self:**__ It is difficult to relate to the character because he is confident and brave and I am the opposite, but I can relate to his curiosity because I have experienced that many times before.

__**I Learned That:**__ True friends are always there and never leave you. If they go, they are not true friends and there is a reason they did not make it to your future.

__**Text To World:**__ Many people around the world are blind, but most of them are exceptional at hearing and can guide themselves around familiar places.

__**Recommendation:**__ I recommend this book to all who can understand the story.

__**Rating:**__ 4/5



=__**Term 1**__=

//No reading logs here yet!//