Mighty Moses' Reading Blog

Neil Armstrong is My Uncle by Nan Marino

bransava — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:32:39 +0000

SHINK SHINK SHINK!!!!!! Thats what Tamara hears every time her enemie Muscle Man MCginty is near her. No one else in her neighborhood believes that he is a liar.

He tells lies every day.From, ”My swim coach tells me I will be in the Olympics and win a gold medal” to, “Niel Armstrong is my uncle”. Every one believes him except Tamara. She also hates him for other reasons. He moved in to the house with his foster parents where Tamara’s best friend, Kebsie used to live. The only thing Tamara liked about the neighborhood after Kebsie left was the kick ball games with her neighborhood. They were really good together.

One day while the neighborhood kids are eating their ice cream Mucle Man MCginty bet them that he could beat them all at a kickball game. That was Tamaras last straw. The next day they all meet up and start the game. Mucle Man is up first. He tries to kick but strikes out every time. In the middle of the game Maniac gets called to dinner. They decide to continue the next day. Of course the next day it starts raining. Tamara goes to the field but no one is there.

To find out who wins the game, or if the game is even played read this great book. It is very exciting and sad in some parts too. I recommend this to people who like sports, or history about the first man on the moon. This book was excellent!!!

The Journal Of Biddy Owens By Walter Dean Myers

freygeof — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:19:54 +0000

Biddy Owens plays fielder for the Birmingham Black Barons. He also helps out the team when he is not playing by being the equipment manager. At that time Jackie Robinson played for the Dogers

Biddy lives with his parents. During Biddy’s lifetime they separated blacks from whites. Biddy traveled around the country with his team. When Biddy plays he does not do well with his batting and disappointed. But he wasn’t giving up on baseball. They lose games and the team isn’t so happy. Biddy knows they are not doing good either and doesn’t feel good about his playing. There games go to the northern states. If the team keeps losing, will Biddy stay with the team.

I recommend this book to people who like the history of baseball or just baseball books. This book is also pretty good if you wanted to know what went on back then. I liked the book!

Goddess of Yesterday by: Caroline B Cooney

robijako — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:31:21 +0000

Anaxandra was having what seemed like a normal life, until she got some taste of the stuff in the real world. She’s just at home and suddenly many ships come to her little, not very known island. King Nicander of Siphnos has come do conquer yet more land. Anaxandra’s father is a pirate, who works hard to get treasure and bring it to his secret cavern. Anaxandra accidently gives away the hiding place of this treasure.

King Nicander is demanding a little bit more than treasure. A hostage. Everyone in the small village starts to get worried, wondering who they should sacrifice as the hostage. Finally, King Nicander chooses himself. Anaxandra doesn’t know what a hostage is, so she happily abliges to fill the spot. Her parents are very sad while Nicander is satisfied.

When Anaxandra and Nicander arrive at Siphnos, she is amazed. All the people talking at once, all of the buildings, and the palace. There are big walls around the palace, placed here for protection against attackers. Anaxandra prays to her Goddess of Yesterday that everything turns out okay. Nicander left to conquer some land, leaving Anaxandra to wonder what will happen without him. She is just staring off of a cliff when she realizes that ships are coming back. There are more there than usual, which must mean that Nicander did conquer. But then she realises that the ships have different sails then before. Could this possibly mean, that Nicander was conquered instead? Find out in Goddess of Yesterday!

I would reccommend this book to really just anyone. This book was very discriptive and exciting. If I had to choose just one word to descrbe this book, it would be AWESOME!!!!!

Lily’s Crossing by: Patricia Reilly Giff

hannlore12 — Mon, 24 May 2010 23:15:47 +0000

A little girl named Lily spends the summer in Rockaway, New York in 1944 during World War 2. Lily’s summer was supposed to be a fun, happy summer, but it changes fast. Her best friend Margaret’s family is moving to Detroit, Lily’s father gets shipped to Europe to help with reconstruction, is stuck with her grandmother, and has no friends until her neighbors in Rockaway introduce her to a boy named Albert. Albert is a hungarian refugee. Both Albert and Lily share the guilt and pain from being apart from their family, and become very god friends. They also share lies that could risk Albert’s life!

I recommend this book to people who like historical fiction, and world war 2. This book was sad and very good!! I think everyone who reads this blog should read this book! Read the book to see what happens!!

The Fighting Ground By: Avi

zornniko — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:34:23 +0000

In the book “The Fighting Ground” a boy name Jnathan had always dreamed of being in the Army wiht his dad. One day the bell in the small village rang and that signals…war. As soon as they heard the bell they started getting ready right away and head off on the roads. After a couple of days of walking they finally heard a drum beating symbolizing enemie. So they arose there guns and the war had started. Guns were being shot left and right and Jonathan standing there watching peole getting shot. Scared to death becasue of the weight of his gun. A few hours later Jonathan realized he had been shot in the leg. He awoke to be surrounded by the enemies. So does Jonathan survive? Also i would recomend this book for soemone who like a little bit of mystery and suspense!:)

Assassin By:Anna Myers

nikolas11 — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:30:14 +0000

I read the fascinating book Assassin by Anna Meyers. the book is about President Lincolns assassination. The main characters in the book are Arabella Gretchel, Steven Browning, J. Wilkes Booth, and President Lincoln. Arabella Gretchel is a laid back, relaxed kind of person. On the other hand, Steven is a talkative and smart person. Booth is the bad guy and he is very, very sneaky. And last, but not least, President Lincoln. he is always exhausted and tired. he is worried for his family and his country. now, some of the other characters. There’s Mrs. Lincoln, Arabella’s grandma, Arabella’s dad, Willie Lincoln, Tad Lincoln, Miss Keckley, June, Asia, and Edwin Booth.

This story alternates between Arabella’s side of the story and J. Wilkes Booth’s side of the story. This story begins in 1859, November 4 when Arabella is eight years old. She was going to the Richmond stage to see a play with Wilkes Booth in it. Booth and Bella meet eyes when they’re walking in and say hi to each other. One year after the play Bella’s mom passes way. Her dad decides to get Bella down to Washington City. So they load up their carriage and in 3 days, they arrived.

One year after Bella and Booth met, 4 states already succeeded from the Union. Bella meets Steven Browning. He is a neighbor of Bella and Stevens mom works at the white house. Steven is allowed to go to the white house after President Lincoln gets inaugurated. One year has passed and Booth now has joined the Confederacy. He is still allowed up north because he is the star actor in many of the shows. The next week Bella finds out some bad news. Her best friend Steven has to go to school next fall. That year they just spend their days wandering the streets of Washington City. Most of the schools and churches were turned into hospitals for the wounded solders. The day Bella dreaded had come. Steven and Mrs. Browning were leaving for school.

Booth was not happy that President Lincoln was reelected again. He met Bella again at Fords theater when she was working there. They introduced them selves and somehow Booth talked the young fourteen year old into his plan to kidnapp Lincoln and free 35,000 southern solders from Fort Delaware. When his plan doesn’t succeed, the Union wins the war. Booth finds out that the President will be at the theater to watch a play. Booth thought that this was his chance. Will he be okay?

I recomend this book to people who love suspence. Also to people who just like a good book. That is my recomendation.

Summary By: Nikolas Malachowski

NightJohn By: Gary Paulsen

wagnnico — Thu, 20 May 2010 23:18:38 +0000

The story takes place during the time of black slavery, with a man name NightJohn. His life is nothing but trouble. The things we take for granted were not allowed for NightJohn.When he tried to learn the letters of the alphabet he would be punished! During that time period, if you tried to run from a punishment you could get whipped or even killed.

NightJohn had a horrible life with a lot of bad times. He worked about ten hours a day in a field with no pay. One day he was getting a bag for work and on it, it said ”50 pound bag.” He started to wonder what it said , because the salves were not allowed to know how to read or write. If they got caught they would get whipped on their bare skin. So one day, NightJohn was talking to someone who knew how to read and write, he told him what the bag said. Every night that same man ,who lived in the his shelter would teach NightJohn a new letter or two. NightJohn would trade tobacco for the knowledge of letters. One time Sarny, a curious little girl,wanted to know what he was doing and kept the secret of his knowledge . When he knew half the letters , he still wanted to know more. But he got caught before he finished. One night Waller ,the head master, came in a saw him writing . He got two of his toes cut off! I think he learned his lesson.

This book was ok but not one of my favorites. I personally don’t care for Historical fiction. I thought that it was gross when people would get whipped and have toes cut off. I would recommend this book to kids if you don’t mind reading gross things.

“A Boy At War” by Henry Mazer

chuajosh — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:00:24 +0000

A boy named Adam Pelko lives in the Punchbowl at Hawaii. His best friends are Davi and Martin.He has a sister, a mother, and a father that is staioned at Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant Pelko is stationed at the U.S.S. Arizona. Adam went to navy school when he was a child.

One day, Adam, Martin, and Davi are going fishing near Pearl Harbor. When Davi and Martin arrive with the boat, they start fishing. Adam sees Japanese planes overhead that are shooting at his father’s ship. All three of them think it is just like a movie. One problem- it’s not. The Arizona starts sinking and sailors are out to rescue people on other ships. This was so hardcore, all three of them were hurt. A sailor turns Adam inot a sailor and tells him to get a new suit in the locker rooms. Adam is now a sailor that is rescuing soldiers as well as shooting planes.

When Adam gets home, he is still wondering if his father is alive. His mom sees a bullet streak down the back of his shirt. He only got grazed by the bullet. Will Adam and his family abandon his father? Will they stay in hopes of finding him? Find out in “A Boy At War” by Henry Mazer.

I would reccomend this book for anyone who likes real life scenario books. This is a great book for anyone who wants to enjoy a short story in their free time. This is great historical fiction based on the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This was a great book!

Dear America: Christmas After All By:Kathryn Lasky

kennkyli — Thu, 20 May 2010 00:06:28 +0000

This is a diary by a girl named Minnie Swift. Minnie lived during the Great Depression in indianapolis, Indiana during the year of 1932. One day minnie and her family got a letter saying that her mom’s cousins had died and that their daughter (Willie Faye) had to come live with them. Willie Faye was like a tumble weed. She had dirt all over her. she was very happy even though her parents had just died.

One day every body in Minnie’s family went out except for her father. When they got back they found a note saying that he will be gone, and not to worry about him.They got so worried about him. For days Minnie’s mom was just moping around. Will he ever come back?

I recommend this book for people who like suspense. You’ll never want to put this book down. I hope you enjoy!!!

” Trapped Between The Lash And The Gun” by: Arvella Whitmore

smitjuli — Wed, 19 May 2010 23:37:41 +0000

This month I got the chance to read “Trapped: Between The Lash and the Gun” by Arvella Whitmore. This book is about a boy named Jordan, an African American, who choses to lead his life down the wrong path. Jordan doesn’t do very well in school, and tends to lie. Jordan learns his lesson when he needs money so bad he steals from his grandfather. This story takes place in the 19th century.

Jordan is in a gang know as the Cobras. The leader of the gang, King, tells Jordan he needs a gun. Jordan knows to follow King’s orders. When Jordan goes over to his grandfathers house he steals his Hilltop watch that has been passed down for generations. He intends to go to the pawn shop, get money, and buy a gun. On Jordan’s way to the pawn shop, he passes through an underpass. When Jordan comes out on the other side, he’s standing in a field. The watch sends Jordan back in time to where African Americans were slaves.

Jordan knows there is only one way to go back, the watch. Jordan has no idea where the watch is. Jordan ends up being a slave with his ancestors. The headmaster, his grandpa, makes his pick cotton under the lash, and the burning hot sun. Jordan ends up getting sold at a slave auction to a new owner. Does this owner set him free? Does he ever get back? Is Jordan going to learn his lesson about stealing?

This book was so interesting. I really loved this book because it showed me what life was like in the 19th century. It really made me grateful for all the things we have that they didn’t. It also makes me realize to choose the right path. I give this book 5 stars! I definetely think you would love this book!