Post 10

1. "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
2. The main idea of this book is about the main character Hester Prynne and how she has commited adultery in her town.
3. One major detail that happened was that Hester Prynne is hated by the whole Puritan town in which she lives in. Another major detail is that she has brought a child into this world and doesn't know who the father is.
4. One minor detail is that Hester Prynne must wear a red "A" on all of her clothing to show she commited adutery. Another minor detail is that that Hester is a beautiful young woman with brown hair.
5. I read this book because i remember hearing about it in a recent movie i had seen called "Easy A" and i thought that it would be a good book to read about.
6. In the beginning, we see that Hester Prynne is a young and beautiful woman who has brought a child into the world with an unknown father. She is punished by Puritan society by wearing the scarlet letter A on the bosom of her dress and standing on the scaffold for three hours. The scaffold is a painful task to bear; the
townspeople gathered around to gossip and stare at Hester and her newborn child, that she named Pearl, named because of her extreme value to her mother. In the faces in the crowd, Hester Prynne sees
the face of a man she once was fiercely familiar with, whom we later learn is her true husband, Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth visits Hester after she is returned to the prison. He tells her that he will find out who the man was, and he will read the truth on the man's heart. Chillingworth then forces her to promise never tell his true identity as her husband. Hester moves into a cottage bordering the woods. She and Pearl live there alone. Hester earns her money by doing stitchwork for local dignitaries, but she often spends her time helping the poor and sick. Pearl grows up to be wild, even refusing to obey her mother.
Roger Chillingworth has the reputation as a good physician. He uses his reputation to get transferred into the same home as Arthur Dimmesdale, an ailing minister. Chillingworth eventually discovers that Dimmesdale is the true father of Pearl, at which point he spends every moment trying to torment the minister. One night Dimmesdale is so overcome with shame about hiding his secret that he walks to the scaffold where Hester was publicly humiliated. He stands on the scaffold and imagines the whole town watching him with a letter emblazoned on his chest. While standing there, Hester and Pearl arrive. He asks them to stand with him, which they do. Pearl then asks him to stand with her the next day at noon. A few weeks later, Hester sees Chillingworth picking herbs in the woods. She tells him that she is going to reveal the fact that he is her husband to Dimmesdale. He tells her that Providence is now in charge of their fates, and she may do as she wishes. Hester takes Pearl into the woods, where they wait for Dimmesdale to arrive. He is surprised to see them, but he talks to Hester and says that he is desperate for a friend who knows his secret. She comforts him and tells him Chillingworth's true identity. He is furious but finally agrees that they should run away together. Hester finds a ship that will carry all three of them, and it works out that the ship is due to sail the day after Dimmesdale gives his Election Sermon. But on the day of the sermon, Chillingworth persuades the ship's captain to take him on board as well. Dimmesdale gives his Election Sermon, and it receives the highest acknowledgment of any preaching he has ever performed. He then unexpectedly walks to the scaffold and stands on it, in full view of the gathered masses. Dimmesdale calls Hester and Pearl to come to him. Chillingworth tries to stop him, but Dimmesdale laughs and tells him that he can't win. Hester and Pearl join Dimmesdale on the scaffold. Dimmesdale then tells the people that he is also a sinner like Hester, and that he should have assumed his rightful place by her side over seven years earlier. He then rips open his shirt to reveal a scarlet letter on his flesh. Dimmesdale falls to his knees and dies on the scaffold. Hester and Pearl leave the town for a while, and several years later Hester returns. No one hears from Pearl again, but it is assumed that she has gotten married and has had children in Europe. Hester never removes her scarlet letter, and when she passes away she is buried in the site of King's Chapel.
7. I thought the book was really good. I would reccommend it to anyone because I thought it was really good. I remember in the movie that i saw called "Easy A" that the main character in the movie was trying to build up her reputation to be like Hester Prynne's. I thought that this book was good even though it is an older book. I do think that not everyone would like it, but i think that girls would like it more than guys. I think that this book gave a good example of how life would have really been like back in the old days. Today this situation happens all the time and it is so common. Many people just don't even think twice about it because I  think the times have changed a lot. I couldn't even imagine if something like the situation Hester has to do would happen today. If people who were in the same situation had to do something like wear an "A" like her, there would be a lot of conflict . I think this book is a way of the old times, and although this still happens today many people look at the situation differently. I think that people should just be faithful to one another, and even though i wish people could, i know that people will still continue to be unfaithful to one another. It's something that people need to watch out for.

Post 9

The Perfect Shot is a book that keeps making me want to read more and more.I really like it. I think that alot has happened for one guy to have been through. It keeps me wondering still who is the person in the hospital from the beginning of the book. I think that if i were in Brian's situation I would be trying to tell peole about the jogger too. I think that he can't let go because he thinks that it really is a vital part to Mr. Daine's case. He also doesn't think that Mr. Daine could have killed his wife, and two children. I also think that Brian is being a good teammate because he is making sure that everyone is getting their projects done for class, so they can play basketball. Todd came out to Brian and said that he is gay. I think that is a big thing for him because Brian must be someone that people can look up too. I think that in many ways Brian is someonee that many people look up too because he is still strong even after everything he has been through. I think that it must be tough on him, but he still keeps going. He is trying to contact Mr. Daine's lawyer before it is too late, so that he can tell him about the jogger. He does go to Warren, Todd's brother, to see what his opinion on the matter is. Warren tell him to not get involved, but Brian knows that he has to tell someone. Even if it isn't going to be much of a help, he knows that he has to go to the courtroom and see if it can help. That way he does not have to live with the "what if" on whether or not the jogger was important for the rest of his life.

Post 8

The Perfect Shot is a good book so far. I like reading about mysteries, and books like this so i think that is why I like it so much. I don't like how much time they spend on basketball when really it does not have that much to do with the book itself. It does have some stuff that deals with the book, but everything always relates back to basketball, and how Brian didn't let Amanda and Cory play with him. I really like Brian in the story. He seems to be a very strong person, despite all that has happened to him. He hasn't really had a break down quite yet like Julius has. I think that Brian is a good person because he always tries to do more for people. He wanted to help Julius even though his father didn't want him to "get involved." He was just being a good friend. I think that many people could find themselves relating to Brian in one way, or another. They might not have been in some of the same situations as him, but they can find traits about him that relate to them, or people in their lives. I think that Brian is a good role model for his teammates. He trying to help other people, besides himself. A lot of people do this without actually realizing it. I think that many people would like this book, because it is very good. I would tell alot of people to read this book, because I think that many people would like reading it because they might be able to relate.

Post 7

1. The Perfect Shot by Elaine Marie Alphin ( pages 1-65)
2. The main idea of this book so far is about a boy named Brain and his coping with the loss of his girlfriend Amanda. Amanda was tragically mudered. He does everything to try to forget about her and focus only on basketball, but he is somewhat afraid that if he lets go of her, he is going to lose himself.
3. One major detail that happened was that Amanda, and her brother Cory, and her mom got murdered. Another major detail that happened was that Brian got his partner for the group project for his history class.
4. One minor detail is that each person was killed with one single shot from the gun. Another minor detail was that the gun was .380 caliber gun.
5. I am reading this book because we have to read it for class. That is not a bad thing though. I thought the book sounded interesting and I figured that it would be good.
6. The book starts out with Amanda and her brother Cory wanting to play basketball with Brian. Brian wanted to play with his friend instead, and he let Amanda go to the pool with her mom, even though she didn't want too. She said that there has been family problem going on at home, and she really just wanted to spend time with Brian. Then they came home from the pool. Amanda's mom pulled in the back of the house and Amanda saw a shadow. The person went into the house with her mom and her and her brother stayed in the car. Her mom came out and collapsed by the front tire on the garage floor. Then Amanda tried to get help, and there was a pop of a gun, and another pop. The first chapter started out with someone in the hospital. I think it is Brain. He is trying to fight for his life, (whoever it may be) they are dying. They can hear the voices of the docters in the E.R. and they start to have flashback of their life, which is why I think it's Brian. Brain has flashbacks of his life, and time with Amanda. He goes back to this history class where he is assigned a partner. He is assigned to work with Todd. Todd is a nerd, and alot of the people don't liek him. They get assigned a case about Leo Frank who got accused of murder. It's like Amanda's dad who is now being accused of the murder of his wife, daughter, and son. I don't think her dad did it because he was at the gym, but he is now in jail, and his trial is is coming up.
7. I think this book is really go so far. I thought it was somewhat confusing at first, but i believe that i know that Brain is the one who is in the hospital. I think that maybe he tried to kill himself or something. I think that I would reccommend this book to someone because I think it is good. I think that not everyone will come across an experience similar to this. I find it interesting to read about stuff that I personally will probably never experience. I think this book would also be a great book for someone who could have had a loss in their family by murder. I think it would be a good story to help them relate. I just think that overall the book is really good and I like it so far.

Post 6

1. The Clique by Lisi Harrison (continued)
2. The main idea of this section is that Claire is starting to finally hang out with her new friend Layne when Massie desides to get back at Claire, so she has no chance of fitting it quite yet.
3. One major detail that happened in this section is that Massie steals Claire's new friend Layne, in order to get close to Layne's brother Chris that Massie has a crush on. Another major detail that happened is that Claire went into Massie's room with permission from Massie's mom while she was gone, and Claire got back at Massie by getting on her instant messager saying that she is friends with Claire now.
4. A minor detail that happened was that Massie actually got to hang out with Chris and go horseback riding with him. Another minor detail that happend was that Claire left Massie's sleepover in the middle of the night because the girl's were picking on her.
5. In past blog's
6. In this section of the book, Claire starts out by leaving the sleepove at Massie's because the girls are picking on her. She decided to go back home, and Massie noticed and tried to stop her, but she still left. Claire handles the harassment with pride, and Massie has a grudge against how strong Claire actually is. Massie began thinking, and started to feel a little pull towards Claire, and begins to feel bad for the way that she and her friends have been treating her. Although Massie will never admit that to anyone because of what they will think. Just because Massie begins to feel bad, it doesn't change the behavior and the girls keep carrying on treating her badly. Claire still secretly wishes that Massie and her group of friends would accept her. But instead, Massie steals Claire's new and only friend that she has, Layne. Massie goes horseback riding with her crush Chris. She doesn't know that he has a grifriend though. They have a good time and Massie does everythingg she can to impress Chris. She found out that Chris' sister is Layne, so she become "best friends" with her. She does everything with Layne in secret to hide it from her friends. Claire trys to go swimming while Massie is out with Layne, and Massie's friends came over. They had a meeting planned with Massie, who didn't show up until an hour later. Claire lied and said she had on a designer swimsuit when really it was from Target. She ended up having a lot of fun with Massie's friends since Massie wasn't there to be mean to Claire. They all got along, until Massie got there. They ended up throwing food at Claire trying to break her down and make her cry. Claire ended up staying strong so she wouldn't let them see they were affecting her. Claire enjoys the times in which she is accepted into Massie's group, but she always ends up paying for the pleasure by being attacked with mean pranks. Claire finally cracks under pressure, and end up sinking low to get revenge on Massie. Claire sneaks into Massie's room gets on her instant messager and talks to Alicia. She acts as Massie saying that she's going to hang out with Claire and that they now like her. Then Claire saying to wear the same outfit of monday at school, and they agree. In the car, Massie makes fun of Claire's outfit, but soon when they go to pick up Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen, and they all are dressed alike and Massie isn't. Massie's relized that something is up, and she begins to realized it must have been planned.
7. In my opinion, I would reccommend this book because it is really good. I think that alot of people could relate to this. I also find it ironic that we just read the article on the bullying in class. In the situation of Claire in the book, I would say she is bullied. She is bullied by Massie and her group of friends. They do everything in their power to make sure that Claire is an outcast. This causes Claire to want revenge. I think that is not the way to go though, she should not seek revenge. Someone who could be bullied might be able to read this book and relate. It would be a good book for them to just realize that they have to stay strong. If they are bullied, they should report it, and not seek revenge. They also should talk to someone about it, and Claire tells her mother not to talk to Massie's mom. Sometimes you have to tell with things like bullying so something drastic doesn't happen.

Post 5

1. The Clique by Lisi Harrison (continued)
2. The main idea of this section is about Claire trying to find a group of friends at OCDS. She is trying to find out how she can fit in without having Massie try to make her life miserable.
3. One major detail is that Massie does whatever she can in her power in order to keep Claire from making any friends, and another major detail is that Claire meets some girls in which she starts to bond with.
4. A minor detail that happened was that Massie's friend put paint on the back of Claire's white jeans, and another minor detail is that Claire got invited to Massie's sleepover, but against Massie' choice.
5. in past blog
6. In the beginning of the section I read this week, Massie left Claire to find her own way around the school. Claire had her first class with two of Massie's friends. She ended up being late to that class, which was an art class. The teacher told her to sit next to Alicia who was saving a seat for Kristen. Kristen realized she had no seat, and had to sit in front of the teacher's desk. They had 15 minutes to paint a still life of tomatoes. Alicia had a plan to get Claire out of their group and she asked to borrow some of Claire's red paint. Of course Claire said yes, because she wanted to be accepted by Massie's friends. Alicia "lost her balance" on her way up from borrowing Claire's paint and got red paint on the back of Claire's white jeans. She didn't notice, but Alicia knew she had done it. The teacher told Claire to go to the nurse, but wouldn't tell her why. So she started to go to the nurse, and ran into Alicia and Kristen who gave her wrong directions on purpose. They sent Claire to the photography class dark room. She goes to the nurse finally which is by the front office, and ends up having to change her clothes because her pants were ruined. At lunch, Claire tried to figure out who she would sit wth because Massie and her friends were at the only table with just four chairs. Claire ended up finding a group of girls to sit with. She went over and introduced herself and she started to ge to know them. She told a little white lie and said that she is Massie's new friend to get them to like her. Plus everyone at the school knew that Massie and her friends ruled the school. Claire thought that it is better to be a liar than a loser. Then Claire ended up making plans with one of her new friends Layne. Massie's mother Kendra invited Claire over for Massie's sleepover that she has every weekend with her friends. Claire didn't want to go, but then again she did. She ended up making up an excuse to not hang out with Layne, and she went to Massie's sleepover. At first, Claire felt left out but as the night was just beginning she tried to make the best of it.
7. Yes, I would still recommend this book to someone. I think that it is very interesting and the book talks about how someone is trying to fit in. I think that people often deal with this everyday. They try to fit in, and be accepted. That is exactly what Claire is trying to do, be accepted and fit in especially since she knows no one. She does everything to make the best out of the things that happen to her. The new girls just don't want to let her in. The language they use is different than what Claire knows. They talk up about everything, and Claire has no clue what people are talking about half of the time. They talk about designers and other things that Claire who has just had an ordinary life has never heard. I think this book would be good for someone who is trying to fit it in a situation similar to this.

Post 4

1. The Clique by Lisi Harrison (pages 1-51)
2. The main idea of The Clique so far is about a new girl Claire coming to a new town and tryign to fit in with the popular girls that she has met, and one in which she is staying with.
3. One major detail of the story so far is that the Lyon's family is staying with Massie Block's family in their guest house. Another major detail is that Massie will not give Claire a chance to be her friend at their school.
4. One minor detail is that happened is that Claire got to know Massie a little bit by talking when they came over for dinner, and another minor detail is that Massie butler gives all of her friends ride's to school everyday.
5. I chose to read this book because I've had the book for quite awhile now. I also know that this book has a series and this is the first book in the series. I know that it is a popular series of book and i figured if i liked it I might go buy more of the books. Plus it's always been a book that I have wanted to read, but I never got the chance too.
6. The story starts out at rich girl Massie's house and her finding out that her Labor Day weekend plans have been ruined. Her father William's friend from college is coming to live in their guest home with his family because the are moving to Westchester, New York, and they can't afford a house right now. The Lyon's family is moving from Orlando, Florida, and they are coming over Labor Day weekend just before school starts. Massie had plans with her best friends to have a shopping spree and spa day weekend. The plans got ruined because of the Lyon's coming and Massie pretended that she was sick. She didn't tell her friends the truth because she didn't know what they would think. The Lyon's have a daughter named Claire, who is the same age and grade as Massie. Massie's parents expect her to be friends with Claire. Massie will not let that happen because Claire's family is not made of money like her and her friends are. Their school is a private school with a no dress code policy because they believe that fashion is a way of their expression and they will keep themselves well groomed. Claire is finding it hard to fit in because she is wearing overalls and Ked's brand shoes. She doesn't have nearly as fancy of clothing as Massie, and she certainly doesn't have the name brand designers either. Claire attends the same school as Massie called Octavian Country Day School or OCD for short. Massie's personal driver takes her and Claire to pick up Massie's friends, Alicia, Kristen, and Dylan for school. Massie's friends don't even notice Claire in the back seat at first. When they finally do, they quickly decide that they do not like Claire. Massie and her friends are considered some of the most glamorous people at OCDS since they all wear designer clothes. Claire is trying to fit in and is not accepted in by the girls, so Massie is told by her personal driver to be nice to Claire. Massie tells her the way about the school and leaves Claire to be with her close knit group of friends to socialize on their first day at school.
7. I like the story so far. It is neat to see how people can react to a new person. I believe that this is the way that society works though. The "rich or more privilaged" tend to ignore and look down upon the normal working class of people. Even though they are not considered poor, most "rich" people tend to think that they are better than everyone. In Massie's case this is exactly what she is doing. She isn't even giving Claire a chance. She based her first impression off of her clothing and the fact that her family has money, and Claire's doesn't or not as well off as Massie's family anyways. I would reccomend this book to someone as of now because so far I think it's really good.