Writing Challenge #7

This is going to be a quick challenge. I'm in California, and have limited Internet access. In honor of my trip to Disneyland tomorrow, your challenge is to write something that takes place at an amusement park. It can be your own experience or a fictional piece.

As always, post it to Dropbox or email me at mrs.Schuette at gmail.com. Happy writing!

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

The Breadwinner is the story of Parvana, a young girl living in Taliban controlled Afghanistan.  When her father is arrested, Parvana is forced to dress like a boy and work in the marketplace to provide for her family.   


I think this book is an important read.  We hear about Afghanistan every day on the news, but this book paints a very real picture of what it is like for people in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.  It is especially bad for women.  They are not allowed to work or go to school.  The can only go outside in the company of a man, and even then, they have to be completely covered.  Parvana talks about having to quit school and about having to move constantly because their houses keep getting bombed.  


The novel is well-written and a fairly quick read.   However, I found myself stopping often to reflect on things Parvana said or event that were happening.  I will also warn you that there are a few parts that are brutal.  She goes into detail about how people are punished and some of the things people have to do to survive.  


There are two more books that continue the story: Parvana's Journey and Mud City.  I would like to read them because the ending of The Breadwinner is a little disappointing because it feels cut off.  Overall, I liked the book, and I thought that it tied nicely to current world events.  


Do you have a book you want to share?  Email me at mrs.schuette at gmail.com a short highlight of the novel, and I'll post it on here.  Happy reading :) 

Esperanza Rising by Pat Munoz Ryan

I re-read the book Esperanza Rising this week.  I read it quite a few years ago, and wanted to read it again.  It is the story of Esperanza, who grew up the daughter of a wealthy land owner in Mexico.  When her father dies, she and her mother are forced to move to California and start their lives over.  The story is moving as you read about Esperanza's transformation as she deals with the challenges of her new life.  It also paints a vivid picture of what life was like for Mexican immigrants in the 1930's/1940's.  


Even though the book deals with heavier issues, it is enjoyable to read.  Esperanza's struggle to learn how to do the simplest things like taking care of babies and sweeping are giggle-worthy.  The family relationships are beautiful, and there is a lot of love in this book.  


I think this book is a nice companion to Out of the Dust, which we will read this year in 7th grade.  It's the other side of the story.  In Out of the Dust, the main character talks about everyone leaving the Midwest during the dust bowl.  In Esperanza Rising, one of the problems for the main character is the influx of American workers moving in and displacing the Mexican workers.  It's kind of interesting to see both sides of the story.  It also ties into what is happening here in this country today.  We are still having disagreements over Mexican immigration.  


Do you have a book you want to share?  Email me at mrs.schuette at gmail.com a short highlight of the novel, and I'll post it on here.  Happy reading :) 

Writing Challenge #6

I found another fun site for writing prompts.  This one is www.creativewritingprompts.com There are 346 prompts on the site.  I chose #11 for this week's challenge.  


Choose one set of words to create a mini-story (around 300 words).


#1  Paper clips, principal, lunch box, swing, girl with a pink ribbon


#2   Biology, class card, foreign student, leaf, blood sample


#3   Typewrite, filing cabinet, puncher, clerk, carbon paper, janitor


As always, post it on Dropbox, or email it to me at mrs.schuette at gmail.com  Thanks for participating! Have fun!

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jaqueline Kelly

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jaqueline Kelly was a fun read.  It takes place in Texas in 1899.  The novel is told from the point of view of Callie Vee, a young girl who dreams of being a scientist.  She spends most of her time with her grandfather, who conducts a wide range of science experiments and investigations.  Together, they follow Darwin's work and study plants, animals, and insects.  They even discover a new species of plant.  Callie's mother, however, has other plans for her.  As the only daughter of seven children, her mother wants her to become a lady and marry well.   She prefers Callie spend her time learning the piano and how to cook.

This novel is a fun look at history and expectations.  It paints a wonderful picture of farm life in the 1800's.  It's full of humor and scientific facts as they were known at the time.  I love history and science, so I found it a wonderful read.

Do you have a book you want to share?  Email me at mrs.schuette at gmail.com a short highlight of the novel, and I'll post it on here.  Happy reading :) 

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Over the next few days, I will be highlighting some of the books I've read recently.  I just finished one of the most beautiful stories I've read in a while.  The novel was Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate. The story is about Kek, a young refugee who moves from Africa to Minnesota.  I can't imagine that kind of change, and it's interesting to read about Kek having to learn to survive in a new culture.  He sees snow for the first time,  rides in an airplane (or flying boat), and misunderstands the term "washing machine" and tries to wash the dishes in it.

The book is written in poetry form, which reads beautifully.  It also makes it a quick read; I read it in one evening.  I love that the book balances the horror of his old life, which is revealed through his dreams, with the humorous and heartfelt stories of his new life.  I highly recommend this novel!

Do you have a book you want to share?  Email me at mrs.schuette at gmail.com a short highlight of the novel, and I'll post it on here.

Writing Challenge #5

Writing Challenge #5

This week’s writing challenge is to write an entry for a local contest that Boise State Public Radio is hosting.  The contest appears to be open to kids and adults.   Whether or not you enter the contest is up to you, but it’s good practice to try.  Plus, I thought the topic was fun.  We’ve spent our summer so far exploring all that the Boise area has to offer: bike riding and roller blading on the greenbelt, the zoo, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Roaring Springs, and a variety of ice cream choices.  

Here’s the information on the contest:

"One Minute Idaho" Writing Contest!

Write a 120-word description of your memorable, uniquely Idaho experience – for example, your best Idaho travel or adventure moment, your favorite Idaho landmark and why, where you were when you ate your favorite Idaho food for the first time, and so on ... we want to hear your story. Submit it by 11:59 p.m. MST on August 12, 2011.

Three winners will be chosen. His/her essay will be recorded and aired on Boise State Public Radio. Winners will also receive a pair of tickets to hear Ira Glass on November 5 at the Morrison Center in Boise, tickets to the private reception with Ira Glass prior to his public appearance and one overnight stay at a bed & breakfast or hotel in Boise. Additionally, one of the three winners will be selected by Ira Glass and have their story read onstage the evening of Ira's appearance in Boise. 

To see the contest information or to enter, go to http://radio.boisestate.edu/iraglasscontest

As always, you may email me at mrs.schuette at gmail.com or post to Dropbox.  Happy writing!