New Word!!! (But not very useful :))

sigil |ˈsijəl|nounan inscribed or painted symbol considered to have magical power.• archaic a seal: the supply wains bore the High King's sigil.• literary a sign or symbol.ORIGIN late Middle English: from late Latin sigillum‘sign.’



Now, I know that there isn't much use for this word in today's world (except maybe for archaeology), but for writing? Exactly.



Annabelle

Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood

Prairie was happy on Peabody Mountain being homeschooled. Then, her mother's folks died and she had to move, with her parents and grandma, to their house. Prairie's okay with it, but then the whammo. Grammy is moving back home. Her parents are sending her to public school. Nobody likes her. The only thing good in Prairie's life are her chickens. But soon things start to look a little better. Prairie befriends a girl named Ivy Blake, and they do everything together.



But then something happens that threatens Ivy, and Prairie goes into action.



I L-O-V-E this book. I bought this book because I thought that Prairie is somewhat like me! And I was somewhat right, but whatever. I give this book 5 stars, and I say that this is a good book for all ages, but not really for family reading, because the chapters are so short. I do think that teens and tweens may not like it. I also think that it may be good for a girl who is struggling with reading. There are a few delicate matters discussed in the book as well.

Annabelle

New Word!!!

curmudgeon


noun
a bad-tempered or surly person.



Do you know any curmudgeons?

Annabelle

Quote, Unquote!

It will be a Light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.

~ J.R.R. Tolkien 

Allons-y,

Amber Shipp

Divergent

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

Dystopian/Romance

7

Choosing Day is the most important day in the City, where young men and women choose what they are going to be like, what they are going to think like, and who they are going to respect. Especially for Beatrice Prior, who decides to leave her faction of birth and selflessness for one of danger and violence. And during the brutal Dauntless initiation, she might have just found a love interest, one who has the same values as her and one who will help stop the malicious and dark plan that is about to be uncovered...

Rating 16+, a lot of gory violence and disturbing points. Some suicide and attempted murder, inappropriate parts, though there are no sexual relations. I, admittedly, did not enjoy it very much.

Allons-y,
Amber Shipp

New Word!!!

akrasia |əˈkrāZH(ē)ə| (also acrasia)nounchiefly Philosophythe state of mind in which someone acts against their better judgment through weakness of will.



There. Now we have a word to describe why we take the cookies from the cookie jar.





Annabelle

Quote.............Unquote

Courage is Fear that has said it's prayers.




-John Wayne





Annabelle

Character Advice....stuff.

Okay, here I am, with my first advice. And it's on characters, because I can't really think of anything else right now! Okay, here we go:

This might just be me, but I have an arsenal of characters stored away in my head. (You know, I should probably write them all down...I will once I'm done with this.)
But anyway... Characters need to have faults. They can't be perfect, or it won't be realistic. They need to have at least one major fault and two minor ones, preferably more. (e.g., unforgiving, anger issues, social problems, etc.) These faults will help with the plot, (let's face it, we need as much help as we can get) and make them more likable to other characters in the story (and to your readers). I know that seems weird, but it's kind of how it works. If you have a character that is completely flawless, it seems to me like you'll begin to turn your other character's hate upon them.

Although these flaws in a character's personality are mandatory, many of these may and should be fixed by the end of the story. However, your characters may discover that they have other faults not realized at the beginning. In general, just try to be realistic with your plot and people, and have fun.

Allons-y,
Amber Shipp

The Grandma Dowdel Series by Richard Peck

Joey and his sister Mary Alice are being sent to Grandma Dowdel's house  in the country for a week this summer. She is a reclusive old woman who lives, appropriately, in the last house in town. The chapters in the book are each an adventure from a different summer. Each story is a story unto itself. From hearing about a funeral in her front room to illegal fish trapping in the river, I bet that you'll be as happy with this book as we are!! 5 stars!! I think that this book is perfect for family reading time, and all ages (don't worry about that teens, it's good for you too!! I'm a teen, I should know).















The Depression has gotten really bad in the city, so Mary Alice's parents have sent her to Grandma Dowdel's for a year. She is not happy about it. From the moment she steps off the train she knows that it's going to be the worst year of her life.


Or is it?

This book was not as good as the first one, but I still like it. Mary Alice is in high school, but it's still good for younger ages. However, the chapter entitled "A Dangerous Man" has, well, some questionable content. Including a snake, an artist in the attic, and a naked woman. However, my sister is ten, and she didn't have much of a "reaction". I would suggest that grownups read the chapter first, and then decide whether to read it aloud or not. Just a suggestion! I give this book 4 & 1/2 stars and it's best for whatever age parents decide, but I think that it's good for ages 0-1,000,000,000,000,000!!!















The Barnharts have moved more times than youngest sister Ruth Ann can count. Now, their neighbor is none other than Mrs. Dowdel herself. Ruth Ann can barely stop watching her, Bob, the only son, thinks she's a little creepy. Only Phyllis, the oldest at fourteen, could care less. Of course, she has problems of her own, like a boyfriend with a bad reputation and a car accident involving "root beer". After that little incident, the Barnharts begin to realize that they need Mrs. Dowdel, just like her grandkids. I advise parents to have discretion with younger readers, and my "optimal reading age" would be nine and up. 4 stars for a bit of bad behavior.



So, that's the Grandma Dowdel Series. It's a good book for reading to yourself, but I suggest that you read it aloud to your family.




Annabelle