Book Review

Title: The Executioner's Daughter   

Author: Jane Hard staff

Genre: Adventure with some fantasy.

Moss is the Executioner's daughter in the Tower of London. Her job is to catch the chopped off heads in her basket. She despises the job, and longs for a way to escape. But Pa always tells her, that they are prisoners, there is no way out. Then, one day, she finds a hidden tunnel, leading to her freedom. Out of the tower, on the banks of the river, she learns that her life, as she thought, was not what it seemed. She turns to the river, looking into its murky depths, on an epic journey to find the truth.

I think this is a well crafted story, with many hidden messages. For example, if you search hard enough you will find what you are looking for, and, sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you. I actually really liked that you had to think of the meaning of the book, as normally books have a clear message. I don’t think that the author should have made a message more pronounced, because it is sometimes worthwhile to actually try to decipher it instead.

I think the story was definitely enhanced by where the story was set, because it made me listen carefully, as it was not a location that you hear much about in books. It also made me think about what it would be like in the tower of London, back in the days, and gave me a clear image in my head about Moss’s home, and when she met the rag-tag fishing boy, Salter.

As you may have guessed, Moss is the main character. I think she had a strong personality, but she could be very defiant, and she always talked back to her father. She was also a very brave and witty girl, but sometimes she could be very stupid. She was very much like, you and me, just a young girl living her life, and I found I could relate to her, at some parts of the story. At the end of the story, she seemed to have of changed into a more positive person. The one downfall, to me, was that I could not picture her in my head, because it didn't really give a clear or informative description of what she looked like.

On a more positive note, I think the author had a good way with language, and knew exactly how to enhance and make sentences more dramatic. “She bent her head and stepped forward” That was a line that popped out to me, when she had just found the hidden tunnel. I also really liked how there was some poems and short songs included in the book. Like the Riverwitch’s song. To me it added intrest and added lots of new information.

One of the best parts of the book, to me, was that the story flow was not all predictable. I also liked how the ending had no loose ends and didn’t leave you feeling that there needs too be a second book. There was also a good balance of characters, (some good,some bad.) One thing that I think could of made the book better, would of been too increase its lenghth. It was an average sized book (368 pages) but I believe the story line was exceptional, and could have easily have fitted more into it without it becoming boring.

In conclusion, I have enjoyed this reading book immensly, and feel I have learnt a lot about what makes up a good story whilst reading it. Personally, I can not find much too pick on, so I think that Jane Hardstaff has done an amazing job. With it’s marvellous characters and storyline, I believe that The Executioners Daughter is not a book to be missed.

By Casey.

Why frogs can only croak.

One warm summer eve, Mr frog was strolling along, on his merry little way, to get some items from the general store. While he was walking, he had a marvelous idea. He had just remembered that it was his friend, owls, birthday tomorrow!  He hurried along and came home with far more bags than planned, all full to the brim with presents, groceries and all the items needed for a marvelous party! Once he got home, he set out making invitations for everyone he could think of. The wood nymphs of course would have to come, Mr Mouse, all the birds of the forest, the peacocks, bears, snails, deer, raccoon, bears, snakes, squirrels, and Mr Mole and the Beaver family. He sighed in contention. Finally, I've finished. There’s going to be no one in the forest tonight without an invitation, he thought. Little did he know, he had forgotten Wolf.  

When Wolf heard about the party, he was very excited, as he loved parties. But when he realized that he had not been given an invitation, he was very hurt. That hurt soon turned to anger. He stomped around, snarling, in a blind rage. I’ll teach that foolish frog a lesson or two, how dare he not invite me! He thought. He sulked back to his den, and sat down scheming.

The next day, Mr Frog was setting out all the seats, tables, place mats and decorations. He had only just put the food in the oven. He only had half an hour to get everything ready before people started, and he was starting to stress. Then, to make things worse, he realized he had forgotten to get drinks, and cups. Oh dear, he thought, now I have to go to the shop! So he hurried away.

Meanwhile, Wolf, who was walking along the stream trying to cool his temper, saw Mr Frog in a big hurry heading towards the shop. Now’s my chance to get my revenge, he thought to himself. He ran to Mr Frog's house and saw all the tables and decorations already set up. He ran up to the tables and began throwing and chucking everything he could get his hands on. Once he was done, he walked over to the oven, and turned it on high, something that should never ever be done unless you wanted to create a huge fire. That was exactly what Wolf was intending. He smirked in satisfaction. Now we’re are even, he thought to himself. Wolf started to walk away, and collided into Mr Frog. “What have you done!!! Mr frog yelled in horror. The party, all ruined.” He started to cry. Then he noticed a small flame leap out of the oven. He quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the steadily growing flame. “How could you,” he said. Wolf, then realized what he had just done. He felt so ashamed, and then realized that if frog told anyone about what he had just done, he would be in severe trouble.  Out of desperation, Wolf grabbed Frogs tongue and yanked it so hard so that it was now ten times the length it was before. Mr Frog tried to yell at Wolf, but all that came out was a small croak.

So now you know the truth about why frogs croak.               

My idea of a fun-filled day

Morning sun, means its time to have fun. I would grab some breakfast, then head out the door. First would be ice-skating then the movies and more. Then time for the mall,to buy some items. A blue dress, a  some shoes, a book or maybe two. Then Subway lunch, and a drink with ice. A swim with mum, dad included too. Then we would all go to the zoo. Afternoon tea would be from the dairy. Then we would go to rainbows end, and ride on the Fear fall, Invader, and the Corkscrew too. Then its kai time, fish pie the meal. Then I we would go to sleep (with my ted) in my own warm and cosy bed.

Swimming sports

Splash! My hands hit the water in a perfect dive, my body pulses with energy. I kick to the top and start to  reach out. One, two, three, breath, one, two, three, breath. I sneak a look, behind me, and in front. , I see people both ways. I'm not last! I continue to repeat the rhythm in my head. I gather my strength and and swim the last stretch in a final burst of energy. The wall looms ahead, then, I'm finished. My first race of the day.

Oxymoron's

Do you know what oxymoron's are?

Oxymoron's are two words put together, that are usually opposite to each other. One of my top, is, pretty ugly. Other of my favorites include, deafening silence, seriously funny, found missing, almost exactly, exact estimate, clearly confused, and alone together. Another word that I find very funny but is not an oxymoron's, is hamburger. The patties are made out of beef, so why are they called 'ham' burgers? I have also been wondering why Afghanistan , has the word afghan in it. Chile, Hungary, Turkey have me equally confused.  I hope I have helped you understand and have a laugh at what  oxymoron's are.

Explanation writing.

Why cars are an environmental problem

Did you know that pollution is one of the top ten causes of global warming? Things that can pollute the air include, factories, animals, vehicles, smoking, and countless other things. The biggest thing out of all those to me, is cars. When cars burn petrol to move, it produces Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, which causes the air around us to warm up and get polluted. When this happens, it causes global warming.

Global warming is when greenhouse gases pollute the air which causes the temperature to rise, which leads to glaciers, icebergs, and all other types of ice melting. That means, that if this keeps at the happening rate it is now, Antarctica, and the south and north poles might not be there for the later generations. When all the ice melts, it will cause, and is causing, the sea to rise. That could mean that low lying islands, like Fiji and  Tonga, would be underwater! Another bad thing about ice melting is, what would happen to all the animals that depend on the ice to survive? Polar bears, penguins, seals, and countless other species could become extinct!

One way I believe we can help stop this from happening, is by reducing the amount of times we drive around. Think about going for a bike ride, scooter, skateboard instead. It would mean you would be able to take in the scenery more, it would be much cheaper,and it would be safer. Another downfall of cars, is that they require lots of resources. They need lots of plastic, glass, and metal, gravel to make roads, not to mention the inside! Cars can go fast and get you to places quicker, but I think that there are more negative than positive things about them.

This is why I believe cars are an environmental problem.

Confusion

Confusion

Confusion lives anywhere
In a rabbit hole, up a tree
Or even in a toy playhouse!
She wakes up at three o 'clock
And goes to bed at ten o'clock.
Confusion is always wearing different clothes
One day she will be in a dress,
The next day she could be wearing animal furs.
Confusion is very forgetful
She can forget that she just bought a pet tiger,
Or she can even forget her name!
She despises glory and creativity
But likes panic and worry
Confusion eats water and drinks fruit
When ever people see her, they say
Her comes the crazy lady, run!
But she doesn't mind
Because she thinks people are goats.
Confusion will often go outside when it is hot
Dressed in warm coats and scarfs.
Sometimes she will walk around on all fours
Howling like a wolf.

Even though confusion
Is crazy and weird
She is content to be who she is.