To An Athlete Dying Young by A.E Housman by far, is my favorite poem so far. I like how this poem is lyrical and how two sentences always rhyme. I like the flow of this poem. Also I like the theme of this, of an athlete setting a record then dying, giving him a reason to be known for. In To An Athlete Dying Young,  the athlete never really outlives his glory. People can break his record, but he will be remembered.

 

    In the book Curveball by Jordan Sonnenblick, the main character Pete and his friend AJ are baseball players for their school team, Pete is pitcher, and AJ is catcher. They have been on the same baseball team for quite some time now. But one day, during the game, there is a problem… and it can’t be fixed.

Playing his baseball game, Pete notices his elbow is messing up, but he keeps pitching. He breaks it on the field, and is taken out of baseball and put in physical therapy. Not only is no baseball a problem, but his grandpa is acting very strange. He is quitting photography (he’s a professional photographer) Pete enjoys photography also, so he signs up for a camera classes at school, instead of baseball, and meets a girl named Angelika. “She was the most stunning girl I had ever seen, and I couldn’t stop looking at her..”

    My favorite part of Curveball is when Pete tells AJ he will not be playing baseball ever again. The reason for this is because to me, it takes a lot of courage to tell someone so close to you that you won’t be playing the sport you love with them ever again. AJ is kind of stubborn,too. When Pete was sitting out, he kept trying to get him back in the swing of things. So when Pete tells him about it, it doesn’t end well.

I  give this book a 8 out of 10, this book is good for athletes who can’t play their sport, or enjoy reading about what can happen without the thing you love. This book is a really good lesson on when to tell someone if you’re hurting and courage. I really enjoyed this book, and I will be reading more by this author.

                                                                         Submitted by: Victoria.

How long does John have to live?  No one knows.  Pittacus Lore decided he was Number Four.  But, in the Power of Six, John doesn’t know exactly when he’ll die.  He just can hope for the best.

John meets Six, and they’re on a mission to stay alive.  They’re always on the run from cops with their good friend Sam.  Number Seven is in Spain and her name is Maria, and they’re trying to reach her.  They are trying to figure out where she is quickly so they can save all of Lorein kind and be re-united. “They caught Number One in Malaysia.  Number Two in England.  And Number Three in Kenya. They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio- and failed… I am Number Seven.   And I am ready to fight.”

My favorite part of the Power of Six is the big fight near the end where everyone comes together and fights for the planet Lorein.  I like it because it has a lot of action.  It is also a unique book. It tells two different stories between Maria and John, switching their side every chapter or so.

I recommend this book to people who like adventure, I really enjoyed it even though I’m not really into action.  This book teaches a lot about teamwork, something we all can relate to.

 

This is it,
It is time,
Their first place spot, now on the line.

You see us,
every move we do,
the lights blind us,
where are you?

Flipping, flopping, flying and fun!
We will never be out done!

Personally, I believe,
we are the best,
if we don’t get first place,
You can be sure that we will never
rest.

We will never stop,
not even when we cheer a lot

“What in the world is THAT?!” Rori squeaked when she picked up the heavy, square, brightly wrapped present. “I don’t know, you’re just going to have to open it and figure out yourself.” I responded.   “But I don’t want to wait! I want to open presents NOW!” She whimpered as I took the present away and walked out into my Aunt Mary’s living room, and quietly set the present behind the tree. “Chill out, Rori, we’ll get there soon enough.” Aunt Mary said. By the time the rest of the family got to the house, we were all hungry and eager to open what we had gotten.
“TIME TO OPEN PRESENTS!” Rori chanted while passing all the gifts around. After they were all grouped out, we went youngest to oldest around a circle. When it was my turn, I was glad to see a zebra Snuggie, new mirror and nail polish, my turn was soon over. When the adults were done, we would all eat, and trust me, it was obvious that we hadn’t eaten in a while. We were all gathered around to pray when my Papa walked in and we were sadly delayed from our feast.
“Well, I figured out what the big present was… and it WASN’T for me.”  Rori pouted. “Guess you’ll have to deal with it, because I’m sure you wouldn’t enjoy it!” I ignored her pity look and continued eating. “I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like a picture frame,” said Aunt Mary. “Yes I would!” said Rori “I’m sure.” said Aunt Mary
When my brother’s family was headed back to Beaumont Rori ran up to Emmah, hugged her and said“Bye Emmah…”We were all sad to see my part of our family heading back , But we had fun while it lasted. As soon as we knew it, Rori said she was ready for Santa, yelled goodnight, and ran to her room. The rest of us looked at all the pictures that my mom took while we were opening presents. Then, we too collected all of our things and went back home. I think the best present that I got was spending time with my family.

I am young,

five foot three,

but I have

not ever

known about

this tree!

Orange , green

purple could be yellow!

Sometimes the grass whispers to me

how old

this tree could

possible be.

“Woah!!! That was amazing!” Janna had screamed the best she could over the large roaring crowd at The Texas Rangers Ballpark.  “May I announce that that is his 70th home run!?!” The booming loudspeaker shrilled just as Janna had finished her statement and the fireworks had done their job. Me, My mom , dad, and my friends , Janna and Kelsi had all left our hometown to go to Arlington ,Texas to see The Texas Rangers play baseball!!!  “I still think Hamilton  is better” I agreed with myself. Kelsi , my best friend and I had not decided who was best on the team  quite yet. “He’s cool.. I guess…” Kelsi hesitated , her back facing me. My dad  had then said that Josh Hamilton was up next…

I yelled and screamed so loud that I kind of felt sorry for the people in the front of my seat. Along with all of the t-shirts, ponytail holders and water bottles we had gotten nachos just recently, so recent that we didn’t even eat a single one, yet because they were so hot. So I crammed a couple down my throat  to make sure that my mouth was occupied while he was up to bat. But no luck came before my favorite baseball player. Just as I finished chewing my mouthful and more of nachos I heard the fireworks pop loud claps of thunder way above our heads. As I looked up I saw glowing signs spell.. HOME RUN!!! I stopped to take a glace at Kelsi who had stood with her mouth wide open. I turned to her with and said… “Ha!!! Josh won for the Rangers!! Oh my gosh..” I stopped myself in my own words to realize what I had just noted to her. I repeated myself.. “Josh won for us!!” Kelsi shrugged it off and said “Yeah, he’s alright after all.” So, we now know in our opinions who is the best baseball player on the Texas Rangers.