Blog 10: Notable Moment from The Phoenix and the Carpet

My notable moment is from chapter 5. The children have taken a short cut through the city and run into two boys named Urb and Ike, who took the Phoenix out of Robert's pocket. The children try to get the Phoenix back from the naughty boys, but give up very quickly.

• "Phoenix - dear Phoenix, we can't do anything. You must manage it." p118

The children have relied very heavily on the Phoenix since its appearance in their life. He has warned them and saved them quite a few times already, and I feel like the children are taking advantage of him. Then, when the Phoenix needs the children to save him from something very small, they decide they cannot help him in return. The children in the story seem to be blessed with finding interesting and magical things when they are bored, but then treat them without much respect. They ignored the Phoenix about how many wishes the carpet will grant in one day, and then when they run out of wishes they depend solely on the Phoenix for saving. Also, when the Phoenix decides he wants to rest, the children cannot let him have the full time he asks for before deciding they need him back. They always put their needs and wishes before those of the Phoenix. Selfish children are not an uncommon thing, but i feel that these children should have grown from their previous experience with magical beings.  

Blog 9: Anticipating The Phoenix and the Carpet

I was excited to start this book because I have heard a lot of good things. I think it is interesting that E. Nesbit is a woman considering the book was written in 1904. The author intro in the from of my book was very interesting. It says that she had a "habit of expressing herself forcefully", which fits in with her breaking out of the society norm and publishing a book as a woman. I think that it was very smart for her to use just the E in her name so that people would not judge her book based on the author's sex.
I have already read the first chapter of the book, and find the children to be a bit selfish. I am hoping that this does not become an issue in the book.

Blog 8: Analyzing Redwall

Redwall is a story about overcoming adversity and growing into your potential. When the story begins, Matthias is a young novice at Redwall Abbey with small responsibilities like gathering food and running errands. He dreams, like every young child, to one day be great like Martin the Warrior. When Cluny the Scourge comes to take Redwall, Matthias rises to become the hero everyone needs. He realizes that if he can find Martin the Warrior’s sword, they can overcome Cluny.

Matthias is challenged by ancient poems, King Bull Sparra, Asmodeus and many other difficult situations throughout the story. He becomes a brave young mouse determined to save his home. Children grow up when we give them responsibility. Matthias is the perfect example of this. When he was needed, and people relied on him for their survival, he stepped up to the plate and became what was expected of him.

I love how this story showed Matthias growing up. When we read a story, we start as a novice just like he did. As the story flows, the reader grows along with the character. Following Matthias on his journey was inspiring, and it makes me want to read the rest of the Redwall series.

Blog 7: Notable Moment in Redwall

I just want to start by saying that I loved this book! My notable moment begins with a sad situation that the characters work together to get through.

·     “Don’t understand? I’ll tell you what I don’t understand, young chip. I don’t understand how a chappie like yourself who is supposed to be a great warrior can lie there moping any longer. You’re like an old lady otter who’s just lost a fish. If old Methuselah were here now, he’d chuck a jug of water over you and turf you right out of that bed on your fat little head!”

  Matthias sat up and sniffed.

  “D’you think so, Basil?”

  The hare slapped his ‘injured’ leg, winced, then laughed aloud. “Think so? I know so! Do you imagine that old mouse sacrificed his life so that you could lie about feeling sorry for yourself? Huh, he’d have told you himself. That’s not the way of a warrior. Get up, sir, stir yourself, make Methuselah proud of you!”

 Death, in any situation, is a hard thing to get past. I think that children sometimes don’t know how to move on after someone close passes on. Many adults treat the situation as something kids cannot handle and just avoid talking about it with them. It is easier for a parent to say that Granny went to God, instead of explaining the situation and talking it over with their kids. I know that when my grandmother died, I was not allowed to go to the funeral and my parents would not talk about it with me. It took me quite a while to believe she was never coming back, and then I wasn’t sure if I could talk to my parents about it because they hadn’t talked to me. The way Basil Stag Hare turned Matthias’s grief into something he could use to better himself was very moving. Thru the book, Matthias looses both of his father figures, Methuselah and Abbot Mortimer. Since all of Mossflower Woods is such a close family, it shows how strong ties, from both friends and family, can keep the fight going and push us to be the best person we can be.

Blog 6: Anticipating Redwall

I have never read Redwall before now because I had never heard of it. My best friend is a 5th grade teacher in Franklin, and when I told her this was our second book she literally started jumping up and down. She said that Brian Jacques was her FAVORITE (she was talking in caps so I had to write it that way) author when she was in middle school, and she still has the books on her bookshelf in her duplex. After her reaction, I can’t wait to read the book. If it is something she still keeps out on her bookshelf at age 22, then it has to be amazing.
I also read the reviews on Amazon.com to see how people who bought the book liked it. Almost everyone said it was a classic good versus evil book that is great for any age. The only thing that I am a bit worried about is the mice and rats factor. I am terrified of them! I actually avoid the whole section in Petsmart because they freak me out. I am going to try not to think of that when I am reading though. I’m off to start the book, and hopefully find a notable moment.

Blog 5: Analyzing The Hobbit

I think the overall message in The Hobbit was the transformation from underdog to hero. When we meet the main character, Bilbo Baggins, he is a comfortable little hobbit. The image of Bilbo in his home, eating six times a day and doing whatever he pleases, makes the reader think of a little child with free reign of his life. What kid doesn’t want to do what he pleases, and then go on an adventure with a wizard? Every child I know would grab on and never let go.
The bonus quote from our quiz is one of the things that jumped out at me when I was trying to do my final analysis of The Hobbit. On page 346, when Thorin says: “Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” Everyone wants to be seen as something valuable by their elders. When Thorin acknowledges that Bilbo was never overtaken by the hunt for gold as the dwarves were, he tells Bilbo that he was the best man of the entire group. Power and riches were not the reason Bilbo joined Thorin and Co. on their journey. He was just there for the adventure, and to uncover his Tookish side.
Although I personally did not enjoy the book, I could see young boys loving it. The book definitely appeals to the side of them that longs for an adventure of their own. Bilbo Baggins is someone they can relate to. His size, his eating habits and the way he thinks all reflect the personality of a ten year old boy. This book is a perfect outlet for their adventurous minds, without getting them into too much trouble in the backyard.

Blog 4: Notable Moment in The Hobbit

My notable moment is in the beginning of chapter 5.

• "Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways! Impossible! Go forward? Only one thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.  (page 92)

Up until this point, Bilbo Baggins has been the caboose of the group. He is always lagging behind and complaining. His favorite thought is that he should have stayed in his hobbit hole instead of joining in on this adventure. All of his energy goes toward thinking of missed meals and his comfy home.

When the group escapes the goblins and flees into the mountain with Gandalf, they are separated from Bilbo. We would expect, from his previous attitudes in sticky situations, that he would just sit and wait for Thorin and Co. to come rescue him. It surprised me when, without much complaining, Bilbo decided that he and his 'little sword' would set off in search of an exit from the mountain. This is the first time Bilbo sees in himself the ability to be a valuable part of the group. He can participate in this adventure, instead of just tagging along. Gandalf chose Bilbo for a reason. He knew the Tookish side of him would eventually come out and save the day.

Blog 3: Anticipating The Hobbit

I have two very mixed feeling about this book. First, I do not like the Lord of the Ring movies at all, and am a bit scared it will be similar to them. Second, my Medieval Lit professor Dr. Boenig absolutely loved Tolkien, and after hearing him get excited about his writing it is hard not to anticipate something good. I have always avoided the book because of the movies, but now that I have a good excuse to read it I hope I enjoy it.
I have been reading some reviews to see what other people thought of the book. Many reviews say it is a great read for all ages and reading levels. Hopefully this means I will like it. My brother had to read it in high school, and he said that it was ok. Keith is not a reader at all, so an "ok" from him is usually a "fantastic" from someone else. That is very encouraging for me. I personally don't know a lot about the book, but have plans to start reading tonight. I will keep my sticky notes close in case I find a "notable moment" for my next blog.

Blog 2: Resistance

I love to read, and always have. I especially enjoy fantasy and science fiction because it allows us to be more creative and use our imagination to build a world around what the author has given us. I have read some of the books on our reading list, but many of them I have never read because they did not catch my interest. With some of the books, I am not sure they should be considered "children's" literature. I did not read any of the books on our list until I was in my late teens, and would not give them to my young cousins until they are a few years older. I am hoping to understand why they fall into this category. I know a lot of what I feel can be considered preconcieved notions, somthing we will cover in our blog, and i hope to overcome this in our class.

Blog 1 Addition: Personal vs Social Value

In my Q&A blog question 24 I considered "valuable" to mean personal value. After reading the discussion on the meaning of "valuable" I decided to add a socially ranked list as well. (These are just personal oppinions.)
Nonfiction - 1
Poetry - 2
Historical Fiction - 3
Romance - 8
Fantasy Fiction - 4/5
Science Fiction - 4/5
Horror - 9
Mystery - 7
Adventrure - 6

Explanation for #1 and #9
#1 - Nonfiction is the most commonly used genre of writing. Most of the books we use to learn, including textbooks and reference books, can fall into this category. We all use them and I believe that makes them the most important to us socially.
#9 - The purpose of most horror writing is to scare the reader. I honestly believe you can get the same effect from watching the news. So I do not think it is important to anyone socially.