A Cry in The Night by Mary Higgins Clark

I felt Jenny MacPartland has been through a lot in her life.  Divorced, struggling to raise two young daughters on her own, it’s rough.  Money’s tight.  It’s not easy.  But she manages.  On the other hand, perhaps she should put her foot down, where her ex-husband is concerned.  He already owes her a ton of back-child support.  And, yet, whenever he comes sniffing around, asking for money, she gives it to him. I guess I felt her life won’t be miserable if she didn’t met Mr. Erich Krueger were she find herself blind to the things that his husband is doing.

When I was in elementary, I had a friend of mine whose parents was divorced. Just like the situation of Jenny, her mother fell in love with another man. Without knowing that this man was planning to destroy their family. After marrying that man, her mother’s life was been crumpled, not even her mother but also their lives. The sister of my friend has been abused and raped by her stepfather. Her mother didn’t even notice this scenario because she is working at night. But then the secret has been revealed when her mother noticed that her daughter’s back portion was bleeding. So what the mother did is to get her husband in prison. At first, the husband denies the thing but when her sister was confined and checked, the result shows that she was used by her stepfather. Although it is not a suspense story but in here we can figure out the life of Jenny with her husband.

I wonder why by the time they’re married, Erich has already started proceedings to legally adopt the kids.  Jenny goes along with this.  Who does that?  Who allows a man you’ve only known for a month to legally take your children?  Jenny let herself be manipulated a thousand different ways by Erich, but this was the one where I really lost my sympathy for her.  Sorry, Jenny, they’re YOUR kids, how about protecting those instead of letting this virtual stranger have them?

I think that Jenny will realize that what she did is not a good to everybody especially to her children. I wish I could say that Jenny soon realizes that Erich Krueger wasn’t the perfect man that she have ever had.

Part II

13. Write a Letter to the Author

Mindanao State University

Fatima, Uhaw General Santos City

April 28,2012

Pocket Books

Simon & Schuster Inc.

1230 Avenue of America

New York, NY 10020

Dear Mrs. Mary Higgins Clark,

I really like about the book was the fact that Erich’s sinister character was apparent from the start. From the blurb at the back, there was no mention that the cause of the nightmare Jenny was about to encounter was because of her husband, but from the minute Erich was mentioned in the book, you knew there was something about him. And this wasn’t just instinct; it was made pretty obvious down on paper that he wasn’t all he was supposed to be.

The character was well written. It’s added at the back of the book that the authoress researched many things for the book (I can’t mention what as it would give away the plot!) and it’s made pretty obvious in the book that she knows her stuff! That’s something I like to see, that author’s research for their work, and didn’t just write anything off the top of their head!

                I was really enjoying the book, and I must admit that it was the best novel I’d read. It was much more insightful into the characters lives, and much better written. Very well written in fact. Although not a classic, it was written in a way that really kept you hooked. The range of different sentence also added to the atmosphere in most parts.

                I really sat on the edge of my seat to finish it. I was so looking forward to the ending. Sadly, though, I was somewhat disappointed with the ending. Not that it was a bad ending but it was rather disappointing. I don’t know whether it was because it was too simple for such a complicated plot, or whether all of my theories were wrong, but it was as if you asked the question – “Yeah, I knew most of that – what next?”

                You certainly weren’t left satisfied by any means, but by saying this, I must admit, I enjoyed the book. It kept me busy and even a day or two after that, but I am highly disappointed with the ending. But still I really appreciate your novels. Looking forward to read another exciting suspense novel.

Sincerely,

Ms. Annieve E. Carmona

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THE LIGHTNING THIEF b y Rick Riordon

             In the story, I felt it was really distressing in the part of Sally, Percy’s mother to know that his son has been expelled from six schools and ask Percy to enroll again in Yancy Academy. I was puzzled by Percy because he has been expelled several times already and didn’t even think the sacrifice of his mother just to send him in a prestigious school. What happened next surprised me. I didn’t think that it was right for Mrs. Sally to send his son Percy to school. I think it is better to employ a tutor or give Percy a tutorial class so that he can monitor her son. I think Percy Jackson will get better in his study if Mrs. Sally will employ a tutor for her son, Percy.

                In connection in this story. I have a nephew named Marc. My brother is the one who is sending him to school. Everything that he needs was provided by my brother. From personal things and even for his recreational activity, everything was provided. Until such time, my brother’s attention was then called by the principal. In there conversation, the principal get mentioned about the character that my nephew was showing in the class. According to their teacher, that his character was totally different among his classmates. So my brother was alarmed and then found out that he is not doing well and his class and missed many lessons because of his absences. That’s why, my brother decided to transfer him to the other school.

                Another connection I had in this story is that when I was in elementary, grade two. After our lunch, me and my classmates are exploring out of this world activity. Every time our teacher is not around, we used to play the spirit of the glass. Until such time, that I try to experienced what my other classmates have had experienced. I thought it was just a joke but then later on, I feel something different. The glass was then moved and when I open my eyes. I saw a white lady standing in the back of my classmate. I was so scared because it was my first time to encounter that kind of creature. That’s why from that experienced I’ve learned something that there are things that we don’t need to explore and get involved with especially when it talks to the spirits.

                I wonder why Percy Jackson and his friends get involved themselves between the conflict of the Greek gods Zeus, Poseidon and Hades wherein fact they’re still young? And I think it would find it hard in the part of Percy Jackson to adjust a new environment in the school especially in the classroom since he was new and suffering from dyslexia. I couldn’t figure out why Mrs. Sally still lives with Gabe, were in the first place Mr. Gabe is not treating them well? Did Poseidon know that his son is Percy? And the one who find a way to refrain the war between them?

                I think Percy Jackson can now concentrate with his study since he put back everything in control and can now live peacefully with his mother Sally. And Sally can now give her attention with regards to the study of his son.

 Part II.

Redesign the cover of your novel.

Rising by Darnella Ford

           I felt it was really disgusting on the part of Symone to know the truth about Huston’s couple secret agenda and ask the advice of her boyfriend about her situation in the mansion. But what happened next that surprised me. I didn’t expect that amidst in the situation, Symone will find out that the person she hated the most, is her biological father. I guess, due to her mixed emotion, she felt guilty of what she did to her father. In which she killed her own father. I think it was the right that  Symone and her boyfriend will start a new life behind those occurrences that they surpass.

            When I was in Elementary, I had a friend of mine, who experienced the same with Symone. Although this was not my story, I would like to share this thing, on how cruel and brutal his stepfather. According to her, every time her mother is not around, her stepfather was doing something with her. She was used by her stepfather whenever her mother is not around. She told me that she can’t easily asked for help because she was given a threat to her stepfather, that whoever knows about that, her stepfather will kill her mother.

            Another connection I had with this story, in the family of my sister. My nephew was given a threat because he found out that the cousin of his father was having an affair with my sister. That’s why the guy keeps on looking my nephew to find out if he tells the secret to others. Then my nephew asked the help of my mother. And the conflict was resolved, when my sister decided to stay with the guy.

              I wonder why Dolores, the mother of Symone, didn’t tell the truth that Symone’s father was still alive and own’s a company and prominent man in Michigan? I would find it hard , in the part of Symone to accept the truth about her father existence because what she know that she was abandoned by her father, that’s why they live in a slum area. I also couldn’t figure out why Symone killed Ridge Huston, where in fact he provides everything to her?  Would she continue to kill her stepfather, if she know earlier that Ridge was her true father? Did Madeline Huston have any obligations toward Symone? If so, what are they?

            I think Symone will help those women recover from those bad experiences that they had. And begin to rise from her feet to face her renewed life.

Part II.

8. Ask Questions about things that confuse you or that you wonder about. Describe your feelings about the events in one chapter.

1.) Does Madeline Huston have any obligations toward Symone? If so, what are they?

2.) Are stepparents obligated to love their stepchildren? And if by happenstance they find themselves “not liking” their stepchildren, how should the conflict be resolved?

3.) Who should have “rescued” Symone? Who bore the greatest responsibility in this area? Who failed Symone the most?

4.) Symone asks the poignant question, “Would I walk through the flames instead of standing in the fire petitioning the crowd by playing victim to the hilt”? What led Symone to make such a profound declaration? And did   she in fact play “victim”? How or why?

Chapter one

            In this chapter, the author introduces Symone and her mother, Dolores. They lived each other and share everything, even if in their personal things like toothbrush and towel. But as I continue reading, I was really disappointed with her mother because as a parent, she must provide the basic needs of her daughter, giving her good food, clothes and taking good care of her. And as a human nature, and if I were Symone, I will get angry with her because she can’t provide my needs and has no descent work. And I will blame her, why Symone’s life becomes ruin. And if I will be in the part of Dolores, maybe I will be the luckiest mother in the world because seldom you can find a loving and a kind-hearted like Symone that can sacrifice even if her happiness just to please her mother, Dolores.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NoTre Dame

Part I.

Book Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

            I felt it was embarrassing part of Quasimodo to show his true physical appearance in front of the public in the  midst of the festival and let the people laught at him. I didn’t think it was right for Quasimodo to go outside the room because in the first place, he knew that the people will get scared and laugh at him because of his monstrous physical appearance. I guess he felt being deprived by his right to live as a normal being because of the different acquisition held by the people around the locality of Paris. Without knowing that behind his ugly and monstrous face there is a hidden character or what shall I say there is a golden value that is in him which the people of Paris don’t have. Having a good attitude despite from his appearance, like in the story, he help the gypsy girl in which suppose to be hang in front of the public. And as the author said, because of this happening, Quasimodo risks everything , even his own life just to save the gypsy girl but still, his efforts was lost when this girl was totally execute in the Place de Greve.

            When I was in Grade 6, I used to sit only in my chair. I’m not used to talk with my classmates or even in my group-mates because I’m a serious type of person. In this stage, I was not able to gain my confidence because I’m afraid in speaking in public and I’m scared to be corrected or been joke by someone. Like Quasimodo, he was not able to gain a confidence because of his appearance and his disability to hear someone.

            Another connection I had with this story is that when I was in High School. Since it was first day of school, our teacher let us introduce our self by choosing a pair in which we don’t know each other. Of course as friendly person, I used to go with them every time we have an activity. But later on, I discover that these person whom I used to go with, are the one’s telling me bad things or back fighting at me. And I don’t know why they do this, wherein fact, I’ve done anything that can harm them. That’s why from this dilemma, I have learned something that is to choose your friends carefully.

            I wonder why Quasimodo come up with this physical appearance? Does his mother drink or eat something that affects Quasimodo’s structure? Or would it be that the work of his mother is a prostitute that’s why he was abandoned and put in the Cathedral. I also couldn’t figure out why Dom Claude let Quasimodo attend the festival wherein fact, he knows already the situation of Quasimodo. Or would it be that Quasimodo escapes his room just to attend or see the festival without any permission of Dom Claude. Did Dom Claude know that Phoebus is alive during the time where Esmeralda was still in the court to fight her rights? Did Captain Phoebus know the truth or he just lied to let the girl hang in the Place Greve.

            I think that Captain Phoebus will realize, that what he did with the Gypsy girl is immoral in which it is against the law of the human right to fight the truth. And also with Pierre, longing for his wife Esmeralda, in which he cannot  resume what already happen.  

 

Part II.

18. Write a poem about one of the ideas or characters in the novel. Three to Four Stanzas.

You Accepted me

You’re a star that shines from above,

You never look down on what I have,

You're lavish love that you give,

In which no other person can made.

You’re not like others who left me when troubled,

Instead you’re the reason my happiness doubled,

You never left me even though you should,

You’re always patient and never rude.

You accepted me for what I am,

I guess Im just a lucky Human,

Before, I am nobody and was hated by everyone,

Still you come to me so, in my heart your number one.