Mr. George Washington

Author's Note: Every year in Language Arts, the 7th and 8th graders get a topic to write about that has to do with The United States. This year the topic was, Founding Fathers. My main topic in my story is George Washington. I start with just a regular introduction, but I then write a letter I would personally give to George Washington. 

Exactly 213 years ago a very important person walked the grounds we now walk. He was one of our founding fathers of America and a hero to all. One of his most known stories was when he chopped down his father’s cherry tree and could not tell a lie. This man was George Washington: the first president of the United States. Everyone knew this man in 1789 as a hero, but now everyone just knows him as the first president. What would you say to George Washington if you got the opportunity to meet him? Personally for me, I would ask him what it was like being the first president. I would also tell him about all the amazing things we use in his name.

Dear George Washington,

As many little kids would joke around with you asking funny questions like, what was it like wearing a wig, or what were your teeth made out of, I would like to stick to the more interesting questions. My first questions is, what was is like being the first president? You know how hard that is? First of all, to be a president in general you need the obvious talents including, being responsible and confident; you also started the first president elections which means you needed to prove yourself and take control of America to show elections would work.

For taking control and being the amazing president you were, people looked up to you for showing responsibility and character. Places all over America are named after you. The United Sates capitol is named, Washington D.C. Another example is, you’re on the one dollar bill and the quarter. People of America are so proud of you for taking control of America and starting the presidential elections that we actually named things after you. If I was you, I would be thrilled.

Many people would like to thank you for everything you have done for our country and for being such a trustworthy man. When you were living, people were very lucky to meet a good man like you. If I could really give you this letter and receive a letter back with real answers, my main questions would ask what it was like being the first president and tell you about the states, cities, schools, and money we now use in your name. Thank you George Washington for being such a superior man for everyone to this day to remember.

From, Skyler

Who Do You Believe Is The Killer?

Author's Note: People one by one dying. No one can trust the person in the same room as them. The week that was supost to be the time of their lives, so turns into a nightmare. Learn the causes and the effects in the book, And Then There Were None, by Cecily Von Ziegesar.

In the book, And Then There Were None by Cecily Von Ziegesar, it's all about people who attend an island called, Indian Island. These aren't just the normal type of people though, every person who's attending this island has a dark past with too many secrets. The main cause is that people are constantly dying one by one. Every day, every night, the island gets more and more suspicious. When only two people are left standing, both the people believe the person left with them is the killer. 

When the cause is the person that is killing everyone on Indian Island, the main effect is the people finding out who the murder really is. Ten people started on the island and after three people are gone people begin to learn their own believes on who really is the murder. Nobody believes the murder is a woman because they don't think a woman is capable of killing other people. They soon loose trust towards everyone, until there is no one left. They never would really know the true killer of the people on Indian Island. 

Katniss' Conflicts

Author's note: In reading class we learned a new way of reading a book by finding out the conflicts going on in the book, and how the main character learns to resolve it. I did my conflict and resolving piece on The Hunger Games because I felt there are a lot of conflicts in this book and Katniss, the main character, solves the problems very well. 

In the Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, I noticed a lot of conflicts in this book. I've read this book about four times and it seems to still be one of my favorites. One reason might be that the conflicts pull you in leaving you wanting to know how Katniss, the main character of the book, resolves the problems. Katniss is up against four main conflicts in my mind.  I see her having problem's with the society, nature, people, and herself. I picked society because she doesn't like the way society works. She also has problems with the nature because she has to learn how to use it properly to live in the arena. A big conflict is people because she's up against a lot of people in the arena and everyone wants to win the Hunger Games so people are always trying to kill other people. Lastly, she's up against herself because the Hunger Games a mental game of staying alive and being smart. 

Even though it's a long book with many details and terrifying moments, Katniss learns to resolve her problems. It all starts with the society problem. Katniss learns to not care what people think by ending the Hunger Games with a berry death. Her and Peeta, a boy in the arena, are both the only ones left, but they don't want to kill each other so they both risk their lives by almost eating poison berries. I say almost because the game makes, people in charge of the Hunger Games, stop them and say Katniss and Peeta both win together. Katniss uses nature by helping her eat and she uses fires to keep her warm. For the people conflict, there were a lot of deaths, but that was the only way of winning the games. Lastly, Katniss learned to survive on her own and stayed mentally focused in the games knowing she had to win, and that's exactly what she did. 

Goodbye

Author's Note: Death is a scary word. Sadly for everyone they go through someone's death at least twice in their life. One of the death's my family and I had to go through was when I was only 8. Read my story to hear a depressing, but helping story about my uncle's death. 

In life, there are always those moments that you could replay over and over because they were so amazing, but there are also those moments when you fall apart: everything comes crashing down. It's impossible to be perfect; therefore everyone has depressing moments. I will never forget one of the most depressing moments of my life that shattered my family into pieces. This moment was when my uncle died.

"Your uncle has passed away." My mother said, with tears rolling down her eyes. Since I was only 8, I never really understood the meaning of death. My mother started to ball, her eyes out, as she hugged my father. Brandon, my brother, hugged me while whispering, "He's gone Skyler, forever." Suddenly, my eyes began to water as the words my brother just whispered to me went through my mind. I ran to my room and didn't return for the rest of the night. It was a long night; full of crying, but I thought to myself, if I’m going to cry this much, think how sad I’m going to be at the funeral. 

It was July 17th, the day of my uncles funeral. As I hold on to my mom’s hand, I walk into the building where my uncles dead body laid. Looking around the room it was hard to find familiar faces, when suddenly someone poked me in the back. I turn to see my cousin, Angela, standing behind me. "Angela I'm so sorry about your father." I said while hugging her. She looked at the ground and looked back at me then spoke with a shaken voice, "I'm going to miss him so much." I hugged her again. Angela was the same age as me and I thought about how terrible I would feel if my dad had died when I was only 8.

I walked up to the casket and before me was my uncle's body. Suddenly, everything was real: my uncle was really gone forever. Tears rolled down my eyes as I took one last glimpse at my uncle's body, I would never see him again. It felt as if someone literally stabbed my heart and I was broken. While I was crying, I left the building holding on to my dad’s hand. My dad kissed my forehead and said, “Don’t worry, he’s safe in heaven now. When you pass away you will be able to see him again.” I smiled at the sky and whispered to myself, “Goodbye uncle Wayne.”

When I am remembering about my uncle, the first thing that comes to mind is his death. After a while of sadness, I start to remember the times that matter the most:  the best times with him. Even when someone passes away you have to think of the positive of the times you had with them. The moment my uncle died was a depressing moment for my family, but after a while, we remembered our favorite things about him, which regained us to be a happy and  strong family again.

The Clique Retelling

Author's Note: Mrs. Mundt spoke to our class, telling us that we must make a retelling of a book. She clearly made it obvious that a retelling was not a summary. I did my retelling on a book I have read about 5 times. It is, The Clique, by: Lisa Harrison. 

Claire Lyons was the new girl moving into the coolest girl in schools guest house. She wanted more than anything to be popular and just get along with, Massie Block. She soon fines out Massie will do anything to keep Claire away from her and her friends.Through the torture and schemes, Claire realizes what true friendship is and what trying to be popular can do to you as a person. 

This book goes through hard times, bulling, and plenty of girl drama. It shows that if you want to fit in you have to be something you're not, and it's not worth it in the end.