Mako's happy blog

"Kill the woman! She sleeps with her husband's killer! We want James to be King! Kill her now!" (p. 31) England and Scotland in the 1500s. Two famous queens - Mary, the Catholic Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth Ⅰ, the Protestant Queen of England. It was an exciting and a dangerous time to be alive, and to be a queen. Mary was Queen of Scotland when she was one week old. At sixteen, she was also Queen of France. She was tall and beautiful, with red-gold hair. Many men loved her and died for her. But she also had many enemies - men who said: "The death of Mary is the life of Elizabeth."

 "It's all right, Jim. I'm not dead," I said. "But why are you here on the island?" I asked. (p. 15)  Who wants to live in a house, wear clean clothes, be good, and go to school every day? Not young Huckleberry Finn, that's for sure. So Huck runs away, and is soon floating down the great Mississippi River on a raft. With him is Jim, a black slave who is also running away. But life is not always easy for the two friends. And there is 300 dollars waiting for anyone who catches poor Jim...

"There's something valuable in that seventh box. When we find the seventh box, we'll find the murderer." (p. 15) "Can I help you?" said the manager. "Yes," replied Salahadin. "My name's Salahadin El Nur. I'm a police inspector. I want to speak to Mr Pearson." "Do you mean Mr Pearson, the archaeologist?" asked the manager. "Yes," replied Salahadin. "I'm sorry. You can't speak to Mr Pearson, sir," said the manager. "Oh," said Salahadin in surprise. "Why not?" "Mr Pearson is dead," replied the manager. "He was found dead in his roomthis morning. Mr Pearson was murdered."

He wanted to know if she did the same thing every day. He also wanted to visit the gym before he decided how to kill her. (p. 15)  Cristina Rinaldi works for the Museo National de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires. She loves art and is happy with her life. Then one day she has a motorbike accident and can't remember some things. But there are two men who think she remembers too much, and they want to kill her before she tells the police what she saw.

"What happened?" he cried. "Did you get my note? Quick! Perhaps we are already too late!" (p. 22) In the mountains of Transylvania there stands a castle, it is the home of Count Dracula - a dark, lonely place, and at night the wolves howl around the walls. In the year 1875 Jonathan Harker comes from England to do business with the Count. But Jonathan does not feel comfortable at Castle Dracula...

"Can you see it, Watson?" he shouted. But I saw nothing. (p. 11) Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective of them all. He sits in his room, and smokes his pipe. He listens, and watches, and thinks. He listens to the steps coming up the stairs; he watches the door opening - and he knows what questions the stranger will ask. In these three of his best stories, Holmes has three visitors to the famous flat in Baker Street - visitors who bring their troubles to the only man in the world who can help them.

A thousand years ago, chocolate was a big secret. (p. 3) I like chocolate very much. How about you? A thousand years ago, nobody ate chocolate, but some people drank it. This book tells us how chocolate became popular throughout the world, and tells us about the history of famous chocolate brands such as Hershey's and Cadbury.

"OK then. Let's have a competition. I can prove I'm number one!" (p. 35) Zadie is a high school student and she belongs to the soccer club. She is a good soccer player and a hero in the team. She is also good at in-line skating. One day she met a met a new student. His name is Simon. He doesn't like her and her doesn't like him too. They will have a competition. What will happen to that after that? If you are interested in this book, please read it!

"That night when the Moon is shining in the heavens the Nightingale flies to the Rose tree, and puts her breast against the thorn." (p. 55)  "There is no red rose in my garden," thinks the young student sadly. He was in love with the daughter of the Professor, but he got the cold shoulder. The Nightingale hears him from her nest in the Oak tree. She looks out and wonders. A songbird understands more about love than a young man who spends his days love poetry.

"Now he's got a name," says mum. "Dacty sounds nice. It suits him." (p. 12) It's Saturday evening. Roger, Helen and their parents are playing cards in the living room. Suddenly the telephone rings. That was their Aunt Elizabeth and she will come back from Greenland. The next morning she came and had a very strange present for Roger and Helen. It's a big egg. One day the egg cracked and appeared a long beak from inside. It looks like a bird, but it hasn't got feathers. It was actually a pterodactyl, which is a type of dinosaur. It was named Dacty. Six months pass and Dacty is very big, so he lived in the museum. At midnigt Dacty sees lights moving. It was thieves and he caught them. He became famous overnight. Gerngross, G. (2007). The Surprise. Helbling Languages.

"That is so unfair!" (p. 11) Holly liked nature and eco-friendly products. She always checked that the vegetables were organic and the coffee and chocolate were Fair Trade. She hated her father's car too because it used too much gasoline and made too much noise. One day her father said "I am thinking of changing my car". Because he can work from home. In short, he is going to need an office and cut down the oak tree for it. However Holly cannot accept his suggestion. The tree is her favorite place, so she starts an unusual protest and moves out of her home and into the tree house. This was war... Who will win the battle of tree?

I'M IN TROUBLE. HELP (p. 48) David dreams of becoming great detective, like David Delgado, his hero. David Delgado is tall and thin with fair hair. He is wearing a black jumper, a long dark coat, and black leather boots. He is a very cool, but real David is shy. His mom often worries about him a lot. He was bullied at school. One day he saw two boys, they weren't wearing school uniforms. A boy with red hair is riding a bicycle, the other one is running beside him. But the bicycle owner is Jack! If you are interested in the rest of that story, please read it!

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. October 9, 1890. (p. 34) When Jabez Wilson asks legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted friend, Dr Watson, to investigate a mysterious organisation, The Red-headed League, they find that there is more to the organisation than meets the eye. Wilson looked like an average British working man, fat, arrogant, and slow. He wore baggy grey throusers, a black coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy watch-chain. One day, he was chosen to be a member of the red-headed league. He worked there, but suddenly the whole business came to an end. It was being connected to a different problem. This was my first time to read a Sherlock Holmes story. It was very interesting, so please read it!

"Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow," says the Prince. "Stay with me one night longer!" (p. 22) High above the city, on a tall column, stands the statue of the Happy Prince. He is covered all over with thin leaves of gold, for eyes he has two bright sapphires, and there is a large red ruby on his sword. One day he met a swallow. At the time he was crying, because he can't help poor people. So, he asked the swallow to bring the poor people the jewely out of his body, because he is a statue and he cannot move. First, the swallow declined the suggestion, because he wants to go to Egypt. But he helped the Happy Prince. They help another person and they were happy. However this happy time did not last long... After I read this book, I was very sad. But this book is very heart-warming. If you are interested in it, please read it!

She would not do it! She could not do it! This Frog would never be her friend!(p.28)   A young princess who was so beautiful that the sun beamed whenever it saw her. The King who is her father gave her a new ball. It was a golden ball. She loved the golden ball. She played with the golden ball every day. I think that "What is golden ball?" and "Why does she like it?" One day she began to play, tossing her golden ball into the air and catching it in her hand near the forest. Suddenly she missed! The ball fell to the ground, it rolled into a nearby spring. The golden ball was gone... Then she met a frog. He said "I want to be your friend." But she doesn't like the frog. After this, what do you think has happened? If you are interested in this book, please read it! Grimm, B. (1997). The Frog Prince. Trasure Bay, Inc.

"What's this?" he thought. "It can't be Sunday yet!"  (p.19) A boy named Sam Brown lived with his parents on a farm in Lexington, Massachusetts, near Boston. At that time, America was not a country of its own. It belonged to England. Once, in Boston, Sam and his father saw the soldiers. The people were unhappy, and sometimes they had riots. So, they didn't like the soldiers much. They called them Lobster Backs because of their red coats. One day, Sam was awakened by the sound of church bells ringing. He knew there was trouble. His father was a Minuteman, which meant he had to be ready for trouble at a minute's notice. So, they went to there... There was the word not to understand, but it was very interesting for me. If you are intersted in this book, please read it! Watson, C. (1987). Sam the Minuteman. HarperCollins; Reprint.

"Carlo's flat!" said Stephany with a big smile. (p. 6) It's Stephanyand Max's first holiday away together and they want to get to know each other. They go to Italy and stay at Stephany's friend Carlo's flat in a Mediterranean village. But Carlo'swife is not very happy to see Stephany - and the two couples find out why, and a lot of other things about each other, in a hot Italian summer.

"No, Anthony's not going to win," he thinks. "I'm going to win!" (p.21) I read "Go Jimmy Go!" Anthony is in the 800 meter race. Sarah is in the 100 meter race, and the long jump. They are taking about Bayview High Sports Day. They are excited about the races. Anthony' friend Jimmy is in a wheelchair. He is sports crazy. He is in the 800 meter race, too. He said "I'm going to win." Anthony was confused. He thinks, "Jimmy will never win. He's in a wheelchair!" Other students and teachers were against it. But he will never give up. He will do his best. What has become of him? If you are interested in, please read it!

"Thank you my little friend," cooed the dove, as she flew away. (p.23) I read chapter 3 and 7 of this book. Chapter 3 is heart-warming story. The title is "The ant and the dove." First, an ant saw a sparkling fountain. He had slipped into the water. He can't swim. He called for help. Just then, a friendly dove flew by. She noticed the tiny ant was drowing, so she helped him. After that the ant knew the dove was in trouble. He helped her in this time. They helped each other. Next, chapter 7 is very helpful story. The fox is very crafty. He praised the crow. The crow believe him. I think that the crow is very honestly. "Don't be fooled by flattery." I think so too. Watson, C. (2007). Aesop's Fables. London, UK: Usborne.

This is getting dangerous, you think. Time to get to that shelter! (p.42) I read "Tornado Alley." This book is Atama-ii books series. It is set in modern times. The author of this book are Lesley Ito and starring me! I have never heard the author name. This book is interested for me. After reading that, I felt afraid of tornado. If you are interested in this book, please read it! Lesley, Ito. (2015). Tornado Alley .  Tokyo and Florida: Atama-ii books.

Sarah began to cry again. "Yes, mother, of course I am. I always tell you the truth, you know that." (p.8)   The main character is Sarah Harland is nineteen, and she is in prison. At the airport, Sarah and her boyfriend Hassan find heroin in her bag. So, now she is waiting to go to court. If the court decides that it was her heroin, then she must die. She says she did not do it. But if she did not, who did? It is false charge. only two people can help Sarah: her mother, and an old boyfriend who does not love her now. Can they work together? Can they find the real criminal before it is too late? Her mother make an effort to help her daughter. This story is interesting for me, so if you are interested in it, please read it! Tim, Vicary. (2000). White Death.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  Four people however, who all need the same thing: they need her money, so they are waiting for her to die. (Back cover) First, when I watched this title "Love or Money?", I thought that this book is love story. But it is suspense, crime and mystery story. The main characters are Molly Clarkson who become 50 years old and mother, Jackie is the first daughter. She thinks that wants to live together happily. Roger is young brother, he wants to mother's land. Diane is the youngest child. She without a regular occupation. Molly Clarkson is having a small party - only four people. Next day, she was dead. Who is a criminal? Each other have the motive for the crime. Surprising person is a criminal. I think that this title means reason to kill mother is love or money? If you are interested in this story, please read it. Rowena, Akinyemi. (1989). Love or Money?  Oxford: Oxford University Press.

"When you want to do something, just do it. Don't stop and think about it! Don't wait. Just do it!" (p.7) The main character is Stella in this book. She is a cook in a restaurant. She has best friend. Her name is Janet. She is very activity. One day, Janet looked out of Stella's living room window and asked. "Who is that?" He is her new neighbour, Tony. He is handsome man, but he divorced Cathy and he has daughter, Daisy. He cannot readily meet a daughter.And also Cathy wants to remarried the man. So, he cannot still meet her. Moreover, they will go to Scotland. What wolud Stella and Tony do? If you are intersted in this book, please read it! After read it, I want to be friends with Janet. What do you think? Margaret, Johnson. (2005). Next Door to Love. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

And there was another problem. I didn't know the name of the man I was in love with. (p.9)  The main character of this book is Sam. She is a young deaf girl. She lives with her mother. One day, She is in love with the man. The man works in a shop. His name is Jim. She doesn't need to buy something, though she goes to there. Why does she go there? Because she want to see him. I think that she is very cute. She always positive. She does not succumb to a handicap. If I were her, I think that I can't confront various handicaps. She and her mother are very strong. They(Sam and Jim) have some worries. How do they solve it? This book made an impression on me. If you are interested in this story, please read it!  Margaret, Johnson. (2003).  Different Worlds. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Tom laughed. "You are stupid, Nancy," he said. (p.29) The main character is Nancy in this book. She wanted to be a writer then. But Tom laughed at her. Tom is Nancy's boyfriend. He said writers were intelligent, but "Nancy is not intelligent." He think that she didn't need to work, however she liked the money and shopping. So, she worked in a centre for asylum seekers as a guard. One day she met a man. His name is George. She fell in love with him. But Tom think George just wants your money and your passport. However she thought she is never coming back to live with him. Tom was so angry, because Nancy left him for an asylumseekers. One day Nancy's room was found to have been completely ransacked. Who did it? George? Theif? If you are interested in this story, please read it. Penny, Hancock. (2005). Within High Fences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

In January they found the girl's body. They found it in Pine Crest. (p.6) The main character of this book is Flick Laine. She is detective in the Denver Police. The scene is ski resort Pine Crest which there is in the suburbs of Denver in America. A dead girl is found in a swimming pool. She is Janine, a23-year-old student who wanted to write for a newspaper. Detective Flick Laine has to find the killer. But first she must find out the big story Janine was working on before her death. She had written a newspaper article for school newspaper contest. The contents of article is shaking political life of big politician. It was shocking news. The news gave the world a great shock... This book is interesting for me. So, please read it. Sue, Leather. (2006). Dead Cold. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

And what happened to Jason, David and Nina, Maggie and the Davies family? (p.47) This book consisted of four situation. First situation's main character is Jason who is the school children. He is seventeen years old. He lives with his mother at 12, Moreland Road in Bath. Second situation's main character is Nina Sen. She lives at 48, Moreland Road. She works in a bank. David Sen is her husband. He works as the top cook in a French restaurant. Third situation' main character is Maggie. She lives at 75, Moreland Road. Fourth situation's main character is Sam Davies. He lives at 56, Moreland Road. He works on a newspaper. In the wake of the incident, the letter which should arrive did not arrive... If you are interested in this book, please read it! Helen, Naylor. (2008). One Day. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.