Foreign Correspondence

I was at my home cooking while Antony was making his speech. My husband had gone out earlier to talk to a friend of his about Caesar's death, but he came back because his friend wasn't at his house. My husband told me that everywhere he went he saw angry people, friends arguing, people fighting, even mobs! We both agreed not to go out today, lest we be caught up in all the drama. Even so, when a Friend of ours, a kind poet named Cinna, walked by; I couldn't help but step out for a moment to say hello. Perhaps that was foolish, even dangerous, but he needed to be warned about the mobs. He passed around the corner and I quickly and quietly rushed over. I was almost at the corner when I heard voices, numerous voices, all asking him questions. I pressed myself flat against the wall and inched slowly over to the corner. Once I got there, I peeked around. As I had suspected, Cinna was surrounded by a large number of furious looking people. I knew right away that they were a mob, just by their erratic movements and such. They mob members asked him many questions, things ranging from his name to whether or not he was married. During all this I realized, horrified, that he had the same name as one of the conspirators! I tried to think of ways to help him without getting caught myself, yet none came to mind. Finally I decided I had to do something, even if it meant endangering my own life. No sooner had I thought this than I heard someone ask Cinna his name, and he unknowingly responded. I'll never forget what happened next. Someone amid the crowd yelled, "Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator!". Cinna tried to tell them that he was not the conspirator, but they didn't listen. They began to kick and punch him; some even took out some make-shift weapons. Not thinking, I screamed yet no one heard me. Not knowing what to do, I ran home. That is all I can report.

The Diary of a Commoner

March 14:
I thought my eyes deceived me. This morn a race was held, open to commoners and Senate members alike. To the joy of all Romans, our proud Caesar was among them. At a point Mark Antony bid all to be silent, and fall silent the crowd did. At this point a servant to Antony brought forth a Coronet, with the intent of appointing Caesar King. Yet Caesar waved the crown by, and the people let out a general shout of dismay. How grand a king our glorious Caesar would make! There felt like no end to the frustration of this day, for the crown was offered again, yet great Caesar waved it by again, the shouts of the people rang loud again. Then for the third and last time the crown was offered, but it was denied by Caesar yet again, and the shouts of the people rang louder than before. Then Caesar offered them his throat, telling them to cut it, to slay him. Then to our horror he did swound and fall to the ground. When he awoke he apologized. Compassion inside me swelled and I and some others shouted "Alas, good soul!" for who could not forgive Caesar his few wrong doings? And thus, Caesar and all others from the Senate left, leaving us to our own thoughts. How I wish that Caesar had accepted the crown, for it is an honor among many that he rightly deserves!

My Silent Reading Book

The Ragwitch

By: Garth Nix

1. Author:

Garth Nix is a very accomplished author, having written 27 books(5 series and 5 stand-alone books). Garth Nix was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1963. He moved to the UK when he was 19 and then later joined the University of Canberra. He has accomplished many things through his life, he was a book publisher and editor, he joined the army, and worked in a book store (not in that order) before finally becoming an author himself. He now has a wife and two sons back in Australia.

2. Plot/Theme:

The story is about a boy, Paul, Paul's younger sister, Julia, and a rag doll that's alive, called the Ragwitch. When the Ragwitch takes over Julia, and begins to control her, Paul must follow them into another world. This world was once terrorized by the Ragwitch and her monster-like followers. Paul realizes that the only way to save his sister, and this world, is to destroy the Ragwitch. But the Ragwitch knows how to use a very dark and powerful kind of magic, and Paul must find other witches and wizards all across the land and gather them together in order to stop her.

3. Setting:

The Ragwitch is set in another world similar to ours, yet different in many ways. While in our world, the story is set at around the present time, but the other world seems to be set in the past, close to the Medieval Times. The atmosphere is very mysterious, and it's never perfectly clear what's going on. It's intended to be slightly confusing, but this keeps you on the edge of you seat.

4. Character:

The Character I've chosen to describe is the main character and the hero, Paul. Paul is shy and quiet, since he's used to being very dependent on his sister, Julia. He talks quite a bit about how he wishes Julia was with him, or that he'd been taken by the Ragwitch instead, because Julia was always the one that knew what to do. He's a dreamer, and very absent minded. He often worries too much about the little things and not enough about the big problems and challenges. He's not very brave and is often scared, but he's no coward; when it comes to saving Julia, he'll do what he has to do at any cost. He'd make a very loyal and trustworthy friend.

5. Review:

Though it is a strange book, it's originality only makes it more interesting. People that don't love fantasy like I do wouldn't be able to enjoy this book. It's well written and has a well thought out plot line so far. There are a few long and strangely spelt words and names, but other than that it's at an average reading level. Still, at 391 pages long, it's a daunting task for some people, and a comfortable read for others. The book is pretty good, but not great.