Historical Fiction: The Shark Attacks of 1916

Charlie 

July 2, 2014

Room 218

Mrs. Shaughnessey

The Shark Attacks of 1916

By: Lauren Tarshis

In July of 1916 sharks fatally attacked and killed four people and wounded one off the coast of New Jersey. Two of the attacks didn't even happen in the ocean, surprisingly, they happened in a creek 16 miles from the ocean.  

The story takes place in Elm Hills, New Jersey. The main character Chet Roscow is a ten year old boy who lives with his Uncle Jerry. Even though Chet has not been living in the beach town very long, he has made three friends; Dewey, Sid and Monty. The friends liked swimming in the nearby creek and pranking each other.

During this time people thought sharks were gentile creatures, however, local resident Captain Wilson said he had seen shark attacks while he worked as a whaler. 

One day while at the creek, Chet saw eyes black, beady as coal. While swimming to the shore, the shark scratched its teeth on his chest.  Nobody believed Chet when he said there was a shark swimming in the creek. Unfortunately, because of his prank, nobody believed him. He wanted to warn his friends before they went into the water. 

I can relate to Chet because we are both ten-year-old boys who like swimming with our friends. Like Chet, if my friend was about to get eaten by a shark, I would jump in and try to save them.



I give The Shark Attacks of 1916 4.5 stars.

THE COURAGE OF SARAH NOBLE by Alice Dalgliesh

Sarah is alone with her father, poor and in a small cramped house. Life is hardworking, light and dark every day. Sarah does not know if she cam make it through the hard labor. Read this book to find out.

Sarah is on conflict with herself. She is put through hard labor every day and the work is hard.

At the climax of he story, a miracle happens for Sarah. She is working and hires her. Sarah is beaming because she can buy clothes and food for her and her father.

This reminded me of me when I did chores and my mom started to give me an allowance.

RATING: ***

THE JOURNAL OF WILLIAM THOMAS EMERSON by Barry Denenberg

William  Emerson had a normal colonial life until one day when a thunderstorm rolls along and lightning strikes the house melting the bowls onto the table and incinerating his family. Then he meets a man named Mr. Heath who gives him to Mr. and Ms. Marsh. A few years later  he runs away to the Seven Star Tavern and soon finds himself caught in the revolutionary war.

The main conflict was all of the English army or the "red coats".

The main character became much braver because he spied on suspects of the British army and cut a British officer to the death.

I would give this story *****.

Alex

EARTHQUAKE By Kathleen V. Kudlinski

Philip discovers there is an earthquake. All of his horses got hurt and his father brought Philip's family to a safe place. Philip is left with no water and barely any food. Will he survive?

Philip struggled with letting his horses stay where the earthquake hit. His dad wants to leave the horses at their house so they could have a lighter luggage

Letting everything go for example, When Philip's dad got home and said they had to leave Philip didn't wan't to leave the house. But at the end they left.

He changed by getting over stuff. For example the house and the church and without his family living in a house.

When I was home alone I saw cops going to the air force and I saw smoke  everywhere. It was the Hanscom plane crash.

RATING: ****

Matt

DUST BOWL MIGRANT

This book is about a dust bowl migrant from Oklahoma.  He is moving to California because of the Dust Bowl.  Him and his family are moving there to grow good crops and to survive the Dust Bowl.  California is a terrible place for people from Oklahoma.  People in California call people that come from Oklahoma "Oakies."

The main character is in conflict with the people in California and nature.

He was in conflict with nature because of the dust storms.  The dust storms brought down his roof, and are destroying the town.  The dust storms are destroying the town by flooding the town with dust, and by killing animals.  He was also in conflict with people in California because they are treating him really badly.  The people in California are doing things like pointing guns at his fathers chest.  His father ended up going to jail because he punched a guys who was yelling at his daughter.

I related to this character by the fact that he tries to be as nice as he can, and to be humble.  This is how I relate to the character, and to what I try to be.

RATING: *****

Ben

ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS by Scott O'Dell

Tweleve year old Karana lives in a tribe with her six yer old brother Ramo. When searching for roots a ship full of aleuets , lead by a Russian names captain Orlov arrives. When Orlov gets in a fight with the chief of Karana tribe, her dad, a war happens. Many lives were lost on each side including her dad the chief.

Karana has a problem with another character.
Karana has a problem with Captain Orlov because they killed her father.

Karana changed because first she hated the wolf because it killed her little brother when they were alone on the beach, But now she has a change of heart when she meets the leader of the wolf pack named Yellow Eyes. She was able to tame him.

Karana and I are alike in the way that we first can be very wary of animals and not want to be around them. After a while and getting to know them I ,like Karana get to know the animal and get along with it.


Rating ****

Eyva

BEAUTIFUL LAND by Nancy Antle

The plot is Annie Mae and her family live in a house that is a rock in the side of a hill. They  are moving to Oklahoma where there cousins live. Annie  Mae learns about the new land Oklahoma .

The main characters are Annie Mae and her brother Dan.

The conflict was when they were moving they took a carriage and they kept running in to mud and bad weather. 

Annie Mae changed by thinking it would be bad to move to Oklahoma because she would lose her friends,
but once she got there she was having fun with her cousins and new friends.

Also Annie Mae's father changes because he thinks his brother is annoying but in Oklahoma he has fun with him and now he thinks he is great.

I related to this characters struggle because when I went to Arizona the flights were delayed because weather.

RATING: ***

Willy

BEN & ME an astonishing LIFE of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN By His Good Mouse AMOS Discovered, Edited & Illustrated by ROBERT LAWSON

David 
Historical History Reading Book
6/2/2014

HISTORICAL FICTION: 

BEN & ME an astonishing LIFE of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN By His Good Mouse AMOS 

Discovered, Edited & Illustrated by ROBERT LAWSON

This story was discovered after an architect had renovated an old house in Philadelphia. The architect found a small room behind a wall with a small desk, leaves to write on and a manuscript with writing on it.  Robert Lawson was given the manuscript and he published the stories told by a mouse that claimed to be Ben Franklin's best friend.

     The story is told by a mouse named AMOS he lived in Benjamin Franklin's House.  He slept in an old hat that Ben Franklin wore it had a whole in the middle of it so AMOS could sneak into the hat and sleep.  It was the perfect place to sleep because it was nice and warm.  

PLOT:     

In the book , two tour groups were visiting a statue of Benjamin Franklin one group was made up of humans and the other a bunch of  mice. The human tour group talked about Ben Franklin's life and all the things he invented, and the leader of the mouse tour group told the story of a mouse named Amos and how he helped Ben Franklin come up with all the ideas for his inventions.

In 1745, Amos, the oldest of twenty-six brothers and sisters lived in a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  AMOS decides to leave his home and find somewhere to work.  After looking for work for a long time it was getting dark and started to snow so AMOS looked for someplace to get warm. Amos makes friends with Benjamin Franklin, and AMOs helps him write, make new inventions and be a leader in politics.  Amos helped Ben Franklin invent bifocals, the wood stove and make a news paper. AMOS gets mad at Ben Franklin when they were trying to invent electricity AMOS got caught in the kite and was scared for his life so he left Ben Franklin's house and moved back home with his family.  Ben Franklin was very sad without AMOS to help him.

For a long time they would not see each other until Ben Franklin is sent to England to talk with the king.  The king did not want to listen to Ben Franklin and they did not end up talking.  The people in the colonies were mad because Ben Franklin did not talk with the king and he needed help.  AMOS decided to help him and they became friends again.  AMOS helped Ben Franklin and he helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. 

CHARACTERS IN THE CONFLICT:

The two main characters in the conflict were Benjamin Franklin and AMOS the mouse. The conflict was character against character.  They were both strong-willed and had a hard time getting along.  AMOS left and didn't come back for a long time.

The conflict with AMOS was also Character against Society.  He had to go to work to help his family.

CONFLICT:

AMOS has a conflict because he is the oldest of all of this brothers and sisters and he has to go and get a job to help the family.  He leaves his home and struggles through the winter storms (Character vs. Nature).  Then he finds a place to live and helps Ben Franklin invent all kinds of things.

AMOS and Ben Franklin got into a fight and AMOS left and they did not see each other for a lot of years.  (Character vs. Character)

Ben Franklin was a leader in the colonies and he came back from England and did not talk to the king.  The people were mad at Ben Franklin and he needed help (Character vs. Society)

Character Change:

When they start the story Ben Franklin is not able to finish any of his writing because he would sneeze and loose his glasses.  Then he would put his pen down to get the glasses and when he was ready to write again he would start sneezing again.  He never finished anything.

By the middle and end of the story Ben Franklin was inventing all kinds of things, writing a book, and was helping to free the colonies from the kings rules.

When they start the story AMOS is the oldest of 25 brothers and sisters so he follows along with everyone and does not do anything different. When AMOS leaves and finds a new place to live he does things that his brothers and sisters have never done.

By the middle and end of the story AMOS does a lot of great things and becomes a famous mouse.  He helps his family and Benjamin Franklin. He becomes independent and he is very smart.  He helps with making inventions and writing books with Benjamin Franklin and he is happy.

RELATE TO CHARACTER:

I was able to relate to Ben Franklin because I know we think the same way.  He has trouble focusing and finishing stuff and I do too.  He is very smart and I am too. It can be frustrating when you know the answer or what you want to write and your brain just doesn't want to let it out or put it on paper.  When AMOS comes Ben Franklin gets the help he needs to finish things and write things down just like I have been able to do with the help from my teachers.

I can relate to AMOS because I am the oldest and I have to take care of my little brother too.  That is a big job.  I am glad I don't have 25 brothers and sisters to take care of.  

RATING:   *** 5 stars**  I liked this book I learned a lot about Ben Franklin and all of his

                            inventions.

Labels:

Room #218

Historical Fiction

Author:  Robert Lawson

Other books by Lawson:  MR. REVERE AND I; EDWARD HOPPY & JOE; RABBIT HILL; 

                                              THE TOUGH WINTER; and THEY WERE STRONG AND GOOD

"THE STARVING TIME" by Patricia Hermes

Elizabeth (a 9-year-old Jamestown immigrant) and her Colony, Jamestown have run out of food.The "Indians" are killing the men who guard the fort she lives in.There is a boat coming to Jamestown with her twin brother Caleb aboard plus lots of goods like food. But there is a chance that the boat will crash or be shipwrecked. Will the boat come or will she starve find out in,"The Starving Time."

The main character struggled with just getting her basic needs like food or water because when someone went out to go get some food they usually died.The main character changed by starting to grow up she fed the baby and cleaned most of the time when she was well.

It reminded me of my mom because when she was 9 or so she was cooking and doing the laundry.

RATING ***** it was so interesting and you couldn't really predict when someone would fall sick because there were just random outbreaks.

Colin

A PERFECT PLACE: JOSHUAS OREGON TRAIL DIARY By Patricia Hermes

Most of the book they were in a very big wagon because of this horrible rain storm. They didn't really spend that much time at home. They had a very small home so they tried to find or build a new one. Since they wanted a new house they spent most of there time at the Motts house. The Motts house is very small to but they were very nice to let them stay there with them.

Joshua's aunt is having a baby and he really wants to help her but she doesn't him want to.

Joshua's aunt needs help but she doesn't want it but he try's to help her anyways.

Joshua's got help by Charlie to build the house for his mom and aunts too. Joshua's grandpa died so he got upset at the end of the book.

 I relate to Joshua because I got caught in a really bad rain storm too but not as bad as his.

Rating:***

I SURVIVED THE SHARK ATTACKS OF 1916 by Lauren Tarshis

Charlie 

June 2, 2014

Room 218

Mrs. Shaughnessey

The Shark Attacks of 1916

By: Lauren Tarshis

In July of 1916 sharks fatally attacked four people and wounded one off the coast of New Jersey. Two of the attacks didn't even happen in the ocean, surprisingly, they happened in at Matawan Creek, 16 miles from the ocean.  The story takes place in Elm Hills, New Jersey. The main character, Chet Roscow is a ten year old boy who lives with his Uncle Jerry. Even though Chet has not been living in the beach town for very long, he has made three friends: Dewey, Sid and Monty. The friends liked swimming in the nearby creek and pranking each other.

During this time period, people thought sharks were gentile creatures; however a local man, Captain Wilson said he had seen shark attacks while he worked as a whaler. Shark attacks had been reported, but most people thought they were just hoaxes.

Because Chet and his friends like to play pranks on each other, no one believed Chet when he said he saw two beady eyes as dark as coal in the creek. Chet was scratched by the shark’s teeth as he tried to swim to shore. He ran back to town and eventually convinced Captain Wilson and his friends to follow him to the creek. Sid was in the water when they saw the shark. Everybody got out except for Sid. Chet jumped in and saved Sid, but was bit in the leg and a chunk of flesh came off. Captian Wilson arrived just in time and with one gunshot saved Chet.

I think Chet changed in the story because at first he was pranking everybody but in the end he learned a valuable lesson about joking. I think Chet learned not to "cry wolf" anymore.  

I can relate to Chet because we are both ten-year-old boys who like swimming and playing with friends. Like Chet, I would try to save my friend if they were going to be attacked by a shark. 

RATING: **** 1/2
Charlie

A PICTURE OF FREEDOM By Clotee (unknown last name)

A slave girl named Clotee is fighting for freedom. Along with that, she makes some friends. Sadly, it involves death.

Clotee struggles with slavery in her childhood

The main problem for Clotee is that she wants FREEDOM not slavery!

Clotte changed from being shy to being brave. For example, she has stood up and helped her friends escape to freedom.

Clotee reminds me of Fredrick Douglass because he went through the same problems and got the same results

I would give this book a whopping * * * *!

                                          -Leo

MEET KIT BY: Mary Cassanova

The main idea of the story is when Kits father loses his job.  The family is worried that they won't have enough food to feed everybody . It's bad enough that another family is staying at Kit's home because the family doesn't have enough money to afford a house and they hope there is enough food!

In this story Kit is the main character.

The conflict (struggle) for the main character was that there was a new family staying at Kit's house and Kit doesn't like the idea of another family staying at her house but she tries to make friends with the little boy but that isn't easy because the boy is always sick and Kit finds it very annoying. So then she just gives up on trying to make friends with the boy.

Some examples / an example of  how the main character changed was at the beginning of the story Kit was happy that her father did not lose his job during the great depression  to disappointed that her father lost his job.

I did not relate to this character in any way.
RATING: ***

Amber

JULIE'S JOURNEY by Jacqueline Greene

Julie has been riding on a carriage for the first time, her cousin April told her once she rides her car again she wouldn't feel the same.Julie and April went to many different pit stops but, suddenly her carriage got stuck in a hole while they were riding the carriage up  a mountain.They managed to get out but her sister Tracy had to leave her pioneer dress because it was too much wait and she never liked the dress anyway, but still she was meant to bring it and where it.In surprise someone brings her pioneer dress just in time for a party.

One conflict in the book is when Julie had a scroll signed by a famous person, it got stolen.

Another conflict for Julie [main character], was when Julie went on a horse with her cousin and went 10 miles for a signature from the oldest man in the country and, his ancestor signee d the Declaration of Independence.She convinced him to sign it but someone stole it after she got it done.Soon Julie finds out who stole the scroll and becomes a hero.

One change on the main character is when Julie rode a horse named Hurricane because she always wanted to didn't turn out so well.The reason why is because Hurricane went to fast and Julie fell of luckily she fell in a pond everything was fine except her shoulder for bumping into a rock.She told April she was never going to ride Hurricane again but she actually towards the end of the story.

The story reminded me when I rode a horse for the first time, the horse was very fussy and i didn't know that.Soon when I was riding her the horse tried to push me off her back.

RATING: *****

I SURVIVED THE SHARK ATTACKS OF 1916 by Lauren Tarshis

Chet Roscow is a 10 year old boy living In Elm Hills, New Jersey in 1916.At that time scientists didn't study sharks so people thought they were harmless.  In the summer of 1916, there were shark attacks in a creek and at the shore in New Jersey.

Chet Roscow was in conflict with the townspeople and a shark.

Chet got bumped by a shark while swimming in the creek so he told the townspeople, but no one believed him.

Chet learned not to prank people. He became close friends with people he barely knew.  He got bitten by a shark shark and had part of his leg chewed off.

Chet is my age and we both enjoy swimming with our friends.

RATING: ***

By George

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER BY Mary Pope Osborne

Ginny is trapped in a town called Gettysburg . Every thing is normal until one of the biggest war is going on in her town. It is the Civil War. She has to hope she will be safe when the battle is surrounding her.

Ginny is the main character another character is Uncle Jack. He helps her by letting Ginny stay with him.

The struggle for the main character is that there is a big war going on in her town. Will she survive?

Ginny's emotions changed during the book. In the beginning and the middle she seemed kind of freaked out about the war. At the end her emotion's changed she seemed a lot more relaxed now that every thing is over.

I did not relate to Ginny but I kind of felt her pain it must be scary having a war going on around you.

RATING: ????

By Bella

MEET ADDY(book 1) by Connie Porter

The Plot: Addy and her family are slaves and her aunt and uncle are living as slaves too.She has a older sister and a 15 year old brother. Some days her and her family struggle to get through the day. Her mom and dad have a dream to get away.But will they get away?

Addy struggles against slavery.

Addy struggles to get through living as a slave with her family working as slaves and being beaten up.

Addy changed during the book because at the begging she was hurt and beat up towards the end she was happer.

I related because sometimes  am sad but the next day I am happier

ratting *****

ELLA FITZGERALD - Sophia

Born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25, 1917,

Child of William and Tempie Fitzgerald,

Lived in Newport News, Virginia, Yonkers, New York, California,

Studied music, scat, blues, soul, jazz,

Overcame racial segregation and discrimination.

Worked as a singer and a band leader,

Challenged by living on the streets.

Ella's personality was musical, helpful, nice, creative and encouraged.

Ella was always willing to help people.

She was never mean or a trouble maker.

She was best known for her voice.

Ella was inspirational and talented.

AFTER THE RAIN: VIRGINIA'S CIVIL WAR DIARY by Mary Pope Osborne

Ginny was a ten-year-old girl who lived in 1864-1865; she was a poor girl that lived with a poor family. In the story, she learned to fight agent's envy and hatred. then President Lincoln got shot and her aunt Ellen Jane had a baby and named it Abraham Lincoln Dickens. By the end of the story, Ginny gets over her envy and her father gets a job.

Ginny's conflict was her envy. She lived with a poor family with two sick family members and she was full of envy and meanness.

The main character Ginny changed throughout the course of the book. At the beginning she was full of envy because she was sick of being poor her whole life and her family members are sick. At the end of the story she changes because she realized she was full of envy and she started being nicer and she got a job so she could help fund her family.

I didn't relate to the character and I don't really know any one but in some movies people are very poor.

RATING: *****

Sophia

THANKSGIVING ON THURSDAY by Mary Pope Osborne

Jack and Annie go in their magic tree house. They travel to the time of the Pilgrims to solve a riddle. They celebrated the first Thanksgiving with adventures along the way.

Jack Annie and Percilla have to solve a riddle.

They learned more about the first Thanksgiving.

I related to this book because I spend Thanksgiving with my family.

RATING:*****

Andrew