Book Recommendation: And Then There Were None

Hey guys! It's another book recommendation! This one is an older, but still popular book. You may not have heard about it, but it is one of my favorites. And Then There Were None was also published as Ten Little Indians, but they are both the same book. Agatha Christie, the best mystery author ever (yes I'm talking to you Sherlock Holmes fans) wrote this book, and many others. But myAgatha Christie love started with this book. 

Vague letters from U. N. Owen. A mysterious island. A tape accusing each of the guests of murder. Yes, Soldier Island is no luxury resort. When each of the 10 guests are invited to this enigmatic island, no one knows what really will happen. Except for one. When the phonograph plays that foreboding tape, no one knows what will happen next. Until someone is murdered. One by one, the occupants of Soldier Island are killed off, one by one. Trapped by the crashing waves around them, the adults are picked off. But each death falls in accordance of an eerie poem. Ten little Indians, when out to dine. One choked his little self, and then there were nine. Verse by verse, the deaths happen. Until the killer is left. 

This book is not a horror story. It is suspenseful, and little gore is involved. I wouldn't recommend this story to young children, due to its reading level and difficulty of language. Also, the murders may be upsetting to some, and the suspense is high. It is a clean book, with only a few curse words here and there, and has one or two adult references- but nothing dirty. I recommend this story to anyone older then 11 maybe, even 10. It is an enjoyable story, and is a great read for any day. 

Recent Events

If you know me personally, you'll know that i recently moved from my home in Pennsylvania to Arizona. I'm going to a new private school, and am loving it! I've made lots of new friends, and have read some pretty good books that I'll have to write about. Just last week I obtained the Hunger Games Movie! It was amazing, but the book is loads better. Tonight I'm going with my sister to a school football game, my first ever!

I'm missing having my own room though, and i have to listen to my sister vent about her crush of the week or so. My house is smaller than my old one, but the pool is better. I hope i will be posting more on this blog soon!

Book Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
By: Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games movie came out! It was really good!

In the future, the USA no longer exists. In its place is a country, divided into 12 districts, called Panem. In it's poorest district, 12, Katniss Everdeen struggles to keep her sister, Primrose, and mother alive. She and her best friend Gale hunt in the woods, and for a while everything is fine. Until the Games. The Hunger Games were created after groups started rebelling against the leaders of Panem, and the Capitol. Every district sent one girl and one boy each year to a new arena to fight- to the death. The tributes fought until only one, the victor, survived.
At the day of the Reaping, the choosing of the names, Katniss knows the odds are against her. A name is pulled out of a glass bowl, and its not Katniss's. Its Primrose Everdeen. Afraid of losing her fragile sister, Katniss volunteers- the first district 12 volunteer ever.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

I really enjoyed this series, but i wouldn't recommend reading this book if you don't enjoy death or a lot of graphic description. It's an amazing book, with twists and turns. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down!
There is a lot of violence, and some drunkenness- but only by Katniss's mentor, Haymitch Aberthany.
I suggest this book to preteens and older.

Reflection

Another year gone... Even though I missed my blog's birthday, I'm having an EXTREMELY late post about it. It's been a while since my last post. Here are some poems I wrote, thinking about the past year.

Fireworks
Colorful, expressive
The night sky explodes with your wonder
As the your light fades away,
My eyes are still filled by your beauty

Though I didn't see any on New Year's eve, I still love just thinking about them.

Spring Breeze
Grass turns green,
Cold becomes warm
A gentle breeze comes and goes
With spring on its shoulders

This year spring came a little early, but left a week later. It's starting to warm up again!

The Hunt
I duck into a bush
Nothing!
The enemy must have gotten there first!
One more chance
Could it be there?
A small knot in the tree?
I bound towards it,
Enemies at my heels,
And lunge to find...
A plastic easter egg!

I made this up as a cute take on what a kid might think of an Easter egg hunt. My dad was always afraid that my sister and I would get different amounts of eggs on "hunts," so he would give my sister part of the house to search, and I would get the other part.

Recommended Book/ Books Vs. Movies

Ella Enchanted
By: Gail Carson Levine
   Ella is cursed. She's been cursed ever since she was a baby, when a ignorant fairy "blessed" her with obedience. Now she has to do whatever somebody tells her to do. Everything is fine enough until her mother dies. Ella's father soon marries a cruel lady with daughters just as sweet. The three girls are sent to a  boarding school to become proper ladies. Sick of the strict teachers, Ella runs away. But Ella's way back home is rocky, full of ogres and other magical creatures. But soon after reaching home, Ella realizes that her curse might hurt others besides herself. Through this realization, Ella starts her quest to find the fairy who cursed her, and hopefully be able to save the ones closest to her.

The largest differences in the movie are Ella's companion Slatin, who is not mentioned in that regard in the book, and Prince Charmond. In the movie, he is a young man who Ella detests when she meets him. In the book, the prince is a young boy when they meet, who are good friends. The movie also incorporates a new main character, Char's uncle, who plays the antagonist.

An Ode To Books

By: Nikki


Thick, thin. long, short

Books are portals to other worlds

Where people fly and animals talk

You cry, you laugh, and smile

They council you, they teach you

They are always hard to put down

The words flow smoothly like honey

Making a heartfelt nove,

a thrilling horror, 

or a light relief

Oh, the crisp smell of a new book 

And the dull slap of turning a page

And the tap-tap-tap of my finger in anticipation

Waiting to see what happens next

How sad it is to finish a book,

Like losing a best friend

Missing the brave characters,

the clever villians,

and the unbelievable adventure

The book is closed,

But a sequel awaits!

Looking through a bookstore,

Is the greatest joy in the world

Shelves are lined with books,

Stories of every color

With Harry Potter, or Sherlock Holmes,

With Jane Austen or Cornelia Funke

Maybe with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate

Curled up in an armchair or sofa

Ah, the bliss.

Like eating your favorite food, 

And playing you favorite games

But better, oh so much better

Why walk through a half scary haunted house,

When you can explore the Pyramids of Giza,

Or soar on a magic carpet?

Only in books can you do that

For you can do everything in books

So read! 

Just pick up a book

For there is a book about everything, 

And a book for everyone!

Another Blog?

Hi peoples. Lately, I've kinda felt bored with this blog. I mean, its fun and all, but I want to make another blog. In the comments, if you care about me, please say an idea, or tell me if you like one of the ones I'm going to list. Blog options:

• Science Blog
• Just a blog about me.
• Art blog
• Critical blog (I will rate restaurants, movies, games, and etc.)

If you like any of these ideas, or have a name idea, please put it in comments.


NIKKI