Title: A Puzzle for Logan
Author: Richard MacAndrew
Publisher (level): Cambridge (3.6)
Summary:
Ronnie Campbell has escaped from prison. Inspector Logan and Sergeant Grant start to chase him. On the same day, a woman, Morag, is found dead in Holyrood Park. So, they think the body may have something to do with the escapee. As soon as they start to investigate, they find three doubtful men. But there is little evidence to identify who is the real murder. However, some clues have been found: the color of the murder’s car, his fingerprint and his dominant hand. As if Logan puts a piece of jigsaw puzzle one by one, she approaches the truth. Finally, she finds that the real murder is Robert Baxter. Actually, He killed Sinclair seven years ago because he had stolen Baxter’s money and made him so angry. He thought if Campbell, who worked together with Sinclair, went to prison for Sinclair’s murder, he would not go there. In fact, he killed and it worked very well until he escaped. This causes Baxter to kill Morag because she is only one person who knows the truth.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have never read a story that main detective is a woman before. So, it is very fresh for me. She is clever and positive, but I feel Grant is great too. Without his support, she would not have solved the problem. So, the balance of two people is great. By the way, I’m confused because the character’s names are so difficult to recognize: Mackenzie, MacLeod, MacDonald and so on.
2009年12月14日月曜日
Food for thought
Title: Food for Thought
Author: Pauline Francis
Publisher (level): Penguinreaders (3.0)
Summary:
Joe is asked to work on his uncle and aunt’s organic farm because his uncle has broken his arm. Though Joe is not so positive, he starts to work on their farm during his summer vacation. While he works, he realizes a GM crop is very close to the farm and it seems to be in flower soon. The GM crop farm is Ladock’s. Joe believes scientists and thinks GM food is safe and helpful in reducing insecticide. But his uncle and aunt don’t think so. A few days after his arrival, he happens to see Kate, who is Mr. Ladock’s daughter. Her hobby is surfing and it is same as him. So, they make friends with each other. On the other hand, he gets acquainted with Anna, who thinks GM food is harmful. Therefore, he is in a dilemma of two ways of thinking. One day, Anna decided to take part in the protesters and to trash the Ladock’s crop. When he knows that, he wonders if he should let her trash. He is confused, but he decided not to tell Kate because he felt Anna is brave.
Evaluation: 5 stars
This story is very interesting. We have already studied GM food in this English class. But the chapter of the text is theoretical and it is difficult for me to imagine the real idea of farmers. At this point, I feel this book is great. Moreover, it is written about both opinions. So, I can read without prepossessions and understand many problems over GM food.
Author: Pauline Francis
Publisher (level): Penguinreaders (3.0)
Summary:
Joe is asked to work on his uncle and aunt’s organic farm because his uncle has broken his arm. Though Joe is not so positive, he starts to work on their farm during his summer vacation. While he works, he realizes a GM crop is very close to the farm and it seems to be in flower soon. The GM crop farm is Ladock’s. Joe believes scientists and thinks GM food is safe and helpful in reducing insecticide. But his uncle and aunt don’t think so. A few days after his arrival, he happens to see Kate, who is Mr. Ladock’s daughter. Her hobby is surfing and it is same as him. So, they make friends with each other. On the other hand, he gets acquainted with Anna, who thinks GM food is harmful. Therefore, he is in a dilemma of two ways of thinking. One day, Anna decided to take part in the protesters and to trash the Ladock’s crop. When he knows that, he wonders if he should let her trash. He is confused, but he decided not to tell Kate because he felt Anna is brave.
Evaluation: 5 stars
This story is very interesting. We have already studied GM food in this English class. But the chapter of the text is theoretical and it is difficult for me to imagine the real idea of farmers. At this point, I feel this book is great. Moreover, it is written about both opinions. So, I can read without prepossessions and understand many problems over GM food.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Title: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Author: Xanthe Smith Serafin
Publisher (level): IBC publishing (3.6)
Summary:
Snow White is a very beautiful girl. Soon after she was born, her mother died. His father found a new woman to become his wife because Snow White was still a baby. The stepmother believes she was the prettiest of all. She asks the magic mirror who is the prettiest and it says she is every time. But when Snow White becomes seven old, the mirror replied Snow White is prettiest. So, she orders to kill her. She manages to escape from her and reaches the seven dwarfs house. They feel her miserably and decide to live there together. But the queen comes to kill her many times, and at last she succeeds in letting her to eat a poisonous apple. After she eats the apple, she falls down as if dead. The dwarfs try to bring the girl back to life. But nothing worked. So, they make a glass case for her so that everyone can see her. One day, a young handsome prince comes and asks the dwarfs if they allow him to take her body. They permit him. While they lift the case, one man trip over a stone and almost falls. At the moment, the sudden movement makes the poisoned apple fall out of his mouth. So, she comes back to life and marries the prince.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have watched Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a few times. And I realize that these stories are different in some points. Especially, the last scene is quite different. In Walt Disney’s, the prince kiss Snow White and it causes her to come back to life. On the other hand, in this book, it is caused by the sudden movement. This is interesting but I prefer Walt Disney’s to this.
Author: Xanthe Smith Serafin
Publisher (level): IBC publishing (3.6)
Summary:
Snow White is a very beautiful girl. Soon after she was born, her mother died. His father found a new woman to become his wife because Snow White was still a baby. The stepmother believes she was the prettiest of all. She asks the magic mirror who is the prettiest and it says she is every time. But when Snow White becomes seven old, the mirror replied Snow White is prettiest. So, she orders to kill her. She manages to escape from her and reaches the seven dwarfs house. They feel her miserably and decide to live there together. But the queen comes to kill her many times, and at last she succeeds in letting her to eat a poisonous apple. After she eats the apple, she falls down as if dead. The dwarfs try to bring the girl back to life. But nothing worked. So, they make a glass case for her so that everyone can see her. One day, a young handsome prince comes and asks the dwarfs if they allow him to take her body. They permit him. While they lift the case, one man trip over a stone and almost falls. At the moment, the sudden movement makes the poisoned apple fall out of his mouth. So, she comes back to life and marries the prince.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have watched Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a few times. And I realize that these stories are different in some points. Especially, the last scene is quite different. In Walt Disney’s, the prince kiss Snow White and it causes her to come back to life. On the other hand, in this book, it is caused by the sudden movement. This is interesting but I prefer Walt Disney’s to this.
2009年11月20日金曜日
French Adventures
Title: French Adventures
Author: Jeremy Strong
Publisher (level): Literacy Land (2.0)
Summary:
Mouse and Sam have visited Paris as a school trip. They walk along the street of Paris with them teacher, Mr. Hopkins. Suddenly, however, Mr. Hopkins has been kidnapped by two horrible men. So, Mouse and Sam have lost in the middle of Paris. Moreover, they cannot speak French. Then, they manage to arrive at a book store whose signboard is written in English and they meet an American clerk, Montana. She helps them search for Mr. Hopkins and their school friends. Thus, they succeed in meeting their friends and at last they realize Mr. Hopkins is arrested as a suspect. Of course, he is not a suspect. In fact, the police have made a mistake. So, they meet Mr. Hopkins again.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This story is interesting and the proportion of words to illustrations is moderate. The characters of this story are attractive. Mouse and Sam are so brave and Montana is very kind. It is wonderful. And it is funny that the kidnapper is really the police. By the way, this book is two works. So, I should have read the part 1.
Author: Jeremy Strong
Publisher (level): Literacy Land (2.0)
Summary:
Mouse and Sam have visited Paris as a school trip. They walk along the street of Paris with them teacher, Mr. Hopkins. Suddenly, however, Mr. Hopkins has been kidnapped by two horrible men. So, Mouse and Sam have lost in the middle of Paris. Moreover, they cannot speak French. Then, they manage to arrive at a book store whose signboard is written in English and they meet an American clerk, Montana. She helps them search for Mr. Hopkins and their school friends. Thus, they succeed in meeting their friends and at last they realize Mr. Hopkins is arrested as a suspect. Of course, he is not a suspect. In fact, the police have made a mistake. So, they meet Mr. Hopkins again.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This story is interesting and the proportion of words to illustrations is moderate. The characters of this story are attractive. Mouse and Sam are so brave and Montana is very kind. It is wonderful. And it is funny that the kidnapper is really the police. By the way, this book is two works. So, I should have read the part 1.
2009年11月19日木曜日
Einstein-Champion of the World
Title: Einstein-Champion of the World
Author: Alan Trussell-Cullen
Publisher (level): Learning Media Literacy (1.8)
Summary:
Most cats don’t like others coming into their own places. If other cat comes, they refuse and kick it out. But Einstein, which is a coward and stupid cat, does not do so. Whenever a cat comes growling onto his territory, he runs away. One day, new neighbors moved in their town. And their pet is a clever cat named Napoleon. As you expected, Einstein is driven out by Napoleon. On another day, Dad has a barbecue party. He cooks chilli salsa, but he mistakes the quantity of chilli peppers. So, the salsa becomes too hot. Napoleon eats it carelessly. At the moment, Einstein jumps from fridge and runs into Napoleon accidentally. Napoleon is confused because inside his mouth is on fire and Einstein’s attack is unexpected. Therefore, he is frightened by Einstein. As a result, Einstein becomes the champion of the street.
Evaluation: 2 stars
The story is not very interesting. I think Einstein should be wilder and fight stately with Napoleon. However, the character of Einstein is very cute. He has something in his nature that I can’t hate. By the way, I don’t know why the cat is called Einstein. Maybe, it has the relationship to Albert Einstein. I think that the image of Einstein is much smarter and cleverer. Conversely speaking, this is ironic and funny.
Author: Alan Trussell-Cullen
Publisher (level): Learning Media Literacy (1.8)
Summary:
Most cats don’t like others coming into their own places. If other cat comes, they refuse and kick it out. But Einstein, which is a coward and stupid cat, does not do so. Whenever a cat comes growling onto his territory, he runs away. One day, new neighbors moved in their town. And their pet is a clever cat named Napoleon. As you expected, Einstein is driven out by Napoleon. On another day, Dad has a barbecue party. He cooks chilli salsa, but he mistakes the quantity of chilli peppers. So, the salsa becomes too hot. Napoleon eats it carelessly. At the moment, Einstein jumps from fridge and runs into Napoleon accidentally. Napoleon is confused because inside his mouth is on fire and Einstein’s attack is unexpected. Therefore, he is frightened by Einstein. As a result, Einstein becomes the champion of the street.
Evaluation: 2 stars
The story is not very interesting. I think Einstein should be wilder and fight stately with Napoleon. However, the character of Einstein is very cute. He has something in his nature that I can’t hate. By the way, I don’t know why the cat is called Einstein. Maybe, it has the relationship to Albert Einstein. I think that the image of Einstein is much smarter and cleverer. Conversely speaking, this is ironic and funny.
Tea with Grumpyboots
Title: Tea with Grumpyboots
Author: Jenny Alexander
Publisher (level): Literacy Land (1.6)
Summary:
Sam takes Mr. Green’s dog for a walk every day after school because he is ill for a long time. Mrs. Green is very grateful and invites her in tea but her husband is not going to participate in. At first, Sam feels him so grumpy. But she realizes he is deaf. Then, they make friends each other and he starts to tell her about his childhood in World War II. He was evacuated to the countryside with a dog, Tilly. They lived at a farm together and it was happy days. However, when the war was finished, they must have been parted. Now, the only record with Tilly is a photo. So, he takes a photograph of Sam with his dog like the old photo.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This story is very impressive for me. When I was a child, I had a dog. But he died of a disease when I was ten. Therefore, I know that the parting is very sad and it is unavoidable. I think that Mr. Green also knows that sad and he has decided to take a photograph of Sam like his own photo.
Author: Jenny Alexander
Publisher (level): Literacy Land (1.6)
Summary:
Sam takes Mr. Green’s dog for a walk every day after school because he is ill for a long time. Mrs. Green is very grateful and invites her in tea but her husband is not going to participate in. At first, Sam feels him so grumpy. But she realizes he is deaf. Then, they make friends each other and he starts to tell her about his childhood in World War II. He was evacuated to the countryside with a dog, Tilly. They lived at a farm together and it was happy days. However, when the war was finished, they must have been parted. Now, the only record with Tilly is a photo. So, he takes a photograph of Sam with his dog like the old photo.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This story is very impressive for me. When I was a child, I had a dog. But he died of a disease when I was ten. Therefore, I know that the parting is very sad and it is unavoidable. I think that Mr. Green also knows that sad and he has decided to take a photograph of Sam like his own photo.
2009年10月25日日曜日
L. A. Raid
Title: L. A. Raid
Author: Philip Prowse
Publisher (level): Macmillan (1.2)
Summary:
The serial bank robberies happen in the First City Bank. Carter, who is the President of the bank, employs Lenny Samuel as a detective. He is a famous private detective in Los Angeles. While he is investigating in the bank, he comes across the robber and finds the robber is a beautiful woman. He predicts the next case and ambushes her. Though he succeeds to meet her, he fails to catch. Instead of his effort, he has been arrested as the bank robber. Of course, he is released. But he is forbidden to work as a detective. Then, strangely, the robber visits his office and tells him the mastermind is Carter. So, Carter is arrested soon. Lenny resumes his job and visits Hawaii where the beautiful woman robber lives.
Evaluation: 3 stars
This book is written in plain English and is easy to read. If you are good at English, you may be able to finish reading in 15 minute (but it took 50 minutes for me to read this book…). The story is so-so interesting. I like Lenny’s character. He is a detective but a very simplistic man. It is interesting. Therefore, you reach unexpected development in the last of this story.
Author: Philip Prowse
Publisher (level): Macmillan (1.2)
Summary:
The serial bank robberies happen in the First City Bank. Carter, who is the President of the bank, employs Lenny Samuel as a detective. He is a famous private detective in Los Angeles. While he is investigating in the bank, he comes across the robber and finds the robber is a beautiful woman. He predicts the next case and ambushes her. Though he succeeds to meet her, he fails to catch. Instead of his effort, he has been arrested as the bank robber. Of course, he is released. But he is forbidden to work as a detective. Then, strangely, the robber visits his office and tells him the mastermind is Carter. So, Carter is arrested soon. Lenny resumes his job and visits Hawaii where the beautiful woman robber lives.
Evaluation: 3 stars
This book is written in plain English and is easy to read. If you are good at English, you may be able to finish reading in 15 minute (but it took 50 minutes for me to read this book…). The story is so-so interesting. I like Lenny’s character. He is a detective but a very simplistic man. It is interesting. Therefore, you reach unexpected development in the last of this story.
2009年10月24日土曜日
Hotel Casanova
Title: Hotel Casanova
Author: Sue Leather
Publisher (level): Cambridge (1.4)
Summary:
Dino Bracco works at a hotel in Venice. Though his income is a little, he spend freshly every day. He has a dream to marry when he is 26 and to get his own hotel when he is 30. One day, Carla Maretti, who is a very beautiful and rich woman, comes to the hotel. Dino falls in love with her and they marry soon. In this way, though he is still 21, his dream has come true. It seems to be very happy. But their happiness doesn’t continue long. Maretti gradually becomes nervous for Dino. One day, he meets an old girl friend again and falls in love each other. So, she becomes crazy and is going to kill them. They run away from her. While running after, Maretti dies in the accident.
Evaluation: 4 stars
The story is composed of two parts. One part is ordinary love story. The other is exiting suspense story. At first, I thought the story was ordinary love story and it was not so interesting. But the latter of this is very exciting and amazing. As I read this, I was drawn into the story. Especially, the last scene is very shocking. Though it is too short as a suspense novel, I 'm interested in this story.
Author: Sue Leather
Publisher (level): Cambridge (1.4)
Summary:
Dino Bracco works at a hotel in Venice. Though his income is a little, he spend freshly every day. He has a dream to marry when he is 26 and to get his own hotel when he is 30. One day, Carla Maretti, who is a very beautiful and rich woman, comes to the hotel. Dino falls in love with her and they marry soon. In this way, though he is still 21, his dream has come true. It seems to be very happy. But their happiness doesn’t continue long. Maretti gradually becomes nervous for Dino. One day, he meets an old girl friend again and falls in love each other. So, she becomes crazy and is going to kill them. They run away from her. While running after, Maretti dies in the accident.
Evaluation: 4 stars
The story is composed of two parts. One part is ordinary love story. The other is exiting suspense story. At first, I thought the story was ordinary love story and it was not so interesting. But the latter of this is very exciting and amazing. As I read this, I was drawn into the story. Especially, the last scene is very shocking. Though it is too short as a suspense novel, I 'm interested in this story.
2009年10月23日金曜日
Blood Diamonds
Title: Blood Diamonds
Author: Richard MacAndrew
Publisher (level): Cambridge (1.4)
Summary:
This is a detective story over the “Blood Diamonds.” People in Africa buy guns with diamonds and they fight with the guns. So, they are called Blood Diamonds. Kirkpatrick and the Shepherd are hero and heroine of this story. They are journalists and writing an article about Blood Diamonds. While investigating, they notice that one businessman is related to the buying and selling of the Blood diamonds. His name is Van Delft. Kirkpatrick tries to meet him. But, he fails. He tries to meet again and get information of Van’s house by Lafon, who is a jeweler. At last, Kirkpatrick finds him, but he is caught by Van because of Lafon’s falseness. He is going to be killed. But thanks to Shepherd’s good work, Kirkpatrick is saved and they are arrested.
Evaluation: 3 stars
This book is not very interesting as a detective novel. I think that the story is plain and the progress of this story is too quick. However, I could deepen the knowledge of the Blood Diamonds and the fact of African countries. Because I didn’t know the Blood Diamonds until I read this. In such respect, it can be said that this book is profitable for me.
Author: Richard MacAndrew
Publisher (level): Cambridge (1.4)
Summary:
This is a detective story over the “Blood Diamonds.” People in Africa buy guns with diamonds and they fight with the guns. So, they are called Blood Diamonds. Kirkpatrick and the Shepherd are hero and heroine of this story. They are journalists and writing an article about Blood Diamonds. While investigating, they notice that one businessman is related to the buying and selling of the Blood diamonds. His name is Van Delft. Kirkpatrick tries to meet him. But, he fails. He tries to meet again and get information of Van’s house by Lafon, who is a jeweler. At last, Kirkpatrick finds him, but he is caught by Van because of Lafon’s falseness. He is going to be killed. But thanks to Shepherd’s good work, Kirkpatrick is saved and they are arrested.
Evaluation: 3 stars
This book is not very interesting as a detective novel. I think that the story is plain and the progress of this story is too quick. However, I could deepen the knowledge of the Blood Diamonds and the fact of African countries. Because I didn’t know the Blood Diamonds until I read this. In such respect, it can be said that this book is profitable for me.
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