Bonus

What do you think the carved branch representing Josie Cahill looks like? (A picture would be nice - they cannot be posted as comment. If you have a picture, email it to me and I will add it.)

Ben's view is on the left, mine on the right.

NOTE: First Post is Below

Dreams

Today is the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech delivered in Washington DC, August 28th, 1963. Ben and I wondered what he would be thinking about the progress toward his dream for America if he were alive today. It would be easy to say that he would be discouraged, but he would have experienced a very proud moment yesterday when Barack Obama was nominated as the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States. That would have been unthinkable 45 years ago.

Hollis Woods also has a dream. What is her dream? How do you think she feels about the prospects of achieving that dream? Are there obstacles to that dream that are of her own making?

Hollis Woods

Today the School of Dad begins reading its first group text of the 2008/09 school year: Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff. We are reading the first 25 pages to get a feel for the characters, setting, and plot and then will add our first post.

Time to engage the brains.....

Note: Banner graphic courtesy of Ben.

Wrapping Up Sammy

Collecting a few Sammy Keys sidebar items before moving on to the next book.

Essential Questions
1. What are the elements of a mystery? (What makes it different from other writing?)
2. What are the qualities of a good mystery? What makes it an enjoyable read?

Characters:
Samantha (Sammy) Keyes: 7th grade girl, skinny, no makeup.
Marissa: Sammy's best friend. Rich.
Heather Acosta: aka Firehead, Sammy's 7th grade nemisis
Grams: Sammy's grandmother. Sammy lives with her at the Sernior Highrise.
Lady Lana: Sammy's Mother.
Madame Nashira: The crime victim and fortune teller.
Officer Borsh: Policeman that Sammy has had previous run-in with.
Hudson Graham: Funny booted book lover
Rommel: Hudson's digging dog.
Bill Eckert: Quiet tenent of Hudson
Mr.Garnucci: Building manager at the Senior Highrise.
Brandon MacKensie: Marissa's Cousin
Mikey: Marissa's Brother
Mrs. Graybill: Nosey neighbor at Senior Highrise. Sammy tries to avoid her.

Chapter Titles (Ours)
17. Marissa's money is on...
16. Helping Heather Heal
15. Pulling the wool over her eyes
14. HH 423
13. Heavenly Visit
12. Closet Company
11. Makin a point
10. The Stupid Money
9. Quick Long Shower
8. Uncovered
7. Its only a matter of time
6. There's milk in those!
5. Suspended Reflection
4. Firehead pledges revenge.
3. Sort of Mediumish
2. Where's Mikey?
1. Sammy waves