Book/novel responses
Girl Next Door
Author: Alyssa Brugman
At the moment, I’m reading the book ‘Girl Next Door’ which is written by the Australian author Alyssa Brugman. Alyssa is very well known for her many captivating novels which are aimed towards the young adult age group. She is very clever at writing her text in a clever and creative style, which grabs the teenage audience’s attention. An example of this technique that she uses in the novel, is by making her dialogue sound teenage colloquial (meaning everyday teenage talk). For example on page three in chapter one:
“Jenna Belle!” Mum calls from inside the house.
“What?” I shout over my shoulder. We wait. My mother is expecting me to go in there and see what she wants. She calls me as if I’m a dog.
“WHAT?” I yell again.
Still nothing.
Even though this is just a small part of the situation in the novel, I can particularly find this dialogue relatable to many teenagers, as this is very similar to how parents and their teens talk now days.
Another way in which the author uses different language features and styles in the novel is by being very descriptive when describing different characters, settings and other features. By using this technique, it not just helps young adult readers, but all readers imagine and depict what is happening in the novel at that point in time. An example of this is on page 116:
“He has his hands on his hips, sunglasses on the top of his head and he’s looking casual, as if he’s been yachting in the Mediterranean. He’s got a grin on his face as though he’s trying to sell me a timeshare apartment.”
Here the main character is explaining the moment when she first sees her father after he disappeared for three months. By reading this short paragraph, I can clearly depict what the author is trying to portray and I believe that other teenage readers would be able to too.
Overall, I find the novel “Girl next door” very understandable and relatable by the way the author has written in a particular style and language to connect with many young adult readers. Once I finish this book, I hope to read more of Alyssa Brugman’s books to see if she uses any other techniques that are similar.
(Image source: https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1328733779l/8734869.jpg )
Author: Alyssa Brugman
At the moment, I’m reading the book ‘Girl Next Door’ which is written by the Australian author Alyssa Brugman. Alyssa is very well known for her many captivating novels which are aimed towards the young adult age group. She is very clever at writing her text in a clever and creative style, which grabs the teenage audience’s attention. An example of this technique that she uses in the novel, is by making her dialogue sound teenage colloquial (meaning everyday teenage talk). For example on page three in chapter one:
“Jenna Belle!” Mum calls from inside the house.
“What?” I shout over my shoulder. We wait. My mother is expecting me to go in there and see what she wants. She calls me as if I’m a dog.
“WHAT?” I yell again.
Still nothing.
Even though this is just a small part of the situation in the novel, I can particularly find this dialogue relatable to many teenagers, as this is very similar to how parents and their teens talk now days.
Another way in which the author uses different language features and styles in the novel is by being very descriptive when describing different characters, settings and other features. By using this technique, it not just helps young adult readers, but all readers imagine and depict what is happening in the novel at that point in time. An example of this is on page 116:
“He has his hands on his hips, sunglasses on the top of his head and he’s looking casual, as if he’s been yachting in the Mediterranean. He’s got a grin on his face as though he’s trying to sell me a timeshare apartment.”
Here the main character is explaining the moment when she first sees her father after he disappeared for three months. By reading this short paragraph, I can clearly depict what the author is trying to portray and I believe that other teenage readers would be able to too.
Overall, I find the novel “Girl next door” very understandable and relatable by the way the author has written in a particular style and language to connect with many young adult readers. Once I finish this book, I hope to read more of Alyssa Brugman’s books to see if she uses any other techniques that are similar.
(Image source: https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1328733779l/8734869.jpg )
Cry Blue Murder
MISSING:Hallie Gabrielle Knight
1).When I read this missing persons poster on the seconded page of the book 'Cry Blue Murder', I knew that this was going to be an interesting, mysterious and engaging novel. Hallie Knight, an average 15 year old girl was kidnaped on her way to rowing, early on Monday morning. Two acquaintance of hers, Celia and Alice are sharing everything about their increasing horror of a killer on the loose abducting schoolgirls just like them. Three bodies have already been found, each wrapped up in handwoven quilts. Are their secrets the key to solving the killer?
Reading through the first couple of pages of this novel, I could feel my tension starting increase. I can tell that I will enjoy this book to the very last page, and to can't wait to find out the mystery.
2).As of now, I'm about three quarters through the book Cry Blue Murder. The mystery is starting to unfold more and more as I read. The tension is building up, and I don't want to put it down. 'Friends' Celia and Alice are continuing to e-mail each other as more and more girls form Celia's school going missing suspiciously by the same abductor. As Alice is starting to get agitated with how Celia keeps talking about the abductor, Alice changes the subject so that they can meet for the first time at the markets as 'she' now knows Celia's address. Is this the biggest mistake Celia could make?
If felt like screaming at the novel when I was reading this paragraph. I was so annoyed that Celia gave her address to a stranger! I had to remind myself that this was only a novel, and not a real story. As you can tell, I'm very into this book, and I can't wait to continue reading.
When I finish this book, I'm certainly going to find out other if there're any other books written by the same authors, Kim Kane and Marion Roberts, as I really have enjoyed there novel so far. I believe that this novel, is for anyone who likes mystery and tension in the nove
3). If there is one word to describe the book 'Cry Blue Murder', it is wow! This short, easy to read novel tells the chilling story about a dangerous person on the loose, abducting girls all from the same area. If you like mysteries, then this is the book for you as it takes many twists and turns through trying to find the 'Cacoon killer'. The book includes many elements of a police report as there are statements form witnesses, biopsy reports and question recordings.
This book very interesting and intreving, as it is almost being like a police officer yourself, trying to put all of the clues together. This book is very interesting, from the beginning, all the way to the end! The underlining message that the authors, Kim Kane and Marion Roberts are trying to send to teenage readers, is saftey. To always make sure sure you're safe, especially online by not talking to others that you've never met before.
Image source: ( http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/cry-blue-murder/24708421/ )
MISSING:Hallie Gabrielle Knight
1).When I read this missing persons poster on the seconded page of the book 'Cry Blue Murder', I knew that this was going to be an interesting, mysterious and engaging novel. Hallie Knight, an average 15 year old girl was kidnaped on her way to rowing, early on Monday morning. Two acquaintance of hers, Celia and Alice are sharing everything about their increasing horror of a killer on the loose abducting schoolgirls just like them. Three bodies have already been found, each wrapped up in handwoven quilts. Are their secrets the key to solving the killer?
Reading through the first couple of pages of this novel, I could feel my tension starting increase. I can tell that I will enjoy this book to the very last page, and to can't wait to find out the mystery.
2).As of now, I'm about three quarters through the book Cry Blue Murder. The mystery is starting to unfold more and more as I read. The tension is building up, and I don't want to put it down. 'Friends' Celia and Alice are continuing to e-mail each other as more and more girls form Celia's school going missing suspiciously by the same abductor. As Alice is starting to get agitated with how Celia keeps talking about the abductor, Alice changes the subject so that they can meet for the first time at the markets as 'she' now knows Celia's address. Is this the biggest mistake Celia could make?
If felt like screaming at the novel when I was reading this paragraph. I was so annoyed that Celia gave her address to a stranger! I had to remind myself that this was only a novel, and not a real story. As you can tell, I'm very into this book, and I can't wait to continue reading.
When I finish this book, I'm certainly going to find out other if there're any other books written by the same authors, Kim Kane and Marion Roberts, as I really have enjoyed there novel so far. I believe that this novel, is for anyone who likes mystery and tension in the nove
3). If there is one word to describe the book 'Cry Blue Murder', it is wow! This short, easy to read novel tells the chilling story about a dangerous person on the loose, abducting girls all from the same area. If you like mysteries, then this is the book for you as it takes many twists and turns through trying to find the 'Cacoon killer'. The book includes many elements of a police report as there are statements form witnesses, biopsy reports and question recordings.
This book very interesting and intreving, as it is almost being like a police officer yourself, trying to put all of the clues together. This book is very interesting, from the beginning, all the way to the end! The underlining message that the authors, Kim Kane and Marion Roberts are trying to send to teenage readers, is saftey. To always make sure sure you're safe, especially online by not talking to others that you've never met before.
Image source: ( http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/cry-blue-murder/24708421/ )
Diary of Anne Frank
While living in the annexe, Anne had to overcome many obstacles, and along
with this she had to cope with the change of becoming a young lady. Anne saw
herself as a aspiring writer, with many dreams of publishing her own book for
people to read when the war was over. She was still trying to find out how she
fitted into the 'new family' she had in the annexe. However, the image she
portrayed herself as was different to those around her; Mrs. Van Dan for example
had a different opinion. She viewed Anne as a selfish, out spoken teenager who
only thought about herself and was spoilt having things done for her all of the
time.
She described herself as a very lucky girl to be able to be given the
opportunity to have a safe place to go into hiding and have supplies given to
herself and her family during the war. Over the 25 months that she was living in
hiding, Anne grew and matured into a well spoken young lady which she reflected
on in her diary. She started to grow up by having a relationship with Peter, and
started to think about her future and the war, wondering if she would ever be
able to be free from the annexe.
Anne used her diary as a source to let out her emotions and feelings as she
had no-where else to...this was the reality Anne had to face. Who knew that the
last few people Anne talked to for her years in hiding would be some of the last
she ever spoke to? Whether we like it or not, we all judge and Anne was no
exception to this. She couldn't help it, as none of us could especially In those
circumstances. But Anne always stayed optimistic, as she quotes "I've learned
one thing: you only really get to know a person after a fight. Only then can you
judge their true character!"...... We can all take something away from this
quote written by Anne, whether it changes your opinion on someone else of not,
it is something to think about.
She goes on through writing her diary to tell the events of what happened
during that day. She talks about the challenges that she had to face and
overcome by herself, and described how she was challenged to do the things that
she once took for granted. Activities such as sneezing, wanting to go to the
toilet, being able to walk around the house (in this case annexe), wanting to
talk and socialise with other people, being able to play with her friends and
even wanting looking out of the window during the day were all prohibited or put
off until a more appropriate time.
I personally found this novel very interesting and quite amazing as to such
a young girl being able to cope and adapt to living in hiding for that long
during the war. Learning about Anne's life has changed the way I live now, as I
have learnt not to take anything for granted and to live life to the fullest, as
you never know when it can all be changed. As Anne quotes "Who would ever think
that so much went on in the soul of a girl".
While living in the annexe, Anne had to overcome many obstacles, and along
with this she had to cope with the change of becoming a young lady. Anne saw
herself as a aspiring writer, with many dreams of publishing her own book for
people to read when the war was over. She was still trying to find out how she
fitted into the 'new family' she had in the annexe. However, the image she
portrayed herself as was different to those around her; Mrs. Van Dan for example
had a different opinion. She viewed Anne as a selfish, out spoken teenager who
only thought about herself and was spoilt having things done for her all of the
time.
She described herself as a very lucky girl to be able to be given the
opportunity to have a safe place to go into hiding and have supplies given to
herself and her family during the war. Over the 25 months that she was living in
hiding, Anne grew and matured into a well spoken young lady which she reflected
on in her diary. She started to grow up by having a relationship with Peter, and
started to think about her future and the war, wondering if she would ever be
able to be free from the annexe.
Anne used her diary as a source to let out her emotions and feelings as she
had no-where else to...this was the reality Anne had to face. Who knew that the
last few people Anne talked to for her years in hiding would be some of the last
she ever spoke to? Whether we like it or not, we all judge and Anne was no
exception to this. She couldn't help it, as none of us could especially In those
circumstances. But Anne always stayed optimistic, as she quotes "I've learned
one thing: you only really get to know a person after a fight. Only then can you
judge their true character!"...... We can all take something away from this
quote written by Anne, whether it changes your opinion on someone else of not,
it is something to think about.
She goes on through writing her diary to tell the events of what happened
during that day. She talks about the challenges that she had to face and
overcome by herself, and described how she was challenged to do the things that
she once took for granted. Activities such as sneezing, wanting to go to the
toilet, being able to walk around the house (in this case annexe), wanting to
talk and socialise with other people, being able to play with her friends and
even wanting looking out of the window during the day were all prohibited or put
off until a more appropriate time.
I personally found this novel very interesting and quite amazing as to such
a young girl being able to cope and adapt to living in hiding for that long
during the war. Learning about Anne's life has changed the way I live now, as I
have learnt not to take anything for granted and to live life to the fullest, as
you never know when it can all be changed. As Anne quotes "Who would ever think
that so much went on in the soul of a girl".