“Hunger Games” Movie Review by Annie Hanley-Miller

Who didn’t love The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins?  That book is one of my all time favorites.  So, of course I was excited for the movie.  My friend started counting down the days at 79.  79 days my friends and I waited for the movie.  We all went to see it.  I hated it.  The camera shook and spun making me dizzy.  Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, it wasn’t one of his good roles.  He looked uncomfortable and stiff.  In the movie the way they portrayed Peeta made you not like him as much.  You didn’t really understand his connection to Katniss.  Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, she wasn’t great either.  She also looked stiff and uncomfortable.  The director made a bad move by keeping her hair and face perfect in the arena.  I mean she was being hunted down in the forest!  She’s going to get a little dirty.  The other thing I didn’t like was how half of the book was missing.  The half they left out have some of the most significant parts in it.  Peeta’s leg, the bread, the whole scene with Madge and much more.  The parts they did put in they left out details that were important.  The mutt’s eyes, Cato’s death, Effie’s hair, I could keep going.  I hope they make the next movie worth seeing.  My friend has already started the countdown.

Book Review of “Legend” by Marie Lu Book Review by Annie Hanley-Miller

“Legend” is a definite page turner.  I’m serious.  It like takes over your mind until you finish.  The minute you start it makes your every thought, “Read, Legend, Read!”.  And you can’t push it out of your mind.  The thought tethers on to the front of your mind.  When you are reading it you can’t stop.  To stop you have to use all the power you have.  The story is great.  It’s romantic and an adventure.  A mystery and a sob story.  The characters are great.  They live inside your mind as you read.  Day, June, Tess, Metias, Thomas, Kaede, John, Eden, commander Jameson, Elector Primo, Ollie, so many amazing characters.  But you never know which one to trust.  Each one has a secret but it’s up to you to find them out.

Valentine’s Day Crush by Annie Hanley-Miller

Thump, Thump.

Thump, Thump.

My heart beats faster and faster.

The butterflies in my stomach slowly awaken.

You’re standing in the doorway.

Which seat will you choose?

One step closer.

You could sit next to me.

It’s a possibility.

But you’ll probably sit with your friends.

Another step.

Wait, is it possible you’ll sit next to me?

Another step.

Then another and another.

You’re coming closer.

My heart is trying to pound right out of my chest.

The butterflies are fluttering at high speed.

“Hi.

Mind if I sit here?”

Valentine Note by Annie Hanley-Miller

Roses are red,

And violets are blue,

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

What?

Why would a violet be blue?

And anyway that is the cheesiest beginning to a valentine.

What I’m trying to say is,

You are smart.

And I don’t really know if you like art,

You are kind,

And I hope you don’t mind,

But I was wondering,

Would you be my valentine?

“Mr. Linden’s Library” from “The Mysteries of Harris Burdick” by Chris Van Allsburg, post by Annie Hanley-Miller

“He had warned her about the book.  Now it was too late.”

She was unsaveable.  Unless…  the impossible happened.  It was a one-to-ninety-nine chance he would help her.  If he didn’t help her now it would be too late for hope.  But he wouldn’t help her.  He was too vain, rude, mean, sarcastic, uncaring, unloving, angry etc…  He was also unloved, lonely, and sad.  But the reason he wouldn’t help her was that he was too scared.  Too scared to be hurt again, to be pushed away, to be ignored, to be nothing.

“Archie Smith, Boy Wonder” From “The Mysteries of Harris Burdick” by Chris Van Allsburg Post by Annie Hanley-Miller

A tiny voice asked, “Is he the one?”

“Doubt it.”  A different tiny voice answered,

“Why do we need him anyway?  All he is supposed to do is save the world.”

“How dare you speak that way about him!  I am positive he’s the one.”

“Well, he looks normal.  He doesn’t look like anything special.  Anyone could save the world, it’s easy.”

“Well then, why don’t you help him learn his destiny.”

“What!  You…  Why are they talking about me?  What exactly is they?  I wondered as the voices yelled at each other.

The Third-Floor Bedroom by Annie Hanley Miller

“It all began when someone left the window open.” From the “Mysteries of Harris Burdick” by Chris Van Allsburg

“Yes!” I shout as I burst into the room.

“My own room!  It’s perfect!  The furniture is perfect, the window is perfect, the door is perfect, the walls… what?  Weird, some of the birds on the wallpaper are missing.  Oh well…  whatever.”

_____________________________________________________________

The Doctor started, “What pattern was on the wallpaper, Mrs. Johnson?”

“Vines and Doves of course,”  answered Mrs. Johnson.  “Then the doves just disappeared.  No. No. no, no, no.  When you got the wallpaper the pattern was just vines.  You see the birds just used a brain-wave deceiver to make you think they were always there.  That is if they actually look like birds, which they probably don’t, they could be…”

“Could be what?”  Jackson interrupted.

“Don’t interrupt!  Could be what, could be what?  Come on, come on!  think, think!  Think, think, think, think”  The Doctor yelled at himself.