Mrs.+Shull-Cheyenne



Cheyenne-

I finished the book last night. I was surprised the way it ended. I like Tally better now because she finally was honest with David about what happened and she is definitely trying to make it up to all of them by sacrificing her own brain. I'm not sure you got that part from your comments. Did you catch that she was going to become pretty so David's mom could use her as a guinea pig to see if her idea of how to reverse the brain damage would work? She really wasn't doing it to be pretty or to hang out with her friends. She was doing it so they could reverse the surgery that had been done on Shay's brain that had taken away her opinions and ability to decide things for herself. That would be scary! Talk to you later. Mrs. Shull

Cheyenne- You are funny! I think you would do a fantastic job singing at the party. You could sing the song you sang for the contest you were in. Talk to Mr. Hardwick about the sound equipment you need. I am going to try to figure out who you like from observing you in the hall. I will let you know when I make my decision! I'm not quite done with the book, but I hope to finish it tonight. No offense, but I think Shay kind of acts "dingy" now that she has had her surgery. I'm still not sure I really like Tally because I want her to be honest with David about what happened even if it causes him to ditch her. I don't think relationships should be based on a lie. What do you think?

I would consider this more science fiction than fantasy since it concentrates so much on technology.

Gotta go for now. I'll write more later.

Week 4

This book has made me think of many things. I don’t know whether to believe this stuff or not. Could something like this happen in the future? We won’t know until the time comes. The people who should read this book are the ones who like to read fantasies and the ones who love reading about things that never really happen. My mother used to hate fantasy books until she read the Harry Potter books. I think if someone who doesn’t like fantasy were to read this that his or her views would be changed also. This book has its good and bad points like back in part two when Special Circumstances came to get all of the Smokies was obviously a bad point in the book. As I was coming to the end of the book it just got better and better! I knew that their had to be a good ending to this book, but I still didn’t know if Tally was going to turn pretty or not. It ended up that she is going to turn pretty to be with Shay and all of her other friends such as Peris. Speaking of Shay brings me to another topic. I never pictured Shay turning pretty, even though she was forced by the Doctor she ended up to like being pretty. At the end when Shay and Tally met up again was my favorite part. I loved all of the love that was between them if you understand what I mean haha:) When tally said and I quote “Make me pretty” at the end I had a huge smile on my face. I really got a theme out of this book. The theme that I caught was to never care what people think of you even if you are pretty or not as pretty as others. You are never ugly because you are you and if you like who you are, then don’t change it for anybody! Even though Tally did turn pretty with Shay, it wasn’t because she wanted everyone to like her. It was because she wanted to be with her friends that liked her even if she was ugly or not! I wouldn’t change the ending of this book if my life depended on it because I am glad that Tally ended up with all of her loving friends. In the next book I think it will pretty much talk all about Tally’s life with Peris and shay. I believe it will talk about the hard times and the party times. I don’t really know what to expect out of Shay and Tally? I guess I will just have to read it and figure it out.

Partner Chat – Mrs. Shull I have no clue if I can sing at the party because I will need my music and stuff because I am not good enough at my guitar to be able to play in front of people yet. :} I am nervous as it is because I would have to sing in front of someone I like haha. I will tell you who it is if you promise not to say anything…… if you want to know ask me :) But if I can get my dad to make me some music and if there is any way to play it at the party then I will sing for you:) Also I thought it was so cool how they were looking at the magazines from 300 years ago but it was actually today! It is so weird how they called all of the models ugly when most girls this day and age look up to them! I mean if I could look like them I would haha but I am perfectly fine in the body I have now:) I think that this was a great experience for us to be able to learn more about each other! I had a blast and can’t wait for the party. Another reason the party is going to be great is because I get to see Mr. Ackman again. Haha I really enjoyed spending this time with you this year and hope to see you a lot next year even though that is doubtful:( I am just glad we spent more time together this year:) I hope you had fun with this project to! Got to go take a test:)

From, ** Cheyenne Goss ! **

Good Morning, Cheyenne!

Well, I finally got a chance to start our book //Uglies,// and I'm glad to say that I really like it. I had started to read it last year, but it was such a popular series with the girls that someone always wanted to check it out, so I didn't get to finish it. The premise of the book is very interesting, and I am planning to read //Pretties and Specials// this summer to see how this all works out.

The first section of the book spends a lot of time introducing the reader to the setting of the story. The setting is huge in this book and plays a major part in everything. This is science ficiton set in the future in the United States. Everything has changed in America and our society is nothing like it is now. The author hasn't told us yet why our nation collapsed, but I hope we find out later. He does make a lot of references to "The Rusties" whoI assume are Americans. The society is very divided, which I find interesting since people who take away the freedoms of others often claim to be doing so to bring equality. The kids have access to all kinds of technology that we don't have like their "hoverboards" which sound like motorized skateboards to me. They also all have some type of surgery when they are sixteen to make them pretty and perfect. Tally, the main character is just waiting for that day to come so that she can reunite with her best friend (and I think boyfriend) Peris. She sneaks into pretty-world to try to find him, which she does, and this gives us an indication of her character. She is kind of a dare devil, but also wants to fit in-like most of us do. Before her birthday, she makes a new friend Shay and they have some adventures together. Shay opens up a new world beyond their compound and also makes her think of the possibility of not turning pretty after all. I have to admit that I couldn't stop reading at the end of the first section and am almost through section two. I want to find out what is going to happen!


 * Partner Chat**

Wow! This book has really made me think, and I love a book that does that! First of all, the whole idea of everyone turning pretty brought forth all kinds of connections for me.

My daughter-in law Alissa got me a subscription to //People// magazine for Christmas, so I am more in the know than I have ever been about what is happening in the world of Hollywood. Some of those people are nuts! I read about one girl in her early 20’s-can’t remember what TV show she stars in- who was absolutely beautiful before, but now is addicted to plastic surgery and has had many, many, many procedures done. She doesn’t even look like the same person. And then, there is octo-mom who was obsessed with Angelina Jolie, and somehow scraped the money together to be transformed into a, in my opinion, scary-looks-just-enough-like-Jolie-to-be-totally-creepy look alike. What is wrong with us? Why can’t we just be happy the way God made us? Why do so many people-especially girls- feel like they aren’t good enough the way they naturally are? Don’t get me wrong. I am all for exercising and taking care of ourselves, and I also enjoy a good fashion magazine, cute clothes, nice haircuts, and make-up, but I would draw the line at surgery to turn me into a fundamentally different person.

Did you notice that the pretties seem to have all the fun? I can’t wait to get to the book that talks about the pretties because I bet we will find out that they aren’t very happy. Brad and I always say to each other that variety is what makes life rewarding. If all you do is work, you aren’t happy, but if all you do is play, you aren’t happy either. We need a nice balance.

You said you were most like Shay because you were a dare devil too. That would be the opposite of me. I don't like to take too many risks, a character trait that has probably kept me from some interesting experiences!

I could carry on for a lot longer, but I am totally out of time. I am enjoying doing this activity with you, and I enjoy reading what you have to say! You are a great girl!

Mrs. Shull


 * Week 3**

Cheyenne-

This book is good on many levels, and I am really glad to be reading it! Thanks for choosing it!

This week we are discussing characters, so I picked Tally and David.

Tally-Just turned 16 and was looking forward to turning pretty and all the good things that would bring into her life.At the beginning of the book she lived in the dorm with the other uglies and didn't seem to have much to do with her parents. I can't even remember their names since they played such a small role in her life. She really only mentioned one friend, Peris, so I wonder if she was kind of a loner all along, or if friendships were not encouraged in their strange world. She is pretty brave and adventuress since she risked going into Pretty town alone to find Peris and then, of course, her whole adventure in the smoke shows she is pretty fearless. I have to admit I don't really like her, so far at least. That is really strange for me because usually I develop empathy for the protagonist of the books that I read. She seems pretty cold and self centered to me, but I suspect that is what the author is trying to convey. The whole society seems very self absorbed. I am glad she is getting the chance to learn to think for herself and I predict by the end of the book, I will care more about what happens to her.

David-I originally thought that Shay was going to be a major character in the story, but now that I am in the second part, I think David is more important. I am still trying to figure out his story, so maybe you can help me clarify! David was born in "The Smoke" to parents that never turned pretty. They were doctors who learned that the operation not only affected the outside of a person but also changed the personality. They escaped and David was born in the wild, so to speak. He is a definte leader and a hard, hard worker. He also seems very smart about how to survive. These people sort of remind me of the early settlers in our country, who made due with what was available to them. He also seems to be falling for Tally, which is causing problems with her relationship with Shay. I guess some things never change! I was reading this part while I ate my breakfast this morning, and I had to quit reading or I was going to be late for school! I think he and Tally will work together and change their world for the better! I love people who make a difference.


 * Partner Chat**


 * I want to find out more about this author. He has a great imagination and I think he has a lot to say about society in America today. Are we so focused on our pleasure and what makes us happy at the moment that we are allowing ourselves to be brainwashed and our freedoms and free will taken away? I'm afraid that we are. There are always people who want power and think they know what is best for everyone. Unfortunately, they usually take away one's pride and ambition in the process of taking control of their lives. Urggg-it makes me angry and frustrated. People need the satisfaction of working hard and doing a job well. I don't think you really help anyone but just handing them things. I am all for helping those in need, but I don't think you really do them any good in the long run by taking away their self-respect. The Pretties remind me of an old movie //The Stepford Wives.// I don't remember the whole story, but these women were beautiful and perfect wives, unfortunately, they were robots. The Pretties seem the same way......nice on the outside but empty shells. What a mistake it would be to have a whole country full of people like that! It would sure be easy to control them for your own purposes.**

Did you have a good weekend? We were busy, busy, busy, and my house shows it! I didn't get my laundry done or the house clean, and I don't like that. I went to a wonderful workshop on Saturday with Mrs. Buettemeyer and Mrs. Hall and some other women to hear Beth Moore, an author and Bible teacher, speak about females and their insecurity. I learned a lot and thought it really tied in well with this book. Saturday night we kept our grandaughters and Sunday we met Brandond and Lindsey in Champaign for lunch and then to friends Sunday night. No wonder I'm pooped!

Did you have a competition this weekend? Are you still running? What songs are you working on now? Would you sing for our Reading Rocks party?

Gotta Run! Mrs. Shull

= Week 3 Adult: = Student: Book Title: Pages Read_

-Please focus on the protagonist, the main character, or antagonist, who is another important character.

To be included in your response… v Summarize this week’s reading, focusing on a description of the character. v Does the character remind you of yourself or someone else you know? Why? v What personality traits of this person would you like to acquire? Why? v Would you want to be friends with this character? Why or Why not?

Okay we are focusing on the people in this story and I wanted to know more about my favorite character so I chose Shay. Shay just turned 16, just like Tally and she isn’t talked about much in this section because she is already at the Smoke unlike Tally. Shay is so excited to be somewhere that she doesn’t have to listen to people. She doesn’t like to be called ugly so when she found out that where she was living no one was called ugly; she knew she was where she needed to be. Her heart is set on staying here with David and all of her other Smokie friends, and now that Tally has arrived she knows her home is now at the Smoke. All of this may be destroyed soon and this leads me into the next character I want to talk about.

Tally, she is a wonderful girl who can’t seem to make up her mind. She is the Main Character in this story and can turn everything around if only she knew. She has this locket that Special Circumstance’s gave here to turn in the Smokies. To betray Shay and David and everyone else at the Smoke is all she had to do to become pretty. As, she thought to herself night after night she realized that she is going to be doing so much harm to everyone. Even though she decides not to turn them Special Circumstances still comes and invades the Smoke. Tally is still trustworthy and a wonderful person, because she decided not to turn them in. She thought that she belonged at the smoke; she thought that the people there actually understood her. Now she realizes what she has done to everyone who is there. She has ruined their lives. Now I am excited to see what happens to Tally and everyone in the Smoke. This week has been very interesting. It has really made me think about how life in the future will be. I wonder if the futuristic stuff will really happen. I also wonder is it would be worse than this. Have you thought about how different life will be in the future? I really think we all should think about this, because what ever might happen even if it is bad or good we all have the power to change it if we want to. This whole section has really made me think. I still really love Shay and David is starting to get into my head a lot because I am trying to think of how he survived all his life in the Smoke? Do you think you could survive your whole life somewhere like this? I don’t think I could survive some place like this with none of my friends there because they had all turned pretty. This book is very interesting and I am so excited to be reading it with you. **

Cheyenne-

You did a better job summarizing than I did! I didn't even mention the locket or Special Circumstances. I wonder about how David and his parents survive too. Do you think the earth is divided into very isolated spots that are unaware of what ishappening around them? That seems just the opposite of today, where we have 24 hour news and are sometimes so bombarded with negativity and bad news that I sometimes just want to scream.

Do you think Tally should stop her relationship with David since Shay obviously is interested in him? When I was doing the dating think, a boy was off-limits if a friend liked him first. Girlfriends were more important than a boy. How do you and your friends handle that? I don't think the people in this culture have very well-developed emotions. What do you think? I also thought it was funny when they were in the library and looked at the magazines from 300 years ago, which would be now. They thought the models were so ugly and couldn't believe about eating disorders because their surgeries make them the perfect shape. We did learn that they usually pig out before their operations. I wonder if they have their stomachs stapled like some people do today.

Need to run because Lekye wants to check his wiki.

Hope you had fun in Chicago!