THE THIEVES OF OSTIA by Caroline Lawrence

In this atmospheric debut novel, the first instalment of a series of Roman mysteries, readers are whisked to the first century A.D. to help girl detective Flavia Gemina solve a brutal crime in the Roman port city of Ostia. When the guard dog belonging to Flavia's neighbors is slaughtered, Flavia sets out to find clues. She is accompanied by four trusty companions...

This was engaging from the first page and you are captivated right until the last word. Of course after a taste of Roman Mysteries I wanted more. Luckiliy there are nineteen more in the series! Caroline Lawrence is a master of both creating suspense within the detective genre but also brings the Roman Empire alive to the reader. I felt as if I had stepped out of a time machine. One experiences the sights, sounds and stenches of ancient Rome! One also realises very quickly that violence is commonplace in Roman society or at least the author's vision of history.This is an adrenalised ride and at times a tragic one as we witness the tragedy of Avitus.

LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel

An anonymous author figure explains that he traveled from his home in Canada to India because he was feeling restless. There, while sipping coffee in a café in the town of Pondicherry, he met an elderly man named Francis Adirubasamy who offered to tell him a story fantastic enough to give him faith in God. This story is that of Pi Patel.

After deciding to sell their zoo in India and move to Canada, Santosh and Gita Patel board a freighter with their sons and a few remaining animals. Tragedy strikes ....

I felt inspired when Pi and Richard Parker forge a relationship of mutual trust, respect and understanding. Their circumstances force it upon them but as time passes one feels that they are truly gaining knowledge of each other. This is a thrilling adventure that begins at a leisurely pace in Pondicherry with his family and his father's zoo and takes us through his comical exploration of religion and then to a fight for survival.

TARKA THE OTTER by Henry Williamson

In this remarkable book, we follow Tarka the Otter through his entire life. We are there from his first to his last breath, through the joys and trials of his life, struggling through the harshest of winters, his life alone and with other otters, as a cub and as a grown otter with cubs of his own.

One feels unease and worry as Tarka has to fight for his life on countless occasions but this is interspersed with wonderfully joyous and comical moments as he grows up from puphood and finds play partners and ultimately creates his own family and takes on the proud role of father.

WHY THE WHALES CAME by Michael Morpurgo

“The Birdman puts spells on people. We mustn’t talk to him. We’re not supposed to.”

Gracie and Daniel have been warned to stay away from the mad Birdman- but the message in the sand tells them that the Birdman isn’t what he seems.
Then they get lost in the fog and stranded on Samson Island. Should they believe the Birdman’s story that the island is cursed?

I felt great sympathy for the Birdman who is distrusted and reviled by the island people. The novel taught me much about not judging people by first impressions. Gracie and Daniel's experience on Samson island is extremely harrowing for the reader and has the feel of a ghostly tale. Thankfully this helps them to find the truth behind the curse and they must then desperately try to use the answer to aid them when the curse threatens to cast its shadow over Bryher as well.

THE SONG OF PENTECOST by W J Corbett

The Song Of Pentecost is an amazing story of the journey of small animals from their old home deep within a building site to a wonderful hill, far away. The story unfolds with tension and suspense around every corner. The party of animals have to face a deceitful frog, an angry snake and a cunning fox. Do they make it to the paradise they are all longing to reach, are there casualties along the way? 

I would recommend this book to anyone because of the amazing journey that the harvest mice tribe undertake in order to seek a new sanctuary. One feels uneasy and anxious for them as they fall victim to the treachery of those they have placed faith in. It is therefore all the more satisfying when

some of the characters delightfully surprise us by their generosity of spirit and genuine love for these humble protoganists.

WHITE FANG by Jack London (Book Review)

In the desolate, frozen wilds of northwest Canada, White Fang, a part-dog, part-wolf cub soon finds himself the sole survivor of a litter of five. In his lonely world, he soon learned to follow the harsh law of the North—kill or be killed.

But nothing in his young life prepared him for the cruelty of the bully Beauty Smith, who buys White Fang from his Indian master and turns him into a vicious killer—a pit dog forced to fight for money.

Will White Fang ever know the kindness of a gentle master or will he die a fierce deadly killer?

I think White Fang's journey through life is extraordinary, as he passes through the hands of many owners. I was overjoyed when this unloved wolf dog finds eventual solace and pampering amongst the Scott family. I found the description of his puppyhood quite distressing and one realises how harsh nature can be, particulary in the setting of the Yukon.

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemingway (Book Review)

The Old Man and the Sea is the story of an epic struggle between an old, seasoned fisherman and the greatest catch of his life. For eighty-four days, Santiago, an aged Cuban fisherman, has set out to sea and returned empty-handed. So conspicuously unlucky is he that the parents of his young, devoted apprentice and friend, Manolin, have forced the boy to leave the old man in order to fish in a more prosperous boat. Nevertheless, the boy continues to care for the old man upon his return each night. He helps the old man tote his gear to his ramshackle hut, secures food for him, and discusses the latest developments in American baseball, especially the trials of the old man’s hero, Joe DiMaggio. Santiago is confident that his unproductive streak will soon come to an end, and he resolves to sail out farther than usual the following day.

I think this is a scintillating but rather sad tale. I was inspired by Santiago's courage and patience as he suffered his eighty four day drought without a catch to his name.One feels great happiness towards him when he finally finds redemption and conclusion. This almost mirrors his journey in life.

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Minecraft Post John

                                              STICKY SITUATION

As my eyes opened, I could see a great expanse of water below an insignificant range of dunes. The glint of the sun was causing me to wince; I had to look away. I found myself on a desert that the sun was beating down upon. Slowly looking around, I also saw some desert islands that were deserted. The sand was burning my skin as if I was touching a  red hot poker. After realizing there was not much evidence of living things, I then became anxious about my chances.

What a joyous surprise! A jungle was right behind me! On my journey towards my jungle exploration, I saw the tip of another desert island in the distance, but who was to know whether this was deserted. Sadly my curiosity piqued, I swam towards it. Would curiosity kill the cat?

I found this island to be abandoned. No creatures or other human beings were living there. I soon learnt that the colossal island suffered its abandoned state due to zombie invasion. The sun began to go down. An adrenaline rush was activated within me. Something started attacking me. It was a zombie. The monster soon alerted other zombies and then, much to my dismay, something happened...

A horde of the undead were very quickly surrounding me. Would I be a survivor? Could I be a survivor? With just one stone sword and thirteen zombies trying to kill me, I very soon found the logical answer to my own question. The growing army of now seventeen zombies began their rampage. They were simply unstoppable. I valiantly managed to reduce the army to now six men, but my sword was very close to smashing to pieces. 'Smash!'.  My sword finally broke. With no more weapons and still three zombies remaining I began to escape. The channel between my abode and this accursed island was in sight with the remaining zombies hot in pursuit... 

Minecraft Post John

                            Danger In The Dark !

Looking towards the ground after my eyes had just opened, I was wincing due to the glint of the radiant sun reflecting off the snow. I perused my surroundings. I was in a forest that had snow covering the ground like a white blanket. The sky-scraping trees offered me a tiny bit of comfort and protection. At least I could melt the snow for water if I could achieve fire.

I trudged towards a range of hills. Once I was at the top of the range, I saw a brilliant sunset. The large orange fireball began its descent below an expansive lake. The sky was filled with a majestic apricot colour. A slim opening to a cave caught my attention. I might stay there for a night or two.

Apprehensively, I tiptoed into this dark, caliginous cavern. Instantly I knew I had already overstayed my short welcome as night time approached. Facing towards the exit, I was just about to leave when I heard a sizzling noise. Only when I turned around did I see its horrific, soulless expression. The creature had an elongated, green-grey gingham body, no arms and four legs -- like some Greek mythical monstrosity created by Zeus.This terror had a contorted face with an inverted smile, and black eyes like bottomless pits. Sizzle, sizzle BANG! The creeper exploded like an angry stick of dynamite!

I should never have explored that cavern. I awoke dazed, not knowing whether I was wounded and alive, or beginning my first days in the Minecraft afterworld.

Laura's Minecraft Story

With a rumble,clash and a bang,my mission had begun. I shed a tear to see how this stunning world would soon be crushed into the hands of it's new ruler,'Lord Arachnid'. Darkness would fall upon us.It was up to me to save the world,up to me to save the universe!

Apprehensive,concerned,afraid,I cautiously examine my surroundings. I could already hear the deafening screeches echoing in my ears; the evil 'Lord Arachnid' was making his move, polluting the Earth. My forces had to act soon or the planet would be dreadfully overgrown with eight-legged beasts. As I pull out my tracker to discover a spawner a rush of an eery, loud breeze skims past my face. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Warning! Spawner nearby! Excited, relieved, delighted? Or should I be nervous,tense,scared? Was this finally the moment to free man-kind?

I silently followed the signal from my bleeping tracker to find a suspicious trail of burning torches that led though a bizarre cave. Tip-toeing, I seemed to be sneaking through the tunnel of stone forever. My heart was beating at an awful rate as my breath passed my lips through with a miniature storm. 

My head swung itself around,shaking, without thinking twice I knew that I just saw what would cause the end ... SPIDERS!Creepy,crawling,eight-legged beasts, ready to gnaw and feast on my bare skin and flesh. They were no regular spiders, they were ten times the size! I had to demolish the spawner, if it were the last thing I did! With a deep breath I forced myself into the cage of evil,terrifying beasts .My mistake, after only a few minutes of wading through cobwebs I fell to my death,they had captured me. My life had come to an end. I had given my place to ' Lord Arachnid'.Maybe this was mission impossible!

 

Vicky's descriptive mineraft writing

My eyes squinted open, the blinding light of the coruscating sun to bright for my eyes. I looked around at my surroundings; I appeared to be on a small stretch of beach , in front of me was a wide expanse of water dotted with mini islands. Frightened, confused and anxious. I trekked towards the hills in hope the trees would offer some salvation.

As I stumbled on I saw the tops of the hills and trees were covered in a light dusting of snow, my spirits lifted, I could melt it for water. In the distance the dazzling sun lowered below the hills, stunning colors of gold, amber and fuchsia filled the sky. Gradually I trudged towards the horizon. Scattered across the island were creatures of different colors roaming the country side as if the world around them posed no threat. Bats circled in the sky above a cool breeze sent a shiver up my spine. A narrow hollow caught my eye, I decide to stay there for the night.

I crept into the cave nervously and carefully as I was unsure what I would find inside. As my eye sight cleared I heard the sound of stone scraping against stone, of dynamite about to explode, of one thousand snakes all hissing at once. It came towards me a tall green creature with pitch black eyes that radiated fear. I sprinted away, the monster right behind me, a tree came into view I swung myself up and hoped it wouldn't pursue. I reached the top and settled down for the night, as I drifted off into a restless sleep my mind filled with questions. Questions I couldn't answer.

My eyelids fluttered open and for a moment I forgot where I was then I remembered last night my head filled with panic and for the first time since I got here I started to cry warm thick tears sliding down my face. I was lost on an island with unrecognizable creatures and no civilization for miles. At that moment I turned to climb the tree eight blood-red eyes glared at me unblinking into mine I screamed, my voice echoed through the valley. The abnormal beast was black as night with not only eight eyes but eight legs too; it burst into flames as the tree around it. I screamed yet again as my skin started to burn, flames licking my hair I jumped out of the tree not paying any attention to the pain that shot through my leg,

I hobbled towards the glistening expanse of water and dived in the gentle waves caressed my sore skin, burnt hair floated in the water around me I kicked up to the surface but something restrained me. A green weed was wrapped around my ankle. I opened my mouth to scream but water filled my mouth; I tugged and tugged however I couldn't come free. As I started to lose conscious and more water filled my mouth a thought entered my head: after all I've been through, was this really the end?          

mine craft short stories eleanor

W.A.L.T Write a short, narrative using mine-craft to inspire our writing. 

I squinted, my eyes adjusted to the new found land. I saw a sudden flash of white, it was a strange creature that had a bulbous figure. I then new: it was my ticket to a bed for many nights to come.

I was walking it sounds simple but it isn`t when you have no idea where you are. Imagine a place where the animals are free but you have to kill them to survive, were colossal ranges rise up around you, where you see mines but you don`t dare to go in them: this is where I am; and this is my adventure.

“AHH!” “What just happened?” (There was total silence total darkness.) What do I do now? I just fell, it wasn`t far but there was no way I was getting out the way I came in. Thoughts rushed through my mind, should I walk on? Should I wait for help? Or should I make a ladder out of here? I decided to explore, that was the only way I hung onto hope. I walked a couple of feet and saw a glimpse of light, my eyes opened wider, I walked quicker. This was my chance.

I was approximately one metere away from being free, I even saw land, but my calm voice turned into a scream. It felt like daggers piercing through my skin, I could not see what did it, but I felt my blood gushing out of me. I became light headed as it dragged me into its den, and it left me there to die.   

The glistening water pierced my eyes; whilst the blazing sun painfully shrivelled my skin. Is this my new home?

I cautiously walked to the waving trees, to get wood to make tools to survive the night. I ran to the mountainous hills for shelter. I hurriedly dug in to the harsh side of the mountain for shelter then I started to hollow out my first house.

Terrified, cowering in a corner I looked out, hideous creatures were crawling around me. The ghastly echo of the screaming monsters pushed me in to the corner. Then the sun came round, the evil villains busted in to flames, I was safe.  

Razes of sun pierced through the gaps in the wall, I am relieved that the night was over. After the horrible night I started to get some food. I crafted a sword to protect myself from the enemies. Carefully I walked through the door luckily pigs were right outside my door; I killed the pigs and rushed in to the house. Is this my new life?

Jadzia minecraft writing

Monday 15^th June 2015

WALT: Write a short, engaging narrative using Minecraft to inspire our writing.

As my eyes opened up wide, everything turned squared, was that normal. There in-front of me was a swell of disheveled, bronze water, with elderly towering oak trees swaying in the biddable breeze.

Bashed and bruised I kept on hitting the tree. Suddenly a white clouded creature pasted me. I decided to make a crafting table. After I created an axe. I began to build a house.

On spur of the moment it turned to crepuscular. Fearful, panicky and petrified I ran away not

knowing I went the opposite direction to home. Soon I was trapped. I looked left , right and centre : zombies, spiders, skeletons and creepers. I screamed but nothing came out, was this the end. Soon I knew I wasn’t going to survive.

John's Oscars Presentation

Minecraft Wild Adventure

Minecraft Wild Adventure It has been 30 years since the owner theadam2005 died by old age and the server city has been a little Horrible. Since the kings head of the army came on, the server players died by not being allowed to have books and if they go in the abandoned areas they get … hanged so me and my friend Peter we are the wild adventures. “Steve where are we going” Peter we are going to where the server was made “ok “. Then the car broke down and we needed to find somewhere to stay for the night, so we run to the city. But on the way there were two players who came to us and one of them said “are you going to the city of the server” yes we are, “good come with us.” ok we didn’t trust those guys, so we stayed together. We were coming to the city entrance when two helicopters came to us and the other one fly up to both of the helicopters and cut off the wings, then he came back to the ground he said “sorry we haven’t been introduced, I am the builder and he is the destroyer “cool, so why are you here?” “to find the nether star of the server. If we get it the server can come back to peace” “Ok we are here to look at the centre of the city then “let’s go there now” said the destroyer. Yes guys we are here “ok now let us do the mission” said the builder ok and he saw then going down to the sourer so we explored the city more and found out that players had died here by a great big zombie. And the builder and the destroyer fond the zombie in the sourers but scared it in to the city and they found the nether star gate and the blocks fell down deep to the nether. But we went back to the centre when this helicopter came down and the king’s soldiers said ”you are not allowed here, get on the ground and put your hands up. So we put our hands up but he said two players came in with us and they are the builder and the destroyer to fix the server head of the arm said “and do you know were they are now” no “then keep them here until I say” said the king then Peter stood up and the king said “just bring him back” “no” said the head of the army and Peter said ”I just want to go home, then the head of the arm said “fire” he was dead by the looked of it. Do you want more comment if you want more of minecraft stories?

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