Last week, I read a book titled "Among the Hidden" written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. It was about a timid, quiet boy named Luke, who lived in an imaginary time in the future when the Government had total control over almost everything, giving the people barely any rights, and when the laws were broken the citizens suffered severe punishments. In this time, only two children or less were allowed in each family, because the Government believed that would solve food shortage problems. But Luke is one of many third children, who has been hidden inside his home for as long as he can remember. He does not know that there are other third children out there-until he sees a girl in a house where two boys already live. He risks his life running over to the house to meet the girl. Her name is Jen, and they quickly become friends. But Jen dreams of a better life for third children. She plans to fight for justice, and that's where the story begins.
I liked this book because it really made me feel as if I were Luke in his world.
The author was creative and made it so I always wanted to see what was on the next page. For example, the way she ended every chapter with an exciting or surprising sentence.
The book made me think a lot when I was reading it, and it was inspiring.
But a similar book called The Giver by Lois Lowry was more meaningful to me because in that book, you were given an idea of what happened to the boy (who also had to go out and leave his family) while in Among the Hidden, it doesn't say what happened except for that he left. It's a cliff-hanger.
I recommend this book to people who like exciting, inspiring fiction tales. I really hope the author makes a second part of the story. I think it deserves a 6 out of 10 star rating.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Orange Peel Fungus
Out hiking, our friends came upon some strange looking mushrooms. They took a sample of one of them back to our cabin. We all took a good look at it, and our parents identified it in a book: "It is called Orange Peel fungus," they said. Then they lost interest. But after a while, I figured out from looking in a book that this mushroom is edible! So I took my friends out to try and find the spot where they found it. It appears on the side of the trail, like our book said it would. We get down on our knees, mentally and verbally checking off signs that says it is Orange Peel fungus, with the book, to make sure. Finally we were absolutely positively sure that it was, so we put most of it in a basket and took in home, yelling, "WE FOUND MORE MUSHROOMS!"
Orange Peel fungus is bright orange, paler on the underside, growing completely or almost completely flat on the ground with no stalk or barely any. Edges are sometimes wavy. It is edible.
Orange Peel fungus is bright orange, paler on the underside, growing completely or almost completely flat on the ground with no stalk or barely any. Edges are sometimes wavy. It is edible.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Sumo Pumkins - Science Friday
Pumpkins are interesting plants. The way they grow, their unique color and how they vary in so many different shapes and sizes! The Atlantic Giant pumpkin can weigh more than 1800 pounds, while some other full grown pumpkins weigh no more than an ounce! An interesting thought to ponder is this: why do some pumpkins change their shape as they grow? Most large pumpkins seem a bit different in shape than the smaller ones. And why don't the larger pumpkins collapse under their own weight? A scientist name David Hu decided to pursue the answer to this question. After researching, he concluded that the reason bigger pumpkins are different in shape has everything to do with gravity. Evidently the cells of the pumpkin walls divide faster from the stress that gravity puts on them, giving the pumpkin a strange new look, with strong walls supporting the sagging top. To learn more on this subject, visit this site:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/watch/10332
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rabbit Stick: 2010
My family and I love to travel. Visiting new places is one of my favorite things to do, as well as learning about them.
Every year, there is a gathering called Rabbitstick in Rexburg, Idaho where people come from far and wide to practice the ancient method of living practiced by the Native Americans, and Prehistoric man. This includes traditional ways of hunting, trapping, gathering plants and herbs, fire making, tool making, shelter making, and crafts.
In the week I was at Rabbitstick, I learned skills that made me feel independent and prepared.
One of the most important skills I learned at Rabbitstick was how to set a certain type of trap called the Paiute deadfall. A deadfall is a type of trap that crushes the animal. This particular deadfall is named after a Native American tribe.
My favorite thing I learned at Rabbitstick was fire making. There are a few different ways of making fire, including flint and steel, the hand drill, the bow drill, fire plow, the magnifying glass, and others. Fire keeps you warm and safe, cooks food, and if you are lost, it can signal help.
I also really liked learning about making shelter. Shelter protects you from the elements. It gives you a feeling of security. There are many types of shelters, just like there are many types of houses. I like making a certain shelter that requires a tarp and rope, but is quick and easy to make.
Another thing I learned at Rabbitstick was ways of collecting water. One strategy is called the solar still. It works like this: The water from the plants or moist dirt is trying to evaporate, but is caught on a tarp or piece of plastic. The moisture on the tarp condenses, then falls into a cup. I find it interesting that you can use the sun to get water!
Since we cannot always be sure certain water is clean, there are a few ways of purifying it, such as a natural filter made out of a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, and grass, dirt, rocks, sticks, in it. To use it, you simply pour water in the bottom (when it's upsidedown), and then you wait until the relatively clean water comes out the top.
A fun part about Rabbitstick is that the big community fire in the middle of camp is always being tended to, and people are usually around it talking to eachother. There is also a lot of warm sunshine and dry weather in that area, so there's many grasshoppers hopping around camp.
At Rabbitstick there is a big variety of people--people that live in differnt countries, people that have all sorts of beliefs. They come in tipis, tents, and campers. It is a good place to socialize.
Learning about skills is not the only exciting thing that happens at Rabbitstick. There are also other activities, like the Raffle, the Trade Blanket, and the Welcoming Circle. The Trade Blanket is where people trade special goods that they have been collecting or making all week or even all year, for other objects.
The Welcoming Circle is where newcomers introduce themselves.
The Raffle is always exciting!
The skills I have shared in this report are just some of the many things you can learn at Rabbitstick. That's why I am so excited to go back next year and learn some more!
Every year, there is a gathering called Rabbitstick in Rexburg, Idaho where people come from far and wide to practice the ancient method of living practiced by the Native Americans, and Prehistoric man. This includes traditional ways of hunting, trapping, gathering plants and herbs, fire making, tool making, shelter making, and crafts.
In the week I was at Rabbitstick, I learned skills that made me feel independent and prepared.
One of the most important skills I learned at Rabbitstick was how to set a certain type of trap called the Paiute deadfall. A deadfall is a type of trap that crushes the animal. This particular deadfall is named after a Native American tribe.
My favorite thing I learned at Rabbitstick was fire making. There are a few different ways of making fire, including flint and steel, the hand drill, the bow drill, fire plow, the magnifying glass, and others. Fire keeps you warm and safe, cooks food, and if you are lost, it can signal help.
I also really liked learning about making shelter. Shelter protects you from the elements. It gives you a feeling of security. There are many types of shelters, just like there are many types of houses. I like making a certain shelter that requires a tarp and rope, but is quick and easy to make.
Another thing I learned at Rabbitstick was ways of collecting water. One strategy is called the solar still. It works like this: The water from the plants or moist dirt is trying to evaporate, but is caught on a tarp or piece of plastic. The moisture on the tarp condenses, then falls into a cup. I find it interesting that you can use the sun to get water!
Since we cannot always be sure certain water is clean, there are a few ways of purifying it, such as a natural filter made out of a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, and grass, dirt, rocks, sticks, in it. To use it, you simply pour water in the bottom (when it's upsidedown), and then you wait until the relatively clean water comes out the top.
A fun part about Rabbitstick is that the big community fire in the middle of camp is always being tended to, and people are usually around it talking to eachother. There is also a lot of warm sunshine and dry weather in that area, so there's many grasshoppers hopping around camp.
At Rabbitstick there is a big variety of people--people that live in differnt countries, people that have all sorts of beliefs. They come in tipis, tents, and campers. It is a good place to socialize.
Learning about skills is not the only exciting thing that happens at Rabbitstick. There are also other activities, like the Raffle, the Trade Blanket, and the Welcoming Circle. The Trade Blanket is where people trade special goods that they have been collecting or making all week or even all year, for other objects.
The Welcoming Circle is where newcomers introduce themselves.
The Raffle is always exciting!
The skills I have shared in this report are just some of the many things you can learn at Rabbitstick. That's why I am so excited to go back next year and learn some more!
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