Muhammad Ali

Adrian Lorente

Author: Bernard Smith

Genre: Biography

Date Started: 3-12-2010

Date Finished: 7-12-2010

Name: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay).

Nickname: The Greatest, the Champ.

Nationality: North American.

Birth date: 1942 (age 68).

Boxing record:

- Amateur: Gold Medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, in the light heavyweight.

- Professional: Three times heavyweight champion.

Muhammad Ali is considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship boxers of all time. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.

Later, as professional, he was the first boxer to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times. The first time was versus Sonny Liston in 1964 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second was versus George Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, and the third was versus Leon Spinks in 1978 in Miami Beach, Florida.

He also went on to be a big fighter against the differences between black and white American people and he always fought for peace.

Originally he was known as Cassius Clay. He changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964, as a symbol of his fight against the social differences between black and white American people and he converted to Islam for the same reason.

After, in 1967, when he refused to be inducted into the U.S. military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War, he wasn’t imprisoned, but he didn’t fight again for four years.

His political fight, his big personality and a different fighting technique, made him a cultural icon.

In 1981, he lost his last fight versus Trevor Berbick. After that, he was a sick, and he retired.

Now he lives quietly with his family. He continues working for peace in the world

I recommended this book, because it explains with easy words the exciting life of Muhammad Ali, a big person with a big fight.

Rain Man

Emma Wang

I read Rain Man. I started reading this story on the morning of the 4th of December and I finished reading this book on the evening of the 5th of December.This book is a film which has the same name, and I think it is a comedy because it has a happy ending. The film screened in 1988, but I didn’t find when this story happened.

In this story the main characters are Raymond Babbitt and Charlie Babbitt. They are brothers, but Charlie doesn’t remember he has a brother. When Charlie grew up, he was a businessman and he sells cars.
One day, his assistant told him that his father had died. Charlie hates his father because his father was very severe when Charlie was younger, but Charlie decided to attend his father’s funeral. At the funeral, he finds out that his father didn’t give him an inheritance. Charlie was very angry and he found Raymond. Raymond has part of the inheritance from Charlie’s father and Raymond is Charlie’s brother. But Raymond has autism, and he can’t live like normal people. Charlie tries to live together with Raymond and tries to get back part of the inheritance from his father.
While traveling with Raymond, Charlie found his way back to feelings for his father and forms a relationship with his brother Raymond. At last Charlie didn’t care about the inheritance from his father, he cares about Raymond more.

I think the English level of this book is about right and I think the story is telling me that 'relationship is important.' I think the best point in this book is that Charlie and Raymond went head against head. I like this book because it’s very interesting, moving and happy.

The Horse Whisperer

Miranda Fan

I read The Horse Whisperer. It’s a story. I started reading it on 6th of December and finished reading it on 8th of December.

This story happened in upstate New York. The author is Nicholas Evans.

One day in the morning, a truck hurtles out of control on a snowy country road, and a girl on horseback with her friend are in its path. In a few terrible seconds the life of a family is shattered. Her friend and her friend’s horse died on the spot, and she lost a leg, and her horse is dying. She is very sad. Her mother wants her to be happy again, everyday. She thinks first to save her horse. So her mother takes her and her horse to find a horse doctor. Her mother was bothered to call the doctor for help. Despite repeated brush-offs from that man, she still refused to give up, and finally she simply left with her daughter and her horse and went to Montana with its broad sky and their life was changed forever.

I think this book is not easy but it is a good story, because in this story soothing saves a vastly spiritual animal and gradually reveals human conflict and the weaknesses of humans. From it we can arrive at a philosophy: Not only ‘a horse whisperer,’ we need ‘a people whisperer.’ I like it. I want to introduce it to my classmates.

Operation Janus

Sam Al Harbi

Author: L.G. Alexander

I started reading this book on Wednesday the 8^th December. The writer doesn’t say where the book is set. The characters are Mr. Carstairs, Hmph and Hanna.

One day there is a man listening to a girl he doesn’t know and so occurred the problem.

The message is don’t listen to somebody you don’t know. I learnt this message. The best thing is the discovery of truth in the other. It is a good book and easy. I want to tell my friends to read this book.

The Fox and the Crow

Wael Al Anzi

Series: Penguin Young Readers
Genre: Fable
Date stared: 29 Nov 7:30pm
Date finished: 29 Nov 7:45pm

The hero of the story is a fox because it is intelligent! The fox does unusually strong tricks!

One day the hungry fox looked up at the top of the tree are found a crow. In its mouth was a piece of cheese and he was thinking how to take the piece of cheese.
The fox said "You are the king of birds. Can you sing in your beautiful voice?" The crow opened his mouth to sing and the piece of cheese fell out and was eaten by the fox.

This story is beautiful and I advise reading it and taking lessons from it because life is a jungle where you have to live smart.

Icarus

Gracia Li

Author: Caroline Laidlaw

Genre: Mythical tale

Date Started: 7/12/2010

Date Finished: 8/12/2010

This book is a famous Greek mythical story. Icarus was a most intelligent artist and an artisan Daedalus's son. His father lost the king's favour, and they were imprisoned on the coast in a stone castle. Soon Daedalus thought of a good idea. They took leftover food to tempt sea gulls into a tower. Then they collected feathers and wax. They made wings, and then they were ready to fly. “Icarus, always follow me, if you fly too close to the sun, the heat will melt the wax on your wings. Then you will fall into the sea” his father said. Icarus loved flying, and he forgot about his father’s warning. He was flew more and more high. Later he was too close to the sun, and the sun’s heat melted away the wax. The feathers started to fall. His father saw the feathers on the sea. He had a sad return to his hometown, and gave his wings for hanging in the temple of Apollo. Henceforth he no longer wanted to fly.

This story tells us if we become too complacent and forget our human limitations it is dangerous. In the end man lost the power of flight.

This book’s level is right. I want to recommend this book to my friends.

Michael Jackson

Gracia Li

Genre: Biography

Date Stared: 30/11/2010

Date Stared: 1/12/2010

This book talked about Michael Jackson. He lived from 29 August, 1958 to 25 June, 2009. He is an American pop, rock and R&B singer, dancer, actor, and record producer. He is a pop singer of greatness, and most influential. In the nineteen eighties he created an era. He praises music and advocates great love, ethnic unity and peace in the world, and performed for charity and public welfare throughout his life. He was twice nominated for the Nobel peace prize. At the same time, not only in music he has had a remarkable achievement. He was acknowledged to be the greatest artist. His magic dance led countless stars to follow suit.

His private doctor, Murray's treatment lead to him being overdosed and because of a heart attack, he died at the age of 50.

I think this book's level is difficult. However my friends all the know Michael, so I want to recommend it to my friends.

Gandhi

Adrian Lorente

Author: Jane Rollason

Genre: Biography

Date Started: 27-11-2010

Date Finished: 30-11-2010

Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Born: 2 October 1869, Porbandar, Bombay (British India)

Died: 30 January 1948 (aged 78, assassination), New Delhi (Union of India)

Known for: Prominent figure of the Indian Independence Movement and Philosopher

Nationality: Indian

Religion: Hinduism

Spouse: Kasturba Gandhi

This book speaks about Mahatma Gandhi’s life; from when he was born in 1869 until his death.

First, around 1893-1914 he fought for change in South Africa. He fought for the civil rights of the Indians (Coloureds) and the black Africans. Later, between 1915-1948 he fought for change in India, his country. He fought for human rights, against the caste system, and for India’s independence from the British Empire, which he won on the 15 August 1945.

The war between Muslims and Hindus which divided India into two countries, India and Pakistan, just before India’s Independence, was the most important fight of Gandhi’s life and he lost it. He couldn’t live with the violence between his people.

He lived a simple life but always wanted to know more. He always protested without violence and never lost his dignity.

People watched and followed him. His ideas will always be actual, because they are humane.

Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama read his books and studied his life. Many people follow his ideas today. Some words can help understand his philosophy: to know, hard work, to do, tolerance, equality, non violence, goodness, don’t hate, dignity, don’t fear and faith.

He died in 1948, murdered by a radical Hindu, but his name is known around the world. He was a good man. Sometimes it isn´t easy to be a good man

Coffee Time

Naimah Al Abdullah

Author:Sheila Duke

I started reading the story on the 29/11/2010 and finished it on the same day.

Zita cleaned her flat and ironed the clothes. Then the phone rang. It was Judy speaking. "Would you like to meet for coffee?" "That sounds good. At 2:00 o’clock" said Zita. She looked and it was 1:30. "Ok" said Judy. She walked to the bus stop. It was 2:05. Zita arrived at the coffee shop. Judy was waiting for her and they ordered coffee and cakes. Judy and Zita talked for a long time. Zita looked at her watch. It was 2:45. She said goodbye to Judy and went to pick up her children from school.

The story was very easy and has simple English words. Also I learned accuracy in telling the time, and I liked to read it to my friends.

Tooth & Claw

Emma Wang

I read Tooth and Claw. There are five stories about animals and people in this book, and the author is SAKI. I started reading those stories on the evening at the 27th of November and I finished reading this book on the evening at the 29th of November.

In the first story, the main person is a boy Conradin, and he is ten years old and he lives with his aunt. His aunt doesn’t like Conradin, so she was often unkind to him. Conradin hates his aunt and he found a secret place. In this place, Conradin has a ferret. One day, Conradin’s aunt found this secret place and tried to kill Conradin’s ferret — because she doesn’t like Conradin having anything to like. But at last, the ferret killed Conradin’s aunt.
In the second story, the main people are three children and a tall man. The tall man told a story to the three children and this story is about a very good girl, Bertha. Bertha was so good that she was 'horribly good.' Because she was very good the king invited her to his gardens and in the king’s gardens there was a lot of pigs. Bertha was very happy to walk in the king’s gardens, but at the same time to the king’s gardens was coming a wolf. At last the wolf ate Bertha.
In the third story, the main people are Van Cheele and a wolfman. Van has a small garden and one day he found a young man in his garden. At first Van wasn’t minding this man, but after this his friend told him that the young man is a wolfman. At last the wolfman ate a child on the way between his garden and that child’s home.
In the fourth story, the main animal is Tobermory, a clever cat and she can speak English very well so she can understand a lot of people’s secrets. And then a lot of people know this secret and everyone wants to kill it. At last she died because she fights with another cat and she was lost.
The last story is about a woman and a wolf. I don’t understand this story very well, maybe it is about a man and he can make some magic.

I think the English level of this book is about right and I think the stories are telling me that 'animals have cruelty.' I didn’t find the best point in this book. I don’t like this book because it’s complex and it was difficult to understand its meaning.

English Digest Volume 51 Issue 1

Miranda Fan

I read English Digest volume 51, issue 1. This is a magazine for helping students learn English. I started reading it on the 29th of November and I finished reading it on the 1st of December.

This magazine has so many stories for example: about life, about the environment, about travel, about animals, about plants, about personages and so on. I think the important is you can learn English through reading it.

In this book you can make a card, and you can play a language quiz and do a ‘find the word’ game. It’s fun.

If you want know a lot of stories and want to learn English, I think this magazine is best. The English level 1 or 2 I think is not so easy, but don’t worry, because the magazine has elementary level and intermediate level articles and you can choose them. So I want to introduce it to my classmates.

Aladdin and the Lamp

Naimah Al Abdullah

GENRE: Folk tale
DATE STARTED: 22/11/2010.
DATE FINISHED: 24/11/2010.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT SET? It is set in the past in China.

MAIN CHARACTERS? Aladdin, the rich man, and the lamp.

There was a boy named Aladdin who lived with his mother in China. They were very poor. Aladdin finds a magic lamp and rubs it. Out flew out a large green monster. He said, 'What can I do for you?' Aladdin said 'I want some money, and a new house for my mother.'

Aladdin became a rich man and was handsome. One day he went to the city with his mother and he saw a beautiful young woman. 'It's nice. I'm going to marry her. She's the daughter of the emperor.' He went to the fortress of the emperor. 'Hmm' said the emperor 'you're a very handsome man. Are you rich?' 'Oh yes!' said Aladdin. After that 'You can marry my daughter,' smiled the Emperor.

Aladdin lived with his wife and his mother happily ever after.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE? This story gives me many advantages. It shows how you can be smart and friendly with people.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE BOOK? It is easy and useful. I recommend my classmates read it.

Kings & Queens of Britain

Miranda Fan

I read Kings and Queens of Britain. This book talks about the British royalty. I started reading it on the 15th of November and I finished reading it on the 24th of November. The author is Tim Vicary.

And this book has 10 parts which tell the reader how the British royalty has developed until now.

1) The Queen and Parliament

2) Queen Boudicca

3) Alfred the Great

4) William 1

5) King Henry VIII and the Church

6) Elizabeth 1

7) King Charles and Oliver Cromwell

8) King James II and Parliament

9) King Edward VIII

10) The Queen today

I think this book is good, If you like kings and queens of Britain, I think you'll like this book. The English level I think it is not difficult. I think through this book you can know everything about the kings and queens of Britain, but this book doesn’t talk about Diana, so I think it is not good. But I want to introduce it to my fellow students.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Emma Wang

I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I started reading this book on the morning of the 17th of November and I finished reading it on the evening of the 19th of November. This story is written by C.S.Lewis. There is a movie that has the same name.

This book has a fantastic story but I could't find what time this story happened, maybe it happened at a time of war, I think. And this story takes place in a fantastic world, in a wardrobe.
This story has four main characters. Their names are Susan, Lucy, Edmund and Peter. They are four children and they are very brave.
The four children had come to live in the countryside and they live with an old Professor. This Professor has a big house, and in this house there is an old wardrobe. One day, Lucy opened this wardrobe and she found a strange world — this world has a lot of magical animals. Lucy goes back and tells her sister and brother, and they go to this world. Then they find the Great Lion, Aslan. And Aslan told them a prophecy about the world of Narnia — that four children will save the world. According to the prophecy, the four children will help Aslan defeat the White Witch. At last, Edmund becomes King and Lucy becomes Queen in Narnia.
I think this book teaches me the importance of faith, love, unity, loyalty and dedication. And I think the best point in this book is the four children help Aslan to get rid of the White Witch.
I rate this book as good because it's very interesting. The English level I rate as about right, so I want to introduce this book to my friends.

A New Hairstyle

Naimah Al Abdullah

AUTHOR: Sheila Duke
GENRE: Nonfiction
DATE STARTED: 17/11/2010.
DATE FINISHED: 17/11/2010.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT SET? One Tuesday at 10 o'clock.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS: Suzy and the hairdresser
WHAT HAPPENS?
Suzy wants to change her style, to be a different person. She makes an appointment with a hairdresser and consults with her at her salon & gets a new look.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE? A good hairdresser can make a good new look.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE BOOK? It is easy and useful. I recommend my classmates read it.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Speckled Band

Emma Wang

I read The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Speckled Band. I started reading this story on the afternoon of the 15th of November and I finished reading it on the morning of the 17th of November. In the world, the series of Sherlock Holmes books are famous detective fiction, and this story is in one of these series. The author is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and this story takes place in 1883 on the western border of Surrey, England.
There are two main people in this story. The first is Sherlock Holmes, a great detective. A lot of people usually visit Holmes at 221B Barker Street when they have difficult questions. The second is his best friend, Dr Watson. He is always with Holmes and taking note of the cases. This story is about a young woman and from Dr Watson's perspective.

One day, a frightened young woman came to visit Holmes and her name is Helen Stoner. Helen tells Holmes a case: Two years ago, and only two weeks before her marriage, Helen's sister died suddenly. Helen listened to a low whistle and a noise like a heavy piece of metal falling just before she found her sister. Now Helen wants to marry, and strangely similar events are happening in her home. So Helen was very frightened and visited Holmes quickly.

Holmes pays attention to this case, and goes to Helen's home with Dr Watson. Holmes looks at that house inside and outside very carefully, and then he was very serious and tells Helen: "We will spend the night in your room. We will try to discover the reason for the noise that you have heard." Helen agrees to this. At midnight that evening, Holmes and Watson found a snake in Helen's room and Holmes strikes it, and then the snake went back and killed its owner, the criminal, the stepfather of Helen. At the end, Holmes explains that an inheritance is why Helen's stepfather killed Helen's sister and tried to kill Helen.

I think this story is telling me to 'pay attention to the details in life' and I think the best point in this book is that Holmes strikes the snake, because a lot of people couldn't do this. Between the very dark and very light it is difficult to see anything.
I think this book is good and very interesting. The English level I rate as about right so I want to introduce this book to all my friends.

The White Oryx

Gracia Li

Author: Bernard Smith

Date stared: 24/11/2010

Date Finished: 24/11/2010

This book tells about an Oryx. This story happens in the wild. Two people went to do a field survey and found the ground had blood. They walked along the blood trail and found an Oryx, and see two people who planned to kill this Oryx. They stopped all this and raised the alarm. The policeman arrested the two people and the Oryx was rescued.

Humans constantly hunt Oryx, and Oryx numbers keeps decreasing. The Oryx are facing extinction. The Saudi government is continuously providing protection, but someone is constantly hunting oryx. I think that mankind must strengthen the protection of Oryx. People are not right to kill any animals. I want to let them know more about the danger of Oryx extinction so I will recommend this book to my friends.

Tomorrow's Girl

Sam Al Harbi

Author: John Escott

Genre: Science Fiction

I started reading this book on Monday the 22nd of November. The book is set on Catullo Island in Italy. The characters are Angelo, an old man, Bernardo and Marta. One day Bernardo wanted to change the beautiful island to a fun island for people on holiday but Marta persuaded Bernardo not to follow through with his plan. She told him "I come from 2022 and I know what you don’t know: The amusement park will be abandoned. No one will go there any more."

The message is don’t build yourself up at the expense of others. The best thing Bernardo did was not to do what he wanted. It is a good book and easy. I want to tell my friends to read this book.

Leonardo Di Caprio

Miranda (Bizhu) Fan

I read Leonardo Di Caprio. This book talks to you about Leo’s life and his road to stardom. I started reading it on the 1^st of Nov and I finished reading it on the 16^th of Nov.

This book takes place in the United States where Leo grew up and became a movie star. The author is Brent Furnas. Leo was born in NOV 11,1974 in America. When he was younger, his parents divorced, but they allowed him to choose the best. He didn’t like study, so he became an actor. His most famous movie is Titanic.

I think the best point in the book is the description of how Leo became a superstar and the description of his famous movies.

I think this book is good because the English level I rate as easy, so I want to introduce it to my fellow students.

Mystery Girl

Wael Al Anzi

Author: Joanna Strange
Genre: Drama
The hero of the story is Phil

There was a beautiful girl next to him and he was impressed by her beauty and he wanted to talk to her. He was ashamed so he followed her to speak to her when he dared.

His friend tells him the play will start at 7:30, but he had believed the play would not begin until 9:00. He went quickly and did not speak with the girl but her friend said, "His name is Bill. Talk with him after the show."

This is a beautiful story.

Alissa

Gracia (Wenting) Li

Author: C.J. Moore

Genre: Children’s story

Date Started: 17/11/2010

Date Finished: 17/11/2010

This book’s main character is Alissa. The story is as follows: Alissa likes reading and she wants to go to school, but her father is very bad. One day, her father sold Alissa to a man in another city. Her master is very fierce, and her life was hard. Alissa has to work fifteen hours a day, and this women shouted at her every day. A few days later, Alissa was sold to a clothes shop. The shop owner is a bad woman too. One day, Alissa picked up a rich lady’s purse in the shop, and then she returned it. The rich lady thought Alissa is a honest girl. Then Alissa has a nice home.

This book has changed my lifestyle. As I think Alissa is an honest girl and she likes study, I will be like her and value learning. This book tells me 'as long as you are work hard, life will be fine.' I deem this book as best, but I don’t want to recommend this book to my friends because the English level is too easy.

Michael Jordan

Assaf (Sam) Al Harbi

Genre: Sport

I started this book one day a week ago. This book is set in America. The main character is Michael Jordan. I think all people know this man. The book speaks about the life of Jordan and his way to fame. The message is how you can improve yourself. I learned how to organize my time. The best thing about the book is it recognizes the life of a famous person. It is a good book and I want to tell my friends to read this book.

Island For Sale

Wael Al Anzi

Author: Anne Collins
Genre: I think the story could be called a drama or a love story
The heroes of the story are Duncan and Jane

Duncan received a message that his money was running out so contacted an agent to sell his palace and island. Duncan felt very sad because he didn't want to sell his palace. The agent told Duncan that a singing star will buy the palace and the island. Next, the star and his girlfriend came to the island and Duncan stood in the palace to receive the guests and I felt that the woman lamented. Not liking the palace, the guests went to their place and Duncan was glad he had not sold to minors. Then he found a girl wandering around on the beach and he told her about the problem and found a solution. She said "Why don't you open a hotel in vacation time?" Because of this idea he became rich and married Sally and fathered two children, a boy and a girl

I think that the story is easy. I liked the story. I advise anyone to read it because it is easy.

The Return of Sherlock Holmes: The Six Napoleons

Emma Wang

I read The Return of Sherlock Holmes: The Six Napoleons. I started reading this book on the evening of the 6th of November and I finished reading it on the 7th of November. This story is a famous story in the world and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the author of this story. The genre is detective fiction, and the story takes place in 1904 in London, I think. In this book the main character is a detective whose name is Sherlock Holmes, and he is very clever. The police often asked him to help them. So this story is a typical case of Holmes.

One day, Mr. Lesttrade, a detective from Scotland Yard, visited Holmes and told him about a difficult case: A mad man stole three cheap busts of Napoleon and broke them. At the first everyone thinks this man hates Napoleon, but the next morning this man killed a man because he wanted to steal a bust of Napoleon from a house in Kensington. Then Holmes soon realized why the mad man broke the busts, because he was looking for something in the busts. Holmes does things in this way and he found a lot of clues. At the last he told Mr. Lesttrade what is in a bust of Napoleon: “It’s Black Pearl of the Borgias!", and at the same time Holmes helps to catch the criminal whose name is Beppo.

I think this book's message is 'there is only one truth' and I think the best point in this book is Holmes is very clever because when everyone thinks that criminal hates Napoleon, he does not think that. I rate this book as good because I love Holmes. The English level I rate as easy and I want to introduce this book to all my friends.

Beauty and the Beast

Naimah Al Abdullah

Genre: Folktale

Date stated: Monday 8/11/2010

Date finished: Wednesday 10/11/2010

This story happened many years ago in a small village. The main characters are Beauty and the Beast. The story goers like this: A prince was turned into a beast by an old women and he took a lovely girl Belle into his castle. After days passed the magic broke and they finally got married

The message is 'deal well with people and they will change their behaviours.' I liked this story. It was very fantistic and it has a very easy level of English. I recommed other students read it.