Serpent's Shadow Analysis

In The Serpent's Shadow it says, " ' I'll take Freak to Memphis,' I said. 'Be back as soon as I talk to Thoth.' 'I'm going with you,' Walt said. Sadie had told me to take him along ,of course, but looking  at him now , I had second thoughts. Walt's cheeks were sunken. His eyes were glassy. I was alarmed by how much worse he looked since just yesterday. I know this is horrible, but I couldn't help thinking about Egyptian burial practices-how they'd pack the body with embalming salts to slowly dry it up from the inside. Walt looked like he'd been started on the process. 'Look, man,' I said, 'Sadie asked me to keep you safe. She's worried about you. So am I.' His clenched his jaw. 'If you plan on using a shadow for your spell, you'll have to capture it with that figurine. You'll need a sau, and I'm the best you've got.' Unfortunately, Walt was right. Neither Sadie nor I had the skill to capture a shadow, if that was even possible. Only Walt had that kind of charm-making talent. 'All-right,' I muttered. 'Just...keep your head down. I don't want my sister going nuclear on me.' Bast poked Walt's arm, the way a cat might nudge a bug to see if it was still alive. She sniffed his hair. 'Your aura is weak,' Bast said,' but you should be all right to travel. Try not to exert yourself. No magic unless absolutely  necessary.' Walt rolled his eyes. 'Yes, Mother.' Bast seemed to like that. 'I'll watch the other kittens,' she promised. 'Er, I mean initiates. You two be careful. I don't have much love for Thoth, but I don't want you caught up in his problems.' 'What problems?' I asked. 'You'll see. Just come back to me.'" (Riordan 116-117)

This passage shows that Walt's curse/ condition is getting worse and he's inching closer and closer to death. We also see that Carter and Sadie need advice from the god of wisdom Thoth about a spell for a shadow to destroy Apophis. Carter doesn't want to bring Walt along since his condition is so bad but he needs his skills to defeat Apophis and it looks as though the efforts could do Walt in. We also see that Walt, Carter, Sadie and the other initiates see Bast as a mother even if they have a living mother who loves them Bast is like a second mother to them. She protects them and watches over them every second when she isn't taking a nap. We can also see that Bast doesn't like Thoth. We can predict that something happened back in ancient times that made Bast dislike the god of wisdom. She tells Carter and Walt that Thoth has many problems and to stay away from them. We can predict that they will indeed get caught up in Thoth's problems because in order to get things from Thoth you have to do something for him in return like solving his problems or going on an y errand for him. And the errand that you must run for him usually puts you in mortal danger.

Blog Reflection

 

Beginning of the Trimester Post:

 Theme-The theme of the Half Blood Prince is one must trust others. This can be seen through out this book and several of the other Harry Potter books.  In the text when Harry is questioning Snape's loyalty to the Order and Dumbledore replies with this statement, "I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely."  Dumbledore has put his complete trust into Snape that he is no longer a Death Eater and that he is truly changed to the good side.  Dumbledore also put much trust in Harry to retrieve Slughorn's memory which was the key to moving on in Harry's private lessons with him. These lessons are very important as stated here, " 'I shall tell you , Harry, when you have retrieved that memory from Professor Slughorn,' said Dumbledore. 'When you have that last piece of the jigsaw, everything will, I hope, be clear... to both of us.' " This shows just how much trust Dumbledore is putting into Harry to get this memory because it not only effects Harry's future, but it could effect the future of everyone because this memory could contain some sort of hint to the number or what objects Lord Voldemort  has selected for his horcuxes.

 Summary- A summary of the chapter The Seer Overheard -Chapter 25- is Ginny and Harry have started dating. Hermione thinks she has figured out who the Half Blood Prince is a girl named Eileen Prince but she can not yet prove that it truly is her who is the Half Blood Prince. Harry disagrees with Hermione completely and is still hot on the trail of Malfoy trying to figure out what he and Snape are supposedly up to. Harry receives a note from Dumbledore he's all excited because this means that Dumbledore has found another horcuxe and he wants Harry to come with him to destroy it. As Harry makes his way to Dumbledore's office he hears Professor Trelawney scream and he investigates and finds that she was in the Room of Requirement and she heard whooping and then was thrown out of the room when she was hit with a spell by an unseen person. Then Trelawney lets it slip that Snape was the one who overheard Harry's prophecy and told Voldemort what he had heard of the prophecy which caused him to come and kill his parents and attempt to kill him but of course he failed. So , Harry is furious and goes on Dumbledore about trusting Snape and how Snape is up to no good with Malfoy etc. Dumbledore tells Harry to get his Cloak of Invisibility and meet him at the entrance hall. Harry does so but also grabs his Felix Felicis -Liquid Luck- and Marauder's  Map and tells Hermione and Ron to watch Snape and Malfoy while he's gone and to alert members of their group -Dumbledore's Army- if they had any problems. Then he meets Dumbledore and they apparate to a cave where the horcuxe is hidden.

 

End of the Trimester Post:

 Theme- One of the many themes of Rick Riordan's House Of Hades is that one must choose their own path.  This is illustrated in House of Hades when Annabeth talks to Damasen, '''The Prophecy of the Seven,' she said. Percy had already climbed out of the bed and was shouldering his pack. He frowned at her. 'What about it?' Annabeth grabbed Damasen's hand, startling the giant. His brow furrowed. His skin was as ruff as sandstone. 'You have to come with us,' she pleaded. 'The prophecy says foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.  I thought it meant Romans and Greeks, but that's not it. The line means us - demigods, a Titan, a giant. We need you to close the Doors!' The drakon roared outside, closer this time. Damasen gently pulled his hand away. 'No, child, he murmured. 'My cruse is here. I cannot escape it.' 'Yes you can,' Annabeth said. 'Don't fight the drakon. Figure out a way to break the cycle! Find another fate.' Damasen shook his head. 'Even if could, I cannot leave this swamp. It is the only destination I can picture.' Annabeth's mind raced. 'There is another destination. Look at me! Remember my face. When your ready, come find me. We'll take you to the mortal world with us. You can see the sunlight and stars.'"(Riordan 314-315)  And we see Damasen's decision when it says, "The Maeonion drakon spread its frilled collar and hissed, its poison breath filling the battlefield with the smell of pine and ginger. It shifted its hundred-foot-long body, flicking its dappled green tail and wiping out a battalion or orges. Riding on its back was a red-skinned giant with flowers in his rust -colored braids, a jerkin of green leather, and a drakon-rib lance in his hand. 'Damasen!' Annabeth cried. The giant inclined his head. 'Annabeth Chase, I took your advice. I chose myself a new fate.'"(Riordan 524). This illustrates the theme because Damasen is a giant a son of two evil forces- Gaea(Mother Earth) and Tartarus (the abyss)- he was born to oppose Ares, war god, so he is the opposite of Ares so Damasen is peaceful and gentle Damasen was crused because he helped mortals. His curse was that every day he must defeat the Maeonion drakon. Annabeth pushes him to break the cycle of the curse to choose his own path, to be who he wants to be. That he can overcome his curse all he needs to do is to believe in himself and build his own path.

 

 Summary- Percy, Bob, and Annabeth are traveling through Tartarus when they come upon arai. If you kill these monsters you will receive a curse of someone you killed that they made with their final breath. Percy of course kills several before learning his lesson. Leaving Annabeth blind(curse from Polythemus) and abandoned (cruse from Calypso). And himself eye twitching, sides bleeding and poisoned with gorgon blood. Bob eventually was able to kill the remaining arai and both he and Percy ran over to Annabeth. Bob touched Annabeth and cured her curses. Bob also tried to heal Percy but the gorgon blood poison was too strong and they needed to find someone to heal Percy. Bob being a Titan knew where they could find someone to heal him. They reached Damasen's hut and Damasen heals Percy and Annabeth tries to convince Damasen to join them on their quest to find the Doors of Death. Their discussion was cut short when the drakon came back and Polybotes ( the anti- Poseidon giant) was on their heels and they had to keep moving to avoid a confrontation with the giant because even though Percy had defeated Polybotes before he and Annabeth were in no shape to be fighting a giant.

 

Analysis: The quality of writing has improved because at the beginning of the trimester I didn’t really go into detail about how my quote supported my theme. I spent more time retelling every single thing that happened in the chapter form which I was pulling the theme instead of focusing on how the theme was conveyed in the text. I also cited more than one place in the text that could back up my theme later in the trimester making my claim stronger. I feel that I gave a little more background info later in the trimester to give the reader more of a sense what’s going on and why things are happening then I did at the beginning of the trimester. This would help them understand even more why I chose the theme I did and how the theme applies to the text.

Questions: One thing I struggled with when blogging was how much detail I should put into summaries because I felt as though I would spoil people if I added certain details but without those details I felt that the other events wouldn’t make sense. I overcame this by being as vague as possible but still giving enough detail that it would flow with the other events and made sense. A strength I had with blogging developed over the trimester. This would be the amount of detail I put into my analysis of the quotes I used to back up my claim. I feel like every time I dissected the quote more and more sometimes mentioning something from a couple paragraphs or pages before the quote I had chosen to show how what I was saying tied in with the rest of the story. I did not reach my reading goal I completed about a third of that goal this trimester. I used good reads to track my reading progress and to like quotes from my favorite books and author.

Book Recomendation for Throne of Fire

In Throne of Fire Sadie and Carter continue to fight evil,  but this time trying to keep  chaos-Apophis- from breaking free of his prison where Ra had trapped him before he retired. Carter and Sadie also race against time to find Ra and raise him to battle Apophis since they are archenemies. To awake Ra, Carter and Sadie must first find all three parts of the Book of Ra. Once that is done they must travel through the Duat - a world of magic and spirits- on the route Ra took every night and at the end of the journey he was reborn as the sun rose in the sky. On this journey Carter and Sadie learn many things about one another and about themselves. They face many obstacles along the way, Sadie must recite spells to free and awaken the three aspects of Ra, Carter must free Zia and try to resist Horus' pleas for him to become pharaoh.  Those are just a few  of the challenges they face in their race against time because at the equinox Apophis will rise from his prison and attempt to swallow the sun leaving the world in darkness. Can Carter and Sadie win the race against time?

I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars because we can see that Carter and Sadie can stand on their own with out the help of Isis and Horus. They may still throw their two sense in from time to tome but we can see even if this happens Sadie and Carter can control Isis and Horus. We also see them grow as magicians as they now can control their powers and they, of course, are learning new spells and things everyday. Also, we see Carter grow and become more confident in himself and his decisions, where as before he was just the kid who knew all the facts, now he is more of the leader and the one everyone looks up to and can go to with any questions. Sadie and Carter also, grow even closer in this book, especially when Sadie learns Carter's secret name, it shows how much closer they are now that they aren't living in different parts of the world. What I didn't like about this book was I felt like some things weren't explained enough like when Set was talking to Vladimir about raising Apophis and how Set then let Carter and Sadie escape after Sadie gave back his secret name and then it really wasn't brought up again in detail about why Set let them go so easily because why would the god of chaos let them go when he could have caused chaos for them?  Also, it wasn't really explained why Ra wasn't reborn at sunrise like he normally would have in the old days. Why would it be different now from what it was back in the days when Ra was King? Those are the only issues I had with this book. I encourage you to read all Rick Riordan books they are amazing! The first book in this series is called The Red Pyramid  after this is The Serpent's Shadow. Riordan also wrote a cross over between The Kane Chronicles and the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series called Son of Sobek. If you liked both of these I would recommend Heroes of Olympus which is a continuation of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.

Someone who would like this book is some one who enjoys a story containing action, adventure, and magic. Also, someone who enjoys sibling banter and watching siblings coming together and working as a team. To read this book you should have an interest in Egyptian mythology and what the Egyptians believed the gods did for them. This book makes those stories and gods come to life in a more modern atmosphere and puts them more in a this day and age perspective.

Analysis of The Throne of FIre

A passage from The Throne of Fire is, " ' They are ruthless murderers and theives,' Desjardins said.  'The worst of our House.' 'But they are anxious to prove their loylaty, ' Menshikov assuered hi. 'They are happy to do it!' He grinned at his minion, as if they encouraging them to look happy. None of them did. 'Besides, my lord,' Menshikov continued quickly, ' if you want Brooklyn House destoryed, we must be ruthless. It is fo rthe good of the Ma'at.' Desjardins frowned. 'And you, Vladimir? will you lead them?' No, my lord. I have full confidence that this, ah , fine group can deal with Brooklyn on their own. They will attack at sunset. As for me, I will follw the Kanes into the Duat and deal with them personally. You, my lord, should stay here and rest. I will send a scryer to your quarters so you may observe our progress.' ' Stay here,' Desjardins qouted bitterly. 'And observe.' Menshikov bowed. 'We will save the House of Life. I swearit. The KAnes will be destroyed , the gods put back into exile, the Ma'at will be restored.' I hoped Desjardins would come to his sensesand call off the attack. Instead, his shoulders slumped . He turned his back on Menshikov and stared at the empty throne of the pharaoh. 'Go,' he said wearily. 'Get those creatures out of my sight.' Mensikov smiled. 'My lord.' He turned and marched down the Hall of Ages with his personal army in tow.  Once they were gone, Desjardins held up his hand. An orb of light fluttered from the ceiling and rested in his palm. 'Bring me the Book of Overcoming Apophis,' Desjardinstola the light. 'I must consult it.' The magic orb dipped as if bowing , then raced off. Desjardins turned toeard the purple curtainof light- the image of teo figures fighting over a throne of fire. 'I will 'observe,' Vladimir,' he murmured to himself. 'But I will not 'stay and rest.'' The scene faded, and my ba returned to my body." (Riordan 311-312)

In this passage we see that Vladimir has a group of minions who have been exiled form the House of Life becasue they are thieves and murderers. He intends to use them to attack the Brooklyn House (Carter and Sadie's home) while Carter and Sadie are in Cario trying to raise Ra. This would leave only their uncle( Amos) and their trainees to defens the Brooklyn House. Carter is witnessing this thorugh a dream so we can predict that Horus is trying to tell Carter that instead of raising Ra, he should instead go back to Brooklyn and help defend his home. Horus is also warning Carter that he has a target on his back and that Valdimir is out to get him and Sadie and that he has no intenion of leaving them alive.  We can perdict that Vladimir does not want Desjardins along because he intends to do alot more then just "deal with the Kanes". earlier in the book we see Vladimir talking to Set about raising Apophis(Chaos) Vladimir wants Ra to be defeated by Apophis. Also, Desjardins is very weak from their travel after fighting with Carter at Zia's tomb. We can also. see thourhg this passage that Desjardins does not trust Vladimir so, he get the Book of Overcoming Apophis. We can perdict that Desjardins will take an action against Vladimir because he said he will not stay and rest.

Theme and Summary in Throne of Fire

In The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan it says, " ' And, my dear, some words of advice.' Ptah's milky
eyes studied me, 'Courage. Hope. Sacrifice.' I wasn't sure whether he was reading those qualities within me, or giving me a pep talk, or perhaps creating the traits I needed, the way he'd created the ba and the platypus. Whatever the case, I suddenly felt warmer inside, filled with new energy. 'You're beginning to understand,' he told me. 'Words are the source of all power. And names are more than just a collection of letters. Well done, Sadie. You may succeed yet.'" (Riordan 291)

The theme of this is that words are powerful and that one should be careful with what they say. This is illustrated in this passage when the Egyptian god Ptah (god of creation/craftsman) says those traits to Sadie. This is significant because whatever Ptah says is created. Earlier in Ptah tells Walt and Sadie that one day he created the word platypus and he said it aloud and that was how the platypus came about.  So when Ptah says this to Sadie it created those traits inside her which made her feel warm inside. He did this because he wants to see her succeed and he wants Ra to rise to defeat Apophis (chaos/Ra's archenemy) and he knows that she will be needing these traits to succeed on her quest. Ptah also mentions  the power of names. This is because everything has a secret name which if said correctly gives you power over that person or monster etc. But, the only way you can pronounce it correctly is if you get the secret name is if you hear the secret name from the person closet to them or from the person themselves. Sadie knows Carter's (her brother) secret name from healing him after he was poisoned from a snake bit. Sadie used to know Set's (god of chaos) secret name, but she had to give it back to get her ,Carter ,and  Bes away from St. Petersburg. This means that Sadie no longer has power over Set which would have been very useful and helpful.

Summary- In this chapter "... But Not as Evil as Romans" Sadie and Walt find the catacombs in which the final part of the Book of Ra is hidden. They run into Mad Claude- a Roman ghost- who tries to hinder them by asking them to release his soul so he can go to the Roman afterlife and not be stuck here forever. Sadie and Walt make a deal to release his soul if he shows them where the final piece to the Book of Ra is. Mad Claude tells them the story of the Roman families that are also buried here as well as his own on the way to the scroll. Once in the chamber where  the scroll should be they come upon a dilemma the entrance is blocked and Sadie can't just explode them away because that would mean the ceiling would collapse in on them. During their brainstorm session to fix this problem Walt finishes his story about his family curse when Mad Claude mentions that Walt had the aura/ presents of a god(Anubis). Walt goes on to explain that he can't use a lot of magic because the more he uses it the faster he will die. After this dramatic turn Sadie tries to summon the god Ptah with offerings but he does not appear. The knife Anubis gave her that is used for opening the mouth ceremonies is not helping. Mad Claude leaves once Sadie makes it clear that she wasn't using the knife to help him. While he's gone they brainstorm awhile longer and Sadie remembers sympathetic magic. This is where you connect to similar things and what you do to one thing happens to the other since they are connected. Sadie makes a small pile of rubble and then casts the spell connecting it with the boulders blocking the door. Then she scatters   the smaller pile and the boulders to the same . Sadie quickly collects the last part of the Book of Ra. As they are leaving the catacombs Mad Claude and all his mummy friends attack Walt and Sadie. Walt and Sadie were about to risk their lives by burning the mummies when Sadie shoves herself and Walt against the wall as a sea of rats race over and around them eating the mummies. The rats were sent by Ptah to help Walt and Sadie. Then Ptah himself shows up and gives Sadie this advice and tells Walt that there is a cure for his curse although he won't like it. Ptah opens a portal to where Carter and Bes are so Sadie and Walt can go  save them.

Theme and Summary of Red Pyramid

Theme- One of the themes in The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan is that the truth is a powerful thing, it can be hurtful and eye opening . We see this when it says, " 'Final question: If it meant saving the world, are you willing to sacrifice your father?' 'That's not a fair question!' 'Answer it honestly.' How could I answer something like that? It wasn't a simple yes/ no. Of course I knew the "right" answer. The heroine is suppose to refuse to sacrifice her father, Then she boldly saves her dad and  the world, right? But what if it really was one or the other?  The whole world was an awfully large place: Gran and Gramps, Carter, Uncle Amos, Bast, Khufu, Liz and Emma, everyone I'd ever known. What would my dad say if I chose him instead? 'If ... if there really was no other way,' I said, 'no other way at all- Oh, come off. It's a ridiculous question.' The feather began to glow. 'All right,' I relented. 'If I had to, the I suppose... I suppose I would save the world.' Horrible guilt crushed down on me. What kind of daughter was I?" (Riordan 364).

This show the theme because Anubis knows that Sadie is telling the truth because he has given her the feather of truth, the feather will burn you to ashes if you lie so you must tell the truth when in possession of the feather. Sadie is seeing how the truth is hurtful in this passage because even though she doesn't see her father that often she still loves him with all her heart and to give him up or save the world is a big decision. The whole reason they started this journey to defeat Set was because Set had taken there father and Carter and Sadie are trying to get him back and to do that they must defeat Set.  We see at the very and of this passage that Anubis's question really showed Sadie what she would do in this situation which she will inevitably face at some point in this book in order to defeat Set.

Summary- In this chapter "I Have a Date with the God of Toilet Paper" Sadie finally finds out who the boy she keeps seeing on her trips to the Duat- a world of spirits and magic.  That boy is Anubis- god of funerals. Sadie and Carter ask Anubis for the feather of truth which Thoth- the god of wisdom- told them they needed to defeat Set. Anubis refuses. Then Sadie realizes that there is suddenly a graveyard in the Hall of Judgment which is in ruins since Osiris- the lord of the dead- is absent because he was entombed with Carter and Sadie's father because Osiris chose their father as a host. She is more perceptive than Carter so he can not see the graveyard. When Anubis realizes this he asks if she can hear anything and she can jazz music. This leads to them appearing in New Orleans. Here Sadie and Anubis have a little chat about Set and the feather of truth. Anubis gives Sadie conditions to possessing the feather she is the only one who can have it. Also, she has to answer three questions about anything while holding the feather. Sadie answers the three questions and Anubis let's her keep the feather and he disappears from the scene sending Sadie back to Carter and Khufu in the Hall of Judgment. Where Sadie makes the decision to move on and find their friend Bast- the goddess of cats.

Anaylsis of Red Pyramid

In the Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan it says, " ' You know what happened to Amos?' Sadie blurted out. Desjardins scowled. 'Not yet,' he admitted. 'You have to find him!' Sadie cried. 'Don't you have some sort of GPS magic or-' 'We are searching ,' Desjardins said. 'But you cannot worry about Amos. You must stay here. You must be . . . trained.' I got the impression he was going to say a different word, something not as nice as trained."  (Riordan 165)

From this passage we can infer that Desjardins does not like Carter and Sadie very much. We can also infer he does not like Amos much either by the way he scowls at the mention of Amos's name. In this passage we see interaction between Sadie, Carter and Desjardins. Sadie, Carter and Zia- Desjardins partner from London- have just arrived at the House of Life in Egypt from a museum in Manhattan.  In London Zia had wanted to kill Carter and Sadie because they are supposedly some of the most powerful magicians and are very dangerous. They are so powerful and dangerous because they have the blood of to ancient families. But, Desjardins had told Zia to wait and it now looks like he is regretting that decision as they converse at the foot of the pharaoh's throne in the House of Life. Desjardins is translating English to Alexandrian Greek so Carter and Sadie can talk to the pharaoh's protector - Lord Iskandar- and vice versa.  Amos had left the mansion that morning to explore Phoenix because Carter had accidently entered into  the Duat , which is a world of spirits and magic, while he was sleeping because he didn't use the head rest. So, while in the Duat Carter found out that the guy who took his dad , the evil god Set, was planning to create a storm on his birthday and this apparently is a very very bad thing. And that the mountains will serve as Set's worship place and that one of his minions should "release their forces" which is never a good thing. Once Carter told Amos all of this Amos set off for Phoenix at once and they haven't heard from him since. Sadie and Carter have just been recently introduced to the whole your a magician thing so they still don't know what powers they have and how to use them so they need to be properly trained like Desjardins has said above. Also, Sadie and Carter are desperate for Amos to be found because he explained some things to them at breakfast that morning before he left for Phoenix, but things are still so unclear for Sadie and Carter they want and need to understand what is happening and why. Also, Amos is their uncle and they want him back because right now he is all they have. Their mom died six years ago and their dad was entombed in a sarcophagus at the Britain Museum on Christmas Eve (yesterday). Sadie was thrown out of her Grandparents house after the police talked to them about what happened at the Museum. Sadie had lived with her Grandparents in London ever since her mom died when she was six and Carter traveled around the world with his dad. So, Carter and Sadie really need someone to be there for them that is a constant in both of their lives since Sadie only gets to see Carter and her dad twice a year.

Characterization of Red Pyramid

In Red Pryamid it says "' We're prisoners,' she said. 'Do you think Amos... I mean, can we trust him?' After all I'd seen today I didn't trust anything, but I could hear the fear in Sadie's voice. It triggered an unfimilar feeling in me, like I needed to reassure her. The idea seemed ridiculous. Sadie had always seemed so much braver then me- doing what what she wanted , never caring abou the consequnces. I was the one who got scared. But, right now, I felt like I needed to play a role I hadn't played in a long, long time: big brother." (Riordan 60)

From the text we see that Carter charcterizes himself as the weaker or not as brave s his sister because Carter is always the one to stop and think things through while Sadie as Carter mentioned does what she wants without caring about the consequneces. You can also characterize Carter as cautious because he doesn't want to trust Amos just yet after the explosion at the British Museum and their father being emtombed in a sarcophagus  that sank through the floor after my dad was talking to a shimering firey figure, well let's just say I wouldn't trust someone who took me to New York from London in about five minutes on a boat. Amos also is very mysterious and doesn't tell the kids anything leaving them to wonder why things are the way they are. Whenever they ask what's going on the response is always very mysterious like, "Now isnot a good time to talk, moring is better." something to that effect that has an erie feeling. Sadie on the other hand is more reckless then Carter but in this passage we see more of her weak side. Carter characterizes her as braver then him and  carfree almost. We see this from Sadie before this when she doesn't go to the car like her Dad asked when he came to pick her up for their visitation day and he had Carter go get Sadie while he talked to Amos. Instead of going to the car Sadie decides she's going to figure out who thier dad is talking to since Carter went to go get her when the arrived and thier dad went to talk to Amos. Anyway she goes James Bond and hides behind trees and goes up the street some so they can over hear the arugement that their dad is having with this man (Amos) leaving Carter no choice but to follow her. But here in this passage we see how Carter living with their father ,who is an archaeologist, and traveling the world and Sadie living with their Grandparents in London after their mom died has effected thier relationship, along with the fact that Sadie is braver than Carter and is usally the one reassuring Carter we don't normally see this situation happen, where Carter has to convince Sadie that everything is fine.

House of Hades Book Recommendation

House of Hades is one of the best books I have ever read. It is the fourth installment in the Heroes of Olympus series, which is a continuation of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. If you haven't read any of these books I highly suggest that you read the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus.  In this book we get to see or characters develop so much.

Summary- When we last left our heroes Annabeth and Percy had just fallen into the depths of Tartarus. Leaving the rest of the Argo II crew to find their way to the mortal entrance to the Doors of Death, which is in Epris, Greece. We see from the very first chapter that the crew is struggling to cross the mountains to get to Greece because the rock (literal rock) gods are on Gaea's side and hinder the crew's path. They are also struggling to keep it together with out their "glue", Percy, and their "brains", Annabeth, keeping them united and supplying helpful information, and leading them to their goal. That being said this gives other characters like Hazel and Frank a chance to step up and be leaders with the absence of the two star players. After we see what is going on with the Argo II crew, we see how Percy and Annabeth are doing. When we first see them we see that they are still falling. Then we see them struggle just to get to the shore of the river they used to cushion their fall. Not long after they start walking they run into some old "friends".  With the help of an old friend Percy made from a pervious adventure through the Underworld Percy and Annabeth struggle to make it through the horrifying obstacles in Tartarus. The Argo II crew runs into old "friends" of their own who are down right cold. Both Percy and Annabeth along with the rest of the crew have the opportunity to meet new "friends" who they destroy or use them to help them with their journey. We also, get to see what is going on at Camp Half- Blood since Octavian is out for blood. Annabeth needs Reyna for a special task leaving Octavian in charge.  Leo at one point get separated form the rest of the crew after their cold "friends" visit. They send him to a familiar deserted island except a certain special girl. Once Leo is freed from her island as all heroes who visit are, like Percy was, Leo meets up with the rest of the crew in Malta. Nico and Jason had gone on a mission to get a certain scepter and met Cupid and we find out some shocking information about Nico.  At the end Leo and Hazel get separated from the rest of the crew who are fighting all kinds of monster in the House of  Hades. They know the must go on so they can defeat the anti- Hecate giant and the evil sorceress-Pasiphae. They while their doing this the must press the button on the Doors of Death to let Percy and Annabeth out of the elevator which leads from Tartarus to the mortal world after exactly twelve minutes. If they don't poof! No more Percy and Annabeth. So, will Hazel and Leo succeed or will the world as we know change because the Seven were defeated at the House of Hades? Who will win Gaea or the Seven?

This book was so good. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars. Even though it wasn't as light-hearted and adventurous as the other books, I really got to know these characters better. We get to see them grow, I learned even more about Percy and Annabeth even though I thought I knew it all from seeing them grow up in pervious books. We see the other characters really step up and grow into their own skin in the absence of the top two players. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes adventure, friendship, suspense, and action. Though again I highly suggest if you haven't read the pervious book in the series or the pervious series that you read those books before you pursue this book. 

House of Hades Theme and Summary

Theme- One of the many themes of Rick Riordan's House Of Hades is that one must choose their own path.  This is illustrated in House of Hades when Annabeth talks to Damasen, '''The Prophecy of the Seven,' she said. Percy had already climbed out of the bed and was shouldering his pack. He frowned at her. 'What about it?' Annabeth grabbed Damasen's hand, startling the giant. His brow furrowed. His skin was as ruff as sandstone. 'You have to come with us,' she pleaded. 'The prophecy says foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.  I thought it meant Romans and Greeks, but that's not it. The line means us - demigods, a Titan, a giant. We need you to close the Doors!' The drakon roared outside, closer this time. Damasen gently pulled his hand away. 'No, child, he murmured. 'My cruse is here. I cannot escape it.' 'Yes you can,' Annabeth said. 'Don't fight the drakon. Figure out a way to break the cycle! Find another fate.' Damasen shook his head. 'Even if could, I cannot leave this swamp. It is the only destination I can picture.' Annabeth's mind raced. 'There is another destination. Look at me! Remember my face. When your ready, come find me. We'll take you to the mortal world with us. You can see the sunlight and stars.'"(Riordan 314-315)  And we see Damasen's decision when it says, "The Maeonion drakon spread its frilled collar and hissed, its poison breath filling the battlefield with the smell of pine and ginger. It shifted its hundred-foot-long body, flicking its dappled green tail and wiping out a battalion or orges. Riding on its back was a red-skinned giant with flowers in his rust -colored braids, a jerkin of green leather, and a drakon-rib lance in his hand. 'Damasen!' Annabeth cried. The giant inclined his head. 'Annabeth Chase, I took your advice. I chose myself a new fate.'"(Riordan 524). This illustrates the theme because Damasen is a giant a son of two evil forces- Gaea(Mother Earth) and Tartarus (the abyss)- he was born to oppose Ares, war god, so he is the opposite of Ares so Damasen is peaceful and gentle Damasen was crused because he helped mortals. His curse was that every day he must defeat the Maeonion drakon. Annabeth pushes him to break the cycle of the curse to choose his own path, to be who he wants to be. That he can overcome his curse all he needs to do is to believe in himself and build his own path.

Summary- Percy, Bob, and Annabeth are traveling through Tartarus when they come upon arai. If you kill these monsters you will receive a curse of someone you killed that they made with their final breath. Percy of course kills several before learning his lesson. Leaving Annabeth blind(curse from Polythemus) and abandoned (cruse from Calypso). And himself eye twitching, sides bleeding and poisoned with gorgon blood. Bob eventually was able to kill the remaining arai and both he and Percy ran over to Annabeth. Bob touched Annabeth and cured her curses. Bob also tried to heal Percy but the gorgon blood poison was too strong and they needed to find someone to heal Percy. Bob being a Titan knew where they could find someone to heal him. They reached Damasen's hut and Damasen heals Percy and Annabeth tries to convince Damasen to join them on their quest to find the Doors of Death. Their discussion was cut short when the drakon came back and Polybotes ( the anti- Poseidon giant) was on their heels and they had to keep moving to avoid a confrontation with the giant because even though Percy had defeated Polybotes before he and Annabeth were in no shape to be fighting a giant.

Book Recommendation for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was a great way to end this memorable series. All questions the reader every had were answered in this book.  The conclusion to the Harry Potter series has everything emotional moments with beloved old characters and melancholy moments when some of those beloved characters pass,akward tensions between cahracters, action packed battles, anything you could be looking for in a book.

Summary-
In this book Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their journey to destroy the Horcruxes. They experience several obstacles along the way, the must be very careful,with a bounty over Harry's head and Muggle-borns being hunted down to be sent to Azkaban, the trio must find ways to continue looking for the Horcruxes without being discovered along the way they hit some rough pictures and end up becoming a duo at one point for certain reasons, but eventually the trio is reunited once more. Harry has some emotional moments not only from the losses of his friends but from visiting ,the place that Harry will never forget even if he only lived there for a year , Grodric's Hollow , the scene of his parents deaths and where they are buried along with a few other very important people. During their journey to find the Horcruxes they discover a new set of objects that could help them defeat Voldemort, the Deathly Hallows, most wizards believe that it was just an old wives tale, but  Harry, Ron and Hermione soon found out they were real. There are three Deathly Hallows, the Elder Wand, has a bloody history, this is believable seeing how it is the most powerful wand of all. The Resurrection Stone is the second Deathly Hallow and if you turn this stone in your hand three times those how have died that you love will appear, and lastly a Cloak of Invisibility. These three items together will make the possessor invulnerable or unable to die. Both Harry and Voldemort are in pursuit of the Deathly Hallows but Voldemort is not aware of the other two Hallows and is focused only on the Elder wand because he belives that the Elder wand is the key to his success. The only way he can lose is if Harry can destory all the Horcruxes before Voldemort can kill him. So who will win? Find out by reading Harry Potter and the Daethly Hallows.

Recommendation-
I would reccomend this book to anyone who ejoys action and adventure. If you have read any of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians you will enjoy these books. I obviously encourage anyone who has started the Harry Potter series to continue on and finish the series. This book series is for all ages it takes you on a magically journey teaching you about friendship, loyalty and trust.

I would give this book three out of five stars because if enjoyed it, but I felt that some parts of the book could be left out and it wouldn't change the story. Also, some parts were dull compared to other action packed scenes with intense fighting and chaos everywhere. And the way Rowling presented some of the information to answer out questions at the end seemed a little unblieveable for the situation that she put Harry in. On the flip side the action packed battle scenes and the choas were very well written and had me on the edge of my seat. The developments that when on with some of the other characters made me very emotional. But overall I really did like this book. think that if you haven't read Harry Potter yet that it should be the next book you pick up.

Analysis of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows it says," 'But...' Harry raised his hand instinctively toward the lightning scar. It did not seem to be there. 'But I should have died - I didn't defend myself! I meant to let him kill me!' 'And that,' said Dumbledore, 'will have made all the difference.' Happiness seemed to radiate from Dumbledore like light, like fire: Harry had never seen a man so utterly, so palpably content. 'Explain,' said Harry.  'But you already know,' said Dumbledore. He twiddled his thumbs together. ' I let him kill me,'  said Harry. 'Didn't I?' 'You did, said Dumbledore, nodding. 'Go on!' 'So the part of his soul that was in me...' Dumbledore nodded still more enthusiastically, urging Harry onward, a broad smile of encouragement on his face. '...has it gone?' 'Oh yes!' said Dumbledore. 'Yes, he destroyed it. Your soul is whole, and completely your own Harry.' 'But then...' Harry glanced over his shoulder to where the small, maimed creature trembled under the chair. 'What is that Professor?' ' Something that is beyond either of our help,' said Dumbledore. 'But if Voldemort used a Killing Curse,' Harry started again, 'and nobody died for me this time - how can I be alive?' 'I think you know,' said Dumbledore. 'Think back. Remember what he did, in his ignorance, in his greed and his cruelty.' Harry thought. He let his gaze drift over his surroundings. If it was indeed a palace in which they sat, it was an odd one, with chairs set in little rows and bits of railing here and there, and still, he and Dumbledore and the stunned creature under the chair were the only beings there. then the answer rose to his lips easily, without effort. ' He took my blood,' said Harry. 'Precisely!' said Dumbledore. 'He took your blood and rebuilt his living body with it! Your blood in his veins, Harry , Lily's protection inside both of you ! He tethered you to life while he lives!' 'I live...while he lives? But I thought it was the other way round! I thought we both had to die? Or is it the same thing?'" (Rowling 708-709)

Analysis

This excerpt from  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows shows us that even though Harry has started to figure things out there are still several this he still doesn't understand. We can also see that Dumbledore is still withholding information from Harry when he doesn't tell Harry what the creature  under the chair is. He also doesn't come out and tell Harry what he wants to know he asks Harry questions to lead him to his desired answer. Harry has figured out that he isn't dead even though Voldemort had it him with a Killing Curse, which Harry made no move to deflect or to cast his own spell. In this passage we see Harry does in fact still trust and look up to Dumbledore, since he had been debating this most of the book because of a book Rita Skeeter a Daily Prophet report had wrote about Dumbledore saying that he wanted wizards to be greater than Muggles and that the wizards should be the greatest race. Since Harry had heard those things he started to wonder if he really knew and could trust Dumbledore. In this passage when he confides in him for answers it shows that he still needs Dumbledore and that he trusts him not to lead him astray.

Inferences

From this passage I can infer that since Harry did not fight back when Voldemort killed him that it will be important because it is similar to how his mother, Lily, had died because she died to save Harry and Harry "died" so that no one else could ide for him since so many of his friends had already perished for him, so in short he died to protect those people.

 I can also infer that the Killing Curse hitting Harry and destroying the part of Voldemort's soul that had been placed with Harry's soul,the day that Voldemort killed his parents and attempted to kill him, will at least hurt Voldemort if not weaken him because there is only one more Horcurx (his snake)to destroy and then Voldemort can be eliminated.  

Theme and Summary of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Summary- In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows  the called Gringotts is about Harry, Ron, Hermione( disguised as Bellatrix) and Griphook(a goblin) braking into the wizard bank Gringotts to get into the Bellatrix's vault to discover and destroy another Horcurx. Once in Diagon Alley they are meet by an unexpected guest-Travers- who is another Death Eater. He questions why Bellatrix is out when all those who were present when Voldemort was summoned to the Malfoy Manor because they had supposedly caught Harry Potter- that is the only reason they should summon him because he was on an important mission. But by the time Voldemort had returned Harry had escaped with the help of Dobby the house elf. So, once they reach Gringotts Harry has to confudle the wizard guards so they don't detect his invisibility cloak which he and Griphook are hiding under. Once inside they face more difficulties. The teller- Bogord- asks for identification which Hermione does not have. So, she impersonates Bellatrix and is snippy and Bogord tells her all he needs to see is her wand, but Harry had stolen her wand from Draco along with Draco's wand when they had escaped from Malfoy Manor. They thought that this would be detected so Harry places an Imperious Curse on both Bogord and Travers who is now interested after Bogord makes a comment about Bellatrix getting a new wand. Harry the proceeds to make Travers climb into a crevice in the wall along the track that leads down to the vaults. Bogord gets the Clackers and leads them to the cart and steers them done to Bellatrix's vault. On the way they pass under The Thief's Downfall which lifts all enchantments and disillusion charms which means Hermione no longer looks like Bellatrix and Ron no longer looks like a foreigner and Harry is now visible. Harry has to put the Imperious Curse on Bogord again for him to use the Clackers to scare the dragon away he can touch the vault and let them in. Upon entering they find that they cannot touch anything because it will multiply and burn you. After searching for several minutes Harry finally spots the Ravenclaw cup on a high shelf that is out of reach of Ron-who's the tallest. Harry figures out that if he uses the Sword of Gryffindor to touch it will not add to the supply of burning metal at their feet. With the help of Hermione who uses one of Snape's spell to lift Harry upside down in the air to reach the cup by hooking it through the handle with the sword. After he has the cup he falls onto the pile of burning metal and loses the sword with the cup and Griphook- who Harry had promised to give the sword to if he helped them with this mission- grabs the sword along with the cup (Horcrux) and runs off with it screaming to the approaching group of goblins and wizards that they are the thieves not him and he disappears. Harry, Ron and Hermione fight their way out by stunning the goblins. Then Harry frees the dragon and the trio climbs onto it's back before it realizes it's free and ride it through the roof which they help destroy to make it easier for the dragon to escape.

Theme- The theme of this chapter is one must be careful where one places their trust. This theme is represented in the text when, " ' There!' It was Griphook who had seen it and Griphook who had lunged, and in an intsant Harry knew that the goblin had never expected them to keep their word. One hand holding tightly to a fistful of Harry's hair , to make sure he did not fall into the heaving sea of burning gold, Griphook seized rhe hilt of the sword and swung it high out of Harry's reach. The tiny gold cup, skewered by the handle on the sword's blade, was flung into the air. The goblin still astride him, Harry dived and caught it, and although he could feel it scalding his felsh he did not relingquish it, even while countless Hufflepuff cups burst from his fist, raining down upon him as the entrance of the vault opened up again he found himself sliding uncontrollably on an expnading avalanche of fiery gold and silverthat bore him, Ron, and Hermioneinto the outer chamber. Hardly aware of the pain from the burns covering his body, and the still borne along on the swell of replicating treasure, Harry shoved the cup into his pocket and reached up to retrive the sword, but griphook was gone. Slinding from Harry's shoulders the moment he could, he had sprinited for coveramgonst the surroundign goblins, and brandishing the sword and crying 'Thieves! Thieves! Help! Thieves!' "
This demonstrates the them because it shows that Harry and Griphook did not trust each other therefore their plan fell apart because Griphook turned on them and took the sword Harry now has no way of destorying the Horcrux he just found. Also, Griphook's lack of trust in Harry caused him to steal the sword in the first place. Harry didn't fully trust Griphook but he had some faith in him, so when Griphook runs away calling them thieves it just shows how much you have to consider who you are going to trust. Harry, Ron and Hermione had put their trust in Griphook for this mission and he failed them just like they think Snape failed Dumbledore by killing him, because Dumbledore had put all his trust in Snape and he had betrayed him just like Griphook had betrayed Harry.

Links and Displays for Harry Potter

This is the trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. From the trailer you can tell that the director decides to stick to the book and not really go and do their own thing. We see Harry, Ron and Hermione when the infiltrate the Ministry at the beginning of the book. We also see part of the Death Eater meeting that was held in the very first chapter of the book. We see bits and pieces of Harry, Ron and Hermione traveling to find the Horcurxes. We also, see bits and pieces of Bill and Fluer's wedding and when Kingsley's Patronous comes and warns them that the Ministry has fallen. Another seen from the book that we see is the Lovegood's house being destroyed after he summoned the Death Eaters saying that he had Harry Potter, but after they arrive Harry, Ron and Hermione make an escape. I think that this movie will be a great representation of the book just from seeing this trailer and seeing a lot of the scenes from the book being incorporated.

Harry Potter Legacy
This article walks through the release of the books and movies and questions whether in 20 years will our childern or grandchildern will know Harry Potter or will they consider it an old trend like we think Chicken Soup books are. But it says that Harry Potter will leave a legacy, and I belive that it has. It also discusses the different pieces of the book like the use of magic and how it plays a role in the book. It also mentions that Quidditch is actually played here in the U.S!




This is a picture of when Harry was getting moved from number four Privet Drive to the Burrow at the beginning of  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this scene Fred, George, Hermione, Ron Fleur, and Mundagus take Polyjuice Potion causing them to appear to look like Harry to confuse the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort in case their plans had some who been leaked them. They eventually change into Harry's clothes so they are all in the same outfit and look exactly alike.




This is a snapshot of when Harry and Hermione travel to Grodric's Hallow after Ron left them. This is the place where sixteen years ago Harry's parents had sacrificed themselves to save their son and where Harry had defeated the Dark Lord at the age of one. In this scene they are looking at the grave of Harry's parents they are trying to figure out what the saying on the tombstone might mean. The tombstone reads, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

J.K. Rowling

This article explains what Rowling's situation was like before writing Harry Potter. It talks about how she wanted to be a writer when she was little and what had gotten her interested in writing. It explains her schooling and how at first out of college she had been a secretary and how she didn't like the job very much, but it gave her a computer to type her stories up on during her breaks.

Analysis

In  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows it reads, " 'So, why are you still here?' Harry asked Ron. 'Search me,' said Ron. 'Go home then,' said Harry.  'Yeah maybe I will!' shouted Ron, and he took several steps toward Harry, who didn't back away. 'Didn't you hear what they said about my sister? But you don't give a rat's fart, do you, it's only the Forbidden Forest, Harry  I've-Faced-Worse Potter doesn't care what happens to her in here- well, I do , all right giant spiders and mental stuff-' 'I was only saying - she was with the others, they were with Hagrid-' 'Yeah, I get it, you don't care! And what about the rest of my family, 'the Weasleys don't need another kid injured,' did you hear that?' 'Yeah I-' 'Not bothered what it meant, though?' 'Ron!' said Hermione, forcing her way between them. ' I don't think it means anything new happened, anything we don't know about; think, Ron, Bill's already scarred, plenty of people must have seen that George has lost an ear by now, and you're supposed to be on your deathbed with spattergoit, I'm sure that's all he meant-'Oh, you're sure are you? Right then, I won't bother myself about them. It's alright for you two, isn't it, with your parents safely out of the way-' 'My parents are dead!' Harry bellowed." (Rowling

Analysis-
Ron seems to be very insensitive to the current situation. He feels left out and is a little jealous that Hermione is giving Harry more attention and siding with Harry on decisions. Ron feels inferior to Harry and the locket (Horcurx) is only making matters worse because the Horcurx makes you feel dark and like your carrying extra weight because the piece of Voldemort's soul is giving off that aura. Ron also, feels kind of useless since he was injured when they Apparated away from the Ministry into the Quidditch World Cup field. Another thing that is contributing to Ron's mood id the fact that he just heard news about his family that is not the most reassuring his sister has been punished by Snape for trying to steal the Sword of Gryffindor even though it'd a fake and Ginny, Snape and the other don't know that. And when Phineas comments that no more Weasely kids need injured he fears the worse even though that might not be the case. So, when Harry and Hermione comment on this as though it's not too terrible he explodes on them and says some unforgivable things like that their parents are safe and out of harms way unlike his parents. This is a major blow not only to Harry but Hermione as well because Harry no longer has parents. He never even got the chance to know them like Ron and Hermione got to know theirs. This is a major blow to Hermione because she had to physically remove all of her parents memories of her and watch them go live a new life without her. Harry and Hermione are trying to be patient with Ron but for Harry and Ron this was the last straw they have been insulting each other even though they are best mates. Hermione is trying to keep them calm and from tearing each other to pieces but Ron is determined to make Harry and Hermione feel as guilty as possible.(Rowling 306-307)

Inferences-

I can infer that Harry will have internal conflict with this moment and the rest of the argument that ensued before this snippet of text because he wants to be furious with Ron for being inconsiderate and only thinking about himself and his problems, but Harry also wants to forgive him for being rude because he is so loyal and him and Ron have been through so much together it would be silly to let an argument ruin their friendship.

From this I can infer that the Horcrux is tearing the trio apart and that even though they are taking turns wearing the Horcrux that some of these feelings are true, I can infer this because Ron has always been some what jealous of Harry for getting all the attetion and I think that here is where Ron lets it all out espically when he calls Harry , Harry I've-Faced- Worse Potter.  When Ron does this and accuses him of not caring about what happens to the Weasleys and that Harry's parents are safe this sets off Harry causing Hermione to chose a side which is a very though spot to be in.

Check point #3 Reading Skills

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows it says, "Lupin had been right about magic they had never encountered or imagined. Why hadn't Dumbledore explained more? Had he thought that there would be more time; that he would live for years, for centuries perhaps, like his friend Nicholas Flamel? If so, he had been wrong...." (Rowling  278)

From this text I can predict that Harry will continually struggle to understand why Dumbledore never told him how to defeat Voldemort like how to possibly find the rest of the unknown Horcuxes. What kinds of spells could destroy Horcuxes? Harry feels that he should have or would gotten a step by step How to Kill Voldemort pamphlet from Dumbledore. I can also predict form this piece of text that they are encountering and experiencing magic they have never before imagined or encountered that there will be some close calls for the trio and they will have to improvise a lot more then usual to survive because they don't know all the spells that they need to know since they decided that they wouldn't be attending Hogwarts for their final year of schooling in magic.

Some questions that I have from looking at this text are, like Harry I too wonder why Dumbledore did not keep Harry more informed about how to defeat Voldemort ? If he had would he still be alive? Because if he had kept Harry more in the loop he would have killed Voldemort a lot faster right? In the text Harry says that Dumbledore had been wrong,  but in earlier books Harry had never seconded guessed Dumbledore only in the last two books has Harry really questioned Dumbledore and his actions. Harry had looked up to Dumbledore and thought he could never be wrong and he wasn't the only one the majority if not all the wizarding community had held Dumbledore to the highest respect and thought he was the wisest wizard alive, so how can he go from that to being dumb enough to think he can live basically forever or as long as he wants? Even if he didn't think he could live for ever did he suspect he was going to die? If so why would he not tell Harry everything then so he could easily and successfully understand what he must do, how he must do it and why?

Text to World connection
As citizens of a country we all have a government in Harry Potter it's the Ministry or Hogwarts Staff for students. But, the point is they don't always give us all the information we need to hear to understand a situation or dilemma and why that situation / dilemma is happening and we know it too. Like in Harry Potter when Dumbledore doesn't tell Harry everything he needs to know about destroying Horcuxes and Voldemort.

Text to Text
Harry Potter is very much like Percy Jackson. Both protagonist have green eyes with black hair. Both have a mentor that the protagonist looks up to but sometimes has anger towards for not explaining more about their fate. For Percy that mentor is Chiron the trainer of heroes and his father Poseidon. For Harry it's Dumbledore. Both have a prophecy that dictates their future and the fate of mankind. Percy has several mini prophecies for when he goes on quests but since he is a Child of the Big Three ( Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades) he is also, the subject of -at the time -the current Great Prophecy that says he will make a choice to preserve or raze Olympus and if Olympus is destroyed so is Western Civilization which basically means man kind.Chiron won't tell him the prophecy until the fifith and final book of the Percy Jackson and the Oylpians series when he is fifiteen almost sixteen which is almost four years of keeping Percy in the dark. Poseidon gives Percy vauge advice like Dumbledore when at the end of Sea of Monsters he tells percy to "Brace himself" not telling him what to brace himslef foror how to brace himself.  Harry's prophecy is about him defeating Voldemort which will in turn have the wizarding and muggle communities from disasters and mass murder from Voldemort . Dumbledore gives Harry vauge advice as well like "I open at the close," which is on the snitch he left to Harry after he died with the belief that Harry would eventually figure out what he means.

Text to Self
This piece of text relates to me because I don't always get all the information I want on certain things either and it too irritates me because I know I could have more information that would be useful for what I'm doing but the person either won't tell you or is dead and unable to be reached to communicate how to handle the situation at hand.

Analyizing Ron and Hermione

Ron and Hermione are both extremely loyal even if at times they get furious with one another whenever the other or Harry is in danger they will always be there for one another. They spend almost every moment together unless one of them is in detention or when Harry must return back to number four Privet Drive every summer for a short time to ensure that he up holds his mother's charm which will protect him from Voldemort until Harry is of age-seventeen. Ron and Hermione are so loyal that they want to go on every adventure with Harry even if Harry doesn't want them to because he cares and is loyal to them and doesn't want them to die because of him. For example in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows  it says, " 'Listen,' said Harry. He sat up straight. Rona and Hermione looked at him with similar mixtures of resignation and defiance. 'I know you said after Dumbledore's funeral that you wanted to come with me,' Harry began. 'Here he goes,' Ron said to Hermione, rolling his eyes. 'As we knew he would,' she sighed, turning back to the books. 'You know, I think I will take Hogwarts, a History. Even if we're not going back there, I don't think I'd feel right if I didn't have it with-' 'Listen!' said Harry again. No, Harry you listen, ' said Hermione. We're coming with you. That was decided moths ago- years really.' 'But-' 'Shut up' Ron advised him. '- are you sure you've thought this through?' Harry persisted. ' Let's see,' said Hermione, slamming Travels with Trolls onto the discarded pile with a rather fierce look. ' I've been packing for days, so we're ready to leave at a moments notice, which for your information has included doing some pretty difficult magic, not to mention smuggling Mad-Eye's whole stock of Polyjuice Potion right under Ron's mum's nose. 'I've also modified my parents memories so that they're convinced they're really called Wendell and Monica Wilkins and that their life's ambition is to move to Australia, which they have now done. That's to make it more difficult for Voldemort to track them down and interrogate them about me- or you, because unfortunately, I've told them quite a bit about you.'" (Rowling 96-97)  This shows their loyalty because they aren't backing down from this challenge no matter how dangerous it is because they have been there since the beginning  and it wouldn't be the same if they let Harry finish the journey on his own.

 At the beginning of their journey together Ron and Hermione were more timid and afraid, but now they aren't recluctant to go with Harry and stand up to Harry when he tries to shove them off because he doesn't want them to go with him and be put in more danger than they would be for just being friends with him. They also, trust each other with their lives and they have to trust the Order and those around them to kee them safe which develops the theme of one must trust others.

Their loyalty advances the plot becasue if they weren't loyal and trusting with one another Harry would most likely be dead or failing at Hogwarts since they do everything together form homework to saving each from trolls, helping Harry get the Sorcer's Stone, or helpingirus escape from Hogwarts helping Hary train for the Triwizard Tournament or organizing a group to "study" defense against the Dark Arts. They have saved each others lives and put their lives on the line for each other so many times that if you took away that loyalty there wouldn't be any adventures of Ron, Hermione, and Harry to talk about becasue they'd all be dead because the others weren't there to back them up or help them figure out how to get out of a situation or to tell them what spell to use.


The fact that Hermione modified her parents memory so that they think they are totally different people so that Voldemort won't harm them for information about them is huge and it goes on to say that she modified their memories so much that they don't know or think they have a daughter. She and Ron are not putting themselves on the line, but they are also putting their friends and family in danger and there's a potential  to be tortured for information or just flat out murdered for helping them in their journey to find the remaining horcurxes to destroy them. They have sacrificed so much. That's how they show their loyalty to each other I think is by sacrificing for one another like when Harry broke up with Ginny because he wanted her to be safe and out of the danger of Lord Voldemort. But is anyone ever safe from the wrath of Lord Voldemort?

Harry Potter in 99 Seconds

 

*POSSIBLE SPOLIER*

 

This video is a creative way to summarize the entire series in a short amount of time. It is humorous and entertaining. If you haven't read these books you probably will not want to watch this because he hits major points of each book giving away deaths of characters and important events that happen in the series. But he does a really good job, he has another one like this for Lord of the rings and he has a movie villain medley and a Disney princess spoof you can check out if you thought this was cool.

Theme and Summary Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Theme-The theme of the Half Blood Prince is one must trust others. This can be seen through out this book and several of the other Harry Potter books.  In the text when Harry is questioning Snape's loyalty to the Order and Dumbledore replies with this statement, "I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely."  Dumbledore has put his complete trust into Snape that he is no longer a Death Eater and that he is truly changed to the good side.  Dumbledore also put much trust in Harry to retrieve Slughorn's memory which was the key to moving on in Harry's private lessons with him. These lessons are very important as stated here, " 'I shall tell you , Harry, when you have retrieved that memory from Professor Slughorn,' said Dumbledore. 'When you have that last piece of the jigsaw, everything will, I hope, be clear... to both of us.' " This shows just how much trust Dumbledore is putting into Harry to get this memory because it not only effects Harry's future, but it could effect the future of everyone because this memory could contain some sort of hint to the number or what objects Lord Voldemort  has selected for his horcuxes.
Summary- A summary of the chapter The Seer Overheard -Chapter 25- is Ginny and Harry have started dating. Hermione thinks she has figured out who the Half Blood Prince is a girl named Eileen Prince but she can not yet prove that it truly is her who is the Half Blood Prince. Harry disagrees with Hermione completely and is still hot on the trail of Malfoy trying to figure out what he and Snape are supposedly up to. Harry receives a note from Dumbledore he's all excited because this means that Dumbledore has found another horcuxe and he wants Harry to come with him to destroy it. As Harry makes his way to Dumbledore's office he hears Professor Trelawney scream and he investigates and finds that she was in the Room of Requirement and she heard whooping and then was thrown out of the room when she was hit with a spell by an unseen person. Then Trelawney lets it slip that Snape was the one who overheard Harry's prophecy and told Voldemort what he had heard of the prophecy which caused him to come and kill his parents and attempt to kill him but of course he failed. So , Harry is furious and goes on Dumbledore about trusting Snape and how Snape is up to no good with Malfoy etc. Dumbledore tells Harry to get his Cloak of Invisibility and meet him at the entrance hall. Harry does so but also grabs his Felix Felicis -Liquid Luck- and Marauder's  Map and tells Hermione and Ron to watch Snape and Malfoy while he's gone and to alert members of their group -Dumbledore's Army- if they had any problems. Then he meets Dumbledore and they apparate to a cave where the horcuxe is hidden.

Half Blood Prince Article

This article discusses how in 24 hours that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince destroyed book sale records. The article includes a summary of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince without spoilers. The author also discusses how they think J.K Rowling shouldn't be gaining new readers, but losing old ones. They also believe that things are rushed and abrupt unexplained. I to some degree agree with this like when Harry brought up the fact that Tonks' patronous had changed, but who ever Harry was talking to whenever he brought it up shoved it to the side and changed the subject not really explaining what her patronous changed into and the significance of that change and what her patronous was to begin with. The author of this article also thinks that the book isn't really centered around Harry as much which I can see since they are so focused on the security increase at Hogwarts, and getting the memory from Slughorn , and figuring out what Darco Malfoy is up to and if he is in fact a Death Eater, but Harry is involved in solving and or causing these situations. Also, the book still revolves around Harry and his thoughts, actions, etc. Harry is just focused on the events listed about along with some other personal struggles through out the book.

Summer Reading - My Sister's Keeper

Campbell is Anna's lawyer for her medical emancipation trial. At the beginning of this book Campbell is totally against taking Anna's case , but then realizes if he does it for free then he will get a bunch of good publicity. He doesn't take Anna into account at all he's only worried about himself as is exhibited in this quote. "Kerri shakes her head. 'Where's she going to live?' The comment stops me. In fact, I hadn't really considered it. But, a girl who brings a lawsuit against her parents will not be particularly comfortable residing under the same roof, once the papers are served. Suddenly Judge is at my side, pushing against my thigh with his nose. I shake my head annoyed, timing is everything. 'Give me fifteen minutes,' I tell Kerri. ' I'll call you when I'm ready.' 'Campbell,' Kerri presses, relentless, 'you can't expect a kid to fend for herself.' I head back into my office. Judge follows, pausing just inside the threshold. 'It's not my problem,' I say; ..." (Picoult 25) 

 

 As time goes on something changes inside Campbell and he starts to care about Anna's case and for Anna herself. As illustrated in this quote. "She's not going to veto this petition. That's my first incredible thought- that my case isn't going down in flames yet, even after Julia's testimony. My second thought is that Julia is as ripped up about this case and what's happened to Anna as I am, except she's put it out on display for all to see." ( Picoult 372) This shows that Campbell indeed cares what happens to Anna after this case because he's ripped up by what is happening or happened to Anna through out the course of this book. He can't stand the what Anna has been going through emotionally and physically throughout this trail and the weeks lead up to it. 

 

At the trial Campbell actually stands up for Anna showing that his character truly has changed. He is no longer the stuck up lawyer who's just there to get paid or get good publicity. He cares for his clients and what is going on in their lives and how they are etc. This is what Campbell says too the judge at the trial, 'But what I think doesn't matter. Judge DeSalvo, with all due respect, what you think doesn't matter. What Sara and Brian and Kate Fitzgerald think doesn't matter. What Anna thinks does.' I walk back toward my chair. 'And that's the only voice we ought to be listening to.'" (Picoult 408) This shows that Campbell believes in Anna and that she can make her own decisions in her life. This also shows that he no longer puts himself first and that it's not all about him any more.

 

Finally, at the very end of the book you see that Campbell paid attention to Anna and he granted Anna's wish, "Campbell is the one who actually answers the doctor. 'I have the power of attorney for Anna,' he explains, 'not her parents.' He looks from me, to Sara, 'And there is a girl upstairs who needs a kidney.'" (Picoult 416) Campbell knew how much Anna wanted to help her sister even if it meant that she had to sue her parents for medical emancipation. After what happened to Anna also knew that the Fitzgerald's couldn't stand to lose another daughter. He puts their needs first and that is a derestrict change from the beginning of the book when he was me me me. And was just going through the motions of this case to get the good publicity for new clients.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article was someone else's review of this book it contains no spoilers. I agree with this person for the most part except when she says she felt that the pace never was slow ,but that is a matter of opinion. This review was very well done it gave an excellent quote that would hook a potential  reader without giving much away. Their summary was brief and went into detail but not enough to give anything away. If you want to see a good review of My Sister's Keeper if you are considering reading this book check out this link.

 

Book Review

 

 

My Sister's Keeper Trailer 2009