Coraline

So, I am going to just post about the entire Coraline book. I will start off by saying I didn't hate the book but at the same time it wasn't my favorite. As we all know the story is about a young girl who, through a door in her house, travels to an alternate world where her "other" family and surroundings exist. The only thing from the real world that is the same is the black cat. My favorite part of the story is the curosity and strength of such a young girl. When her and the cat are trying to get back to the real world she is the one reassuring and comforting the cat...."You'll be fine," said Coraline, "Everything's going to fine. I'll take you home." (pg. 125) Even though she is very scared and not really sure if everything will be fine she is saying those words to protect the cat. I am not really a fan of fantasy novels, in the beginning I wondered if it would all just end up being a dream. I love how the author made Coraline such a unique character, she is so smart. I thought it was funny how at the end of the book Coraline creates such a great idea as to get the hand of the other mother to fall down the well. I would say it took me far to long as an adult to relize that was her plan...haha. I can honestly say I would not have thought of that. So overall this was a very unique book, the details of such things asthe rock with the hole that protected her and the rat circus are great. Overall how did you guys feel about the book? What were your favorite parts?

Skellig; first half

There was a lot of things that I really enjoyed about this book, but one of the most intriguing was the theory of wings. Michael's mom says to him on pages 38-39, that, "They say that shoulder blades are where your wings were, when you were an angel They say they're where your wings will grow again one day." I had never heard this before and I don't know if it is something the author created or an actual saying, but I thought it was such a beautiful idea about wings and angels. And Mina comments on it, too. On page 52 she says to Michael, "It's a proven fact, common knowledge. They're where your wings were and where they'll grow again." What a great philosophy.
There were other things that touched on that kind of sweetness throughout the book. Michael checked on his baby sister frequently, feeling her warmth and her heart.
In another vein, on page 49, Mina says, "My mother educates me. We believe that schools inhibit the natural curiosity, creativity, and intelligence of children. The mind neds to be opened out into the world, not shuttered down inside a gloomy classroom." I think that this relates to what Zipes' says about the socialization of children through books. Mina's education is expanded beyond books, and what other people think is important to learn. I'd like to hear what you all think of this book.