Whew, It's Been A While..

Has it been four months, already? Wow. It's weird, because it seems I have so much to do it in the summer, but at the same time I have nothing to do.

So, anyway, I promise to post more later.

Anjali

Shiva's Fire

O.M.G. IT HAS BEEN SOO LONG!! So anyway todays review will be of a book called:

Shiva's Fire

By Suzanne Fisher Staples

Shiva's Fire is the extraordinary story of Parvati, a young girl born in the small village of Anandangar in South India. On the day of her birth many tragic events occur. A terrible storm hits the small village on the first day of the monsoon season, leaving half the village in ruins. Parvati's father is trampled by a frightened herd of elephants. Parvati, her mother and her two brothers had to live with her father's brother and his family. Although there are many near disasters, Parvati's life is cheerful.
One day a Guru comes to the village and Parvati to learn Bharata natyam at his Gurukulam in Madras. Parvati is honored and joins him at the gurukulam. There she learns that she was born to dance. Though it involves very strict training and separation from her loving family, the gurukulam becomes Parvati's second home. When Parvati goes to the King's palace, she meets a gentle-eyed boy who charms and mystifies her. There, Parvati must make one the most decisions in her life between whether or not she should truly live her life, and or spend it dancing.

I give it 9\10

Well, GTG

Anjali

The Magic Half

Book Review!!!:

The Magic Half

By Annie Barrows

The Magic Half is about a young girl, Miri, who is adjusting to her new house and town. When she finds out about a thief who supposedly lived there before them, Miri thinks it's just a story, but when she finds a piece of glass that takes her to 1935, 70 years before, and there she meets a mistreated girl named Molly, and her horrible cousin, Horst, and Miri realizes after going back to her own time through her glasses, that the thief was Horst, and that he was going to murder Molly! Miri explains this to Molly and make a plan to scare Horst away so they use a strange costume to scare Horst. Read the book to find out how it ends.

9/10

See 'ya,

Anjali

The Lightning Thief

Hey, you probably read it, since it is popular and it's being made into a movie. Anyway here's my review:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan

So Percy Jackson's life isn't normal, but he didn't think it meant that he was half god! After discovering the truth of him being the son of Posieden, Percy Jackson must go on a quest to find Zeus's lightning bolt and to clear his name. on the journey joins him Grover Underwood, the satyr, and Annabeth Chase, another demigod. Together they must search for the bolt, dodging many treacherous obstacles. Will they get the bolt on time before the summer solstice? Will they survive many creatures that stand in their way and, of course, want to destroy him. Will I ever stop talking like this? The only way to find out is to read the book!!!!!!!

9 1/2 / 10

see 'ya,

Anjali

Deep...and Dark...and Dangerous

Deep and Dark and Dangerous! It was good. but in popular snooty cheerleader talk, it would be " Monster Fabuleriffic"

Oh yeah, I went there.

Anyway here's my review:

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

by Mary Downing Hahn

The second Ali, her cousin Emma, and her aunt Dulcie set foot on the shores of Sycamore lake, strange things start happening.

Ali and Emma meet a girl named Sissy, but soon Ali finds out the truth.

Ali's mother, her aunt Dulcie, and Teresa (A.K.A Sissy) were canoeing, when a fight over a doll started. Finally, the doll fell in the water, and Teresa dived after it!

That day Teresa died.

The rest, you shall know soon.

face the truth...or scare

See 'ya,

Anjali

The Iditerod Dream

So The Iditerod Dream book was something I had to read for language arts

The Iditerod Dream

By Ted Wood

So as the 15 competitors of the Jr. Iditerod, the second harshest dog sled competition in

the world, get ready for the twisting trails that lay ahead, Our main character, Dusty,

sets off, to achieve his dream to win.

Soon, Dusty is in the lead, and is the first one to get to Yetna Station, where each racer

must rest for 10 hours.

The rest to know, is up to you

6/10

See 'ya,

Anjali

Shiloh........

... and so it continues, and Marty and Shiloh lived happily ever after, the end.

Oops got ahead of myself o.k. so by the way it isn't a fairytale I just added the last part.

Anyway back to the review let's start.

Shiloh

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Try finding a young boy Marty Preston's age who lived in West Virginia and went so far just to get one dog?

Well you wouldn't find a boy like that easily, but you can even see the difference on screen. I mean it has been made a movie so, well, Shiloh an adorable beagle and is owned by the man named Judd Travers.

I guess just by listening to the name you can tell he is no good, and he isn't.

So Marty goes to high risks to get Shiloh and he even keeps Shiloh in a little fence thingamajigger so then Judd looks for his dog and then a Shepard jumps the fence and hurts Shiloh and Judd finds out and he gets mad and well you'll have to read the rest 'cause I just about told you most of the story but anyway see 'ya

Anjali (Sorry for the rambling)

The Callahan Cousins: Keeping Cool

Hey, so anyway like last month when my dad went to food lion he saw some books and I guess he just bought one 'cause he knows I like to read but anyway I finished the book and have become an ultimate Callahan fan! So, of course I had to put it on the blog so here it goes:

The Callahan Cousins: Keeping Cool

By Elizabeth Doyle Carey

Kate Callahan: shy, orderly, blue-eyed, short-haired, and a bit cowardly at the beginning.
When trying to earn donations for the clinic and their grandmother, Gee, who is on the committee asks the cousins: Neeve, Phoebe, Hillary, and of course Kate herself if they could go around the island for donations and, because of former cool girl on the island and enemy of the cousins. Sloan Bicket, who's mother works at the clinic, is in competition with girls as the family rivalry grows Sloan's most devastating secrets are revealed. Will the life-sworn enemies become friends or will the rivalry get even more hot tempered as the story finishes as the ending of:

THE CALLAHAN COUSINS: KEEPING COOL
So do you really want to know how the book ends?
Well, read to find out!
ratings: 9/10
well that was the longest post other than MY STORY,

anyway, bye
ANJALI

HARRYYYYYYYYY POTTERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why, yes how did you know I would be doing my post on HARRY POTTER by J.K.ROWLING.
k lets start...

Harry Potter + Triwizard Tournament+ Mad-eye Moody+ dark mark from the forest near the Quiddetch world cup =

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

By J.K. Rowling

As Harry somehow gets chosen as the 2nd representative from Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament everyone is thinking the same thing: Will he win? How did he get his name in the goblet? Will he survive...

Now as the world binds itself around him, Harry is as baffled as any other about his name in the goblet... but if you don't know who did it I recommend read the book( Unless you are an official Harry Potter fan like me, and if so read on!)

ratings: 10/10

well bye, my next post will be coming out sooner than you think...

Anjali!

Ok I really don't have much time to write this so this is going to be a short review but the book sure is good!

Looking for Bapu

By Anjali Banerjee

As 8-year-old Anu( an Indian American, like me...) faces his grandfather's death, he also faces a the truth which makes more and more questions pour into his head.

"Will I be able to bring him back now that I know the secret?""Will I have to truly forget about him?" and"Where is he?" all made its way into the highest thought of questions in his mind so what will happen find the book to know!

p.s. the author is Anjali Banerjee and she has the same first name as me you know!

ratings: 9/10
anyway bye!

Anjali

huhhhhhhh.... have to?....yes

Well I finally thought of something and also because my mom says I have to do a book review on everything that is why I'm showing you this now

Goosebumps Horror land: Welcome to Camp Slither
By R. L. Stine

Boone Dixon and his sister Heather have been waiting all year for summer but after what happens at Camp Hither, or should I say
Camp Slither, they start to realize that all isn't what is said to be...
Mice covering cabins, counselors who turn into snakes, and even
an evil mad scientist who used to be a human himself but after an experiment he turned into a snake the kids must defeat the mad villain and escape camp slither...
Next Boone is invited as a very special guest to horror land where the second he's off the bus he is lead to another battle against the snakes an escape from the horrors(the guides)and an encounter with the Keeper!

rating: 8\10

weekly edited by anjali

This is the 43rd novel I started... READ!!

The Mermaid Legend

Chapter 1

Savannah Stall sighed. She and her sister, Libby Stall, were sitting on their grandparent's 100-year-old house's porch. It was a huge, Victorian style house with a strange look to it. Strange, as in creepy-evil-face-like house kind of creepy. Creepy, all right.

Around them were trees and… trees. An almost endless forest surrounded them, looking almost frightening in the dimming evening light. The two blonde, blue-eyed sisters sat, each buried in their own thoughts. While Savannah was fuming over the Bahamas incident, Libby was confused about what was going on. Why was Savannah so mad?

Libby looked at Savannah, wondering why she was so puffed up. “Why are we mad at Mom and Dad again?” The 11-year-old asked, twirling a curl of her dirty blonde hair around her finger. “Because they made us come to Grandma and Grandpa's while they got to go on a summer long cruise around the Bahamas, that's why!” 13-year-old Savannah huffed, showing off her famous temper.

Libby sighed since it was her turn to, and, being the sensible and peace-making one, tried to convince Savannah it was for the best. “For the best!?!?!?! The first time we get to go to Florida, the land of dolphins, beaches, and Disney World and we're stuck at Grandma and Grandpa's and you think it's for the best?!?!?!” Savannah said with a furious expression on her face. “Come on Savannah,” Libby said softly, as if trying to get a puppy to let her pet it without it biting her. “Mom only won tickets for two, you know she couldn't have done anything about it.”

Savannah straightened her back and looked straight ahead, not wanting to admit she was wrong. “She could've bought extra tickets.” She said, stating the impossible. “No way, Savannah, you know how expensive they are.” Libby concluded, her eyes wide. Savannah didn't let go of the argument. “But still.” She whispered, looking at the dark forest that seemed like it was under a full moon, even though it was only 6:30.

“Savannah! Libby! Dinner ready!” They heard their grandmother yell in her Bosnian accent. They were both starving since they hadn't eaten since breakfast because the plane they had flown in hadn't served lunch. They stood and dusted themselves off. Then they raced through the house to see who could get to the dining room first.

Savannah got to the dining room first, and smelled it before seeing it. She wore her disgusted face as she sat down at the dining table. Disgusted, as in: nose and eyebrows scrunched up, mouth in a deep frown, and an unmistakable roll of the eyes. On the table was Savannah's worst enemy: Spinach.

She looked around the table and realized everything was spinach. There was a whole feast, things that included spinach wraps and rolls, salad and sauces resided on the long table. There was even mashed potatoes with bits of spinach in it and green gravy. At least Savannah hoped it was green gravy and not some kind of spinach soup. Libby loved spinach, and her most hated vegetable was broccoli.

Savannah put in her plate everything that looked remotely normal, such as spaghetti and meatballs, with some spinach leaves that Savannah could easily take out. Savannah ate her small portion of spaghetti in silence, as Libby pigged out with all the new spinach foods to try.

Libby turned to face their grandparents and immediately began chatting, since socializing was her strong point. Sometimes Savannah wondered if Libby had socialized her way into becoming president of the student council, captain of the cheerleading squad, and winning the science fair for third time in a row. That would make sense. Libby could socialize her way out of a monster’s belly.

“So, Savannah,” Grandfather began in a deep, rumbly voice. Grandfather looked big and beefy, like a rugby player, which he was. His thinning white hair was combed smoothly on his scalp, with one single hair sticking up on the top. “How do you like Florida, so far?”

Well, so far all Savannah had seen was the airport, the back of her grandmother’s seat in her grandparent’s car, and the Woeful Woods (Savannah’s new name for the forest. Creative, huh?). Savannah thought about the eerie looking trees, almost as if they had huge, frowning faces. Their branches sticking out like huge, pointy arms trying to grab Savannah.

“Oh, Florida’s great!” Savannah lied through her teeth. “That’s wonderful, dear,” Grandmother started. “Then maybe you’d like to take a hike out in the forest tomorrow with Libby.”

And that was when Savannah had a mini-heart attack. Hiking around in a place filled with creepy and dead trees? No way! Savannah would much rather go to the mall, or maybe out to a movie, or something else! But Savannah could just imagine her grandparents complaining about how rude she was compared to Libby.

“Sure, that would be great!” Savannah found herself saying, half hoping her grandparents would change their minds. “That’s great!” Grandfather chuckled. Savannah groaned inwardly, but grinned on the outside.

Libby smiled. “That’s cool, I’ve always wanted to go hiking with you!” Savannah just nodded, only half listening. Libby kept grinning, not noticing Savannah’s rudeness. But it wasn’t like Savannah was actually doing it on purpose, she was just wondering about Woeful Woods.

Savannah picked at her food, barely listening as Libby went on and on about how getting straight As on her report card again had made her so happy. Savannah had gotten straight As, too, but her parents overlooked that when Libby had to dramatically act out the moment she had opened her report card. Savannah should’ve been congratulated, too, but Libby was the one getting the applause.

Savannah decided not to mention her grades, because after already hearing about Libby’s achievements, they might try to compare the two girls. Savannah would hate that. They would see how Libby had beautifully long, wavy blonde hair while Savannah’s was plain and straight. They’d also probably notice that Libby’s skin was perfect, while Savannah was breaking out.

Libby was so much better than Savannah, younger, but better. They would clearly see that and they would think of Savannah as second class compared to Libby. Savannah stayed quiet, hoping dessert wasn’t going to be spinach pie.

After dinner, the girls went up to their rooms to finish unpacking. Savannah had gotten her mother’s old room, which had been newly renovated, but not very changed. It had pink wallpaper with big yellow flowers on it. There was an old 1960s T.V. with an antenna.

There was a small vanity with a stash of powder puffs and compacts, strangely fitting on the table. A small bed with pink covers stood at the corner of the room, which was a little too girly for Savannah. On the bed lay about a million and one quilts, ready to smother anyone who dare lay on it with goose feathers.

The floor was completely covered with differently unique yet strange patterned rugs. A night stand stood next to the bed, holding an old fashioned alarm clock, and a tattered old lamp.

In other words, it was Savannah’s bedroom nightmare.

Libby wasn’t that unlucky though. Most likely due to her magical socializing, she had gotten the newly renovated and completely changed guest bedroom, voila! Lucky her, huh?

Her bedroom had a 65 inch flat screen T.V. hanging from the wall in an angle that allowed you to be able to watch T.V. sitting up or lying down on the bed. The bed was a huge bed with hot pink, orange, purple, and white polka dots on the covers and pillows.

The nightstand next to it held a digital clock and a brand new lamp with a violent shade of violet lampshade. A vanity with a make-up kit sat next to the door, and the room had its own bathroom.

Savannah couldn’t help but feel jealous, even though she had gotten the opportunity to search through her mom’s old stuff from when she was a kid. Savannah decided to let that one go, so she wouldn’t have to waste time planning sweet revenge against Libby. Plus, there wasn’t any real proof Libby had done anything to be treated better, so Savannah would get in trouble if she did anything.

Savannah finished unpacking, and sighed. She sat down on the bed, and played with her locket. It was diamond mermaid that she had gotten for her thirteenth birthday that she had chosen herself. Out of millions of pendants, Savannah had chosen the impossibly beautiful mermaid.

It had flowing hair that ended at her back, and an expression that said that she had a secret. Savannah was really good at reading expressions. Savannah wasn’t sure why, but she felt like there was something particularly special about the necklace, other than the fact that it was diamond.

She fiddled with it, turning it to get a good look at the mermaids face. The strange thing was that Savannah always found a new detail about the mermaid each time she looked at it closely.

Savannah had vowed she would never take the necklace off, because somehow it always reminded her to be brave, confident, and, gentle, as well. It reminded her that to be brave doesn’t mean you can’t be scared. Savannah treasured the necklace.

She sighed and decided to get some sleep to prepare her for her big day hiking through the woods tomorrow. She smiled, fingered her pendant, and fell sound asleep.

Savannah dreamed of water. Gallons of water surrounded her, creating figures and images and shapes. One made a figure. That’s when she realized it wasn’t the water making that image.

Savannah saw a girl with long, flowing hair that stopped at mid-back, bright blue eyes, and a beautiful face. Her mouth was open, as if she was singing, but her expression ruined everything. She was crying, as if she was being forced to sing. A faint voice, which Savannah decided was her conscience, told her to help the girl. “Help her! Help her!” The voice called, slowly dying down.

Savannah reached out, trying to help the girl. Her hand went through the image, revealing that it was just simply a picture, a mirage, or something.

Suddenly the water disappeared and Savannah stood in a dark cave, which echoed the words “Help her! Help her!”. Savannah turned, only to see more black. Where was the girl and how was Savannah of all people going to be able to help her? “How can I help you?!” She screamed in frustration.

Why hadn’t the girl asked someone else to help her, like Libby. Why Savannah? “Please, how can I help you?!” Savannah was sobbing now. “How can I help you?!” She cried. “Please, How?!” She was sobbing uncontrollably. “How?!”

Savannah sat bolt upright in bed, covered in sweat. It was all just a dream. Good. Savannah could hear the voice yelling at her to help the girl, sending a chill down her back. She got up to check the wall clock shaped like a crescent moon. It was exactly 11:59.

The clock wrung midnight. All of a sudden, Savannah’s window blew open, her curtains blowing wildly. Savannah grabbed at it, quickly closing the window. She sighed in relief. Before she could wonder how that had happened, the moon turned blue.

Savannah backed away in bewilderment and confusion. She decided this was just another dream so she turned around to go back to bed. Savannah calmly started towards her bed, but tripped on something. And it actually hurt, which, of course, meant that it wasn’t a dream.

Savannah scrambled to her feet and took a good look at the thing that had tripped her. It was a small, white box with a golden bow. It had a tag with fancy script scrawled on it.

“To Savannah, our savior.” Savannah read, disbelievingly.

Chapter 2

She hid behind some anemone. She looked both ways to make sure that no one saw her. She swam quickly to the large underwater cave. She held her breath out of anxiety until she was able to make it to the cave. She had a secret. A dark secret.

She swam deep into the dark and endless labyrinth of tunnels, passages, and choices, until she saw light. A tunnel lead to a beach of golden sand and tall palm trees. The luminescent blue moon hung in the dark, glimmering sky. Millions of glittering golden stars shone, nestled in the galaxy of hopeful darkness. She, alone, sat on the beach of shimmering beauty that she was forbidden from, yet forced to go to.

She knew everyone was forbidden from being there, of course, but “everyone” wasn't going through what she was going through. At night, all the maidens and warriors of the waters of Poseidon were forbidden from the shores of the connecting world of dreams, hope, and mutual beauty as the undersea paradise of the merfolk. But she was excused. She knew that, because the great Poseidon didn't drown her, as he could've. She knew he was watching.

Every night of the full moon she was forced to go to the shores of the world above. On blue moons, the Sacred Jewel of the Seven Seas was released to cover the full moon, casting it as a blue shadow of lunar likeness. Then, it was up to her. Just as the job her mother, her grandmother, her great-grandmother, her great-great-grandmother, and so forth of the generations were forced to do until death. Her secret was what was going to end her life.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she let beautifully sweet melodies flow out of her open mouth, feeding the Jewel great power. She could almost hear the great Poseidon laughing at her despair. She knew there was no point in crying, but she couldn't help it. Why her? Why her?

Of all the fish in the sea, why did it have to be her? She didn’t do anything wrong, right? So why her? Her thoughts blurred together into impossible questions as she continued to sing. Why?

Her singing grew stronger and the moon turned a violent shade of cobalt. The light blue colors trickled through the night sky, forming a staircase. A woman in a billowing blue dress stepped on the surf, walking on water towards the girl. Her long, black hair blew in the wind, her shimmering blue eyes powerful, yet gentle, like the ocean. “I am Amphitrite, Goddess of the Sea.” The goddess smiled.

The girl gasped. Suddenly her long, shimmering yet elegant tail disappeared in a shower of golden light and were replaced by human legs. She now wore a gleaming dress of pure gold. “Your highness,” She stuttered. “How?”

Amphitrite smiled, and waved her hand over the sea. A golden dust came from her long, nimble fingertips and fluttered onto the dark waves, transforming them into golden splashes of liquid. “Magic..” By now the girl’s hand was covering her mouth as if she was having a heart attack. “Wow...”

She tried standing up. She staggered backwards, her new found legs trying to balance. She finally got a hang on it, like she always did. Every blue moon, strangely, it was always the same.

“We will have to make this particular meeting quick, for I have a certain, um, what do you call it? Proposition? Yes, I have a proposition for Boreas, the North Wind. Alas, he won't be happy doing something for the sake of a mortal.” The queen sighed, but went back to her smiling self in seconds.

For a moment, the girl was confused. What did the queen mean? She decided it was none of her business. If the goddess really wanted to tell her, she would. So, no complaining.

The queen was acting strange that night, as if something important was about to happen any second. The girl sighed, annoyed by the fact that she was always restricted to know about important. Why mention it around her anyway? It was just something to make her more annoyed.

Her mind went back to the reason the she was even there. She would always be surprised to have the great Poseidon's queen and the ancient sea goddess come to turn her into a... a... she squeezed her eyes shut and opened them to see if it would make a difference. Nope. She would always have to have this happen to her, just because of her ancestor’s mistake. The great mistake...

At least, that was what her mother had called it when she had to explain about the curse. Stupid curse. If it weren’t for the curse she wouldn’t be what she was. All of a sudden dark clouds filled the sky and it started to thunder. “Is Zeus angry with Poseidon?” The girl questioned Amphitrite.

Amphitrite smile disappeared. “Yes. Actually, it is about you. Apparently Poseidon is deciding on whether or not he will give you a chance to vanquish the source of this curse.” The goddess smiled mysteriously.

She felt flood of relief flush through her. Then something hit her. “Wait, what's the source?” She asked desperately. Amphitrite smiled, waved her hand, and disappeared in a shower of crystal blue water. “Goddesses..” The girl muttered.

She tried to become a mermaid again, but she knew she couldn't. What was the point? She couldn't change back 'till morning, because then a magical ray of light would transform her back. Yay! She got to be a.. a.. a monster for a night. Great, right? Wrong.

She unwillingly started singing again. Well, at least there was a possible way to change herself back. She sang her heart out, and the dark blue moon seemingly laughing at her. She knew it wasn't Artemis's fault, but she was very angry at her for not taking control of her moon. Stupid old blue moon.

She couldn't take it anymore. As she sang, she burst out in tears. Suddenly she was hit with a strange sensation, as if she was being watched. She shook the feeling away. It was just another thing to point out how different she was.

Why couldn't she just be a normal girl?! Why?! Because she was Leira, the Guardian of The Sacred Jewel. That's why.

Chapter 3

Savannah crept through the hall, trying not to make a noise. She tiptoed past her grandparent's bedroom, towards the guest bedroom. She covered the golden knob with her long, thin fingers and twisted it. Her sister snored softly, covered by about a million quilts on top of her. Savannah walked towards the bed and tapped Libby on the shoulder.

The snoring continued. Savannah tried again. No luck. Finally she yanked off the covers and gestured for Libby to get up. She rubbed her bloodshot eyes, and lifted a strand of hair from her face. But that didn't help the rest of the hair poofing out all over the place.

Looked like Little Miss Perfect wasn't so perfect after all. Well, at night anyway. Savannah stifled a laugh and suddenly realized something that seemed too obvious. The window was fully open, but instead of a white box, a note sat at the foot of Libby's bed. Libby stood there, a confused expression on her face.

Savannah debated on whether or not she should fill Libby in, but she finally took pity on her and did explain everything. Eventually. Except the part about the dream. For some reason Savannah just couldn't bring herself to tell Libby about that. Suddenly Savannah felt the exact same chill go down her spine just like before.

She turned around. The window was closed. Libby was snoring while standing. But nothing, not even that, could surprise Savannah anymore. She had, after all, found the white box sent by a blue moon wind. Well, maybe not the wind part. Savannah wasn't really sure about who – or what – had brought the box.

Savannah grabbed Libby and started shaking her until her eyelids fluttered open. “Oh, we were talking about pillows, right? No, I remember now, it was about the box.” Libby's expression turned serious. Savannah smiled. Well, at least she was better than her sister at listening.

Libby's face seemed to mix in combinations she was probably feeling. Disbelief, excitement, surprise, and amazement. Savannah couldn't blame her. Her own mind was in a swirl. But Savannah had a creepy feeling that this was only the start of it.

Then she remembered the note. She bent down to reach for it, but the wind blew it into her wide stretched palm. Savannah stared at the note. On it, beautifully written cursive instructions told her to save the box for another time. Savannah didn't hesitate to follow the directions, because she knew if she did, her life would just get stranger.

She ran back to her room quickly, leaving Libby lying on her bed with her butt in the air and her face stuffed into her pillow. Savannah grabbed her diary from under her pillow and stuck the note in. Savannah hid it under the pillow again. She then hurried back towards Libby's room. Libby was already lying on her bed snoring louder the a yeti yodeling.

Savannah shook Libby hard, pulling off the comfy covers. Suddenly the bed looked really inviting. Savannah was exhausted, and Libby's digital clock showed that it was 1:30 AM. Savannah's knees almost buckled, but Libby caught her, even though she was half asleep. Savannah was grateful.

She struggled to her feet and decided to ask Libby to plan everything out while she slept. ‘Course she said no. Savannah sighed and walked to her room. She grabbed her diary and ripped out the last page. She took out a purple felt tip pen and scrawled down that she had to remind herself to get Libby back later, and stuck it in her pocket.

She felt the urge to try to see what was in the box. Savannah reached toward the box, her hand shaking. She hesitated. Savannah sighed, and pulled her white-knuckled hand back. What was wrong with her?

If she opened that box, then BOOM! Her life would probably never be normal again. Of course, it was nothing close to normal at the moment. Savannah decided not to risk it. By then it was two in the morning, and Savannah knew she would have to get up at least as early as 8:00 A.M.

Because she made that dumb promise to her grandparents. Maybe she could pretend she was sick. Nah, Savannah was a horrible actress, at least, in her opinion. Libby was always fascinated by her acting when they were little girls. Savannah smiled at the memory, but then snapped back into reality.

Now, sleep. Right. Savannah sighed and pulled the covers on and turned out the light. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

Savannah was ready. She felt like she was about to go to battle. She would've worn a camouflage bandana, and painted her face, but she didn't want to give her grandparents a heart attack. “Today,” Savannah said out loud. “today, we're going to the woods.”

She tried to put on a brave face and stand tall. “Don't worry, Sis,” Libby said, almost scaring Savannah out of her skin. “It won't be that bad.” Libby had almost just appeared out of nowhere, even though that was just because Savannah wasn't paying attention. Libby was standing cross armed, leaning against the doorway, looking confident as usual.

She was wearing spotless white shorts, and a dark red tank top under a light pink windbreaker. “You’re wearing a jacket?!” Savannah questioned, trying not to laugh. “You know it's summer, right? In Florida?”

Libby frowned. “The weather can be unpredictable. Even in Florida.” Savannah snorted, or, at least tried to snort the way they did in books. Libby sighed and shook her head, and walked down the stairs to greet their grandparents.

Savannah waited until the faint sound of her footsteps were gone, and she slipped on a light blue sweater. Savannah headed down the stairs, not sure if she was ever going to be ready for what was going to happen that day. She shuddered just thinking about going into the woods. But she didn't want her grandparents to say anything. She sighed and resumed climbing down what seemed like an endless spiraling staircase.

Savannah hoped everything would turn out normal for once. After the night before, Savannah's mind was filled with questions. Who had brought the box? What was in the box and why didn't the note tell her not to open it? Who was the girl needing help from her? Why was this happening to her?

For a strange reason, she felt like someone somewhere else was having the exact same thoughts. Savannah shook the feeling off. No point to make herself seem weirder. She wasn't stupid enough to do that. Savannah hurried down to the dining room.

She sat down at the dining room. In front of her was the first normal meal she had yet after coming to the house: Bacon, scrambled eggs, and chocolate chip pancakes. “Don't worry, I'm almost done making breaky!” Her grandmother called. Breaky? Oh, breakfast. Wait, almost?

The nightmare began. Grandma Clover brought in a jug of green liquid, and a pitcher filled with liquid the same color, but frothier. She took the jug and poured the liquid on the pancakes, despite Savannah's horrified face. She poured the frothy green liquid in a glass. “Breaky!"

Savannah picked at the perfectly good yet now-to-be-wasted green pancakes. She had finished the eggs and bacon, but she was still starving from eating barely anything the day before. She decided to leave it, and just pack a heavy lunch. She decided to make a pasta salad sandwich, which didn't take much time because her grandmother let the girls use the kitchen 24/7 and Savannah was a pretty good cook. Savannah was almost tempted to eat it right then, but she restrained herself.

“Hey Sis, it's time to go.” Libby stuck her head out of the dining room door. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” Savannah grumbled. Libby looked Savannah up and down. “So you decided to wear a coat, huh?” Libby smirked, her hands on her hips. “So what?” Savannah huffed. Savannah slipped her backpack on and headed for the door, ready as she ever would be to go.

“Watch out for the mermaids!” Their grandfather chuckled from the dining room after taking a sip of coffee. “What?” Libby asked, grabbing a pear from the fruit bowl for her lunch bag.

“Why, there is a strange legend that in the very woods outside, that there is a secret place where mermaids live and play. But you know, the funny thing is that no one has actually been there, well that we know of, so no one’s actually sure who started the legend.”

Grandfather paused, and caught his breath. “And no one’s sure when the legend began, but some believe that long ago, people may have had contact with the mermaids.”

“Once I heard from a friend, whose family has been living here very long, that he found a journal of one of his ancestors and it mentioned something about mermaids, and it talked about how they had passed through a Stone Arch or something.”

“A Stone Arch? Funny story, Grandpa!” Libby giggled. “It’s a true story, right?” Savannah asked disbelievingly. Grandmother walked in and rolled her eyes. “Are you filling their heads with that nonsense about mermaids, Marcus?” She groaned. “It’s not nonsense, Belinda, it’s the truth.” Grandfather insisted.

“Ha. The truth. Well, why don’t you girls run along and forget this nonsense.” Grandmother said. The girls decided to leave before they got involved in the argument. They went out the back door, admiring their grandmother’s beautiful rose garden.

“Wow, it’s so pretty.” Libby giggled, sniffing a white rose. “It really is cool.” Savannah whispered, not believing that she was actually agreeing with Libby.

“Maybe one day I’ll start a garden just like this one!” Libby laughed. She twirled around, her eyes closed, her hair flying. Savannah rolled her eyes. “No wonder you got the lead in the school musical,” She muttered. “You know, since you’re so dramatic.”

“Really,” Libby asked. “Do you think I’m too dramatic? Maybe I should become more serious.” She stopped twirling and matted her hair into place. She tied her hair up which automatically made her look serious. Savannah rolled her eyes again. Libby was just such a goody two-shoes.

“Come on, hurry up!” Libby called to Savannah, giggling as she ran ahead. Savannah shook her head. Even though Libby was a pain sometimes, she was still the innocent, sweet, and adorable little sister. Blah.

She seemed too cute and likable for comfort. Savannah’s comfort, anyway. Libby was just too – what’s the word? Oh yeah, perfect, for her own good. It was beyond freaky how perfect she was.

Savannah shook these thoughts out of her head. It was too normal, and Savannah wasn’t ready for normal just yet. The events that took place the night before spun in her head, perfectly replaying every moment. Except for the dream. It was the one thing that was blurred out of Savannah’s memory of the night. Savannah wasn’t sure what this meant, but she did know it probably wasn’t good.

Savannah caught up to her and they hurried along the trail, stopping every once in a while so Savannah could scream at every caterpillar, beetle, and all the other creepy crawly creatures of the woods.

Now it was Libby’s turn to roll her eyes. “Come on, Sis, they’re just bugs.” She stated, a graceful Monarch butterfly landing on her index finger. “Come on, let’s just get on with it.” Savannah grumbled, hurrying down the path.

About a half-hour later, they were lost. “I told you we shouldn’t have wandered off the trail!” Libby exclaimed. “No we’re lost in the middle of nowhere!”

“Ok, first of all, we’re not ‘nowhere’ we’re in the woods right outside Grandma and Grandpa’s house, which means we just need to get out of here and we’re home free!” Savannah said sarcastically.

“Yeah, like it’s that easy.” Libby muttered. They walked down the worn footpath that had led them off their actual trail. There was short silence only to be disturbed by the click-clack of Savannah kicking the pebbles at her feet.

“Shh,” Libby said, holding a finger to her mouth. “What’s that weird buzzing?” True enough, there was a strange vibration coming from somewhere in the woods. The feeling of vibration seemed familiar to Savannah. It was the same feeling she had while having the strange dream and when she found the white box.

Savannah suddenly darted towards the feeling of vibration. Libby ran after, soon passing her. Well, she didn’t get on the track team for nothing. “Wait up!” Savannah called. “Catch up!” Libby laughed.

All of a sudden Libby stopped dead in her tracks. “What’s wrong?” Savannah questioned, finally catching up to Libby. All of a sudden she stopped. Savannah couldn’t believe her eyes.

In front of Savannah was a huge, silver, mossy stone archway. Savannah couldn’t see anything through it but her own reflection. But that wasn’t supposed to be possible, because arches sure can’t show you your reflection.

“The Stone Arch.” Libby muttered. But no, that wasn’t supposed to be possible. Savannah’s head was spinning. What if this had something to do with what had happened the night before. No, she had to prove that it wasn’t true, because it couldn’t be true. Could it?

“No, it-it’s probably just a-a coincidence,” Savannah stammered. “I’ll prove it!” Savannah saw herself in running the reflection. Not accurate, because she was running towards the reflection. She slowed down as she reached the Stone Arch. She looked up, and she could clearly see that it was at least seven feet tall. “Here goes nothing,” She muttered under her breath.

And she ran into her reflection.

So rate me. Comment what you though, ok?

GTG

Anjali

Which one?

Okay I know I'm a little late with the blog but I just can't think of it I mean there so many great books to choose from an its hard to pick just one but maybe you can help leave comments about the you think I should review and I'll read it and review it!

The Beginning

This is my first review blog so I am going to describe to you what I think about one book in each post so let my profile describe me and let me review these books.


The kid who became President

By Dan Gutman

As the sequel to the kid who ran for President this book becomes a perfect combination of being hilarious, spontaneous and(In a way) educational. Learn how one kid faces being the President of the United States.
Watch him as the war comes closer and closer. Will he be known throughout history as the first kid president, The President that started World War III, or the President who saved America from war? Which one?
Well the suspense must make you want to read it and let me just tell you will love it.


Ratings:9/10

weekly edited by
Anjali.