In the Hand of the Goddess

This book is the second in the series Song of the Lioness (the first book is Alanna). In this book, Alanna is a squire, which is alevel up from a page. She is a squire for four years, and this bookcovers all of them. Alanna is still masquerading as a boy (Alan),and was chosen as the Crown Prince Jonathan's squire. Jon knowsAlanna's secret from their adventure in the last book (I won't giveit away) :) Alanna spends her time between lessons (like warfare history of Tortall (the kingdom they live in), mathematics, reading and writing, and deportment (court manners)) and practicing knight- skills like jousting, sword and staff fighting, and riding and fighting from a horse. Alanna also has duties as a squire, like doing Jon's errands, serving at important banquets and parties,and many other things. Alanna also distrusts Duke Roger, the king'snephew and the Gifted (a magical gift some people have) squires andpages magic teacher. In the end, Alanna and Duke Roger's "battle"comes to a head... I won't say any more because I don't want to wreckthe ending of the book! :) I would recommend this book to anyone!

It is fantastic, and one of my all time favorites. (I had to buy it,

it was so good!!):D Enjoy!!

Anna

The Laramie Project (the play) :)

I went to The Laramie Project on Thursday.  It was opening night of this play; the fall play at CPHS.  It was about Matthew Sheppard, a boy who lived in Laramie and was beaten to death because he was gay.  I thought the play was kind of like a documentary, done live in a play.  I also thought that the cast did a wonderful job portraying the feelings of the characters.  I liked the way that the each cast member was many different characters; I thought it added a really cool feeling to the whole production.  I thought this play was interesting, but I don't think I would go see it again.  

Anna

Alanna: The First Adventure

I just finished Alanna, by Tamora Pierce, and it is an amazing book!  It is basically about a girl who pretends to be a boy so she can go to court and learn to be a knight in stead of being a lady.  Her twin brother wants to be a sorcerer instead of a knight, so they trade places (the ladies at the convent always train the young sorcerers in the beginning of their education).  This book is all about Alan's (Alanna's) time at the castle as a page (ages 11 to 14). There are four books in this series, and I am about to start Under the Hand of the Goddess, the next book in the series.  I will let you know if I liked that one when I'm done!!

A Countess Below Stairs II

Oh my gosh! This book was amazing! I absolutely loved the ending! I'm not going to tell you what happened, because I don't want to wreck the ending for anyone wanting to read the book, but I will tell you that I cried! It was amazing. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good book! Enjoy!
Anna

A Countess Below Stairs I

On Sunday, I started a fantastic book.  It is called A Countess Below Stairs, by Eva Ibbotson.  Right now I am on page 207. (It is Tuesday evening.)  I am loving this book, because I love stories about royalty and high-class families of the past, and the main character in this book is a young Russian countess.  Also, I enjoy love stories, and this is a love story.  

The main character in this book is named Anna Grazinsky.  During the Russian Revolution, her extremely wealthy family looses all of their riches-which they entrusted to Anna and her brother Petya's nursemaid-are gone, because when they were escaping Russia, the nursemaid never showed up at their meeting point.  Now Anna; her devoted governess, Miss Pinfold (whom Anna and Petya call Pinny); Anna's mother, Countess Grazinsky; and Petya are poor and in England.  Petya got a scholarship to a good boarding school, and Anna decided to take a job as a temporary housemaid at Mersham, an earl's estate in the country.  Pinny doesn't want to let her go, but they reach a compromise to let Anna go, but not to tell anyone that she is a countess.  

The staff at Mersham are preparing for the new earl, Rupert, Seventh Earl of Westerholme, who is coming home from fighting in the war.  He is bringing home a fiancee; when he was injured and in the hospital, a nurse named Muriel took care of him and they became engaged.  

We learn that Muriel is a great believer in eugenics, which is the belief that people should be "bred" like horses; only "good" people should have children, to get rid of the physical and mental hereditary illnesses, and everyone should strive to have the "Ideal Body".  From the beginning, we are led to believe that Muriel is only marrying Rupert for his title and lands, and she hates anyone who is not "perfect".  This is solidified into fact when Muriel is cold to the Rabinovitch's at a welcome dinner for herself, just because they are Jewish (Muriel thinks anyone who is not Christian is not "good".)  Also, Muriel asks for a junior bridesmaid to be selected by Rupert, and the obvious choice is Ollie Byrne, daughter of the Viscount of a neighboring estate.  She is very sweet and pretty, and loved by all, but she was born early and got sick.  She survived, but has a limp.  When Muriel sees her for the first time at the fitting of the dresses, Ollie is in her bridesmaid dress and is simply overjoyed at the dress and at being asked to be a bridesmaid.  Muriel is silent while Ollie walks to her, but when Ollie stops in front of her, and gazes adoringly up at Muriel, Muriel hisses, "Why did no one tell me she is crippled?" just as Ollie's protective older brother walks into the room.  Ollie is devastated at the comment, but the rest of the day turns out good.  

Also, Anna is attracted to Rupert the moment she is introduced to him, and I think he is falling in love with her as well.  I can't wait to see what happens to them as we get closer to the wedding!