Mark Graham
Bio
I am a person who really likes to read and write and to share what I learned with all my education. My page will mainly be book reviews and critiques of old and new books that I have read and will read. There will also be other bits, too.
Stories (1829)
Filter by community
Letters From Rifka
'Letters From Rifka' is a youth novel written by Karen Hesse. This is the story of Rifka, a young girl who with her family is leaving Russia for America. Rifka is in for quite the journey with a few setbacks that she must endure and try to understand. It is a book that is written as a series of letters that she has written in a poetry book of Pushkin to a close friend and confidant.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Locomotion
'Locomotion' is a poem story written for youth and adults by Jacqueline Woodson. It is a book that tells the story of boy named Lonnie and how he comes to understand his world from his family and teachers. Lonnie learns a lot just from observations he makes for his writing. This is a book of poetry as if Lonnie was writing it. 'Locomotion' is a book that will shine a light on what is important to us all from one point to another.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Don't Tell the Grown-ups
Just re-read a textbook that I had when I was in graduate school. The textbook is entitled 'Don't Tell the Grown-Ups' written by Alison Lurie. This textbook covers famous children's authors from A. A. Milne, James Barrie and several other famous authors. It covers many ideas that adults and children can learn from even though some of the ideas are quite profound in the ways of looking at the subjects and books covered. The textbook is easy to read and does not need to be read from cover to cover for professionals (writers and teachers) to derive meaning from the chapters. One could read whatever chapter they have an interest.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Marley and Me
Who remembers the movie 'Marley and Me' that came out years ago, but every once in awhile you could catch on cable. I have seen the movie a few time, but I have read the novel 'Marley and Me' by John Grogan twice and each time it has brought tears to my eyes from the mid-point of the book to the end. This is the story of a couple John and Jen who want a dog but actually the whole package- a house, a dog, children and whatever comes with it. There are many adventures for this couple in learning how to work with Marley all the way towards the end. It is a book that will make you think of growing up and all the changes that animals and humans will need to think about in living life with all the good and the bad that could and does happen. This is definitely a must read for all for it does give a basic understanding of living for self and others.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Marley & Me
Who remembers the movie 'Marley & Me' that came out years ago but can be found on other outlets if looking for this movie. My grandniece bought me the novel and it had a special attachment called 'Marley & Me' Pictures to Chew On. This is strictly a picture book from scenes from the movie and they are the most poignant moments from the movie. The pictures are vivid and beautiful for I have looked at this little book many times over the years. I just looked at again and now I am re-reading the novel and will critique it as well.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Marcelo in the Real World
'Marcelo in the Real World' is a youth novel written by Francisco X. Stork. This is the story of Marcelo who is on the Autism Spectrum with Asperger's Syndrome. Marcelo is a teenager who likes horses and likes to help others. His father wants him to work one summer in his law firm to see what the real world is like. Marcelo does learn several lessons at his time at the firm.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Red Queen
"Red Queen' is a novel written by Victoria Aveyard. This is a futuristic fantasy story of two worlds one the comprises of people known as 'Reds' and the other 'Silvers'. The Reds are poor and the Silvers are rich. One day the main character of Mare is chosen somehow to work for the Silvers and many things start happen. This is a story that could define loyalty to family and friends and the desire to help in any way one can.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
My Name is Maria Isobel
This is the story of a little girl named Maria Isobel who is quite proud of her name and family. Maria Isobel is starting a new school and her teacher changes her name to Mary for there are several Maria's already in the class. This is a good book to teach about heritage and self. The illustrations are pencil sketches that are quite vivid and shows the emotions of the Maria and the other characters.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Magic Finger
Here is a story that will show you how to learn how to control the feeling of anger. 'The Magic Finger' written by Roald Dahl and drawn by Quentin Blake is the story of a little girl with a peculiar power to change things. This little girl when she gets angry points her finger and things happen. The pictures are pencil drawings and quite illustrative in showing what the words say.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Battlefield Ghost
'The Battlefield Ghost' a youth novel written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Arthur Howard is based on a true historical fact. This is the story of a brother and sister John and Lisa who just moved into a run-down old house that had been built at the time of the Revolutionary War, but one day they each feel an invisible hand touch them. Do you believe in ghosts? This story could change your mind.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
American Born Chinese
'American Born Chinese' is a graphic novel written by Gene Luch Yang. This is the story of how a boy named Jin Wang and how he learns when his cousin Chin-Kee comes to visit he has a lot to learn about himself and family. The pictures throughout the novel are quite vivid and interesting to view. As the back cover says we all just want 'To fit in." This is what the story is about.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Great Home Cooking in America
Just finished reading an old cookbook that I had stored away. It was compiled by the Food Editors of Farm Journal. I have really read a cookbook before, and I thought I would share this one. This is a cookbook that shares recipes that go back to colonial America as well as recipes that originated from the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle Eastern countries and North and South America. The book also gives a brief historical introduction before each section of recipes. The color plates are really vivid and pretty of all the various kinds of foods of the world and how when the creators of the recipes brought them over some families did make some variations of the recipes of time.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
