In the fictional novel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the protagonist Harry Potter (who is a wizard) goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, everything seemed normal at first, but some strange occurrences started to happen.
There were people being petrified to be as still as a statue. There was also writing on the walls made from blood. The one behind this is Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort. Harry’s best friend Ron’s sister gets kidnapped by Tom Riddle and used to help him in these mysterious occurrences.
Harry has to fight the Basilisk, the creature that was petrifying students. After defeating the dangerous Basilisk (with the help of Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes) he uses one of the creature’s fangs to stab the diary that allowed Lord Voldemort to come back with his past self, as he was just a memory. We learn that Harry is a true Gryffindor since he was able to wield the sword of Godric Gryffindor.
The novel before this is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and the one after it is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 because it has great characters and an amazing plot. It is by far my favorite in the entire series.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.
Find Your Porpoise by M. C. Ross is a heartwarming tale of a dog named Lars, his owner Natalie, a porpoise called Bangor, and a new otter called Marina. After meeting Bangor in the first book A Dog’s Porpoise, Lars and Natalie have become great friends with the porpoise. But everything changes when tourists come gathering around Ogunquit, Maine to take a glimpse of the famous porpoise pod.
As if things weren’t bad enough, a new otter comes in and steals the spotlight. Lars has to learn to share not only his reputation but his best friend. Lars starts to hate Marina and despise her. Conflict between the two grows, but in the end they each learn a valuable lesson of friendship.
Meanwhile, Natalie struggles between her new job on her stepdad’s boat, school, Marina (the otter) and a sketchy new citizen called Adam. When she finally suspects Adam is up to no good, she jumps to conclusions and her actions get the best of her.
With both of their judgements clouded, Natalie and Lars overlook the danger of tourist boats for their friend Bangor. In getting in a fight with his mom, Bangor is determined to ignore the rules and escape his pod to go see his human, dog, and otter friends. But it takes Bangor getting hit by a boat and a lot of team work for all three to acknowledge their mistakes.
Overall, I liked the multiple plots in the book, and thought it was a fun story. Each character learns a different message from their experience and sort of shares the knowledge to the reader as they read throughout the book.
I really recommend this book, and I am looking forward to reading more books from this author. Write in the comments below if you think this is a book you would read.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a thrilling novel. It was written by the one and only Harper Lee, Who has made other great novels such as Go Set a Watchman.
At first glance, I thought this was going to be a very boring book because I had to read it for school. And most books required for school are a pain to read, and very boring. But once I started reading this book more and more I realized that I was hooked. Normally I’m not a huge fan of reading, but I really enjoyed reading To Kill a Mockingbird.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is a realistic fiction story. It follows the lives of 2 siblings: 6 year old Scout, who is the narrator, and 10 year old Jem Finch. The both of them are very immature at the beginning of the story. The time period is set in the 1930’s in a small rural town called Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus Finch is the children’s father, who is a lawyer. He is also a wise and loving dad, and teaches Jem and Scout many valuable lessons throughout the story.
The story starts getting intense when Atticus takes on a case. He must defend Tom Robinson, who is a black man. Tom is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, who is a young white woman. The trial has a big impact on Jem and Scout’s understanding of the world, and that everything isn’t always innocent as it seems. Jem and Scout grew much in their maturity after the trial, as they had a new perspective of the world and their surroundings.
I would recommend To Kill a Mockingbird to any readers who enjoy historical fiction and thrilling stories. This novel tackles the injustice that can happen in the world and issues with the society.
To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.
Hobbies are things you do in your free time. Hobbies are essential, especially when you are bored, and everyone has hobbies. There are many hobbies out there, but these are some of the hobbies that I think help pass the time.
Crocheting
Crocheting is one of my favorite hobbies that I picked up. All it takes is yarn and a hook and you can make anything to your desire. Crocheting is harder than it seems, but once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. It takes hard work and dedication to start the hobby and make progress with it, but as you practice more, it gets easier.
Jewelry Making
Honestly, this hobby of jewelry making is so fun. It helps express your creativity through bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and anything jewelry-related. For this hobby, you need a bit more resources than usual and it’s hard to start because there is so much material that you don’t know where to begin. However, it’s worth it, so if you want to invest in a hobby, I suggest this hobby. Not only is it full of creativity, but when you finish, you feel a strong sense of pride and joy as you see your finished product.
Sewing
This hobby is a bit more challenging and can take lots of practice. I don’t engage and practice this hobby much because I lack a sewing machine. I can still hand stitch, but it is too much work. This hobby will allow you to make so many cute things or alter your clothes based on your body. This can also lead to a career in fashion design.
Instruments
Like Sewing, this hobby can be very challenging and requires practice. For playing an instrument as your hobby, you need the instrument, of course, and any additional things to the instrument. This hobby occupies free time, and it can be frustrating at times when you don’t know how to do certain things. However, with practice, you can play your first song, which can make you feel accomplished.
In conclusion, these few hobbies are worth considering when deciding what to do when you’re bored.
Looking for the best coming-of-age movies to watch this winter? As the weather gets colder and the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to relax with some movies that capture growth, change, and the ups and downs of growing up. Here are a few must-watch coming-of-age films this season!
Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is a thoughtful and entertaining story perfect for the season. Set against the snowy backdrop of Deerfield, Massachusetts, the film follows three unlikely companions “holding over” at Barton boarding school during winter break together: Angus Tully, a rebellious high school junior; Mr. Hunham, a rigid and strict teacher; and Mary Lamb, the school’s kind-hearted cafeteria manager. Through their time together, the trio experiences personal growth, connection, and healing in unexpected ways.
Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society is another winter-season classic. Set in the snow-dusted halls of a prestigious Vermont prep school, Welton Academy, the film follows John Keating, an unconventional English teacher played by Robin Williams, who challenges his students to embrace individuality and “seize the day.” As his wise lessons and passion for literature inspire his students, they begin to explore their individuality, going against the standards set for them to discover who they each truly are. Though not directly tied to the holidays, the scenic shots of Vermont’s fall and winter landscapes beautifully set the tone and enhance the film’s atmosphere.
Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, is a visually stunning stop-motion animated film that perfectly captures the cozy essence of fall and winter. With a color palette of warm oranges, deep browns, and vibrant reds, the film mirrors the crisp, autumnal landscapes of the season. The story follows Mr. Fox and his family as they navigate themes of self-discovery, alienation, and the importance of connection with one another. Anderson’s signature style and heartfelt storytelling make this a charming and thoughtful watch for the colder months.
Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, based on the acclaimed novel by Louisa May Alcott, is a beautifully crafted film that captures the warmth and struggles of family life. Set against the snowy landscapes of Massachusetts, the story follows the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate love, ambition,personal loss, and womanhood. Gerwig’s fresh approach to the timeless tale, combined with stunning visuals and heartfelt performances, makes it a perfect watch for the fall and winter seasons.
With their wintry settings and themes of self-discovery, connection, and resilience, these films offer the perfect blend of warmth and entertainment for cozy winter viewing!
The Celery Stalks at Midnight is a short novel by James Howe. This is the third book in the Bunnicula series, its predecessors being Bunnicula and Howliday Inn. The story is told from the perspective of a dog named Harold. Along with Chester the cat and Howie the puppy, these are pets living in the Monroe household. At the beginning of this story, Harold and his friends make a frightening discovery. Bunnicula the rabbit has escaped from his cage. The problem with this is that Bunnicula is not an ordinary rabbit. Bunnicula is a dangerous vampire rabbit known for sucking the juice out of vegetables. The other pets fear that Bunnicula will terrorize the neighborhood by turning the town’s vegetables into deadly vampire slaves. No garden will be safe from Bunnicula’s evil plans. Soon, bloodless vegetable zombies will infest the entire neighborhood. Harold and his friends must stop Bunnicula before it is too late.
I had not read the other books in the series before reading this one, so I had no idea was I was getting myself into. This book is totally weird and unpredictable. It seems like a parody of a scary story. In my opinion, this book is hilarious. I found it to be very entertaining and one of the funniest books that I have read in a while. Some of the things that happen in this book are extremely ridiculous, but the absurdity of this book actually makes it enjoyable to read. It has some elements of a mystery and a little bit of action, but this book really belongs in the comedy genre. I highly recommend it.
The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.
The Boy Who Owned the School is a short novel by Gary Paulsen. This book is about a boy named Jacob Freisten. Jacob does not feel loved at home and he hates going to school. He believes that only bad things will happen if anyone notices him, so his biggest goal in life is to go completely unnoticed by the entire school. He tries to sneak around from class to class, unbeknownst to anyone. Still, he usually feels miserable, especially in gym class. This goes on for a while until his English teacher tells him that he is going to flunk the class. In order to pass, he will need to earn extra credit by working with the stage crew for an upcoming school production of The Wizard of Oz. Jacob’s main job is to run the fog machine when the Wicked Witch dies. Jacob is unsure if he will be able to do this without getting noticed. Unbeknownst to him, this will eventually lead to him becoming the boy who owned the school.
I enjoyed this book, even though it dealt with some challenging topics. The characters seem very realistic and lifelike. Jacob deals with some internal conflicts in his youth that would be relatable to most readers. This book can also be relatable to some readers because of the description of Jacob’s difficult situation at home and at school. The plot is a little slow at times, but it is still engaging and even suspenseful at times. The story has many amusing moments, as well. It also has a good and satisfying ending. I would recommend it to anyone, but especially to young people.
The Boy Who Owned the School by Gary Paulsen is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.
AnimalFarm is an allegorical fiction novel written by George Orwell, used to depict how corrupt leaders can manipulate those who are less knowledgeable into doing what they want. Orwell was alive during the time of the Russian Revolution, where Joseph Stalin had taken power away from Leon Trotsky and manipulated the Russian people into thinking that he is going to make Russia a better place; Stalin was just trying to get people to believe in his ideas, so that he could get them to do what he wanted. Since George Orwell watched these historical events take place, he wrote Animal Farm to inform the people of this time that they had been taken advantage of by these dictators, and that if they had been further educated, they would have noticed.
In the novel, Orwell uses the pigs to represent the more educated members of society and shows how they take advantage of the less educated animals. The horses on the farm, Boxer and Mollie, represent the working class in Russia during the early 1900s and how they believed whatever they were told due to their lack of education.
One of the pigs, Napoleon, becomes a dictator figure on the farm and manipulates all of the lesser animals to work for him and turn the farm into a paradise for the pigs. Once the smarter animals such as Benjamin, the donkey, who represents the working class, inform the other animals of what the pigs are doing they realize that they have been tricked into being the pigs’ slaves, but it is already too late.
Overall I felt that this book was a good example of how an excess of power can be turned into something bad. This book taught me that knowledge is important so that you can make decisions for yourself and know when someone is steering you in the wrong direction. I liked this book because it was entertaining to read about the fictional animals, but the moral of the story was also inspirational.
Animal Farm by George Orwell is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.
This live action family comedy is based on the “Grinch,” a big green monster who hates Christmas. He steals all the Who’s decorations and even gifts. Despite this, the people around him teach him Christmas is not just about gifts, and he joins in their celebration. This movie is PG and its rated a 6.3/10 by IMDb. It is very entertaining and carries a heartwarming message about the true meaning of Christmas.
The Polar Express is all about family and adventure and follows a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Through his adventures, he learns about the true spirit of Christmas and also faces many challenging obstacles. This movie is the #1 most searched family programs today and its rated a 6.6/10 by IMDb. This movie really encapsulates childhood memories and the wonders of Christmas time.
Home Alone is a family comedy and it takes place during Christmas. It’s about a young boy named Kevin who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation during the holidays. He goes through some challenges including fending off two burglars. He learns about self-reliance and the importance of family. This movie is rated a 7.7/10 by IMDb, and its definitely one of my favorite Christmas movies as it’s so intriguing and amusing.
2. The Santa Clause (1994)
This family comedy follows Scott Calvin, who accidentally becomes Santa after startling the original one off his roof. As Scott starts to embrace his new role, he learns the true meaning of Christmas and how lucky he is to have his family. This movie is just so heartwarming and playful and a true Christmas movie classic. It is rated a 6.6/10 by IMDb, but I truly recommend it so much if you love Christmas comedies.
Elf is a family comedy that tells the story of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to find his biological father. Along the way, Buddy’s childlike innocence and Christmas spirit bring joy to everyone he meets. This movie is so good as it combines humor and heartwarming moments making it enjoyable for both kids and adults. Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy the Elf is both hilarious and endearing, spreading holiday cheer and emphasizing the importance of family and kindness. This is a movie I could binge-watch as it never gets old and reminds me of such good memories of Christmas. This is rated a 7.7/10 by IMDb.
These are my top 5 favorite Christmas movies, let me know if these are too or if you have any other favorites, and Happy Holidays!
As we are nearing winter break, many fun activities are available at this time of year, yet sometimes, it’s hard to choose which ones. Over the years, my family and I have compiled many fin Christmas traditions, as well as fun crafts and activities. I have chosen 3 of my favorite winter activities that are fun, easy, and affordable.
1. Saran Wrap Ball
Although the name is quite confusing, the actual activity is quite entertaining. With a large group of people, a timer is set for each person for one minute, and they are required to put on oven mitts, and in the one minute, they will attempt to unwrap as much of the Saran Wrap ball as they can. With each layer they unwrap, there will be small gifts, and the more they unwrap, the more small gifts they get. The Saran Wrap ball is passed around, each person given a chance to unwrap the ball, until it has been completely unraveled. In order to create this activity, you will need Saran Wrap, oven mitts, scissors, and small gifts(stickers, dollar bills, candy, etc.). Many of these supplies can be found at Dollar Tree and 5 Below. Begin by wrapping one item in a film of Saran Wrap. Add another gift a few layers later, and repeat this until you have wrapped all of the small gifts and you have a large Saran Wrap ball. This game is great for all ages, and I hope that you enjoy this activity.
2. Modge-Podge Ornaments
Creating Modge-Podge ornaments was one of my more recent crafts, as well as one of my favorites. As well as being simple to make, they always turn out beautiful and are the star of all of your ornaments. To create these ornaments, you will need Modge-Podge, an empty ornament, a pack of paper napkins with beautiful designs, and a paintbrush. All of these supplies are easily found at the Dollar Tree. To begin with, cut out pieces of the design on the napkin, and cut until you have a good amount that you are satisfied with. Then, place a small dot of Modge-Podge on the ornament and stick the design onto the ornament. Then, paint a thin film of Modge-Podge over the design. You can repeat this until your ornament is completely covered, or leave space in between and paint the space between the design with Modge-Podge to give it a frosty appearance. This is one of the favorite crafts I have done, and it is perfect to do with your friends, family, and even to wind down at the end of the day by yourself!
3. Create Clothes For Your Elf On The Shelf
In my family ever since I was a small child, our family had an Elf On The Shelf. When I was little, I always dashed to discover the Elf’s new hiding place. As I enjoyed the company of my seasonal elf, my favorite part of having the Elf around was making things for him. Over the years he has “visited” our house, we have created many small appliances for him including a miniature stocking, a miniature teddy bear, and a miniature bed, and pajamas. While you could purchase these things at the store, creating them by hand is a great family bonding activity and the things you create will be special to you forever.
I greatly hope that these ideas are enjoyable and prove useful to you this winter, whether you are having a small get together with your friends, spending quality time with your family, or are just feeling crafty!
Mission Viejo Library Teen Voice 