People have the right to make a protest, but…

On 25 May, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A, a black American was killed by a policeman. This incident raised a storm of protest and now it is growing to a massive riot case. This disturbance can’t be quelled and getting spread all over the country.

I think people has right to make a protest and in this case the protester fight with good cause. There is deep-rooted racial discrimination in this country. People should protest it. Their claim is reasonable but lately some of the people turned into a mob and they destroy cars, buildings… also loot stores. However, their claim is reasonable, acting of violence never be allowed in any cases.

The terrorists who hijacked an airplane in this book “Skyjack!” have right cause for themselves but murder and violence are not allowed.

An after reading task, for OUP Bookworms "Skyjack!", by Teruki

An ex-journalist's (imaginary) newspaper report - Chemical Secret

DEAD SEALS DISCOVERED AROUND RIVER MOUTH  

Two days ago, some dead seals were discovered on some small islands and sandbanks around the mouth of the river. The cause seems to be an unknown disease. What can be assumed is the possibility that the damage was done by the water supply from the paint factory. It is said their drain carry waste products into the river. We must find out the bottom of the case.

When John Duncan got to the hospital, his daughter Christine and Simon were there with their baby. The baby was beautiful and looked healthy. John felt relieved and suddenly cried loudly. Nobody could stop him crying for a while. When he stopped crying and looked at Christine, she smiled at her father forgivingly. John talked to Christine and Simon how much he had worried about their baby and how much he had been stricken with guilt. Christine showed her understanding about her father. Finally, she recognized that her father had brought up two children desperately by himself and he had always loved them deeply. Now her father had lost many things, so they decided to live together.

John Duncan is basically a hard-working, serious man. He looked after his children very well. Since he needed job to provide for them, he had to do as his boss said. He found out a big secret about the company, but he could not bring the issue out into the open. He tried to keep the secret to protect their lives and the employees, but his daughter did not understand him at all. He lost his house and his daughter’s trust and love.
Are jobs for people are more important than seals dying?

It looks like a difficult decision. If lots of people lose their jobs, some people might not be able to live. However, also we should not ignore about environmental preservation. This is a fundamental issue. We should not compare human life with animal lives because each life has same weight.

An after reading task, for OUP Graded Reader "Chemical Secret", by Teruki

The Brontë Story - A letter from Maria Brontë

To Elizabeth, Maria, Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne I love you all very much. I can't tell how much I love you. I am a lucky woman to have such a wonderful children. My life was full of happiness and love with you all. But I am afraid I have to say good-bye to you soon. Because I feel my body is getting weak and weak. I know I can't live long. I wish I could live till you all will grow-up. But I have to accept the reality. When I am gone, you will be so sad. But remember I will be always with you. Even you can't see me or remember my face, I will be with you in the heart of each of you. So, if you want to see me, just close your eyes, then you will feel me. After I am gone, my sister Elizabeth will take care of you instead of me. I asked her to do so. She has a strong conscience and is a determined Christian. I trust her. So, don't worry. But you have to help her doing what you can. Life is full of joy, but sometimes it isn't easy. I hope you all help each other and all of you have wonderful life. I'm sure your father will lead you to the right way.
Please study hard, work hard and enjoy your life. I'm always with you. I love you. Your mother Maria

Posted for Yasumi

The Brontë Story - Jany Eyre explained

To editor of Smith and Elder pubishing company,

I'm so glad to give me your sinsire advice. Along with your advice, I've written "Jane Eyre" in 3 volumes.

In volume one, Jane Eyre lives with an unkind aunt, and then goes away to a school called Lowood. She has lived eight years in this strict school. Enduring a miserable and poor life in this school, she becomes a strong woman.

In volume two, she puts an advertisement and then she gets a job of governess in Thornfield House. The master in Thornfield house falls in love with Jane, and tries to get married, even though he already has a wife who has been mad. Jane runs away from her master.

In volume three, a rector in Moor House helps Jane Eyre while wondering Moors. Coincidentally a rector and his two sisters are Jane's cousins. For the first time, she can gets true family. At last, the story is happy ending.

Jane Eyre is an independant woman. She always says her thought by herself, even though in front of the nobles. She says a genuine affection to the man. This is sensational, but her life will move women in the world.

I want to change my name "Currer Bell" No one thinks women can write good books, so I would like to use man's name. My sister's books, "Agness Grey" and "Wuthering Heights" are dicided to publish from Thomas Cautley Nawby publishing company. Please think about my book "Jane Eyre"

Posted for Hiroko

The Brontë Story - A book review

Jane Eyre 

This is the story of a little girl called Jane Eyre. Her parents die, so she lives with an aunt and her children. Then Jane goes away to a school called Lowood. Jane ‘s best friend is Helen. Helen falls ill at the school and dies. Then Jane works as a governess in Thornfield Hall. She meets Rochester and falls in love. But she knows his terrible secret. Jane leaves Thornfield Hall. Then she meets Sant John. Sant wants her to go India with him as a wife.

What kind of decision dose she make? What kind of action does she take finally?

Most of readers will notice that Jane is a new type of woman who has an iron will. She isn’t so beautiful but is full of deep culture with wisdom. She gives decision based on a keen sense of morals. She has a job. She makes money by herself not by a husband.

This book’s author is Currer Bell. He is one of the man who understand women’s thought. He wants to tell us the importance of women’s independence. Ladies, stand your own feet even if it is men’s society.

This is a wonderful and beautiful book. This is the best book in 1847. I think this book will get the sympathy of many women even in 100years.

Olga Urakawa

The editor of ‘English Life’

Independence Day - schoolgirl's experience in San Diego

I have not cruised for a long trip, but I have a good memory that I’ve seen fireworks from a ship.
It was fun, so let me write down the experience here.

I’ve been to a city, called Oceanside, near to San Diego, USA. My host family had a neighbor in good relation. My host family had four children, and the youngest girl was about 20 years old. The neighbor had two boys, and the oldest boy was the same age as her. They were friends from childhood, so it might also bond their parents.

The neighbor had a ship which is about 5 meter long in the port of San Diego.

There are fireworks to celebrate independence on 4th of July every year. The neighbor invited us to see the fireworks from their ship. It was my first time to join the celebration of independence date, so I was excited.

The view of port was amazing with white clean ships. I strongly felt it was beautiful because I was grown up in mountain side. On the ship, we had a couple of glasses of wine, and saw fireworks on the ship. Everything was new to me who was from mountain side in Japan. I enjoyed the atmosphere, and appreciated the neighbor that I could experience one of American customs.

I hope to see the fireworks from a ship again.

Posted for Yumi

The Piano Man - after reading, choose another Tim Vicary book

"The Everest Story" of  Mr. TimVicary looks very interesting for me.

Some Japanese tried to climb up to the top of the Everest before. The climbing was broadcasted to the world including Japan. There are also a lot of climbers in Nagano as there are lots of high mountains in Japan. Actually, I had climbed up to the middle of the mountain in Nagano when I was 14 years old. That was my first climbing of a full-scale mountain in my life.

I got used to seeing the people of the climbing mountains since my childhood and liked to see their stories to reach to their final goal after the harshness of nature, various difficulties and enjoyable beautiful scenery. It is difficult to climb the Everest by myself, but I think I could imagine and enjoy when I read the book. And I also would like to learn how difficult to get the top of the mountain and how to find the way to climb to there.

Choose another book!

After reading "The Piano Man", which other OUP Bookworm would you like to read that Tim Vicary adapted/wrote?

"The Everest Story" of Mr. Tim Vicary looks very interesting for me.

Some of Japanese tried to climb up to the top of the Everest before. The climbing was broadcast to the world including Japan. There are also a lot of climbers in Nagano as there are lots of high mountains in Japan.

Actually, I had climbed up to the middle of the mountain in Nagano when I was 14 years old. That was my first climbing of the full-scale mountain in my life.

I got used to seeing the people of the climbing mountains since my childhood and liked to see their stories to reach to their final goal after the harshness of nature, various difficulties and enjoyable beautiful sceneries. It is difficult to climb the Everest by myself, but I think I could imagine and enjoy when I read the book. And I also would like to learn how difficult to get the top of the mountain and how to find the way to climb to there.

Posted for Reiko