~Stand in the rain *Stand your ground*Stand up when it's all crashing down*~

Oh my goodness! I can't believe first semester is over with! I highly doubt anybody will still read this page, but, just incase, I shall write anyways! Since I need something like a journal! Annnyways, I can't believe Geometry. Wow! That's all I have to say. I mean I don't hate it, but it sure can be tricky. Then again, it is just my first day. Biology is pretty cool, and Pre AP History 2, well, it's awesome! Band and gym are all year so they're nothing new (except for a few new pieces and new gym students in other classes). I hate how I have all these text books to carry around. Hello back problems! I might as well start cracking it while I can still stand up straight, or can I? Oh well! No pain, no gain? No extra books, no extraknowledge? Feel free to post comments about how you feel about your second semester so far.

My Book Synopsis for

Hangman's Curse

Title: Hangman's Curse

Author: Frank Peretti

Publication date: 2001

Page count: 281

Type: Fiction

Started on:?

Finished on:?

My grade:A

1. Why did you decide to read this book?

I decided to read this book because in my friends' teenage class at her church, we were talking about different types of books written Christian authors. Then this book was mentioned, and it sounded very interesting to me. Later, at the same group of friends' sleepover, we watched the movie. I loved it so much that it inspired me to actually read the book. Well, that was a big mistake because the book was completely off from the movie. Even though I liked the movie better, I still liked the book. However, I found myself constantly angrily blurting out comments like, "THAT'S NOT HOW IT GOES!!!" or "THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS URGH!" I eventually got over it though.

2. Plot summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible):

The story is about a family called "The Veritas Project" who work for the government undercover to solve mysteries. In the beginning, they are on a drug bust mission, and they have just succeeded when they receive a call to go to Baker High School. Apparently, jocks collapse and lose consciousness, but before they do, they scream in terror, "ABEL FRYE!!!!!!!!!!" Apparently, he's the school ghost who hung himself a long time ago. It is said that he helps those who are being bullied. All the bullied have to do is draw a picture of a stick figure being hung in that person's locker. Unfortunately, with all these incidents that Abel Frye causes, they are bullied even worse. The Veritas Project blend in with the high school trying to figure out what is going on. As they are there more people have the same Abel Frye issue. Some far worse than others. The two teenage twins of the Veritas Project find out a lot about being bullied, evolution, and so much more at that school, and bullying and getting away with bullying others seems to be the major issue. Later, they discover the truth about the attacks. Is it a curse, or is it someone within the school (that's still living)?

3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?

The setting is at Baker High School, and it is important because the story is about a high school that is have ghoulish issues. Also the school has a major issue with the jocks bullying the Gothic crowd. They can't explain what's going on as far as why their teammates are in the hospital so they blame the goths because they dare to be different. Not only do they have the bullying issues, but the teachers sit back and ignore it. For example, the father of the Veritas Project works undercover as a janitor. While he was "working" he noticed a smart student being hurt physically and mentally by a jock. The "janitor" asked the coach if he was going to do anything about it, and the coach looked at him and said, "The boy needs to learn to toughen up!" So it shows how many problems the student body and some of the faculty have.

4. Who are the main characters, and what roles do they play in the novel?

The main characters are Ian Snyder, Nate Springfield , Sarah Springfield, Elijah

Springfield, Elisha Springfield,Mr. Tom Gessner, Officer Carillo, Abel Frye, Crystal Sparks, Norman, and Dr. Algernon Wheeling. Nate, Sarah, Elijah and Elisha Springfield are The Veritas Project. Nate and Sarah are the Mom and Dad, and Elijah and Elisha are the twin siblings. Ian Snyder and Crystal Sparks are part of the Gothic crowd, are boyfriend and girlfriend, and are questioned many times in this book. Mr. Tom Gessner is the guidance counselor, and Officer Carillo is the school officer. Abel Frye is a teenager who supposedly went to that school years ago and hung himself when he was in that school. Norman is an over achiever who develops a crush on Elisha. (AWWWW!) Dr. Algernon Wheeling is sort of like a co-worker, and he is definitely a family friend. He helps them solve this case in the story.

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?

The main conflicts in this book are bullying and the curse of Abel Frye mystery. Bullying is all around that school, and it's completely ridiculous too. Around almost every corner some high achiever or some innocent Gothic student is being pushed against a wall and being threatened by an angered jock. Staff don't help any of the victims whatsoever! The Abel Frye mystery is pretty difficult too because the jocks are going into different stages in the hospital, and if any of those stages get too serious, they could die. The only thing that's holding them back from the cure is the answer to what's happening to them. In other words, how did they end up that way?

6. Describe the climax of the novel.

The climax is when the Veritas Project find out what is causing the problems with the jocks. They have to stop it before it's too late, but they are running out of time. Also, the danger in the situation is increasing rapidly. Elisha is stuck in a little ritual area in the basement of the school, and she can't get out because she broke her leg. Someone has to go in and save her, or she won't make it out at all. Only Norman can get her out of there on time.

7. What is the significance of the book's title? Is the title appropriate, or would I change it to something else?

The significance of the book's title is that it shows that even the toughest of crowds have fears too. Some fears include: heights, fast fair rides, losing, and for others- Abel Frye. I believe that the title is most definitely appropriate and I wouldn't dream of changing it. In my opinion, it is a catchy title that would receive any body's attention. I believe that the title would catch the attention of any reader because it sound's interesting.

8. What is my opinion about this book? Why (give specifics)?

I feel as if the book is really good, but I like the movie better. I like the movie better because things fell into place better than they did in the book in my opinion. Also, I watched the movie before I read the book, and that was probably one of the mistakes I made. I guess I just don't like it when a book and the movie are almost two completely different things because it just annoys me. I don't know exactly why though. I'm probably too picky, but anyways I really did like the book. I just didn't like it as much as I liked the movie.