Book Review: Odd Velvet

Odd Velvet is about a girl who doesn't fit in
at her school. Once people realize how special
she is, she isn't so odd after all!
This a great, interesting, fun, and inspiring story that I am sure everyone who will read it will love it.

The London Eye Mystery: by Siobhan Dowd

The London Eye Mystery

Ted and Kat are sent to buy tickets for them and their family to ride The London Eye. While waiting in the line, a strange man offers them a ticket. They let their cousin Salim go, because he is the one who wanted to ride in the first place. They watch him go around in a circle and track his pod the whole time. The pod lands, it opens and everyone comes out. But where is Salim?

Ted and Kat must work their way around the city of London to collect clues of this abnormal mystery. Ted's theory's: He was spontaneously combusted, did he ever go on the London Eye at all, did he hide under someones clothes. The family must this mystery quick, as times ticks rapidly by. 

Hurricane Irene: Major Hurricane, Warnings From The Bahamas To Massachusetts

Hurricane Irene, a category 1 hurricane, but a major, slams the each coast, producing downed trees, widespread power outages, and extreme flooding. Hits New York City Sunday.

Tonights Forecast:
Tropical storm or hurricane conditions possible. A wind driven heavy rain. Low 73F. E winds at 25 to 35 mph, increasing to 35 to 50 mph. Additional rainfall over 2 inches expected.


Tomorrows Forecast: 
Tropical storm or hurricane conditions possible. A wind driven heavy rain. Low 73F. E winds at 25 to 35 mph, increasing to 35 to 50 mph. Additional rainfall over 2 inches expected.


Storm Surge: 5-10-15-20 feet

The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale: Cinderella

		he wife of a rich man fell sick, and as she felt that her end was drawing near, she called her only daughter to her bedside and said, "Dear child, be good and pious, and then
	the good God will always protect thee, and I will look down on thee from heaven and be near thee." Thereupon she closed her eyes and departed. Every day the maiden went out to her mother's grave and wept, and she remained pious and good. When winter came the snow spread a white sheet over the grave, and when the spring sun had drawn it off again, the man had taken another wife. The woman had brought two daughters into the house with her, who were beautiful and fair of face, but vile and black of heart. Now began a bad time for the poor step-child. "Is the stupid goose to sit in the parlor with us?" said they. "He who wants to eat bread must earn it; out with the kitchen-wench." They took her pretty clothes away from her, put an old gray bedgown on her, and gave her wooden shoes. "Just look at the proud princess, how decked out she is!" they cried, and laughed, and led her into the kitchen. There she had to do hard work from morning till night, get up before daybreak, carry water, light fires, cook and wash. Besides this, the sisters did her every imaginable injury—they mocked her and emptied her peas and lentils into the ashes, so that she was forced to sit and pick them out again. In the evening when she had worked till she was weary she had no bed to go to, but had to sleep by the fireside in the ashes. And as on that account she always looked dusty and dirty, they called her Cinderella. It happened that the father was once going to the fair, and he asked his two step-daughters what he should bring back for them. "Beautiful dresses," said one. "Pearls and jewels," said the second. "And thou, Cinderella," said he, "what wilt thou have?" "Father, break off for me the first branch which knocks against your hat on your way home." So he bought beautiful dresses, pearls and jewels for his two step-daughters, and on his way home, as he was riding through a green thicket, a hazel twig brushed against him and knocked off his hat. Then he broke off the branch and took it with him. When he reached home he gave his step-daughters the things which they had wished for, and to Cinderella he gave the branch from the hazel-bush. Cinderella thanked him, went to her mother's grave and planted the branch on it, and wept so much that the tears fell down on it and watered it. It grew, however, and became a handsome tree. Thrice a day Cinderella went and sat beneath it, and wept and prayed, and a little white bird always came on the tree, and if Cinderella expressed a wish, the bird threw down to her what she had wished for. It happened, however, that the King appointed a festival which was to last three days, and to which all the beautiful young girls in the country were invited, in order that his son might choose himself a bride. When the two step-sisters heard that they, too, were to appear among the number, they were delighted, called Cinderella and said, "Comb our hair for us, brush our shoes and fasten our buckles, for we are going to the festival at the King's palace." Cinderella obeyed, but wept, because she, too, would have liked to go with them to the dance, and begged her step-mother to allow her to do so. "Thou go, Cinderella!" said she. "Thou art dusty and dirty, and wouldst go to the festival? Thou has no clothes and shoes, and yet wouldst dance!" As, however, Cinderella went on asking, the step-mother at last said, "I have emptied a dish of lentils into the ashes for thee; if thou hast picked them out again in two hours, thou shalt go with us." The maiden went through the back-door into the garden, and called, "You tame pigeons, you turtle-doves, and all you birds beneath the sky, come and help me to pick "The good into the pot, The bad into the crop." Then two white pigeons came in by the kitchen window, and afterwards the turtle-doves, and at last all the birds beneath the sky came whirring and crowding in, and alighted amongst the ashes. And the pigeons nodded with their heads and began pick, pick, pick, pick, and the rest began also pick, pick, pick, pick, and gathered all the good grains into the dish. Hardly had one hour passed before they had finished, and all flew out again. Then the girl took the dish to her step-mother, and was glad, and believed that now she would be allowed to go with them to the festival. But the step-mother said,"No, Cinderella, thou hast no clothes and thou canst not dance; thou wouldst only be laughed at." And as Cinderella wept at this, the step-mother said, "If thou canst pick two dishes of lentils out of the ashes for me in one hour, thou shalt go with us." And she thought to herself, "That she most certainly cannot do." When the step-mother had emptied the two dishes of lentils amongst the ashes, the maiden went through the back-door into the garden and cried, "You tame pigeons, you turtle-doves, and all you birds under heaven, come and help me to pick "The good into the pot, The bad into the crop." Then two white pigeons came in by the kitchen window, and afterwards the turtle-doves, and at length all the birds beneath the sky came whirring and crowding in, and alighted amongst the ashes. And the doves nodded with their heads and began pick, pick, pick, pick, and the others began also pick, pick, pick, pick, and gathered all the good seeds into the dishes, and before half an hour was over they had already finished, and all flew out again. Then the maiden carried the dishes to the step-mother and was delighted, and believed that she might now go with them to the festival. But the step-mother said, "All this will not help; thou goest not with us, for thou hast no clothes and canst not dance; we should be ashamed of thee!" On this she turned her back on Cinderella, and hurried away with her two proud daughters. As no one was now at home, Cinderella went to her mother's grave beneath the hazel-tree, and cried, "Shiver and quiver, my little tree, Silver and gold throw down over me." Then the bird threw a gold and silver dress down to her, and slippers embroidered with silk and silver. She put on the dress with all speed, and went to the festival. Her step-sisters and the step-mother, however, did not know her, and thought she must be a foreign princess, for she looked so beautiful in the golden dress. They never once thought of Cinderella, and believed that she was sitting at home in the dirt, picking lentils out of the ashes.The prince went to meet her, took her by the hand and danced with her. He would dance with no other maiden, and never left loose of her hand, and if any one else came to invite her, he said, "This is my partner." She danced till it was evening, and then she wanted to go home. But the King's son said, "I will go with thee and bear thee company," for he wished to see to whom the beautiful maiden belonged. She escaped from him, however, and sprang into the pigeon-house. The King's son waited until her father came, and then he told him that the stranger maiden had leapt into the pigeon-house. The old man thought, "Can it be Cinderella?" and they had to bring him an axe and a pickaxe that he might hew the pigeon-house to pieces, but no one was inside it. And when they got home Cinderella lay in her dirty clothes among the ashes, and a dim little oil-lamp was burning on the mantle-piece, for Cinderella had jumped quickly down from the back of the pigeon-house and had run to the little hazel-tree, and there she had taken off her beautiful clothes and laid them on the grave, and the bird had taken them away again, and then she had placed herself in the kitchen amongst the ashes in her gray gown. Next day when the festival began afresh, and her parents and the step-sisters had gone once more, Cinderella went to the hazel-tree and said— "Shiver and quiver, my little tree, Silver and gold throw down over me." Then the bird threw down a much more beautiful dress than on the preceding day. And when Cinderella appeared at the festival in this dress, every one was astonished at her beauty. The King's son had waited until she came, and instantly took her by the hand and danced with no one but her.When others came and invited her, he said, "She is my partner." When evening came she wished to leave, and the King's son followed her and wanted to see into which house she went. But she sprang away from him, and into the garden behind the house. Therein stood a beautiful tall tree on which hung the most magnificent pears. She clambered so nimbly between the branches like a squirrel, that the King's son did not know where she was gone. He waited until her father came, and said to him, "The stranger maiden has escaped from me, and I believe she has climbed up the pear-tree." The father thought, "Can it be Cinderella?" and had an axe brought and cut the tree down, but no one was on it. And when they got into the kitchen, Cinderella lay there amongst the ashes, as usual, for she had jumped down on the other side of the tree, had taken the beautiful dress to the bird on the little hazel-tree, and put on her gray gown. On the third day, when the parents and sisters had gone away, Cinderella went once more to her mother's grave and said to the little tree— "Shiver and quiver, my little tree, Silver and gold throw down over me." And now the bird threw down to her a dress which was more splendid and magnificent than any she had yet had, and the slippers were golden. And when she went to the festival in the dress, no one knew how to speak for astonishment. The King's son danced with her only, and if any one invited her to dance, he said, "She is my partner." When evening came, Cinderella wished to leave, and the King's son was anxious to go with her, but she escaped from him so quickly that he could not follow her. The King's son, had, however, used a stratagem, and had caused the whole staircase to be smeared with pitch, and there, when she ran down, had the maiden's left slipper remained sticking. The King's son picked it up, and it was small and dainty, and all golden. Next morning, he went with it to the father, and said to him, "No one shall be my wife but she whose foot this golden slipper fits." Then were the two sisters glad, for they had pretty feet. The eldest went with the shoe into her room and wanted to try it on, and her mother stood by. But she could not get her big toe into it, and the shoe was too small for her. Then her mother gave her a knife and said, "Cut the toe off; when thou art Queen thou wilt have no more need to go on foot." The maiden cut the toe off, forced the foot into the shoe, swallowed the pain, and went out to the King's son. Then he took her on his horse as his bride and rode away with her. They were obliged, however, to pass the grave, and there, on the hazel-tree, sat the two pigeons and cried, "Turn and peep, turn and peep, There's blood within the shoe, The shoe it is too small for her, The true bride waits for you." Then he looked at her foot and saw how the blood was streaming from it. He turned his horse round and took the false bride home again, and said she was not the true one, and that the other sister was to put the shoe on. Then this one went into her chamber and got her toes safely into the shoe, but her heel was too large. So her mother gave her a knife and said, "Cut a bit off thy heel; when thou art Queen thou wilt have no more need to go on foot." The maiden cut a bit off her heel, forced her foot into the shoe, swallowed the pain, and went out to the King's son. He took her on his horse as his bride, and rode away with her, but when they passed by the hazel-tree, the two pigeons sat on it and cried, "Turn and peep, turn and peep, There's blood within the shoe, The shoe it is too small for her, The true bride waits for you." He looked down at her foot and saw how the blood was running out of her shoe, and how it had stained her white stocking. Then he turned his horse and took the false bride home again. "This also is not the right one," said he, "have you no other daughter?" "No," said the man. "There is still a little stunted kitchen-wench which my late wife left behind her, but she cannot possibly be the bride." The King's son said he was to send her up to him; but the mother answered, "Oh, no, she is much too dirty; she cannot show herself!" He absolutely insisted on it, and Cinderella had to be called. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went and bowed down before the King's son, who gave her the golden shoe. Then she seated herself on a stool, drew her foot out of the heavy wooden shoe, and put it into the slipper, which fitted like a glove. And when she rose up and the King's son looked at her face, he recognized the beautiful maiden who had danced with him and cried, "That is the true bride!" The step-mother and the two sisters were terrified and became pale with rage; he, however, took Cinderella on his horse and rode away with her. As they passed by the hazel-tree, the two white doves cried, "Turn and peep, turn and peep, No blood is in the shoe, The shoe is not too small for her, The true bride rides with you," and when they had cried that, the two came flying down and placed themselves on Cinderella's shoulders, one on the right, the other on the left, and remained sitting there. When the wedding with the King's son had to be celebrated, the two false sisters came and wanted to get into favor with Cinderella and share her good fortune. When the betrothed couple went to church, the elder was at the right side and the younger at the left, and the pigeons pecked out one eye of each of them. Afterwards as they came back the elder was at the left, and the younger at the right, and then the pigeons pecked out the other eye from each. And thus, for their wickedness and falsehood, they were punished with blindness as long as they lived.

Liberty's Kids: A Really Cool TV Show About The Revolutionary War/Colonial American

The first fourth of july episode

The boston tea party episode

A picture of the show

Volcano Erupts In Chile! (there is lightning)

Awesome New Book: The Son Of Neptune. By Rick Riordan. Sequel to The Lost Hero

I don't know what this book is about but, I read the first one and liked it, so I think this one is going to be good. 

     It comes out this fall and I am really excited, it also has a really cool cover.
Here it is:                          

River Rafting (With Double D)

        Today me and my friend  Caroline and her family and my family went on a River Rafting Trip. We went on the Shenandoah River and Potomac River through 13 rapids of class 1-3 with an awesome guide named David Danner (Double D). All the rapids were soooooooo scary but sooooooooooo fun. I was really scared I would fall off the boat at the fast parts but then another boat flipped over and people had to go to the hospital so I felt better. And the fast parts ended up being super duper super duper cool. Water splashed in our faces and filled up the raft 1 foot, and during a fast part we dropped down 4 feet  into a black hole. When we stopped for lemonade, Caroline's dad almost got killed by a snake that was taking a dip in the river. It was the best trip, and after we got ginger cookies.

Fennec Fox

i just learned about a kind of animal called a Fennec Fox. It is so so so cute!!
Here are some pictures:

Major 8.9 Earthquake Hits Japan!

                        And after that big quake a 23 foot tsunami hits somewhere else in Japan!

Now there are many Tsunami warnings along the coast of California! 

New Book!!!! The Throne Of Fire by Rick Riordan

The first book in the series is called The Red Pyramid and now the second one is coming out called The Throne Of Fire! I am very excited to read it!

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Book Review Of Sam And The Lucky Money

Sam And The Lucky Money is a very good book about a boy who really wants to spend his money on a toy or a treat, and then he see's a homeless person and he feels bad so he gives his money to the person.

If you like books about kids who are very generous and will do something to help someone else I really guarantee you will enjoy this book.  

My Plymouth Mural-Of The Mayflower Compact-By Ellis, Allie, Bria, and Jane

New Symbols I Learned On A Computer Key Board

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ˇÁ¨ˆØ∏”’
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My Plymouth Journal

The Journal Of Stephen Hopkins 1620-1621 Journey to the New World

September 6, 1620-0 miles sailed

Leiden, Boarding The Mayflower

As we board the Mayflower worry flows inside my body. ‘Tis a gloomy day today as we hike up the wooden platform to the boat. My name is Stephen Hopkins. I am 39v years old. I am traveling to the New World with my wife Elizabeth Hopkins (who is going to have a baby soon) and my two wonderful children Giles and Constance Hopkins. I am worried because as I look at the ”sturdy” boat, I see that there are only three escape boats. The boat is rocking to and fro in an uncomfortably way. And there is going to be 102 passengers all cramped up in the tiny boat.

“Daddy!” A girl screams to her father. “ I don’t want to leave mommy!”

“I am sorry Remember but we are doing the right thing” He sighs.

I am a stranger not a saint. A saint is a person who wants to go to the New World for the freedom of religion, but a saint is a person who wants to go to the New World to start new lives. I am very concerned about my children, Giles and Constance. They are too young (Giles 11, and Constance 14) to go on a complex journey like this. But I am not tooooo worried because there are 7 year olds on this ship! It smells rank and I feel as if I am going to cast under the quarter deck. I fall asleep fair uncomfortably next to my family.

September 16, 1620- 98 miles sailed

The Mayflower

It has been 10 days since we boarded the Mayflower. Everybody has cast at least 3 times a day. ‘Twill be a short journey I hope. I don’t know how we are also going to survive this trip, people are already getting so sick. We have no space and it smells fair rank because of un-dumped chamber pots. Elizabeth is having so much trouble because her baby is due soon. It will be even harder to have three children on the boat but Constance is growing up. A storm is brewing and Captain Standish is needed of workmen. I must go to work because I am tired of sitting all cramped up under the quarter deck watching Giles and Remember Allerton playing hand games, the boat rocking to and fro. Truth be told I really don’t like this ship. I climb through the trapdoor to the quarter deck as I tell Giles where I am going. Giles seems really worried about me going to work in the storm. When I am on the deck I gulp in a breath of fresh air. It feels good smelling the fair cool salty ocean air then smelling the rank un-dumped chamber pot dirty clothes smell. ‘Twas very alarming to see what was up on the deck. I had only glanced it once. I don’t to deserve to be down there, I know previous knowledge of the New World! Miles Standish is talking to a teenager who is volunteering for work.

“Come on lad, go fix the leaks and don’t come back until they are all fixed!” He howled.

“Yes captain!” The boy said, and he shuffled of. I am having second thoughts about talking to Miles.

September 20, 1620-112 miles sailed

The Mayflower

       We have been having a severe thunderstorm for 4 days now and it is my job to pull up sails with Isaac Allerton (Remembers dad). I am writing right now fair late because of the dark sky. The rain is puttering hard on the wooden walls of the boat. I see a leak on the ship and it is dripping on to Priscilla Mullins, but she does not notice it. The boat is rocking really roughly on the high waves. ‘Twill stop soon we all hope, well the strangers do. The saints believe that King James is on their side and he will always protect them.

       In the morning it does not feel like morning for the sky is still pitch black. I go up to the quarter deck to pull up sails as a bolt of lightning hits the ocean lighting up the sky. A wave crashes on to the deck; I get startled and trip on Isaac’s leg. I fall to the floor with a thud getting soaked.  I quickly go down under the deck where the rank smell is waiting for me. I grab one of the coats I brought from England and wrap it tight around me. It quickly absorbs the water in my garments and the coat gets wet too. I fall asleep early as my quill falls away.

September 30, 1620-156 miles sailed

The Mayflower

       Eight days ago the storm stopped and the sun came out and it was finally bright. All the Pilgrims rushed up to the quarter deck and a man named Solomon Prower sprained his arm in the rush of Pilgrims. I guess I don’t have to do any more work until another storm comes. Back to the tween deck…

October 18, 1620-200 miles sailed

The Mayflower

       I am very worried about my wife Elizabeth, she has been complaining about her stomach and Pilgrims are inferring she might have her baby fair soon. We are having another storm right now (How many storms are we going to have on this ship?!) and I infer we will have fair large waves and hard rain.

October 21, 1620-239 miles sailed

The Mayflower

       “Heave on the mizzen halyard!”

       “All hands predy to set sail!” Shouts Captain Standish. ‘Tis as we expected, fair rainy. The thunder is s loud and the lightning is too bright. I am again pulling up sails with Isaac Allerton in the rain. I am already soaked from head to toe. Suddenly somewhere across the deck I hear John Billington shouting against the loud sound of the rain:

       “STEPHEN HOPKINS PLEASE REPORT TO THE TWEEN DECK

IMMEDIATELY!” What was this? I climb down to the tween deck and go

right to Elizabeth who is now holding a screaming baby wrapped in Giles’s

only coat. Our new baby is so cute and small. A little lump of brown hair is

plopped on his head. And his small beady blue eyes are gazing up at me.

Elizabeth says softly to me:

       “Oceanus” That was his name! I am so happy that a tear trickles down

 my cheek. I love his name. ‘Twas probably named after the ocean.

 November 9, 1620-1,50 miles sailed

The Mayflower

       ‘Tis fair early in the morning and I have not been writing because of our new son Oceanus. He is the loudest little boy in the whole boat. Well he really is the only little boy in the boat. So far Priscilla Mullins, Thomas English, John Alden, Francis Cooke, Samuel Fuller, and Christopher Martin have complained about his loudness. I wish I could shut him up in a box, but of course he is still my son so I definitely would not do that. We have sailed so many miles because of the high winds. Suddenly from the quarter deck I hear a shout:

       “LAND HO!!!”

It is Peter Brown. All of a sudden the spirits in my body rose. I was so happy that I screamed:

       “’Tis a glorious day!!!” Every single pilgrim in the tween deck rushed up to the quarter deck his or her hearts filled with joy. I go up after every one passed (did not want to sprain my ankle like Solomon Prower!) with Elizabeth, Giles. Constance, and Oceanus. We stare out at the horizon line. A strip of land lying out like a blanket. I hear William Bradford saying to John Carver and Miles Standish:

       “At last this long hard journey is over!”

       I look back at the now thicker strip of land. I am so happy I can hardly breathe. We go closer and closer and pull The Mayflower into the harbor.  Miles Standish makes an announcement:

       “Pilgrims, Pilgrims I have an announcement! ‘Tis not Virginia where we planned to go but it is a place called Cape Cod,” We stayed in the harbor for the rest of the day and then it became night.

November 11, 1620-no more miles to sail!

Cape Cod Harbor

       Today William Bradford writes The Mayflower Compact, and us men 15 and older are required to sign it. Francis Billington and John Billington II are infuriated that they don’t get to sign the Compact. I go to a crowded cabin on the quarter deck where William Bradford is hunched over a table writing furiously on a piece of parchment with his quill. Men and women and children are scattered around the cabin watching with wide eyes. He finishes it and I go up to sign it.

XStephen Hopkins

     I go under to the tween deck and go to my family who are nibbling on a few crumbs of bread (stale).  Tomorrow 16 men will explore the new land.

The Mayflower Compact

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland king, defender of faith etc. Having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our king & country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly & mutually in the presence of God and on of another, covenant & combine ourselves together into a civil body politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of the ends foresaid: and by virtue hereof to enact laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet & convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names ant Cape Cod the 11^th of November in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, & Ireland the eighteenth and of Scotland, the fifty-fourth. Ano: Dom. 1620.

November 11, 1620-continued journal entry

Cape Cod Harbor

       The strangers and the saints have been fighting a lot about the law. This is why William Bradford wrote The Mayflower Compact. They are fighting because the law they originally had was for Virginia but now they are in Cape Cod so the law is fair different. They now think they can do whatever they want. ‘Tis why they did the Mayflower Compact. I don’t know what will happen.

November 12, 1620

Cape Cod Harbor

       Today 16 men went ashore to explore the New World. And guess what! I was on of them! The leader of the group was Miles Standish. The other men were Isaac Allerton, William Bradford, John Carver, Francis Cooke, Samuel Fuller, John Billington, Peter Browne, Edward Winslow, John Alden, Thomas English, Joseph Rodgers, John Tilley, Richard Bitterbridge, Jasper Jonathan Pierce, and James Chilton. When we got of the boat we had to wade through 5 feet of ice-cold water. Then we got to the beach. ‘Tis so cold on The New World beach. The saints drop to their knees and thank King James. Soon after we walked on the beach for 30 minutes we ventured into the woods. In the woods there were rows and rows of all different kinds of trees. It looked like a maze of trees. We colleted wood from juniper trees for fires. That night we had our first warm meal on 66 days. 

November 13, 1620

Cape Cod Bay

‘Tis the day where all the women and children get to go ashore to wash clothes (which smells very rank-we haven’t washed them for 66 days). ‘Twill be fair exciting for them. The saint children ran around the beach screaming:

       “Thank You King James!!!” And the stranger children just ran around the beach screaming nothing. But the mischievous little Billington boys were throwing rocks and sticks at Giles.

November 17, 1620

Cape Cod Harbor

       Again today we get to go to The New World and my children are fair excited for me. We go to the beach where we were the first time.  When we walk to the woods to find more things William Bradford spots a stream. A freshwater stream! We go the stream, which is in the outsides of the woods. I wonder why we did not see the stream the first time we were on the New World. I drop to my knees and start gulping down the cool fresh water. Some of us take vials of the water back to there children but I don’t have a vial. After we get the water we go into woods. Juniper trees tower over our heads. We find a clearing where there are mounds and mounds of sand. Miles Standish said we should dig in it. So we did. Once we dug to the bottom there was a woven basket of blue, red, and yellow corn. Samuel Fuller Cried: “This is perfect for the crops! We should take so we don’t starve!”

“Should we take it?” William Bradford asks to Miles Standish. “Y-Yes we should” He says. But a bit of guilt is in his words. So we took the corn. We set up camp that night and I go to bed guilty.

December 6, 1620

Cape Cod Harbor

       Today men explore the New World again but in the foulest winter weather. It is raining so hard and the wind is blowing so furiously. As soon as the rain hits the ground it turns to ice. But luckily I am sitting on the tween deck again watching Giles and Remember playing finger games.

December 7, 1620

Cape Cod Harbor

       A baby has been born. Pilgrims call him The First New World Baby (he really is not as loud as Oceanus). ‘Tis a very cute baby. He was born a few minutes before midnight on the tween deck. His name is Peregrine White.

       The men go to explore today. I am among them. We divided into groups. On the water we saw a big black fish, 15 feet long. It had a white belly. The men went on and we came to the same mounds of sand, but this time the area was fenced in a tall wooden fence.

       “We must not dig here!” Said William Bradford.

December 13, 1620

Cape Cod Harbor

       In the morning we set out looking for a place to set up our new village. We found a perfect field and we named it Plymouth after a city in England. We will set anchor there tomorrow.

PLIMOUTH

December 25, 1620

Plymouth

       Today the men build the first building: The Common House. We take huge Juniper trees and cut them down to bet logs for the building. We also build a platform on top of a small hill for fortification. After the Common House is done we get ready to build all the other houses.

January 7, 1621

Plymouth

It is 1621! That is the good thing. The bad thing is that 2 men set out the woods and they still haven’t returned. Therefore they are lost.

A Fair Long Time After

March 14, 1621-Indians Come For The First Time

Plymouth

       ‘Tis a wonderful day! Guess what happened! I was in my new house (there are now 7 houses on 1^st street) when from the Common House I heard a cry:

       “INDIANS! INDIAN!” It is Peter Browne. Me, Elizabeth (holding Oceanus), Giles, and Constance ran over to see the Indian. Pilgrims poured out of their houses, stumbling to see the Indian. He was tall and had amber brown skin. He wore a quiver of arrows on one side of his body and a bow on the other side. He had lines of red paint on his cheeks and wore fragments of deerskin around his waist. Elders rushed to give him a cloak-he looked freezing only wearing fragments of deerskin around part of his body.

       “Welcome” he says in perfect English. Wait did he just say “Welcome”-In English! We couldn’t believe it. William Bradford and miles Standish put down their muskets.

      

“My name is Samoset,” He said again in perfect English. The Elders led him to a tree stump to sit down. We brought Brandy, Biscuits, Cheese, a bit of cooked Mallard, and some pudding. He gobbled it up like he had never had food. I moved a bit closer interested in him. Elizabeth on the other hand looked worried sick. She glanced at Oceanus and rocked him in her arms; by the sight of the Indian he became quiet (I should hire him to be with Oceanus every day!). She is worried because Oceanus is very young-9 months and 23 days old.

       “I have drank this before,” Samoset said at the taste of the Brandy. Edward Winslow asked him where. He said from English fishermen who had visited his country. He told us that he had been watching us for days and didn’t show himself because he was scared of our muskets. He also said that he comes from Pemmequid Point, where his is chief of the Abanaki, also called People Of The Dawn. They call Plymouth where we now live “Patuxet” which means: “Little Bay” He told the Pilgrims stories for hours and hours and then it became dark. He looked like he wanted to stay. And he did.

       “Where shall I stay,” He says. I whisper to a the boy Jasper Jonathan Pierce:

       “Go to my house and ask my wife Elizabeth if it is Ok for Samoset to stay for the night. He comes back shortly after with the news. She says ok. I am very excited. An Indian is staying at my-my house! I walk him over to the house with Giles and Constance who already asking him so many questions. And we all go to sleep.

March 22, 1621

Plymouth

       Again the Samoset comes but with another Indian called Tisquantum. He says we can call him Squanto. He also told us the great chief Massasoit and his brother Quadequina were coming. An hour later they come. Massasoit and Quadequina are very tall and are painted with bold colors. They were deerskin and also like Samoset have bows and arrows. Giles and Constance stand staring. Elizabeth is at home sleeping along with Oceanus. Captain Standish and a few other men including me take the Indians to the Common House. Meat was served with Brandy and Pudding. Massasoit drew a pipe from his deerskin pouch. We make a Peace Treaty for the Pilgrims and Indians:

The Peace Treaty

First: They should not injure us or do hurt to any of our people.

Second: If they do hurt, Massasoit should send us the offender so we could punish him. And if we did like harm to them, the same should be done.

Third: If they took our tools he should cause them to be resorted.

Fourth: If any tribes did unjust war against him we should aid him. If any did war against us, he would aid us

Fifth: He should send to his neighboring confederates to certify them of this.

Sixth: When their men came to us they should leave bows and arrows. And when we came to them we should leave behind our muskets.

Seven: If they did all this, King James would esteem him as a friend and ally.

Massasoit and Quadeqhins left at dusk. Squanto, and Samoset stayed for the night at the Common House. Guess I cant put 2 Indians in my house.

March 23, 1621

Plymouth

In the morning more Indians come to Plymouth but this time with wives and children.  The children Indians all played with Giles and Remember Allerton. They wanted to be entertained. So we entertained them. They go back to their village at night and generously take Isaac Allerton and Miles Standish with them to see the village. I deeply wish that I may go. ‘Twas a fine day.

A Fair Long Time After

June 7, 1621

Plymouth

       A lot of people have died since March. So there has not been much time to write. The sickness has been growing and John Carver had died.  Now because of his death William Bradford is now Governor. In the Billington family no one has gotten sick-yet.

June 15, 1621

Plymouth

       John Billingtonn II- Eye Eye Eye. That little mischievous little man. He has been gone for 5 days and still has not returned… Lost. But today he comes back through the woods with a party of Nauset Indians. John is wearing paint on his face and beads are hanging down his body. Francis (his brother) is fair upset. Not because he’s upset with John because he wanted to go with the Indians too. As I write this I see him huffing and puffing and his face is bright red. I can imagine. Giles looks up at me and shrugs. That boy is crazy! John.

June 17, 1621

Plymouth

       Squanto the Indian is now a saint. Why?? He has moved into our village and all the saints are fair happy. Why would he do this? I don’t even know if I’m upset or not. I think I’m upset.

       The corn blazes the field all different colors. This means we won’t starve this winter. Me and Constance and Giles go to a field to take a test of the yellow corn. We all love it and our mouths water for more. We bring some back for Elizabeth and Oceanus. We are going to hunt for eels in July soon.

July 5, 1621

Hunting Eels With Squanto

       At midnight we set out for eel hunting with Squanto. We go to a pond in the forest. The moon is full and fair bright. Giles and Constance come with me. It is not only we. William Bradford, Francis Cooke, and Isaac Allerton come too. We catch many eels for eel pie – yummy!

First Drawing In Journal: Of Eel Hunting With Squanto

       Squanto brings tools for us to catch the eels with. We realize the moon is so bright it is almost like the middle of the day. Giles is splashing in the water while Francis Cooke and John Billington fight about Squanto being a saint. Besides that it is very peaceful.

August 1, 1621

Pond

       I was going to get some firewood from the Juniper trees when I came across a pond. I heard splashing and laughing. It might have been Indians so I crept behind a bush. I peer over it and see 3 little Indian children playing in the water. The saints think that if you go in the water you will loose your natural protection. Like I really believe that!

August 25, 1621

Plymouth

       Me and Giles and Constance stand outside of the woods. I am going to show them the pond where the Indians were playing. I learned that the Indians treat their children differently than Pilgrims treat their children. We go to the creak but this time Squanto is there with another Indian child. We crouch behind a bush again not wanting to be seen. Suddenly Giles trips on a rock and falls: SPLASH!! In to the pond. Squanto dives in to get Giles. He brings out Giles choking on water. Constance and me run out to see him. Squanto pulls me aside and says:

       “Hi Stephen Hopkins, You and Constance and Giles can come to my village, and we can dry Giles with nice warm deerskin,” I am truly honored so I say “yes”. I have always wanted to go to an Indian village.

       We hike up a mountain for an hour with Squanto and the Indian child. Suddenly a bunch of Wigwams appeared among the trees. ‘Tis very nice here. Squanto introduced us to the Indians. They touched out garments like they have never seen them before (I bet they haven’t). They are fair attracted to Constance’s petticoat.

I like the Indians.