To: Eileen Cook
From: Rushika
Date: February 22, 2012
RE: Unraveling Isobel

Hi Miss Cook. I wanted to talk to you about your book, Unraveling Isobel that just came out. I read it recently and have so much to talk about.

Firstly I wanted to tell you how wonderful your book was. I liked it a lot because it was mysterious but was still funny. It would be all serious but then becomes light. For example, when Isobel first saw the house she felt something wrong but right after she was her sassy self at her step-father. This book really kept me guessing. There are so many twists in the plot. That was the best part. I was never bored.

I have some questions for you. Why did you make Isobel’s dad crazy. Did you do it so Isobel could be crazy and to make us think the story could have been her imagination? Was the ghost really Nathaniel’s sister? I never knew for sure. Did Isobel’s mom finally accept Isobel? She should because Isobel was right all along.

Even though your book was really good I have some suggestions. Isobel should’ve met her dad at some point. You kept pointing out her dad but all she got was a letter. He could be the one adult that trusted her. You also should have given more life to Isobel. She seemed so depressed at times. It would be more enjoyable to read if she did something interesting.

Thank you for reading this. Once again you book was fabulous and I hope you make a sequel.

Reading response one night that changes everything

Donut Stories

School

            I got a ride with Kanchini to school. I needed the ride because I lost my car privileges last night. Kanchini and I were talking about that.

            “Can you believe we did that?” I said.

            “I know! How much trouble did you get in?” Kanchini asked.

“My punishment wasn’t that bad. I only lost my car privileges and have to pay for the damages. Oh, and I am grounded for 3 months.” I replied.

We got to school and were attacked by our other friends. They all wanted to know what happened. I wondered how they knew when I saw Breeze. She and Kanchini were the only people with me. It must have been her.

Before I got the chance to shout at her, my friends kept getting in the way. The only way to get by was to tell them.   

“It was Breeze’s idea. She wanted to do the donut but I wouldn’t let her drive. I. I did two but on the third one I crashed into a light post. Now if you will excuse me, I have someone I need to talk to.” I said and then left.

“Why would you tell everyone about last night?” I questioned.

“Because now everyone knows you are not boring. You can thank me later.” Breeze replied then walked away.

At first I was annoyed, but later on in the day I realized she was right. People who never knew my name stopped and said hi to me in the hallways. By the end of the day I realized that maybe last night wasn’t that bad.

Parents

As I walked from Kanchini’s car to my house, I wondered how I would tell my parents. I decided to go for the direct approach. My mom would probably kill me than bring me back to life to make me pay the damages..

            When I got home, my mom was in the living room watching TV. I went up to her and said,

“I crashed the car.”

My mom just blinked at me for a second and then rushed over and asked if I was alright. Once she knew I was fine, she asked me the dreaded question.

“What happened?”

I thought about lying but knew she would find out the truth anyway. So, I told her everything, I told her about the doughnuts, whose fault it was, and everything else. Once I was done, I sat on a chair and waited for the verdict.

“I am so disappointed,” my mom began. “You should have been more careful. Your sister never did this type of thing. You will have to face the consequences. You will lose car privileges, pay for the damage, and you are grounded for 3 months.’ That was all my mom had to say before leaving.

I went to my room and asked myself why did I do something so stupid.