Inside the May Issue:
Page 1
Newsletter
Future Fun Stuff
Cool Links
Gabrielle's Grab Bag
*Page 2*
Book Review
Poetry Corner
Math Challenge
Page 3
Science:Why Go Veggie?
Recipes
p.2
Gregor and the Marks of Secret by: Suzanne Collins
Gregor continues his echo-location lessons with Ripred, the rat. They meet in the tunnel just outside the Underworld city of Regalia. Ripred is the only rat allowed inside the tunnels near the city. Gregor learns some shocking news at one of his lessons. Ripred is now taking care of the Bane! The Bane is the rat whose future has been predicted to destroy the city of Regalia, and that's why no rats are allowed in or near Regalia. Worse yet, Gregor finds out that the Bane is in the tunnel with them! The Bane has grown tremendous since Gregor last saw him as a pup. The Bane and Ripred get into a fight, and while Gregor watches, the Bane runs away down one of the tunnels. Ripred tells Gregor that he must return the following day with his sword so that together they can kill the Bane!
Gregor returns the next day to find that Ripred has disappeared and there is no sign of the Bane. What Gregor finds instead are three of the Banes' closest friends. The three rats are determined to kill Gregor and they almost succeed! Gregor barely escapes with his life!
Afterward, Gregor visits with some friends in Regalia and he notices that the Nibblers (mice) have sent a plea for help. Luxa, who is the future queen of Regalia, and Gregor secretly leave during the night to see what has happened to the Nibblers. When they arrive at the Nibbler's colony, they can only find one Nibbler left. It is the body of the dead Nibbler queen. They venture out with a small party of friends to check on the other Nibbler Colony. At this colony they find no one left! Gregor and his friends find a "Mark of Secret" scratched on the wall of the Nibbler's tunnel. The marks were used to give allies messages during times of war. The mark they discover is "the mark of death." Luxa is determined to find and stop whoever or whatever is killing the Nibblers, even if it means war!
This book kept me turning pages! The author keeps the excitement building right to the very end. I can't wait for the next book about the Underworld. If you like thrilling adventures with an amazingly well-designed fantasy world, you'll certainly want to read this book. To get the most out of this amazing book, you'll want to read the series by Suzanne Collins: Book 1: Gregor the Overlander, Book 2: Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Book 3: Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods.
hiccups are silly,
drink from the back of a cup but it's spilly,
Spoonful of sugar,
how 'bout another,
they seem very catchy and are such a bother,
Finally they're gone,
oh I hate them so...
Hic-Hic-Hiccup, OH-NO!
You will need a piece of regular sized paper, 8 1/2 by 11 in. and a pair of scissors. Now, the challenge is to cut a hole in the paper that is big enough for your mom or dad to be able to walk through it without ripping the paper! Good luck!