Friday, May 11, 2012

Log 3/21/2012

Septimus Heap- Syren
By Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy

One day, Beetle and Jenna went out exploring again. Septimus heard the same voice calling him, he look around and saw a girl. The girl was wearing an Apprentice tunic with Magic symbols and purple stripes on her sleeves, Septimus then know that she was from the past and is a Senior Apprentice. She told him that Septimus is dying, he had caught a bad disease. Septimus couldn't believe it, but she told him that she will help him and his dragon, if he help her. The girl told him that Spit Fyre had the disease because he knew and that's why he wanted to take the thing off. Septimus promised and she started chanting some Magic words that he doesn't know really well, a green and purple mist formed around her, after a couple minutes she stopped chanting and the mist was gone. Spit Fyre felt much better and slept a little better than before. The girl was possessed by a sorcerer called Syren, she sings a melody then lured people into her target.

Log 3/20/2012

Septimus Heap- Syren
By Angie sage
Juvenile Fantasy

Septimus didn't want Spit Fyre to take the wrapped cloth his tail since it was injured. Their was also a light house, the owner was a cat, half cat, half human. Jenna and Beetle were exploring the island while Septimus stayed with Spit Fyre. Since Spit Fyre keep on biting at his tail, Septimus found a piece of plastic, fold it together, and cast a spell on it so it's bigger. He wrapped it around Spit Fyre's head, so that he couldn't bite the covered seaweed medicine off his tail. Septimus was just about to fall asleep when he heard someone calling his name. It was a girl's voice. He looked around, used his powers to See, but he couldn't find anything. So he went back to sleep.

Log 3/19/2012

Septimus Heap
By Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy

Jenna hates being under control of Milo, since the ships not her's yet. Milo does say that the ship is her's, but he said when she's older. She got out of Milo's grasp and said that she hate it when he does that. She got on her place, as the Navigator and Spit Fyre flew off. Milo knew that there was going to be a storm, he warned them, but they didn't listen, Septimus was in a hurried. Half way there, there was a storm, lightning came next, the lightning hit Spit Fyre's tail and they almost dropped down, but since they were close to an island, Septimus urged Spit Fyre and they landed.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Log 3/14/2012

Septimus Heap-Syren
By Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy

When Spetimus got to the place where he left Jenna and the others, he couldn't find them. When he got out of the trading post, which stinks, he saw a letter, nailed to the door. He read it and it says that Jenna and the others were at Milo's ship, The Cerys. Milo is Jenna's real father, her real mother, Cerys, is the queen who died on the day she was born. Silas and Sarah found her and raised her. Septimus quickly went over to the dock. He found a really cool ship which was Milo's. He went aboard and told Jenna to go back with him. Since it was cool, Jenna didn't want to go back. Septimus was so tired because he flew during the night. Whe he got to the ship, since Jenna wasn't willing to go back, fell asleep. When he woke up, he suddenly remembered where Spit fyre was and ran up to the deck. But then Jenna told him that Spit Fyre arrived safely to the ship and fell asleep. Milo bought Jenna some jinnies to protect her, he was looking for it since she wasn't yet bron. Jenna wan't willing to go back because Milo said that the ship was hers. Jenna wasn't willing to go back, Septimus is tired of living on the ship, he can't wait until Spit Fyre wakes. But he will have to wait because Spit Fyre will be really tired if he didn't rest. One evening, Milo was about to give a speech, they were all sitting on the dining table, when Spit Fyre woke up, he gobbled up everything on the table, even the cloth. Septimus was excited that Spit Fyre woke up, he was about to get ready to go when Milo said something. Milo told everyone to not freak out and that he will chained the dragon during the night. Spit Fyre didn't like him, especially someone who was going to chain him. Since Beetle, Septimus best friend was willing to go, Septimus and Beetle got on the dragon. Septimus said for Jenna to come. Jenna wouldn't, they were about to leave, when Beetle asked Jenna to come, Milo put his arm to secure Jenna, he said that Jenna isn't going anywhere.

Log 3/13/2012

Septimus Heap- Syren
By Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy

This book is about a boy. His name is Septimus Heap. He onced was in the Young Army and had a name. His name was Boy 412. But then he was later 'captured' is what he reffered to, by wizards. He was then revealed to be Slias and Sarah Heap's seventh son, Septimus Heap. The seventh son of a seventh son. Septimus is the Apprentice of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia. He, Jenna, and Beetle just came back from saving Nicko and Snorri from The House of Foryx. Since Spit Fyre, Septimus' dragon was unable to carry them all, Jenna, Nicko, Snorri, and Beetle was left at the trading post. The next day, Septimus planned to get them all back before something happens, but Marcia wanted an appiontment with him. Marcia came to his room the next morning, she showed him the purple strings of a Senior Apprentice and told him that he is now a Senior Apprentice sinced he completed the Queste. Marcia told him that being a Senor Apprentice, you can come and go out of the Wizard Tower anytime you want, but you have to tell the ExtraOrdinary Wizard where you are going and when you will come back. Septimus was excited because he knew that Marcia wouldn't let him go and get Jenna and the others since he just got back from his Queste

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Log 3/12/2012

Charlie Bone and The Red Knight
By Jenny Nimmo
Fantasy

Charlie and the rest of his friends headed out of the fog to Bloors' Academy. They were going to defeat the bad and get the Academy back to the rightful owner. Charlie's Uncle Paton, a lighbulb exploder, Olivia, an illusionist, Emma, who can turn into birds, Tancred, a storm bringer, Gabriel, a person who can feel other people's emotions through clothings, Lysander, a person who can summon his ancestors, Dagbert, a drowner, and many more of his friends were there to help. At the evil side, there were stone creatures and other evil things that they never dream of encountering. When they got to the other end of the fog, there were unexpected things waiting there. Count Harken was also there, there was a serous battle going on. Charlie was knocked out and when he stood up, he was dizzy, all he saw was Alice helping him, and Uncle Paton being stabbed. He cried and went to his Uncle, but was pulled back. Count Harken was about to attack, when the Red Knight appeared. Count Harken and the Red Knight fight each other, Count Harken was about to kill the knight, when the knight stabbed Count Harken and he died. The knight was severly hurt. Now Uncle Paton was a bit better. He told Charlie to reveal the knight. All of a sudden, Charlie didn't want to know who this knight was. Charlie revealed it and see that it was his dad. He thought that his father was such a coward who was on a hollywood right now, but really his dad was with him all the time.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Log 3/8/2012

Charlie Bone and The Red Knight
By Jenny Nimmo
Fantasy

Charlie worries for his parents, he didn't want them to be dead, and Olivia was tricked too. He can't believe that things are getting worse. Olivia missed her godmother Alice Angel, and since the Bloors found out that she was endowed, they tricked her into believing that Alice came home. Olivia went to Alice's house and saw someone at the back of the room. The person said that she had a gift for her. She tried on the gift and turned mean. The clothing was bewitched, while Alice was in her store hundreds of miles away from the city, she sensed that Olivia was in trouble and came home. She came and lived with Charlie for awhile until Olivia became he same. Emma, Olivia's friend, offer to help since they are in the same dormitory. She drew a picture of the vest that was bewitched and gave it to Alice. Alice made a vest that looked the same and Emma switched it with Olivia's. After that, Olivia became her same self and they set of to fight Count Harken, who came from the past. Since the Red knight kept helping them, they felt a bit safer. Every time when the knight who came from the past came and try to kill them, the Red Knight appeared and help them.

Log 3/7/2012

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight
By Jenny Nimmo
Fantasy

There is a boy called Charlie Bone. Charlie is mad at his father, Lyell Bone, because he just found his father when both his parents went on a honeymoon together. He didn't have time to spend with his father. And besides, there are going to be trouble and where is his father, the one that is brave and never run away from danger. But his father is also in danger, the Lord of the Oceans aka Lord Grimwald is coming and he is going to drown both Charlie's parents. Dagbert Endless, Lord Grimwald's son was also in trouble, their family was cursed a long time ago and when the son turns thirteen, the father should either die, or the son will. Dagbert's father planned to kill him by destroying the charms that his mother made for him to protect him. His mother was drowned a long time ago. Dagbert asked for Charlie to keep them, but Charlie refused because he almost drowned Charlie's friend Tancred.

"Milkweed" By Jerry Spinelli

Character:
Round/Dynamic: Misha Pilsudski
Flat/Static: Jenina
Protagonist: Misha
Antagonist: Adolf Hitler

Themes:
* Always do as your parents say or you will be in trouble
* There is always one that is going to get hurt when you choose a decision between the love ones
* Someone in you love in your life is always going to get hurt no matter how much you love them
* Fate isn't always fair, which makes the one who rules win

Setting:
ghetto,

Conflict Type:
Character Vs. Character: Misha doesn't know anything and was told by Uri to run away because he was going to be dead by Hitler

Character Vs. Society: Misha only knows that he needs to live and he steals things like food, anything he could find useful. But when the trains are here to take the Jews away, he was told to run, but Jenina was took on the train and he followed the train tracks to see if he could find her.

Plot Line:
A boy who steals food and other useful things to live befriended a group of kids that were like him. They like to do things together. Since the boy doesn't know anything and doesn't know what his name was, he accepted the names that were yelled at him when he steals like "Stop Thief" and "Stupid". He then was giving a story of his old life and got the name Misha Pilsudski from Uri, the one that found him. He was strolling when he found Jenina. Hitler took the Jews away and put them in the Ghetto. Misha went along with the Milgroms and later was Jenina's brother and he got the name Misha Pilsudski Milgrom. He and Jenina always go through the two brick hole on the wall and steal food on the other side. One day, Uri told him to run away from the place because the trains are coming, he didn't understand what Uri means. Every night when they steal, Jenina always get a look at the trains which made her excited and she says that she loves them. Jenina's father, Mr. Milgrom, told Misha to take Jenina away from the place. Misha did as told, but Jenina broke away and was took away on the train. Misha followed the tracks and was took to be a slave by a farmer. One night, the farmer's wife told him to go away because it was getting danger. He followed the tracks again, but was not alone, he was walking with tons of people. He then was older and had a wife, but because of his strange acts, his wife ran away with his daughter. Later when his daughter was born, she came and found him and he was then called Popi Noodle by his grand daughter who was called Wendy and had a niddle name which he came up for her called Jenina. He told no one of Jenina.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Activism, Perspective, Propaganda

What is "propaganda" and why is it powerful? 
Propaganda is a message created to make people "believe, do, or buy" something. It is powerful because people usually believe it and sometimes do and buy something. Mostly they do something like react to it.


Where do you find propaganda? How is it propaganda?
Propaganda is usually found in stores because in most stores, they have lots of propaganda. They have little t.v's that shows what they want people to buy, they have a food station that lets people try the food so that they will buy them, and they give out magazines and newspapers to people so the people will buy their things. 


What is the Lupehole of truth?
The Lupehole truth is usually something that someone sees and believe in while the other person believes in something else. For example, there wil be two different sides while one person sees a different side from the other person. 


How do you find the truth?
To find the truth, you have to see proof. To be able to see proof, you have to see for yourself instead of believing others. When someone said that a close friend of yours is dead, you have to see their dead body to be able to believe it. 


What is LRA? What do they do? What do they say their mission is?
LRA is a group of people that kidnapps kids to join their group. Those kids have to do as they said or the LRA will kill them. They said that their mission is to help the kids get a better life because in Africa, not all kids get to go to school and get a good life, the LRA says that they are giving the kids a good life by letting them go to school, have a roof over their heads, and have a good life. 


What is the difference between FACT/OPINION and TRUTH/NON-TRUTH?
The difference between fact and opinion is that a fact is something that has proof, you see it, and happens for real. An opinion is something that is only what people think and is not always true. The difference between truth and non-truth is that truth is when something is real and is true, their will be nothing that could change it because it is true and already happens. Non-truth is something that isn't true and isn't real and there will still be something that could change it.


If someone asked you what you have learned in Reading Class since coming back from Spring Break, what would you tell them? (remember, they will judge the class based on your response)
If someone asked me what I have learned since coming back from Spring Break, I would tell them that I learned about Propaganda, a message created to make someone believe, buy, or do and it is used in almost everywhere and sometimes they are fake. I would also tell them that we learned about the KONY 2012, Joseph Kony is someone that kidnaps kids, he makes the boys soldiers and makes them kill their parents and relatives, he makes the girls sex slaves. He does this only to have the power to control not for something that he wanted.


What are some concerns you have about propaganda? Why do you think it might be dangerous?
Some concerns I have about propaganda is that it is almost everywhere and sometimes there might be one that needs kids. For example, there might be a kid club and it needs money. The kids that wanted to attend gives money and goes there, they are kidnapped and the money was kept to go somewhere else and steal more kids. This is my concern about propaganda because I liked to go to competitions and I am scared that it might be like that.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Story Elements

For this story, describe the:
Exposition:Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones' pocketbook on the street at night. Mrs. Jones was a really big lady and was really nice. She didn't take him to the police, but instead help him be a better person. 
Rising Action: Roger steal Mrs Jones pocketbook.
Main Climax: Roger learns to not steal, but ask for what he needs from Mrs. Jones.
Falling Action: Roger didn't steal anymore and never saw Mrs. Jones again.
Denouement: Mrs. Jones helped Roger to be a better person and she even gave him ten dollars to by blue suede shoes.
What is the central (main) conflict TYPE (character vs. _____)
character vs. self
How so?
I think it is character vs. self because Roger was having to deal with what he did that was wrong and have to solve it.

Name and briefly explain 2 other conflict TYPES in the story?
character vs. character- I think it is character vs. character too because Roger was having to deal with Mrs. Jones.
character vs. society- I think this because Roger was having to deal with what he have and steal for what he doesn't have.


Who is the round/dynamic character? How can you tell?
The round/dynamc character is Roger because in the end Roger change from being a character who steals to a character who learns to ask.


Who is the flat/static character? How can you tell?
The flat/static character is Mrs. Jones because in the beginning to the end, she was still the same.

Describe Mrs. Jones’ character: PROVE it
Mrs. Jones is a character who was really nice and has manners. She is nice because instead of taking Roger to the police, she took him to her house, fed him, and even gave him ten dollars to  buy shoes.


Describe Roger’s character (remember to think about all aspects, as there are many) PROVE it
Roger is a kid who want to be trusted and doesn't have any parents and steal for a living. He steals because he tried to steal Mrs. Jones' pocketbook to get what he wants.

Create a theme statement. (what was the moral of the story)
Never steal something that you want, but try to ask for it

How can you tell this is the theme?
I think this is a theme because the story basically tells to not steal and could try to ask for what you want.

How does the way the plot is laid out help make this story unique?
The way that the plot was laid out made this story unique because the story was short and the plot really tells not to steal.

Where, most likely is the setting for this story? How can you tell?
I think that the setting is maybe in the 1900's because of the way they called the stove and the refridgerator.
How would you describe the way Mrs. Jones treats Roger?
Mrs. Jones was really nice to Roger and she trusted him too.

What kind of people usually do this and why do they do it at all?
Only really few people will do this because they wanted the world to be fill of love, caring, and peace. They also want to teach others of what kind of things is good to do and what kind of things is not good to do.
What was revealed by Roger’s action when he slid over so she could see him from the other room?
Roger wanted to stay in a place that she could see him because he wanted her to know that he was still there and hadn't gone of with her purse. He also didn't want her to think that he was a thief because he might have known that she wasn't going to take him to the police.

Analyze how Roger’s view of Mrs. Jones changed from the beginning to the end of the story.
In the beginning, Roger wanted to run away from Mrs. Jones because he thought that she was going to take him to the police. But at the end, he trusted her and still wanted to see her, but never got a chance.

Name two places in the story there was foreshadowing? Explain and tell how you can tell.
Two places in the story where there was forshadowing is in the street when Roger stole Mrs. Jones' purse and in Mrs. Jones' house when she took him to her house and fed him. These two places were the important settings in the story.

What imagery is painted in your head after reading this story?
The imagery that was painted in my head after reading the story is that I saw a boy that looks about fourteen and fifteen holding a ten dollar bill heading of to the store to buy shoes.


Log 3/6/2012

The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Kim Edwards
Fiction Pg 3-52

I read about a doctor named David Henry. He had a wife that was going to have be in labor in three weeks.
One night he was getting ready to sleep when his wife said that her stomach hurts and she have never hurt that way before. He said that it might be nothing because her baby is due in three weeks. After a couple of minutes, she woke him up and told him that she timed it and it hurts every five minutes. He took her to his office because the hospital was five miles away. His nurse, Caroline came to help him. They gave some gas to his wife so she wouldn't be in pain. The first baby was a baby boy and he was really cute. David didn't know that his wife had twins until his wife cried out in pain. They gave her more gas and then the next baby came. The next one was a baby girl, but the instant David saw her, he knew that  she would die in only a couple of years. He told his nurse to take the baby away because he didn't want to upset his wife. His sister was like their daughter, she died at age twelve and his mother cried a lot, so he didn't want his wife to cried too because he love her.

Summary

Juvenile Fantasy, Teen Novel, Darke, Angie Sage
               I. Septimus Heap Protagonist
                        A. ExtraOrdinary Apprentice to ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia, who does what he  
                             think is right which sometimes results in dangers.
                        B. Wears a green tunic that has purple stripes on the hem of the sleeve indicating that  
                             he is a Senior Apprentice, active, has a pet dragon, powerful, smart.
                        C. Helps stop the Darke Domaine into destroying the Castle and the Wizard Tower.
                        D. The Darke Domaine got into the Castle and he felt guilty about it
                             character vs. self- He felt that it was is fault because when Jenna asked him to 
                             check the attic if there was any Darke magic in there, he didn't. 
                             character vs. character- He has to fight the antagonist, Merrin Meredith to destroy 
                             the Darke Domaine.                             
                        E. Interacts with other characters that encourage him on his Darke Week and also 
                             gave him hope in destroying the Darke Domaine.
                II. Plot Line
                        A. Jenna wish him a "Happy Birthday" (it was his and Jenna's birthday eve) and   
                             asked him to check the attic to see if there is anything Darke.
                        B. He objected to go check and left Jenna without wishing her a "Happy Birthday"
                        C. Jenna asked Beetle to go check
                        D. Beetle went their and the Darke Domaine pulled him in
                        E. Jenna told Marcia and Marcia put up a SafeShield around the Castle and Wizard 
                             Tower
                        F. Septimus founds out and fight with Merrin on his dragon, Spit Fyre
                        G. Merrin drowned, when Simon helped him out, he spit out the other half of the 
                             Paired Code
                        H. Septimus took the Paired Code to Marcia, Simon helped out and they safe the 
                             Castle and Wizard Tower
                 III. Themes
                        A. Work with each other to get the job done
                        B. Do what people say that is urgent or there will be trouble
                        C. Be careful what you do wrong, it might be a BIG mistake
                                
                                                            

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Log 2/29/2012

Septimus Heap-SyrenAngie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy   Pg 485-628

Septimus' SafeCharm was a jinnee and when Merrin took it from Barney, he thought that it was perfume. He opened it and smelled it, but then it was a jinnee. Merrin didn't know and told the jinnee to go away. Barney told Aunt Zelda that a scribe took the SafeCharm and when she foound the jinnee, the jinnee went to look for Septimus just as Marcia had told him to. When he got there, the Cerys was also there, they got stucked and was pushing the ship back out to sea. When the crew in the ship that Lucy and Wolfboy was in got out and jumped aboard the ship, there was chaos. It was really foggy and Jenna, Beetle, Septimus, Wolfboy, and Lucy got on the Cerys, they did and Unseen spell except for Lucy who doesn't know any Magyk. They pushed the three bad guys into the room where there were Milo's present for Jenna. The bad guys were searching for the present, but Septimus and Wolfboy didn't know. When everyone was on the deck, there were armor coming out of the room that contained the present. Lots of them were coming out and there was no way to stop them. The crew got out of the ship and went to hide. Septimus told his jinnee to stop the army by Freezing them. The jinnee turned into a crab and follow them underwater. He then Freeze the last of the army and save the Wizard Tower. Syrah was also free from the Syren, but didn't know that she was in another time. She was eager to go back to her home, but when Jenna told her that she was never going to see them again, she fainted. They took her to the Wizard Tower, where she can recover.

Log 2/28/2012

Septimus Heap-Syren
Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy  Pg 355-484

Septimus thought that he was Seeing things, but when he look cleary he did See a girl. She came toward him, she was wearing a green Apprentice tunic that was torn and have Magyk symbols on them with purple stripes on the sleeves, this told Septimus that she was also a Senior Apprentice like him, but she was from five hundred years ago. The girl's name was Syrah. Syrah told Septimus that his dragon was dying. She said that the dragon has the black slush that's why it was stinking. He didn't believe her at first, but then when she etold him that it wasn't smeeling of seaweed but black slush, he believed her. Septimus made a deal with her, if she cure his dragon, then he will help her. When she finished curing Spit Fyre, Septimus said that she will help her. She took her to the Syren's castle. Septimus was almost Possessed by the Syren, but got away in time.

Log 2/27/2012

Septimus Heap-Syren
Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy   Pg 252-354

Septimus Heap was worried that his dragon Spit Fyre was dying so he wrapped some seaweed on the dragon's tail. He didn't want the dragon to have the disease called black slush. The dragon woke up wanting to bite into it's tail, but Septimus wouldn't let him. Septimus made a bucket and wrapped it around the dragon's neck so that he couldn't bite his tail. Beetle and Jenna were off exploring the island and Septimus stayed because he was taking care of his dragon. Septimus thought that he heard someone called his name, but when he look around, he couldn't find anyone. He was annoyed and fell asleep. When Beetle and Jenna came back they used some materials and made a shelter to live in. When Lucy and Wolfboy ran away from the Port Witch Coven, they jumoed on a ship and was now heading to where Septimus,  Jenna, and Beetle were. When they got to the island, they work with the captain and crews. There were only five people in the ship also including both of them. Jenna and Beetle went back to exploring the island and Septimus stayed again. He heard his name being called.

Log 2/22/2012

Septimus Heap-Syren
Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy    Pg 171-251

When Septimus got to the Cerys, Jenna and the rest didn't want to leave the ship because the ship was really beautiful and look different from other ships. His friend Beetle agree to go back with him, but since Spit Fyre was still asleep, Setimus decided to wait until he wakes up. He sent a letter to Marcia saying that he will be late. When Spit Fyre woke up, it was dinner and everyone was at the dinner table listening to Milo, Jenna's father talk. Spit Fyre was so hungry that he gobbled down everything that was on the table. Septimus was about to fly off with Beetle, but Milo said that it looks like there was going to be a storm and they should stay. Septimus insisted and asked if Jenna was going with him, Milo said that Jenna is not going and will be staying with him in her ship. Jenna got mad because it wasn't actually her ship yet and climbed on the dragon. When they were flying there was a storm, they got far away already and Septimus saw an island. Lightning struck Spit Fyre's tail and made his passengers scared. Septimus encouraged Spit Fyre to go on futher and at last they got to the island, Spit Fyre fainted and Septimus was really worried.

Log 2/21/2012

Septimus Heap-Syren
Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy   Pg 48-170

Septimus' oldest brother, Simon Heap, was waiting for her girlfriend, Lucy Gringe. What Simon didn't know was that Lucy was taken away by the Port Witch Coven. When Wolfboy got to his destination, the Port Witch Coven's place. When he got there, he took out the letter that he was supposed to read and memorize, after he thinks that he remembers the letter well now, he ate the letter like Aunt Zelda said on the letter. He knock on the Darke doorknob and said that he was the Grimfeeder. He has to be careful because the Grim hadn't eaten in about 50 years. When he got there, the witch told him to feed Lucy to the Grim. They left and Lucy and Wolfboy found a way out. And Wolfboy also finished his Task which was to cut a peice of the Grim's tentacles. Septimus was near his destination, but couldn't find Jenna and Nikko anywhere. But just then he saw a letter pin to the door, hw read it and it said that Jenna and the rest went to the Cerys, which is Jenna's father's ship. Septimus then headed toward it, but left Spit Fyre because Spit Fyre was asleep.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Log 2/20/2012

Septimus Heap- Syren
Angie Sage
Juvenile Fantasy   Pg 3-47

I read about a boy named Septimus Heap. He was Apprentice to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia. Septimus was about to get ready to go and get his brother Nicko, his sister Jenna who was the Princess, his best friend Beetle, and Snorri. But before he went to get them, he has to go to meet Marcia. Marcia told him that he is now a Senior Apprentice and that he could go anywhere whenever he wanted. She gave Septimus the purple stripes and did a magic spell that made the stripes stick to the sleeves. Septimus wanted to go and get them right after his talk with Marcia. Marcia insisted that he stay and she will go and get them, but Septimus told her that he could go get them himself because he is now a Senior Apprentice and could go without objections. Marcia was going to see him off in about less than an hour. Meanwhile his Aunt Zelda was saying goodbye to Wolfboy, Septimus's friend, who was about to go on a Task that envolves touching Darke things. After Wolfboy left, Aunt Zelda See Septimus flying on his pet dragon, Spit Frye (Fire). She knew that something bad was going to happen and went off to look for a SafeCharm for Septimus to use. When she found it, she Awaken it and use the easiest way to get to the Palace because it will take days if she went by boat/feet. Aunt Zelda gave the SafeCharm to a boy named Barney to give to Septimus, but Septimus wouldn't accept it because he know that it wasn't safe to accept SafeCharms from strangers. When Barney remembered who it was from, it was too late because Septimus couldn't hear Barney. Barney saw Aunt Zelda's cloak dissapeared around a corner and follow her. He couoldn't fin her, but just then a scribe jumped on him and took the SafeCharm from Barney. Barney was scared because he had read stories that something bad could happen to him because he didn't deliver the SafeCharm to Septimus Heap and didn't want to get turn into a lizard.