Call Of The Wild

by Jack London

Characters:

Buck - a wise gigantic dog

Spitz - Buck's harsh contender
John Thornton - the considerate caretaker of Buck

The Story:

A gigantic dog named Buck is the son of a Scotch shepherd-dog mother and a St. Bernard father.
Buck has incredible power and cleverness, that’s why he was stolen and owned by a harsh
master in Klondike who teaches him to be a sleigh dog.

Toughened with his brutal surroundings, Buck was trained to battle. He had a bloody and
dangerous fight over Spitz, the brutal leader of another team whom he defeated. Buck as the
leader of their team headed his members to many harmful ice and snow journey’s.

Then Buck realized his self with the hands of a new trainer and master John Thorton. He is
different because he handles the gigantic dog with care and kindness. Buck gives back his
fidelity and dedication to Thorton. There are time that John accepts a challenge if his dog can
pull a 1,000 pound load on a sled which is equal to ten dogs working. Because Thorton believes
in Buck, his dog never fails him. With all his strength and power, he tows and twists and pulled
again until he brings the sled to the end line.

Lots of men have interest to buy Buck, but his master never wanted to sell Buck even a thought
on his mind. But Throthon was killed by Indians. Instead of having another master, the gigantic
dog went to the wilds. He searched the killers of John and kills them one by one.

Comment:

This story shows how a dog responds on the love and affection gave to him. Like humans, they
have feelings and mindset.
A Girl of the Limberlost
by Gene Stratton Porter

Characters:

Elnora - part-time moth collector

Philip Ammon - the one assist in insects hunting
Mrs. Comstock - mother of Elnora
Wesley and Margaret Sinton - Elnora's relatives
Edith Carr - girl who grows in the city
Billy - an orphan boy

The Story:

Elnora Comstock went to an exclusive Onabasha high school without her mother’s consent. Her
classmates ignore her because of the way she dressed. But then she gain friends because of her
charisma, being simple and naturalness. Some girls made her join in the group. She has a
certain friend named Ellen Brownlee who used to invites her at their house. Her classmates
loved the delicacies Elnora always gave to them.

A Bird Woman purchase butterflies, cocoons, moths and other product from the forest from
Elnora. She uses her earnings to buy books, paid for her tuition fees at school and buy clothes
that she needs. Billy and her two sisters became friends of Elnora, she helped them and gave
them food. The siblings became orphan when their father died, Billy lives at Elnora’s Aunt
Margaret and Uncle Wesley, and her sisters resides with their other family relatives.

Elnora is an intelligent girl; she finished high school and graduated with the highest honors
valedictorian. She became a natural history lecturer because of her awareness about inhabitants
and forest relation matter. Elnora went to a moth hunting at the Limberlost. She was assisted by
Pete Corson and later by a rich man son’s whose recovering from illness, he is Philip Ammon.
An undisclosed love romance grows.

But Philip goes back to the city and was asserting as Edith Carr fiance. On their dance at the
clubhouse, Philip saw a beautiful butterfly that caught his attention and thinks that it can be add
to Elnora’s collection. Without thinking twice, he grabbed the butterfly and run at the
Limberlost to give it to her, realizing that she really loves Elnora. Then Philip asks the
permission of Mrs. Comstock to tie the knot with Elnora.

Comment:

A lovely story of a high school girl’s confidence, guts and sturdy dream to became educated. It
shows Elnora’s determination to finish her studies with all her sacrifices in life.
Around The World In 80 Days
by Jules Verne

Characters:

Phileas Fogg - rich single man

Passepartout - faithful French valet
Aouda - Indian princess
Captain Speedy, Sir Francis and Detective Fix

The Story:

One day, some London bankers and circle of friends, Phileas Fogg, a wealthy bachelor gambles
his 20,000 pounds bank deposit against a challenge that he can make to travel around the world
for 80 days only. His voyage starts on Oct. 2, 1872 and his friends expect him to come back on
the 21st of October.

Phileas then traveled very rapidly using his money abundantly, thus acquire all the hindrance
that comes in his way. On his journey in India, beautiful Aouda was rescued by Phileas from
being burned together with his late prince husband. But the prince supporters go after them;
luckily they arrived unharmed at Calcutta.

Phileas with Aouda went to Hongkong and Yokohoma, detective’s attempt arrest to Phileas was
hindered by French valet Passepartout. Also, they go through terrifying experiences while in
America. At New York they transfer to Liverpool riding a ship.

But Phileas running ended, the detective arrested him, but fortunately news came that the real
robber was already grabbed. With this fact, the detective asked an apology to Phileas. Time flew
fast on the pot, so a special train was rented by Fogg to go back to London immediately. And
reaching the Englishman’s clubhouse was just in time of their agreement.

Fogg got the pot, and what’s more surprising is that he found out that Aouda was in love with
him and he also did.

Comments:

The story evolved on the journey of Phileas for the gamble of the Englishman's. Fogg shows
determination by facing all the obstacles that came on his way. And with all this, he succeeds
and also met the charming Aouda.
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte

Characters:

Jane Eyre - young orphan girl

Edward Rochester - Thornfield Manor's owner
Bertha Mason - the ill wife of Rochester
Sisters Mary and Diana of Jane
Rev. St. John Rivers - the minister

The Story:

Young girl orphan Jane Eyre had an unhappy life while living with her aunt Mrs. Reed. Soon she
studied at Lowood School where she also worked hard to finished school. When she graduated,
she was hired as governess of Adela Varens, an area of Mr. Edward Rochester, the owner of
Thornfield Manor.

With her stay at the manor, Jane recognized strange actions. Jane has luckily saved Mr.
Rochester from being blaze alive when she smells a smoke at the manor. And there are times
that she heard a harsh yell, and on the next morning, Rochester had wound on his shoulder and
his arm was twist. She then suspect that his wife made all of that.

Jane finds time to visit her vanishing aunt and left the manor for a while. Her aunt gave her a
letter from his uncle who wants to live them together at the Madeira. But Jane refused the offer
and chooses to go back to the manor. Upon returning, Rochester proposed her to marry him and
she accepts it.

On their wedding, someone arrived and express that his groom was already married before
which Rochester never deny. They went to a private room and found out his mad wife. Jane
became so desperate and decides to leave and stay in Marsh End. After two days of searching,
she was found by Rev. St. John Rivers.

St. John shared teachings to her, but the minister also fell to Jane. The orphan girl uncle died in
Madeira. She was left 20,000 pounds which she shared equally with her two sisters. Later, she
found out that St. John was his cousin. Her mother and St. John’s father was siblings, so she
couldn’t marry the minister.

She returned at the Thornfield Manor, but she found out that it was burned for year now.
Rochester wife jumped that cause her death, and when Rochester tried to save her, he was badly
injured and also lost his one eye. Jane decides to marry Rochester and take care of him.

Comment:

This is a classic story of love, family and hardship. Jane shows inspiration to all orphan girls to
be brave and determined in all they do.
Freckles
by Gene Stratton Porter

Characters:

Freckles - watchguard of Limberlost

Swamp Angel - Freckles dream girl
Mc Lean - the company manager of timber
The Duncans - the accommodating couple
Wessner and Black Jack - the wood thiefs

Summary:

The kind Duncan family not thinks twice to allow poor Freckles to board on their home. Freckles
got a job as watchman at the Limberlost forest company. Freckles witness anomaly in the forest,
a lumberjack thief Wessner offered him money whenever they cut woods illegally. This happens
all without the awareness of company manager Mc Lean. But the young watchman didn’t know
that Mc Lean and the Duncans observe and knew everything.

Swamp Angel, as Freckles use to call her dream lady make friend with him. Swamp is the
daughter of owner of the lumber. At the forest, she likes stunning to butterflies and birds and
even flowers. Freckles and Swamp Angel became good buddies; they compromise each other in
many things. One time, a lady who sells butterflies to Swamp Angel came, informing that thieves
are cutting woods. Freckles act fast; he made a warning shot to fright the thieves Wessner and
Black Jack.

Freckles were also proudly introduced by Swamp Angel to her friends at the city. Freckles
frequently visit by Swamp Angel in the forest. They enjoy each other's company well while
playing with butterflies and birds while singing together. One time in the forest, Swamp Angel
was caught by Wessner, Black Jack and others who wanted a forest tree in exchange of her
freedom. But Swamp Angel has her way to be back at their camp and asked help. Mc Lean and
his group came and catch the wood thief's.

At the forests, Freckels and Swamp Angel had lots of adventurous memories together. Soon,
Freckles was discovered to be the missing son of Lord and lady O'More of Ireland. And also,
Freckles and Swamp Angel admit later on that they loved each other and engagement comes
happens after.

Comment:

This is an inspiring story of a poor young man who works hard with dignity and honesty.
Freckles show love and respect to women that made him well-liked by everyone. And with all his
great traits he soon won the heart of her Swamp Angel.
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Characters:

Mary Lennox - a young orphan little lady

Colin Craven - his confined to bed cousin
Dickon - a community young man who's very helpful
Ben Weatherstaff - gardener of the family
Martha - the maid of the house

The Novel:

Mary Lennox was only 10 years old when her parents died in India because of cholera. Now an
orphan, she was transport to England at Missekthwaite Manor to reside with her uncle
Archibald Craven. Mary become independent, decision-maker and helps the housekeeper Mrs.
Medlock a lot.

While in the manor house, Mary was accompanied by the housemaid Martha. On an unexpected
day, she found a young boy Colin, his cousin, the 10-year old son of his uncle. Colin was always
at his room because he thinks that he was disabled and does not help. Mary and Colin became
close friends, the former use to eat meal at his room and they found joy when they were
together. Without their knowledge within the area of the ancestral house, Mary discovers a
secret garden. Mary was amazed and she decides to transform the garden into a blossoming
plants and roses with the help of the village boy Dickon.

Heard the news about the garden, Colin assumed that it must be the favorite place of her mother
but when she died her father chose to locked it. Colin loved the place and he enjoyed playing
there with Mary and Dickon. Amazingly Colin recovered and he now can walk again, he asked
the gardener who saw him to keep it as a secret because he wants to surprise his father when it
arrives from abroad. Also they pretend that Colin was still like before, he does not eat well, but
the truth is Dickon bought foods from the village.

Mr. Craven, immediately arrived while Colin, Mary and Dickon were playing at the garden.
When Mr. Craven passes the garden he heard the voice of the kids and stopped. Unexpectedly,
Colin collides to his while playing and the next scene was really a teary one. A very touching
reunion of father and son especially that Mr. Craven witness that his son walks once more.

Comment:

This is a very beautiful story that will surely touch everyone's heart. Mary, a very simple girl
shows that being an orphan not a hindrance to share joy and encouragement to others.
So Big
by Edna Ferber

Characters:

Dirk - the son nicknamed as So Big

Selina - mother of Dirk
Pervus De Jong - Selina’s former husband
Julie Hempel - school friend of Selina
Dallas O’mara - girl artist-illustrator
Roelf Pool - a one-time student of Selina

The Novel:

Selina had a happy school days life at Miss Fister's school based in Chicago but soon ended when
her father died. She finished her studies and became a school teacher in a Dutch farm
community of High Prairie. There she learned and became a nature lover.

Selina met Pervus de Jong, a vegetable farmer whom she married. She then forgets the city life,
all the luxuries and city has to offer. Instead, she focuses herself in the farm, take care and serve
her husband and their workers. Sometimes she also works in the field to harvests.

Selina's husband Pervus dies because of pneumonia. She manages the farm and gives her son
Dirk, also named So Big a good education. With her harvests, people and vendors don’t want to
buy from her because they are not used to buy vegetables from a woman. As an alternative, she
sells her products from house to house but authorities prevent her to sell. Fortunately, she met
an old classmate Julie Hempel Arnolds, she offers to money which came from his father loan to
help Selina. This help Selina make her farm grow big and turn into triumph.

Selina's son Dirk became successful in bonds selling though graduated as architect at Cornell
University. Dirk falls to Dallas O’Mara, a brilliant illustrator who instead married a former
student of Selina, Roelf Pool. While daughter of Julie, Paula fall in love with Dirk, but the young
man take her for granted. So Paula decided to marry a millionaire. So Big always dreams big and
when he fails he charge his self for it unlike her mother Selina, contented with what she have
and do things that she can only reach.

Comment:

This story mirrors a strong and responsible mother to her child and family. Though challenge by
many problems and trials in life, she never give up until she reach her dreams to be successful in
life.