Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud by Ananya S.

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud

Sherlock Holmes is an intelligent fourteen-year-old who leads an ordinary sort of life. As his mother is ill, his father serves in the army, and his brother pursues a career, Sherlock is sent away to the countryside to live with his aunt and uncle. Here, Sherlock meets an eccentric tutor named Amyus Crowe, and his life takes an extraordinary turn. During an outdoor lesson with Amyus Crowe, Sherlock stumbles upon a body. His interest piqued, Sherlock finds an overwhelming desire to solve the mystery behind the body and the strange “cloud of death.” Sherlock’s curiosity takes him from country fairs to dark corners of London as he pieces together a murderous plot that threatens his best friends…and the whole of Britain.

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane is a suspenseful read filled with red herrings. Its riveting plot keeps readers interested until the very last page. Additionally, Lane includes interesting character development; when characterizing Sherlock, he doesn’t focus too much on the strengths or weaknesses of the character. He instead tries to offer a more balanced portrait of Sherlock. Lane also makes Sherlock more relatable to today’s teenagers. Furthermore, Virginia Crowe, Amyus’s daughter, is portrayed as modern in terms of her views on gender equality, despite the fact that she grows up in a time period when women are expected to wear dresses and become housewives. Overall, Death Cloud is a thrilling start to Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes series.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Flying by Ananya S.

Flying

Floating, breathless

Above a world that never rests

Emboldened by the eagle’s cry

Reaching out to stroke the sky

A vast blue bowl all around

Shadow dancing on the ground

Gently nudged by playful winds

Silence shrouds the worldly din

Cautiously tasting the pure air

Unchecked by worries, troubles, cares

Exploring this new world I see

And returning to a part of me

~Ananya Swaminathan

Advice for this new school year (for new middle school & high school students) from Ananya S.

Advice for This School Year

Whether you are in middle school or high school, here are a few tips that might make your school year a bit easier:

1)    Don’t procrastinate: Procrastination leads to stress and unhealthy habits such as sleeping late or not at all. Additionally, it’s quite hard to break out of the habit of procrastinating once you begin it. If a teacher gives you two weeks to do an assignment, it’s probably because it’s simply too much work to complete in one night…so don’t save it for the night before it’s due! This is not to say you should work on it every single day you have, but you should at least space it out over the course of six or seven days, if not all fourteen. And you never know; something unexpected could happen on the night before your assignment is due. Maybe your computer crashes, or you get a lot of homework to complete that night. Whatever the case, it’s best to be prepared! 

2)    Do your homework: …and do NOT underestimate its value! Homework, while annoying and tedious, is a gift. Usually, homework is graded for completion. This means that you can earn points simply for doing the assignment. These points can boost your grade. Furthermore, homework provides good practice for assessments; by doing your homework, you increase your chances of performing well on quizzes and tests.

3)    Ask for help: This is very important! If you find yourself struggling with a particular concept or subject, ask a trusted peer or adult for help. Many people would be willing and able to help, and you could clarify anything you have doubts about. Also, ask questions during class to increase your understanding of the topic being discussed. If you feel uncomfortable about asking a question in front of your peers, try to talk to your teacher privately before or after class.

4)    Relax: In the midst of crazy schedules, quite a bit of homework, and extracurricular activities, try to set aside some time to unwind and have fun. This can be anything from fifteen minutes a day for your favorite manga to an hour a week for an episode of a TV show – but set aside a little time for yourself to catch a breather. It gives you a small break and helps to keep your stress levels under control.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Poems by Sagar Rawal