The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

Reviewed by FUKUSHIMA Narumi. This level 2 reader is a romantic adventure story.

One day, the notice that you can win 100000 guilders if you grow a black tulip posted in the town of Dort. Cornelius Van Baerle was clever and loved tulip more than all the other flowers. He wanted to grow a black tulip to give money the poor people of Dort.
However, there was a man, Isaac Boxtel who wanted to disturb him and Isaac charged him with murder. Rosa knew Isaac’s plot and tried to help Cornelius. Finally, Cornelius was proved that he was innocent and got the prize of the black tulip.

Among characters of this story, I like Rosa the best. When Cornelius was in a hard lot, Rosa administer to him with all her force. I respect the depth of her love. Therefore I was happy because Rosa married Cornelius in ending.

A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens

Reviewed by FUKUSHIMA Narumi. This level 3 reader is a fantasy.

A Christmas Carol took place in London in the 1820s. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge was a stingy person and didn’t care about people. On Christmas Eve, 3 ghosts visited him and showed him his past, his present and his future. He knew that the happiness someone gave us was important, not the money someone spent. Finally, he changed his mind and helped the poor people.

This story taught me that there are many things that are more important than money. I think that this miracle happened therefore it was Christmas that has a wonderful power.