Middle Grade Mystery, Loot How to Steal a Fortune

International jewelry heists, magical moonstones, and a terrifying prophecy come together in Jude Watson’s middle-grade mystery thriller Loot: How to Steal a Fortune.  When a famous jewel thief meets an untimely death, he leaves his son March a series of random clues to unravel. The clues lead him to the twin sister he never knew and to the discovery of a terrible curse placed upon them at birth.  Ã‚   To reverse the curse, the twins must reunite seven stolen moonstones, but time is running out.  A seven million dollar reward for the return of the jewels uncovers another thief who has a personal stake in the prize. The race to solve the clues and find the moonstones is on, and March and Jules must hurry before blue moon sets on their thirteenth birthday. Summary of the Story Twelve-year-old March, son of notorious jewelry thief Alfred McQuinn, was not expecting to lose his father so soon.  After falling from the roof of a high-rise, the dying cat burglar tells his son to find â€Å"jewels.† In shock, March flees the scene before police can catch him. Left with his father’s dying words, March puts the clues together to discover he has a twin sister named Jules. Unfortunately, just after the two unite, they are whisked off to New York to live in a corrupt group home where they meet two other lonely but smart teenagers named Darius and Izzy. At their father’s funeral, March and Jules encounter Carlotta Grimstone. Carlotta, one of Alfies jewel victims, wants her seven precious moonstones back and is offering a reward. The jewels have a â€Å"crude magic† and Carlotta needs them before the next blue moon. Realizing Alfie has left them clues to the seven places where the jewels are hidden, the twins, along with Darius and Izzy, form the â€Å"Throw Away Gang† and make plans for their first heist. However, they soon learn from a â€Å"gem advisor† that Alfie kept the twins apart because of a terrible prophecy made the night the moonstones were stolen. If the twins don’t reverse the curse before the setting of the blue moon on their thirteenth birthday, they will die together. Unexpectedly a third thief is on their trail. Oscar Ford is a former colleague of Alfie McQuinn, and he wants that reward money. Through twists and turns and staying one step ahead of each other, the thieves crack clues to find the seven stones. From Amsterdam to New York to San Francisco, the thieves plan their heists and work their cons. The stakes are high, but for Jules and March, the stakes are even higher as they work to reverse the curse and begin a new life as a family. About the Author Jude Watson Jude Watson is the alias for National Book Award winner Judy Blundell. A resident of Long Island, New York, she has had a prolific career writing Star Wars prequels for children. Currently, she is one of the contributing authors to The 39 Clues book series.  Writing under her real name, Judy Blundell received the 2008 National Book Award for her young adult novel What I Saw and How I Lied. Review and Recommendation Action fans are in for a treat. Loot is a fast-paced race of thieves trying to outwit each other for a high stakes reward. While the book is sure to thrill mystery and adventure readers, it will also satisfy readers who enjoy stories about family. Family is a key theme in Jude Watson’s adventure novel about twins March and Jules McQuinn.  Before Alfie’s death, March often wondered about his mother. Living life dangerously and globetrotting the world with his father may have been exciting, but it certainly wasn’t stable.  Upon Alfie’s death, March soon realizes he does have a family. Jules, too, yearns for family, and while she travels incognito to abandoned sites to perform dangerous trapeze acts with her Aunt Blue, she resents the father who doesn’t seem to want her. When March and Jules finally meet each other, it is with trepidation, reserve and a deep need to be part of a family. Misunderstandings and hurt feelings are pacified once March and Jules realize their father was actually protecting them by keeping them apart.  Along with new friends Darius and Izzy, the group of abandoned kids creates their own family, the Throw Away Gang. Short chapters with â€Å"inside information† on how to be a thief keep the story constantly moving. Outrageous cons to find all seven moonstones make this story an enjoyable read. Although somewhat predictable, there is one unexpected twist that just might surprise and satisfy the serious mystery reader.   Loot is a thrilling international chase across the globe to stop a curse and unite a family. With Watson’s history of writing long-term series, readers will be hoping there is another exciting jewel heist in the future for this endearing group of young thieves. Recommended for ages 10 to 14. (Scholastic, 2014. ISBN: 9780545468022)

M3 Explain How the Results from Measuring and Managing...

Measuring and managing helps a company to improve quality, retain key employees and be ahead of their competitors. A company can see how well a business is doing by the amount of customers and profits they make. They can compare how well employees work by checking each employee individually to see how much they have produced. Measuring employee development can be done by: Bench marking Using standard measurements in a service can be used to compare with other organizations in order to gain perspective on organizational performance. Performance management bring together many of the elements which go to make up the successful practice of people management, including learning and development. We’re used to thinking of ongoing performance†¦show more content†¦an employee may feel they would like to attend a particular course in the coming appraisal period, but if it does not met a business need the manager may need to persuade them to understand different trainings. Since Marriott hotel has products and service they can see how many guests have check in and out within the last months. Like this they can manage and see that customers are satisfied with their staff’s performances. They can also calculate the amount of complaints taken and who worked on that day to have their individual judgment on how they can improve customers satisfaction. Goal setting is important for providing ongoing and year end feedback. By monitoring targets management can give their employees input on their performances while motivating them to achieve more. It is important that targets are relevant to employee as well as the employer so they everyone is aware of what needs to be achieved and that way in which the targets will help to meet the business and employee needs. Staying on top of employee progress will help from any mistakes coming in the long run. This could be done by asking your employee what type of monitoring and feedback would be most helpful to the m, especially if the task is challenging or if it’s the first time there doing it. A good way to measure and manage your employee is to have performance evaluation system, managers can then see their results and the targets that can perform, achieve and makeShow MoreRelatedunit 16958 Words   |  4 Pagesachieve this, staff will have to be properly selected, trained and managed. Managers have to understand how to motivate employees and win their commitment to the organisation. By the end of this unit you must know the factors involved in human resource planning, how organisation motivate employees, how organisation gain employees co-operation and understand the importance of managing employee performance at work. Assignment 1- Human Resource Planning Assignment Issue Date: Assignment Hand in Date:Read MoreP5 Explain How Employee Performance Is Measured And Managed746 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿P5 – explain how employee performance is measured and managed Describe these 3 methods of measuring performance 1. Performance indicators – performance indicators outline what an employee does right for example if they receive a 10/10 positive feedback from who they serve and zero defects. 2. Goal theory – this is a method of motivation in which someone is given a goal to work towards to so their work output will increase. 3. 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DRUCKER Contents Introduction: Tomorrow’s â€Å"Hot† Issues 1 Management’s New Paradigms 2 Strategy—The New Certainties 3 The Change Leader 4 Information Challenges 5 Knowledge-Worker Productivity 6 Managing Oneself Acknowledgments About the Author Books By Peter F. Drucker Credits Front Cover Copyright About the Publisher iii Introduction: Tomorrow’s â€Å"Hot† Issues Where, readers may ask, is the discussion of COMPETITIVE STRATEGY, of LEADERSHIPRead MoreAcca F5111177 Words   |  445 PagesPAPER F5 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT P R A C T I C E R E V I S I O N K I T In this January 2010 new edition We discuss the best strategies for revising and taking your ACCA exams We show you how to be well prepared for your exam We give you lots of great guidance on tackling questions We show you how you can build your own exams We provide you with three mock exams including the December 2009 exam We provide the ACCA examiner s answers as well as our own to the June and December 2009 examsRead More_x000C_Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis355457 Words   |  1422 PagesLuis Obispo Australia †¢ Brazil †¢ Canada †¢ Mexico †¢ Singapore †¢ Spain †¢ United Kingdom †¢ United States Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis, Third Edition Roxy Peck, Chris Olsen, Jay Devore Acquisitions Editor: Carolyn Crockett Development Editor: Danielle Derbenti Assistant Editor: Beth Gershman Editorial Assistant: Ashley Summers Technology Project Manager: Colin Blake Marketing Manager: Joe Rogove Marketing Assistant: Jennifer Liang Marketing Communications Manager: Jessica PerryRead MoreQuality Improvement328284 Words   |  1314 PagesIndustrial Engineering and Statistics and the Arizona State University Foundation Professor of Engineering. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, all in engineering. From 1969 to 1984 he was a faculty member of the School of Industrial Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology; from 1984 to 1988 he was at the University of Washington, where he held the John M. Fluke Distinguished Chair of Manufacturing Engineering, was Professor of Mechanical

Wan Design Free Essays

In this scenario I will be providing information associated with the creation of a WAN for ACME Manufacturing. This business has several locations spread out all over America and requires a WAN to connect their locations in America with their newly build plant in China. With the headquarters and engineering offices in Atlanta, which are right across the street from each other, the plan would make sense to connect all communication here. We will write a custom essay sample on Wan Design or any similar topic only for you Order Now There are also distribution offices in New York, Chicago, and Phoenix which will have to be connected to this network to attend the weekly company meetings and have access to information stored at headquarters. For the headquarters and engineering offices in Atlanta a LAN setup with routers and Ethernet wires will be introduced. This choice is based on higher speeds for the network as well as a significant reduction in cost. For the offices in New York, Chicago, and Phoenix a Satellite link will be added to ensure communication with the network located at the headquarters in Atlanta. A satellite link will be made available to China as well to ensure that all locations have access to the main headquarters. Having all offices linked to a central location will allow interactions to be achieved for orders, manufacturing, communication, and other correspondence. This will allow the information and communication to be delivered at a higher standard than other means. Because we will be connecting all of the locations to a central location in Atlanta we will be using a Star Topology. A Star Topology will allow every office a direct link to headquarters and will centralize the network management making it easier for an administrator to monitor. I have listed an example diagram of the Star Topology Below: With this Star Topology and the vast distances that would have to be reached to ensure communication with all locations ACME Manufacturing will have to lease T1 lines. This will ensure High Bandwidth speed and promote a more successful interaction time for fulfilling orders and maintaining communication between headquarters, distribution, and the newly constructed plant. A T1 transmission can reach speeds of 1. 544Mbps and maintain up to 24 digitally transformed voice channels. (Techterms. com, 2013) In the interest of Telecommunications ACME Manufacturing would benefit the most from a VOIP. VOIP’s have become a new method for businesses of all sizes to interact and communicate with each other. With a reduced cost in cabling and hardware needed for setting up the service it brings great benefits to a business. Often the same cables utilized to make up a network can be used to create a VOIP and communicate efficiently. With this form of telecommunication ACME Manufacturing is sure to increase production, maintain a better relationship with customers, and decrease the overall expenses with a low maintenance system. Virtual meetings will be made easier as the VOIP is utilized by all locations that are connected to the main headquarters. When addressing IP Addressing a Class C would be appropriate, supposing the network mask pertains to every subnet and using the same network IP address. (Regan, 2004) A VLAN will be advantageous to ACME Manufacturing because of the link it will provide to all six locations. Because the buildings are separated physically from each other a Virtual Network will allow the buildings to be grouped virtually which will increase the efficiency of the network. This virtual grouping will allow for better communication and increased productivity between all locations. I have assessed the hardware needs associated with this network and have come up with some suggestions which will operate the network in the most efficient way. First, A number of Mainframe Computer Systems will be installed at each location which will serve as the brain for each location. After the initial link is made with the central headquarters the Mainframe computers will be linked to routers and switches. Routers and switches will be utilized to route network signals to all areas of this large network. Telephony systems will be introduced to serve the VOIP located at each location to assist with communication needs. Wireless technologies will also be needed to assist with mobility and other devices such as printers, laptops, fax machines, etc. Lastly, a physical firewall will be enforced at each location to protect the network from internal and external intruders. The wireless technologies for ACME Manufacturing will be specific to the needs of the company. For example the teleconferencing between the six locations may require wireless webcams and headsets which will need to be ran on a wireless signal. These technologies may also need to utilize the satellite signals to better communicate across large physical distances. Wi-Fi may also be introduced within each building to increase mobility and productivity. The Wi-Fi technologies will be worth it because the benefit will outweigh the extra cost as the technology is easy to set up and maintain. The Router protocols implemented will be a OSPF which stands for (open shortest path first). Because of the large network being introduced this protocol will be the most useful. This protocol operates on Internal Gateway Protocols by routing the most direct path and using the bandwidth most optimally. This not only reduces the use of bandwidth but also offers an ease of maintenance for administrators. (Techterms. com) The last area to be assessed will be the security of the network. This is by no means the less important as the security of this size will be difficult. Physical firewalls should be setup on each mainframe at each location to control the flow of incoming and outgoing information. Antivirus and Malware software should be implemented to help seek and destroy malicious attacks. Encryption will be used in the form of users supplying unique usernames and difficult passwords in order to gain entry into the network. Also, a physical form of protection will be introduced into vital places like server rooms and admin offices in the form of physical security cameras and in some cases guards. A team should be formed at each location to ensure the security of the network and combat any unauthorized entry. No network security system is obsolete but all bases should be covered. With these recommendations I have supplied I believe that the ACME Manufacturing company will be happy with their network. It will allow communication and distribution orders from each location and all will be connected to the main headquarters. The increase in productivity and communication will surely lead to an increase in sales and success. How to cite Wan Design, Papers

Bathsheba and Oak are both very significant characters in the book Essay Example For Students

Bathsheba and Oak are both very significant characters in the book Essay Bathsheba and Oak are both very significant characters in the book. The books story constantly revolves around Bathsheba and in my opinion she is the main character in the book. This young, pretty lady ends up changing the lives of three men forever. Her charms, vanity and the way in which she entraps men with her beauty leaves one man dead and one hanged for murder. Throughout the book she is constantly undecided yet I feel that Oak always seems to play the leading male role in her life even after she marries Troy. Although she does not like Oak the moment she sees him. When the two characters first meet in the book Gabriel sees a carriage loaded with furniture on top of the hill, Bathsheba is sitting on top of it. He becomes interested in the lady sitting on top of the hill and as the carriage is about to leave he followed the vehicle to the turnpike gate some way beyond the bottom of the hill, where the object of his contemplation now halted for the payment of the toll. Oak is obviously interested in the lady but the scene unfolds as Bathsheba decides not to pay the turnpike keeper the two pence that he wants. Gabriel approaches and gives the keeper the money. Let the young woman pass  Bathsheba is neither pleased nor dismissive of Oak yet because of him she has lost her point. She thinks nothing of it apart from being a little disgruntled and carries but Gabriel talks to the gatekeeper who mentions her vanity. This casual meeting introduces the two characters to each other for the first time, little does Bathsheba know that this seemingly insignificant farmer will play such a great role in her life. A short while after the event Gabriel catches a glimpse of Bathsheba from a birds eye view, this is the moment when Gabriel decides that there is something about Bathsheba that he longs for.  Having for some time known the want of a satisfactory form to fill an increasing void within him, his position moreover affording the widest scope for his fancy, he painted her a beauty.  Oak sees Bathsheba riding through his plantation and he sees her lying back on her horse without a sidesaddle riding around and revealing herself in a way that she would not had anybody been around. She does not know he is watching but she covers herself and carries on, Oak knows that he is in love. When she rides back he returns the hat and mentions that he saw her earlier, at this moment she blushes because she realises that he had seen her. Gabriel was so in love with her that he waited for her to come past the hedge every day, he had reached a peak of existence he never could have anticipated a short ti me before. Gabriel decides to marry Bathsheba but he is deceived by Bathshebas aunt into thinking Bathsheba has many sweethearts already. Bathsheba runs after him to say that this is untrue. He assumes that she wants to marry him and says that he is doing all right in life and that she could have a piano and so on. Bathsheba is excited but she would hate to be thought mens property in that way, she likes the idea of marriage but she does not like the prospect of all the responsibility afterwards, she is not impressed by Gabriels property and she is definitely unimpressed by the thought of having a little piano. Bathsheba needs taming. .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 , .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .postImageUrl , .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 , .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:hover , .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:visited , .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:active { border:0!important; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:active , .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560 .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf1adf9f4b49a62a2df6949e6caddc560:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Animal Rights Analysis EssayGabriel is devastated when he hears that Bathsheba is leaving but she returns. There are many small meetings that they have but the important event is when after Gabriels disaster with the sheep he comes to her farm in need of help, he wants her to employ him as a shepherd because nobody else will.  Later on in the book after Boldwood is introduced Gabriel is shearing sheep when Boldwood comes to see Bathsheba to propose to her. When he sees what is going something ticks in his mind and he snips the sheep to divert Bathsheba and Boldwoods attention. After Oak hears that Boldwood has proposed to Bathsheba she asks him to contradict all rumours about her marriage that are occurring between the workers, he refuses. He says that he will give her his point of view about her actions. Bathsheba refuses to her it yet after thinking about it, changes her mind. Gabriel rebukes her and she resolves to serious measures.  I cannot allow any man to to criticize my private conduct! Nor will I for a minute. So youll please leave the farm at the end of the week!  No sooner has Bathsheba dismissed Oak than she needs him again. The sheep are in trouble and will die unless Oak comes to save them. Bathsheba is reluctant to let Oak return yet the lives of her sheep are at stake. She tells Joe to get Gabriel to come immediately yet Oak refuses because Bathsheba is not being polite. He knows that it is a desperate situation yet he is witty and toys with her. Eventually Gabriel saves the sheep and the incident is resolved with Bathsheba letting him stay at the farm again. This is the part of the book where Oak finds out that Bathsheba relies on him because in fact she does not know too much about running a farm, he is once again re assured that maybe he will be able to have a relationship with her. When Troy comes into play Oak yet again warns Bathsheba against the man but Bathsheba is already in love and takes no notice to Gabriels concerns. After Gabriel pursues Bathsheba whilst she is on her way to Bath he is comforted by the fact that she is going to Bath to refuse Troy nevertheless Bathsheba returns from Bath and marries Troy. Oak sees the weakness of Bathshebas relationship with Troy and realises how incompetent at running the farm Troy is. Troy ends up controlling most aspects of the farm and ignoring Bathshebas wishes even though he is uncertain of what he is doing. Bathsheba married Troy between jealousy and distraction and it is clear that she is discontent with him as a husband. With a storm brewing and the men drunk Oak covers the hayricks with Bathsheba helping him but when lightning strikes they are in the barn, together as they should be. She is upset at the aspect of further married life with Troy yet she knows that Gabriel Oak will always love her, be there for her, and she thanks him for his devotion.