Select one of the following writing prompt after completing the final third of your book:
- How have you changed after reading this book?
- What do you know now that you didn't know before?
- Would you like to read more books by this author? Why?
- If you could change the ending of the book, what would you do? Why?
- Did the book end the way you thought it would? What clues did the author give you that made you think that? Did you think these clues were important when you read them?
- Are there any connections between this book and your own life? Explain your thinking.
Blog Post Rubric:
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Statement/
Topic Sentence
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Awesome!
Topic sentence includes context, makes a clear
argument and explains how and why.
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Good job!
Topic sentence makes a clear argument and
explains how and why.
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Okay.
Topic sentence has an opinion or argument.
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Needs Improvement. This area should be a focus
for revision and future effort.
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Evidence
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Awesome!
You provide details using specific examples
from your reading.
This directly supports your statement and is
presented in a clear, concise way.
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Good job!
You have generally good evidence that supports
your statement.
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Okay.
Your example/ evidence is vague or may not
support the selected journal prompt.
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Needs Improvement. This area should be a focus
for revision and future effort.
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Explanation
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Awesome!
Your explanations are clear and include discussion
of multiple facts and evidence from your reading.
You clearly explain how the evidence supports
the topic sentence.
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Good job!
Your explanations include 1-2 facts.
You clearly explain how the evidence supports
the topic sentence.
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Okay.
There is an attempt to explain the connection
between the evidence and the statement, but it is not clear.
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Needs Improvement. This area should be a focus
for revision and future effort.
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Sentence Structure, Diction, Style, and
Grammar
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Awesome!
Your command of written expression shows a high
level of sophistication. Demonstrating control of grammar, usage, and
punctuation.
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Good job!
You make strong choices with your words,
sentence structure and style that show a promising sophistication.
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Okay.
You attempt to vary your sentence structure
and choose precise words, but this area of your writing still needs
attention.
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Needs Improvement.
Language is very basic and lacks flow or
style.
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I Am The Cheese
ReplyDeleteKiana N.
Would you like to read more books by this author? Why?
I don’t really know if I would want to read more books by this author or not. I guess it would depend on the type of book; if it’s the same as I Am the Cheese or written differently. If it was written the same I would have to say no, I wouldn’t read more by this author. I think his writing style he used on this book made this book difficult to understand. I think if he was more clear in what was happening then I would have enjoyed the book more. One thing I didn’t like about the setup of the book was the way that all of Adams memories were scattered throughout the book and left to the reader to piece together. I think that it would have been better if they were laid out in sequence. Also, another thing I wasn’t too fond of was the way that the writing switched from the flashbacks when Adam was riding the bike to the interview with Brint. I think they should have kept both parts in but maybe organized them differently. Overall, this book was an interesting read. I liked it for the most part but disliked some other parts. Even though I don’t like the writing style the author used in I Am the Cheese, I would give his writing another chance to be read in the future, just to see if the writing style is different.
Nineteen Minutes
ReplyDeleteMorgan R.
Are there any connections between this book and your own life? Explain your thinking.
“Nineteen Minutes,” by Jodi Picoult was surprisingly easy for me to connect to. When I picked up this book to read the back, I didn’t think I would find so many similarities within my own life. Once I finished the book, it really made me think about the things that go on around us each and every day. This story was based on a school shooting in a small town that no one saw coming. The entire town was in disbelief and right after reading about this shooting, I immediately connected it to the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. The small town was horrified by the event that had taken place, but the terror spread across the country. This shooting did not directly affect me, but from an outsider’s view it was a horrible event that will never be forgotten. Reading this story was a way for me to have an insider’s view to people who were directly affected by such a tragic event. The emotions are strong throughout the entire book; I could see the emotions in the story as being very similar to those of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The book took place in a small town in New Hampshire because the author, Picoult, lives in New Hampshire currently. While reading the story, many towns and places were mentioned that I have heard of or have been to. This definitely made the book more interesting to read because I felt like I had a connection that other readers, not from New Hampshire, wouldn’t have experienced. The Grafton County Jail was mentioned a few times, for example, which was very interesting because I have actually been there. When I began reading this book, I did not expect all the connections to surface as I read further into the story each day. I feel that when I can make connections in a book, it makes the reading much easier and more interesting!
The Blind Side
ReplyDeleteChad M.
Are there any connections between this book and your own life? Explain your thinking.
The book “The Blind Side” by Michael Lewis had many connections to my own life. The book is about a man who worked hard for his goals and dreams and made it happen. That’s an automatic connection to anybody’s life, especially mine. Most people’s dream in life is to accomplish their goals. Michael Oher did that, and I hope too as well. The book is so inspiring and when it’s inspiring and you’re interested in the book, you’re going to make many connections
I strongly picked this book because I love football to death and had previously seen “The Blind Side” movie as well. Loving football made it really easy to make connections; it also made the book easier to read as well. The first connection I had with this book was when Michael Lewis started the book off with the Lawrence Taylor hit on Joe Theismann. It automatically made me replay the play in my head. I remembered how shocked I was when I saw the play for the first time as well, which had been a long time ago before reading this. You only have to see the play once to remember how brutal it was and you’ll never forget it. Seeing the movie beforehand made me imagine the scenes happening in the movie, I could picture things a lot easier. Every time a college was mentioned, I would connect and think of all the history and previous players that have played for their great football teams. One connection that stood out the most was when Oklahoma State University was brought up. It happens to be my favorite college football team. The last connection I had between this book and my own life was when Michel Lewis decided to talk about Michael getting drafted to the Baltimore Ravens. I hate the Ravens with a passion. Any true Pittsburgh Steelers fan does and I happen to be one. The Steelers and Ravens rivalry is the most heated rivalry in all of sports. I could barely stand reading about Michael and everything about him getting drafted and signed with the Ravens. Every time “The Blind Side” or the name Michael Oher is brought up I think, he could have been drafted to any of the other 31 teams in the NFL and I wouldn’t mind, but the Ravens? C’mon man! Overall, the story really is amazing and truly inspiring. No matter what time you‘re a fan of, you have respect a story like this. As you can tell, there are many connections between this book and my own life that I just happened to write a connection!
The Hunger Games
ReplyDeleteMaya N.
Would you like to read more books by this author? Why?
I would absolutely love to read more books by this author! I was never bored while reading The Hunger Games. It was hard for me to put the book down, I wanted to keep reading, and wanted to know what was going to happen next. They put so much description into everything. They didn’t just describe what their surroundings were like, but they described the type of pain they were in, not just physically but mentally. I felt like I was sitting right next to each of the characters while I was reading the book. The plot of the book was so mind twisting. I’ve never read a book like this one. The one part that I honestly felt like I watching with my eyes instead of reading it was when Katness laid flowers around Rue and then held up three fingers to show Rue’s district respect. It gave me chills. The Hunger Games is a series of books, and I’m really excited to read the rest of them. After reading The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins is now one of my favorite authors. She got me thinking in a whole new perspective.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
ReplyDeleteMarissa H.
Did the book end the way you thought it would? What clues did the author give you that made you think that? Did you think these clues were important when you read them?
The book ended in the style I thought it would end in, but there was no way for me to predict any details about how it would end. The Grape family had been unusual from the beginning of the book to the end. Gilbert’s dad killed himself, his mother became extremely overweight to the point where the floor was beginning to cave in, and his brother was retarded. The Grapes weren’t about to end up as a normal family. So when they burned their house down with their dead mother’s body inside it, it was surprising, but not as surprising as it would have been if they hadn’t been consistent in their distinctiveness.
The author constantly gave hints about the ending. Gilbert’s feelings of being unable to leave Endora due to his mother hinted at her death. “Maybe he felt that they couldn’t manage without him. That he was integral to their um… To their survival.” (Pg. 109) His inability to leave his family to struggle without him showed that he would take them with him when he left. “I knew you’d never leave your family.” (Pg. 97) His desire for his mother’s body to be cremated or buried without being a spectacle implied that he wouldn’t let her be taken away via a crane where the townspeople could gather around. “She is no joke! They’ll laugh at her and poke at her and judge her! Do not let them do that! She deserves better!” (Pg. 315) When I read these parts of the book, I didn’t think they were important (except for the last quote), but after thinking back on these components of the book, the ending became conceivable.
The Secret Life of Bees
ReplyDeleteRachel M.
Did the book end the way you thought it would? What clues did the author give you that made you think that? Did you think these clues were important when you read them?
The book did not end in the way that I thought it would end in. I thought Lilly would have ended up going home with her father T.Ray, which she did not she stayed in Tiburon with the beekeepers. (pg.194) " Get up, I'm taking you home ." Said T.Ray, was a clue that lead to her going back with him. Lilly wanted to stay with the sisters because she felt safe, loved, and wanted. I think the reason her father wanted her to leave with him is because when he saw Lilly in the house when he came to get her, he then found out that Deborah (Lilly's mother) and ran away to the same house as Lilly did he noticed that Lilly stated to look more and more like her mother and he was starting to realize he wanted her mother back so he wanted Lilly to go back with him. Lilly wanted to have every last memory of her mother kept with her and this is where she felt she could keep them in the house her mother went to as well.
The author did not give much clues to the book ending like it did. I did not think Lilly would have ended up staying with the beekeepers.
The Hunger Games
ReplyDeleteMadison Packard
How have you changed after reading this book?
I look at some things differently now. The fact that Katniss and her family didn't have very much of food and clothing makes me feel very very thankful for my whole family, food and the roof over my head. Knowing Katniss had to go out and hunt for food makes me feel sorry for the less fortunate people out there.
I love how Katniss stood up for Prim when she was called for the reaping. I would have done the same exact thing for either one of my sisters. Just knowing the consequences and things that could happen to them. I'd do anything for my sisters and it shows Katniss would too weather if it were risking her own life.
Trust is another big aspect in this story. You can't really trust anybody. Weather if it's a complete stranger or your best friend. So you kind of just have to explore on your own sometimes.
Katniss fighting for d=District 12 reminds me of my older brother fighting for our country. They both risk their lives for the people they love no matter how dangerous it can be.
After reading this I have just looked at things better. I'm extremely thankful for eveything I have and I appreciate the smaller things.
Born to Play
ReplyDeleteDustin Pedroia
Tyler Brown
Before I did not know that Dustin went through a big struggle to get to the MLB. He was doing fine in the minor leagues and then an injury set him back a year, before he was healthy again. He broke his hand getting jammed by a pitch on his hands.
I also did not know that he started off in the MLB terrible. He was batting around .150 the entire month he got called up at the end of 2006 season, which is not so good. But the next year he got MVP and rookie of the year award so it worked out fine.
I had no idea how much baseball he actually did play as a kid. He was on a lot of teams it sounded like, he never actually had a number of teams but just the fact all he did all summer was playing baseball games and practice. Makes you believe that he was on multiple teams at once.
I did not know that the 2007 security guards at Rockies stadium did not know who he was. He tried to enter the locker room and the guards told him players only and he told him he was a player and had to show ID. They told him that it was a fake and he was not allowed in. But he pushed by then and just went to the locker room.
Speak
ReplyDeleteBy: Laurie Halse Anderson
Meagan Bircher
If you could change the ending of the book, what would you do? Why?
The author of this book left it very open, leaving me to wonder what happened. I wonder if she left it open to let the reader decided what they personally to happen, or if the author is looking to continue a sequel. The book ends with, "IT happened. There is no avoiding it, no forgetting. No running away, or flying, or burying, or hiding. Andy Evans raped me in August when I was drunk and too young to know what was happening. It wasn't my fault. He hurt me. It wasn't my fault. And I'm not going to let it kill me. I can grow." With this ending, it leaves me wondering if Melinda could have grown or found new friends. Did Rachel forgive her? Does Heather go back to her? Does she find friends who are like her? Most importantly, does she speak out? Although I wish I could know how Melinda's life changed after, I like the idea of leaving it open for my mind to think what it wants about Melinda.
Twilight
ReplyDeleteStephanie Meyers
Taylor Hill
How have you changed after reading this book?
After reading the book Twilight, I learned that good things often come from bad situations. In Bella's situation, she had to move away from her mom, the home she was comfortable in and used to, to a town she did not like and live with her father. Her situation started out badly. Even though she did not like moving away, she did it anyways and stuck it out. She didn't give up. Little did she know that she would meet someone at school, start a relationship with him, and fall in love. Out of moving away and having to live with her dad, she found her soul mate and began the rest of her life. When you are in a bad situation, all you have to do is be brave, tough it out, and have a positive attitude because most of the time, something wonderful comes out of a bad situation. The saying, "It's not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain" is true, especially in this book. One must learn to make the best of a situation instead of giving up. In life there are going to be many curves thrown at you and the most important thing is to stand strong and throw the curves back. That is what i learned from reading this book.
Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian
ReplyDeleteBy: Rick Riordan
Danny Brammer
How have you changed after reading this book?
Throughout reading this book, as well as the whole series, I have learned a great amount about Greek mythology. The whole Percy Jackson series revolves around Greek gods and goddesses. The author, Rick Riordan, made me learn these things without even realizing it. He would blend in all of these facts and interesting stories into the book and the way it is done is almost unnoticeable.
I really do like this technique that Riordan uses because it astonishes the reader and will go off knowing things that they didn't know before, just from reading one series. From reading this series, I would gladly read more books by Riordan to see if he did as well or not.
The knowledge that I gained from reading this book varies from facts about Greek mythology and basic life lessons. The facts that I learned were the names of the Greek gods and goddesses and what their role is. At many points in the story, Percy had to be reminded what he is capable of doing and how far he can go until he needs to stop and be more aware of what he is doing. The basic life lesson that I learned is knowing your limits. When it is the right time to keep going or the right time to stop. This is an important thing to know no matter who you are because it keeps you in check with reality.
Overall, I think that this book was fantastic along with the whole series. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a thrilling, suspenseful story to read.
Gone
ReplyDeleteBy Gone
Andy Cheng
If you could change the ending of the book, what would you do? Why?
Most books that I have read never have the ending that satisfies me. They always create emotional reaction from me, towards the author or the character. Most times, I would love to change the ending. The ending for the book “Gone”, was a sad ending with a war between two different schools, one lead by Sam while the other by his brother Cain. “Come on, Sam, burn me now,” Caine shrieked. “Come on, brother, show me what you’ve got.” (Page 543) Since there weren’t any people older than fifteen, most of these people fighting this war, were all children. “More machine guns fired and Edilio’s voice yelling, ‘No, no, no, stop firing, you’re hitting kids!”’ (Page 531) I could imagine a field where kids are being killed with blood spill everywhere.
I never like these images the author puts into my minds. I don’t like endings where people die because of wanting control over a town. This ending shows sadness and I would change it by having both sides cooperate well with each other. This ending would be happier than reading, “He pointed at the six rows of three, plus the one who started a seventh row. Neat hand-painted wooden tombstones bore the names of Bette and too many others”. (Page 557) All the kids will be alive and they would all work together to create a town that would benefit either side. This book in whole was very interesting and exciting right to the end and I can’t wait to read the next book of this series.
Dear John
ReplyDeleteBy: Nicholas Sparks
Phebe Lahout
What do you know now that you didn't know before?
The author Nicholas Sparks has a way of pulling his readers into a different life that is not their own. He brings emotions out that no other context could. Not once have I ever shed a tear reading any other novel, but in this one, I did. Not only did the author make me feel as if I were living the same life as the main characters, he described things in perfect detail that I could picture them as if they were right in front of my eyes. I have changed my perspective on a lot of things as I read through this novel. My thoughts changed on true love for the most part. I had never really thought of the fact that love isn't just the caring and passionate affection for a person, but it means that you will love whatever choices they make in life, even if those choices do not include you in the picture.
Savannah Lynn Curtis broke John Tyree's heart into a million pieces when he was sent the letter that would inform him of their break up. When he read that she had fallen in love with another man, all he could think about was how badly he wanted to hurt the man that stole Savannah's love. He soon found out after taking leave from the army, and after his father passed away, that Savannah had fallen in love with, and married the long lost Tim. Tim being the man John was first introduced to at the beach house in his hometown Wilmington, North Carolina the summer Savannah and he first met. After reading through the dramatic aspects of the two lovers crazy relationship, I learned that love doesn't mean you will spend the rest of your life with that person. If you love them enough and care for them with all your heart, you will be strong enough to let them go and watch them make their own choices that will make them the happiest in life. One quote that really changed my thoughts on true love was from Tim when he was in the hospital trying to recover from Melanoma and speaking to John. He said, " I'm still in love with her, and to me that means that I want nothing more than for her to be happy in life. I want that more than anything. It's all I've ever wanted for her" (pg.266). Tim not only loved Savannah, but also loved her enough that he would let her go in a heartbeat if it meant she would be happier in life. Love is a strong thing, and if the other half doesn't love you back, as long as they are truly happy, you should always keep that same love.
Everlost
ReplyDeleteBy: Neal Shusterman
Alex Cheng
Did the book end the way you thought it would? What clues did the author give you that made you think that? Did you think these clues were important when you read them?
The book did not end the way I thought it would have ended. I thought that Nick would try to help Mary Hightower out, because the author wrote that they are in love with one other, so I thought that one would try to help the other out when one is in trouble. It would be awkward if one disagrees with the other and they became enemies even though they love each other. I also thought that the ending of the book would be that Nick and Mary went everywhere together, like traveling to other unknown places to search for more souls. The book actually ended with Nick who betrays Mary by sending all of her children towards the light and towards freedom. I do not see someone betraying their love to save others because that would just break the relationship between those two people. The clues that the author gave made me think that they loved each other so much that their bonds with one another is an unbreakable bond, but it snapped because they had different ideas than the other. Now, Mary and Nick cannot trust each other as much as they had used to. Nick wants to save everyone while Mary wants to take in all the children and to take care of them. I don’t think Mary was doing a right thing by taking children in and keeping them captive with her, and without any freedom of doing what they want every day without having to do it over every single day.
The Maze Runner
ReplyDeleteBy: James Dashner
Meagan Bircher
Would you like to read more books by this author? Why?
I would LOVE to read more of James Dashner's books, along with the rest of this series. I love his style of writing because I am more into books that I can never guess what is going to happen next. I hate books that I can predict. I love the type of books that I want to skip to the end to find out. The mysteriousness of what he writes makes you not want to put the book down. It's the type of writing that you'd force yourself to stay up and read until you fell asleep reading the book, which I may have done a few times. You never know what's going to happen next with Thomas. He may get attacked by a Griever or sneakily get away from them like no other Runner had been able to do. Thomas saves the entire Glade and gets them out, which I wouldn't have guessed in the beginning. The ending was a complete surprise. They are being put through a test by these people they call The Creators. It's the craziest ending I could have imagined and I would read the end of the series in a heartbeat.
Life of Pi
ReplyDeleteBy: Yann Martel
Tianna Sparks
How have you changed after reading this book?
After reading the book, “Life of Pi”, it made me look at life from a different point of view. As you’re reading the book, you may mistakenly think that the book is about religion, but what it’s really about is just that you should believe in something — whether that it be God, the world, kindness, or yourself. The end message is that life is filled with possibilities, if you let it be that way. Pi spent a total of 227 days with the Bengal tiger, Richard Parker stranded in a lifeboat. Not knowing when they would find land, or how much longer it could take, or if they would even survive, they kept faith. They build a bond that no one can really understand, but after reading this book, you realize how much of a deal it all was. Pi never stopped believing in God. He thought that some of the greater things that happened to him during the time of his desertion were all God’s creations. He thought that the tiger was a sign for him to keep moving forward. No matter how hard it was Pi never stopped believing. Guaranteed he wanted to give up and just die right then and there, but his hope and faith overpowered. I was very moved by this book and it taught me to always believe in what you really care about. I now know that when you feel like giving up, just keep trying. If the first try doesn't work, then try again. Life shouldn't be about living with regrets or not being able to do the things that make you happy. If you believe in something, stick to it and never let go.
Korynn Newton
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games
Did the book end the way you thought it would? What clues did the author give you that made you think that? Did you think these clues were important when you read them?
This book did end the way I thought it would in some aspect, but in a way it didn’t. I kind of knew that Katniss and Peeta were going to win the game, but I didn’t think that they would get in a fight like they did at the way end of the book. Like when they won they seemed t9o be really happy with each other and seemed to al least like each other. But when they made that stop on the train they got into a fight. This was really unpredictable and I did not see that coming. I am really curious to see what is going to happen when they get home, because at the end it just said how they got there, it didn’t explain what they did or what the reactions of everybody were.
I always thought that Katniss was going to win the games but I had an idea that Katniss and Peeta were both going to win in the middle of the book when the speakers came on and announced that 2 people of the same district could both win. I had an Idea that they were both going to win then but later on in the book when Seneca Crane took back his offer, I started to second guess it. But it all worked out when they decided to eat the berries, he put the offer back on right away. I am definitely going to read the second book, to see what happens next.
Into the Wild
ReplyDeleteNick B
How have you changed since you have read this book?
I have changed in multiple aspects from Taking a second look at a book and looking at the world in a new set of aspects. what I usually do when i pick up a book I decide whether or not i will read it by looking at the cover and the back passage. However I decided to take a chance on this book and it was well worth it. After just the first chapter, I was extremely curious to find out what decisions and other things led to Alex wanting to survive in the wilds of Alaska. I still don't understand what exactly happened on his freshman trip to turn him into someone who would do what he did. Also I look at Alaska in a new perspective now. This book showed me all the unknown dangers that Alaska has hidden in the wilderness. Bears, wolves drowning, and freezing are just a few examples of ways to parish out in the most dangerous lands in all of North America. Other people who have read this book and others like it look at books and the world in a new perspective. They learned to not judge everything they see as it looks but to look for hidden things others overlook.
The Secret Life of Bees
ReplyDeleteTyler Brown
I did not see the book ending the way it did. I thought maybe T. Ray would have harmed her. But he just yelled at her about running away and I just expected a lot different than what actually happened. The thing that also threw me off was the fact that she stayed with August at her house and I thought that T. Ray would have said you are coming home and working the peach stand ,but he let her stay and live a happier life than before.
The clues that lead me to believe my though was when she was talking to T. Ray on the phone and he was scolding her already and was not worried about her at all. The other clue that made me believe that was just the obvious , that T. Ray is just a mean guy and Lily makes it sound like he is a terrible guy.
I thought that, that phone call was a very important part of the book because he said he is going to find her and it sounds like a threat but I guess it was what it said. But it was not a very important part in the book after all. The other clue I thought was the most important, just how he is a jerk and he seemed like the guy to do something bad to Lily. Those were my clues and thoughts on the end.
The Book Thief
ReplyDeleteBy: Markus Zusak
Chandler S.
Would you like to read more books by this author? Why?
Yes, I would like to read more books by Markus Zusak, the author of my book. Throughout this entire book, I was very interested and was always wondering what was going to happen next. The book had a very good plot, and had a few unexpected turns, there were many parts of the book were I didn’t want to stop reading, and was always wondering what was going to happen next. I liked the story line, and how everything flowed together the way it did, yet it still kept the reader guessing what was going to happen next. One thing I didn’t really like very much was the tile of the book, I understand where the title “The Book Thief” came from, but I didn’t really think I was going to enjoy the book that much until I read the back of the book and actually started reading the book. Markus Zusak, the author of “The Book Thief” has written a total of 5 books, counting the book I read, and I am very interested in reading some of his other books. Those are going to be some of the next few books I read, I really like his style of writing and how he makes everything flow together, but still have a plot twist. I am glad I chose “The Book Thief” as my choice book, and im glad I discovered a new author I am interested in.
The Help
ReplyDeleteHannah, L
If you could change the ending of the book, what would you do? Why?
The ending of the book, The Help, was a combination of triumphant human spirit and bittersweet conclusions to many of the characters storylines. There were many unresolved plots that I wish the author had gone deeper into. The first change I would make has to do with the storyline of Skeeter, who wrote the book about the maids within the novel. She was offered a job in New York at Harper’s Magazine. After gaining experience, she got this recommendation from the woman who helped to publish her book. Skeeter gained experience from the local newspaper writing a housekeeping article titled Miss Myrna. I wish Stockett had gone into showing how successful Skeeter becomes. I would have shown that she became one of the most successful women journalists even if I had just included it in a short epilogue. I really wanted to see her fulfill her dreams. The second change I would have made would have been with the main character, Aibileen. Skeeter and Aibileen became very close while working with each other on the book together. They had an emotional farewell and Skeeter told Aibileen that the housekeeping article job was now hers, since Aibileen gave all of the advice to Skeeter anyways. She was thrilled to be able to write and have an additionally income. At the very end, Aibileen was falsely accused of stealing silverware. The instigator in the novel, Hilly, claimed Aibileen had taken them and convinced her employer to fire her. Originally, Hilly was going to call the police. However, since Hilly’s secrets were written about in the book anonymously, Aibileen threatened to tell the truth of which character Hilly was in the book. Being fired, Aibileen was forced to say goodbye to the little girl of the family who she had been raising. Her name was Mae Mobley and Aibileen considers her as her “special baby” (Page 2). Aibileen loved her more than anything and was upset knowing that she could have been with her for a few more years. She knew her mother did not pay enough attention to her and was also upset that Mae Mobley had grown a little chubby. Aibileen always told her that “You is kind. You is smart. You is important,” (page 443). Mae Mobley was extremely distraught when Aibileen told her she had to go. The last thing she heard of Mae Mobley was her crying as she walked down the road, crying herself. This moment was bittersweet for her. She knew that Mae Mobley would be her last white baby and also she would be free to do what she wanted. Aibileen also knew that she would never be able to get a job as a maid again. She was slightly comforted in knowing that she had the Miss Myrna job to rely on for income. I would have really liked to see Aibileen living a good life not being a maid. The way Stockett left her plot made me worry whether or not Aibileen would be able to live comfortably with what little she earns. However, I know that no matter what Aibileen would be happy with her life.
The Great Gatsby
ReplyDeleteBy: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genevieve Moberly
Would you like to read more books by this author? Why?
I would very much like to read more books by F. Scott Fitzgerald. His writing techniques were very appealing and exciting, unlike any other author I've read before. I really enjoyed the new vocabulary I picked up from "The Great Gatsby" along with a better understanding of the state of things during the 1920s. One thing that really impressed me about Fitzgerald was how much his writing pertained to his own life. If you read his biography, you can spot the similarities between his life and the book. It's nice to know that there was real emotion behind his words. He actually understood how the characters in his book felt, he wasn't just writing about them. I think he's a fantastic author and I hope his other works live up to my expectations after reading "The Great Gatsby".