We started an independent novel study in my 10th grade English class today! And although some of my students were a little less than enthusiastic about reading “a whoooooole book!!???” they seem to have taken to the challenge with gusto and determination. I’ve asked them to share some their understanding of their novel on this post. Here is what I am having them do:
1. State the title of the book they are reading.
2.Share an interesting quote from what they’ve read thus far and explain why they find it interesting.
3. Pose a question or share a comment on content, author style, personal connection etc.
I can’t tell you what a perfect morning it is when I see a class of 33 young people read!
Enjoy!
Ink And Spine 
1.Title – The Chrysalids
2. Favourite quote. Why?
“Dreams were funny things, and there was no accounting for them.”
This is my favourite quote because because it is very true and every person in the world dreams.
3. One question/ Comment
Although I’m only on page 6 so far, one question I have is: Is the city the little child dreamed of a key part in the novel?
The Chrysalids is one of my favourite reads.
Whenever anyone asks me why, I always seem to have a different response. Maybe it’s because I love the fact that our dreams seem to be “telling” us something. Maybe it’s because of the author’s powerful message of tolerance and acceptance. Maybe it’s because anyone who studies religion can’t help but wonder about events like tribulation and armageddon.
Or….maybe it’s because I always have a different answer to the question that makes it one of my “go-to” novels.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did…do….will. 🙂
The book that I’m reading is The “Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring” by J. R. R. Tolkien, and I am at the end of the second chapter “the Shadow of the Past” at page 63.
Basically it is still at the Shire, after Bilbo left the house to Frodo, and Gandalf was came over after 9 years of him being gone, and told Frodo how that the ring that Bilbo left him was the One Ring that belonged to Sauron the Great, the Dark Lord, and that Frodo is in great danger because the Ring wants to go back to his master, and when He gets the Ring, he would be able to rule all the other rings of power and try to rule/destroy the world.
My favorite quote would be a line Gandalf said at page 58, “Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the vary wise cannot see all ends.” It makes me think about all the people that don’t deserve to be in my life and I wish they wouldn’t, but the people that I want in my life don’t get to, and I can’t make them me in my life.
I think that I’m similar to this author because I don’t like leaving people confused of what is going on, and try to inform them with as much info as I can to let them know what is going on, but I worry that it might be too much info.
I just finished my novel, I read Perfume by Patrick Suskind. Although I really enjoyed Perfume I was sort of disappointed with the ending, as it seemed rather abrupt and implausible. One of the reasons I found the end so impossible was because “[Grenouille] possessed the power. He held it in his hands. A power stronger then the power of money or the power tower or the power of death: the invincible power to command the love of mankind. […] his perfume might allow him to appear a god” truly this quote shows the extent of impossibility, maybe the reason I didn’t like the ending is because it doesn’t make scientific sense, and probably people who are less into science would enjoy the ending better. But apart from the last 75-50 pages being a letdown I truly did enjoy reading Perfume. One of the reasons I really like Perfume was because it was neat learning about the process used to make perfume. As well I found it neat the Giuseppe Baldini the perfumer who initially taught Jean-Baptiste Grenouille the art is actually a real perfumer, after googling him I found that Giuseppe Baldini was and still is a famous perfumer having a French perfume line still existing to this day.
1 The Hobbit
2 “What on earth did I ask him to tea for!”
3 This book is quite interesting and I look forward to reading furthermore.
Into the wild.
“Samel suggested that killian evacuate the remains, but killian declined, insisting it was a task more properly left to Alaska state troopers.
The novel is very good so far, I really enjoy it.
Title: in to the wild
Interesting quote: “fourth month later his decomposed body was found by a party of moose hunter”
Question: why would Christopher Johnson McCandles would go to the wilderness and hitchhike if he has a very wealthy family? Why would he live his easy life?
1.) Into The Wild
2.) “He had no ax, no bug dope, no snowshoes, no compass. The only navigational aid in his possession was a tattered state road map he’d scrounged at a gas station.”
3.) this novel is very interesting right now and seems like it’s going to turn out to be a good read but at times it can be kind of confusing.
The Hobbit
“We are met to discuss our plans, our ways, means, policy and devices. We shall soon before the break of day start on our long journey, a journey from which some of us, or perhaps all of us may never return.”
The book so far is quite interesting and I am really enjoying it.
1. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
2. “If there’s one thing for certain, it’s that we all have to get old someday. So get used to the idea as quickly as you can.”
3. Even though this novel is based on the 1900’s I still find I can still relate to the characters and the some of the situations.
Jane Eyre
“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God’s feet, equal — as we are!”
why does Jane live with a different family? and will she ever begin to fight back for herself?
1. The book that I am reading right now is called Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
2. “What is detestable in a pig is more detestable in a boy.”
I found the quote interesting because the adults in the story think that boys or girls are far more disgusting than pigs. They think that children aren’t grateful for what they have and the people who cared for them.
3. Even though, I’m only on page 30 so far, I can see that Charles Dickens put a lot of descriptions about the characters and other specific details. I don’t understand some of the words but I’m getting the hang of it. The book is interesting so far and I would like to read more.
Into the Wild
“Westberg had been drawn into a scheme to build and sell “black boxes,” which illegally unscramble satellite-television transmission, allowing people to watch encrypted cable programming without paying for it.”
The book is very interesting so far I can’t wait to hear about what happened the 4 months that Chris was there for before he died.
The Catcher in the Rye
“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re done all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you like it. That doesn’t happen much, though.”
I’m really enjoying this book, more than I thought I would. I really like how it’s all in the perspective of Holden. He’s a really interesting character and im excited to read more.
***whenever you fell like it.
*******FEEL
1) Into the Wild
2) (McCandless shortly after deciding to abandon his beloved Datsun, to continue his trek) Instead of feeling distraught over this turn of events, moreover, McCandless was exhilarated: He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage.
3) The thing that most excites me about Into the Wild is Alex’s ability to stay so focussed on what he believes in. McCandless examplifies the theme “Living your Truth”. Because from young on he always believed not to be influenced by others opinions. And its not like he’s just stubborn and narrow minded. He still is interested by other people. Alex just has what he believes and won’t change for anyone.
The book im currently reading is called chrysalids. It is narrated in a first person perspective as far as i can tell. “When I was quite small I would sometimes dream of a city.” Not enough proof? Alrighty heres another sentence “neither I or she, I think, paid much attention.”Inspecting the book its best if its told through a first person view. More detail is involved considering how expansive the setting is. The characters are described well and you feel like your connected to the protagonist.
1. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
2. “… I am indebted for a belief I religiously entertained that they had all been born on their backs with their hands in their trousers pockets, and had never taken them out in this state of existence.” I just found this quote very interesting without even a reason. It was just stuck in my mind when I first read it.
3. Although I’m only in Chapter 3, I can recognize that the book is more than just a boy who lives with his older sister and her blacksmith husband. I think the book would deal a lot with crimes, guilt, innocence, social class, and etc. I have one question though that I can’t seem to find an answer to. How did Pip’s parents and brothers die?