Hannah+D.

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 * Book Title: Wintergirls**

1. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

2. Author.: Laura Halse Anderson

3. Date of Publication: 2009

4. Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (4 pts.) Wintergirls tells the tale of Lia Overbrook, an 18 year old girl. Lia is the narrator of the story. She is dealing with many issues in her life, the most pressing of these being her extreme battle with anorexia. The story begins with the death of Lia’s best childhood friend, Cassie. The two had been best friends and neighbors until Lia’s parent’s non-cordial divorce. As the story develops, the reader is drawn into Lia’s world of oppressive dieting, food monitoring and the relationships that trigger the disease. Lia’s world is uncontrolled, controling. Supporting characters include: Cassie, Lia’s dead best friend, Emma, Lia’s beloved younger step-sister, Elijah, a drifter, Jennifer, Lia’s step-mother, Professor David Overbrook, Lia’s emotionally distant father, and Dr. Chloe Marrigan, Lia’s controlling mother. The reader gets to delve into a world of a deeply troubled young woman.

5. What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts.) I really like the story, it was intriguing in every way. As I read, I felt disgusted and devastated by Lia’s struggles. There were many points in the book that were too graphic for my stomach. Even though I did not enjoy part of the story, I feel they were necessary. The part I disliked help me understand the terrible world of eating disorders.

6. Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. These should be questions that require students to dig into the reading to support their answers. One of the three can be a higher level thinking project or activity(6 pts).

Why does Lia regulate her food intake? What are triggers to Lia’s disorder? Do you identify with parts of Lia’s reasoning? What do you believe started Lia’s food regulation? What do you believe happens to Lia after the book ends?

Lia Overbrook's Fakebook: []




 * Book Title: Tunnels**

2. Genre: Adventure-Mystery

3. Author: Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

4. Date of Publication: 2009

5. Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)

1. Why would Sarah (Will/Seth’s underground mother) try to escape to the “topsoil”? 2. What is Dr. Burrows hoping to find as he journeys lower into the earth? 3. Do you think that Dr. Burrows finding evidence of the tunnels was a coincidence? Why or why not?

Comprehension Activity:

The main character (or one of the main characters in your novel) and provide an explanation for choosing each. Avoid making all obvious choices, but instead, get creative and think outside the box!

**Will Burrows/Seth Jerome**

Artifact #1 - **Sunscreen** I chose this because Will/Seth is an underground child whose mother brought him to the “topsoil” (above ground world). He is pale and unreceptive to the sun. Although Will/Seth is in underground settlements during a large portion of the story, someday he may return to the world above ground.

Artifact #2 – **Family Picture or Picture of Dr. Burrows (Will/Seth’s above ground father)** I chose this because Will/Seth may be a long time before he will see the family he grew up with again. I chose a picture of Dr. Burrows because it would be a good reference for Will/Seth while he searches the tunnels.

Artifact #3 – **Harness and other rock climbing tools** I chose this because Will/Seth is faced with many daring stunts. It would be nice if he had comfortable and safe equipment to use while he descends the tunnels.

Artifact #4 – **Genealogy record of all the Colonist (People that live underground) and Styx (Group that polices the underground people)** I chose this because the who is related to who is confusing and disturbing. It would be nice to be able to trace the connections.

Artifact #5 – **Manual-recharging flashlights** I chose this because the bulk of the story takes place in tunnels. This is an area that light has to be produced by the people not the natural sun.



1. **Book Title: The Lost Hero**

2. Genre: Fantasy

3. Author: Rick Riordan

4. Date of Publication: 2010

5. Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! “The Lost Hero” follows the story of three demigods, half-human children of the Olympian Gods. Piper, Leo, and Jason are thrown together in a destined adventure to rescue an imprisoned Hera. These three unlikely teens must journey from Wilerness School (a school for dilinquent youth) to discover their path on this fantastic quest. Hera has orchestrated so that Jason, son of Zeus, awakes on a school bus without any memories of his life. Jason has no recollection of who he is or how he came to be on the school bus. The people around him have memories of his presence in their lives, but not of the memories are real, work of the “mist” (natural cover over the supernatural from human eyes). Jason must figure out why he has been placed with the other two main characters and his own identity. Piper is a girl with problems of her own. The daughter of a famous movie star and goddess of love, Aphrodite, Piper has been running from her own beauty. She is charming to the point of stealing cars, hence why she is at Wilderness School. Piper has many issues going on in her life: memories of a romantic relationship with Jason (which he does not remember), her father has been kidnapped by their enemy (giants), and she is supposed to betray her friends. Piper is in for a hard road. Leo, the son of Hephaestus, the god of tools and fire, is the third man out. Leo also functions as the comic relief from the other two’s dramatic unrequited love story. He is battling his own internal issues: feeling responsible for his mother’s death, bad foster home experiences, and being a human torch. These three teens must learn to harness their abilities to defeat many monsters in their way and rescue the queen of the gods. The story is fun, yet has depth of characters. It is an interesting way to learn Greek and Roman mythology. This book follows the Percy Jackson series, but with different character story lines, so it is easy to follow without having to read all the books that came before.

6. What did you like about the book? What did you dislike?

I loved this book! I love mythology, so this book was right up my alley, plus, I have read all of the Percy Jackson books. The story developed the characters while incorporating solid mythology facts. This would be a good book for learning the Greek and Roman Gods. There was nothing I disliked; this was a win in my book!

7. Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)


 * Name four of the main Olympian Gods depicted in this book. What was their domain, characteristics. How did they differ from Greek to Roman?
 * What was Leo and Piper’s relationships with their parents? How did that effect their adventure?
 * What do you think the next adventure will reveal?

Three Teens Held Up In Monocle Motors Warehouse



Three teens were captured and almost made into a meal earlier today in Detroit’s own Monocle Motors

 It was a cold ride from Quebec to Chicago, that Leo Valdez, Piper McLean, Jason Grace embarked upon. These three adventurous teens are out on a quest of monumental importance. This leads us to today’s story. Traveling on a magical mechanic dragon, Festus, the trio was diverted from their expedition by a mysterious malfunction. Festus, Piper, Leo, and Jason were forced to free-fall into the (Jason flying ability came in handy to slow this process) Monocle Motor.

 Once entering the warehouse, the trio encountered a Cyclops family; Sump, Torque, and Ma Gasket. The family thought that a meal had been dropped into their lap. This is quite a harrowing tale! Jason was captured first, was knocked out and suspended for cooking purposes. Piper, who was injured by the fall, was captured next and joined Jason. Leo, who was out repairing Festus, returned to find his friends in this precarious situation.

Through some slick talk and trickery Leo, Piper, and Jason were able to escape the monstrous family. We later caught up with Valdez outside the warehouse. When asked about the condition of his friend, Jason, Valdez said, "Yeah, he's got a nice thick skull, I think he's gonna be fine" (p. 268). A happy ending to a possibly bad situation!



**Book Title:** Matched

**Genre:** Science Fiction

**Author:** Ally Condle

**Date of Publication:** 2010

**Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (3 pts.)**

Matched begins on a train in the not so distant future, as Cassia and Xander make their way with their parents to the Match Ceremony. In this future, humanity is at its prime. Statistics explain and determine everything. Cassia, our main character, is on her way with Xander her best friend to the ceremony where they will be matched with their future mate. The mates are determined by compatibility on computers.

The Match Ceremony is one of the special event in which people get to engage in individuality by dressing up. In this utopian society, people's choices are taken for optimal results. They do not learn emotions like empathy or comforting. There is no real sadness because everything is determined, even when they die.

At the match ceremony, Cassia and Xander receive a surprise. They are matched! This is unusual because most are matched with others outside of their community. Once matched the young people are given electronic discs with information about their match. When Cassia tries to watch her "Xander "disc, she is surprised by someone else's face coming forward, Ky, an unusual boy from their community.

Cassia is confused by this other option, that is not suppose to be an option. Ky is not originally from this perfect society and he is a Aberration or oddity in the society meaning he is not allowed to mate. Although the society officials try to explain away the mistake, Cassia begins to wonder, she is drawn to Ky.

Cassia's relationship with Ky develops into more then the required friendship. Cassia must decide what path she will follow: the society's or her own. As the story develops the reader is made aware that there is more descent then the society want anyone to know about. An interesting take on the future utopian world.

**What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (3 pts.)**

I like the concept of this utopian society that Ally Candle came up with, as well as the malfunctions. Ky, Xander, and Cassia's relationships were well developed. The love triangle was believable. Each of the character emotions made sense with their part. Xander the noble friend, Ky the mysterious love interest, and Cassia the confused, but strong girl caught in-between. Some things in the story felt too canned. It felt a little like Condle through things in to explain other things that did not fit. All around it was a good story and I look forward to reading the next two in the series.

**Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)**

What makes this society utopian?

Does Cassia fit into this society? Does Ky? Does Xander?

What do you think the society officials will do with an uprising?

What do you think was excluded from the story that is going on with the society officials?

**Character Study**

Write a description of one character from the story. Then find four quotes from the story that support your description of the character. Make sure to cite the page numbers for each quote.

Xander plays the role of Cassia's best friend and societal match. He is the ideal male in the society: Strong, smart, kind, and law abiding (for the most part), “And Xander, ‘she says. ‘He’s the best of us all” (Matched, 41). The character of Xander is one of morality; he does what is right by society, but is able to disregard society’s laws for his loved ones. He is Cassia protector, “Cassia,’ Xander says again. ‘I can hide it for you. Say you’ve lost it. Make your story convincing” (Matched, 199). This is a young man able to continue to protect Cassia even though she has betrayed their match, “Thank you,’ I say, and then I kiss him right on the lips and I mean that kiss. Even though I know I’m falling for Ky it is impossible not to love Xander for everything he is and everything he does” (Matched, 201).

The character of Xander would seem to be a perfect, however, he is made human by his hurt of Cassia’s betrayal, “You love me too?’ Xander says, his voice cold. ‘What game are you playing?” (Matched, 306); “I came up on the screen, too, Cassia,’ he says quietly. ‘But he was the one you chose to see.’ And then, quick as a player making his last move, he turns away and pushes through the doors. He leaves me behind” (Matched, 307). The hurt, anger, and bitterness expressed by Xander, creates a deep feeling character. Xander becomes a suffering hero at the end of story by continuing to support Cassia’s cause for the all people, “Not just for you. For all of us” (Matched, 354)

**Book Title:** Fever 1793

**Genre:** Historical Fiction

**Author:** Laurie Halse Anderson

**Date of Publication:** 2000

**Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! (4 pts.)** Fever 1793, is the tale about the Yellow Fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia. Matilda Cook (Mattie) is a young girl in this new American that has just recently won it's freedom. Along with her Mother (Lucille), the cook (Eliza), and her Grandfather (Captain William Farnsworth) they run a tea house. The story starts with a hot summer, the summer had been long and there was talk of a fever making its way through the population. It hits home quickly for Mattie when her childhood friend that works at the tea house dies of the fever, Polly. Fear takes hold of the community when Yellow Fever begins to infect more and more people. Mattie's Mother falls ill with the fever. Lucille wants Mattie to be sent to the country to escape the epidemic, but the fever moves too fast. Mattie must watch as her mother is overcome with fever. Dr. Rush comes to call on Lucille and "bleeds" her of the "bad blood". Mattie is skeptical of the methods used by the doctor to cure her mother. Lucille finally get her wish of sending Mattie to the country with her grandfather. However, the pair never make it to their destination because grandfather is taken ill. There are militias stationed outside of town to keep fever sufferers from entering. Grandfather and Mattie, along with King George (Grandfather's bird), are left in the country to fend for themselves. Mattie is taken ill with the fever while they are out in the country. Grandfather is able to carry Mattie to a Bush Hill. This was a town known for it less then honorable residence, but since the epidemic broke the town has been turned into a hospital for the sick. Mrs. Flagg is the nurse that cares for Mattie in her sickness. Mattie was one of the lucky one because she was able to live through the fever. Once Mattie has regained some of her strength, Grandfather and her decide to go back to Philadelphia to find her mother. Upon returning, they find a revaged city. There are thieves everywhere. One night, Mattie's home is broken into by thieves. Mattie was roughed up and Grandfather is killed. On her own, Mattie must continue to live and find others to create a makeshift family, including: Nell, an orphan, Nathaniel Benson, a friend from before the sickness, and Eliza, the cook for the tea house. With these companions Mattie tries to survive the fever, find her mother, and start a new life.

**What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts).** I liked the realistic portrayal of what an epidemic. This book did not sugar coat the devasting results of the fever. It included accurately the medical practices of the day, bleeding. I disliked how slow the story was at times. It seemed to drag some parts out more then necessary.

**Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. (6 pts)** What did people of this time believe about sickness? How do you think the community of Philadelphia changed after the fever? Do you think an epidemic like Yellow Fever could happen in our world today? What would be the result?

Photo Book Link Click Here



Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses

Author : Ron Koertge

Pages Read: 73-74

Link to TeacherTube Video:  []



**Book Title:** How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

**Genre:** Informational Biography

**Author:** Georgia Bragg and illustrated by Kevin O'Malley (I included the illustrator because the pictures were a big part of the book)

**Date of Publication:** 2011

**Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending!**

The book went through the lives and horrific deaths of famous people throughout history. It does a nice job of discussing the medical practices of the time the person lived during. The book also tells the commonly held rumors of the death. Some of the famous people included are: Christopher Columbus, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, and many more. Spoiler, all of the characters are dead in the end.

**What did you like about the book? What did you dislike?**

I loved this book! Not only did it tell about their deaths, but it also told some facts about their lives. This would be a great book for a student would maybe is not a great reader or does not enjoy reading. There is not anything that I really disliked about the book.

**Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book.**

What were some medical practices described in the book? Why do you think we no longer use these?

Are any of the deaths surprising? Which? Why?

How does knowing how they died, help us understand how they lived?



**Book Title: "Lies, Knives, and Girls In Red Dresses"**

**Genre:** Poetry/Short Stories

**Author:** Ron Koertge (Illustrated by Andrea Dezso)

**Date of Publication:** 2012

**Write a brief summary of the book you read without giving away the ending! If you are writing about a collection of stories or poems, you need to talk specifically about 2-3 of the selections in the book. (4 pts.)**

Lies, Knives, and Girls In Red Dresses" by Ron Koertge looks at some classic fairy tales in a new way. Many of the stories are told in a first person by one or more of the main characters. In the story of Rapunzel, the tale is broken into sections giving each character a chance to speak their part; Rapunzel's parents, the witch, the prince, and Rapunzel.

Many of the stories are told with a more modern twist. Red Riding Hood tells her mother about her adventure at the kitchen table. It is obvious in reading that "Red" is no longer an old fashion country girl. Not all stories are brought up to modern times. Many of the stories are told in a poetry, like Thumbelina.


 * What did you like about the book? What did you dislike? (4 pts.). **

I liked the originality of the stories. Fairy tales are often overdone, but Koertge was able to put them into a new format. I did not like the darkness of the stories. The book had an ominous tone. The illustrations were important, but also very dark. I would not recommend this book to any student under high school age.

**Write three essential (higher level thinking) questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book. This week, I want you to write questions strictly //for discussion// here – not project ideas (you’ll see why below). (6 pts)**

How do the stories fit with the fairy tales you know from childhood?

How do the stories deviate from the fairy tales you know from childhood?

How would you change one of the stories? Which one?

**8. How can you see this book being used in the curriculum? For what grade level would it be most appropriate? Give a specific example of how you as a teacher might use the book as part of the taught curriculum. What specifically would you use it to teach and what would you have students do with it? (7 pts.)**

I can see using this book in an ESL classroom. I would use this book with a high level of speakers and age, maybe Juniors or Seniors. It would be a good tool for looking at fairy tales from around the world, especially those places from which the students come. I would have the students compare and contrast the older original stories with these new versions. What did the original tale try to tell their reader? Do these new versions tell the same tale? Once the students have analyzed the stories, I would ask them to make their own version, complete with an illustration. This assignment would be a critical writing.