Novel News: 2nd Quarter Book Report

Letters About Literature:

Name: ________________________

Book: ________________________

Author: _______________________

I can write a readers response to an author about a book that made a difference in my thinking.

Table of Contents:

1. Directions – Task at Hand2. Brainstorm – Thoughts/Emotions3. Thoughts/Emotions Chart – Due ________4. Taxonomy – Due ______________5. Correspond don’t Compliment6. KITE – Due ___________________7. Introduction Practice Due ______________8. Synthesize Don’t Summarize 9. Final Copy Expectations

Draft of Letter due _____________________

Final Copy of Letter due __________________

Directions/Task at HandTask: Before leaving for winter break you have one important task. Write a letter to an author of a book that has made you think in a new way. Now breathe.. This does not need to be a new book that you have to read. Together I will help you write a readers response to the author. We will not just start writing the letter today, but rather first discuss a novel

that made you think in a new way.

DUE DATES:• You will have due dates along the way and

check offs. A draft (typed) of this letter is due before you leave for winter break.

* Brainstorm/Taxonomy = ___________

* Kite = _____________________________

* Draft – Introduction = ________________

* Draft Typed Letter = __________________

Name: __________________________ Date: _________________

Letters Ideas – about the book, your thinking in a new way, characters, plot, setting, etc.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

Alphabet Taxonomy

Letters Ideas – about the book, your thinking in a new way, characters, plot, setting, etc.

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Alphabet Taxonomy

Correspond don’t ComplimentCorrespond Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________Compliment Definition: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Did the following examples below Correspond or Compliment? Underline the compliments and highlight the correspondence.

I am writing this letter to you as a pleased reader. As I dove into your book, Sea Jade, I felt both humbled and inspired. Sometimes I felt confused at how an author can pack so much emotion into one small book. It's like a new world is opened at just the flipping of a page. Speaking from a future author's point of view, I can tell you your book was a creation. Yours was truly a wonderful tale of adventure, excitement, and wonder that I found incredible. Good Job, Keep Writing!

KITE__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thesis: Emphasize what the book taught you. Please use a thesis format discussed in class. (List, Power, And/But/Or )____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction Practice: Mention the book title in your introduction. Also required that you have an Hook and TS.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Don’t forget this is a conversation with the author. They know all

the details about the book…they wrote it!Hook

KITE continueBig Ideas:

What did the book make you

think about:

What did the book make you

think about:

What did the book make you

think about:

Supporting Details: think color words/excerpts from the book

Elaborate with specific

details/examples about your thinking.

_

_

Elaborate with specific

details/examples about your thinking.

_

_

Elaborate with specific

details/examples about your thinking.

_

_

Restate the thesis: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Synthesize don’t Summarize:Today we will discuss how you should synthesize (combine ideas in your letter of how the author made you think) instead of summarize (list the 5 w’s and the how). Remember the author you are writing to, knows the book because they wrote it. A summary is not what the task is asking of you.•Look at the excerpt letters below and decide if they summarized or synthesized. If they just summarized, give a suggest of what they could add.

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Final Copy Expectations:

1. No heading on final copy.

2. Start the Letter with Dear

3. Close the letter by stating either Sincerely or another

appropriate closing for your audience.

4. Under the closing line write your name and the city and state

you are from.

Example: Ms. Kilga

Tacoma, Washington

5. Type this in size 12 to 14 font. I would select Times New

Roman, Tahoma, or Comic Sans as appropriate fonts.

6. Staple your entry form to the back page of your letter.

7. Be sure to have your parents sign the entry form or it cannot

be entered.

Remember regardless of you

entering the contest or not the letter for a LA assignment is due

on _____________

Brainstorm: Thoughts/Emotions DIRECTIONS: Read the winning letter below and identify thoughts the writer had after reading the book, Bridge to Terabithia and emotions the book evoked.

Dear Katherine Paterson, It’s been five years since my great grandpa died. I remember when my mom got the phone call telling her the horrible news. I cut out a clumsy heart to place in his coffin, with a few loving words written in chunky, seven year old letters. I remember staring at all the crying faces at the funeral, feeling tears sting my own eyes as I recalled my family’s visit to him the previous year. I remember his stories he told about his childhood and the candy he gave us. When I read Bridge to Terabithia, I cried for Leslie, but also for great grandpa. Though Bridge to Terabithia triggered sad memories, I loved it. I believe one of the reasons I loved it was because I could relate to it. When I read how Jess loved drawing, could disappear into it and relax, I felt like I was reading a description of myself. The only difference between us was the switch from his love of drawing to my love of reading. I can venture into a world of magical kingdoms of futuristic civilizations and feel like I’m one of the characters. It’s my favorite way to relax, like drawing is with Jess. Another way I felt your book related to me is how Leslie and Jess have a secret place in the woods, the place Leslie named Terabithia. Terabithia reminds me of the woods by my house that my siblings and I explore every summer. We have a clearing that we call “Skunk Valley” because a lot of skunk cabbage grows there. Every summer we find new paths and explore the swamps and marshes. Terabithia is a lot like that to me. The most important lesson I learned as I read Bridge to Terabithia was the power of friendship. Friends aren’t people you stand around and gossip with. Friendship goes farther – friendship goes to the soul. Jess and Leslie’s friendship began when Jess was simply running races and wondering when that weird girl would leave. It was Leslie that supplied the happiness and friendliness that stuck the friendship together. Though Bridge to Terabithia made me miss my great grandpa, it touched my heart, helped me accomplish what I thought could never be done, and gave me a new view on friendship. Thank you for that.Abby Bateman Snoqualmie, Washington

Highlight ________________ for ThoughtsHighlight _______________ for Emotions

If you want to check out more winning letters to go the links section under my schoolwires account.

Thoughts/Emotions: My bookTitle: ________________________________________________

Author: _________________________________________

For tonight’s homework, recall the title and author of a book that you have read within the last 2-3 years that got you thinking. Next create below a t-Chart table that states

your thoughts and emotions.

Thoughts Emotions

*Evidence

*Evidence

*Evidence

*

Evidence

*Evidence

*Evidence