Me and You, Blog 11

What do you think of the ending? For a writer, the ending is often the most difficult part to write. Some people say that an ending should feel both surprising and inevitable. Does this ending fit that description? Is it a "feel good" ending? Is it more complicated? How so? Does it tie up loose ends, or does it leave things messy and unresolved?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 11

What do you think of the ending? For a writer, the ending is often the most difficult part to write. Some people say that an ending should feel both surprising and inevitable. Does this ending fit that description? Is it a "feel good" ending? Is it more complicated? How so? Does it tie up loose ends, or does it leave things messy and unresolved?

Me and You, Blog 10

Who is the audience for your novel? Who are the ideal readers? What will they like about the book?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 10

Who is the audience for your novel? Who are the ideal readers? What will they like about the book?

Me and You, Blog 9

Choose a short section of the text (about a page) and write a detailed response that addresses its significance within the novel as a whole. Think about the choices the author makes (word choice, paragraphing, etc.). What purpose does this section serve?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 9

Choose a short section of the text (about a page) and write a detailed response that addresses its significance within the novel as a whole. Think about the choices the author makes (word choice, paragraphing, etc.). What purpose does this section serve?

Me and You, Blog 8

What do you think about Lorenzo's robot story? Why would the author write this story for Lorenzo? What does it reveal about his character?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 8

What do you think about Sookan's decision to buy the black dress? How does she feel about the decision? What does this reveal about her character? Do you think she made the right choice?

Me and You, Blog 7

 Based on the other group's presentation, do you want to read the other novel? Why or why not?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 7

 Based on the other group's presentation, do you want to read the other novel? Why or why not?

Me and You, Blog 6

Based on the world the author has created, what are some possible endings? Point to moments in the text or qualities of the characters that support these possibilities.

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 6

Based on the world the author has created, what are some possible endings? Point to moments in the text or qualities of the characters that support these possibilities.

Me and You, Blog 5

 If the protagonist attended CA, how would he/she do? What activities would he/she participate in? Do you think he/she would be a successful student? How so? If he/she were in your class and/or dorm, would you want to work/live with him/her?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 5

 If the protagonist attended CA, how would he/she do? What activities would he/she participate in? Do you think he/she would be a successful student? How so? If he/she were in your class and/or dorm, would you want to work/live with him/her?

Me and You, Blog 4

How does the protagonist feel like an outsider? How does he/she deal with his/her outsider status? Find a quote from the book that supports your conclusions.

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 4

How does the protagonist feel like an outsider? How does he/she deal with his/her outsider status? Find a quote from the book that supports your conclusions.

Me and You, Blog 3

What conflicts does the protagonist face? How prepared is he/she to face them? Do you think he/she will be successful? Is he/she alone, or supported by others?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 3

What conflicts does the protagonist face? How prepared is he/she to face them? Do you think he/she will be successful? Is he/she alone, or supported by others?

Me and You, Blog 2

What are 2 topics you should research as you continue reading this book?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 2

What are 2 topics you should research as you continue reading this book?

Me and You, Blog 1

Describe the world of the narrator. Who is his/her family? Where does he/she live? What is interesting/strange/unique/annoying/exceptional about him/her?

Gathering of Pearls, Blog 1

Describe the world of the narrator. Who is his/her family? Where does he/she live? What is interesting/strange/unique/annoying/exceptional about him/her?

Blog 2: Lars and the Real Girl

How do others react to Bianca? What does this say about Lars' community? Are there other details from the film that support your assessment of the community? In other words, did you see evidence of the town's character before Bianca arrived?

Blog 1: Lars and the Real Girl

What are your first reactions to Lars and the Real Girl? What is interesting about the setting, the characters, the costumes, etc.?

Blog 5: Pobby and Dingan

What does Ashmol agree to do for Kellyanne? What do you think about this agreement? What does Mr. Dan Dunkley think about it? In the last line of chapter 12, Mr. Dan says that the preacher will think he's "doolally." What do you think "doolally" means?

Blog 4: Pobby and Dingan

Who is Peter Sidebottom? Why do you think Ashmol's mother is looking at his picture in the middle of the night? How does Ashmol feel about this man? How do you know? Why is this moment so significant?

Blog 3: Pobby and Dingan

Blog 3: Is Ashmol's plan successful? How so?

Blog 2: Pobby and Dingan

Blog 2: (NOTE: For this blog you will have to read about one page aloud). 

Chapter 2 moves the plot forward. What happens? What do you notice about the narrator's use of the word and, particularly on page 20? Read this page aloud as though you are an actor performing a monologue. Comment on the experience of "playing" Ashmol. How does performance help you to understand his character?

Blog 1: Pobby and Dingan

 


What are your first reactions to the story? List at least 5 observations about the world of the narrator. Who is his family? Where does he live? What is interesting, unique, and/or surprising about him?

The Aquarium, by Aleksandar Hemon

In "The Aquarium," Hemon describes feelings of expansion and, alternatively, compression. For example, he describes the period after Isabel is diagnosed as after: "spreading out, like an exploding twinkle star, into a dark universe of pain." Give another example of expansion and/or compression. Think about Ella's experience, as well as the narrator's. Consider the source of the title: "The Aquarium."