Post/link your slide of Audience, Summary and Theme here.  Then provide a short recommendation of the book for your classmates.

For this assignment, it is expected that you review ALL of your classmates’ submissions and provide feedback to all.

Post/link your slide of Audience, Summary and Theme here.  Then provide a short recommendation of the book for your classmates.

For this assignment, it is expected that you review ALL of your classmates’ submissions and provide feedback to all.

[Safa Sajjad (she/her/hers)]

Hi Susan! I have actually read Refugee before, and I loved it so much! I liked the structure of the book, how it focused on three different characters. I also loved that it covered three different time periods. Many of my students have read this book independently, but I would love to turn it into a class read. Your AST effectively discusses all of the important aspects of the book. Thank you for sharing!

[Safa Sajjad (she/her/hers)]

Hi Tatiana! This seems like a great book to read with older students, and one that they would be able to relate to. It reminds me of the book, 13 Reasons Why. I really like how simply, yet effective your AST is, and how you summarized the book well and thoughtfully discussed the themes.

[Susan Malinauskas]

Hi Victoria,

I like the way that you designed your AST.  This book sounds interesting especially the part about finding oneself.  So many students struggle with that and it’s important for them to see that this might be a common theme among many.

[Susan Malinauskas]

Hi Yuki,

Your AST was designed very nicely.  I think the theme of this novel is important to discuss with our students.  I love that the character finds inspiration in Dr. King’s letters.  Dr. King was such an eloquent speaker and I just love watching his “I Have a Dream” speech.  We have to keep trying everyday to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and given the same opportunities not matter their race, ethnicity or religion.

[John Curci]

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10-NdsWZTyM_P8rDkKfOed3sFAxriMy8RlnMPLauct9I/edit?usp=sharing

Hello – I recommend reading Five Total Strangers. This was a fun mystery / thriller book. It was interesting, well written, and fun. It is a great book for leisure reading. The setting is very strong, because the protagonist is stranded in a car, in the mountains, during a blizzard. The sense of isolation and helplessness when things start going awry makes for a very thrilling read!!

[Kaitlyn McKenna (she)]

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ndTTjGy4Itx3P_8_8kIUTJf2IsiBjbwNoNV-QVzsBKo/edit?usp=sharing

Review:  Hi everyone! I highly recommend the novel Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys to anyone who enjoyed reading Sepatys’ novel last week, Between Shades of Gray. This historical fiction novel also takes place during World War II, but focuses on a different event in history. Interestingly enough, we see correlations between the novel we read last week and this one. In Between Shades of Gray, Lina mentions her cousin Joana multiple times. In Salt to the Sea, Joana is actually one of the main characters, allowing us to see her own insider perspective about how she feels towards Lina. If you are someone who enjoys reading novels in different perspectives, this book is for you (since the narrators switch between four different characters). Overall, this was a WONDERFUL read.  It is somehow more emotional and intense than Between Shades of Gray in my opinion!

[Tatiana Arriola]

Hi Nicole,

The book you chose sounds very interesting and definitely appropriate to what is happening in the world at this moment. Students are constantly hearing about racism on the internet or television, so it seems like this novel will help students learn that they should not be brought down or planning revenge against others, but using words as motivation to better themselves and be someone successful in life. I like the overall message of this story and some of our students could relate to the characters.

[Tatiana Arriola]

Hi Erin,

This book sounds super engaging and definitely something my students would love! It seems like it presents the idea of taking risks and doing things you normally wouldn’t do. I think this would be a great read once the pandemic is over since our students have realized how short life is and how we shouldn’t be wasting our time worrying about what others think or being afraid to do things we’ve always wanted. This pandemic has definitely changed my view about life, so I think the same has occurred with my students; therefore, this book is the push they need to face their fears!

[Rachell Rosario (she/her/hers)]

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12uA6JsrQKR8a85kirXAGptTG2QoZCYOkjnNrX4rmR5k/edit?usp=sharing

I loved “The Poet X”, the students at my school loved it and I’m sure your students will also love this book. The book contains no chapters, it is a narrative compilation of poems. It is lyrical, sensitive, deep, meaningful and beautiful. This book will also spark paramount discussions adolescents need to engage in, such as conversations about culture, religion discussions, street harassment, family relationships, falling in love in high school and most importantly: the strength of words. The Poet X also sends the message that being true to yourself is powerful and inspiring.

 

[Zizhen Li]

Hi, Rachel.

You did a great job on your lede. It’s effective and concise. From your description of the book, I think it would be a very interesting book. We would learn a lot of things about WWII while we are reading it.

[Zizhen Li]

Hi, Caroline

Thank you for providing a very detailed introduction to the book. Even though I haven’t read the book before, I am very attracted by your summary, I think it would be really thought-most and has so much fodder for detailed discussions with upper elementary or middle school students.

[Zizhen Li]

Hi Erin,

I have read this book when I was in high school. Just as you said, this is an amazing book! It discusses questions about life and death and what we would do if we know we are dying, or even if it is better to be unaware. It makes you think about what ‘living’ means and what is most important to you.

[Zizhen Li]

Hi Victoria,

I really like your layout and color choice. I’m definitely going to read it because you mentioned that family is one of the themes in the book. Family is an important part of everyone, and I hope that after reading this book, I will have a different understanding of the theme.

[Zizhen Li]

Hi Yuqi

First of all, I want to say I love your slide and you chose a good book. I’m definitely going to read this book because I learned a lot about Martin Luther King in high school. I think he is a great man. I believe that by reading this book, I will know more about him.

[Yuqi Li]

Hi John,

I like the theme of the book you discussed, it looks interesting. Just like you said, “manipulating the situation that you said will make for a fun way to try and solve the mystery.” That touched me and make me want to read this book very much.