This assignment is for Semester II of English 12. Please staple your project, place it in a folder, and turn the assignment in by the time you reach 50% of your course. (See the Extra Credit section for an alternative submission format.)
Begin by selecting a book using:
The New York Times Best Sellers List OR
Oprah’s Book Club List OR
Page One’s Best Sellers List OR
Amazon.com Best Sellers List OR
Do your own search online for a book that “just fits” your interests. Below are three website suggestions.
These resources contain opportunities to select books based on reading interests, genres, style and subject matter.
Teen Reads
http://www.teenreads.com/
Teenreads.com brings teens information and features about their favorite authors, books, series and characters. Also included are book reviews, features, in-depth author profiles and interviews, excerpts of the hottest new releases, literary games and contests and the ability to discuss your books with other teens.
Reading Rants
http://www.readingrants.org/
A site of out-of-the-ordinary reads put together by a teen services librarian with opportunities to post reviews through the website’s blog.
American Library Association’s Best Fiction Awards for
Young Adults
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/best/bob11
The Young Adult Services Association of the American Library Association’s list of the best fiction for young adults.
For your selection, you may check a book out of the library, borrow a book, buy a book, etc. Your choice must not be a novel that has been made into a movie. Remember that a novel is fiction.
Select an age-appropriate novel. The selection should be:
-written by a contemporary author (preferably one who is still living).
-be at least 250 pages in length or receive approval of teacher. (If you are unsure, just ask an English teacher.)
(When you complete this assignment, consider donating the book to the SSLC library.)
Complete ALL of the following assignments:
1. Write a brief summary of the author’s life. Include information about his/her works. Make sure you document your source(s).
2. Describe the setting. Does the setting add to the story? Why or why not?
3. Write a brief description of the plot. Discuss what techniques the author used to keep the reader interested in the plot.
4. Select one character. What are his/her strengths? weaknesses? What lesson(s) did he/she learn? Could you relate to this character? Why or why not?
5. Why did you select this book? Have you read other books by this author? Do you think this book will become a classic? Why or why not?
6. Relate your opinion of the book. Do you recommend this book? Discuss why or why not. What kind of audience would enjoy this book?
7-8. Final projects. Select TWO of the following projects or receive teacher approval for your original project idea(s) (your original ideas may be completed as a Smart Lab project with teacher approval).
-Draw a picture (using the computer if you wish) of scene in the book.
-Write a movie trailer for this book. (Use the internet to see examples.) Act out and
video tape.
-If you have read other books by this author, describe the similarities/differences in the books.
-Analyze the writer’s vocabulary, sentence structure, and ability to tell a story. Does this writer’s style add to the story? Write a well-developed essay that includes examples from the book.
-Create a collage (using pictures, headlines, etc., from magazines, computer clip art, your own drawings, or other resources) that portrays a chapter or character in your novel.
-Recreate a section of dialogue in the book using your own words. Can you keep the characters “in character”? Describe your process. Was this difficult for you? Explain your answer. Please include both versions.
-Choose an object that is significant to your novel’s plot and build a 3-D model.
-Record your dialogue (script) using the audio station at the Smart Lab. Ask some friends to play a part.
-Do you have a great question you would like to ask your author? Do you have an opinion about the book you want to share with the author or publisher? Ask a question or send a response directly to the author or publisher. This can be accomplished by locating the mailing address or email address. If you would like a written response, you should include a self-addressed, stamped, envelope. Turn in a copy of your correspondence and response.
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Create an electronic portfolio of your work similar to what you would create in Smart Lab. Choosing this project will determine which projects you choose and their format. See Connie or Denise for help.