34 Your Favorite Books

Below, please share your top three to five favorite books of fifth grade.

Think of the books you read independently and the books we read together. I only want your best-of-the-best.

Let's write!

33 Mrs. Lord's Visit

Cynthia Lord was here!

I don't know about you, but her visit is always a highlight of my school year. I find her advice about writing to be priceless. And I love hearing the 'behind-the-scences' stories of her writing process.


Discussion Points:
a. What are your thoughts about Mrs. Lord's visit?
b. What part did you find most interesting?
c. Least interesting?
d. If one thing could have been different about our day with her, what you it be? How would you change her visit?

Let's write!


Here is a link to Mrs. Lord's on-line journal. I think her entry about visiting York is great!

32 The End

We've finished Rules. Let's share our impressions, likes, dislikes, questions and criticisms.

Please be sure both comment and respond to others' comments!


Discussion Points:
a. What were your favorite parts of Rules?
b. What are your criticisms of Rules (the things you thought could be better)?
c. Talk about your favorite and least favorite characters, and why you feel that way.
d. What questions are you left with?
e. What do you wish had been different?

Let's write!


Bonus: I'll give a pack of Smarteez to the first person who can correctly identify the TWO conjunctions in the first (and only) three sentences in this blog post.

31 Talking With Word (Cards)

Please reflect on your experience with your word cards. 

Discussion Points:

a. What was it like to be unable to speak?

b. Was any part of the simulation particularly frustrating? If so, which?

c. Was the simulation easier than you thought it would be? If so, how?

d. Do you have a better understanding of what it might be like to have a disability like Jason's? If so, talk about your new understanding?

e. What else would you like to say about using word cards?

Let's Write!

30 RULES: Jason and David

Welcome back! I'm excited to begin blogging with you again. I can't wait to read your thoughts and ideas. Let's get started.

In Rules, Catherine has two people in her life who live with unique challenges. Her brother, David, is autistic. And her friend, Jason, has a condition which has not yet been named. But we know that no matter what it is called, Jason can't talk, walk or use his hands well.

What I'd like you to do is contrast and compare David and Jason. Let's also talk about how Catherine deals with each character.

Before you begin writing, read all the comments that others have written and read the discussion points. Use both to guide your answers. You don't have to answer every discussion point. Pick one or two. However, I want each of you to write something unique. Please do you very best NOT to write a comment like any you have read.

And don't forget to comment on others' comments. That is the most fun part!

Discussion Points:
a. What are their similarities?
b. What are their differences?
c. Do David's and Jason's disabilities make them similar? How?
d. Do they make them different? In what ways?
e. How does Catherine deal with each character?
f. How does Catherine feel towards each character?
g. How does each character feel towards Catherine?
h. Do they share similar feelings?
i. Or are their feelings towards her very different? How?

Let's write!

29 Let's Talk: What A Character! II

Last week we found new words to describe Harris, the larger than life second cousin to 'Jeremy'. Here is the list y'all made:

confident
different
dissimilar
original
creative
mischievous
rascal
bold
unbalanced
unpredictable
forward
unafraid
optimistic
persistent
jaunty
fearless
venturesome
fidgety
undaunted
carefree
juvenile
hyperactive
unnerved
rambunctious
boisterous
rowdy
brave
courageous
forthright
undisciplined
imaginative
curious
impetuous
inventive
interesting

This is a very comprehensive list! The words on this list describe Harris's many traits. Someone who hasn't read Harris and Me and who does not know Harris would get a very, very clear picture of Harris.

Or would they?

This long list includes 36 excellent examples of what are known as Inner Character Traits. Inner Traits are those characteristics of characters (and real people) that are part of their personality. They are part of who the person is on the inside.

The opposite of Inner Character Traits are...you guessed it! Outer Character Traits. Outer Traits are those features that are part of a character's (or person's) physical appearance. Examples of Outer Traits include: hair color, eye color, height, weight, cleanliness, odor, facial features like freckles, zits or wrinkles, nose shape and posture.


Discussion Points:
a. Choose one other character from a book we've read together this year: Bridge, Charlotte's Web, Schooled or Harris and Me.
b. Describe that character using three (3) Inner Traits and three (3) Outer Traits.
c. As before, when describing this character's Inner Traits, use only new words that others would never think to use.
d. And when describing this character's Outer Traits, make an effort to choose features other might not remember or have thought out. Be unique! Be creative!

Let's Write!

28. Let's Talk: Harris - What A Character!

Harris is an original. Even though "Jeremy" is narrating the story, Harris feels like the main character, doesn't he?

Harris is "larger than life" (that's an idiom that means his traits and qualities and characteristics seem more interesting and more exciting than an ordinary person's).


Discussion Points:
a. Full credit (three points!) for commenting with two unique and accurate words to describe Harris. You might have to look some up in a thesaurus. Take you time!
b. Your two words must be spelled correctly. 
c. They must also be original. That means they can not have been used by anyone else. So be different! But keep true to Harris.
d. As always, come back to this post later. Read others' descriptive words. Then reply with whether you disagree or agree with that person's choice of words. And don't forget to explain WHY!

Let's write!

(Oh yeah, if you don't know what a word means, don't skip over it! Look it up! This is a vocabulary lesson as well as a reading lesson!)

27: Let's Talk - Compare and Contrast: Bridge and Schooled

So far this year we've read two stories that fall under the genre realistic fiction: Bridge to Terabithia and Schooled (although I would argue that one is WAY more realistic than the other - can you guess which?).

As the reader in you grows and becomes more able, one important skill to develop is the ability to compare and contrast characters, plots, settings, problems, etc. Being able to discern (that means 'figure out') similarities and differences helps you understand both stories better and helps you to more deeply appreciate them.

For example, let's compare and contrast Jess's farm to Garland Farm. First, the comparisons (similarities).

Jess's farm is small. Some might not even call it a farm. It is really nothing more than an old, run down farm house, a shed that housed Miss Bessie, a small vegetable garden, some fields and woods. It was home to a poor family who wished they had more money.

Garland Farm was also run down. And technically speaking it too was a poor family's home. But I think that is where the similarities end (if you can think of additional similarities, please add them in your comment!).

Now let's contrast (find differences).

Where as Jess's farm had always been a home to his family, Garland Farm had once been home to a commune. So many families had once lived at Garland Farm that, at its largest, it might have been considered a very small town. It was certainly an entire community.

Where as Jess's farm was run down because his family had trouble earning enough money to keep it up, Garland Farm was run down because Rain and Cap chose to have and spend as little money as possible. They believed money was the root of all evil. They wanted to keep their lives free from money to the greatest extent possible. Garland's run down condition was Rain and Cap's choice. That's a big difference! What do you think Jess's mom and dad would have said to Rain when they learned of that choice? Could they be more different?

Where as Jess's farm was one of the places he wanted to escape FROM, and therefore became one of the factors that led to the creation of Terabithia, Garland Farm is the place Cap wants to escape TO (for most of the story). C Average Middle School was so unlike Garland Cap felt disoriented. He saw Garland as the place that would save him, the place that would bring sanity back to his life.

Do you see how thinking and writing about the similarities and differences of just the farms in these two books can really help you gain a deeper understanding of the characters and stories. If you answered 'no', go back and reread this post. Seriously. Do it. You have plenty of time.

You can compare and contrast almost anything. Let's think of Bridge to Terabithia and Schooled again. With these to stories you could compare and contrast another setting like Lark Creek Elementary and C Average Middle School. You might compare and contrast characters, like Jess and Cap, Leslie and Rain, Zach and Janice Avery. Or, you could even compare and contrast parts of the plot, like the endings.



Discussion Points:
a. Think about both books.
b. Find one part of each to compare and contrast.
c. In your comment, list at least one comparison (similarity) and one contrast (difference).
d. Then, later, go to others' comments, read them, and reply with one additional comparison or contrast.
e. That means you're writing at least twice on this one Let's Talk post.

Let's write!

26. Let's Talk: Point of View - Part Two

We learned about point of view when we learned about first-person narration versus third-person narration. When the protagonist tells the story, we call that first-person point of view. When the author  tells the story we call that third-person point of view.

In this post we are going to focus on first-person point of view. Schooled uses first-person narration. And it does so in an interesting way. In Schooled, the protagonist, Capricorn Anderson, isn't the only narrator.

Many other characters tell the story as well. The other narrators include:


Mrs. Donnelly
Sophie Donnelly
Hugh Winkleman
Zach Powers
Naomi Erlanger
Darryl Pennyfield
Mr. Kasigi

Each character has a unique point of view. As readers, it is important for us to realize that any part of the story can be seen from any one of these characters' perspectives. And how a character interprets the story directly affects how that character narrates the story to you, the reader.

For example, let's take Cap's decision to save Mr. Rodrigo, the bus driver, by driving the bus to the hospital. Below are eight different ways, one from each character, to see this single event.

1. From Cap's point of view, he is doing the responsible thing because he is trying to save a life.

2. From Hugh's point of view, Cap might be a bit crazy. But Hugh also sees Cap as incredibly brave and daring. Hugh is also a bit blown away by extraordinary nature of the entire episode. In a way he just can't believe Cap drove a real school bus.

3. From Mr. Kasigi's point of view, Cap was acting irresponsibly because he chose to drive the bus instead of waiting for paramedics to handle the situation.

4. From Naomi's point of view, Cap was becoming a dreamy hero who was beginning to look cuter and cuter.

5. From Zach's point of view, well, Zach didn't know what to think of Cap at that point. Like Zach says later in the story, "Cap Anderson doesn't come with a book of instructions.".

6. From Mrs. Donnelly's point of view Cap was doing what would have been considered correct in a world like Garland Farm. But having been a part of both worlds, she knew his decision to drive the bus was completely out of the ordinary in the 'real world'.

And, of course, there are other characters in the story that are not narrators, but have their own point of view as well.

7. From the polices' point of view, Cap was breaking the law. He was behaving beyond irresponsibly. He was reckless. He was a criminal.

8. From Rain's point of view, Cap was proving himself to be compassionate, intelligent and an independent thinker. Rain saw Cap in this instance as someone who was not going to listen to "the man" just because the law said he should be driving. Rain saw Cap as someone who was going to stick to his beliefs about what's right and wrong no matter what. Rain saw Cap as a free thinker.

So, as you can see from these eight examples, every character, like every individual in real life, has their own unique interpretation of each event in a story. Each of these eight characters, had they been given the chance, would have narrated this part of the story differently. How they would have narrated this part of the story would have been completely affected by how their point of view; their interpretation of the event.

It is your job, as an experienced reader, to be able to know each character well enough to understand what their point of view probably is AND how it affects how each event in a story is narrated. I say 'probably' because the only way you could ever be 100% certain is to ask each character, which, of course, in impossible...usually.

So, point of view. When it comes to first-person narration, who the narrator is affects how the events of a story are interpreted and narrated. Each of the eight characters discussed above had their own interpretation of Cap's decision to drive the bus and therefore, would have narrated it differently.


Discussion Point:
a. Think deeply about Schooled.
b. Pick one event or moment, besides the bus incident.
c. In your comment, explain how three of the characters in Schooled probably interpreted that event, based on your understanding of their point of view.
d. Also, read others' comments and reply to them. In your reply add one more character's interpretation of that same event (the one talked about in the comment to which you have replied).

Let's write!

25 Quotes & Your Opinions

"All you need is love." - The Beatles

"(Middle school) is a cheesy, pre-package rehearsal for being alive." - Hugh Winkleman

"Sometimes we use money to get along, but that doesn't mean we have to become it's slave." - Rain

"Rain always said that nothing was more responsible than doing what was in your power to make another human being happy." - Capricorn Anderson

"Rain says there should be no limit on giving, on taking." - Capricorn Anderson

These are some of the more recent, interesting lines come from our read aloud, Schooled.


Discussion Points:
a. Read each.
b. Choose one.
c. Write about it. Do you agree? Why? Disagree? Why?
d. Include an example in your comment that helps to illustrate your opinion.

Let's write!

24 Let's Talk: Figurative Language

We've spent our shared reading time this week learning about different types of figurative language. The previous post talked about idioms.

We've also learned about hyperbole, metaphor and simile.

Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to make a point. An example is: "That was the toughest Math test in the world!"

Metaphor and simile are two techniques that accomplish the same goal. Each compares one thing to another to show a resemblance.

Metaphor uses an implicit comparison (remember, implicit is another form of the word 'imply', which means 'to suggest something without actually saying it'). An example of a metaphor is, 'The yard was the size of a postage stamp."

Simile uses an explicit comparison (remember, explicit means stated clearly and directly). It might be easier to remember that simile uses words such as 'like' or 'as' to make the comparison. "His heart was a big as a whale.".

Idiom.

Hyperbole.

Metaphor.

Simile.

Those are the four types of figurative language we studied this week. 

But there are many, many more types. Other types of figurative language include: alliteration, personification and onomatopoeia. We'll learn about these and others later.

Discussion Points:

a. As you read each night this week, be on the lookout for metaphors, similes and hyperbole. When you find an example, write it down.
b. If you don't know, or forget, what any of these are, ask someone, like your mom or dad or me.
c. In your comment, quote the metaphor, simile or hyperbole you found. Include the title and and page number of the book from which it came.
d. Then explain what that quote means.

Let's collect figurative language!

23 Let's Talk: Idioms

The Merriam-Webster School Dictionary defines idiom as "An expression that can not be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole."

The American Heritage Dicionary defines idiom as "...an expression...that...cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements (words), as in keep tabs on."

We talked about an idiom as an expression that has an entirely different meaning than that of its individual words.

For example, an idiom we discussed today was "a screw loose". Taken literally, it means a screw has come loose it, when it should be tight. But we know that as an idiom, "a screw loose" really means someone is a bit odd, weird or different.

We also saw "nine bricks shy of a full load" in action. Taken literally, that expression would mean there is a load of bricks that is short nine. If you had paid for those bricks you would either want those nine bricks found or refunded. But we know that as an idiom, "nine bricks shy of a full load" really means some is a bit odd, weird or different, very similar to "a screw loose".


Discussion Points:
a. As you read each night this week, be on the lookout for idioms. When you find one, write it down.
b. If you don't know what the idiom means, ask someone, like your mom or dad or me.
c. In your comment, quote the idiom you found. Include the title and and page number of the book from which it came.
d. Then explain what that idiom means.

Let's collect idioms!

22 Let's Talk: First or Third?

We spent time this past week learning about first person and third person narration.

If you recall, when the protagonist tells the story, that is called first person narration. As a reader, we get to know all the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist. But, since the protagonist, in most cases, can not read minds, what we know about all the other characters is limited to what the protagonist can see and hear.

When the author tells the story we call that third person narration. As readers we get know the thoughts and feelings of all the major characters.



Discussion Points:
a. Using the book you are currently reading independently, please begin by identifying the type of narration used. If it is a combination of both, let us know (I'm thinking of you Maximum Ride readers!).
b. Next, copy a quote from your book that proves you identified the type of narration correctly. Include the page number with your quote.
c. Finally, rewrite the quote using the unused type of narration.
d. For an extra challenge, try describing one way the type of narration has had an effect on the way you, as a reader, have come to know one of the characters.

Let's talk!

(Tip: Use the example comment to guide your comment)

21 Challenge! How Many Differences Can We Identify?

You have read the book. You have seen the movie.

Now it is time to talk. Let's focus our discussion to two topics.

The first is a challenge.


Discussion Points:
a. How many differences between the book and movie can we list? The challenge is to reach twenty-five. Go.
b. Which version did you enjoy more? Why? Give as many reasons as you can. Share what you rate the book and the movie.

Let's talk!

20 Let's Talk: Character Traits

Characters have traits just like real people. Characters can be tall, short, thin, fat, beautiful or ugly. They may have freckles or glasses or acne or brown hair or blue eyes. They can also be athletic, funny, depressing, artistic, outgoing, shy, intelligent, courageous, musical or mean. There is an endless number of traits a character may have.

Throughout a story, you, the reader, get to know a character by learning about their traits. Good readers often know when an author is explaining a character's trait. Great readers always know. The more you read, the better you will become at learning all the traits of a character.

Why is that important? Because the better you know the characters in the stories you read, the more strongly you will feel about them. You will love them more. Or hate them more. You will relate to them on a more personal level. Or know why you can't relate. You will cheer for them in good times. You will cry for them in sad times.

Bottom line: the better you know your characters, the more emotional investment you make in the stories you read. And more emotional investment means a more intense, enjoyable, meaningful reading experience. Books are better when you know your characters well!

For this post, your comment will include a quote. A quote is a piece of your story, word for word, that you use to prove your point. When you write a quote you must put quotation marks around the entire piece of text that you have copied from the story. It will look like this:

     "This is George Beard and Harold Hutchins. George is the kid on the left with the tie and the flat-top. Harold is the one on the right with the T-shirt and the bad haircut. Remember that now.
     If you were looking for a few words to describe George and Harold, you might come up with kind, funny, smart, determined, and deep.
     Just ask their principal, Mr. Krupp. He'll tell you that George and Harold are KINDa FUNNY-lookin' SMART alecks who are DETERMINED to drive everybody off the DEEP end."


Discussion Points:
a. In the book you are currently reading, please find ONE quote that clearly shows the author describing one of a character's traits. Copy that quote into your comment. Remember to use quotation marks.
b. Then explain, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, which character trait the quote you used describes. Share with us what you learned about your character by reading that quote.

Let's Talk!


Hints:
1. You may choose any character, but it will probably be easiest for you if you choose the protagonist (can you guess why?).
2. Look through the beginning of the story. That is where you will most often find descriptions of the protagonist and others.
3. Include the quote's page number.
4. Put an empty line between the quote and your own words.
5. To get a better sense of the kind of quote I'm asking you to find and write about, reread the example quote I provided in the post AND read the example comment before beginning.

19 Let's Talk: Compare and Contrast Settings

SETTING is when and where a story takes place. Some stories have only one setting. Some stories have more than one setting.

Charlotte's Web takes place in the early 1950s on a small farm somewhere in the Maine countryside. More specifically, most of the story takes place in the cellar of the barn and the connecting yard. Only the very beginning, when Wilbur is still living at the Arable's farm up the road, and the end, when Wilbur and the Arables and the Zuckermans go to the fair, take place in slightly different locations.

Bridge to Terabithia takes place in the 1970s on a small farm somewhere in the Virginian countryside. More specifically, Terabithia takes place in woods around Jess's home, Lark Creek Elementary school and the Old Perkin's Place.


Discussion Points:
a. First, describe the setting of a book you have read independently. Write your description so it is about as long as the two descriptions I wrote in this post.
b. Next, COMPARE that setting to the setting of Charlotte's Web. Talk about at least one SIMILARITY.
c. Finally, CONTRAST that same setting to the setting of Charlotte's Web. Talk about at least one DIFFERENCE.

Let's talk!

18 Let's Talk: THEME

If you recall from class, a story's theme (or themes - there may be more than one) can be thought of as its BIG idea.

For example, Leonardo the Terrible Monster has at least two themes. One theme is FRIENDSHIP. Leonardo makes a very big decision. He decides to be a friend to Sam. Leonardo learns that being a friend feels good and is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Another theme in Leonardo is ACCEPTANCE. Leonardo wants to be something he is not: scary. In the end he decides to ACCEPT that fact and love who he is: a cuddly, cute, adorable little guy with a great smile.

Here is another example. A theme in No David! is OBEDIENCE. David is naughty. A lot. In the end, he learns that kids who do not OBEY their parents get in trouble and feel bad about themselves.

Another theme in No David! is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. David is naughty. But no matter how many times he breaks the rules, his mom still loves him.


Discussion Points:
a. Think about a book you read this year.
b. Identify one theme in that story. Name it. And talk about how you know it is a theme, just like I did for Leonardo the Terrible Monster and No David!

Let's Talk!

17 Booktalk: Freckle Juice

As you get older, you will think back on your reading life and wonder how you missed reading some great, classic titles. Maybe, by the time you turn 35, you still will not have read Harry Potter. Or, possibly, you might grow into adulthood and have neglected to read Hatchet, or The Hunger Games or Winnie-the-Pooh. Well, in my case, I somehow lived 36 years without reading Freckle Juice.

Freckle Juice, by Judy Blume, is a short story of only 50 pages divided into five chapters. It is filled with illustrations.

The story begins with the protagonist, Andrew Marcus, wanting more than anything to have a face covered in freckles. Sharon, a conniving classmate, notices this and decides to play a nasty trick on Andrew. She offers to sell him her family's secret freckle juice recipe for only 50 cents (in 1971, when this story was written, 50 cents was worth about as much three dollars is today). When Andrew finally tries Sharon's 'magic potion' things don't go as planned.

One of the things I liked most about Freckle Juice was the straight forward, but incredible realistic, dialogue. Each line uses only small words. But each word is important and serves to push the story forward. In Freckle Juice I was able to appreciate just how a master writer can tell an incredibly enjoyable story with only a very few words.

If you've read any stories by Judy Blume, then you already know she has a very distinct style of story telling. Freckle Juice feels very similar to her other books; books such as: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great, Blubber and The Pain and The Great One.

If you haven't read any of the classics by Judy Blume before, there is no better book to begin with than Freckle Juice. Try it before you turn thirty-five!


Discussion Points:
a. Can you find any of the writing strategies we've been learning to use in class, in this book talk? Which ones?
b. Have you read Freckle Juice?
c. If so, what did you think of it? Why?
d. SPECIFIC feedback on this booktalk?
e. What did you like or not like about it?

Let's Write!

16 Understanding Story Parts

All stories have many things in common. Some of the things they have in common are their different parts.

Stories begin with an Introduction. The Introduction is the part of the story in which we meet the characters and learn about the setting.

Example: In No David! by David Shannon we meet David and his mom on the first two pages.

Next comes the Central Tension. We've talked about story's Central Tension's before. A story's Central Tension is the big problem(s) the protagonist faces.

Example: In No David! we learn on page two that David is a naughty boy.

After the Central Tension, Story Events, or rising actions, make up the biggest part of a story. The Story Events are everything that happens to the protagonist along the way to solving the Central Tension.

Example: In No David! David tries to snitch cookies, writes on the walls, runs down the street naked, plays with his food, picks his nose and makes a mess of his toys. Each of these is a Story Event.

The Climax occurs towards the end of a story. The Climax is the part of a story when the protagonist resolves the Central Tension.

Example: In No David! David doesn't listen to his mother and hits a baseball indoors, breaking a vase. While in Time-Out he realizes he has been very naughty. He feels very bad.

The Resolution is part of the story at the very end of the book. The Resolution shows how all the characters, including the protagonist, end up.

Example: In No David! David's mom gives David a hug and forgives him and tells him how much she loves him.


Discussion Points:
a. I would like you to think about the story you are currently reading OR the story you most recently finished.
b. Please identify each of the parts of a story in your book, like I just did for No David!
     1. Talk about the Introduction.
     2. Talk about the Central Tension.
     3. Talk about the Story Events.
     4. Talk about the Climax.
     5. Talk about the Resolution.

Let's Write!

15 Booktalk: The Islander by Cynthia Rylant

As a teacher, sometimes my job is to read books kids are reading so that I can 'stay in the loop'. I want to know, for myself, why a book is so popular.

Other times, however, my job is to read books that I know kids will NOT read, unless I do a great job of selling it.

The Islander by Cynthia Rylant is one of those books. The cover is boring; the title, boring too. The story is driven by the characters, as in Bridge to Terabithia. The story is NOT driven by an exciting or fast paced plot.

The Islander is about a boy named Daniel who lives is a small stone house on an island off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. While he lives with is grandfather, he spends a lot of his time alone, looking for treasures the ocean has washed ashore. One day he finds mermaids comb. This magical item leads to a brief encounter with the mermaid who comes to shore to retrieve her comb. Days later, a sea otter throws to shore a shell. In it, Daniel finds his own mysterious and magical treasure, a key. As this short story progresses, Daniel has to deal with the devastating effects of a terrible storm, help to find a missing little girl and deal with the loss of a beloved family member. All the while Daniel searches for what the key will open. Finally, at the end of this touching story, the key's true use is revealed to David and the reader.

Like I said earlier, this is not an exciting story. And it is not a fast paced story. But, it is a very enjoyable story. Daniel is the narrator, and as he told the story, I began to feel like I knew Daniel as a real person. While this story does have an element of fantasy, mermaids are not real after all, it is not a fantasy story. It feels much more like a realistic fiction tale. I liked how believable both Daniel and the story were, despite the mermaid as a minor character.

The other thing I like about the book is that it felt original. That is, I can't really think of another story quite like it. I suppose I could suggest other short, realistic fiction stories by Cynthia Rylant, such as A Fine White Dust and Missing May. But, having read both, I have to say, the most significant similarities   are the books' short length and the author. This story is unique!

So, if you want to try a very different, unique and original character driven tale, I would suggest The Islander. You might enjoy it for very unexpected reasons!


Discussion Points:
a. Look at this booktalk from the perspective of the Five S's': Specifics, Summary, Strong Points, Suggestions, Sell It!. I was creative with at least one of the Five S's and did some different things. Which 'S' do you think I changed quite a bit? How did I change it?
b. How does this story sound to you? Do you feel like you might give it a chance?
c. Have you ever given a book a chance, even though you didn't like the cover or review of the book?
d. If so, which book what it?

Let's Write!