Independent Novel Study

Week 1 - Read first quarter of the book by Friday's reading quiz.

Make a presentation for Wednesday that gives us:

  1. 10 facts about the author's life (cite your source(s)).
  2. A BRIEF synopsis of the book (cite your source(s)).
  3. Three images of the time and place of the book. Explain each.

Week 2 - Read first half of the book by Thursday's reading quiz.

Write a paragraph that answers one of the following prompts. Use quotes and examples from the book. Be prepared to read it to us, and hand it in, on Wednesday. If you and a classmate are reading the same book, choose different prompts.

  • What is the main character like?
  • Describe the setting, the culture in which the action takes place.
  • Explain the central conflict of the book.
  • Describe the way the style of the book gets across deep ideas in an interesting way.

Week 3 - Read 3/4 of the book by Wednesday's reading quiz.

Research the country in which your book takes place, and present the following on Thursday:

  1. Five images that represent the action of the book so far. Explain each, and relate it to the book.
  2. An image that represents the way you think the book will end. Explain your thinking.
  3. A song that you connect to the book, somehow. As you play it for us, explain your thinking.

Week 4 - Finish the book by Tuesday's reading quiz.

Choose one of the following projects, or propose your own, to show us all by Friday.

  • Write a letter to me in which you convince me that I should / should not require International Lit students to read this book next year.
  • Write a letter of advice to the main character, and write the main character's reply.
  • Write a different ending to the book, and then a paragraph justifying your choices.
  • Imagine your favorite character is brought onto late night TV for an interview. Write the transcript. Or film the interview!
  • Create a television advertisement for the book.
  • Write an essay comparing the movie version of your book to your book. Why did the director make the choices s/he made?
  • Choose a quote from the book that you think would be a good motto for life. In an essay, explain why it would be a good philosophy, and describe the extent to which the main character of the book embraced this motto.
  • Imagine you are about to send three birthday gifts to the main character of this book, at any point in his/her life. Write a letter to him/her describing what you bought him/her, and why you bought each gift.
  • Write and perform an original song that tells the story of and/or explores the theme of the book.
  • Write a scene that has been lost from the book, and a paragraph explaining your choices.
  • Create a map or timeline or other artistic representation of the plot of the book and present it to us with an explanation of your choices.