Book Talk!!

Yea, time to read! Okay, so maybe you are not as happy about reading as I am, but at least this time you get to choose the novel you will read. Your Book Talk project will be due March 9th. Although your assignment has not been posted in your lessons yet, I thought I would be nice and give you a heads up.

A lot of you have asked some great questions, so--to be sure we all have a chance to hear (or at least read) the answers, I have posted the common questions here along with their answers.

Q: What book do I have to read?
A: You get to choose what book you want to read. The only restriction is that it must be a novel (a book with chapters and a story--no collections of short stories please) You can choose any novel you like including a graphic novel (you may want to check with me or your librarian to be sure the graphic novel you choose is considered a graphic novel and not a comic book.)

Q: Can I read a biography?
A: Yes! Non fiction novels, such as biographies and autobiographies, are acceptable.

Q: Can I read the Bible or the Qu'ran?
A: Yes, but remember that as part of your assignment you are to look at these from a Literature point of view. You will need to read these books as a piece of literature rather than as a spiritual text. Looking at these texts as literature means that you are going to critique the writing based on the skills we learn in class and approach them like you would any other book. Also, remember that you are attending a Public School -- this means that you are not allowed to use this assignment as a chance to "preach" your religion or to "slam" another religion (take it up with the Supreme court, not me--this is part of the separation of church and state rulings)

Q: How long does the book have to be?
A: The novel you choose should be about 200-300 pages long. Remember that you are choosing a book for your 9th grade, high school, English class. Choose Wisely! Choosing a book that is clearly beneath your reading level is a sign that you are not taking your assignment or the class seriously and will be addressed.

Q: Can I read To Kill a Mockingbird or Hiroshima?
A: No, you cannot read a book we have used for class. I also suggest that you don't choose a book you have read before, unless you plan to re-read the book. Your written assignment will be fairly thought out and detailed so it is important that the book is fresh in your mind.

Have another question? Feel free to email me the question, or to post it to the comments.