Ms. Flagg’s Comments (group member since Sep 16, 2014)

Ms. Flagg’s comments from the 811 Reviews group.

Paragraph 1:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not? Provide a minimum of TWO reasons.
2.) What is the most important theme of the story? How do you know?

Paragraph 2:
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain what happened in the text and use a specific example of how you related.
2.) To whom (specific person/age group) would you recommend this text? Why?
3.) Which is better--this or Absolutely True Diary? Why?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most interesting aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Each paragraph should be a MINIMUM of 6-8 sentences!

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1:
Did you like/dislike the book? Provide at least TWO specific reasons for your opinion and explain them.

Paragraph 2: Reflecting
This book is banned (not allowed) in many school districts. Do you think it should be banned? Provide at least two reasons to support your opinion.

If you're feeling stuck on how to structure your paragraphs, you may use the RAFTAT strategy which is outlined below:

R: Restate the question
A: Answer the question (both the R&A should be part of the topic sentence)
F: For example...
T: This shows...
A: Another example...
T: This shows...

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee is a dystopian novel that tells the story of how a "by-the-book" Magistrate is changed after witnessing the inhumane treatment of innocent barbarians in his town by the powerful Empire. Even though the Magistrate was warned that a group of nomadic barbarians were considering rebelling, he does not believe that his town is under much threat because the Barbarians are usually harmless. However, corrupt government officials decide that they are still going to be held prisoner within the walls of his town. After seeing the mistreatment of the barbarians and developing a relationship with a barbarian woman who has been blinded and disfigured by her own people, he begins to reflect upon his own routines and behaviors and decides to make a change, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Empire.

I recommend this book to, well, everyone. There are many ways that people abuse power, and it is important for people that people do not take passive roles when they see injustice. This can extend from political injustice to every day events such as bullying, domestic violence, troubled friends, littering, etc. If we want to be part of a safe community, then we must be active participants in creating a positive environment. As I write this I am reminded of a famous quote by Gandhi--"“We must become the change we want to see.” It reminds me of Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian because Arnold Spirit stands up against the hopelessness within his own community, even if it means he will be an outcast. Just like the Magistrate, Arnold begins to realize that by not challenging himself, he is simply part of the vicious cycle of poverty and may end up like the sad people around him.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

“The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help.” This quote opens Walter Dean Myers's intense text, Monster, a work of realistic fiction that takes place in New York City during the 1990s. Using journal entries and scripts, the novel tells the story of Steve Harmon, a sixteen year-old accused of being an accessory in the robbery of a convenience store and the murder of its owner. Feeling alienated from society, Steve is forced to reflect upon his own character to determine whether he is in fact the monster that much of society believes him to be. Talented and intelligent, the once aspiring film-maker is now a resident of the Manhattan Detention Center. Dealing with the pressure of disappointing his parents and failing as a role model to his brother Jerry, Steve uses writing to cope with the fear during the murder trial, as he faces the reality of a life behind bars.

Overall, I thought Monster to be an amazing journey. Steve faces many of the same problems that many teens do today. Not only does Steve endure pressure from neighborhood delinquents, but he also struggles with deciding what kind of man he wants to be. Is having strong moral character more important than maintaining his image and proving to people that he has, as the delinquent Bobo phrases it, "heart." Therefore, I would recommend this book my students, for it might encourage them to think twice before making a choice they know to be wrong. Because I think he understands teens so well, I would recommend to Myers that he writes more novels with female protagonists. Girls face many of the same issues as boys, yet novels often portray them as superficial or dramatic. I believe that he his themes about standing up for yourself and resisting peer pressure would also resonate with them and serve as an inspiration for positive decision making. Bottom line, whether his books are geared for boys or girls, teens or adults, Walter Dean Myers's engaging writing style, inspiring themes, and realistic conflicts continue to cause his readers to deeply reflect about the choices they make in deciding what kind of person they ultimately want to be.

Paragraph 1: Summarize the text without giving away the ending. In your summary, make sure to identify the genre, protagonist, antagonist, setting, and the primary conflict. This paragraph should be a MINIMUM of five sentences.

Paragraph 2: Reflection (should be a minimum of six sentences)
Answer at least TWO of the following questions:
1.) Did you like/dislike this book? Why/why not?
2.) Did you make any personal connections to the text? Explain.
3.) To whom would you recommend this text? Why?
4.) What advice would you give to the author? What questions do you have?
5.) How does this book compare to others you have read by the same author?
6.) How does this book compare to others you have read in the same genre?
7.) What was the most aspect of the text? Character development? The setting? The kind of conflict?
8.) Create your own interesting question!

Here's a model of an exemplar review:

“The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help.” This quote opens Walter Dean Myers's intense text, Monster, a work of realistic fiction that takes place in New York City during the 1990s. Using journal entries and scripts, the novel tells the story of Steve Harmon, a sixteen year-old accused of being an accessory in the robbery of a convenience store and the murder of its owner. Feeling alienated from society, Steve is forced to reflect upon his own character to determine whether he is in fact the monster that much of society believes him to be. Talented and intelligent, the once aspiring film-maker is now a resident of the Manhattan Detention Center. Dealing with the pressure of disappointing his parents and failing as a role model to his brother Jerry, Steve uses writing to cope with the fear during the murder trial, as he faces the reality of a life behind bars.

Overall, I thought Monster to be an amazing journey. Steve faces many of the same problems that many teens do today. Not only does Steve endure pressure from neighborhood delinquents, but he also struggles with deciding what kind of man he wants to be. Is having strong moral character more important than maintaining his image and proving to people that he has, as the delinquent Bobo phrases it, "heart." Therefore, I would recommend this book my students, for it might encourage them to think twice before making a choice they know to be wrong. Because I think he understands teens so well, I would recommend to Myers that he writes more novels with female protagonists. Girls face many of the same issues as boys, yet novels often portray them as superficial or dramatic. I believe that he his themes about standing up for yourself and resisting peer pressure would also resonate with them and serve as an inspiration for positive decision making. Bottom line, whether his books are geared for boys or girls, teens or adults, Walter Dean Myers's engaging writing style, inspiring themes, and realistic conflicts continue to cause his readers to deeply reflect about the choices they make in deciding what kind of person they ultimately want to be.