Ava D > Recent Status Updates

49.If I could talk to the author of this book, I would tell him/her…
If I could talk to the author of this book, I would tell her that she is so talented! I love how there is so much foreshadowing going on and how throughout the book the reader has so many "aha" moments. Everything is subtly woven together and I think that is so clever.

96.Make a list of characters in your book. Transform the major characters in your book to animals. Decide upon an animal for each based upon personality traits.

Emily Brent: an owl, because she is wise, reserved, and trusted
General Macarthur: a peacock because he is boastful and proud
Vera Claythorne: a kitten because she is youthful and unaware
Anthony Marston: a panther because he is always on edge

87.Give 3 reasons why this book should be taught to the whole class.
This book should be taught to the whole class because has a very complex plotline, very good examples of foreshadowing, and it is interesting, so I think you could keep students engaged.

62.In what ways are you like any of the characters? Explain.
I am like Justice Wargrave in that I am very bent on democracy and what is fair and what is not.

60.What parts of the book seem most believable or unbelievable? Why?
I dont believe that ten people would all come to an island for a vacation just because they were all invited by someone they have never heard of. That just doesnt seem like a smart choice to me...

91.Choose a character of the book, decide what would be an appropriate birthday present for that character and explain why.
I would give Anthony Marston a gucci belt for his birthday, he just seems very boujee and I think he would appreciate it.

64.Which character would you like to be in this book? Why?
I would like to be Emily Brent. I don't know a lot about her yet but she seems very respected and sure of herself. She knows what she likes and what she doesn't, which I admire.

57.Do you like the ending of the book? Why or why not?
I love the ending of this book! I think the entire book is very short but very dense, and so I love how it ends. It basically says, if all else fails, just do the right thing. I love this because a lot of times we find ourselves making tough decisions, when the answer is really simple; just do the right thing.

46.The most important thing I learned about _____________ is…
The most important thing I learned about is leading by example. My job is not to judge others, but to love them anyway and set an example for others to learn from. I really love this idea, because it takes a lot of weight off of me and it reminds me of my purpose, all for the glory.

92.Discuss a portion of the book that was too predictable.
Part of the book that was too predictable was in chapter 3 when it says that a leader should be trustworthy and respectable. I feel like this is common sense, but I think it is wise that the author sets standards and expectations for others.

49.If I could talk to the author of this book, I would tell him…
I love the idea of praying for everyone, even our enemies and/or people we don't like. I think that there is nothing more special than praying for someone who doesn't know it, and I love that he encourages this.

74.What are some words you don’t know?
Some words I don't know are doctrine, genealogies, stewardship, profane, and foremost.

57.Do you like the ending of the book? Why or why not? Do you think there is more to tell?
I love the ending of this book. With a lot of books of the Bible, I feel like they kind of leave you hanging or just don't tie everything up, the book kind of just stops. I love the ending in James because it ties everything previously talked about in the book and it ends on a very hopeful and positive note.

67.Some other possible titles for this book might be…(minimum of 5)
1. Count It All Joy
2. Every Good and Perfect Gift
3. Exalted
4. Patience in Suffering
5. Accountability & Faith

90.Write a letter to the author of your book.
Dear James,
Thank you so much for your letter! It has brought me so much hope in times of struggle, as well as reminded me who I am and where my help comes from. I love how humbly you write, placing all your trust in the Lord, knowing that we as people are going to sin because it is in our nature, but trying your best to live out your faith. This inspires me so much!

21.As I read, I felt…
As I read, I felt amazement as well as a call to action. In verse 24 of chapter 3, the text says "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." This is a great reminder for me that yes, faith is amazing, but it must be lived out every second of every day. This makes me want to try even harder to glorify Him in everything I do!!

56.What is the best part of the book? Why?
The best part is in the second verse of the book. It says "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." This makes me so happy to know that even when I am struggling, there is a purpose behind it all. Everything happens for a reason and I love that I can trust and rejoice in that.

72.What questions in this book would you like answered?
I would like to know who Diotrephes is and why he is being selfish. I would like to know why he is refusing to help others, and why John is trying so hard to convince him otherwise, even though it would benefit others but not himself.

68.What was the author’s purpose for writing this book?
The author's purpose for writing this book is to inform the reader of the greatest commandment; to love one another. It makes me so happy that the author was compassionate about this topic to write about it, because this book has now helped me and many others understand the importance of loving your neighbor.

76.What type of reader would enjoy this book and why?
I think any Christian would fall in love with this book because of it's promising and hopeful tone. I also think that anyone who wants to learn more about Christ and what he did for the world would enjoy this book because it discusses many of the uplifting and freeing aspects of truth and of christianity.

69.Has the book helped you in any way? Explain.
This book has helped me to slow down and look at where I place my values and my baggage. It has taught me that I am free from my baggage and that it is not my place to judge others. My one and only job on this earth is to love others because he loved me first, and to let Him do the rest of the work through me!

52.Did this book make you laugh? cry? cringe? smile? cheer? Explain.
The first verse in chapter 3 made me smile. It says "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are." This makes me so happy to know that despite my flaws and faults, He still loves me and calls me his, which brings me so much peace.

53.What connections are there between the book and your life? Explain.
A connection I made between this book and my life is the importance of honesty. I'm going to mess up and make mistakes and that's okay! What's important is that I learn to admit my wrongs, move on, and forgive others.

69.Has the book helped you in any way? Explain.
This book has helped me to stop worrying about mistakes I made in the past or future problems. It made me realize that even though I have good days and bad days, I never have had a day without Him, and that is enough to put away all my worries!

25.I began to think of…
After reading verse 15 of chapter 8; "And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun" I began to think of how even though we don't know what may come tomorrow, we always have a choice between going through life with either joy or sorrow, so why not choose joy?

38.________________ made me think of...
Verse 12 of chapter 6, "For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?" Made me think of how even though I don't know what tomorrow holds, I don't need to worry about it. I should focus on my actions in the current moment and do all in my power to bring glory to Him in all that I do.

46.The most important thing I learned about _ is…
The most important thing I learned from this passage is to be still and trust what is to come. In chapter 3, it says that there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace." This reminds me that even when I worry I'm wrong or off schedule, I'm not, because even the storm has an appointment.

55.Who should or shouldn’t read this book? Why?
I think that anyone who enjoys fiction and thrillers should read this book. There is always a lot going on, which is what makes the book so interesting. I've enjoyed making predictions about what is going to happen next and seeing if I get it right or not.