Thursday, April 24, 2008
Don't Forget to Vote
The poll is at the bottom of this blog. Voting ends on April 29th! Please spread the word!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Book Summaries for June Discussion
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
In this exquisite fantasy, Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward must control the blood lust she arouses in him because--he's a vampire. This deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful novel captures the struggle between defying instincts and satisfying desires. ~ OPAC
Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde
Various people recall aspects of the life of Raquel Falcone, an unpopular, overweight freshman at Quail Run High School, including classmates, her parents, and the driver who struck and killed her as she was walking home from an animated film festival. ~OPAC
Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman
When sixteen-year-old Blake goes to a mysterious, by-invitation-only carnival he somehow knows that it could save his comatose brother, but soon learns that much more is at stake if he fails to meet the challenge presented there by the beautiful Cassandra. ~OPAC
Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman
After losing her entire family to the Nazis at age 13, Alicia Appleman-Jurman went on to save the lives of thousands of Jews, offering them her own courage and hope in a time of upheaval and tragedy. Not since The Diary of Anne Frank has a young voice so vividly expressed the capacity for humanity and heroism in the face of Nazi brutality. ~Barnes & Noble
Northern Light by Jennifer Donnely
In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story. ~OPAC
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This is the tale of family, memory, love, and living told by 14-year-old Susie Salmon, who is already in heaven. Through the voice of a precocious teenage girl, Susie relates the awful events of her death and builds out of her family's grief a hopeful and joyful story. ~OPAC
The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer
Wanna-be Washington power brokers devise a game in which staffers bet on which bills will become law and where money will be spent. The game turns deadly as its players become pawns, with the fate of the hero and the world resting in the hands of a teenaged intern. ~Amazon
In this exquisite fantasy, Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward must control the blood lust she arouses in him because--he's a vampire. This deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful novel captures the struggle between defying instincts and satisfying desires. ~ OPAC
Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde
Various people recall aspects of the life of Raquel Falcone, an unpopular, overweight freshman at Quail Run High School, including classmates, her parents, and the driver who struck and killed her as she was walking home from an animated film festival. ~OPAC
Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman
When sixteen-year-old Blake goes to a mysterious, by-invitation-only carnival he somehow knows that it could save his comatose brother, but soon learns that much more is at stake if he fails to meet the challenge presented there by the beautiful Cassandra. ~OPAC
Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman
After losing her entire family to the Nazis at age 13, Alicia Appleman-Jurman went on to save the lives of thousands of Jews, offering them her own courage and hope in a time of upheaval and tragedy. Not since The Diary of Anne Frank has a young voice so vividly expressed the capacity for humanity and heroism in the face of Nazi brutality. ~Barnes & Noble
Northern Light by Jennifer Donnely
In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story. ~OPAC
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This is the tale of family, memory, love, and living told by 14-year-old Susie Salmon, who is already in heaven. Through the voice of a precocious teenage girl, Susie relates the awful events of her death and builds out of her family's grief a hopeful and joyful story. ~OPAC
The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer
Wanna-be Washington power brokers devise a game in which staffers bet on which bills will become law and where money will be spent. The game turns deadly as its players become pawns, with the fate of the hero and the world resting in the hands of a teenaged intern. ~Amazon
Monday, April 21, 2008
Club Officers
If you would like to run for one of the following positions, please see Mrs. Konzelmann in the library for an "Official Ballot":
President
Vice/Co President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant at Arms
I will post all of the candidates when I receive all of the ballots. Voting will be at our next PVTRAC meeting on June 4th.
Mrs. Hoffman
President
Vice/Co President
Secretary
Treasurer
Sergeant at Arms
I will post all of the candidates when I receive all of the ballots. Voting will be at our next PVTRAC meeting on June 4th.
Mrs. Hoffman
Thursday, April 17, 2008
13RW Discussed.
Hannah Baker
We agreed that Hannah was a bit selfish in sending the tapes. It was almost as though she wanted a bit of revenge. She tended to over-analyze things and everything that happened was magnified in her eyes. That led to the conclusion that she was probably already depressed and had a low self-esteem.
Whenever someone tried to reach out to her, she pushed them away. She didn't allow anything good into her mind, all she remembered was the bad.
Someone brought up the fact that she never talked to any of her friends about what was happening. She didn't have anyone she could trust and always had her guard up.
Someone also realized that Hannah sort of walked into the last reason, like she was looking for another reason to kill herself.
Characters
Clay actually asked most of the questions we were thinking while reading the book.
Justin was probably looking to build up his own reputation, and probably didn't realize what he did to Hannah, as said by someone in the group.
Jessica and Hannah were friends in the beginning. We all agreed that Jessica should have trusted Hannah more than the rumors. Rumors aren't always true.
We all thought that Courtney managed her reputation and image in everything she did. Some of us thought Hannah sort of tested her friendship with Courtney by waiting for her to say good-bye, while she herself didn't say good-bye. And, Hannah was able to have full control, when the picture was taken at the party.
Some of us thought that Marcus was dealing with his grief with anger.
Tony was considered like a big brother character, who took care of Clay, when he was listening to the tapes.
When the publisher of the Lost and Found printed Hannah's poem, we all considered that the ultimate betrayal.
No one in her peer communications class tried to help her.
Everyone agreed that Mr Porter could have done something more to help Hannah, and played a big role in Hannah deciding to kill herself.
Symbolism
One of us pointed out that there might be a deeper meaning to the feet. Hannah had big feet, because she wanted to be on the ground.
The word 'sorry was also important. As one of us said it was as if the whole book was sorry.
Hannah described the things that happened to her as a 'snowball effect'. It all just started from one thing and then piled up.
When Clay reached out to Skye in the end of the book, it showed that he was going to be okay. Someone mentioned that it was a hopeful message, showing that Clay was going to be okay.
Reactions
Throughout the story most of us wanted to reach out to Hannah, and we wanted to remind her that it's not all bad.
In some of the situations, a couple of us could relate to her.
Some of us are now watching what we say and the impact we have on other people.
Comparison to Speak
We realized, that in both books the parents didn't know what was going on in their daughter's life.
The Cover and Theories
Everyone agreed that the cover drew them in.
Most of us are waiting for a sequel, where the 13 people get together.
We agreed that Hannah was a bit selfish in sending the tapes. It was almost as though she wanted a bit of revenge. She tended to over-analyze things and everything that happened was magnified in her eyes. That led to the conclusion that she was probably already depressed and had a low self-esteem.
Whenever someone tried to reach out to her, she pushed them away. She didn't allow anything good into her mind, all she remembered was the bad.
Someone brought up the fact that she never talked to any of her friends about what was happening. She didn't have anyone she could trust and always had her guard up.
Someone also realized that Hannah sort of walked into the last reason, like she was looking for another reason to kill herself.
Characters
Clay actually asked most of the questions we were thinking while reading the book.
Justin was probably looking to build up his own reputation, and probably didn't realize what he did to Hannah, as said by someone in the group.
Jessica and Hannah were friends in the beginning. We all agreed that Jessica should have trusted Hannah more than the rumors. Rumors aren't always true.
We all thought that Courtney managed her reputation and image in everything she did. Some of us thought Hannah sort of tested her friendship with Courtney by waiting for her to say good-bye, while she herself didn't say good-bye. And, Hannah was able to have full control, when the picture was taken at the party.
Some of us thought that Marcus was dealing with his grief with anger.
Tony was considered like a big brother character, who took care of Clay, when he was listening to the tapes.
When the publisher of the Lost and Found printed Hannah's poem, we all considered that the ultimate betrayal.
No one in her peer communications class tried to help her.
Everyone agreed that Mr Porter could have done something more to help Hannah, and played a big role in Hannah deciding to kill herself.
Symbolism
One of us pointed out that there might be a deeper meaning to the feet. Hannah had big feet, because she wanted to be on the ground.
The word 'sorry was also important. As one of us said it was as if the whole book was sorry.
Hannah described the things that happened to her as a 'snowball effect'. It all just started from one thing and then piled up.
When Clay reached out to Skye in the end of the book, it showed that he was going to be okay. Someone mentioned that it was a hopeful message, showing that Clay was going to be okay.
Reactions
Throughout the story most of us wanted to reach out to Hannah, and we wanted to remind her that it's not all bad.
In some of the situations, a couple of us could relate to her.
Some of us are now watching what we say and the impact we have on other people.
Comparison to Speak
We realized, that in both books the parents didn't know what was going on in their daughter's life.
The Cover and Theories
Everyone agreed that the cover drew them in.
Most of us are waiting for a sequel, where the 13 people get together.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY Website
Hi everyone!
Only one more day! I just wanted to tell everyone while looking for some info on the the author of our book selection, Jay Asher, I came across the website for the book "TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY." There is some bio info about the author as well as an "interactive map," the same map that Hannah refers to in the book. It's cool, you should check it out http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/. I have been corresponding with the author via e-mail; nice guy! I told him I would ask all of you to post some comments about the book after our discussion tomorrow, in case he wanted to take a look. So feel free to comment, I'm sure Jay will appreciate hearing what you think of his book.
Have a great day!
Mrs. Hoffman
Only one more day! I just wanted to tell everyone while looking for some info on the the author of our book selection, Jay Asher, I came across the website for the book "TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY." There is some bio info about the author as well as an "interactive map," the same map that Hannah refers to in the book. It's cool, you should check it out http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/. I have been corresponding with the author via e-mail; nice guy! I told him I would ask all of you to post some comments about the book after our discussion tomorrow, in case he wanted to take a look. So feel free to comment, I'm sure Jay will appreciate hearing what you think of his book.
Have a great day!
Mrs. Hoffman
Monday, April 14, 2008
Book Discussion
Just a reminder...we meet this week! Please try to come in with a question, comment, quote, etc. Write it down on a piece of paper and bring it with you. Also, bring any recommendations for our next selection.
Don't forget we will be voting for officers...so if you are interested, be ready to tell us why you would like to run for the office.
Have a great day!
Mrs. Hoffman
Don't forget we will be voting for officers...so if you are interested, be ready to tell us why you would like to run for the office.
Have a great day!
Mrs. Hoffman
Operation Teen Book Drop
I came across this website and thought this was a pretty cool idea. Here is the link in case anyone is interested. http://www.readergirlz.com/tbd.html
This is an excerpt from the site, however, please visit because there are many other activities you can participate in.
Drop a Book on April 17th
" Leave one copy of your novel, with a TBD bookplate pasted inside, in a teen gathering spot in your community. Place it where the book will be found, taken, and read. (i.e. a coffee shop, the park, your school, a bus stop.) Imagine the fun someone will have when they find your donation! This is the same day all 10,000 publisher-donated books will be dropped in pediatric hospitals across the country, and it is the same day authors and readergirlz worldwide will release their own books into their communities just as you have."
Mrs. Hoffman
This is an excerpt from the site, however, please visit because there are many other activities you can participate in.
Drop a Book on April 17th
" Leave one copy of your novel, with a TBD bookplate pasted inside, in a teen gathering spot in your community. Place it where the book will be found, taken, and read. (i.e. a coffee shop, the park, your school, a bus stop.) Imagine the fun someone will have when they find your donation! This is the same day all 10,000 publisher-donated books will be dropped in pediatric hospitals across the country, and it is the same day authors and readergirlz worldwide will release their own books into their communities just as you have."
Mrs. Hoffman
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