9th Lit/Comp Parallel Reading Project: Reader-Response Journals

For our parallel reading this semester, you have the option of choosing one of the following books from the past 3 years of Georgia Teen Peach Award nominees OR read the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. You will be assessed through thoughtful journal entries instead of a test. The final product will consist of 15 journal entries that you created based on the options below. You must choose each option one time and cannot repeat any option more than twice. I’ll be looking for thoughtful responses that, when finished, cover the entire book. This project will be a 100-point major grade.

Choose from the following list for each journal entry. Attempt all of them at least ONCE, none more than twice. One lengthy paragraph equates to approximately 150-200 words. Due date: Monday, November 17th. All entries must be typed or neatly hand-written (typing is preferable).

  • Quotation Response: Choose a quotation from your assigned reading. Write out the quotation using quotation marks, then list the page number. Finally, write a lengthy paragraph in which you react to, discuss, and interpret the quote in the larger context of what’s going on in the novel.
  • Unknown Vocab or Sophisticated Phrasing: Find 5 unknown or unfamiliar vocabulary words from your reading. Write the words out and the pages where you found them. Next, write what you think the words mean based on the context. Finally, look up the actual definitions and write them down. If you don’t run across unfamiliar words, choose 5 phrases that you think are particularly interesting or well-worded and discuss what you like about them.
  • My Life: Take an idea or two from your assigned reading and relate it to your own life in some way. 1 lengthy paragraph should do it. Be sure to be specific when you’re talking about a character or event (not just “I’m like Jane because I’m pretty” or “I’m like Lizzie because I like to read” – make sure to persuade me of your knowledge of the reading)
  • Figurative Language: Take a few figurative phrases from your assigned reading (not meant to be taken literally) (ex: They say when the hydrogen bomb explodes, it makes no sound…”) In a lengthy paragraph, explain the phrase and discuss how it relates to events in the novel.
  • Character POV: Take a section from your assigned reading and rewrite from another character’s point of view. 1 lengthy paragraph.
  • Genre-Switching: Summarize a scene or chapter in your head, then write the summary in a different genre (ex: poem, script, newspaper article, etc.) – be thorough.
  • Picture It: Based on your assigned reading, sketch a picture of what you considered to be one of the most important scenes. Describe the scene in 3-4 sentences then list 2 quotations from the text to support the scene.

The journal should be set up as follows: Look at the examples on the other side carefully to know what’s expected (it would be great if you typed these). Only a few examples are included.

Type of Journal Response / Student Response
Quotation
Unknown Vocab
My Life
Character POV / “Do I dare disturb the universe?” (29): This is a quote from Jerry’s poster in his locker. It seems like this will probably be a substantial theme in the book as Jerry has already decided to rebel against the Vigils’ wishes that he start selling chocolates. He seems to feel helpless since his mother died, like he couldn’t control what happens in his life. So by defying the Vigils he’s able to at least “disturb the universe” on some level thereby controlling something in his world.
Gestured (p. 41), specimen (p. 41), pityingly (p. 46), interim (p. 97), tirade (146), – I think gesture means to make a movement; specimen reminds me of something under a microscope; pityingly sounds like pity which means sadness in some way; interim sounds like intern, so maybe someone who works somewhere for a short time; tirade sound negative.
Gesture: (noun or verb)The use of such movements to express thought/ emotion
Specimen: (noun) an individual, object, or part regarded as typical of the group or class to which it belongs
Pityingly: (adverb) In a compassionate manner
Interim: (noun) A time in between
Tirade: (noun) a long angry speech
In chapter 6 of TCW, Jerry is mentally tormented by incessant threats from the Vigils. This reminds me of a frustrating time in my life: When I was in the 8th grade, a boy named Matt repeatedly made fun of me in the halls, cornered me against my locker and made rude comments, and finally, one day, chased after me on the upper level of my school and held my shoulders over the balcony, threatening to push me over. At the time, I didn’t even understand the significance of how severely I was being bullied – I just knew that it was a daily thing that I had to deal with. I wish I knew now that I could have told someone sooner – like my parents or a counselor. Matt ended up being expelled after several students witnessed what happened on the balcony, but I could have saved myself a lot of grief had I just spoken up sooner.
Chapter 8, page 72: Archie’s feelings once he’s realized Jerry wouldn’t sell chocolates:
“That little punk: who does he think he’s messing with? What he doesn’t know is that I’m intellectually superior to him. He has no idea of the impending mental torture I will put him through or how successfully I will bring down the wrath of the Vigils on him. I’m somewhat impressed with his nerve, but he’s chosen to exercise his ‘nerve’ with the wrong person. No one messes with me. I am a god.”