1. You read 3 (or more) books this past summer. Which book from the summer reading list did you find to be the most "interesting"? In a paragraph or two, tell me what it takes to make a book interesting (in your opinion) and how the summer book you chose met the standard of "most" interesting. If NONE of the books qualified for that title (again, in your opinion) tell me where and why they fell short of your standard.

      Finally, tell me what things you read OTHER than assigned books? Did you read magazines, other novels, travel guides for a vacation, instructions for how to work something, whatever? Think it over, this could be a longer list than you first imagine! Which of these other things was the most interesting.... did you use the same standard as you did for paragraph one? If not, why not?

     Out of the three books from the summer reading list that I read over the summer, I found both The Picture of Dorian Gray and Jane Eyre to be very interesting.  In my opinion, an interesting book should be able to keep my attention and be easy to understand.  An interesting book should have dynamic characters and a well developed plot.  The Picture of Dorian Gray was interesting because the characters each had a strong personality, but I found the plot line to be a bit thin.  The book I found to be the most interesting was Jane Eyre.  It was easy for me to understand the dialogue, the characters each had strongly developed personalities, and the plot was very exciting.  I especially liked Jane's wit and her intelligence.

      Other than the assigned books, I read a number of fantasy/science fiction books.  I read the first four books of the Harry Potter series (for the third time), as well as Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce, Spirits That Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman, and By Royal Command by Charlie Higson.  I also read a number of articles in recent The Reader's Digest and Time magazines (especially the jokes).  Out of these books Trickster's Choice is the most interesting.   I believe this book has a very interesting plot, the characters are well developed, and I highly enjoyed the main character's sense of humor.  I used the same standard for the books as I did for the required reading, but it is very difficult to judge articles in magazines with the same criteria.  The articles in magazines are brief and informative and, unlike novels, they do not necessarily have complex characters or detailed plots.  Though the articles can be very interesting, the definition of an "interesting" article would be very different than that of an "interesting" novel.

** I enjoyed your eclectic range of reads this summer. I am going to have to check out Tamora Pierce... she sounds good! I am also fascinated that you rated an old classic like Jane Eyre so highly! Good to know the Bronte's can still fascinate readers! I like Jane... she's tough! Now you'll need to check out The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde... a fantasy in which people of the future have learned how to go "into" various books...once you've read the real novel it's an absolute HOOT!

2. Consider the novel you read for the theme SELF-DISCOVERY.

What exactly was it that the novel's main character discovered about himself/herself? Explain how this discovery was an integral part of the novel's substance or core.

How was this discovery applicable to you as the reader? In what sense could it be applicable to ALL readers? What did you learn about YOURSELF as you watched the character change within the novel?

     The novel I read for the self-discovery theme was Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.  In this novel, Philip Pirrip (Pip) spends his whole life discovering the importance of being content with what he already has.  This discovery was an important part of the novel's substance, because this discovery is made as a result of Pip's life, which is outlined in this novel.  As a child, Pip dreams of becoming uncommon (a gentleman).  He is ashamed of the ignorance of the people around him, and he wants to better himself.  When he tells Biddy of his dreams, he tells her that "I am not at all happy as I am.  I am disgusted with my calling and with my life" (Dickens 114).  He wants this in part because he believes that if he were less common, then Estella Havashim might see him as more than an ignorant, common boy.  Later on in the novel, Pip is able to achieve that goal, and he realizes that being a gentleman was not what he expected, and although Estella becomes closer to him, she does not see him in a romantic light.  And towards the end of the novel, Pip seems to realize that having wealth is not very important.  He discovers that even though he was poor, he was content with what he had; good friendships with Joe Gargery and Biddy.

     Being content with what you have is a lesson that everyone should learn.  It is easy for people to become discontented with their lives if all they desire is more wealth, fame, success, etc.  This lesson is especially important for people to learn in today's consumer society.  In our society, there is a large focus on being successful in life.  The television shows people with glamorous lives and makes normal people believe that their lives aren't worth as much, because they are not very wealthy or famous.  As I read the novel, and watched Pip come to this discovery, I realized that at times, I also become discontent with what I have.  It helped me to remember to be thankful for what I do have: good friends and family close to me.