Monday, November 26, 2012
Blog #11, Due: Friday, Nov. 30th
Post your book's title and author. Write a possible theme statement for your novel. Based on what you have read so far, what do you think the theme of the novel is? (Or: What do you think will be the theme if you can predict the ending?) Make sure you explain why you chose that theme.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
54 comments:
I just finished The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. A possible theme sentence could be "things aren't always the way they seem", because the Gladers are never sure of what they are seeing or being told. In part of the book, an important character is thought to have betrayed another character, but actually hasn't, and acted like it to save their skins. Also, the Gladers find tattoos on themselves saying a description, and Minho's is "The Leader", and Thomas' is really strange. However, the Gladers find a strange and contradictory message all around the mysterious town they have to pass through. I'm leaving a lot out because these are important pieces of the plot and I wouldn't want to spoil it.
Justin D6 should say J DeVoe6, but Blogger used my default from last year's blog.
I just finished reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth. The theme of the book would most likely be, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Throughout the book, the main character, Tris, is fighting the constant battle against Eritude for the information she needs. To complete her task, she needs the not so desirable help from Marcus (enemy) to gain in his trust, but Tris must go behind Tobias's (friend) back to better know Marcus and get what she needs. She realizes that the only way to get the information is in a way betray Tobias in a way just to better know Marcus.
JDeVoe6: That's definently a really good book!
I am reading Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Bsed on the little I've read so far a possible theme statement could be "Cherish each moment, big or small, for life is full of surprises, whether for the better or for the worse." Since this book is based off the author telling someone else's story, and the author knows what's going to happen next, he gives alot of foreshadowing that something important is going to happen. Pi sometimes wonders about his life and how certain things turned out. He acts annoyed when he explains how his older brother, Ravi teases him, though its minor and most siblings do this. He also explains about another important time in his life, where a family friend named Mamaji, who loved swimming, taught Pi to swim, despite Pi's entire family feared places like the ocean. The zoo Pi was remembering and used to like to visit, actually no longer exists. Pi is sad, becuase he loves animals and later even has a major in zoology. Just as Pi gets over the zoo not exisiting anymore, out of the blue, his father and mother show him and Ravi something, saying that it could save their lives. Much to their surprise, the father shows them to a new zoo, not yet opened to the public, and shows them all sorts of animals in cages. Including Mahisha, a Bengal tiger. Even though Pi has had some not so better surprises in life, like his brother's teasing and his favorite zoo suddenly closing down, at least he was able to have moments like these, even though they all weren't for the better. And he did have some for the better surprises. Having experienced learning how to swim and the sudden, unexpected opening of a new zoo relate to the better part. Using the author's foreshadowing and just the way he writes, makes me think something is going to happen, explaining why I think Pi should cherish each moment in his life, whether it be small or big. This is why I think this could be a possible theme statement for my book.
J DeVoe6: That sounds like a good book! Great theme statement along with your explanation!
K Notestein5:
It was a great book, and the Maze Runner trilogy is fantastic. I just need to read the final book, The Death Cure. Is Insurgent good? I've never heard of it.
A Berryman5:
Is Life of Pi good? The movie seems interesting, but I think I'm going to read the book first.
The book that I am reading right now is called Dance Anecdotes Stories from the Worlds of Ballet Broadway, the Ballroom, and Modern Dance by Mindy Aloff. I think the theme of this book could be this. Things that happened in the past can still help us to learn today. I feel that this is the theme of my book because, the book is filled with stories from the dance worlds. Each story helps the reader to understand another part of dance. There are many things to learn about to understand one style of dance, but this book uses stories from dancers, choreographers, artistic directors, family of those who were involved, and people who experienced the current topic in the book. The book also gives some history about major players in the early days of the many styles of dance. It talks about Marie Taglioni, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Margot Fonteyn, Sir Frederick Ashton, and George Balanchine. So for those reasons I think that theme works form book.
KaylaN5: Did you like that book, I heard it was a good book.
I am currently reading Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur. This is a good, mysterious, and very interesting book. I am in the middle so I am going to predict the theme statement by saying, "Life is full of mysterious things, but always be curious and follow your dreams." I wuld say that this is a good theme statement for my book because Elise is trying to discover what is locked away in her uncle's attic and why it is so important to her father and mother's death. Also the theme statement is to chase your dreams, because throughout the book, Elise and her best friend Franklin talk about what they want to be when they grow up, and how they plan to stay friends forever. This is a really good book and has a great plot to it.
ABerryman5: That sounds like a great book, I really want to see the movie. Looks very interesting and that theme-statement goes well with your book choice.
I am reading Fang by James Patterson. A possible theme sentence for this book could be 'Don't hurt others to get what you want'. I choose this as the theme because Angel, a sister of Max, tries to kick Max out of their group because she wants to be the leader. She does this by predicting the future and casually saying that Fang, one of her brothers, will die soon. Angel also joined up with the 'bad guy' on this book which she though would help her become leader of Max's group. I don't want to spoil the rest of the book but overall hurting others to get what you want is not the right thing to do; at the end of the book you can tell its not right but i dont want to give away the ending for others.
ABerryman5-
I really want to read the Life of Pi and i want to see the movie too! The theme that you choose seems really interesting.
My book is The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan. I haven't finished the book yet, but I think a good theme is don't give up on your friends. All the giants, Gaea, and her allies try to break up the group of demigods. But since they stick together, they overcome Gaea. That is what I think will happen, and never give up on your friends would be a good theme for it.
JustinD6, I've read that book and it's really good. Great theme too.
Book: Twisted
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
The theme for Twisted, is probably "transformation comes with a cost". I think that this is the theme because of the way Tyler, (the main character) changes. In the beginning, he is a nerdy, unimportant, shy kid with only one best friend. But, he ends up getting into HUGE trouble by spray-painting lockers with bad words about the principal on them, thus leading to him being put on probation and having to do community service. But, after Tyler's summer of community service, he comes back to school with new confidence, a new reputatioin as "a bad boy" and most importantly, muscles. Tyler becomes a LOT more popular with his new reputation and his strength, and he soon catches the eye of one of the hottest girls in school: Bethany Milbury. It seems that he and Bethany are off to a great start: not officially dating, but not denying it either. But, everything changes quickly when a night out partying with Bethany leads Tyler to be accused for something that he didn't do.
KaylaN5: Ahh!!! I can't wait to read that series!! Everyone has been saying it's really good!!!! Great blog! :)
KaylaN5: Ahh!!! I can't wait to read that series!! Everyone has been saying it's really good!!!! Great blog! :)
I have just finished reading Variant by Robison Wells. I am pretty sure there were two themes in the novel. The first is “Not everything is what it seems”. I think this fits my book perfectly because when Benson gets to Maxfield Academy he thinks it’s a magnet school. He never thought there would be Androids and murders. The second theme is “Watch your back”. I think this fits my novel because Benson always has to watch his back because he doesn’t know who’s on his side and who’s against it. And at the end he realizes, after a huge plot twist, that he should’ve watched his back closer.
MaceyD6:
I heard Twisted was a really good book!! Your theme sounds perfect!
I am currently reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A possible theme statement could be "Through another's eyes, one can truly see the world for what it is." I chose this theme because it summarized the background and the purpose for writing the novel. I believe that the townspeople are ignorant of Hester as Roger Chillingworth is. Also that Pearl allows Hester to get a much clearer view of herself as she may also be ignorant of her own situation. Pearl's atypical behavior and thoughts provoke this new viewpoint and fresh outlook for her.
KHouse5- I am also reading the Maximum Ride series!!!
Title: Phantom In the Snow
Author: Kathleen Benner Duble
I just started Phantoms in the Snow, so far on chapter four. Its a Pretty good read and has allot of action. And i think the Theme of the story is "don't give up hope so easily." Because the Main character A fifteen year old boy, Noah, thinks that spending time with his uncle in the snow, up in the mountains on a military base will be boring. but soon he finds out its just the opposite. and to add on his parents were taken by small pox and is a pacifist.
JDevoe6: that sounds awesome i should read that.
I am currently reading Betrayed by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast. I believe the theme of this novel is "trust no one but yourself". Even just the title foreshadows that there will be betrayal in the book. I am not finished with the book but up to now I have read that the "High Priestess" or principal of the school is hiding something. One of these hints is when she yells to the previous leader of the Dark sons and daughters, which was unusual for her to do since she usually is calm and friendly. Then the main character, Zoey, sees her in a dark ally talking to a boy that had died in her class the previous day. This information has given be the clues to figure out that her mentor and high priestess will betray Zoey in the future.
KaylaN5: I finished Divergent can't wait to read Insurgent!! The series is really good!
I am reading The Emporers Code by Gordon Korman. The theme statement for this book would be always believe in yourself. This is because Dan and Amy have to do incredible things like breaking into museums to find clues and solve near impossible riddles. They also have to defend themselves from their competitors that have much more money, resources, and experience then them.
ColeN5: That sounds like an interesting book.
I am reading Dawn By Erin Hunter. I think the theme is Be Loyal to those you care about. This is because Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw are loyal to each other and their cause:StarClan wants the clans to move to a new home, far away from the forest being ravaged by humans to make a new thunderpath(road) Cats are starving and dying, yet some are still unwilling to go to a new home. Leafpaw is loyal to the clan and her sister, Squirrelpaw, who she cares about as deeply as her clan; they can sense each other's thoughts. Being a medicine cat apprentice, a lot rests on Leafpaw's shoulders, for she must interpret signs from StarClan for the good of the clan. Leafpaw is worried that Squirrelpaw's love for Brambleclaw will keep her attentions away from Leafpaw. They need to be loyal to the clan and each other.
REmmons6: I like that whole series.
The book I am currently reading is Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume. I think that the theme of this book is: be true to yourself and know who you are or, in other words, don't let anyone change you or influence you negatively. In this book, the main character Tony moves to Long Island and finds himself making friends easily with a boy named Joel who lives across the street from him. As the story progresses, however, Tony catches Joel shoplifting from stores. He asks himself whether he should or should not tell anyone about this, and chooses not to. In addition to this, Tony also witnesses Joel drinking alcohol from a cupboard in his house, and Tony decides to follow him in doing so, among other poor choices. In the end, Tony makes up his mind for himself when he decides not to use the binoculars he had originally obtained for spying on Joel's older sister, however is still not sure about his decision. In the end, Tony's indecisiveness and follower mentality only caused him misfortune. "I think what I'll do is this-I'll go home and put my binoculars away on the top shelf of my closet-over in the corner-so they're hard to get. Then again, maybe I won't," (Blume, 164).
MaceyD6,
Twisted is an awesome book!! I really like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, too.
The theme for the book Wintergirls be Laurie Anderson is there is no such thing as skinny enough. I finished this book before posting the blog, so in the end, the anorexic main character finally realizes that she is not fat. She starts to open up, and explain why she was so sad and moody all the time, and is able to leave a place that she use to thought tortured her.
MaceyD5: I want to read that book!
I am reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and the theme of this book so far would probably be: Risks are worth taking. This is because Katniss takes risks when the judges all "examinate" all the tributes by grading them on a scale of 1-11 based on how good they are and by hanging a dummy with Seneca Crane was a huge risk she was willing to take. It eventually paid off because she got a score of an 11 but I feel that this risk was not only a blessing, but a curse as well. I'll have to read more to find out what happens next...
OCallen6: That looks like a great book!
The book I am reading is called The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, and I believe the theme of this story so far would be “there’s more to the world than the mundane,” because the main characters, Sophie and Josh Newman were shoved into a world of magic, and one where it was very likely they wouldn’t see the end of the day. The twins were chased by a 500 year old magician bent on recovering “The Book,” which was an ancient text and the key to something they don't understand.
HLee6~ That’s a classic! Or so my uncle would say, but great post, too, that sounds like a very good book!
I am currently reading Cherub Mission 1: The Recruit authored by Robert Muchamore. I think that the theme so far would be ‘life is all fun and games until someone gets hurt’. I think so because James always got in trouble in school and didn’t care. Then his mom died and his sister Lauren and he were sent to a foster home place. This causes James to focus and realize that he is in the real world and should take responsibility.
I just finished reading Missing You by Meg Cabot. The theme for book I think would “trust in whom you are and not in what others think you are.” I think this could be a possible theme for this book because the throughout the enter story Jess, the main character, has been trying to find herself again. After taking part in a war (I assume it was WWII) Jess is left confused and scared. She has lost her powers to find people as well as her boyfriend, Rob. Some people believe that she could still go back to being “Lightning Girl”(got stuck by lightning and gained her powers), while others think that she just go back to her normal life and attend college. Her now Ex- boyfriend Rob even states that she is “broken” and doesn’t know herself anymore. The thing is that Jess does think that she is broken and intern wants to fix herself and have everything return to normal.
HFern6: That sounds like a really interesting book! Is there a lot of action in it?
Book: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Theme: Don’t let prejudice guide your opinion of somebody.
Elizabeth is the second eldest of the five daughters of the Bennet family. Elizabeth is the most intelligent of the five and her father’s favorite. Mr. Darcy is a wealthy man who comes out first prideful. When Elizabeth firsts meets Mr. Darcy he comes off as a prideful man who looks down on people of lower social class. She soon learns from Mr. Wickham that he was in Mr. Darcy’s father’s will but Mr. Darcy found a loophole so that Mr. Wickham doesn’t get any money from the will; this makes Elizabeth find Mr. Darcy intolerable. But (*spoiler*) later on we learn that Mr. Wickham had a history of creating debt and that Mr. Darcy payed for him to go to law school which he didn't attend using the money for gambling. Elizabeth's prejudice got in her way of truly treating Mr. Darcy based on who he really is instead of who she thought he was. I chose this theme as it is quite obvious and it is what the book is known for.
ABerryman5: I heard that’s a good book; are you going to see the movie?
I am currently reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. A possible theme statement for this book could be: "Life is like a box of chocolates. I haven’t finished reading the book, but I believe this is an exceptional theme. It’s a possible theme statement because you never know what your life will come out to be. In the book the main character, Ronnie is visiting her father for the entire summer with her little brother. She had said she didn't want to come for some "stupid romance." However, she later falls in love with a boy named Will. This all ties into the theme: Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know who will come your way. Ronnie is the one who witnesses this.
MaceyD6: That sounds like a really interesting book. I like your theme sentence too. :)
I am currently reading Point of Retreat by Collen Hoover. I think that the theme is that together, two people can overcome anything with love. while that sounds cheesy, the whole novel is cheesy. Will and Layken fall in love in the first book and they overcome many terrible events. This includes Layken finding out that Will is her teacher and he mom getting cancer. then she has to raise her little brother. Will is in college and raising his liuttle brother. They both come together work out their stuff.
KaylaN5: Great post! That book sounds good!
I am currently reading Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick. The theme of this book could be, "Friends always have your back when you're in trouble." The main character, Nora, becomes the leader of an army of immortals after she kills the Black Hand, the former leader of the army and her father. The immortals, or Nephils, are fighting against the fallen angels who posses their bodies for a month every year. Throughout the whole book, Nora is always getting herself into trouble. Nora's friends Patch, Scott, and Vee always end up helping her to get through, whether it be by saving her life from fallen angels trying to hurt her or helping her to train to fight against Dante, who wants to kill h=her for power. Another theme statement could be, "Don't trust too easily" because in the beginning of the book, Nora is being trained by Dante to be the leader of the Nephilim army. Later Nora finds out that Dante is a traitor and he wants to get rid of her so he can become the leader of the army.
MaceyD6: I read Twisted! It's really good and great blog. :)
I am currently reading Fablehaven : Book 3 by Brandon Mull. It is about two kids finding out that their grandparents have a huge mythical creature santuary. I think that the theme of this book is: Take chances for what you believe in. Even though they have a huge risk knowing about it, they still stay involved. At anytime, they could be captured or hurt by an evil group of people trying to destroy the santuary. Yet, they fight for it and even risk their lives.
KaylaN5: I love that theme. That book sounds super interesting!! Great post (:
I am currently reading 1984 by George Orwell. A theme in the book could be: Don't let others take over your thoughts. In 1984, the main character, Winston, lives in a society completely ruled by government. Big Brother, a dictator, doesn't allow anyone to have their own thoughts, especially if the thoughts are against him. He also monitors everyone all day, everyday. Winston believes Big Brother is wrong but is afraid to speak his mind.
JustinD6: Sounds like a great book!
In the book I am reading, Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson, I think the theme of the book is that you should never give up. Tyler had been arrested, called names, bullied, and many other terrible things have happened to him. But he never gave up, no matter how hard it was. So what if you have an F in all your classes, you can always bring it up. Even though at points he wanted to give up and quit, Tyler knew it was the wrong decision so he didn't. That is the theme for the book Twisted.
JChoi6: I think that is a really good theme and fits that book very well.
I am reading Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. A possible theme statement could be, never give up, or determination is the key. The book Incarceron is about a boy named Finn, who's main goal is to escape the Incarceron, a prison that has been locked away for years. It's not a normal prison; inmates live not only in cells, but in dilapidated cities and unbounded wilderness, almost as if the prison is actually alive. Throughout this book, Finn keeps telling himself that there is a way for him to escape. He's always determined to escape, even after all of the harsh stories of people trying to escape, usually they are killed, or never make it out alive. In the book, Finn states, "I will escape from you, I will, I swear it. There must be somewhere to go. Where you can't see me. Where you don't know exists!" (Fisher 236). Though there are more statements made by Finn about determination, I felt this quote best fit the theme because it shows to what extent he is willing to go in order to escape.
JDevoe6: That book sounds very interesting, the plot seems like there would be many twists and turns.
The book I am reading currenty is The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket. A possible theme for this book would be that your family would always be by your side no matter what. I chose this theme because Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, had to go live with a cruel Count Olaf when their house burnt down and their parents died in the fire. Count Olaf treated the Baudelaire siblings as if they were slaves. He ordered them to make his friends and himself dinner when they were just children who had no clue on how to cook and he would physically abuse them when they talked back. I chose the theme because although the Baudelaire childrens were miserable, they all had each other's company and they all worked together to try to escape living with Count Olaf who tries to steal their family fortune.
KAslinidi5:Sounds like a good book!
JustinD6: that sounds like a good book!
My book is If I stayby Gayle Forman. I think the theme of the book is: Live life to the fullest. I believe this because in the book the main character, Mia, is at a life or death decision. She is just a teenager and she has flashbacks and re-evaluates her life. I think that the theme fits the book plot perfectly.
@KaylaN5: Thats a really good book. Good theme too.
I'm reading, Maybe by Brent Runyon. I think that a possible theme statement for my book could be,"Don't take life for granted, as it could be taken away in an instant." In the book, main character, Brian is starting his new life, in a new school, without his older brother. Brian's brother was killed in a drunk driving accident, and is regreting never telling his brother how much he loved him. Brian has always taken life for granted,and never spoke his mind. I chose this theme because in the book, Brian uses his brother's death as a way to live his life to the fullest, and do all the things he's wanted to do as a high schooler.
KaylaN5: From what I've heard from you about that book, it would be a pretty good theme statement....;)
KaylaN5: From what I've heard from you about that book, it would be a pretty good theme statement....;)
I am currently reading Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins.I personally think that the theme is never give up. Or be thankful for what you have. I think it could be never give up because even though Katniss is going through struggles and is trying to keep her loved ones safe, she knows she can't afford to give up and that she has to keep everyone safe. I think another theme can be "Be thankful for what you have". I think this couls be a possible theme because when somone very close to Katniss passes away, she thinks about everything she could have done better and learned to finally be thankfull for what she had from the start. This is what I think will eventually happen after the person she loved passed away.
RSampson5: I've heard that is a very interesting book. I might read that book after. Is is a series?
I am currently reading Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. A possible theme sentence for this book could be "Don't judge a book by its cover", because Sal began to think that this one lady that her dad always hung out with was awkward and self centered. But her grandmother told her not to judge someone unless you have walked two moons in their moccasins. Sal soon began to realize the true story behind the "mysterious" lady and learned a lot more than meets the eye.
KaylaN5- That book seems really intense! I am going to have to read it soon. Good theme sentence, seems to really fit!:)
I am reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and the theme of the book is survival of the fittest. Katniss and Peeta have to fight for survival and everything that they need. Only the fittest wil survive and escape the area.
JustinD6: I have heard of that book.
I am reading Fallen by Lauren Kate. The theme is love is everlasting because luce and Daniel's love is everlastin, literally and figuratively. They love each other sooo much, which is figurative, but they have loved each other over millions of years, Luce never passing seventten before internally combusting.
KaylaN5: I want to read that series!
Post a Comment