Main and Secondary Characters

Hello again room 2308 Readers!
Well, Maniac sure has had some interesting....and scary...encounters with a variety of people in the story so far, and we are only up to chapter 12!
Maniac Magee is the main character, and you did a nice job of describing some his character traits last night. 
I think we can agree that Amanda is going to be important to Maniac's story.  She is the secondary character in the story. She is important, but not the main focus of the story.

Discussion Points:
1.  Using the Character Traits handout that you found in your mailbox today, describe Amanda's character.  Please be sure to use examples from the story to back up what you say.
2.  In your own independent reading book, ( that you are reading in class and for 20 minutes each night), tell us about the main and secondary characters.  Explain what character traits they have, as always, using examples from the book to back up what you say.

Happy, happy reading tonight!
Mrs. S

Maniac

Wow, I don't know about you, but I am totally hooked on this book.  It has been awhile since I read it and I am remembering how well written it is as we read it in class.  I love the protagonist, Jeffrey Magee.  I love how the author gives you a good picture of what type of person he is, using Jeffrey's deeds and actions.
Even though we are at the beginning of the story, we have learned quite a bit about Jeffrey. We know he is a small kid, scraggly, sort of non-descript.  We have also learned about what type of a person he is.

Discussion point:
1. Describe what type of person Jeffrey "Maniac" is.  For example, Max, in "Where the Wild Things Are" is a daring, out-of-control, strong-willed and imaginative child. We know this because he gets in trouble, calls his mom names, and used his imagination to go to a new world. What is Jeffrey like?  Tell me why you choose the words you do to describe him.

Series? or not.......

Hi Class!
What a great job you did today writing on our blog for the first time.  How fun to start our blog discussion off with such a successful start!
I finished my book about the owl this weekend and really enjoyed it.  I learned so much about barn owls!
I am looking forward to starting a new book this evening.  I am thinking of rereading the Harry Potter series.  It is one of my all time favorite book series.  I also really enjoyed reading the Narnia series as well as the Wrinkle in Time series.  Funny, they are all fantasy books...hmmmm, did I tell you I enjoy reading fantasy?

Discussion Points:

What is your favorite book series that you have read?  Is there a series you have been thinking of starting?  Are there any you have re-read? ( I have already read the entire Harry Potter series twice:)
If you do not usually read a series, what is your all-time favorite book and have you ever re-read a book?

Happy Reading, don't forget your 20 minutes tonight!
Mrs. S

Welcome to Our Reading Blog!

Hello Room Full of Readers!
I am excited to hear that many of you have heard of blogging! This will be the first post of the year that you are required to post at. Starting in October you will be required to post three times a week as part of your reading grade. A post should be at least 5 sentences, thoughtful, and edited for conventions. If you make a claim, make sure you give evidence or explain your thinking.

For this first post, please share with your classmates what your favorite genre of books is and what you are currently reading. Also, tell us where is your favorite place to read.
One of my favorite places to read when I was your age was  curled up in a big soft chair. I had a lamp right over the chair and after school I would make myself a big snack, curl up with my book and pass the hours away.
Another place I loved to read was outside, in the fall. I would take a blanket and curl up in the sun with my book and snack.

I am currently reading "Wesley the Owl, The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl" by Stacey O'Brien.  It is classified as a Biography, but I will let you know if I agree with that as I read it.  I am just starting it today.
My favorite genre is probably fantasy, although I do really enjoy reading books about animals.  I tend to like the ones that are told as a story.  One of my favorite ones was "The Good, Good Pig" by Sy Montgomery, which was about a special pig named Christopher. I also enjoy mysteries and realistic fiction.

I can't wait to hear about your favorite genres, your current book and your favorite places to read. Happy Blogging and Reading!
Mrs. S