Book Thief Reflection
End of Term Self-Reflection Throughout this term, I read several outstanding books that helped me grow as an independent reader. First, I read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which is an inspiring historical fiction novel. This wonderful text was just right: not too challenging, not too easy. In addition to, I read The Martian by Andy Weir, which is a science fiction novel. The Martian was a slightly challenging read, but that did not in any way impair my ability to understand or enjoy the text. Also, I read the memoir, Life in Motion by Misty Copeland. This bestseller was just right for my reading abilities. Finally, I read Legend and Prodigy by Marie Lu. They are both “just right” fiction novels. Over this term, I have read many different proses that represented a variety of genres, and each piece of literature was just as enjoyable as the last.
Write a letter to your teacher about explaining why or why not your teacher should read this book. Back up with three or more examples.
Dear Mrs. Osborne,
The …show more content…
Book Thief by Markus Zusak is an excellent piece of literature that I strongly encourage you to read, and is my favorite book from this term. First of all, it gives the reader a new perception of the Holocaust, as the narrator of the novel is Death. This unusual narration enhances the book in so many ways and makes it such a memorable text. In fact, the narrator states, as the very last sentence of the novel, “I am haunted by humans,” (Zusak 550). This last note is very powerful, and is a perfect summary of the narrator’s feeling on every tragedy that befalls the main character. Also, the author creates realistic and instantly lovable characters, where one empathizes with their sorrows, and celebrates their accomplishments. This authentic world of characters surrounds the reader, so they experience a real connection with them. Finally, the author uses such descriptive language while writing this novel, and The Book Thief comes alive every time a person opens it. You can picture every scene very clearly in your head because of the wonderful descriptions, and Markus Zusak is excellent at developing the main character’s traits throughout the novel. Overall, The Book Thief is a fantastic read, and I believe you would love it. I now realize the following about myself as a reader. First of all, I am a lot better at making connections between myself and the main character. This helped me grow as a reader because I can now better relate to the story and empathize with the characters’ feelings. In addition, I realize that I thoroughly enjoy to visualize the text when reading. I love to picture the scenes in my head as I read, and appreciate when the author uses a lot of descriptive language. Also, I have a favorite author, Markus Zusak, who creates realistic and lovable characters, which I thoroughly enjoy. Finally, I experimented with a new genre and many new authors this term. I read a science fiction novel, of which I have only read a few, and loved it. I also read books by Andy Weir, Marie Lu, and Misty Copeland for the first time. In summary, I have discovered many new aspects of reading that I enjoy throughout this term.
This term, I believe I made excellent choices when it came time to choose independent reading books. For instance, all of the books I read were New York Times bestsellers. Also, every novel was quality literature. I know this because each book had well-developed characters, strong leads, great plots, and satisfying endings. Additionally, I took a lot of time and care into carefully choosing each novel, ensuring that it would not be too difficult or too simple for my reading abilities. Finally, Legend and Prodigy are a part of a series of dystopian fiction novels, a genre of which I love, and were recommended to me by several different people. In conclusion, I consider my choices of books for this term to be exceptional, and enjoyed every novel.
Identify the protagonist's personality traits, feelings and/or emotions.
In the novel, The Martian by Andy Weir, Mark Watney, the main character, has many personality traits that make him such a lovable character, and leaves the reader rooting for him to survive on the desolate planet of Mars. Firstly, a very apparent character trait of his throughout the novel is resourcefulness. An example of this trait, and most obviously, is him staying alive for one and a half years on Mars all by himself, in a structure only made to last thirty-one days. Mark survives on this barren planet with only his wit and the materials abandoned by his crewmates. Also, he figures out how to grow potatoes and extends his food supply five hundred days. Now, not only does he create fertile soil, but he also makes more water, using a very complicated and dangerous process. Finally, Mark is very ingenious and resourceful when he gets the rover Pathfinder, and fixes it so that he is able to contact NASA and communicate with them. To conclude, Mark’s resourcefulness and intelligence are two very apparent and important traits of his throughout the novel.
Another one of Mark Watney’s personality traits is that he is very humorous.
For instance, after realizing that he is the first person to colonize Mars, Mark says, “In your face, Neil Armstrong!” (Weir 147). The fact that he is able to make light of the fact that he has to make his own food, therefore colonizing Mars, really showcases his sense of humor. Also, on Sol 381, Mark reflects on how Mars is technically international waters. Furthermore, he comes to the conclusion that this fact makes him a “space pirate.” Again, his ridiculous sense of humor shines through every log he makes, even in the face of outstanding odds. Finally, when Mark starts making soil for his crops, he argues in his log about how botany is such an underappreciated science. Therefore, he makes several hilarious comments about his “botany powers.” To summarize, Mark Watney’s sense of humor may be his most endearing trait to of all, and makes the readers want to see him
survive.
The final personality trait of Mark Watney is perseverance. A situation within the novel that reveals this trait is the fact that he is left alone, injured, and without any communication with Earth, on the barren planet of Mars. Mark could have given up the moment he awakens and notices everyone left, or when he pieces together that he is probably going to starve. However, he does not! Mark Watney defies every obstacle that comes into his path, even in the face of unbearable odds. Also, the moment it seems like everything is going his way; he can finally communicate with NASA, he has enough food to last him quite some time; everything goes sour. The Hab, (structure where he lives on Mars), has faulty canvas near the airlock, and bursts. His food is destroyed, he has to put the Hab together again; it looks like this may be the end for astronaut Mark Watney. In contrast, these recent struggles just make him stronger, and lets him put more faith in the non-stop work of the people on Earth trying to save him. Lastly, NASA put together a supply ship to go to Mars, with enough food to last Mark until their rescue mission. Unfortunately, when it launched, the ship crashes before it even got out of Earth’s atmosphere. However, when Mark gets this horrible news, he does not despair. He pushes this failure behind him, and is able to create a new rescue plan with NASA and gets rescued. Overall, these personality traits of Mark Watney are and important part of what makes The Martian a quality piece of literature.
I have several reading goals for the next term. I hope to read at least five books, since I surprised myself this term by reading four novels, plus The Book Thief, of which I read over the summer. Also, I would like to try a nonfiction book, because I usually do not read my pieces of literature from that genre. In addition to, I want to read more works by John Green, an author of which I thoroughly enjoy. On a different note, I am considering choosing to read Kim and The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, one of my mother’s favorite authors. Not to mention, my friend recommended The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey, the counterpart to a wonderful novel I read for the summer reading program. In conclusion, I hope I reach all my goals set for myself, and am excited for next term’s reading!
Write a letter to your teacher about explaining why or why not your teacher should read this book. Back up with three or more examples.
Dear Mrs. Osborne,
The …show more content…
Book Thief by Markus Zusak is an excellent piece of literature that I strongly encourage you to read, and is my favorite book from this term. First of all, it gives the reader a new perception of the Holocaust, as the narrator of the novel is Death. This unusual narration enhances the book in so many ways and makes it such a memorable text. In fact, the narrator states, as the very last sentence of the novel, “I am haunted by humans,” (Zusak 550). This last note is very powerful, and is a perfect summary of the narrator’s feeling on every tragedy that befalls the main character. Also, the author creates realistic and instantly lovable characters, where one empathizes with their sorrows, and celebrates their accomplishments. This authentic world of characters surrounds the reader, so they experience a real connection with them. Finally, the author uses such descriptive language while writing this novel, and The Book Thief comes alive every time a person opens it. You can picture every scene very clearly in your head because of the wonderful descriptions, and Markus Zusak is excellent at developing the main character’s traits throughout the novel. Overall, The Book Thief is a fantastic read, and I believe you would love it. I now realize the following about myself as a reader. First of all, I am a lot better at making connections between myself and the main character. This helped me grow as a reader because I can now better relate to the story and empathize with the characters’ feelings. In addition, I realize that I thoroughly enjoy to visualize the text when reading. I love to picture the scenes in my head as I read, and appreciate when the author uses a lot of descriptive language. Also, I have a favorite author, Markus Zusak, who creates realistic and lovable characters, which I thoroughly enjoy. Finally, I experimented with a new genre and many new authors this term. I read a science fiction novel, of which I have only read a few, and loved it. I also read books by Andy Weir, Marie Lu, and Misty Copeland for the first time. In summary, I have discovered many new aspects of reading that I enjoy throughout this term.
This term, I believe I made excellent choices when it came time to choose independent reading books. For instance, all of the books I read were New York Times bestsellers. Also, every novel was quality literature. I know this because each book had well-developed characters, strong leads, great plots, and satisfying endings. Additionally, I took a lot of time and care into carefully choosing each novel, ensuring that it would not be too difficult or too simple for my reading abilities. Finally, Legend and Prodigy are a part of a series of dystopian fiction novels, a genre of which I love, and were recommended to me by several different people. In conclusion, I consider my choices of books for this term to be exceptional, and enjoyed every novel.
Identify the protagonist's personality traits, feelings and/or emotions.
In the novel, The Martian by Andy Weir, Mark Watney, the main character, has many personality traits that make him such a lovable character, and leaves the reader rooting for him to survive on the desolate planet of Mars. Firstly, a very apparent character trait of his throughout the novel is resourcefulness. An example of this trait, and most obviously, is him staying alive for one and a half years on Mars all by himself, in a structure only made to last thirty-one days. Mark survives on this barren planet with only his wit and the materials abandoned by his crewmates. Also, he figures out how to grow potatoes and extends his food supply five hundred days. Now, not only does he create fertile soil, but he also makes more water, using a very complicated and dangerous process. Finally, Mark is very ingenious and resourceful when he gets the rover Pathfinder, and fixes it so that he is able to contact NASA and communicate with them. To conclude, Mark’s resourcefulness and intelligence are two very apparent and important traits of his throughout the novel.
Another one of Mark Watney’s personality traits is that he is very humorous.
For instance, after realizing that he is the first person to colonize Mars, Mark says, “In your face, Neil Armstrong!” (Weir 147). The fact that he is able to make light of the fact that he has to make his own food, therefore colonizing Mars, really showcases his sense of humor. Also, on Sol 381, Mark reflects on how Mars is technically international waters. Furthermore, he comes to the conclusion that this fact makes him a “space pirate.” Again, his ridiculous sense of humor shines through every log he makes, even in the face of outstanding odds. Finally, when Mark starts making soil for his crops, he argues in his log about how botany is such an underappreciated science. Therefore, he makes several hilarious comments about his “botany powers.” To summarize, Mark Watney’s sense of humor may be his most endearing trait to of all, and makes the readers want to see him
survive.
The final personality trait of Mark Watney is perseverance. A situation within the novel that reveals this trait is the fact that he is left alone, injured, and without any communication with Earth, on the barren planet of Mars. Mark could have given up the moment he awakens and notices everyone left, or when he pieces together that he is probably going to starve. However, he does not! Mark Watney defies every obstacle that comes into his path, even in the face of unbearable odds. Also, the moment it seems like everything is going his way; he can finally communicate with NASA, he has enough food to last him quite some time; everything goes sour. The Hab, (structure where he lives on Mars), has faulty canvas near the airlock, and bursts. His food is destroyed, he has to put the Hab together again; it looks like this may be the end for astronaut Mark Watney. In contrast, these recent struggles just make him stronger, and lets him put more faith in the non-stop work of the people on Earth trying to save him. Lastly, NASA put together a supply ship to go to Mars, with enough food to last Mark until their rescue mission. Unfortunately, when it launched, the ship crashes before it even got out of Earth’s atmosphere. However, when Mark gets this horrible news, he does not despair. He pushes this failure behind him, and is able to create a new rescue plan with NASA and gets rescued. Overall, these personality traits of Mark Watney are and important part of what makes The Martian a quality piece of literature.
I have several reading goals for the next term. I hope to read at least five books, since I surprised myself this term by reading four novels, plus The Book Thief, of which I read over the summer. Also, I would like to try a nonfiction book, because I usually do not read my pieces of literature from that genre. In addition to, I want to read more works by John Green, an author of which I thoroughly enjoy. On a different note, I am considering choosing to read Kim and The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, one of my mother’s favorite authors. Not to mention, my friend recommended The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey, the counterpart to a wonderful novel I read for the summer reading program. In conclusion, I hope I reach all my goals set for myself, and am excited for next term’s reading!