Literature Circles Reflection

Task:

Please read the questions very carefully, and answer each question in a well written paragraph

(4-6 sentences each)!

1. Did you like the book? Why/Why not?

I can say that I really loved The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle this is mostly because the main character: Charlotte was extremely interesting. I found Charlotte interesting because she changed in both mind and spirit throughout the book. When she changed from a proper lady to a crew member, it was a very important part in the book because she had let herself become a new person altogether and had changed the way she thought. During this process, she freed her spirit from the chains of a proper life. She suddenly felt these changes because she was introduced to the freedom of a sailor's life and how free they were in mind and spirit even with Captain Jaggery breathing down their necks. It just goes to show you can become whatever you want to be if you feel it's a positive change.

2. What was your favorite part?

Although there were many interesting and important parts in this book, I'll have to say that my favorite part was at the end when she decides to return to her true home on the ship. I felt that the conclusion was well written and I admit that it made me feel a bit emotional, because she found where she truly belonged. I was upset that she had been forced to leave her family, because through thick and thin they were her family and she would still miss them. I hope this doesn't affect her new life on the ship with her new family.

3. What do you think the message of the story was?

There are many messages that I pulled from this book, but I must say that there were 3 important ones that I think really mattered. I think the first message I pulled from the story was (at least the message that got across to me) was that you shouldn't force yourself to be something you aren't for those who don't appreciate who you are. This my response to Charlotte lying to her family about her life on the ship. The second message was to defend the rights of those who you care about, just like Charlotte defended the crew against Captain Jaggery. The final message to me connects with the last few words of the book-"a sailor chooses a wind but it's ship sometimes chooses a different wind" or something similar to that. My message was take your own path but be careful because those along side you might guide you differently; so basically she should stay on the path that she thinks is right.

4. How did you like the Literature Circles assignment? What suggestions would you make to improve it?

I think that Literature Circles is one of the best parts of Humanities class in Trimester 2. Sure, it could be difficult at times but the challenge pushed me to try and do more in it. Mrs.Narsiman's comments were very helpful because they helped me know if I could do better, the comments helped me the most on Literature Circles 1. The blog posts were really fun to write because I could really reflect on the Literature Circles better. Everything was really good, so it's really hard to say what I would change or improve on with. I guess I would maybe add something like a day at the end of the Literature Circles where all of the groups could mix and talk about their book and what they like about it. With this you could share opinions outside of your own group and it could help show who really understands their book and can share it well enough for the person outside of that group to get the main idea, plot and problems.

5. After talking with your classmates, which of the novels that you did not read, would you like to read next?

After talking with other people I have to say that I want to read Julie of the Wolves next, this is mostly because I haven't heard of Maroo of the Winter Caves from other people well enough to tell if I want to read it or not. I heard of Julie of the Wolves from a friend and I can tell that it is an interesting book. It is a little confusing how an Eskimo girl managed to become part of a wolf family and I'd like to find more about how this happened. I know about her pen pal and how she married at 13. I have a lot of questions about the book like why did the author use Julie for the title and not Miyax of the Wolves. It seems like an exciting book full of adventure for Julie/Miyax and I think I want to find out how her story ends.