Reading Response Blog #20

3/1/2015

In our independent reading books, we often get to know characters who have both similar and different views than us. Sometimes it can be comforting to read a story in which the main character has the same values and beliefs as you, along with a similar personality. Other times it can be intriguing to read a story in which the main character has very different values and beliefs as you and acts very differently than how you would act in a given situation.

This Week's Prompt:

Pick a character from your independent reading. Compare and contrast the character's values, beliefs, personality, and/or actions to your own if you were in a similar situation.

Remember, go deeper than comparisons that simply state gender, family make-up, and appearances. Focus on important character traits rather than things out of a character's control. Be specific and give examples to support!

I look forward to hearing your comparisons and contrasts!

Image Credit: Elsa and Anna from Disney's "Frozen"

54 Comments

Alec

3/1/2015 12:18:07 pm

Dear Class,
The book I'm reading is Bud, not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. The character I chose was Bud. One thing I'd like to compare is that we're both cautious about stuff. For example, Bud sees a stranger walking on the sidewalk. Since he doesn't know whats going to happen, he runs and hides in a bush. It's not like I would do the same thing but, when I'm cautious I do something different. For example, I see a giant pot of gold coins in an alleyway. I would act like, wow, that is a lot of money. But I think, is this a trap? No pot of gold coins would be just laying in an alleyway. It's tempting but I won't get it. Another reason why me and Bud are alike is that Bud is confident. For example, he says he's going to walk 24 hours and he has no complaint. When I can't do something, I think, I CAN DO THIS. It makes me feel confident.

One thing I'd like to contrast is that Bud he's an orphan and I'm not. He's also brave. For example, he meets a new person. He acts brave and stands up for himself. I don't think I would've done something like that.
Well, those were my comparisons and contrast.

From, Alec

Layla

3/2/2015 08:47:42 am

Dear Alec,
What a thoughtful response!! I really enjoyed your funny analysis! :)
From,
Layla

Olivia D.

3/9/2015 08:23:37 am

Dear Alec,

Great job on your response! I liked how you really connected with the readers.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Julia

3/2/2015 07:30:27 am

Dear Class,

In the book The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner, the main character, Thomas, stays very calm and collected. If I were him I would have been much more panicked when he was getting attacked by Cranks. Cranks are people who have a disease that has driven them insane, to the point when they have almost no human qualities. I am similar to Thomas because we both have a sense of leadership. In the first book of the series, when they were escaping the maze, Thomas took charge and led the rest of the Gladers to freedom.

Sincerely,
Julia

Olivia D.

3/2/2015 11:14:49 am

Dear Julia,

I agree that you have a sense of leadership. This book seems very interesting. Is it the second book in the maze runner?

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Julia

3/5/2015 12:56:44 pm

Dear Olivia,

The Scirch Trials is the second book in the Maze Runner Series. Thanks for your response!

Sincerely,
Julia

Nathan

3/3/2015 05:19:34 am

Dear Julia,
I agree that you a lot like the character Thomas.
1) Are you liking the book?
2) Is there a third book? if so, what is it named?

Yours truly,
Nathan

Julia

3/5/2015 12:59:57 pm

Dear Nathan,

Thanks for your response!

1) I am enjoying the series very much.
2) I am currently reading the third book, so yes there is one. It is called The Death Cure. I think there are even other ones after that but I'm not positive.

Sincerely,
Julia

Amy

3/6/2015 08:42:28 am

Dear Julia,
Are you almost done with the book and do you think you want to finish the series?
Sincerely,
Amy

Alec

3/9/2015 08:35:11 am

Dear Julia,
Great response! I like how you made your response really clear. The book sounds really interesting. Hope you liked the book because it sounds pretty cool!
From, Alec

Layla

3/2/2015 08:40:20 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I recently read the book Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin. The main character, Rose, is like me in the sense that we both like dogs. Rose was very attached to her dog, and when her dog, Rain, went missing she was very sad and was asking her father why he let Rain out without her collar on. When my dog died, I was very sad too.
One way Rose and I are different is that Rose is obsessed with rules, and I am not. Every time someone makes a mistake in class, Rose shouts out that they made a mistake. When people make mistakes in my class, I don't get as upset.
From,
Layla

Sam

3/3/2015 06:52:29 am

Dear Layla,
I like how you compared about your losses to the main characters losses. By explaining how you were when your dog died and the main character when they lost there dog.

Sincerely,
Sam

Sage P

3/6/2015 12:38:48 am

Dear Layla,
I really liked your response! Do you think you have any more things n common with Rose? What's Rose's personality like? I would really like to know these answers! I thought it was really cool how used a specific example in the text of how Rose shouts out that they made a mistake. I thought that was really funny.
From,
Sage P

Alec

3/6/2015 12:39:15 am

Dear Layla,
Great response! I really like how you compared yourself with Rose. One question, can you think of any more ways to compare and contrast you from Rose? Just wondering.

From, Alec

Danny

3/2/2015 10:38:10 am

Danny 3/2/15

Blog # 20

Pick a character from your independent reading. Compare and contrast the character's values, beliefs, personality, and/or actions to your own if you were in a similar situation.

Dear ms.Kimball,
I am reading The Lost Hero, I am going to compare and contrast Leo, a character in the book, from myself. There are many things about us that are alike and are not alike.
We are both jokesters. When he was in cabin 9, Leo said, "I've always wanted a sister to beat me up." When I was comparing a short cut, I compared it to the Seahawks not running the ball to Marchand-Lynch. I said it was a bonehead move on the Seahawks part.
We are both active. Leo ran through an entire forest just to find a giant metal dragon. I finished a 15-mile race with my dad, to get some exercise.
We also both value our friends. Even when Jason lost his memory, Leo was still his best friend. If I was in a fight with a friend, I would eventually forgive him even if he was still upset.
We are also quite different in that Leo is impolite. He cuts people off in mid sentence. He used his friend, Jason, to do all his chores. He is calm no matter what. He was calm when a rattle snake bit him when he was only five. He wasn't afraid of getting hurt.
On the other hand, I would never cut people off. I would wait till they were done. I would never use people to do my chores. and if a rattle snake bit me, I would scream and holler in pain.

Rheona

3/4/2015 08:11:56 am

Hi Danny,
How are you liking that book? I loved that book when I first read it.
Who do you think you are more similar to, Jason or Leo?

from,
RHEONA

Talia

3/6/2015 12:41:46 am

Danny,
Why did Leo want to find a giant metal dragon? I agree with you that now, and especially
when was 5, I would scream really loudly if a rattlesnake bit me!
Talia

Olivia D.

3/2/2015 11:12:58 am

Dear Class,

In the book I am currently reading, titled "Taken" A character that I am going to compare and contrast is Ash.
Ash is different from me because in the situation Ash stays calm, even when the pirates crew comes and takes them in as hostages. If I were in that situation the last thing I would be is calm.
We are similar because I am really curious aswell. Ash is curious because he is always wandering around and observing his surroundings, which I find doing alot.
Sincrely,
Olivia D.

Yubin

3/8/2015 04:44:07 am

Dear Olivia,

Great response! It looks like Ash is also curious like me. I also often wander around and, when I find something curious, I do not hold it in, but ask the question quickly. I am also somewhat similar as you. I could not stay calm either if pirate crews take me in hostage.

Sincerely,
Yubin

Sam

3/8/2015 11:52:51 am

Dear Olivia D,
I like how you said if pirates took over your ship the last thing you would be is calm. I can relate, I think in all our imaginations we want to be super calm. But if the event really took place in our lives we would be scared to death. Reading a book can drag you in so many ways.

Sincerely,
Sam

Forrest

3/9/2015 12:02:46 pm

Dear Olivia,

Wow! Ash sounds like he is not scared of anything. I agree with you the last thing you would feel is calm but I feel like Ash has a strategy. Do you think the same? Great response.

From,

Forrest

Sofia

3/2/2015 11:56:09 pm

Class,
In The Teddy Bear Agreement, Cassandra Hale is very different than me.
Cassandra Hale is really, really stubborn towards making friends. Will hasn't done anything to her yet she is avoiding making any contact with him other than what is absolutely necessary.
Cassandra is also very very determined. A lot more than very, actually. When will talks to her, even if it's not in a competitive way, Cassandra is focused on 'winning' the conversation. She is also determined to shut Will down. Is he offers to help, she does the damage with her words equivalent to a slap in the face, way to hurt his ego!
From,
Sofia

Sage P

3/5/2015 11:06:06 am

Dear Sofia,
Really great and funny response! I really liked how you put some humor in your response like "If he offers to help, she does the damage with her words equivalent to a slap in the face, way to hurt his ego!" I thought that was really funny. I also really liked when you use sarcasm to make the readers more engaged. Great response!
From,
Sage P.

Sage W.

3/8/2015 03:20:36 pm

Sofia,

I really liked your post and how you described Cassandra! She seems like a very interesting character almost a little rude. I agree with you she is very different than you, but in towards the middle of the book did she change. If so do you think it made her more or less like you? I loved your response keep up the good work!

Layla

3/9/2015 09:57:06 am

Dear Sofia,
Great response! But I have one question: In what way is Cassandra Hale similar to you?
I hope you enjoy the book!!
From,
Layla

Mikey

3/10/2015 01:09:27 pm

Dear Sofia,
I liked how you said that she always focuses on 'winning' the conversation, because that shows how she is both stubborn and determined. You also made it clear about how she is different from you.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Nathan

3/3/2015 05:17:50 am

Dear Class,
I am going to compare and contrast the character Brian, from the book Hatchet, written by Gary Paulsen. Brian really does not stay calm when the pilot has a heart attack. Instead of asking is anyone a doctor, or informing on the radio, he leaves the pilot to die and starts to pilot the airplane. *claps*. If I was in this situation I would ask if anyone was a doctor on the plane or would say that the pilot had a heart attack and I was piloting the plane. The odd thing is that when the plane crashes he hears a scream. But when he wakes up, there are no people on the plane. I wonder where they could have gone? Unlike me, Brian gets very panicked and dramatizes everything. Theres so many descriptions saying his eyes were burning like fire was coming out. Brian also repeats words like; divorce or, “the secret” .
As you can see Brian is a very anxious person and that I am not very alike to him. That is my compare and contrast of Brian, from Hatchet.
Yours truly,
Nathan.

Marc

3/6/2015 12:35:39 am

Nathan,
this is a really good blog repost, but I have some questions. Why would you ask "is anyone a doctor" when the plane was going to crash because, if a plane is going to crash, odds are everyone is going to get injured. So, I would rather ask "does anyone know how to fly a plane?" Also, do you like the book? Overall, great response!

sincerely,
Marc

Sage W.

3/3/2015 07:57:30 am

Dear Class,

I'm currently reading Frozen, by Erin Bowman. And no I don't mean Frozen as in the Disney cartoon, I mean Frozen as in the sequel to dystopian future novel. I will now compare and contrast myself to Bree. See Bree and I are similar because she's very stubborn. Now I don't really go out and say I'm stubborn but I am. But if I was at the Salem Witch Trials I wouldn't confess. Also she's very tough. Now Bree although the only girl in her troupe, unless you count Emma who's the doctor. Even if you do count Emma she's one of the toughest people, and the book states that a lot. Now I'm not really the strongest person in the world but some of the traits that make her tough I have but not a ton. Bree and I also love the ocean. Bree loves it because she grew up by the ocean. I love it because it reminds me of the summer when I stay near the ocean and with get to see my relatives. But Bree grew up in a fake world basically, a place run by the government, which shapes how she see's the world and how she sees people. She also is able to shoot people, which is something I wouldn't be able to do. The thing is Bree is actually a really good person and when she does have to shoot people it haunts her and if I did have to shoot someone it would haunt me forever like it does her. Also Bree is good at hiding her emotions something I can't do no matter how hard I try. Like if I'm told a secret I just use this really creepy smile. Bree on the other hand can just look completely normal.

From,
Sage W.

Sofia

3/6/2015 12:35:54 am

Sage,
Great response! I really liked how you compared yourself to her with a lot of detail. When you said Bree was close to the ocean, instead of just saying you were, too, you said you were both close to the ocean, but for different reasons. I love reading your response!
Sofia

Sage W.

3/8/2015 03:16:23 pm

Dear Sofia,
Thanks so much! I think that Bree is a very interesting character and that she has many interesting traits and to explain them you have to be very descriptive. I'm really glad you liked my post!

Mikey

3/10/2015 01:12:45 pm

Dear Sage,
I liked how you both compared and contrasted yourself to Bree. I think you did a good job making it clear how she is both similar and different from you.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Marc

3/3/2015 07:58:47 am

Class,
Even though I am not reading The Scorch Trials, I am still going to compare and contrast Thomas from me.

When Thomas gets attacked by other groups, or just by WICKED and their monsters, Thomas is very calm. For example, he has no fear that he is going to loose the fight, and be imprisoned. However, if I was in his situation, I would be scared to death. Another way that Thomas and I are different is how Thomas gets fooled very easily. For example, he is very gullible. Sadly, if I share how he is gullible I will spoil a lot of the book, so I won't.

On the other hand, many people say I have a sense of leadership, and so does Thomas. For example, Thomas, he leads the other gladers through the maze, and he leads them through the desert, and I think I would do the same thing as Thomas in those situations.

Overall, Thomas and I have our differences, but we are also the same in some ways.

Sincerely,
Marc

Nathan

3/7/2015 02:49:41 am

Dear Marc,
Nice compare and contrast! Who is your favorite character in The Maze Runner series? Though I have not read the book I have seen the movie.

Yours Truly,
Nathan

Rheona

3/4/2015 08:18:19 am

Hi Class,
I am reading the book The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. I will be contrasting myself from Sadie Kane.

Sadie Kane is different from me because she always thinks that something is gonna go wrong and never looks at the positive side of things. Also when Sadie is in a problematic time or stage or her quest she always looks at things that are not related to the subject at all. For example, when Sadie was with the lord of Death and Funerals, all she could think about

Marc

3/9/2015 12:42:35 am

Rheona,
I agree that you're a positive person and Sadie Kane doesn't seem like one. Also, when a character gets off topic in my book, I get very annoyed. How did it make you feel that Sadie Kane gets off topic? Also, was this an unfinished blog?

Sincerely,
Marc

Sam

3/4/2015 08:31:34 am

Dear Class,
A character that I can relate to and compare myself to is Ender from Enders Game. I can relate to ender from when he had to leave earth from when I had to leave my old neighborhood. This was hard for Ender at the time but he made friends and stayed in touch with his old ones. I can compare myself to Ender in how I've never made any massive mistakes that I'll always remember, so far. Ender on the other hand destroyed a entire race.When Ender destroyed the race he didn't know what he was really doing, he thought it was training while really he was getting tricked to do someone else's dirty work. That is how I compare and contrast Ender from myself.

Sincerely,
Sam

Sofia

3/6/2015 12:39:09 am

Sam,
Wow! I would have never thought about comparing leaving earth (Ender's case), to leaving your neighborhood. I thought that was really creative!
Sofia

Yubin

3/4/2015 12:24:26 pm

Dear Class,

I recently read a story called “Verdi: The Story of the Little Boy Who Loved the Hand Organ”. One thing Verdi and I have in common is that we both started to love music when very young. When Verdi was seven years old, his father bought him a spinet (a forefather of a piano). Verdi practiced so faithfully that the spinet was rapidly worn out and new jacks, or hammers, had to be made for it. When I was five years old, my dad’s friend gave my family a very old piano. I played each key again and again until I got to memorize all the notes.
One thing Verdi and I are different is that Verdi was not giving up and I give up quite easily. When Milan Conservatory refused to accept Verdi, he was not disappointed, instead he believed in his talent and kept at work to perfect it. Last year’s Music class I was playing piano and made several mistakes, I got very disappointed. So, from now on, I want to be patient and diligent like Verdi.

Sincerely,
Yubin

Kaela

3/5/2015 07:42:04 am

Dear class,
I am reading for the second time am reading Wonder. I am going to compare August and Jack. They are similar because they both are different from others. They are also similar because they both are nice to each other. Also, they both go to the same school and are friends with most of the same people. They are different because they are unlike others in diffrent ways. They are diffrent to because Jack remembers august from a time when he was little but August doesn’t remember at all. Last but not least they are different because Jack has been going to a school and August never, ever went to school. Thank you for listening, I really appreciate it.
Sincerely
Kaela

Yubin

3/5/2015 11:38:21 am

Dear Kaela,

I like your response! I see why Jack and August are somewhat similar and somewhat different to each other. But I have one thing confusing. You said “They both go to the same school” when you compare Jack and August but you also wrote, “Jack has been going to a school and August never, ever went to school” when you contrast them. What did you mean that?

Sincerely,
Yubin

Talia

3/9/2015 08:48:27 am

Kaela,
You said that Jack and Auggie both are nice to each other. Do you think that they were always nice to each other? (Think about the Halloween incedent.)

Sage P

3/5/2015 11:01:59 am

Dear Class,

I am reading the book Wonder by, R. J. Palacio. I am going to chose the character August to evaluate. August has a lot of mixed emotions in the story, sometimes he’s sad, than the next minute he’s happy. August is in the fifth grade just like me! August also has only one sibling just like me! August was born with a face that was different than everybody else’s, I wasn’t born with a face that was different than everybody else’s. That’s what’s so unique about August. Other than August’s face he’s just like everyone else in fifth grade. August’s funny, smart, and can be an awesome friend to everyone.That’s what the character August is like as a charachter.
From,
Sage P

Amy

3/6/2015 12:36:18 am

Dear Sage,
Do you and August have other unusual things in common? Do you think you would make really good friends with each other? If you could talk to August what would you say to him? Would you asked him questions? I liked how you said something about August and then said how you were different or the same to him.
Sincerely,
Amy

Forrest

3/9/2015 02:00:40 pm

Dear Sage,

I dont think it is fair for August to be treated differently just because of his face. What do you think about the kids whispering things about him and saying bad things to his face? I wish it wasn’t so easy for people to be mean to other people.

From,

Forrest

Mikey

3/5/2015 11:22:54 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I am going to compare and contrast myself to a character named Henry in Capture the Flag by Kate Messner. I can relate to them because they got their flight delayed in an airport, and I once got my flight delayed. I was just as bored as they were, but they were stuck there for a couple days, where I was only stuck there for only a few hours.
I liked how me and Henry both played video games, and we both like adventure. But he and his friends were stubborn in finding the flag, where I am a little different. I am pretty stubborn, but I would never try something crazy like finding the person who stole the original american flag. I liked how he never gave up, though.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Julia

3/6/2015 12:37:35 am

Dear Mikey,

I have also gotten stuck in an airport before, but only for a few hours like you. Would you have kept looking for the flag like Henry? Your response was very clear and thoughtful! Nice job!

Sincerely,
Julia

Sage W.

3/8/2015 03:13:06 pm

Dear Mikey,

I liked your response a lot but am wondering something. My question is, if you were in the airport for days you would become more like Henry?

Talia

3/5/2015 11:37:26 am

Ms.Kimball,
I read the book A Long Walk To Water. The characters in the book live extremely different lives than I do so we think about very different things.
The boy that I am comparing and contrasting myself to lived the years from when he was 11 to 22 in danger of being killed or just dying on his own. So far in my life, I have never been in a danger like that or even 1/2 as bad as that. Really, I have never been in any real danger. Also, he began going to school at the age of 10. Actually, everyone did. On the other hand, I began going to school when I was 5, and so did most other kids,unless they started when they were 6. For these reasons we are different.
We are similar for a few reasons too. First of all, we both have gone to school. We like it for some reasons but don’t for others. For instance, we like learning new things. But, we both like to be at home with our families. Also, we both have at least one sibling. We both get along with our sibling(s) (at least most of the time.)
Talia

Kaela

3/6/2015 12:37:04 am

Dear Talia,
Wow, house are some great thoughts. I agree you don't really have any battle wounds from being in danger. And yes you probly havnt gone to school befor the age of 5. In your post you said that you sometimes get allong with your sister by the storys you have told me you dont get allong with her much. :) I really enjoyed your post! :)

Shira ( Talia's Sister)

4/6/2015 12:29:00 pm

We do get a long, a lot except for when I get upset and take over the entire day due to my woes. I'll try not to do that as much anymore(:

Amy

3/5/2015 02:10:06 pm

Dear class,
In my book, night of the living dummy, there are two characters, Lindy and kris. Lindy has found a dummy behind a garbage can behind a house. Lindy takes the dummy out and starts playing with it. She decided to call him slappy. Kris thought the dummy was dumb and she didn't want anything to do with it. But at school when Lindy brings the dummy, kris thinks she's gonna make a fool out of herself. But all the kids think slappy and Lindy are so funny. Kris starts to get mad because even her crush laughs at Lindy. That night Lindy told her parents that she got offered to do an act with slappy at a birthday party for $20. Lindy said yes and she asked her parents and kris if she could practice her act on them. When Lindy went to get slappy from her room Kris asked her parents if she could get a dummy. Lindy then comes down and Kris says well can I. When Lindy finds out that she s asking for a dummy she gets really angry. In this situation I am like Lindy because I have an older sibling who likes to copy me a lot. She copy's me by when I get a new thing she gets it too. She even copy's my clothes. So I think that siblings are really annoying but still without them who you play with or pick fights with?
sincerely,
Amy

Forrest

3/6/2015 12:35:46 am

Dear Class,

I am going to take a character from the book Because of Mr. Terupt. The character I will use is Peter. There are two things that Peter and I don’t have in common. One is when the class was outside measuring grass and Peter sees Alexia and throws his cardboard square right at her. He would do that without even thinking but I would not do that because I think it is a little disrespectful if you start laughing which most people would. Also Peter pulls classroom pranks which I would never do because for one there in the classroom and two what if the teacher of principal walks in! Well Peter got the whole floor wet right in front of the door, and guess who walks in? The principal! You can imagine what happens to her.

One thing that Peter and I have in common is that Mr. Terupt had the class feed the bean plants whatever they wanted. Peter Used cat litter (used), soda, and maple syrup. I don’t know if I would do used cat litter but I would make a crazy concoction just like Peter.

From,

Forrest

Arim link

3/9/2015 12:41:25 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball

In my book "Scorpia Rising" The main character and me are alike in some ways. One reason we are alike is that when Alex saw his best friend/caretaker die, he felt sad and angry, if I was in that sort of situation I would probably feel exactly the same. And the time when he was sent on another mission even though MI6 told they would not sent him anymore, Alex felt angry, and if I was in that sort of situation, I would feel angry too.

Times when I would have reacted different was when Alex shot Julias Grief, "bad guy," in cold heart, I at least would've gave him an second chance. Or when he had to act like Julias, I probably could not have acted like a bod guy like him, because all he cares about is that Alex is dead.

From Arim

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Student Work
for
Ms. Kimball's Grade 5 At Underwood, 2014-2015

Relive the greatness of this unforgettable group of students, my fabulous fifth grade class from Underwood Elementary School in Newton.