Reading Response Blog #8

11/2/2014

Summarizing is an important skill for all readers to know. When you summarize something, you tell about the main idea and the main points of what you read. Summarizing is very different from storytelling, which is what we have been learning to do in Writing. Unlike storytelling, summarizing does not zoom in to the little details. Instead, you look at the big overall picture of what happened.

This week's prompt:

Summarize the story so far in your independent reading. Focus on the main points and big ideas so that readers can get a sense of the overall story.

50 Comments

Julia

11/3/2014 10:01:03 am

Dear Class,

The book, How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor is about a girl named Georgina. In the story, she, her brother, Toby and her mom are living in a car.Georgina is miserable, and would do anything to get out of that car. Her mom is working two jobs and trying to save up enough money for an apartment. When she see's a sign for a missing dog with a five hundred dollar reward, Georgina gets an idea. The book talks about how Georgina plans to steal a dog and her problems along the way. It was a good read, and I would suggest you read this book, if you haven't done so already.

Yours Truly,
Julia

Olivia D.

11/4/2014 05:04:08 am

Dear Julia,

After reading your blog I am thinking about reading the book. You really wrote the main idea of the story to really get your readers wanting to know more. I wonder if she is successful in stealing the dog, and if so do they even have enough money then? I really enjoyed reading your blog and I look forward to seeing your next
post.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Sofia

11/4/2014 05:32:59 am

Julia,
That sounds interesting! How far into the story are you?
Sofia

Julia

11/5/2014 10:58:35 am

Dear Sofia,
I had just finished the book when I responed to the blog.

Sincerely,
Julia

Amy

11/4/2014 09:03:32 am

Dear Julia,
I like how you Described the characters Life-style. I also like when you said what you think of the story. Another thing I liked was when you suggested the book to other readers. I think You should add your reactions to Georgina's plan.

From,
Amy

Ms. Kimball

11/4/2014 01:39:31 pm

Dear Julia,

What a clear, interesting summary! You got some great responses from classmates, too. It sounds like you already finished the book, but I can't fully tell. I am curious how the family ended up living in the car. Georgiana must be so desperate to change her miserable life situation in order to resort to theft. Did you find the book funny or was it focused more on the sad state of Georgiana's life?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

11/5/2014 12:14:27 pm

Dear Julia,
That is quite an interesting title! I liked how you described what happened in the whole book in such a short paragraph! (I think mine was way too long for a few chapters.) Did Georgina really steal the dog, or did she return it for the $500 dollar reward, if she ever found it? Great job!
Sincerely,
Mikey

Sage W.

11/9/2014 01:28:59 am

Dear Julia,

I think you did a great job summarizing How To Steal A Dog. I think its a good summary because after reading it I want to learn more about the book.

Danny

11/3/2014 10:12:15 am

Dear Class,
I am almost done with the Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart. Reynie, the main character, sees a mysterious ad in the newspaper that says, "Children, please come here for these tests." The tests are odd and random questions like, "Do you like T.V.?" Reynie went to take the tests. He succeeded in the first test, the second, the third, and then the next. Finally he goes on to the last test. Many of the questions are in the back of the book, so I tried some of them. Some were hard to answer but fun.
Mr. Benedict, the person who made the tests, asks Reynie and three other successful children Kate, Sticky, and Constance to join together to go to this institute and spy on Mr. Benedict's twin brother Mr. Curtain. Once they agree, Mr. Benedict takes them to the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they experience some of the worst and best things of there lives.

Ms. Kimball

11/4/2014 01:44:11 pm

Dear Danny,

What a very interesting summary! The story sure does sound mysterious. I like how the book lets you try the questions that Reynie took to get into the Benedict Society. I wonder how I would do on them. I'm so excited that you're almost finished such a mighty book! I can't wait to hear how you like the ending.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Olivia D.

11/4/2014 04:53:05 am

Dear Class,

I am reading Cherub 4# by Robert Muchamore.
It is about a spy society made up of teenagers with amazing talents. The main character is named James and just before he was recruited for Cherub his mother passed away. James has been assigned a mission and to complete it he must befriend the children of a criminal on the lose. He and his partner, Dave are the top agents in the society and all the pressure is on them to succeed.
I am loving this book so far, all the action and adventure really brings the reader in.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Ms. Kimball

11/5/2014 12:19:25 pm

Dear Olivia,

Great summary! Sounds like a fun book! So what's James' amazing talent? He must be pretty impressive in order to be a top agent in this society.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Olivia D.

11/6/2014 08:20:32 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,

James talent is he can solve huge math problems in his head in just seconds.

Sincerely,
Olivia D.

Ms. Kimball

11/6/2014 11:02:09 am

Dear Olivia,

That's a cool talent. I wonder how he uses it in action.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Sofia

11/4/2014 05:27:35 am

Ms. Kimball,
I just started "secret of the night ponies" for the second time. Where I am, the main character Jessie found people who's boat crashed on the cliffs by their house and saved them, during a terrible storm. That was the first time anyone has successfully made it up the cliff. Later, her friend clara was being abused by her parents, and Jessie brought her to her house.

Sofia

Ms. Kimball

11/5/2014 12:22:39 pm

Dear Sofia,

You book sounds complex. Secret of the Night Ponies is an interesting title. Who are the "night ponies"? Jessie sounds like she's a hero to a lot of people since she saved people and helped her friend. Are these two events connected in any way other than showing how Jessie is so helpful?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Julia

11/8/2014 06:13:56 am

Dear Sofia,

Secret of the Night Ponies must be pretty good if you are reading it for a second time. I have never heard of it but after reading your summary I might check it out. I enjoyed reading your summary and it sounds like Jessie is a really nice character.

Sincerely,
Julia

Sage W.

11/4/2014 07:38:59 am

Dear Class,

I just started Divergent by Veronica Roth, and so far it is about a girl named Tris. Tris lives in a world where you decide your whole life at age sixteen, and I know it sounds tough but its so much worse, because sometimes your decision means leaving your family forever. And at the choosing ceremony she didn't know whether she would chose dauntless, or abnegation,but she chose dauntless after all. So far it's about Tris, and her training, and how she's adapting to dauntless.

Ms. Kimball

11/5/2014 12:27:02 pm

Dear Sage,

Great summary! What a life-changing decision to be forced to make at such a young age. I wonder if I could ever make a choice like that. I could never abandon my family. Do you think this makes Tris somewhat heartless? What would you do?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Amy

11/4/2014 09:01:00 am

Dear Class,
I'm Reading DIVERGENT! It's a great book so far. I've only read two chapters though. What happens is every sixteen year old has to take a test. The story is focusing on one girl. (at least at the beginning)
Let's just say its not an ordinary test. Theres five Fractions Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Your not aloud to share you score at the school, You can at home. But for Beatrice, she can't.

Sincerely,
Amy

Nathan

11/5/2014 10:39:30 am

Dear Amy,

have you already read about what faction Beatrice joins? If so, why do you think she chose to join? If you have not read that part, what faction do you think she will join? I liked how you explained each faction for the people who have not read the books.

Yours truly, Nathan

Ms. Kimball

11/5/2014 12:31:44 pm

Dear Nathan,

Great questions! And good job not giving away anything in the story.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Ms. Kimball

11/5/2014 12:30:44 pm

Dear Amy,

I hope you're enjoying the book! You said that the kids aren't "allowed" to share their score and that Beatrice can't go home even though other kids can. Why can't she go home?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Layla

11/4/2014 10:33:13 am

Dear Julia,
That book you're reading seems really cool! I can't wait to here more about it from you in your next post.
From, Layla

Sage P

11/5/2014 05:30:27 am

Dear Class,
I just started reading the book Ungifted by Gordon Korman. I didn’t read too much yet because I just started the book. My book is about a boy named Donovan, he reminds me of Peter in Because Of Mr.Terupt. Donovan doesn’t try hard in school. He is a troublemaker and always get’s in trouble. Donvan get’s his name written down by the superintendent because he is always causing trouble and the superintendent had to remember Donovan's name. A lady came into the school asking for the gifted kids program. Something goes terribly wrong. You can keep reading the story to find out what happens to Donovan threw the story. It get's very exciting!
From,
Sage Pollack

Nathan

11/5/2014 10:36:21 am

Dear class,

I am going to summarize the story, Space Case, by Stuart Gibbs. I have not quite finished the book so I will summarize what I have read so far. This book is a twist between science-fiction and a murder mystery

Dashiell, the lead character is a boy who lives on the moon. One day he over hears somebody called, Dr. Holtz, speaking on the phone about a big discovery. This adds mystery because you never get to know what the discovery is. Something bad happens and it turns out Doctor Holtz had exited the airlock that very morning and died.
Dash feels that something suspicious has happened and he starts telling everyone he thinks that Holtz was murdered. Everyone thinks he’s crazy until one day.A new rocket lands on the moon and the “noobies” arrive. One temp (temps only stay there for a little bit and mostly just help with the machinery) called Zan thinks the death of Dr. Holtz is suspicious too. So Dash and Zan try and investigate.
A girl called Kira lands from the rocket too. Dash tells her about the investigation and she hacks the security cameras to see the footage of Dr. Holtz and he uses sign language to say “I am being killed by earth. Find my phone, tell my family I love them.” They find more evidence and they find out Dr. Holtz took a robot to hide his phone because he knew NASA would find the phone and cover everything up. Dash and Kira go outside the base and try to find the phone. When they get there a robot arm attempts to kill them. The robot arm is being controlled by the killer. Dash finally gets inside the base and presses the alarm button so everyone will know what happened.

That is a summary about Space Case from what I have read so far.

Yours truly, Nathan.

Ms. Kimball

11/5/2014 12:36:25 pm

Dear Nathan,

Wow! What a detailed and exciting summary! Your book sounds like so much fun to read. I like the science fiction aspect of it, especially living on the moon and dealing with robots. I wonder what Dr. Holtz discovered that made someone want to kill him? I can't wait to hear how your book ends. Let me know when you finish!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

11/5/2014 12:00:58 pm

Dear Class,
I am reading the book the Titans Curse by Rick Riordan. I have only read a few chapters , but so far, it is awesome. I have already read this book before, and I have read the whole series, but I still love it. In the part that I have read so far, Percy Jackson and his friends Annabeth and Thalia were on a car ride to a middle school. They received an urgent distress call from their friend Grover. Grover is called a satyr. A satyr is like a centaur with only two legs and it has two normal arms. He found two more half-bloods at that middle school. So when percy and his friends got there, there was a dance in the gym. So they found Grover and he showed them the other half-bloods. A half-blood is a person whom their mother or father is a greek god or goddess. Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, and Grover all wandered around the gym for a while, spying on Bianca and Nico Di Angelo, the two half-bloods. Then, Annabeth walked over to Percy and they talked for a minute, and when they looked back, and Nico and Bianca were gone. There was an open door right beside where they were standing. So Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, and Grover all ran out the door and followed them into the woods. They found Nico and Bianca in the woods, being attacked by a teacher in the school that turned into a monster. They all fought him for a while, and then a greek goddess, Artemis, and her army of archers came out of nowhere, and the monster jumped off of a cliff. But sadly, Annabeth was on the monsters back when it jumped off, so she fell off the cliff, too. Literally a cliffhanger! That is all that I read so far, and I am excited to read more.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Ms. Kimball

11/6/2014 11:08:11 am

Dear Mikey,

Awesome summary! You totally got me into the story with the way you told about the action, step by step. I like your clever joke at the end of your summary, too. I hope Annabeth makes it through! I'm sure you already know what happens. Have you ever read The Lost Hero, which is the next book after the Percy Jackson series? If not, you should give it a try!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Mikey

11/7/2014 05:06:42 am

Dear Ms Kimball,
I have read the Lost Hero before, and I really liked it, but I had to stop because it was my old teacher's book and it was the end of the school year.
Sincerely,
Mikey

Layla

11/5/2014 12:18:54 pm

Dear Ms. Kimball,
I just finished the book Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson. In the end, Hattie ends up writing a letter to her good friend, Perilee saying that's she's moving to Seattle to marry her friend from high school, Charlie. Charlie convinced her to say yes by including in a letter to Hattie that he loved her since they were fifteen. That is always where her friends Perilee and Karl live, so she will near them too. I think that this is a good ending because it is happy for every one.
From, Layla

Ms. Kimball

11/6/2014 11:12:28 am

Congratulations on finishing another book, Layla! I didn't know that Hattie Big Sky had a sequel. Where did Hattie Ever After pick up after Hattie Big Sky left off?

I'm glad it was a happy ending. Did Charlie play a big role in the first book?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Alec

11/6/2014 03:07:48 am

Dear Class,
My book, The Last Olympian is about a boy named Percy who has to stop the Titan Lord, Kronos to save Olympus. Why does Percy need to save Olympus? Because then The titans will take over the gods and destroy them. Thats bad. The book is very good so far with all these visions and action.

From,
Alec

Forrest

11/6/2014 08:57:24 am

Dear Alec,

That sounds like Olympus is at stake! I know how Percy tries to save Olympus but does he face any challenges along the way? It sounds very interesting! Keep up the great work!

Yours truly,

Forrest

Alec

11/9/2014 09:49:31 am

Hi Forrest,
Thanks for the reply Forrest. You keep up the great work too!

From,
Alec

Sammy

11/6/2014 10:52:03 am

Hey Alec,
long time no see hope your surgery went well, did it? The Last Olympian is a book I've been wanting to read very much. You're the fifth person that I've heard a good review from. A question I have about the book is does percy make any new friends or discovery's? Can't wait to read it.

Sincerely,
Sam.

Alec

11/9/2014 09:58:20 am

Dear Sammy,
Yes, my surgery did go well... Sort of. Well, you should read the book to find out if Percy makes any new friends or not. But yes, there is some discoveries they find out but I won't tell the details... Its going to be a lot more fun. Oh! Since I just finished my book, you can read it when I get back.
P.S. After you finish The Last Olympian, you should start reading The Lost Hero in the Heroes of Olympus Series. It has the same characters from The Last Olympian but has some new ones too.
Happy Reading my friend!

From,
Alec

Ms. Kimball

11/6/2014 11:15:21 am

Dear Alec,

We miss you! We all hope you're feeling better and we can't wait to see you hopefully next week.

I'm glad your enjoying The Last Olympian. I wonder why the book is called, "The Last Olympian"? Who is the last Olympian? Did the Titans destroy them somehow?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Marc

11/6/2014 10:47:15 pm

Dear Alec,
The last Olympian seems like a very interesting book! What do you like most about it? I hope you feel better!

From,
Marc

Forrest

11/6/2014 08:46:16 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,

Since I recently finished reading Where The Red Fern Grows I will summarize it. The characters in the story are Billy a ten year old boy. He lives with his mom, dad and three sisters. They live in the cherokee country in Oklahoma. In the beginning of the story his dream was to go coon hunting because he saw dogs and hunters hunting and he got very interested. His
grandfather saw that he was interested so he bought him the dogs. The only thing Billy had to do was hike over mountains to get to the pet store where the dogs were. Their names were Big Dan and Little Ann. In the middle of the story Billy had lots of adventurous times with his dogs. They caught a lot of coons in their day. At the end of the story Billy and his dogs were in this coon hunting tournament. They caught four coons to win. When Billy and his dogs were home they got in a fight with a mountain lion. Soon after that Big Dan died because of all the blood he has lost in his fights. Shortly after that Little Ann died because she got a big gash on her shoulder. When Billy was going to move to town he took one last look at the grave and in between both bodies grew a red fern. Legend has it that two best friends got lost in a snowstorm and died. When they were found there was a red fern between them. Billy thinks it is magic for the fern to be in between both of them.

Your student,

Forrest

Ms. Kimball

11/6/2014 11:19:27 am

Dear Forrest,

Great summary! I hope you enjoyed the story. It sounds really exciting yet sad. I always cry whenever a pet dies in a story. Most authors describe the animals in their stories so that you fall in love with them. I wonder if the red fern that grows between Big Dan and Little Ann is a symbol for something. Maybe it represents the love the two dogs had for each other. What do you think?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Talia

11/6/2014 11:36:05 am

Dear Ms. Kimball:

I am reading The One and Only Ivan. It is about a gorilla named Ivan. Ivan loves to draw. He lives in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. One day, a baby elephant named Ruby comes to live at the Big Top Mall. Ivan promises an older elephant, named Stella that when Stella dies, he will find a way to get Ruby to a safer better place. Ivan doesn’t know how he is going to keep that promise. Ivan ends up using his love for art to help Ruby.
From,
Talia

Rheona Mehta

11/6/2014 12:05:36 pm

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I am reading the book The Sisters 8. It is a book about 8 octuplets whose parents where killed or kidnaped on New Years Eve. All that was left for them was a note:
"DEAR THE 8'S,
Each of you have a gift and a power.
You will get you parents(or not) when you find out what each one's gift and power is."
It was left behind a lose brick ing there house.
Now they have to live alone with out the authorities finding out so they do not get split up.

bye,
rheona

Sage P

11/8/2014 06:33:22 am

Dear Rheona,
I really liked your summary. How did they find the brick outside the house? I think I want to read the book now. Your summary really pulled me into the book.
From,
Sage

Marc

11/6/2014 01:14:59 pm

Dear Ms. Kimbal,
I am reading Four by Veronica Roth. In my book Tobias is growing up with only one family member, his dad. He really hates his dad but he doesn't want to tell anybody. However, Tobias is able to free himself from his father when he gets to pick a new faction. He ends up picking dauntless but immediately he is put to the test of being a true dauntless. First of all, he has to jump on and off of a moving train, and second, he has to jump to stories off of a building. Within 30 minutes of picking dauntless he is worried that he picked the wrong faction.

From,
Marc

Arim link

11/7/2014 11:05:26 am

Dear class,

The book I started reading was a book called Alex Rider Russian Roulette Story of A An Assassin. In the beginning the main character Yasha/Yassen is a 14 year old boy lives in a poor village. His parents work in a factory. An accident happens when a chemical goes in the air.
Everyone dies except Yassen. In the middle he goes to Moscow to go try and live there. But he lands on the street's with some boys. Then he goes and burgles someone who is very powerful. And lands up being a slave. That's how far I am.

From Your broken foot friend Arim.

Yubin

11/7/2014 11:22:55 am

Dear Class,

The story I am going to summarize is a Korean folktale called "The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon". In this story, there was a strong, scary tiger who thinks himself he's the most scary animal of all. But one day, he crept into a farmer's house to steal an ox. Just then, the tiger heard a baby crying. The baby's mother told the baby not to cry and warned the baby, "Hush! Do not cry, otherwise, a tiger will come and eat you!" But the baby kept on crying. So the baby's mother gave a dried persimmon to the baby and the baby stopped crying right away. After having heard that, the tiger thought, "A dried persimmon? Oh, it must be much, much more stronger and scarier than me." And then, the tiger ran away.

Sincerely,
Yubin

Julia

11/8/2014 06:18:23 am

Dear Yubin,

Great summary! You explained the story really well, and I got to see a clear picture of what its about. Keep up the great work, I can't wait to read your next post.

Your Friend,
Julia

Sage P

11/8/2014 06:27:44 am

Dear Class,
I am reading the book Ungifted by Gordon Korman. Ungifted is about a boy named Donavon. Donavon is a trouble maker and when he accidently broke a statue that almost killed people. Something goes terribly wrong and Donavon ends up going to a school that he does not belong at
From,
Sage Pollack

Rheona

11/9/2014 03:00:23 am

Hi Ms.Kimball,
I am reading the book-The Sisters 8 it is about 8 octuplets whose parents where taken or killed on New Years Eve. They are not sure who took them or what happened to them but they do not want to tell anyone because they are scared that if they do they will get separated from each other.
One day they find a letter from someone. The letter was found behind a lose brick in there drawing room. It says:
Dear the 8's'
Each of you has a power and a gift. Something has happened to your parents. You will only find out who what and where about your parents after each of you finds out what power and gift you have.

The letter was left unsigned.
Now they have to live with out a father or a mother without anyone knowing, because if anyone did they wpuld have to be split up.

your student,
rheona

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

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