Reading Response #1

9/13/2015

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Reading Response Blog! You did well last week replying to my "Test Post." Now we'll start the actual "Reading Response."

Each Sunday, I will post a question or prompt for each of you to answer about your independent reading. It's my way of getting inside your brain to learn how you are making sense of your own reading. It also helps me make sure you are doing the assigned reading at home.

By Friday of each week, you will need to respond to my question or prompt by commenting on my post. Make sure you have read the Guidelines for Commenting so you know the requirements for appropriately posting a response. It should be easy! Remember, only use your first name, NOT your last name.

Well, let's get started!

The Week's Prompt:

Tell me what your book is about.
Write a brief summary of what you have been reading in your independent reading. Remember to be specific when naming characters and places. Help me follow what is happening in the story by keeping it simple and clear.

I look forward to learning about what you are all reading!

50 Comments

Caitlin

9/13/2015 08:06:12 pm

Dear Class,
I am reading the book Out Of My Mind. This book is about a girl named Melody who can't talk,move by herself,can't go the bathroom by herself and is in a wheelchair. Melody is very smart but know one knows that because she can't tell anybody. This books perspective is from Melody's brain. Melody finds this Medi talker on a website and gets it. The Medi talker will allow her to talk and tell her thoughts and ideas to people, and everyone figures out that she is really smart. This story is very sad but happy at the end. In this book you figure out how hard it is to not be able to do anything and not be able to talk.
Sincerely,
Caitlin

Ms. Kimball

9/14/2015 05:26:14 pm

Dear Caitlin,

Out of My Mind is such an amazing book. Good job summarizing it. I think you will persuade some students in the class to read it based on your description. I really liked how you discussed the perspective of the book and how the book will affect readers. Keep up the great effort!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Liana

9/18/2015 10:52:13 am

Dear Caitlin,
I love Out Of My Mind! It is so good! I think the way you explained it was very good. You really captured Melody.
Sincerely,
Liana

Tommy

9/18/2015 10:55:54 am

Dear Caitlin,
ow
I read the back of the cover to Out Of My Mind. I am still curious to know what the real main idea is. I am pretty sure it said something about a girl. I am eager to know what the book is about. I love hearing people talking about good books.

From,
Tommy

Liana

9/14/2015 05:52:05 pm

Dear class,
I just finished reading Paper Towns by John Green. It is realistic fiction. The book is about a boy named Quentin Jacobsen (Q) and a girl named Margo Roth Spiegelman. One night Margo comes into Q's room through the window dressed like a ninja. She summons him on a mission for revenge. He follows. They break in and out of places and put a catfish in anyone's house or car who has acted mean to Margo. Then at the end of their "revenge night" Margo tells Q that she thinks Orlando Florida (which is where they live) is a paper town with paper people and that everything is uglier close up. Then they go back to their houses and then the next morning Margo is missing. Q has to follow the clues Margo left for him. Can the clues lead him to her?
Sincerely,
Liana

Ms. Kimball

9/14/2015 05:55:38 pm

Dear Liana,

Wow! Paper Town seems like a very exciting book. Margo sounds like an interesting character, too. I like how the author expressed her personality by describing the way she felt about Orlando as a "paper town with paper people." She must be somewhat of a cynical person who is not too happy with her life situation. I wonder where she disappeared to!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Trisha

9/14/2015 06:31:49 pm

Dear class,
I am reading the book Rump: The true story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff. It is about a boy named Rump who's mom dies after his birth. Rump's mother, Anna is to weak to tell his granny what the rest of his name is. After a few years Rump is afraid he'll die with half a name. Also rump finds his mother's spinning wheel but doesn't know that he has a magical ability that his mom also had. Rump is teased by every other child in the village exept for his friend, Red. Rump eventually knows about his gift but red warns him about danger and rump has to go on a journey to break the spell and find his destiny. Rump spins gold for Opal the miller's daughter in exchange for jewelry. When she runs out of things to give him her first born child even though he doesn't want a baby. Rump finds his aunts and discovers his name. When the baby is born Opal doesn't want to give her baby away. Rump says that if she can guess his name in three days then she can have her baby. On the third day she gets it right and gets her baby back.
This book is a great book for people who like adventure but it is also very sad and emotional.
Sincerely,
Trisha

Ms. Kimball

9/15/2015 08:22:55 pm

Dear Trisha,

That's quite a retelling of the story! Based on how much you included, it sounds like you finished the story. You said Rump has to break a spell and find his destiny. I am wondering what spell was cast on him and if you've found out what his destiny is. I don't know if I should feel bad for him or if he is somewhat of a villainous character (you know, keeping a baby as a hostage from its mother!)

The book sounds like a fun read, sort of like a modern spin on an old fairytale. I hope you enjoyed it!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Trisha

9/18/2015 11:48:41 am

Dear Ms. Kimball
Rump is not a villain. In fact he is the nicest kid in his village. However the villain would be the miller because he is greedy and lied to the king and has unfair trades. Rump doesn't even want Opal's baby. She just wants Rump to get out of her tower before the King comes. Opal thinks she will have 12 children just like her mother and grandmother.
sincerely,
Trisha

ben

9/18/2015 11:54:49 am

Hi its Ben,
I'm reading Big nate and its so good. One of my favorite parts is how he sometimes calls the weather man and says what he didn't like about the weather. Also it takes place in the winter so he'll be playing hockey or he will be hit his sister with snow balls. thanks ben

Tommy

9/14/2015 08:24:27 pm

Dear class, and the rest of the world,

One of the books I am currently reading, is Ungifted. It is about an average boy who hits a ball with a stick and breaks the gym window, during a rivalry basketball game! The superintendent was first mad, then the next day, he thinks the boy is a genius! So, the next day, he got to go to a school for the gifted, and that is how far I got.

Sincerely, Tommy

Ms. Kimball

9/15/2015 08:25:26 pm

Dear Tommy,

I haven't read it, but I have heard that Ungifted is a very fun book to read. I wonder why the superintendent suddenly thinks the boy (what's his name?) is a genius. The boy must have done or said something to trigger that assumption.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

August

9/15/2015 04:55:19 pm

Dear Class,

I am reading the book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. I have just started reading it so I do not know much about the book. This book is about a boy named Harry Potter who is a wizard. Who's mother and father where killed when cursed with the death curse and he also was cursed by the death curse but he was left with a lightning bolt scar by Lord Voldemort (the evilest wizard of all time) and now he is living with his aunt and uncle.he has just finished his first year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now back stuck at his aunt's and uncle's house. That is all I know about the book so far.

Sincerely,
August

Ms. Kimball

9/15/2015 08:29:54 pm

Dear August,

I love the Harry Potter series and I hope you do too. You said that Harry is now back from school stuck at his aunt and uncle's house, but you didn't mention how he likes it (or more accurately, DOESN'T like it) there. The Dursley's aren't like normal aunts and uncles, right? I love how the author describes their crazy ways.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

August

9/18/2015 10:56:49 am

Dear Ms. Kimball,

Thank you so much for the advice on my book report. The advice will really help for my next book report.

Sincerely,
August

Caitlin

9/18/2015 10:56:17 am

Dear August,
Is Harry the only one with his Aunt and Uncle our does he have a cousin. Also is Harry's Aunt and Uncle Wizards like him.
Sincerely,
Caitlin

August

9/19/2015 10:30:25 am

Dear Caitlin,

Harry has a fat cousin named Dudley. Harry's aunt and uncle are muggles (not a single touch of magic in them).

Sincerely,
August

Liana

9/18/2015 10:59:27 am

Dear August,
I love Harry Potter! I am only on the first book, but I am planning on reading the whole series. Isn't Harry Potter such a magical and amazing book?!
Sincerely,
Liana

August

9/19/2015 10:33:11 am

Dear Liana,

I LOVE THE BOOK. Do you LOVE THE BOOK like I do?

Sincerely,
August

Julia

9/15/2015 05:15:12 pm

Hi class! I am reading the book The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I love this book and I would recommend it to all animal lovers. It is about a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a cage at the mall. His only friends are Bob the dog and Stella the elephant. He also has a human friend named Julia who is an artist. Julia gave Ivan his first crayon, and now Ivan loves to draw. A sentence that I especially liked in the book is from when Ivan is describing what he looks like. He says "I wear a snowy saddle of fur, the uniform of a silverback." I liked this sentence because I could picture what Ivan looked like just by reading the sentence. Ivan's friend Stella lives in a cage next to him. Ivan thinks her trunk is amazing. There is a chapter in the book specifically dedicated to Stella's trunk, and it is about how Ivan thinks that Stella's trunk is a miracle. Bob is a free-roaming dog, but sleeps with Ivan, or should I say, on top of Ivan. Mack is the owner of the Big Top Mall where Ivan lives. Not-Tag is a stuffed gorilla from Julia, and Ivan's most prized possession. This is a simple story and each chapter is only about one page each, but it is a great story that takes you into the minds of animals and teaches you about friendship. I really enjoy this book and can't wait to keep reading!

Ms. Kimball

9/16/2015 07:34:47 pm

Dear Julia,

Wow! What a thorough summary! I agree with all that you said. I love The One and Only Ivan, especially because of all the unique characters you described so well. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the author's style. Even though each chapter is short and she writes only a few lines on some of the pages, I felt like she fleshed out Ivan, Stella, and all of the other characters so realistically and deeply. I felt like I was really inside the animals' heads! I'm guessing you feel the same way, too. They all had their own unique personalities.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

DeAngi

9/15/2015 06:09:15 pm

Dear class,

I am reading "The name of this book is a secret." This girl, Cass finds out that a magician dies due to unknown cases. Max Ernest parents are "divorced" because of his name. His dad wants to call him max while his mother wanted to name him Ernest. They have been bugging him ever since. Which name do you like more or do you want pancakes "Mom" or do you want waffles "Dad". So Cass and Max set off to discover the magician's secrets. But someone is in there way. A married couple are willing to bye the house. The wife kept on asking questions about Where are all his stuff or do you know where any of his documents are. The real estate agent just replied I think I gave it to someone, oh wait most likely I threw all of it away. And that is all I have read, at least for now.

Ms. Kimball

9/16/2015 07:40:36 pm

Dear DeAngi,

The Name of This Book is Secret is such a fun book to read. There are so many crazy characters --Max-Ernest was one of my favorites-- and the plot is very amusing. It can get confusing though! I got a little confused when reading your summary, particularly when you described Max-Ernest's parents and their divorce, and also when you mentioned some married couple buying a house. What house? Whose documents?

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

DeAngi

9/18/2015 10:52:52 am

Dear Ms.Kimball

It is a little confusing. I read it myself. I think you have to be prepared for my typing skills. As you know I am a little jumpy from here to there. But I hope you can help me with my typing skills

Truly learning
DeAngi

Anthony

9/18/2015 10:58:25 am

Dear DeAngi
I think that you should be more specific on what your book is called instead of saying that " the name of the book is a secret" Word of advice, that's not really what the book is called, is it? Do you know why that his parents are divorced because of his name? That's the really confusing part, maybe you shoulld explain more.
Your Welcome
Anthony

Emily

9/15/2015 06:33:26 pm

Dear class,
I'm reading the book Series Nancy Drew. I am reading a horse adventure one when a horses grain gets mixed up with cow grain and in the grain the horse "Dundee" ate the cow grain,but in the grain a mysterious poison hurt Dunndee the horse.Now Nacy and her gang have to find out who it was that put the poison in the grain.

Sincerely,
Emily

Ms. Kimball

9/16/2015 07:45:51 pm

Dear Emily,

I can tell you really love horses! I got a little confused by who's horse Dundee is and why Nancy is involved in finding out who poisoned him. I was wondering one thing... If Dundee ate cow grain, and Dundee is a horse, and someone poisoned the cow grain, then was someone actually trying to poison cows?? Such a mystery.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Kate

9/15/2015 07:41:43 pm

Dear class,

I am reading the Maze Runner. The maze runner is a fictional book but the author makes you feel like your in the book. By adding a lot of figurative language and detail. What is happening so far in the book is. A guy named Thomas was in a elevator and didn't know how or why. He is breathing really hard as if he saw a ghost. The thrashing of metal goes on for hours............and hours and then finally the elevator stops. Thomas curled his self into a corner like he was a armadillo hiding. Thomas was curled up like it was for days and days and days. But then finally a grumble echoes in the elevator Thomas turns up and sees a billion faces more like 50. The people help Thomas out of the elevator when he gets out everyone is asking him questions like whats your name. Thomas was puzzled his mind was as blank as a piece of paper he didn't know anything. I am not that far in the book because I just started.

Ms. Kimball

9/16/2015 08:15:39 pm

Dear Kate,

I can tell you were pretty riveted by the introduction to The Maze Runner. I was too when I read it. I agree, the figurative language that the author uses really brings you into the story. Thomas' ascent to the Glade through the elevator was quite harrowing, huh!? You must really enjoy figurative language --I noticed you use it a lot in your writing!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Emily

9/18/2015 10:56:42 am

Dear kate,
Maze runner sounds like a great book already from your post. what elevatore was Thomas stuck and why? Later i'm going to the library and know one gets to stop me from checking it out.
sincerely,
Emily

Maggie

9/15/2015 07:49:38 pm

Dear class,
I am reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling. It is about a compatition called the Triwizerd Tornament and someone enters Harry even though he's underage. Ron his best friend gets jealous and doesn't like him anymore. In the triwizerd tournament Harry battles dragons, mermaids, a Sphinx and unexpectedly lord Voldamort himself. It is a story of forgiving, bravery, and ...... DANCING?
Cheers,
Maggie

Ms. Kimball

9/16/2015 08:08:55 pm

Dear Maggie,

Wow, sounds like a wild book! I must be honest, even though I've read the book, I'm a little confused by your summary. I don't remember why entry into the tournament is so restricted and why Ron gets jealous of Harry. If I had no background in the series, I'd be wondering more basic things like, who is Harry? What is this tournament? Who is Lord Voldemort?

Of course, you do pique my interest with "DANCING!"

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Whitney

9/18/2015 10:57:47 am

Dear Maggie,
As you know, I love Harry Potter. But how is the Triwizard Tournament about dancing?
Love ya,
Whitney

Kate

9/15/2015 08:53:11 pm

Dear Class,

I am reading the Maze Runner. This book is a fictional book. I like the Maze Runner because the words describe so much about the
characters personalities. Also the author puts a lot of detail and figurative language in the book to make it feel like you are there. I just started the book but heres what happened so far. There is a guy named Thomas and Thomas gets sent into this weird place by a dark drab elevator.This place is surrounded by walls witch open up early in the morning and the walls are actually a entrance to a maze. When Thomas got out of the elevator he didn't know anything about him not even his name he was puzzled and overwhelmed he didn't know anything. A guy named Alby is the head chief of this complex and he tells Thomas everything to know to survive.

Sincerely,Kate

Ms. Kimball

9/17/2015 08:27:09 pm

Dear Kate,

I can see you revised and edited your previous response to make it more of a publishable piece. Good job. It feels more like a summary, too. You shared more about the big ideas rather than retelling specific details.

Thanks for all of your effort!
Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

jansyn

9/15/2015 09:31:04 pm

The book I am reading is More Scary Story's To Tell In The Dark.
One of the story's I like is the story about 3 fisher men in an old house
because there was a storm and they had no shelter. They found fire wood and they lit it in the fire place. They were trying to go to sleep but
they herd foot steps up stirs in the hallway then it stopped . There was a lady screaming then that stopped then blood was dripping from the sealing . The lady screamed not me then it stopped. If you want to here more you got to read the book.

Ms. Kimball

9/17/2015 08:29:59 pm

Dear Jansyn,

I am so happy you love the Scary Stories book. I used to devour scary books and horror stories when I was in 5th and 6th grade. The way you retold details from the fishermen story makes me get chills! I may have to read the story myself to find the answer to why the lady was screaming.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

August

9/16/2015 07:22:02 pm

Dear Class,
I have just finished the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. This book is about a boy named Harry Potter who is a wizard. His mother and father were killed by the greatest evil wizard of all time, Voldemort. However, Harry lived through Voldemort's death curse unlike his parents and is known as "the boy who lived". After Harry's parents are killed, he then lives with his aunt and uncle. He gets an invitation to go to the Hogwarts's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While attending the school he meets loyal friends and they uncover` many secrets which bring about mysterious adventures and personal triumphs. This book goes beyond the border of your imagination!

Ms. Kimball

9/17/2015 08:35:04 pm

Dear August,

Wow! What a summary. You did a great job giving an overview of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone without going into too much detail or giving away the story. I hope your description of the book will entice other students to give the series a try. I like how you generalized the plot by saying, "mysterious adventures and personal triumphs." Clever description!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Whitney

9/17/2015 08:00:10 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I am reading the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger games is an exciting action book with many twists. Katniss Everdeen volunteers for her sister in the reaping, a drawing of names for the hunger games, in which tributes fight to the death. When Katniss volunteers she does not think she will win. but survival has been second nature from the beginning.
Thank you!
Whitney

Ms. Kimball

9/17/2015 08:37:42 pm

Dear Whitney,

Good job giving an overview of the story so far without diving into too much detail. That's what a good summary does. I liked how you explained what the reaping was by using commas and a detail phrase. I'm wondering if you have read the entire series.

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

Whitney

9/18/2015 10:55:31 am

Dear Ms.Kimball,
To answer your question, yes, I have read all the books and seen all te movies.
let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Whitney

Maggie

9/18/2015 10:55:07 am

Dear Whitney,
You did an amazing job! What do you mean by "She Volunteers for her sister?
Cheers,
Maggie

ryan

9/17/2015 03:55:09 pm

I'm reading Scumble. Scumble is about a boy named Ledge who on his 13th birthday gets magical powers. Ledge's Dad thinks that his son is going to get the power to run super fast, but it's a surprise when Ledge gets the power to literally blow things apart! Ledge and his family are going to take a road trip to his Uncle Antry's ranch for a wedding but the drive goes entirely out of hand. When Ledge and his family finally arrive they have an unexpected visitor. Ledge calls his powers a savvy and it's not just little watches and small objects that can be affected, it's the whole world!!!

Ms. Kimball

9/17/2015 08:57:02 pm

Dear Ryan,

It sounds like you're reading a fun book! I like to imagine what my life would be like if I had super powers. I think I would want to power to teleport so I'm not late for everything. I'm curious about how "the drive goes entirely out of hand." I imagine that a car full of magical people can be pretty hard to keep under control. At the end of your summary, it sounds like you're suggesting Ledge can blow apart the whole world... woah!

Sincerely,
Ms. Kimball

DeAngi

9/18/2015 10:57:34 am

Dear ryan,

I hope you can share Scumble with me. I will think it is an amazing book.
Truly excited for the playdate
DeAngi

Anthony

9/17/2015 08:18:40 pm

Hey guys, it's Anthony here
I think that you should read the Warriors, Into the Wild. Rusty, a cat, joins Thunderclan and gets a new name, Fireheart, also known as Firepaw. Shadowclan is becoming stronger and Thunderclan is falling. There are some mysteries, which I always find out at the end. BUMMER!!!!! Although, this is a really good book and I recommend it to the people that like cats that fight, it's a chapter book. Spottedleaf died, but Yellowfang took her place as a medicine cat. Now that I am on the second book, Fireheart and gray stripe are trying to help Windclan find a new place to settle their entire Clan. That's what happening so far in the second book, Warriors Fire and Ice. I'm loving it!!
Peace out!!!
Anthony

ryan

9/18/2015 10:55:46 am

Dear Anthony,

I like the fact that you named the differnt types of the clans rather than just calling them clan 1 or clan 2. I im interested in reading the Warrior serries.

Sincerally,
Ryan

henry

9/18/2015 10:50:09 am

dear ms kimball
im reading my side of the mountin it about a kid that ran away to live off the land in the mountins
sinserly henry

Kate

9/18/2015 10:54:21 am

Dear Emily,

Have you figured out who put the poison in the grain yet? Also how far are you in the book? Maybe I will think about reading that book.

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