At-Home Reading Response Blog #7: Summary

1/29/2017

Summarizing is an important skill. It helps you focus on what is important in a story or text and sequence the main ideas in a logical way. A strategy to help you summarize a story is to first list what happens in order, then think about how those things are tied together. Transition words such as "after," "meanwhile," "even though," and "when," can help link ideas and make your summary easier to write.

This Week's Prompt:

Summarize what you have been reading independently. Tell the main ideas about what happens, and give background information so that readers know the who, what, where, when, and why.

I look forward to reading your summaries about your independent reading.

55 Comments

Owen C

1/29/2017 03:39:02 pm

Dear class,

I am reading Insurgent, which is the second book in the Divergent series. Tris is staying with the factionless to be protected from Erudite. Later she goes to Candor where she runs into some of the other Dauntless. Jeanine is running attack simulation to take control of the people. But Tris thinks she after something that they have. Later another simulation happens which is a message for her to go to Erudite. So Tris sneaks out into the night to go to Erudite, even after she made a promise not to.

Sincerely,
Owen C

Nadya

2/6/2017 04:48:18 pm

Dear Owen C.
As I understand Tris goes through a lot of adventure. I really like how you described everything that happened while staying with the main idea but giving a good amount of detail. Who in the world are all these characters? Could you explain who they are? Why does Tris need to be protected from Erudite?
Sincerely Nadya.

Owen C

2/16/2017 04:56:48 pm

Dear Nadya,

Thanks for the feedback. When I read your questions, I could tell you liked the summary, and to answer your questions. Tris, is the main character in the story. She is divergent so she has to run away from Jeanine. Jeanine ( ja-nīne) is the leader of Erudite, and she is trying to hunt down the divergent to study how the behave. So she can make a simulation serum that works on the divergent mind.

Sincerely,

Owen C

Nadya

1/30/2017 04:53:34 pm

Dear Ms.Kimball,
I am reading a book called Tomek on the Black Continent. I will summarize it. Tomek is going on an expedition to Africa to catch wild animals for zoos. The trip is dangerous but Tomek his father two of his friends Tomek's dog and a person who lives here to guide them are still going. They need to hire some people to carry their things and they get them from a slave seller that has control over a near by African village. Tomek and one of his friends who is a sailor want to free a slave. They do but the slave seller is so angry that he decides to give them pay back. As the group travels the carriers are acting suspicious but nothing terrible is happening yet until another friend who is an expert animal catcher goes of for a walk and does not return. When they do find him he is badly hurt and the group thinks that it is part of the slave sellers revenge. That is all I will say because I have not red further.
Sincerely Nadya.

Owen C

2/9/2017 07:36:56 pm

Dear Nadya,

Great summary, I think you did a good job getting the main ideas. Your summary made the book more appealling. I was a little confused when you said in your summary "Goes of for a walk" Did you mean goes off for a walk? What do you think is one of the most important ideas to start the story off?

Sincerely,

Owen C

Willie

1/30/2017 06:18:20 pm

Dear Class,
I am reading the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. So far Harry has gone to the Quidditch world cup with the Weaslys and his friend Hermoine. But some masked dark wizards came and invaded the campsite in which they and all the fans were staying in. After that Mr. Weasly had lots of trouble at the Minestry of Magic. The Daily Prophet was spreading news about how they are letting magic out of control and how they're screwing up.
Once Harry got to Hogwarts, Dumbledore announced that the triewizard tournament will be taking place this year and that sixth and seventh years will be able to participate in the selection to represent their school against the two other schools of magic. But Fred, George, Ron, and Harry want to fool the judges in thinking they are sixth or seventh years. The only thing about this all is that the Quidditch house cup is canceled this year. Harry will sometimes find himself missing Quidditch.
When the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons show up Harry is supriesed to see a giant horse carriage with Durmstrang students and the Durmstrang headmaster, a giant woman who is about the same size as Hagrid. That is all I have read so far.
Sincerely,
Willie

Thomas H

2/8/2017 03:45:37 pm

Dear Willie,
I liked what you wrote about Harry’s 4th year at Hogwarts. I like that you added the side emotion that Harry is feeling about the canceled quidditch house cup. However, I’m sorry to say I thought that was a bit of a retell. You used Although I have read the book, can you tell me what the Durmstrang and the Beauxbaton students seem like? Based on their attitude, what do you think their headmaster wants them to look like in public eye? I ask you to push your thinking.
I enjoyed reading your response.
Sincerely,
Thomas H.

Willie

2/17/2017 08:06:10 am

Dear Thomas H.,
Thank you for the complements and I did also notice it was a bit of a retelling. To answer your first question the foreign students to me do not seem suspicious or anything that's worth investigating. I do not understand your second question though. Do you mean public meaning muggles or do you mean in the typical wizard's eye?
Sincerely,
Willie

Kate

1/30/2017 07:23:00 pm

Dear Class,

I’ve been reading Wonder lately, and here is my summary on the part of the book I read. So far I’ve meet a lot of characters some good, some not so much. The main character is August or Auggie Pullman and he was born with what sounds like a rare facial deformity, which makes him look extremely different from all other kids. But I’m not positive because he doesn't like to talk about it and isn't so confident about himself yet. Due to numerous surgeries he was homeschooled all his life but is starting a middle school in the fall. Auggie is extremely self conscious about the way he looks, and when he takes a visit to the school he hides behind his mother most of the time. At the visit he is introduced to three students who the principal is sure will be very welcoming of Auggie. Two of them are very inviting but the third does not seem to thrilled about August and the way he looks. Then, the first day of school is here and he walks in still shy and with his head lowered. The two kids from the visit are still kind, meanwhile the rude one makes a mean comment about his face. A girl named Summer sits with him at lunch and Auggie is surprised to find that she talks to him like a normal person and is very welcoming and nice. Days pass and Summer still sits with him at the table and he begins to warm up to the school. It's Halloween now and Auggie enjoys walking the halls with his mask acting like a completely normal kid. Hopefully Auggie will become more comfortable with his school and himself, and hopefully kids will all begin to treat him kindly.

Sincerely,
Kate

Jacob

2/9/2017 09:22:21 pm

Dear Kate,

Nice response! You did a good job describing the main character. Why do you think the third student was rude to Auggie rather than being kind and welcoming? Do you think he will turn around and become friends with Auggie and accept him for who he is? Why didn't Auggie just continue homeschooling rather than start in a new school? Lastly, does he meet any friends on the way or just sticks with those two kids?

Sincerely,
Jacob

Kate

2/15/2017 08:07:45 pm

Dear Jacob,
Thank you. I finished the book a bit ago so I don't remember specific details but here is what I do remember. At the very end of the book, there is a chapter from the third student's point of view where it sounds like he has intentions mixed up and just doesn't understand that it's hard to be Auggie, and that his life is different it's not all smiles and rainbows. Next, during the main book he doesn't really come around, but during the summer a story from his grandmother makes him change his mind and realize how mean he was to Auggie. He ends up writing him an email of apology. Also, Auggie and his parents had a lengthy debate about whether or not to keep homeschooling hm or to send him to a new school, finally it was decided he should go and at the end of the year he was glad he came to school. Lastly, he meets some other friends for example, a very nice girl named Summer, and at the end of the year some other kind boys who stand up for him.
Sincerely, Kate

Thomas H

2/1/2017 04:40:24 pm

Dear class,
I am reading Harry Potter and the deathly hallows by J.K. Rowling, and it is quite the book!
Being the last Harry Potter adventure, I’d say this is the most intense and interesting book in the series. Anyway, here is my summary: The order of the phoenix is in chaos. The Ministry of Magic has successfully been taken over by Voldemort and his followers. Leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione on the run, and the rest of Harry’s friends captured or under great watch. As Harry’s mission continues, Harry finds out about 3 hallows that might be of help destroying the Horcruxes. Will Hallows triumph over Horcruxes? Or will the wizarding world fall into Voldemort’s hands, so he can take over the world?
I hope you liked my summary.
Sincerely,
Thomas H

Thomas B.

2/8/2017 12:25:36 pm

Dear Thomas H,

I like your summary a lot! I like how you included detail and made it riveting and full of action! I have a few questions. What is the Ministry of magic? Who-or what are the Horcruxes? And what is the order of the phoenix? Also, how are you liking the book so far?

Ps: you spoiled some of the book for me!

Sincerely, Thomas B.

Thomas H

2/15/2017 07:19:01 pm

Dear Thomas B,
I apologize for spoiling the book to you. What other book am I supposed to do? Anyway, I have answers and disagreements to your questions. By me saying “It is quite the book”, I ment I like it a lot. If you’re asking what the Ministry of Magic is, you probably haven’t read Harry Potter. Any how, it’s the wizarding government. Now, reading your last comment about what are horcruxes, the reason that I didn’t put on what horcruxes are was because I didn’t want to spoil anything. I regret saying this, but Voldemort split his soul into 7 pieces--these pieces thus becoming Horcruxes. I also didn’t want to spoil what the order of the phoenix was, but it’s the group of people fighting against Voldemort. I hope that answers your questions.
Sincerely,
Thomas H

Max

2/1/2017 05:26:50 pm

Dear Class,

I am reading "City of Savages" by Lee Kelly.
In this book there are two main characters named Sky and Phee. They are in the middle of WW3 (world war 3) and in a POW camp that was made by people begging the red allies to let them stay in their city (the red allies are the enemies of the USA and the city is Manhattan.)

Sky and Phee find their mom's journal about what her life was like before the war and a gun (which is contraband), and they get in huge trouble with the POW camp leader. Sky and Phee end up finding out that the war is over and try to tell the camp leaders but they won't accept that the war is over so they make the prisoners stay in the POW camp. That is all I have read in this book but this book is great!

Sincerely Max.

Katie

2/6/2017 05:19:10 pm

Dear Max,
I liked your response blog and how it wasn’t a retelling, but an actual summary. It was good how you set the time. But maybe you could have also set where in the world they are. Also, how did Sky and Phee know that the war was over? And Finally, what are Sky and Phee’s personalities like? How are they taking this all in?
Yours Truly,
Katie

Max

2/16/2017 06:00:45 pm

Dear Katie,

Phee and Sky are both in the city of Manhattan in New York. Also, Sky and Phee knew that the war was over Because people came from the UK saying that the war was over but the POW camp leader didn't believe them but Phee and Sky did so they escaped the POW camp with the people from the UK.

Finally, Your last question was hard to answer because their personality change through out the book. But my best answer to that is that Phee is fearless and lets no one control her, but Sky is the opposite and is afraid of every thing and always take precautions.

Sincerely,
Max

Katie

2/1/2017 08:13:14 pm

Dear Class,
I’m doing a summary for the book “Wonder.” This book is about a kid who deals with surgeries, and other hard things. So far in the book, this boy has talked about surgeries, how people look at him funny, but mostly about his friend Christopher. In the book it talks about how Christopher is his best friend, but he moved far away. It also mainly mentioned how the main character is going to an actual school in a little while, instead of being homeschooled, which will most likely be important later on.
Yours Truly,
Katie

Max

2/9/2017 04:53:20 pm

Dear Katie,

I like the summery that you wrote. But what do you mean by "he deals with surgeries" because I am wondering what surgeries he is dealing with and how do they affect him? Also, who is "Wonder" by and why do people look at the main character weirdly.

Sincerely,
Max

Katie

2/13/2017 09:12:16 pm

Dear Max,
Thank you for reading my open response. Wonder is by R.J. Palacio. Next, when I said “He deals with surgeries,” I meant he’s gotten 27 surgeries since he was born. I haven’t read all of the book yet, but so far I’ve found out that the surgeries affect the way he eats because there's a hole on the roof of his mouth. Finally, the book doesn’t mention specifically what August’s face looks like, but it implies that he doesn’t look like everyone else. For example, a character asks August “What’s the deal with your face? I mean, were you in a fire or something?
Yours Truly,
Katie

Caroline

2/1/2017 09:10:36 pm

Dear Ms.Kimball,
For a book I have been reading Home of the Brave. Here is my summary of the book so far. The main charecter is Kek. Kek is a refugee from Africa. Kek's brother and dad died in a war, but his mother is still alive, but missing. Kek was sent to Amarica to start a new life. Kek sees snow for the first time. Kek lives with his aunt and her son Ganwar, Kek's cousin. Hannah, Kek's new friend is introducing him to a new life in America. He learned how to use the washing machine, and how to ride a public bus. I think that Kek is relly going to like his new American life.

Sincerely,
Caroline

Caly

2/9/2017 10:48:36 am

Dear Caroline,

I liked your summary you added some detail good but not too much. One question I had was why do you think Kek will like his new life in amarica? The next question I have for you is what do you think Kek is feeling right now? Over all I think you had a good summary.

Sincerely,
Caly

Caroline

2/9/2017 08:07:16 pm

Dear Caly,
Thanks for the feedback. I do think that Kek will like his ne life in America because he gets to try new things and meet new people. Even thought Kek misses the cattle, I think living In America might have a big impact on his life later in the book. Also I think Kek feels excited and overwhelmed.

Sincerely,
Caroline

Emma

2/1/2017 09:16:35 pm

Dear Class,
I am Reading the book FOUR By Veronica Roth, Here is my summary on what I’ve read so far. The main is named Four, and he’s had some Troubles at home. Four’s mom has died recently and his father has been punishing Four by striking a belt at him for nothing. Four wants to escape his father, he even also volunteers at places to escape from getting beaten by his father. This isn’t okay for any father to do, but since Four is in the faction Abnegation which is basically a faction of peace, this is very bad. But when Four is 16 years old he will choose which faction he wants to be, which allow him to escape. Four chooses the faction Dauntless, which is the faction that teaches you how to fight. When Four gets to the dauntless compound meets a lot of people, some better than others. Four learns to fight and along the way picks up an enemy, that later he will fight. Four gets put at the top of the leader board as the number one fighter. Right now Four has been asked for the opportunity to be a leader. He says “yes” and has to take a test and pass in order to become a leader.
Sincerely,
Emma

Ellie

2/9/2017 09:38:14 am

Dear Emma,

Great summary! It sounds like Four's had a pretty crazy life... I'm looking forward to learning more about Four!

My question is, why do you think his father keeps beating him up even if it's "not okay for a father to do"? How do you think this will affect the story? How do you think his father's behavior has shaped Four's personality? And why do you think the author has made his father cruel like that?

I've noticed that you said that Four has joined "the faction Dauntless, which teaches people how to fight." Why do you think Four joined Dauntless? How do you think the story had played out if he had joined a different faction?

All in all, your summary is awesome! Good work, Emma!

Sincerely,
Ellie

Emmaa

2/15/2017 01:59:20 pm

Dear Ellie,
Thank you so much!
For the first question I don’t think I can get my hands around the answer. I do think I can take a stab at it though. It might be that he had a bad background or he’s one of those people who likes disiplin. For the rest of the first question though, Four goes through a fear simulation. Which is when you face your worst fears while being under a simulation. In his fear simulation one of Four's fears is actually his father. For your next question I think Fours father shaped Four into a brave and strong man. I think this because when Four is training he sometimes thinks of his father which makes him mad and pushes him. The next question is “And why do you think the author has made his father cruel like that?” Like the first question I don’t think I can wrap my hands around it, but maybe Veronica Roth( the author) wanted to make Four’s father cruel because it lays out Fours personality for the rest of the book.
The answer to your next question is because Four wanted to escape his dad and the punishments that followed it. For your last question, I think the story FOUR would have turned out very different because since the story FOUR was published after Divergent everything would be different. For example, Four’s faction would be different and he would have a different personality.
Sincerely,
Emma

Caly

2/2/2017 04:04:16 pm

Dear Ms.kimball,

I will be doing my summary about a book called Harry Potter and the Prisoners of Abkhazia.
Harry Potter is a student a Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry in the third year of his time here with his friends Ron and Hermione. However, he discovers that the most powerful wizard Sirius Black has broken out of Abakan's and is now wandering trying to find Harry. When Harry gets on the Hogwarts express to go to Hogwarts about half way there the train flips and this mysterious Gard called a Dementor sweeps in searching…..for Harry!
After a somewhat scare some ride to Hogwarts harry finds his friends and almost forgets about the whole incident. However, when coming back from a very strange dinner Harry, Ron, and Hermione return to the Gryffindor porthole and discover that the fat lady guarding the porthole is gone and her portrait is in shreds! Could this possibly be the work of Sirius Black?

Sincerely,
Caly

Caroline

2/9/2017 08:04:00 pm

Dear Caly,
I love your summary. I think it was on the slightest edge of being a retell, but you did a good job hitting the main points of the book. I was a little confused when you said "the fat lady was gone and her portrait was in shreds" I was wondering what portrait you were talking about. Also I was wondering if you put yourself into Harry's, Hermiones, or rons shoes how would you address this situation.
You had a lot of great details, and your summary made me want to even read the book! I am not a big Harry Potter fan.
Good job

Sincerely,
Caroline!

Caly

2/16/2017 07:26:19 am

Dear Caroline,

The Fat Lady in Gryffindor tower lives outside of the boys dorms and she guards them and asks for the password. However, when Sirius Black is asked for the password he loses his temperament and shreds the portrait. If I were in Harry's shoes right now I would be very frightened.

Sincerely,
Cały

Alex

2/2/2017 04:08:49 pm

Dear Ms. K,
Like Owen I am reading Insurgent, but I just finished it. Tris Prior is a 16 year old girl who chose Dauntless, and that is really changing her. Her and some fellow Dauntless, including her boyfriend Tobias, are camping out at Amity headquarters because Dauntless HQ just got destroyed. The evil faction Erudite found out that Dauntless were hiding at Amity, so Tris, Tobias, and some other Dauntless have to fleed. They go to one of the factionless safe houses, and Tris finds out that Tobias’ mom isn't dead. They talk to the factionless and realize Candor might be able to help. At Candor Tris has to go under truth serum, and somehow because she is Divergent she can fight of telling her friends the killed Will. Then Erudite and some Dauntless traitors attack Candor, and then Tris and her friends have to flee again. They decide to go back to Dauntless and wipe out all the security. Then after a simulation attack Tris goes to Erudite to die and save her friends. One of the “bad” guys named Peter saves her by switching the serums and then Tris and Tobias find a file that saves the whole city.
From,
Alex

Anika

2/10/2017 08:38:24 am

Dear Alex,

Even though I thought your summary was informative it kind of lacked big details and it kind of sounded like a retelling. What was so surprising about Tobias's mom? Why is Tris Divergent. Lastly, do you think that there's a reason that the author placed the book in a caotic placing and that it effects the characters? I hope this makes you think.

Sincerely,
Anika

alex

2/16/2017 04:30:59 pm

Dear Anika,
Thanks for the feedback. I know my summary is kind of bad I talked to Ms. K. Anyways, Tris is suprised about Tobias’ mom because she thought she was dead. Tris was born Divergent and if you want to find out more about what “Divergent” is you have to read the series because I can’t tell you any more.
From,
Alex

Isaiah

2/2/2017 06:46:54 pm

Dear class,

recently I have finished reading a book called Poppy. the book is about a little deer mouse who finds herself on a big adventure. How the story ends I can't tell you, but I will summarize the story because well that’s what this R.R.B. is about. Anyway Poppy and the person who was going to marry her Ragweed go on Bannock hill without asking permission from Mr. Ocax the "great" horned owl. Mr. Ocax tries to catch some dinner he is successful in catching and eating Ragweed but not successful in catching Poppy when Poppy gets back to her family (dodging all of Mr. Ocax attacks) she is to scared to tell her family right then but later tells her parents and cousin. Her father upset with her tells her she has to go with him to go to Mr. Ocax to ask him permission to move to New House. When Poppy and her father go to Mr. Ocax to move he refuses after asking "have you been there?". when Lungwort (Poppy's father) says no. Mr. Ocax said it was because Poppy went on Bannock hill without asking permission, but Poppy had a different Idea. Poppy thought Mr. Ocax was hiding something. Now I could summarize the rest of the book but that would take a while, and release spoilers.

Sincerely Isaiah

Isaiah

2/16/2017 05:36:47 pm

Dear class,

First of all I know that I did a retelling. Second of all yes Poppy and Ragweed is are mice. Another thing is the part where it says "owl eat Ragweed" was a mistake. Also when you said what is Poppy hiding you either thought I said "Poppy was hiding something" instead of "she thought Mr. Ocax was hiding something". For your final question I think the moral of this story is either small creatures can do big things, or small mistakes can lead to big incidents. I think that is the best I could answer your questions.

Sincerely Isaiah

Ellie

2/2/2017 07:40:12 pm

Dear Class,

Here is my RRB. I am doing it with a book called Wonder by R. J. Palacio.
A boy named August Pullman is about to go to public school, but he's DEFINITELY NOT looking forward to it. He has a facial deformity, and if the kids saw it, he'd be the laughingstock of the school! Because of this deformity, Auggie (his nickname) has very low confidence. But he still has to go. And August still doesn't have high hopes, especially because the people who guided him around seem like they don't want to be with him, and he feels like he has to hide behind things all the time. Auggie feels hopeless, for everybody seems to be either scared or laughing at him, and he just wants to go home and hide. (This proves he has low confidence.) Then something surprising happens - a girl named Summer, who had ignored him before, sits with him at lunch! This is all I have read of the book and I will read more soon! I predict that the fact that Summer is sitting with Auggie will boost August's confidence and self-esteem, and he will try to see if he can be a more confident kid.
That is my RRB.

Sincerely,
Ellie

Emma

2/8/2017 01:57:10 pm

Dear Ellie,
You had a great response! And you told me all about what you’ve read so far in Wonder, without retelling it. I only have a several things to say about your post. One of those things is do the people who guided Auggy around forced to guide him around? Also If you were In Summer’s shoes do you think that you would have enough courage to go and sit with Auggie? Lastly, Does Auggie have any other troubles at school or home? If so, why do you think he has these troubles at home?
Sincerely,
Emma

Ellie

2/15/2017 07:17:22 pm

Dear Emma,

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. I don't know if the people were forced to guide Auggie around, but I presume they were because they refused to meet Auggie's eyes, and they acted like they hated to be there. If they wanted to guide Auggie around, then they wouldn't be acting so miserable. That is why I think they were forced to guide Auggie around.

If I were in Summer's shoes I think that I might have the courage to sit with him, but I'd have to wait a little longer. It takes a while for me to get used to surprising things, while Summer sat with Auggie almost straight after he came to school. That is what I think I would do if I were in Summer's shoes.

Auggie does have some other problems at school. I have read a little farther and one mean kid named Julian is calling him the "Zombie Kid" and mocking him behind his back. I think that this problem will get bigger and build more tension until Auggie builds up the courage to go and challenge Julian.

Thanks for responding!

Sincerely,
Eleanor

Wyatt

2/2/2017 08:21:01 pm

Dear Ms.K,
I am reading a book called Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. A kid named Brain takes a plane over to go visit his father. The pilot dies and Brian and Brian has to fly the plane. He slowly crashes the plane and lands into a lake. Brian gets out and tries to use all of the resources he has. After a day while of looking he finds a cave a caps out in it. Brian finds a bunch of berries and meets a bear, Brian stood still so the bear did"t harm him. Brian finds a bunch of eggs and has to eat them or he will starve. There is a little pond next to Brian's shelter and he makes a spear and hunts down some fish. They were hard to catch the quick fish, but Brian managed to do it. Brian cooked the fish by throwing his hatchet at the rocks to cause sparks to start a fire. After a while Brian was sick of the fish, Brian attempted to commit suicide. Luckily he snapped back into it. (Have not finished the rest)

Sincerely,
Wyatt

Anika

2/2/2017 09:13:56 pm

Dear Class,

At home I'm reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. So here's my summary:

Harry Potter is a boy who lives in 4 privet drive and sleeps under the staircase. He lives with his aunt and uncle and his irritating cousin Dudley. Later in the book Harry finds out he's a wizard and is taken to the school of Hogwarts of wizardry and witchcraft. Harry meets two new peers, that I can say are sort of his friends, their names are Hermine Granger and Ron Weasly. Harry soon comes to find a secret that is revealing his past slowly as the book continues. That's all that has happened so far so that's my summary I hope you understand.

Sincerely,
Anika

alex

2/10/2017 03:10:31 pm

Dear Anika,
I think your response was good and pretty detailed. One thing that I am wondering is, how does Harry find out that he is a wizard? I haven't read any of the books so I don't really know. And does Harry live under the staircase because he is in trouble? I don't really understand that part. But overall you did a good job.
From,
Alex :)

Anika

2/14/2017 09:16:15 pm

Dear Alex,

First, thank you for the comments and feedback. Next, Harry finds out that he's a wizard because unusual things start to happens so when his Aunt and Uncle and cousin decide to move Hagrid Harry's friend comes and tells him. Third, I am not really sure exactly why Harry lives under the staircase. Though I am pretty sure that it's because his Aunt and Uncle really want nothing to do with magic or him. Though he does get sent to his cupboard a lot when he's in trouble so that's another possibility. I hope this makes you understand better. Again thanks for the feedback.

Sincerely,
Anika

Jacob

2/2/2017 10:34:42 pm

Dear Class,

The book I am reading is Percy Jackson.
Long before the ages of the gods, lived the Titan age. But Kronos called it the golden age because everyone knew everything. They ruled the 4th generation of rulers for billions of years. Then the mother of all titans had Zeus and the other gods. Kronos wanted to eat Zeus and the others but the mother Titan protected Zeus. Kronos ate the other gods. Later on, Zeus tricked Kronos into spitting all the gods out for example Poseidon, Hera, and others. Then centuries later, the gods had a war with Kronos and the Titans who were teamed. Zeus and Poseidon followed the war god, Hera’s, battle strategies and won the war. It all happened when Poseidon used his enchanted sword, Riptide, to chop off Kronos’s legs and Zeus killed him with the master bolt.
While at Camp Half-Blood, a boy named Percy Jackson fights a wolf like animal, called a hellhound, from the Fields of Punishment. Meanwhile, the god Poseidon, was blamed by Zeus for stealing his master bolt, which is a powerful lightning bolt that he used to obtain power. The master bolt is the bolt zeus used to kill Kronos the leader of the titans, who ruled before the gods. The master bolt also generated lightning bolts but it is protected by god bombs so only a non-god could steal it. Since gods cannot cross into other gods boundaries. Zeus is blaming Poseidon because he broke an oath to have Percy. After Percy killed the hellhound, a trident hovered over Percy’s head determining that Percy is son of Poseidon, one of the 3 powerful gods of Olympus. Then Percy is given a mystical quest, to retrieve Zeus's master bolt and return it so Zeus and Poseidon don't start a war. Because then all the other gods and heroes would have to pick sides, which would be insane and would pretty much destroy the earth itself.

Sincerely,
Jacob

Kate

2/6/2017 04:16:13 pm

Dear Jacob,

I like the amount of information you included, it's clear you read carefully. Although it might have been a bit of a retelling. Sounds like this book has a great backstory and plot so far. You definitely made the background information clear and the who, what, and why are specific. I'm a little confused on the when, and where though. Also, did Percy not know that he was the son of Poseidon? Lastly, does the author, make all this information very clear or did you have to reread the text to have that level of understanding?

Sincerely,
Kate

Jacob

2/16/2017 09:31:54 pm

Dear Kate,

Thank you for your feedback. Actually Kate, it doesn't really describe the dates, months, or years so it's hard to tell when it's taking place. No Percy didn't know he was the son of Poseidon until at Camp Half Blood. Percy thought he was just a normal kid with dyslexia and ADHD, which is what all half bloods have. ADHD would keep you moving and alive on the battlefield. Percy was also kicked out of many private schools. In addition, many evil monsters have attacked him during that school time. And gods, like Poseidon, appeared to be just normal men to non half bloods unlike Percy, that's how the gods cloak themselves. Then Percy went to Camp Half Blood, where he found out he was Poseidon's son. When Percy stepped in the water wounded a trident hovered over his head then he was healed and identified as Poseidon's son. (The book jumps in time a lot.) I definitely had to re-read sections of the book at the beginning because It made no sense until I read it three times but, once you get into the flow of the book then it starts clearing up.

Sincerely,
Jacob

Thomas B.

2/3/2017 07:18:20 am

Dear Ms Kimball,

I am summarizing Ms. Frisby And The Rats Of NIMH.
So, basically, a widowed mouse named Ms Frisby and her four children have to move from there home for harvest season. The only problem is that her youngest son is sick with pneumonia and cannot be moved. Ms. Frisby needs to do something fast. Fortunately, she comes across a society of highly civilized, clever, and intelligent rats called the rats of NIMH. They have escaped from a neurology and genetics lab and made their home on the farm where Ms. Frisby lives. With the help of the rats, Ms. Frisby is able to have them physically move her home to a safer place. Unfortunately, after that, the rats move house to very far away, to avoid being exterminated.

That is my summary of Ms. Frisby and The Rats Of NIMH.

Sincerely, Thomas B.

Owen 5

2/3/2017 07:45:36 am

Dear Ms.Kimball

I am/was reading a book called wings of fire I don't want to give away too much from the first book so here goes. Wings of fire is mostly about five dragonets (baby dragons) that are basicly legend. The dragonets include Glory a Rainwing, (type of dragon) Tsunami the Sea Wing, Clay the Mud Wing, Starflight the Nightwing and finally Sunny the Sandwing. And there the key to stop the war of dragons this is how the war started. There was once a sand wing named Oasis and she was the queen of the sand wings and then she was killed by scavengers Weak pathetic flightless birds. And her three daughters are now fighting over the thrown. Oasis's daughters are named Blister Burn and Blaze. Burn wants the war to continue Blister just wants to win and Blaze just wants to win. And it's the dragonets job to (somehow) stop the war.

Sincerely Owen 5

Isaiah

2/8/2017 04:11:14 pm

Dear Owen 5

I liked your summery about "Wings of Fire". One question I have is how could the sand queen die from weak pathetic flightless birds? Because the sand queen is a all powerful queen how could she die from pathetic birds? Another question I have is why would burn want the war to continue? Is she just mean? over all I liked your response.

Sincerely Isaiah

Owen 5

2/13/2017 05:59:23 pm

Dear Isaiah

I thought you summary was great! But one question is did the Owl eat Ragweed? And is Ragweed a mouse? What is Poppy hiding that's so special and why do you think Poppy is a mouse? And what do you think the moral of this story is and why? This summary is definitely not a re-telling just so you know. P.S I need to read this next!

Sincerely, Owen 5

Yair

2/4/2017 09:02:23 pm

Dear Ms Kimball
I am reading a book called the Absolutely true diary of a part time Indian. Here is my summary.
Junior is a poor teenage boy who lives in a reservation. In fact, Junior is so poor that when his dog was sick his family couldn’t afford to take him to the hospital. Junior was born with a disease called hydrocephalus (water in the brain). His large scull made him a victim of bullying from his tribe members and other kids. One day when he was in school his teacher gave him textbooks. He was really excited to get them at first, but when he saw his mother’s name on it he got mad and threw the book and accidently hit his teacher in the face. He was mad because he had to study from the same textbooks as his mom when she was in high school. That also proves that the school was so poor that it couldn’t afford to get new books. The next day Junior went to a rich white school because his teacher told him that if he didn’t he would not be able to succeed. When he started at his new school nobody liked him, but later on he earned respect of students and teachers. The kids started liking him, because he was smart and wasn’t afraid to stand up for himself. Later on in his life his sister grandma and close friend died due to accidents involving alcohol. Even though Junior wasn’t healthy he managed to get a good education outside of the reservation make friends and play sports.
Sincerely, Yair

Wyatt

2/9/2017 08:06:13 pm

Dear Yair,
You didn't describe every step that Junior did. You did a summary not a retelling. Also, I could imagine Junior throwing the texts books at the teacher's eye. I have a question why did Junior throw the books everywhere when he saw his moms name on it? Was it just because he has a disease and he saw random things? When Junior went to the white school why did everyone hate him, was he a bad kid?

Sincerely,
Wyatt

yair

2/9/2017 09:33:06 pm

Dear Wyatt, I liked how you got all the details in your summary but you didn’t make it a retelling. Why did Brian want to commit suicide and also do you know how the pilot died
Sincerely, Yair

Wyatt

2/26/2017 09:02:38 pm

Dear Yair,
Thanks you for you're feedback. Brian wanted to commit suicide because he was struggling with food and shelter. Yes I do know why the pilot died. It was because he had a heart attack.

Sincerely,
Wyatt

Willie

2/14/2017 07:21:43 am

Dear Thomas B,
Your summary was good in the sense that it did not really give away the important parts that spoil the story. Also, you clearly did not go into a retelling. But, no summary is perfect. I did notice a couple of errors that could be fixed with proofreading and they confused me. How does Ms. Frisby come across these rats? And, Why did the rats help her and her youngest son?
Sincerely,
Willie

Thomas B.

2/16/2017 08:02:27 pm

Dear Willie,

First of all, Ms. Frisby meets the rats on advice of an owl, whom she meets on advice of her friend Jeremy the crow. For your second question, the rats helped because they knew that it would be an act of kindness to help. Also, they did not want to see anyone get hurt by the plow.

I hope that answers all your questions!

Sincerely, Thomas B.

yair

2/14/2017 09:08:41 pm

Dear Wyatt,

Thank you for your feedback

Junior threw the book in his teachers face because he was mad that the school couldn’t afford to get new text books and he didn’t mean to throw the book in his teachers face he just threw it and it accidently hit the teachers face. When Junior went to a white school people didn’t like him, because he was the only Indian kid in the school. He also had the large scull and that made the kids think that he is weird and kids just started picking on him.

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