Mrs. Weisgerber Independent Reading Project Quarter 1, Fall 2011
Objective: You will creatively share your knowledge of your independent reading choice with your teachers and
classmates through creating a Book Advertisement using Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or an online template.
Content: Your Book Advertisement will feature answers to four of the questions below. The questions are divided into
four categories, and you will select one question per category. Other layout and presentation elements will be required
in your Book Advertisement (see the Rubric), but your thoughtful answers to these questions will comprise the bulk of
your grade.
The text & its AUTHOR The text & its PLOT ELEMENTS
1. Why did the author write this book? What was 1. Describe three traits of the main character,
his/her purpose? providing examples from the story.
2. What did the author have to know in order to 2. What is the setting of the story? How does it
write this book? impact the action?
3. What is the author’s writing style? Why did you 3. Name a conflict in the story, and describe how it
like/dislike it? was resolved.
4. If you were to interview this author about the 4. Are there any characters who changed in some
book, what would you ask? Why? way over the course of the book? How?*
5. What connections can you make between the 5. Describe an unexpected part of the plot. Why do
author’s life and this book?* you think it was included?
6. Would you read another book by this author? 6. What did you like/not like about the ending?
Explain. Would you change it in any way ? How?
The text & its READER The text & its RELEVANCE
1. Tell how this book is similar to another book 1. Make a connection between this book and a
you’ve read. current event or trend in our society.
2. What did you NOT like about his book? Why? 2. What is the message behind this book? Do you
3. Are you like any of the characters in the book? believe it is meaningful?
Explain. 3. Why should/shouldn’t other juniors read this
4. Did any part of the book remind you of book?
something in your own life? Explain. 4. Make a connection between this book and the
5. What did you learn from this story that you did American Dream.*
not know or consider before?* 5. What type of audience would be attracted to
6. How did you feel as you were reading this book? this book?
6. Do you think this book will still be on our
library shelves ten years from now? Explain.
* = a question that requires a little more digging or extra thinking. In other words, this question is probably more
challenging than the others.