Instructions: Character Letter

General Instructions
Each week I will assign you a different book club assignment for this journal. Read at least 100 pages a week and follow the instructions for each assignment. When you finish a book, don’t forget to write the title, author, number of pages, and date you finished in the back of your journal.

• All letters must begin with the letter heading “Dear Book Club” and include the date, just like a real letter.
• Begin each letter by telling your group the title and author. Also give a brief (3-5 sentence) summary of what the book is about, a mini plot summary.
• Write 2-3 full pages, no more, no less, plus a page for a graphic or drawing.
• Letters must be written neatly in cursive, printing, or typing.
• Correct all spelling, and use proper punctuation.
• Write on both sides of each journal page.
• Practice reading your letter aloud at home prior to sharing it in group.


Character Letter Instructions
Before writing your letter, select a main character from your book and make a character map to brainstorm ideas for your character letter. Begin the letter with a mini plot summary. In your letter physically describe a main character in your book. Next, describe his/her personality using at least two adjectives. Give evidence from the book of something that character has done that supports each adjective. What makes these personality characteristics important to the story? What do you like or dislike about this character?

Instructions: Setting Letter

General Instructions
Each week I will assign you a different book club assignment for this journal. Read at least 100 pages a week and follow the instructions for each assignment. When you finish a book, don’t forget to write the title, author, number of pages, and date you finished in the back of your journal.

• All letters must begin with the letter heading “Dear Book Club” and include the date, just like a real letter.
• Begin each letter by telling your group the title and author. Also give a brief (3-5 sentence) summary of what the book is about, a mini plot summary.
• Write 2-3 full pages, no more, no less, plus a page for a graphic or drawing.
• Letters must be written neatly in cursive, printing, or typing.
• Correct all spelling, and use proper punctuation.
• Write on both sides of each journal page.
• Practice reading your letter aloud at home prior to sharing it in group.

Setting Letter Instructions
Before you begin your letter, draw a color picture of a setting from your book (one main place and time in history). Label items in the picture with a word of sensory description. Begin the letter with a mini plot summary. Describe this setting in detail. Use all five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, mood) and label these on your picture. Describe this place in such a way that the reader feels like they are there and can make a mental picture. How does it affect the characters? How does this place affect the feeling or mood of the story? How does it affect the plot? What do you like or dislike about this place? Describe a place that has a similar setting, either real or from a book or movie.

Instructions: Plot Letter

General Instructions
Each week I will assign you a different book club assignment for this journal. Read at least 100 pages a week and follow the instructions for each assignment. When you finish a book, don’t forget to write the title, author, number of pages, and date you finished in the back of your journal.

• All letters must begin with the letter heading “Dear Book Club” and include the date, just like a real letter.
• Begin each letter by telling your group the title and author. Also give a brief (3-5 sentence) summary of what the book is about, a mini plot summary.
• Write 2-3 full pages, no more, no less, plus a page for a graphic or drawing.
• Letters must be written neatly in cursive, printing, or typing.
• Correct all spelling, and use proper punctuation.
• Write on both sides of each journal page.
• Practice reading your letter aloud at home prior to sharing it in group.

Plot Letter Instructions
Before you begin this letter create and label a plot graph. Begin this letter with a one sentence summary as to what your book is all about. Continue the letter by briefly describing the main characters (protagonist and antagonist) and the main setting. Continue your letter by giving examples of the Rising Action (a summary of important events/sub-plots in order) followed by the Climax (the main conflict/problem to be confronted), and Resolution (how does it end?). If you are not finished with the book predict the climax and resolution. Are you satisfied with the ending of your book? Why or why not? If you are finished, predict what might happen to the main characters in the future. Use the plot language in your letter (character, protagonist, antagonist, setting, rising action, climax, resolution, and prediction).

Instructions: Favorite/Least Favorite Section Letter

General Instructions
Each week I will assign you a different book club assignment for this journal. Read at least 100 pages a week and follow the instructions for each assignment. When you finish a book, don’t forget to write the title, author, number of pages, and date you finished in the back of your journal.

• All letters must begin with the letter heading “Dear Book Club” and include the date, just like a real letter.
• Begin each letter by telling your group the title and author. Also give a brief (3-5 sentence) summary of what the book is about, a mini plot summary.
• Write 2-3 full pages, no more, no less, plus a page for a graphic or drawing.
• Letters must be written neatly in cursive, printing, or typing.
• Correct all spelling, and use proper punctuation.
• Write on both sides of each journal page.
• Practice reading your letter aloud at home prior to sharing it in group.

Favorite/Least Favorite Section Letter Instructions
Begin this letter with a mini plot summary. Continue the letter by describing your favorite/least favorite section from your book so that it will make sense to your readers. Include specific background information leading up to this section. Write down the page number and paragraph that you would like to read to the group and practice reading it at home. After you have read this section to the group, return to your letter and explain why this section is important to the plot of the story. Conclude your letter by describing why you liked or disliked this section.

Book Review for Shelfari

General Instructions
Each week I will assign you a different book club assignment for this journal. Read at least 100 pages a week and follow the instructions for each assignment. When you finish a book, don’t forget to write the title, author, number of pages, and date you finished in the back of your journal.
• All letters must begin with the letter heading “Dear Book Club” and include the date, just like a real letter.
• Begin each letter by telling your group the title and author. Also give a brief (3-5 sentence) summary of what the book is about, a mini plot summary.
• Write 2-3 full pages, no more, no less, plus a page for a graphic or drawing.
• Letters must be written neatly in cursive, printing, or typing.
• Correct all spelling, and use proper punctuation.
• Write on both sides of each journal page.
• Practice reading your letter aloud at home prior to sharing it in group.

Book Review for Shelfari
There are three sections to this letter. Have fun and get published.
Summary
Write one paragraph that explains what the story is all about. Introduce your readers to the characters, setting and main plot. Treat this like a one-paragraph Plot Letter.
Critique
Write a paragraph for each critique section.
1. Describe the author’s main theme(s) in the book. Give examples from the book. In other words, what do you think the book was really all about and what is your evidence? (ex. independence, bravery, friendship, love, greed, family, ….)
2. Describe your favorite section from the book. What did you like about it and why?
3. How well was the book written? Comment on descriptive language, character development, plot/story development, and resolution. In other words what did the author do well and how did he/she do it?
Recommendation
Write a paragraph explaining why you would recommend this book to others and explain why.

Post your recommendation to Shelfari. We will share these from Shelfari in class.