October's Reading Assignment

7th Grade Language Arts
Brookside School

October's Reading Assignment

10/24/2013

Writer's deepen their understanding of a character by getting inside their heads, and writing from their point of view. Using your suspense novel, choose one of the activities below to best show your understanding of point of view in the story you are reading. Your entry should be no shorter than one paragraph, but no longer than three paragraphs.

Option 1:
Write a letter from one character to another about a specific important event or development in the story. Your letter does not have to be long, but it should showcase the thoughts and feelings that the character has related to the event you are highlighting. It should be easy to see how this character views the situation.

Option 2:
Write a diary entry from one character's perspective about a significant event/detail in the story. Explain how this event impacted you. Did you realize something new? Did you solve a problem? The diary entry should show how you (the character) is dealing with something very significant to the story. (Thoughtshots would be great in this entry!)

*Include the title of the novel and the author at the top of your post!

20 Comments

Chris H

10/30/2013 12:54:33 am

Chris Horkan
Of The Slash By Michael Winerip

Dear Journal,
Man, Principal Marris really got mad at me over a little story. Who knew a story about Eddie the janitor was a sore subject. She was really mad though, like really mad. She said we had to take it out immediately or else we could get expelled for disobedience or something. I was sitting like a ragdoll while my friend, Jennifer, was doing all the talking. You know she had something in her eye when she read that story. It’s not like a bug but it’s like she was afraid. It was like she was scared that she would be in trouble or something. That’s it! Miss Bloch gave 75,000 dollars to the school for academics. What could a cold heartless person do with 75,000 dollars? Spend it on her self of course. Now there are two questions? What’s she spending it on and what do I do about the Eddie story. I’ll call Jennifer to see what she thinks, after all we are co editors. Wish me luck because I’m going to need it.
From,
Adam Canfield

Melissa Yu

10/30/2013 12:55:15 am

Stranger With My Face by Lois Duncan

Dear Diary,

I just found out that I am adopted, so maybe Lia isn’t lying about being my twin sister. That aside, though, I’m indescribably mad at my parents. It’s like they’ve been storing a piece of me in a little box in the attic where I would never find it. And now that I have, my (adoptive) mom keeps accusing me of trying to hurt her just because they never told me I was adopted. It’s natural to want to find your biological parents if you’ve just found out about your adoption! One thing that is a little disturbing to me did occur during our conversation though. My (adoptive) mom said that when she saw me, she wanted to keep me forever. But when she picked Lia up, she wanted to put her down and didn’t love her at all. That’s why she only adopted me and not Lia. It’s funny, though. A little after our fight, I was in my room when I remembered how Helen saw Lia’s eyes at night and said that they were evil eyes. I don’t think so, though, because whenever Lia has come to me, I can see in her eyes too, and they just look like eyes to me.
Also, I have tried and tried so many times to call out to Lia and I want her to come. Now, because I know for a fact that she is my identical twin, I want to know about her life- who adopted her, if she ever knew our biological mother and father, what was she like, and so many more questions. But she doesn’t come. Not in the day, not in the night, not even when my parents are shut up in their corners of the house and Megan and Neal are at a friend’s house. She has been gone for nine days and I’m actually getting worried for her.
I hope Lia is okay and that I will soon feel her presence upon me.

-Laurie Stratton

Jack Fernekees

10/30/2013 12:59:28 am

First Shot by Walter Sorrells
Dear Journal,
Many unexpected things happened last night. I woke up near almost the middle of the night and heard my father downstairs. Instead of confronting him about it i stayed far behind for him not to hear me. Whatever he was doing I think it has to do with the “new evidence” on my mothers murder because the sheriff had just stopped by earlier today. Is that wrong to think your own father could’ve done anything in the murder of your own mother, his wife? Anyway, as I followed his path, I notice that he walks extremely far out into the Barrens which was very dangerous for the both of us to do, let alone in the middle of the night. Whatever he had in that wrapped plastic must have been very important because he went the farthest possible to a place that no one knows how to get to on land to bury this object. This thing was a man made rock formation that people called jackstaffs used to lure ships long time ago. I don't know what that object was that he buried but i'm not waiting to find out.

Emily Soell

10/30/2013 01:00:31 am

First Shot by: Walter Sorrells

Dear journal,
Currently I’m going a bit insane. My mom was killed 2 years ago ever since I've been to find out who. I am going to find out who no matter what. I came up with a perfectly good way to find the murderer and so I went to the police and showed them my idea. Turns out it was my dad, I was pretty suspicious all along and finding out now that it was him I was shocked.
After the police arrested him I went to talk to him in the jail cell. He didn't look guilty at all. He looked at me and said "Did u do it if so I wont be mad?” I thought for a bit, then it hit me. Mr. Rothenberg. It was Mr. Rothenberg all along. Chasing us in underground tunnels with a gun. Always giving me a smirk, but why?
From David Crandall

Evan Banks

10/30/2013 01:00:59 am

Evan Banks
The Confession by R.L. Stine

Dear Hillary,

I can’t take this anymore. Sandy confronted me again while I was home alone. He really scared me and was threatening me. I know that he is a really good friend and all, but lately he’s been acting somewhat strange. I think something is going on that were not quiet catching on too. Sandy doesn't usually act like this, but lately he’s been creeping around a lot. Anyhow, we were in my garage, and he was asking if I told the police anything. I said no, but I don't think he believed me. Then he picked up my rollerskates, and was snapping them just like he did to Al. I thought he was going to kill me, but after that he ran away. I need to call the Police. Sandy’s not okay and I don’t want him trying anything else. Let me know if he does anything weird around you, OK? Oh and by the way Taylor is acting strange also. I think Sandy and Taylor are hiding something from us but I don’t what. Anyway, have a nice weekend, and ill see you in school!

From, Julie

Darlin Aguillon

10/30/2013 01:01:11 am

The Confession

Dear diary,

Ever since what happened with Al. It’s been stuck in my head. I don’t know what to believe now. I can’t believe that Taylor killed him! I had to protect her, that was the only way. Now ever since told the group that it was ‘me’ that did it. I lost them. Forever. They don’t want to be around me, talk to me, hang out with me. They don’t want anything to do with me. I feel lonely sometimes, but I have Taylor by my side saying “This is going to be alright, I’m sorry, I wish you’ve didn’t tell them it was you.” Taylor sometimes goes and talks to Julie and Hillary, that I wasn't a killer. I can’t handle this anymore. She needs to tell people the truth, before I do.
I heard my bell ring for the first time ever. It was probably the police or something. No way it was my friends. I was wrong. Hillary popped up. She was the only one that was really affected by this situation. She talked to me. She said she was going to go to the police because she couldn’t handle it anymore. But, then she changed her mind and she wanted to talk to me. I was completely surprised. I needed to spill the beans and tell her. Thats what I did, I told her.

From,
Sandy

Megan Wilczynski

10/30/2013 01:03:37 am

A Houdini and Nate Mystery: Danger in the Dark
By: Tom Lalicki

Dear Trane,
I now know why you are trying to kill me and my family. You want my great aunt’s wealth. You want all of us to die first so she won’t be able to give us money in her will and she will have give it to you because you won over her confidence. Well, I’m NOT going to let that happen. I will find a way to escape the ropes you used to tie me up in a chair. I have a friend who is known as the world’s greatest escape artist. And I WILL find a way to get him here and untie me. You will never win. WHEN I get out, I’m running straight to the Police Station and tell them all of what you have done.

From,
Nathaniel

Ava W.

10/30/2013 01:03:50 am

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

Wednesday June 10th

Dear Diary,

I’m dealing with something major here there is this girl, Sissy that Emma met on the lake when she was swimming, and I think that she is really bossing Emma around and trying to make Emma like her. She even made her try to jump of the dock and she can’t even swim. Luckily was there to save her , she could of drowned! A few days later she is was up wherever we are, at home, at the lake , everywhere! I really think this girl is a bad role model to Emma. Emma is only five, and Sissy is ten, big age difference right there.Also, after weeks now I have been really been curious where Sissy came from, one day I tried to follow her home and she suddenly disappeared, it seems to me very strange. A few days after this happened me and Emma went to the ice cream shop and we were seeing if she new Sissy ,she never heard of her before. How could nobody know who Sissy is? Not even my aunt knew. I’m really confused now.
Your author,
Ali

Saturday July 14th

Dear Diary,

Its been about a month and I have big news, I finally found out this whole Sissy thing. I found out the girl in the ripped picture is some girl Teresa that Aunt Delucie and mom used to play and she had died in the lake! Now I know why mom is scared of water now, and why she really didn't want me to come here in the first place. Also, i found out that Teresa’s nickname was Sissy.In addition I went out with Sissy and Emma on the canoe and she brought us were Teresa had died and tried to drown us, and then she suddenley said to us,”I can’t drown twice”. This shocked me now I know that Sissy is a ghost and that she is Teresa. I never knew I was ever going to believe in ghosts, ever. When I came home from this whole thing, I got even more shocking news. Aunt Delucie had told me that she was the one that killed “Sissy”. They were out on the boat and she threw a doll into the lake and she went to go get it and she drowned. Delucie said that she didn't know that she was going to go after it, and that she feels very guilty on what she had done,and also that she never told anybody.
Your Author,
Ali

Jason LoCascio

10/30/2013 01:03:57 am

The Confession by R.L Stine
Jason LoCascio

Dear Journal,
I just saw with my own eyes one of my “friends” on the floor with a skate tangled around his neck choked to death. I also found out something huge that I still can not believe. My friend, Sandy told me something and the rest of my friends something that is definitely the biggest thing i have ever heard. He was the one. He killed Al. Right now I am dealing with something huge. One of my bestest friends is a murderer. I can not stop thinking about the fact that Sandy is a killer. I need help but there is no one to talk to because I can not confess with anyone about what he did. I keep having all these terrible nightmares about Sandy coming to kill me and my friend Hillary. All of this is probably going to change my life with Sandy being my friend because every time I look at Sandy or whenever he is in the room with me I can’t look at him as my friend, I look at him as a murderer who killed someone that I know. I think I am actually scared of Sandy. I am scared of what he is thinking and if he try’s to kill someone again or even me. I dont want to be mean to Sandy and I do not want to ignore him because if he gets mad at me than he might kill me! I do not know what to do. I bet all of my friends are saying the same thing. I hope that I can figure this all out. Wish me luck.
From,
Julie

Kendall Shirvan

10/30/2013 01:08:37 am

The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon

Dear Loretta and Zack,

Yes, I know who you two are. I knew ever since Zack gave me the hamburger. I remembered the way he said it and always thought it was weird, no offense. But kidnapping me, really? If you were put in my shoes, you would understand me. You made it seem like I was in on this little scheme of yours. I was only ever innocent. I did what you told me and only that. Thinking about escaping was the closest I got to doing so. But instead you two framed me. Now my family won’t even show up to the police station to be with me. And it’s all because of you. You two caused this. Loretta, by throwing the gun in my hands to make it seem like I was in charge. And you were the one who was in my house, you put the tape on the door and stole my clothes and my fathers gun when Della wasn’t paying attention. And Zack, when you made me turn the lights on and off, pour myself a glass of water, turn on the tv, that was all to get my fingerprints everywhere. So that They would see that I did “normal” things in the house, and made it seem like I was living there not under my will. This might have been a well thought out plan, but it wont work. You too will be stopped and I can assure you that it will be by me.

Also, Loretta and Zack, I feel used. I was definitely used just so you could take Cristabel's money. And, I’m afraid, most of all. I’m afraid that I will be arrested, for being innocent. I’ve been told life isn’t fair, but is it really this unfair? Will I really be arrested, for doing nothing? I’m the victim here. Loretta, you are so scared and I feel the same way, just not about the same things. I can see the guilt in your eyes, and I can see what it’s doing to you. Why did you even agree to doing this in the first place? It is basically falling apart, so save yourselves the trouble, and admit to what has happened. And be sure to mention you the third person in on this scheme is, because I know there is one. Just admit to what has been done. I’m sure you won’t be in jail as long as you would be if the police ended up finding out and that you lied.

From
Christina Lattimore

Thomas Aiello

10/30/2013 01:08:47 am

Friday September 9, 2013
1:30 am

I woke up this morning to the sound of Bump. Bump-da-bump. I went downstairs to investigate what was going on, but I stopped about halfway down the steps. I saw the only other person in my house and that was my dad. He looked dressed for a walk, but holding 2 items that were hard to identify. I think one item was a shovel and another was a big bag with something inside of it. He left the house and to the athletic field of The Arsenal. I had to avoid the lights, so I went around the field. Dad then was walking across a big land bridge to another small area beyond The Arsenal. Usually there is nothing beyond The Arsenal, only trees and animals. Finally, my dad came to a stop. I was about 30 or 40 feet away, hiding behind a bunch of twigs. One side of me was a sea wall, the other was just air. Since I didn’t have a flashlight, I had to hear the sound of a shovel. Finally I heard the sound of my dad and the shovel. I don’t know what he was burying into the ground. When he left, I ran to the pile. But dad? He was gone...
What I as the reader have seen is that the dad is a murder. He leaves the house at about 1:30 am?! The dad is insane. He buries a body in the middle of nowhere. I think that this won’t solve any problems about why David is always so angry at his dad.

Neal Quinn

10/30/2013 01:09:48 am

Dear Sciron,

I am sorry that I had to completely obliterate you and send you to Tartarus but you were in my way. I know that I was scared when I saw that you kicked my buddy Jason into the turtle, or so you think. I know the reader of the book was on the edge of their seat when he “fell.” However he did not fall and I just used my special powers that I had learned not long ago. I even felt suspense when it looked the Jason fell I mean I was somewhat scared as well. Enjoy your stay in the Tartarus. Sweet Dreams!

Your destroyer,
Hazel

Andrew Nazzari

10/30/2013 01:10:40 am

Killing Mr.Griffin by Lois Duncan
Dear David,
This should not have happened. I told mark that you took griffin’s ring. I didn’t mean to have her kill for it. Your grandmother. I think Mark was the one who killed her. I know it sounds crazy, but I have proof. You're neighbor said he saw a teenage boy wearing a brown sweater in the room with Mrs.Ruggles before she was found dead, and mark has a brown sweater that he wears all the time. Also when we drove back to your house and your grandmother refused to give us the ring I cracked. That was too much for me and I spilled the beans. As soon as I got home I called Mark and told him everything about the ring. So he must have come over to your house and when she refused to give him the ring, like with us, Mark killed her.
This all isn't as farfetched as you may think, David. He is always complaining about how you do what you have to do. So this maybe another one of those things. These incidents are too much though. WE HAVE TO STOP THIS, NOW! Every single day now the Griffin murder is getting worse and worse for all of us. Can’t we just end it. Can’t we just go to the cops and confess. I don’t know about you, but I have had enough of this and I am going to tell someone. Are you with me?
Love,
Sue

Helen R

10/30/2013 01:11:06 am

The Calder Game

Blue Balliett

Dear Diary,

Something very weird is happening around here. I have a very suspicious feeling that something bad is going happen. I wonder why everyone in the town hates that gigantic red sculpture in the middle of the town?Is Alexander Calder(Sculptor) somehow related to why everybody here hates me and the sculpture? Why do people avoid me and people seem to talk about me behind my back? When I was at the restaurant I had said my name when I was ordering my food but the whole restaurant seemed to grow quiet and later the girl that took my order told me to stop lying and said that Calder couldn’t have been my real name. These people are very suspicious and I think that something really big and really bad will happen. When I was walking with my pentominoes in my pocket I saw a black raven and I couldn’t help but think to myself that don’t black ravens mean bad luck or even worse death? I’m not really superstitious and the people here are really superstitious but I can’t help but think will something really bad happen to me…

I wonder how my friends are doing. I hope they are not fighting and they are doing ok.

From,
Calder

Elizabeth Richardson

10/30/2013 01:11:46 am

Don't Look Behind You
By Louis Duncan

Dear Steve,

Your long lost Rapunzel is still holding on!!! I’ve thought about you every day and wanted to call so bad for the couple of months but I my mother forbade it. I am so sorry that I missed all of the events we were going to go to this year, and beg for your forgiveness. I know I am not supposed to tell you this, but I don’t want you to worry or miss me, so here it goes.

My father was working for the FBI, and as you know if you read the newspapers, there was a shooting and a trial which put the drug dealing shooter in jail. We had to move to different hotels to keep our identity hidden, but a man named Vamp was hired to track us down, which he did, but at the cost of losing our bodyguard, which was also in the newspaper as a man in a closet with a bullet in his head. Now we are living in Florida, with different names and different lives. My family and I are all in a small, disgusting little house, but to my joy the school is nearby and it has a Tennis court!!! Brams new name is Jason, and my name is Valerie, a retarded name to go with a retarded clothing style and hair. I miss you very much along with all my other friends, so please tell them I am alright. This “mini-vay” is going to long in my opinion, and all I want to do is come home and be with you!!! I am hopefully coming home soon, and can not wait to go back to a normal life. If only I could hear your voice, feel your warm hugs, kiss your sweet lips again, but until then I am stuck in the tower, waiting for my prince charming to rescue me!!

I love you with all my heart <3 xoxoxoxo,
April

P.S. Destroy after reading

Anna Walsh

10/30/2013 01:12:30 am

The Calder Game
By Blue Balliett
Dear Diary,
Everything has just been happening so fast. Moving away from by best friends, coming to a new place I don’t know anything about, and finding out that my name is on a famous sculpture. Moving away from Petra and Tommy was not an easy thing to do at all. They are my two best friends in the whole entire world. Moving to England to go away from them was a really hard thing to do. They are like a part of me. But moving to England wasn’t as hard as I had thought. I had to move because of my dad’s job. I tried to stay positive while moving because I wanted to support my dad in everything that he is doing, since he supports me in everything that I do. Although I was supporting my dad and that is one the best feelings I could ever feel, knowing that my dad is happy, but nothing can fix the fact that I am moving away from my hometown and the two people that I had trusted with my entire life. Although I was scared to move, I was ready for adventure, not knowing what I was in for.
After being around England for a little while, I was starting to know where everything was. The pet shop, and my new favorite pizza place, but there was only one strange thing. Where ever I was going, people were stopping and staring. I felt like saying, ‘Haven’t you been taught that staring is rude?’ But I didn’t say anything. I let them stare.Then I knew why they were all staring at me. I went to the museum and was looking at different sculptures. When I was looking at one I saw my name engraved on the bottom of it. Then it all made sense. Everyone was staring at me because my name was on the bottom of a sculpture. But one thing was still not clear. Why was my name on the bottom of a famous sculpture?

From,
Alexander Calder

Elizabeth P.

10/30/2013 01:14:17 am

Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan

Dear Diary,

It was horrifying, I wanted to rip my eyes out of my sockets when I saw the car. Even though it may have been small it still had a burly man inside. That small black Camaro held my only fear, Mike Vamp. I know I shouldn’t have been scared. There are thousands of Camaros out there in the world, but my mind kept tracing back to that one night at the hotel. Porkey wasn’t allowed in the hotel so I pulled the car all the way to the back lot so his barking wouldn’t arouse anyone. When I awoke early the next morning I went out to check on Porkey.Near by the silver Porsche was the same Camaro, the one that was following me for hours on the highway. Lorelei was asleep and for the first time since Vamp had snapped her arm, she looked comfortable. I could not awake her at a moment she has actually been relaxed. My mind was racing and I did the only thing I could do. I his the gas and zoomed up the highway.
I was relieved when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw no Vamp in sight. What I did see was a police car. He pulled me over and throughout that action Lorelei had jolted awake. After I had received a ticket and a long humdrum lecture from the police man I continued onto the highway. Sure enough Vamp pulled up behind me. Luckily I had Lorelei’s brain to help me now. Our long talk ended shortly after we agreed on a solution. We would cruise down the left lane, at the next exit make a risky turn, slide across all the lanes, and take side streets the rest of the way to Florida. My heart pounded. It was my time to shine and if this failed... I couldn’t even think of the many ways Vamp would kill my family. Lorelei gave me a slight head nod and I exploded. After my excitement was over I looked over my shoulder and Vamp’s car was left in the dust. Relief filled my body and I wasn’t tired from the lack of sleep anymore. I would finally get a chance to see my family again. Now I know, the more brains to the operation the more you will succeed.

Liam Roy

11/1/2013 11:24:23 pm

Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan

Dear Diary,
Recently, there has been a huge problem in my life. Mr. Griffin, a teacher in the school, was kidnapped and killed by a group of students in my grade. Unfortunately for me I was a part of it. I was the one who brought him to Dave, Mark, and Jeff (the kidnappers). The police and Mrs. Griffin both questioned me. I didn’t want to lie, but I was forced to by Mark. My life feels like it is over, like there is nothing left. I want to be a good person and tell the police, but everyone pressures me into not doing it. Today, Dave’s grandmother was killed in her house. I believe I know why. When Jeff, Dave, Mark, and Betsy tied Griffin up in the woods, Dave took his Stanford ring off of his finger. Grandma Ruggles found the ring thinking it was her son’s (Dave’s dad). The only other person Dave told about taking the piece of jewelry besides me was Mark. The only possible killer besides Dave is Mark, and Dave would never do something like that. I am scared now. I don’t want to die or go to jail. Am I next of Mark’s list?

Alex Winters

11/5/2013 10:45:10 am

Book: Wait Till Helen Comes Author: Mary Downing Hahn

Dear Diary,

It turns out that Heather is not being the nice little sister everyone thought she was going to be. She is a brat. A jerk. A liar. Every quality that I hate very, very much. I do one bad thing, and she goes running to mom or her father Dave to tell them what I did. Now I’m even getting a little creeped out by her. The other day I saw her sitting in a graveyard next to a tombstone with the same exact initials as Heather (H.E.H.). Then the weirdest thing happened; she started talking to something indescribable. It could have been a spirit or even a ghost. When she saw me, she screamed and ran away. She told me that Helen, whoever that is, doesn’t like people who are mean to her friend and when she comes, I will regret everything I have done to her. It scared me so bad, and my own mom didn’t even think what I was saying was true.

Then this all turned around on me one night when Heather had a bad dream. I was actually concerned because she was sitting up in her bed, her eyes squeezed shut, clutching her blanket. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she was trembling. She screamed, “Save me, save me!” She was dreaming about the fire her mom died in. She yelled for someone to put it out, as she got up and ran down the hall. Dave grabbed her and woke her up. Then I mentioned how she was out in the graveyard that day, and I said I knew that something bad was there. Mom and Dave got mad at me and said that I was making Heather afraid of ghosts. You have got to be kidding me! If anything, she is making me scared of ghosts. So that’s what happened. I got blamed for scaring Heather, which is not true at all. It isn’t even the worst part. I’m still scared that whoever Helen is is going to do something bad to me. I’ve never been more scared in my life, and I sure hope that nothing will hurt me these next few days…

Thomas Sullivan

11/5/2013 12:02:40 pm

Book: The Confession by R.L. Stine
When I saw Al being strangled in the alley behind the ice rink I didn’t know what to do. I just ran to him, many thought going through my head. ‘What should I do? Should I call for help? Who could have done this to him?’. I don’t know how it happened but this is very terrifying for me. Even though Al wasn’t the nicest guy, he was still my friend and he didn’t deserve to die like that. Or even die at all.
I am trying to just forget that this happened but it is just too tragic. Anytime someone mentions Al or anything related to that topic, it pops right up into my mind. Something this big is just too big to put aside and move on.

October's Reading Assignment

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