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!

23 Comments

Brett D

11/12/2013 04:41:29 am

Down a Dark Hall

Today was the day that I went to the Blackwood boarding school. I didn't want to go at all, not after my best friend Tracy had not been accepted, but of course I was. The place had looked good but I won't be the same if I don't have Tracy. She was my best friend since we were little and graders. It was hard enough going to a school where you only know one person, but now i won't know anyone and will have to make new friends by myself.
As we were on the way I could tell it was not going to be one of these nice new places, no it was going to be an old run down place, the ones I have.
- Kit

Mackenzie L.

11/12/2013 07:26:19 am

Dear Tracy,
I miss you and want to fill you in on everything that's been going on. There are a lot of weird things that have happened. A strange thing is that there are only three other girls who have been accepted to Blackwood.One of these girls, Sandy , was in her room the other night when all of a sudden she screamed. I rushed to her door, which was locked,even though there isn't a possible way to lock it from the inside,only the outside. Eventually, it miraculously unlocked, and I was able to enter, only to find Sandy peacefully lying in her bed. She seemed confused when I told her I had heard screaming coming from her room. Once she thought about it for a second, she revealed that she had been having a dream about a woman standing over her bed. Sandy and I both left her room and slept in mine for the night. I can't even explain how weird this school is so far. Write back, and let me know what you think. Love, Kit

Alex Bildner

11/15/2013 08:35:40 am

The Kidnapping Of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon

Dear Lorna,

I just escaped from being kidnapped. It was a horrific experience. After getting out of the car after driving home from your house a man covers my mouth. On his hand was something that knocked me out. When I woke up I was in a cement-walled cellar. I was in there from Friday night/Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon. I was bored out of my mind in that cellar. I asked fro a book and thankfully they gave one to me. Besides that I had no entertainment. It tried to escape by running up the stairs when the door was open when the kidnapper was talking to me but he grabbed me and I fell, hard. I got disgusting in that cellar. My hair was a mess and so was the rest of my body. They forced me to sign a letter to my grandma asking for ransom. There was one good thing though. I know who the kidnappers are. It is Zach and Loretta from that filthy hamburger place that we eat at every Friday I knew this because in the basement there was a furnace and tubes connected it to upstairs where I could hear their conversation and hear what they called each other. That was also how I figured out there was a third person involved. Loretta said something about a business deal/scheme and a trap. I could tell that she was very worried about getting caught. Zach on the other hand seemed like a trained criminal.

That experience was life altering and unbelievably depressing. I lost all of my hope. I missed my family greatly. I desperately need a friends right now Lorna. Please write me back.

Your Best Friend,
Christina

Matt Cooney

11/17/2013 01:30:17 am

The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon
Dear Lorna,

I have found my way out of this horrible event. I got kidnapped. I was driving home after we had a fun time at your house and then a hidden man jumps out of the bushes. He had a pitch black ski mask on. He quickly put his hand over my mouth so I couldn't call for help. He drugged me and that is all I knew from then on.
When I woke I was in a basement that just had a cement wall it seemed to be abandoned. Then I saw a pitcher of water. I knew instantly that I had been kidnapped. I then waited patiently for hours. I was in there for about 2 days and 1 night. I didn't have anything but a cot and a pitcher of water. I tried to run out when he was talking to me but he quickly grabbed me and I fell onto the cold hard ground. I at least got a book for some recreation. I was in this cellar for a while so I definitely got smelly and I felt like a mess. The kidnappers forced me to sign a paper for ransom. Lorna and I go to that hamburger shop every friday and these are the people there. I know because i could hear their conversation through the furnace and they were calling each other Loretta and Zach. I never want to go through this ever again I definitely don't want you to go through this as I did. Be careful Lorna. Im not trying to scare you but I really don't want to loose you. If you could take my advice that would really help me.
Your Friend,
Christina Lattimore

Haley Kresch

11/17/2013 06:16:46 am

The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon
Dear Zach,
I hate you, and there is no other way to say it. The kidnapping was the most horrific thing that has ever happened to me. You stuck me in a dingy basement, and at night I could hear and even see the roaches crawling on the floor. I was so frightened that I will never fully recover from what you did to me. You should feel ashamed of yourself, because kidnapping a teenager shows just how desperate you are. You didn't even end up getting the money. I understand now that having me touch everything in the house was how you were going to frame me. That is pathetic. You were too dumb to even come up with the idea on your own, I am certain of that. So I would like you to live with the guilt of kidnapping and framing an innocent teenager.
Lots of Hate,
Christina Lattimore

Nicole Tsigaras

11/17/2013 06:53:16 am

Nightmare Hour By R.L. Stine

Dear journal,

Today is Halloween, and I went pumpkin picking with my mom, my friend Liz, and my annoying little brother Mike. He managed to get us kicked out of the pumpkin farm by kicking pumpkins.
Later that night after we were done trick-o-treating, Mike, Liz, and I went back to the farm. Mike was very mad with Mr. Palmer because he had put his hand on his head and squeezed and said not quite ripe, but getting there. So Mike gave us all spray cans and started vandalizing all the pumpkins insight. Then Liz had sprained her ankle, while I was helping her, I turned around to tell Mike that we should go. I saw A shadow climbing over the fence into Mr. Palmer's private patch. Liz and I ran to patch and climbed the fence and all we heard was a scream. I saw a Mike standing there with a pumpkin on his head. So Liz and I tuged and tuged til the pumpkin came off. We gasped in horror. When we removed the pumpkin, there was nothing on his sholders. I droped the pumpkin and there standing right behind him was Mr. Palmer. Then in the corner of my eye, I saw Mike's head lying on the ground. I went to pick it up then noticing that there was a vine growing frim it. I looked up and saw dozens and dozens of heads hanging from vines. I could feel the vines wrapjng around my ankles reaching up my legs, to my hips, to my waist, to my neck. I could no longer breath. The lat thing I heard was Mr. Palmer saying was,"Not quite ripe, but geting there.
Sincerly,
Andrew

Jenna Squasoni :)

11/17/2013 07:42:36 am

Stranger with my face by Lois Duncan
Dear Lia,
Sure you are my biological twin sister, but that does not mean we are true sisters. Not only were you trying to kill me, you were trying to kill my friends, too! And all that JUST so you can live my life. Luckily for me I have a wonderful sister and friend to outsmart your little "game". At first, I thought your teaching me how to astral project myself was a good thing, incase of times of danger or even to go and see Helen. But no- I was wrong. Thanks to you, my family and friends had to put up with your lies as you took over my "shell" while my "soul" was out in the open, left there to die. Besides, I get that I have it all, but that doesn't mean you should steal someone's own life for it!
Also, I heard your in the hospital apparently not breathing. But I know you too well, Lia, to know that you are not dead- but are astral projecting your self some where out there and just in case you think of coming back, just know I have the family and friends who know me well enough through your hatred lies.
Sincerely with Hate,
Laurie Stratton

Adam Kim

11/18/2013 05:47:20 am

Dear Dad,
I deeply apologize for my crass behavior and overreaction to the news that I was adopted. I was just very annoyed and upset that you had never told me. I have been getting strange visions from my twin, Lia telling me crazy stories about holograms. I thought I was just hallucinating, but it kept repeating. When I asked you guys about it and found out it was true, I got very scared and upset. I apologize for my despicable actions, please forgive me.

Love,
Laurie

Russell Shirley

11/18/2013 06:36:07 am

The Kidnapping of Christina Lattmore by Joan Lowery Nixon

Dear Lorna, I have been out of that dark, old, cold, stingy basement for about 2 days now, and it was the worst thing that happened to me ever in my life. During that time, I thought about all the good memories we had, so that made my time in the basement better, because thinking about the memories made me happy instead of sad. Overall, thank you for making those memories happen. Also, I hope you have evidence to support the theory that I didn't plan my own kidnapping, and that there is a third person involved. However, there are dangers, perhaps my kidnapper has allies that might spy on you because I told you this. That means they might kidnap you too, and I would never want my best friend to go through the same bad experience that I went through. Anyways, the choice is yours, and I won't care if you say no to it because of the mystery and danger awaiting. I hope I will see you very soon.

From, Christina

Megan White

11/18/2013 06:55:10 am

Stranger with My Face by Lois Duncan

Dear Diary,
I have recently experienced some life-changing events. Today was the first day of school, and it was a little crazy. So I didn’t go to Nat’s party last night, and Gordon thinks that I was on the beach with someone, but I wasn’t. All of my friends were ignoring me all day, so I had to sit with other people on the ferry ride home. One of the kids said that there is probably someone out there who looks exactly like me. I didn't believe him… until last night.
Gordon came to apologize last night, and then I got ready for bed. When I was getting ready, I looked into the window and stared at my reflection. But after I got into bed, I realized what had actually happened. The image the reflection was showing showed me smiling, but I wasn't smiling. I tried to talk myself out of it, I knew at that moment that there was someone out there who looks exactly like me. I don't know what to do, and I’m so scared. When I tried to tell mom, she didn't believe me and said that I was probably dreaming. I hope I figure out who this is before it becomes too late.

Justin Hitt

11/18/2013 07:11:16 am

The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

Dear Diary,

I'm still in shock after what happened that night in the Lenape Cemetary. When I opened the rock and saw a body my entire sense of reality went down the drain. I saw the body and instantly thought it was Chis Creed's. When the autopsy came back I didn't believe that the body I saw was Bob Haines' at first. Then it took me some time to come around and finally believe it.
Now I wonder where Chris is these days. I still search for him every day putting in random names he could be. Sometimes I wonder if he is happier wherever he is right now, maybe he isn't even alive, who knows. One thing is for sure is that I hope he is somewhere he wants to be and is enjoying his life. I'm going to keep searching but I hope Chris gives me any sign to where he is

Ben Redling

11/18/2013 08:02:26 am

The Body Of Christopher Creed

Dear Torry,
I know how you feel. After Chris died everyone should feel like that. He was a weird kid and sometimes he was just looking for trouble. I aware you it is not your fault he is gone. And no one even knows if he even is gone. All I know is that it isn't anyones fault. We all had our times with chris and i assure you wherever he is now, he must be happy.

Eva Wendeborn

11/18/2013 08:32:25 am

Nightmare Hour R.L Stine
Dear Diary,
Today I went pumpkin picking with Mike and Liz. When we got there we got kick out because of Mike, he was kicking all the pumpkins. He messed up my pumpkin picking.
After trick or treating we all went to the farm and mike was angry at Mr.Palmer.I was not surprised. We then went we to the private pumpkin and started to spray paint the pumpkins. Then when Liz and I looked away Mike had a pumpkin on his head and then liz took it off and Mike didn't have is head. I looked behind us and Mr.Palmer was there and then we saw mike's head in the pumpkin patch. When we lifted it there was a vine connected to it. Then i saw lots of head connected to vines. Then vines started to grow on to me it grow all the way to my neck then i couldn't breath. The last thing i heard Mr.Palmer say "not quite ripe but almost there.
Your friend,
Andrew

Aimee Oh

11/18/2013 08:56:16 am

Down the Dark Hall

Dear Diary,
I told you! There's been something going on in this school. I mean, 4 girls in this supposed prestigious and challenging school, I think there would be tons and tons of girls here. And.....I feel that its a bit strange-no cross that out-a LOT strange since I came here. I mean, the dreams I've been having... really? In my dreams, I can hear some haunting music play. When I wake up, I feel my hands go stiff.....like I've been playing piano all day.....Strange....I did hear a piano......Anyways, the life here is good....you can say. Well, if Jules wasn't here, I wouldn't have survived. Don't you dare ask me who Jules is. Yeah. I know you can't talk, but let's just pretend, okay? I feel kind of lonely.
Okay. So. I don't know what's happening with me, but I heard a scream last night, felt like someone was in Sandy's room, and Sandy saw a woman? Definitely strange. I can tell you that. And when I mean strange, I mean super duper strange. Very, very, very, very, very strange. Well, that's it for today. Bye.
Sincerely,
Aimee

Aimee Oh

11/18/2013 08:57:50 am

Mrs. Bailey... I accidently signed my diary entry as 'Aimee'...not 'Kit'. Sorry...... Does it matter? Should I write it again?

Kyle Vitale

11/18/2013 09:10:16 am

~I am reading "Down a Dark Hall" by Lois Duncan~
Mom, I know it is pointless now to be even sending this letter, but I feel I have to to keep me sane. I've just discovered why my fingers ache every morning I wake up. Just this morning, I woke up sitting at the piano in front of Jules, Madame's son. And when people explained what was happening, I was shocked, and I know you will be too. I am "a receiver" as Madame calls it. I can transmit ghosts into my body. Mom, I'm scared. These people, they aren't nice to me. They use me like a tool! And Lynda and Ruth and Sandy. Everyone one of us students are receivers. I don't want to be. This is my life, not theirs! Just please, please let me go to Tracy's, or anywhere, just not here. I know that these ghosts aren't right. At this point, I don't care who finds this letter. But I need to escape this horrible place. Blackwood is evil, Mom. So please help me escape or leave. I need you now more than ever. I only have Sandy and these letters to try and keep the people out of my head. So just please come soon.
~Kathryn Gordy, your daughter

Abigail Wenner

11/18/2013 09:23:29 am

Stranger with my Face by Lois Duncan

Dear Diary,
Lia is ruining my life! She has shown herself to my family and friends, when I was clearly somewhere else. She already was seen by Gordon and Natalie, and that caused us to fight and break up, she just plain freaked out Helen, and my sister. Not only once has she snuck into my room during school, and making my parents think I was sick. She seems to be everywhere, but no where at the same time.
This girl may be my sister, but real sisters don't try to kill each other. I know she wants my life, but why doesn't she make a life of her own? I mean who uses astral projection to haunt someone? She has two feet! I never even should have tried. She may seem dead in the hospital, But I don't buy it for a minute.

Sincerely,
Laurie Stratton.

Aaria Bhatnagar

11/18/2013 09:34:19 am

The Calder Game Blue Balliett
Dear Journal,
I can't believe Calder hasn't shown up yet! I'm worried about my boy, I know that he is good at directing himself, but not for this long! I know him well, he doesn't usually get lost. He is new to the town though... Oh, I do hope my Calder is okay.
I wonder if he is hurt. This whole thing does seen a little spooky, although the guard did say there was no crime in Blenheim. Though he also said that America has a lot of crime, which isn't completely true. So, really, I don't know who to or what to trust. Why won't somebody assure me that my son is fine? Will I ever see my boy again?
I wonder what he is doing out there all by himself. He must feel lonely, I mean I feel lonely with all of these people here to comfort me! His friends are here to help, but face it, they are just kids! I doubt I will ever see my Calder again, and this is why I fear. I wake up every morning waiting to hear his voice. If I could just hear that beautiful voice one more time... I would give anything.

Love,
Walter Pillay

Anthony Sciuto

11/18/2013 09:43:55 am

I Know What You Did Last Summer- Lois Duncan

Dear Dairy,
Today Ray and I went to Daniel Greggs House to find out if its the Greggs of whom have been sending the messages. After going to the house i immediately regretted the decision, however we were able to receive some very helpful intel. We met Meagan. Daniel's sister. She was very nice to us and told us about her family. She lived with her brother because her mom and dad were in a mental hospital. Her mother blamed herself for Daniels death and couldn't live with herself.I didn't just kill a boy I killed a whole family.

Haley Duncan

11/18/2013 10:36:00 am

Dear Diary,
Sudden events have just occurred that have me absolutely speechless. I was taken against my will and am now held captive for unknown reasons. The only memories I have of my kidnapping are vague ones of my mouth being covered by a large hand and people jumping out of bushes. I remember pressing my teeth as hard as I could into the flesh of the enormous hand. After that, I blacked out, probably because they drugged me. I ended up here in this cement room with only this diary and a pitcher of water.
The room I'm settled in seems to be a basement or an immense cellar. What could these people possibly desire? Money? I stare at the pitcher and question myself. Why give me what seems to be a decently sized clear pitcher of water? Where have I seen this? I stretch my hand but soon snatch it back. Don't drink what’s in the pitcher; they could have put something into it, like poison or more drugs. My tongue feels as dry as sandpaper. Man I'm thirsty, but I must be strong. I review everything once again that I remember. Nope, nothing. No clues... hey wait a minute I know where I have seen this… on the tables at the burger place Laura and I eat at every Friday. No, they can't be the people who want something with me, could they?

Lucy McAuliffe

11/18/2013 10:50:54 am

Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon

Dear Diary,
The gray, cement walls make this day more dreaded that it has to be. This Air Conditioning is on full blast, and they refuse to give my sweater that I had the day 'it' happened. I might as well sleep on the floor, because the cot is harder than any rock you could imagine. The stench of gas from the nearby utility leaves me nearly suffocating me, especially my brain. All of these flaws make me lose my train of thought. I feel like I have been abducted by aliens, and I am in the mothership.
What I do know is that I have been abducted, by alien-minded people. A day ago, or I at least think a day ago, I was enjoying a meal at the hamburger place in town, with Lorna, my best friend. I think my waiter has kidnapped and taken me to his home, not letting me leave, until he gets a certain amount of money from Grandmother... I mean Cristabel. I think that this is an unfair deal, and I refuse to sign the letter, until I die. I hear footsteps... I have to act responsible, so he doesn't want to see me using my time stupidly.
Your's Truly,
Christina

Jess Shi

11/18/2013 10:56:19 am

Stranger with my Face by Lois Duncan

Dear Diary,

Lia needs to go away. My life was perfectly fine, but after she showed up, it was ruined. I didn't go to Nat's party yesterday, and Gordon thinks that I was with another guy. If he's not going to believe that I was sick, then I don't think we should even be together. Whats a relationship without trust?

Lia showed up the night Gordon came to apologize to me. I was sleeping, and she just appears in my room, and explains that she's my sister. Seriously? Couldn't she have done things a little more - normal? I mean, yeah, the whole sister thing isn't normal, but she could have told me a bit more casually. Whatever, I've only known she existed for a short amount of time, and already, I want her gone.

If she's going to be showing up around town, making people think that her and I are one person, I need her to stop. She even convinced my, I mean, our, parents that I came home early on the first day of school because I didn't feel well. What is this?

Athena

11/19/2013 09:13:01 pm

Dear Lorna,
Oh I've missed you so much. Being kidnapped is so hard. I'm sitting in this, dark, cold basement with nothing but an uncomfortable cot, a wooden table, and a glass of gross tap water. I can only think about you and my mother. Is everything okay at school? At my house? I just wish I could be with you and tell you everything that happened to me. It happened just when I left your house and I pulled into my driveway and next thing I know someone grabbed me- and the next thing I know is that I'm here! Lorna, get me out of this place. I miss you a lot!

Your Best Friend Forever,
Chris

October's Reading Assignment

Leave a Reply.

Archives