Lit Circle Tools

A Literature circle is a group of people all reading the same book. 

What is the point of this, you may ask?

• There are a lot of themes to explore in English - Lit Circles let us do this.
• You get to choose a book you want to read.
• You get to discuss this book with a group of your peers.
• There is a ton of great young adult and adult literature out there that can't fit in the curriculum - this is a way to get a little of it!!
• You get to explore the world of literature!!

Book Project Ideas!!

1. Selling it!   You must create a poster ad for the book, using pictures and quotes that will persuade other students to read the book.  The ad should be colorful and attract attention, having at least 3 quotes from the book. 

Presentation:   You will be a publicist for the book that you have read.  You will deliver a speech that will persuade other students to read the book.  (If you did not like the book, you can share that fact after completing your speech)  Finally, read an exciting, interesting, or amusing passage from your book.  Stop reading at a moment that leaves that audience hanging and add “If you want to know more you’ll have to read the book.”

2. In the News!   You must create the front page of a newspaper that tells about events and characters in your book.  The newspaper might include weather reports, an editorial or editorial cartoon, ads, etc (at least 3 stories).  The title of the newspaper should be something appropriate to the book.

Presentation:   You will be a newscaster, presenting the news to the class.  You should have at least 3 stories.  Leave the lead story off on a cliff-hanging (that was all we could report for today, tune in tomorrow for more information . . .).

3. Dear Diary:   You will create a diary or journal and write at least five entries that might have been written by a character in your book (entries need to be at least ¾ a handwritten page).  The entries should share details about the story that will prove you read the book.

Presentation:  You will be the character in a “confessional”  (Real World type) telling the class your feelings on the different happenings in the book. 

Sophomores - Your Lit Circle will come in the Fall - Reading Dates for each book

     Theme for the Sophomore Lit Circle books - Courage, Determination in the face of hardship, Standing up for what you believe

     Books to choose from for Sophomores:

1.      The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
   1. Sixteen-year-old Jack forgets to take his medicine one morning, and by afternoon is filled with such strength he sends his rival, Garrett Lobeck, sailing into the net at soccer tryouts--without even touching him. Jack soon discovers he is no ordinary teen and his medicine is not what he thought it was. Since the secret insertion of a warrior stone in his chest at infancy, Jack has been dosed with a suppressant designed to hold his powers as a Warrior Heir in check until his wizard sponsor can retrieve him and prepare him to fight in a death tournament for supremacy. With the aid of an aunt, old and new friends, and a magical sword, Jack fights to retain his identity and choose his own path.
2. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
   1. At Mica High School everyone eats the same, dresses the same, talks the same, acts the same and no one is different. That is until the day that Stargirl shows up. Stargirl is an eccentric, kind home schooled student who does not conform to the same set of values or ideals as the typical students at Mica High School. She has no understanding of what is popular, nor does she realize the invisible social and cultural boundaries that are present around her. For some time the students are fearful and embarrassed of this stranger. However soon, the individuality of Stargirl spreads to other students.
3. The Angel Experiment: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson
   1. A group of genetically enhanced kids who can fly and have other unique talents are on the run from part-human, part-wolf predators called Erasers in this exciting SF thriller that's not wholly original but is still a compelling read. Max, 14, and her adopted family–Fang and Iggy, both 13, Nudge, 11, Gazzy, 8, and Angel, 6–were all created as experiments in a lab called the School. Jeb, a sympathetic scientist, helped them escape and, since then, they've been living on their own. The Erasers have orders to kill them so the world will never find out they exist. Max's old childhood friend, Ari, now an Eraser leader, tracks them down, kidnaps Angel, and transports her back to the School to live like a lab rat again. The youngsters are forced to use their special talents to rescue her as they attempt to learn about their pasts and their destinies.
4. Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn
   1. Fourteen-year-old Christy Miller has the dream summer ahead of her in sun-kissed California, staying with her aunt and uncle at their beachfront home. Aunt Marti loves to shop, and those surfers are cute—especially Todd. Christy promised her parents she wouldn’t do anything she’d regret later, and some of her beach friends are a little wild. But Todd and his “God-Lover” friends are giving Christy a new image of all things eternal. Can this summer live up to its promise?
5. Pierced by a Sword by Bud MacFarlane Jr.

   1. Characters so real you'll swear you know them. A plot that twists and turns so fast you'll lose sleep to find out what happens next. A riveting story that whisks you from Salt Lake City to Chicago to Rome to Notre Dame. A supernatural thriller that will rock your world.

      A savvy drug dealer from the meanest streets of Cleveland...

      A no-nonsense Irish Pope who drives his own car and travels in disguise...

      A beautiful, unmarried pregnant woman with a quick wit and quicker temper...

      A relentless, aging tycoon from Utah...

      A mysterious Dark Man who sees the future before it happens...

      A handsome, hard-drinking, hard-living securities broker...

      A soft-spoken, shy, gigantic former NFL football star from Louisiana...

      A fast-talking young priest from New Jersey with a penchant for causing trouble...

      ...And the Mother of God.
6. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
   1. In 1958 Landon Carter is a shallow but well-meaning teenager who spends most of his time hanging out with his friends and trying hard to ignore the impending responsibilities of adulthood. Then Landon gets roped into acting the lead in the Christmas play opposite the most renowned goody two-shoes in town: Jamie Sullivan. Against his best intentions and the taunts of his buddies, Landon finds himself falling for Jamie and learning some central lessons in life.