If you are planning to keep a Reading Journal, it is best to keep it in a marble notebook that is stitched not spiral. Its purpose is to record all reading and specific responses to it. This will not only develop a source book for responses to literature writing, but will also help develop reading skills and an awareness of writing form and style. Remember that the reading of different genres will make you a more "balanced" reader and student.

Title

Author

Publisher

Copyright Date

Genre - Type of Literature

Date Read

Number of pages

Parent's Signature

Response

(Responses for the assigned genre books are on a separate sheet. Please be sure to use the response required. Extra Credit books must only include a short summary, a reaction to the book, and a recommendation to other readers. This must be in good paragraph form and include the title and author in the first sentence (for example, The book Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is about a boy who....)

Mark Twain

Scholastic

1984

Fiction

March 1995

324 pages

Patricia Schickler

Response: The novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain is a classic book and invaluable to our literary history as Americans. Tom is a boy growing up on the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri. He is full of adventure, mischief, and fun, and would be the best friend of most boys today.

Tom is a typical boy of 12 or 13, an orphan, growing up with his Aunt Polly and cousins in a small Missouri town. His best friend is son of the town drunk, and his girl friend is the daughter of the town preacher. Tom is the type of boy who just stumbles over adventures as evidenced by his narrow escape with Becky from the caverns and Injun Joe! His fun loving side is seen when he decides to visit his own funeral after running away from home.

Tom Sawyer is not only a book to be read again and again, but Tom is a friend to be visited often. He is guaranteed to make you grin and probably laugh right outloud!