Speaking of responsibility, I distributed copies of The City of Ember to all of you on Wednesday. Consider yourselves “book sitters” for the next month! You are to take care of these books. Bring them with you to class every day. Don’t leave them at home, in your locker, on the bleachers in the gym, or underneath the seats on the bus. Don’t use them as umbrellas or tray stands. You know how much I value books, so please keep them in good condition. These are yours to borrow, but when we finish, remember that I am looking only to get books back from you (and not excuses).
Next week, we delve further into The City of Ember! To my Last Olympians, Single Shards, Mockingjays, and People of Sparks, I want to encourage you to consider the following issues that the book raises: If you were in the 7th mayor’s position, do you think you would have also tried to open the box of instructions even though you were sworn to secrecy? Would you say that Doon truly has a “childish display of temper” when he gets a job that he does not want, or do you think he has a solid reason for
becoming upset? How could living in a world where the lights constantly flicker pose potential problems? We’ll chat in class, but feel free to pick your own brains and discover where you stand on these issues!
I will leave you with one final thought. Last year, I encouraged my students to view reading as a conversation with the author. I told my students to read actively and showed them examples of my own books that are marked up in pencil. When I come across beautiful lines, I underline them and re-read them later when I want inspiration. When I come across new or interesting words, I circle them, look them up, and then challenge myself to use them. When I come across lines that are confusing or make me think differently about my own previously held opinions, I write my thoughts and questions directly on the page. This one-sided conversation with the author not only makes reading more interesting, but it also makes me form a more permanent connection with that book. When a book has left a positive mark on me, I want to leave my mark on it as well. Since you are borrowing these books, you cannot write in them. However, I would encourage you to get sticky notes and practice similar techniques. I searched the internet for Jeanne DuPrau's official e-mail last Fall, and when I found it, I encouraged my students to have an actual two-sided conversation with her. As an optional assignment, I told them, "Ask her a question!" Jeanne DuPrau, as you may know, is the author of The City of Ember. What better way to experience a book than to message the person who actually crafted the story? Some of my students were hesitant, thinking that their messages would get buried and forgotten. To my delight, Jeanne DuPrau responded! It’s not every day that an award-winning author thanks you for e-mailing her. In case you haven't realized, your ideas matter!
-Ms. Sanford