8th Grade
A “Novel” Tabloid Magazine
3rd Quarter Book Project
Tabloid:
1. Small newspaper with short articles: a small-format popular newspaper with a simple style, many photographs, and sometimes an emphasis on sensational stories.
2. Condensed piece of writing: a piece of writing, especially a news story, in a condensed form.
ADJECTIVE RELATED TO A TABLOID
Sensationalist – relating to or characteristic of tabloid newspapers, especially in having a popular sensationalist style.
The Task
Create a tabloid magazine cover (front and back) and five feature articles for your novel. This must be done on 11 x 17 paper… Ms. D. will give you some if you need.
The front cover should look like a typical tabloid cover. I’ll show you examples in class… and you see them by every checkout counter at the store! You may want to buy one as a sample.
The back cover should be an advertisement for any product you choose… but it must fit the time/theme of your novel. For instance, if you are reading a novel set in the 1800’s, it would not work to have an advertisement for Crocs.
This project is being assigned to you on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The project is due by Monday, March 3, 2025. This gives you OVER a month to read the novel and complete your project.
7th Grade
7th Grade Gifted Language Arts
3rd Quarter Book Project
Character Digital Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are a way to document life’s memories, experiences, etc.
Choose a novel to read over the next few weeks. It cannot be a novel based on a movie or game. It must be worthy of your time and intellect. Ms. D. must approve your book.
For your project:
Reflect on what you learn about a chosen character as you read your book, like:
You are to create a 11-slide digital scrapbook. (cover and 10 pages) Each page should have pictures/images/etc. that help share the character’s story.
Each page should have a journal-style piece of writing explaining what’s on the page. You should have 7-10 sentences PER PAGE. Example pages are on the slides in Google Classroom. (we looked at them in class)
Your character’s digital scrapbook needs a cover slide. The cover slide should include the title of the book, the author, and a theme that fits the chosen character’s personality and story setting. (similar to the cover shown in the slide deck in Google Classroom).
You have been assigned this project on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The final project is due on Monday, March 3, 2025. This gives you over a month of work time.
Suggestions for writing a quality book review
Though it is YOUR review, there should be no personal pronouns in the text. The reader will know these are YOUR thoughts.
EXAMPLE:
No: I think this is the greatest book ever written.
Yes: This is one of the greatest books ever written.
Read the book and take notes
Write down your notes or use a voice recorder to document any thoughts or impressions you have of the book as you are reading. They don't have to be organized or perfect, the idea is to brainstorm any impressions you may have of the book.
Think about the book's genre
Consider how the book fits or does not fit in its genre or field of study. If necessary, use outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field of study and the genre of the book.
Determine the major themes of the book
The theme is often a lesson or overall message that the reader perceives between the lines. The theme can also be the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a book. Authors may present multiple themes in their writing, especially works of fiction.
Pay attention to the preface, any quotes, and/or references in the book’s introduction
This content will likely shed light on the book’s major themes and viewpoint. A simple way to determine one of the major themes of a book is to sum up the book in one word. Once you have your one word in mind, stretch that word into a message or lesson.
Consider the author's writing style
Ask yourself if the style suits the book's intended audience. Remember that genre is a category of writing and style is the manner in which a subject is expressed or performed. So, depending on the style used, the author can present different viewpoints to the intended audience.
Consider the Author’s Writing Style
If the book is written in the first-person narrative - the author lived the events and is recounting them. Is this more powerful than someone else writing about the events?
Think about how well the author develops the major areas or points in the book
What areas are covered/not covered? Why? Locating gaps in the time frame or character development of the book can help you think critically. As well, noticing any well developed elements of the book will help you create good points for your review.
Consider any literary devices in the book
If the book is a work of fiction, think about how plot structure is developed in the story. Take notes on the book's character, plot, setting, symbols, mood or tone and how they relate to the overall theme of the book.
Think about how unique the book is
Does it add new information to a genre? The author may be trying to challenge or expand the existing rules and norms of a genre. Consider how the book does this, and how this may affect the intended audience's reception of the book.
Assess how successful the book is
Was the author successful in carrying out the overall purposes of the book and did you feel satisfied by the book's ending? Would you recommend this book to others?
To best write a book review, it is essential to keep track of the answers to the following questions, either as you read the book or as soon as you have finished it. All of the answers can then be incorporated into your review.
Questions to Consider in your Review
Narration
Who narrated the story? Was it first-person narration or third-person narration? Was the narrator a reliable source of information.
Setting
Note the time period and location the boot is set. How did the setting drive or influence the plot of the book?
Theme
Not the overall theme or message of the book.
Genre
What genre of literature was it? How did it compare to another work in this genre?
Author
Name the author. Consider any of their previous works and how they compare with this work.
Plot
Give a brief plot summary without giving away any key details. Don’t spend too much time on this since your review is the most important part.
Evaluation - Your Opinion
This is the most important part of the review. What this a good book? Why or why not? Should others read this book? Would you read other books by this author? What were the book’s strongest points? What were the book’s weakest points?
A “Novel” Tabloid Magazine
3rd Quarter Book Project
Tabloid:
1. Small newspaper with short articles: a small-format popular newspaper with a simple style, many photographs, and sometimes an emphasis on sensational stories.
2. Condensed piece of writing: a piece of writing, especially a news story, in a condensed form.
ADJECTIVE RELATED TO A TABLOID
Sensationalist – relating to or characteristic of tabloid newspapers, especially in having a popular sensationalist style.
The Task
Create a tabloid magazine cover (front and back) and five feature articles for your novel. This must be done on 11 x 17 paper… Ms. D. will give you some if you need.
The front cover should look like a typical tabloid cover. I’ll show you examples in class… and you see them by every checkout counter at the store! You may want to buy one as a sample.
- Your tabloid must have a name. Create a name that fits the times/themes of your novel.
- Your cover must have pictures that fit each story lead.
- Your cover must have “teasers” or lead headlines for five different stories. Each lead/story should relate to your novel and show that you read it.
- Your cover must have color and look like effort was made!
The back cover should be an advertisement for any product you choose… but it must fit the time/theme of your novel. For instance, if you are reading a novel set in the 1800’s, it would not work to have an advertisement for Crocs.
This project is being assigned to you on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The project is due by Monday, March 3, 2025. This gives you OVER a month to read the novel and complete your project.
7th Grade
7th Grade Gifted Language Arts
3rd Quarter Book Project
Character Digital Scrapbook
Scrapbooks are a way to document life’s memories, experiences, etc.
Choose a novel to read over the next few weeks. It cannot be a novel based on a movie or game. It must be worthy of your time and intellect. Ms. D. must approve your book.
For your project:
Reflect on what you learn about a chosen character as you read your book, like:
- Their past
- The story they were telling or involved in
- Relationships with other characters that were meaningful to the story
- Their thoughts
- Their motivations
- Their feelings
- Problems/solutions faced in the story
- Their role in the story
- Changes that occurred through the course of the story
You are to create a 11-slide digital scrapbook. (cover and 10 pages) Each page should have pictures/images/etc. that help share the character’s story.
Each page should have a journal-style piece of writing explaining what’s on the page. You should have 7-10 sentences PER PAGE. Example pages are on the slides in Google Classroom. (we looked at them in class)
Your character’s digital scrapbook needs a cover slide. The cover slide should include the title of the book, the author, and a theme that fits the chosen character’s personality and story setting. (similar to the cover shown in the slide deck in Google Classroom).
You have been assigned this project on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The final project is due on Monday, March 3, 2025. This gives you over a month of work time.
Suggestions for writing a quality book review
Though it is YOUR review, there should be no personal pronouns in the text. The reader will know these are YOUR thoughts.
EXAMPLE:
No: I think this is the greatest book ever written.
Yes: This is one of the greatest books ever written.
Read the book and take notes
Write down your notes or use a voice recorder to document any thoughts or impressions you have of the book as you are reading. They don't have to be organized or perfect, the idea is to brainstorm any impressions you may have of the book.
Think about the book's genre
Consider how the book fits or does not fit in its genre or field of study. If necessary, use outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field of study and the genre of the book.
Determine the major themes of the book
The theme is often a lesson or overall message that the reader perceives between the lines. The theme can also be the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a book. Authors may present multiple themes in their writing, especially works of fiction.
Pay attention to the preface, any quotes, and/or references in the book’s introduction
This content will likely shed light on the book’s major themes and viewpoint. A simple way to determine one of the major themes of a book is to sum up the book in one word. Once you have your one word in mind, stretch that word into a message or lesson.
Consider the author's writing style
Ask yourself if the style suits the book's intended audience. Remember that genre is a category of writing and style is the manner in which a subject is expressed or performed. So, depending on the style used, the author can present different viewpoints to the intended audience.
Consider the Author’s Writing Style
If the book is written in the first-person narrative - the author lived the events and is recounting them. Is this more powerful than someone else writing about the events?
Think about how well the author develops the major areas or points in the book
What areas are covered/not covered? Why? Locating gaps in the time frame or character development of the book can help you think critically. As well, noticing any well developed elements of the book will help you create good points for your review.
Consider any literary devices in the book
If the book is a work of fiction, think about how plot structure is developed in the story. Take notes on the book's character, plot, setting, symbols, mood or tone and how they relate to the overall theme of the book.
Think about how unique the book is
Does it add new information to a genre? The author may be trying to challenge or expand the existing rules and norms of a genre. Consider how the book does this, and how this may affect the intended audience's reception of the book.
Assess how successful the book is
Was the author successful in carrying out the overall purposes of the book and did you feel satisfied by the book's ending? Would you recommend this book to others?
To best write a book review, it is essential to keep track of the answers to the following questions, either as you read the book or as soon as you have finished it. All of the answers can then be incorporated into your review.
Questions to Consider in your Review
Narration
Who narrated the story? Was it first-person narration or third-person narration? Was the narrator a reliable source of information.
Setting
Note the time period and location the boot is set. How did the setting drive or influence the plot of the book?
Theme
Not the overall theme or message of the book.
Genre
What genre of literature was it? How did it compare to another work in this genre?
Author
Name the author. Consider any of their previous works and how they compare with this work.
Plot
Give a brief plot summary without giving away any key details. Don’t spend too much time on this since your review is the most important part.
Evaluation - Your Opinion
This is the most important part of the review. What this a good book? Why or why not? Should others read this book? Would you read other books by this author? What were the book’s strongest points? What were the book’s weakest points?
