Reading Guide Questions

1.  Author Biography:
Conduct brief research on the author. Choose two internet sources, or one internet source and one printed source from the library. Learn some basic facts about his/ her life, including a brief account of his/her life, when/why/how s/he started to write, and the major events in history, politics and/or the writer’s personal experience that impact his/her works of literature. 

2.  Setting: Decribe the details of place and time. What is the atmosphere and mood during the course of action, including during the conflict and at the climax?
Plot: Tell what happens in the novel such by highlighting the main events
and experiences of the characters.
Character: Describe the main character(s) and his/her traits.
Theme: In your own words, explain the author's message for this book. What point about human values or experiences is s/he trying to make? What are readers to come away having learned or to still be thinking about as they close the book? 

Level 1 Questions (for the early chapters of the book): Choose 4 questions and answer them completely. Include details.

Due ______

1. What is the time and place of the book? What evidence in the book tells you this?
   
2. Name and describe the main character in the book. Describe him/her physically and
   describe his/her personality and history, if known. Then give your impression of him/her.
   
3. Name and describe a minor character. Describe her/him physically and describe her/his
   personality and history, if known. Explain how s/he is important to the story and the
   ideas of the book.
   
4. Describe the nature of the relationship between two characters. Include their history
   together and details of their relationship. Explain the significance of their relationship to
   the book.
   
5. Describe one important event in the book and explain why it is significant to the story (to
   the plot, the characters, the ideas of the book).
   
6. Explain one specific aspect of the culture described in the book. Tell how it compares to
   a specific culture you are familiar with.
   
7. What are your feelings and thoughts about the novel based on one or more specific things
   you have read?
   
8. Find one specific idea, event, or behavior in the book that relates to real life. Explain the
   relationship you see. 
   
   
   
   Level 2 Questions (for the middle chapters of the book): Choose 5 questions and answer completely. Include details.
   

   1. If the time or place switches around during the book, explain how and give examples. How does this switching serve the story?
      
   2. What is the general feeling or mood of the book? Give specific examples of how the author creates that feeling or mood.
      
   3. Compare and contrast two characters psychologically (the way they think and make decisions). To do this, consider their behavior and personality. Consider whether their physical selves support or contrast with their psychological selves.
      
   4. Give an example of a significant conflict or conflicts between two characters (external conflict) or between a character and his/her conscience (internal conflict).
      
   5. Who is the narrator of the story? Is s/he inside or outside the story? What is her/his relationship to the story?
      
   6. Is the book written in the first or third person (I or s/he)? How does that affect the story?
      
   7. Explain the organization of the book. How it is important to the story?
      
   8. What is your reaction to a relationship, event, socio-cultural behavior or message/theme
      of the book? Be clear about what you are reacting to and exactly what makes you
      respond as you do.
      
   9. Choose a sentence or phrase that attracts you. Explain why you chose it, its value in the
      book and its value to you.
      
   
   
   
   Level 3 Questions (for the final chapters of the book): Choose 2 questions and answer completely.  Include details.
   

   1. If there is any special language used (dialects, foreign words, slang, etc.) give examples and explain its use and purpose. What is its effect?
      
   2. Does the author use humor, irony, symbolism, or metaphors? Give at least two examples and explain the effect.
      
   3. What is the peak event, or the climax, of the novel? What major conflicts lead up to it and what is the resolution afterward?
      
   4. What is the theme or themes in the novel? How does the author show this idea? Give evidence. Comment on how this theme fits in the novel and how it applies to life outside the book. What does this theme mean to you?
      
   5. What did you learn from this novel? In answering this, you may comment on any aspect of the novel, including how it is written.