GLOBAL INDEPENDENT READING BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Country: Ireland
Your Name: Kerri Mannion
Book Title: Angela's Ashes Author: Frank McCourt Year of Publication: 1996
List three adjectives that describe this book
1. Realistic 2. Detailed 3. Depressing
What is the book about? (Write at least three sentences)
Angela's Ashes is Frank McCourt’s memoir, portraying his family’s impoverished life as it emigrates from America back to Ireland, where his parents originated. Once the family arrives in Ireland, the book depicts its struggle to obtain food and clothes as Frank’s father wastes the family’s money on alcohol. The memoir also reveals the social class differences evident in Ireland as Frank faces discrimination on account of his poor economic state.
What was good about the book?
The book was good because it is narrated from Frank's perspective as a young boy. His narration provides personal stories and emotions, giving the reader an accurate portrayal of the hardships faced by many Irish citizens of his time. As he narrates his memoir from the point of view of a child, he adds a light-hearted tone to the otherwise depressing account of his family's poverty.
What was challenging about the book?
The book was challenging because it is written in an informal format, almost like a diary. McCourt does not use quotation marks around dialogue, so it can be difficult to differentiate between the narrative and dialogue. However, the reader becomes accustomed to this writing style quickly. The memoir also uses words that are native to Irish citizens, so it can be difficult for the reader to understand the dialogue at first.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would recommend the memoir because it provides a personal account of an impoverished Irish family's struggle to survive. Since Frank McCourt actually experienced these hardships and social prejudices, so he provides an accurate account of Irish culture and lifestyle. The memoir also exhibits the mindset of Irish emigrants desiring to come to America as Frank dreams about a society in which he can succeed despite his family's poverty.
Country: Ireland
Your Name: Kerri Mannion
Book Title: Angela's Ashes Author: Frank McCourt Year of Publication: 1996
List three adjectives that describe this book
1. Realistic 2. Detailed 3. Depressing
What is the book about? (Write at least three sentences)
Angela's Ashes is Frank McCourt’s memoir, portraying his family’s impoverished life as it emigrates from America back to Ireland, where his parents originated. Once the family arrives in Ireland, the book depicts its struggle to obtain food and clothes as Frank’s father wastes the family’s money on alcohol. The memoir also reveals the social class differences evident in Ireland as Frank faces discrimination on account of his poor economic state.
What was good about the book?
The book was good because it is narrated from Frank's perspective as a young boy. His narration provides personal stories and emotions, giving the reader an accurate portrayal of the hardships faced by many Irish citizens of his time. As he narrates his memoir from the point of view of a child, he adds a light-hearted tone to the otherwise depressing account of his family's poverty.
What was challenging about the book?
The book was challenging because it is written in an informal format, almost like a diary. McCourt does not use quotation marks around dialogue, so it can be difficult to differentiate between the narrative and dialogue. However, the reader becomes accustomed to this writing style quickly. The memoir also uses words that are native to Irish citizens, so it can be difficult for the reader to understand the dialogue at first.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would recommend the memoir because it provides a personal account of an impoverished Irish family's struggle to survive. Since Frank McCourt actually experienced these hardships and social prejudices, so he provides an accurate account of Irish culture and lifestyle. The memoir also exhibits the mindset of Irish emigrants desiring to come to America as Frank dreams about a society in which he can succeed despite his family's poverty.
Country Ireland
Your Name Margot Criscitiello
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by 6-13-13
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BIOGRAPHY OR NON-FICTION
Book title Angela’s Ashes
Author Frank McCourt
Date published 1996
List three adjectives that describe this book
Enlightening Heartbreaking Amusing
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
Angela’s Ashes is a memoir of Frank McCourt’s childhood living in Ireland during the 1930s and 1940s. Growing up in the midst of poverty and struggling to earn money, Frank deals with many disadvantages growing up. His perspective through a child’s eyes, gives insight into what he experienced and how he tried to make the best of it. It describes the typical life of a poor Irish Catholic boy of the time who also wants to live a better life without struggle.
What was good about the book?
It gave a new perspective on life and how others live in Ireland, and the author did a great job presenting his own life balancing his humor with the miserable times.
What was challenging about the book?
There were many heart-wrenching, miserable moments, and it was difficult to think of how the author suffered through.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
Although the topic might seem depressing, it is definitely worthwhile to read. Frank McCourt is an excellent author and through his childhood eyes, it depicts Ireland in a new innocent life. It is not only enlightening and fascinating, but humorous and entertaining.
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FICTION
Book title Reading in the Dark
Author Seamus Deane
Date published 1996
List three adjectives that describe this book
Depressing Haunting Interesting
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
Reading In the Dark is a novel set in the 1940s and 1950s. It captures the beginnings of Ireland’s “troubles” as the narrator grows up in Northern Ireland. As family secrets are revealed, the narrator struggles to find a place in society and deal with the burden of this secret.
What was good about the book?
It revealed a lot about Northern Ireland and the conflict between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and described a typical life of a child growing up in Ireland.
What was challenging about the book?
The story line is a bit confusing, as it involves a very complicated family mystery. It also is broken up into short sections, so it frequently jumps around, which can be hard to follow.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
It would not be my first choice to read for a novel, because it was very dark and depressing, and I did not look forward to reading it. However, I did learn from it, and found it interesting.
Your Name Margot Criscitiello
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by 6-13-13
*******************************************************************************************
BIOGRAPHY OR NON-FICTION
Book title Angela’s Ashes
Author Frank McCourt
Date published 1996
List three adjectives that describe this book
Enlightening Heartbreaking Amusing
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
Angela’s Ashes is a memoir of Frank McCourt’s childhood living in Ireland during the 1930s and 1940s. Growing up in the midst of poverty and struggling to earn money, Frank deals with many disadvantages growing up. His perspective through a child’s eyes, gives insight into what he experienced and how he tried to make the best of it. It describes the typical life of a poor Irish Catholic boy of the time who also wants to live a better life without struggle.
What was good about the book?
It gave a new perspective on life and how others live in Ireland, and the author did a great job presenting his own life balancing his humor with the miserable times.
What was challenging about the book?
There were many heart-wrenching, miserable moments, and it was difficult to think of how the author suffered through.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
Although the topic might seem depressing, it is definitely worthwhile to read. Frank McCourt is an excellent author and through his childhood eyes, it depicts Ireland in a new innocent life. It is not only enlightening and fascinating, but humorous and entertaining.
****************************************************************************************
FICTION
Book title Reading in the Dark
Author Seamus Deane
Date published 1996
List three adjectives that describe this book
Depressing Haunting Interesting
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
Reading In the Dark is a novel set in the 1940s and 1950s. It captures the beginnings of Ireland’s “troubles” as the narrator grows up in Northern Ireland. As family secrets are revealed, the narrator struggles to find a place in society and deal with the burden of this secret.
What was good about the book?
It revealed a lot about Northern Ireland and the conflict between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and described a typical life of a child growing up in Ireland.
What was challenging about the book?
The story line is a bit confusing, as it involves a very complicated family mystery. It also is broken up into short sections, so it frequently jumps around, which can be hard to follow.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
It would not be my first choice to read for a novel, because it was very dark and depressing, and I did not look forward to reading it. However, I did learn from it, and found it interesting.