Country: United States and Japan
Your Name: Kate Farrell
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by
61715
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BIOGRAPHY OR NONFICTION
Book title: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Date published: November 16, 2010
List three adjectives that describe this book
Shocking Inspiring Eventful
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This book describes Louie Zamperini’s experiences during World War II. Beginning in his
teenage years, the book tells the story of how the once reckless teenager transforms into an
Olympic athlete and then a member of the US airforce. While on a rescue mission, Zamperini’s
aircraft breaks down and he and his crew members are sent into the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Zamperini and his crew members must fight against all odds for survival as their strength is
tested.
What was good about the book?
The fact that it was a true story was very eyeopening. Also it was helpful that Hillenbrand
included pictures provided from various sources to give the readers a visual.
What was challenging about the book?
It was a very long story and it seemed to drag through some parts.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
Yes, especially for people studying World War II in a history class. After learning the
background to the war, it was amazing to understand the true perspective of a prisoner of war.
Your Name: Kate Farrell
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by
61715
******************************************************************************
*************
BIOGRAPHY OR NONFICTION
Book title: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Date published: November 16, 2010
List three adjectives that describe this book
Shocking Inspiring Eventful
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This book describes Louie Zamperini’s experiences during World War II. Beginning in his
teenage years, the book tells the story of how the once reckless teenager transforms into an
Olympic athlete and then a member of the US airforce. While on a rescue mission, Zamperini’s
aircraft breaks down and he and his crew members are sent into the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Zamperini and his crew members must fight against all odds for survival as their strength is
tested.
What was good about the book?
The fact that it was a true story was very eyeopening. Also it was helpful that Hillenbrand
included pictures provided from various sources to give the readers a visual.
What was challenging about the book?
It was a very long story and it seemed to drag through some parts.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
Yes, especially for people studying World War II in a history class. After learning the
background to the war, it was amazing to understand the true perspective of a prisoner of war.
GLOBAL INDEPENDENT READING BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Country: Japan
Your Name: Bailey Hull
Book Title: Kokoro Author: Natsume Soseki Year of Publication: 1914
List three adjectives that describe this book
2. Classic 2. Drawn-Out 3. Poetic
What is the book about? (Write at least three sentences)
Kokoro is the story of a young, unnamed university student living in Tokyo at the turn of the 20th century. He meets a man who he considers his “Sensei,” or teacher. The student learns of life from his teacher, whose dark past and suicidal tendencies arise frequently throughout the book.
What was good about the book?
Soseki is a very poetic writer; he is extremely articulate and can create beautiful and vivid imagery easily. It stays true to the Japanese way of admiring simplicity and appreciating nature in its subtlety.
What was challenging about the book?
Sokseki’s poetic and beautiful writing often takes away from the plot. He spends so much time describing a tree or the ocean, and only a bit developing his main character. The storyline is flat and boring, and it’s easy to get tired of reading it after hearing the narrator discuss Sensei’s wife’s hands for three straight pages.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
Not for a high school project, no. The plot is dry, there’s too much description and too little character development, and I fell asleep reading it several times. I suppose that he writes in a very traditional Japanese manner, but there are more modern books which could easily substitute for this one.
Country: Japan
Your Name: Bailey Hull
Book Title: Kokoro Author: Natsume Soseki Year of Publication: 1914
List three adjectives that describe this book
2. Classic 2. Drawn-Out 3. Poetic
What is the book about? (Write at least three sentences)
Kokoro is the story of a young, unnamed university student living in Tokyo at the turn of the 20th century. He meets a man who he considers his “Sensei,” or teacher. The student learns of life from his teacher, whose dark past and suicidal tendencies arise frequently throughout the book.
What was good about the book?
Soseki is a very poetic writer; he is extremely articulate and can create beautiful and vivid imagery easily. It stays true to the Japanese way of admiring simplicity and appreciating nature in its subtlety.
What was challenging about the book?
Sokseki’s poetic and beautiful writing often takes away from the plot. He spends so much time describing a tree or the ocean, and only a bit developing his main character. The storyline is flat and boring, and it’s easy to get tired of reading it after hearing the narrator discuss Sensei’s wife’s hands for three straight pages.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
Not for a high school project, no. The plot is dry, there’s too much description and too little character development, and I fell asleep reading it several times. I suppose that he writes in a very traditional Japanese manner, but there are more modern books which could easily substitute for this one.
Country: Japan
Your Name: Jonathan Handy
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: Emperor Hirohito and Showa Japan
Author: Stephen S. Large
Date published: October 22, 1992
List three adjectives that describe this book
Interesting Informative Thorough
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This book is about the life of Emperor Hirohito, emperor of Japan in the middle of the 20th century. The book shows how his upbringing affected the manner in which he ruled Japan. It also demonstrates Hirohito’s role in creating Japan’s modern government and discusses to what extent he is at fault for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
What was good about the book?
The book gives an in depth explanation of the effects of Hirohito’s upbringing on his rule.
What was challenging about the book?
The books uses very time period specific terms and requires some prior knowledge of Japan in the 20th century
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t have an interest in Japanese history because it is a very challenging and complicated biography that isn’t ver captivating for those not interested in history
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FICTION
Book title: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Author: Haruki Murakami
Date published: 1993
List three adjectives that describe this book:
Captivating Strange Fun
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This book is a parallel narrative of a code breaking information dealer, called the Calcutec, and the person who exists in his subconscious, called the Dreamreader. The Calcutec works with an extraordinary professor, who helped develop the World the Dreamreader lives in. In the process of working with the professor, the novel takes a surprising turn to completely alter the fate of both the Calcutec and the Dreamreader.
What was good about the book?
The novel has a captivating storyline that will keep the reader interested with the intriguing perspectives of the both of the protagonists.
What was challenging about the book?
The book does become rather technical at times, suggesting concepts that can be a little difficult to grasp.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because it is a very interesting novel and gives an interesting perspective of the Japanese culture.
Your Name: Jonathan Handy
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by 6-13-13
*******************************************************************************************
BIOGRAPHY OR NON-FICTION
Book title: Emperor Hirohito and Showa Japan
Author: Stephen S. Large
Date published: October 22, 1992
List three adjectives that describe this book
Interesting Informative Thorough
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This book is about the life of Emperor Hirohito, emperor of Japan in the middle of the 20th century. The book shows how his upbringing affected the manner in which he ruled Japan. It also demonstrates Hirohito’s role in creating Japan’s modern government and discusses to what extent he is at fault for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
What was good about the book?
The book gives an in depth explanation of the effects of Hirohito’s upbringing on his rule.
What was challenging about the book?
The books uses very time period specific terms and requires some prior knowledge of Japan in the 20th century
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t have an interest in Japanese history because it is a very challenging and complicated biography that isn’t ver captivating for those not interested in history
****************************************************************************************
FICTION
Book title: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Author: Haruki Murakami
Date published: 1993
List three adjectives that describe this book:
Captivating Strange Fun
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This book is a parallel narrative of a code breaking information dealer, called the Calcutec, and the person who exists in his subconscious, called the Dreamreader. The Calcutec works with an extraordinary professor, who helped develop the World the Dreamreader lives in. In the process of working with the professor, the novel takes a surprising turn to completely alter the fate of both the Calcutec and the Dreamreader.
What was good about the book?
The novel has a captivating storyline that will keep the reader interested with the intriguing perspectives of the both of the protagonists.
What was challenging about the book?
The book does become rather technical at times, suggesting concepts that can be a little difficult to grasp.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because it is a very interesting novel and gives an interesting perspective of the Japanese culture.
Country: Japan
Your Name: Emily Raso
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by 6-13-13
*******************************************************************************************
BIOGRAPHY OR NON-FICTION
Book title: War’s End
Author: Charles W. Sweeney
Date published: July 19, 2004
List three adjectives that describe this book
1. Dramatic 2. Engaging 3. Informative
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This novel is about the experience that Charles W. Sweeney had dropping the second atomic bomb on Japan to end World War II. The novel explains the training and difficulties that he had to go through in order to become a pilot during the war. It also talks about the mission of the dropping of the bombs.
What was good about the book?
This novel was very informative and it helped me understand all of the causalities and hardships that the Japanese went through after the dropping of the atomic bombs.
What was challenging about the book?
This book was not challenging.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because it is very informative and interesting.
****************************************************************************************
FICTION
Book title: Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golding
Date published: September 27, 1997
List three adjectives that describe this book
1. Interesting 2. Different 3. Traditional
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
The novel is about a young girl named Chiyo who comes from a poor fishing town and lives with her mother, father, and sister. When her mom becomes sick Mr. Tanka sends her and her sister to the big city of Kyoto. In Kyoto they get split up and Chiyo learns to become a geisha.
What was good about the book?
I liked this novel because it gave me a better understanding on the culture of Japan. It also helped me learn about all the different customs and traditions that are present in Japan and the different social classes.
What was challenging about the book?
This book was challenging because it was 428 pages long.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because I think that even though it is very long it tells a very interesting story about a young girl who goes through many struggles to get to where she wants to be.
Your Name: Emily Raso
Submit to: [email protected] and post to edmodo for a 10 pt. quiz grade by 6-13-13
*******************************************************************************************
BIOGRAPHY OR NON-FICTION
Book title: War’s End
Author: Charles W. Sweeney
Date published: July 19, 2004
List three adjectives that describe this book
1. Dramatic 2. Engaging 3. Informative
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
This novel is about the experience that Charles W. Sweeney had dropping the second atomic bomb on Japan to end World War II. The novel explains the training and difficulties that he had to go through in order to become a pilot during the war. It also talks about the mission of the dropping of the bombs.
What was good about the book?
This novel was very informative and it helped me understand all of the causalities and hardships that the Japanese went through after the dropping of the atomic bombs.
What was challenging about the book?
This book was not challenging.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because it is very informative and interesting.
****************************************************************************************
FICTION
Book title: Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golding
Date published: September 27, 1997
List three adjectives that describe this book
1. Interesting 2. Different 3. Traditional
What is the book about? (write at least three sentences)
The novel is about a young girl named Chiyo who comes from a poor fishing town and lives with her mother, father, and sister. When her mom becomes sick Mr. Tanka sends her and her sister to the big city of Kyoto. In Kyoto they get split up and Chiyo learns to become a geisha.
What was good about the book?
I liked this novel because it gave me a better understanding on the culture of Japan. It also helped me learn about all the different customs and traditions that are present in Japan and the different social classes.
What was challenging about the book?
This book was challenging because it was 428 pages long.
Would you recommend the book? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend this book because I think that even though it is very long it tells a very interesting story about a young girl who goes through many struggles to get to where she wants to be.