Reader's Journal #16- Chosen (The Chosen #1) by Denise Grover Swank

#16                            Reader’s Journal                 12/12/11                 

Dear Mrs. Zrihen,

           

            This week I continued reading the book, Chosen (The Chosen #1) by Denise Grover Swank.

            A passage that stood out to me was:

            “Although Emma was quiet, Will could tell an undercurrent of anger threatened to break loose. It amazed him how easy it was to get her to follow his lead, but he had a feeling she didn’t usually cooperate this well. The fact she felt guilty dragging him in her trouble proved she had some sort of conscience. He planned to use that to his advantage.” (KINDLE)

            I chose this passage because it hooked me. It also got me thinking a little more about one of the main characters, Will. While reading this, I realized that Will wasn’t so innocent, and that he might be planning something against Emma and Jake. It is significant to the story because it a little bit more detail on Will.

            Before, during, and after reading I used many strategies. Before reading, I noticed that the title of this book, Chosen (The Chosen #1), included a number, and predicted it was part of a series. I also made sure I remembered what I had read this far, by rereading my last reader’s journal. While reading, I took notes on my Kindle about any new vocabulary, figurative language, or literary elements. I also talked about the book with my friends, to make sure all my information was accurate and to make predictions together. After reading, I continued the book talk with my friends and we were able to confirm some predictions we had made. I also reviewed all my notes to write my reader’s journal.

The genre of this book is fantasy because it has unrealistic characters and a plot that could never happen in real life. The protagonists are Emma Thompson, Jake Thompson, and so far Will Davenport. However, I believe towards the end of the book, Will might become an antagonist because he seems suspicious. Jake is Emma’s five-year-old who can see into the future. Will is a complete stranger to both of them, but Jake claims they need him and that their lives depend on him. These characters are round because they are well described; however, they haven’t gone through any type of characterization yet. The antagonists are the “The Bad Men”, as Jake calls them, because they seem to be a threat to Emma and Jake, but it is not clearly stated why. They are round because they are clearly stated. The following passages help describe them:

“The Bad Men, as Jake called them, had found them more quickly. They used to be able to live in a place for months, but this time had only been three weeks. She tried to take comfort in the daylight, even if it was fading. The Bad Men usually came at night, but she sensed their desperation was making them bolder. She drove home as fast as possible without the risk of getting pulled over by the police. She knew from experience they couldn’t be trusted. “

“He didn’t fit the Bad Men’s usual look of jeans and black shirts…”

“The Bad Men” have not gone through characterization; therefore, they are static. The foil character is Emma’s boss at the beginning of the book. Emma and Jake must leave in a rush and this character helps the scene seem more intense. He is flat and static because he is not described well and doesn’t go through characterization.

Most of the setting isn’t clearly stated in the book. It starts off in a motel in Texas in July in which Emma and Jake live in. “Home was an aged, pay-by-the-week, roach-infested motel.” Then the main characters leave the motel and start driving; there is no exact setting, but it states that they want to go to Austin, Texas. It takes place in modern times. The weather conditions are hot and humid. One social condition is that Jake can see the future and believes Will is needed for he and his mom to survive.

The plot of this book was very good and it got to the action pretty fast. The exposition was when the author introduced the main characters and the conflict. Then, almost immediately, then book went into the rising action, where Emma and Jake decided that Will could tag along with them. It is also where their mysterious car chase takes place. I am a little confused on where I am because, in my opinion, everything in the rising action seems like it could be in the climax. When I complete the book I will be able to tell more about the plot structure.

The conflict is man vs. supernatural because the protagonists are against the antagonists and some characters are “supernatural” beings. This type of conflict is external. The tone of this book is mysterious and adventurous and the mood is curious and suspenseful. There is no theme, moral, or motif. The point-of-view is either third-person-omniscient or third-person-limited because the narrator speaks about what he can only see and hear, but knows what two character, Emma and Will, thinks and feels. The author’s purpose is to entertain readers with a mysterious and suspenseful fantasy. The pattern of organization is climatic order because it tells what happens from beginning to end. The author’s perspective is objective because he does not share any personal opinions or beliefs.

            

             Since I haven’t finished the book, I wasn’t able to identify that much figurative language. I only identified irony, a cliché, and a hyperbole.

-I found it very ironic that Will showed up just in time when Jake and Emma were leaving the hotel.

-“I’m a big girl.” This is a cliché because it is an overused expression.

-“I've told you a million times, we need him.” This is a hyperbole because it exaggerates the amount of times Jake had said this.

              (Free Response)- If I could give the author any advice, I would tell her to give more detail about the “Bad Men” because I am still confused.

            

               Overall, this book is okay. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone yet until I finish the book completely. I rate it a 6 out of 10 stars because the author still leaves the readers confused for a long time.

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                Your Student,

                                                                                                                        Bailey Levy