#24 Readers Journal 2/13/12
Dear Mrs. Zrihen,
This week I started the book Touched by Fire by Gwyneth Atlee.
A sentence that stood out to me was:
“The hardest part was stealing the fresh blood.”
I chose this sentence because it made me hooked onto the book instantly.
This is significant to the story because it starts off the book and it helps readers predict if they will enjoy the book or not.
Before, during, and after reading I used many strategies. Before reading, I read some to make sure I would enjoy this book. Then, I read the synopsis and first paragraph to also make sure I would enjoy the book. The synopsis sounded interesting and all the reviews were positive. While reading, I took notes on my Kindle about any figurative language or literary elements. I also looked up the definitions of new words I didn’t know the meaning of. After reading, I read all my notes and highlight I took on my Kindle to write my reader’s journal. I also reflected to the book by doing my ISN.
The genre of this book is historical fiction because it has realistic characters and is based on a true event from the past. The protagonist is Hannah Lee Shelton. She is round because she is well described; however, she hasn’t gone through any type of characterization yet. There are no antagonists and so far the only foil characters are John, Daniel, and Amelia Aldman and Lucinda Pangburn.
The setting takes place, “…in 1871, among the towering woods of northeastern Wisconsin…” The weather conditions vary throughout the book. One social condition is that Hannah has faked her own murder.
The plot is really good. There isn’t really an exposition because there isn’t really an introduction of the characters or what’s going on; it just jumps into the rising action. I am still on the rising action and I think I am almost at the climax.
So far, the conflict is man vs. self because Hannah is going through difficult times and has to make hard decisions with herself. One tone of this book is mysterious and one mood is curious. There is no theme, moral, or motif yet. The point-of-view is third-person-limited because the narrator speaks about what he can only see and hear, but knows what one character, Hannah, thinks and feels. The author’s purpose is to entertain readers with a historical mystery/romance.
I found the following figurative language while reading:
- “But here, with all the deathly dryness, she felt like a woman made from kindling.” is a simile.
- “One careless spark, and she’d ignite.” This is an idiom.
- “A former friend.” This is alliteration.
- “The walk to the house took ages…” This is a hyperbole.
The tone/mood is also figurative language.
So far I enjoy the book. I rate it a 9/10 stars and recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction or romances.
Your Student,
Bailey Levy 802
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