Mrs. Sternke's Question

I'm having trouble posting comments so I'll just make a new posting about Mrs. Sternke's question about The Giver.  She asked what aspects of the novel might appeal to modern readers.  The whole concept of being given a profession or place in society based on aptitude tests and personality profiles...at first it sounds horrible and directly opposite all the freedoms we hold dear.  But I know so many people who are lost and have no direction in life, with no plans or goals for the future.  Would it be so bad to have someone say "this is what you should do, this is what you will be good at"?  As long as it isn't random or arbitrary, would it be so bad to have someone steer your future for the greater good?  Thoughts?

The Giver

I re-read this book this weekend because it had been such a long time since my last reading...my question to you (once you've finished reading, of course) is, what aspects of this lifestyle would you like better than our current way of life, and which ones seem the worst to you?

Question #2

So the first book we decided to read is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.  Most of you have already read (or will read in school if you haven't yet) stories by Steinbeck such as Of Mice and Men and The Pearl.  What do you think of Steinbeck's stories?  He won the Nobel Prize in 1962.  Why do you think we still read his books decades after his death? 

Question #1

What was the best NEW book you've read so far in 2011?  Tell us a little about it.  For example, I'd have to say the best book I've read for the first time so far this year is The Book Thief.  It's about WWII but it is told in a much different way than other books I've read on the subject.  It's an amazing book!  Feel free to comment below on my book and/or a book of your own

Hannibal High School English Club

Hello to members of the new HHS English Club!  We are setting up this page to post information about the new club and to post questions and comments about the novels we are reading.  Much more to come!