What will be on the test?
the "four boxes"
You will be asked to write:
- The 4 main characters
- The setting (this includes place AND time)
- The main problems (2)
- The main solutions (2)
We will do this in class on Monday together. You should have it in your Reading Binder.
the plot map
There are a LOT of events that happen in the book! But you can only choose a total of 7. Oh no!
Don't worry. We will decide together in class:
- The opening main event (problem is introduced)
- The 4 events that are the rising action
- The climax event
- The resolution
We will do this together in class on Monday. You should have this in your Reading Binder. We used the list posted at the bottom of this page to help us narrow down the important events.
how karana changed
You will be asked to write a short essay on how Karana changed from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. There is more than one way that she changed. You will choose the idea you like the best and brainstorm with other Ellerbees to plan your answer.
Some ideas are:
- At first Karana killed animals for food and tools, but at the end of the book she refused to ever kill animals again.
- At first Karana was a rule follower, but she realized that she had to make her own decisions.
- At first Karana was a typical kid and depended on adults to take care of her. But after she was stranded she grew up fast and learned she had to survive on her own.
An example of this is posted below. You won't be able to use my example.
what's a good theme for this book?
A theme is an overall message that the author is trying to communicate in the book.
Your 3 choices will be:
- courage
- hope
- perseverance
Whichever one you choose, you will brainstorm with other Ellerbees as you plan your short essay.
You will need to write about:
- state the theme for the first sentence
- write TWO examples from the book to support your theme - you need to include convincing details
- write about the author's purpose
An example of this is posted below. You won't be able to use my example.
short essay examples
how Karana changed
FIRST PART
In the beginning of the book, Karana hated all Aleuts.
She thought this because it was the Aleuts who came to the island and in a big battle killed most of the men in her tribe. This included the death of her dad.
SECOND PART
By the end of the book, Karana had realized Aleuts could be good, and it was unfair to judge ALL Aleuts as being cruel.
THE REASON SHE CHANGED
She realized this because she met Tutok.
At first she didn't trust Tutok because she was an Aleut. But then she takes a chance and decides to trust her. They become friends, and it gives her a lot of happiness.
In the end she realized that not everyone is the same. She understands that you have to judge people individually.
example of theme
FIRST PART
I think a good theme for the book is forgiveness.
FIRST EXAMPLE
In this book Karana hates and fears the Aleuts who killed many of her people. But she chooses to become friends with Tutok, an Aleut girl. At first, she was so afraid that she almost threw her spear at her. But then she puts down the spear and accepts Tutok's gift. They become friends, and she forgives Tutok even though she's an Aleut.
SECOND EXAMPLE
Also, Karana has a good reason to hate the wild dogs because they had killed her brother, Ramo. She is devastated by this and vows to get revenge. She eventually shoots the leader of the wild dogs with an arrow. But when she has the chance to finish the job, she chooses to have mercy on him So she takes him home and nurses him back to health. They become best friends. She couldn't have done that unless she chose to forgive him.
AUTHOR'S PURPOSE
When I read this book it made me think about the power of forgiveness. The next time I don't feel like forgiving someone, I am going to think about how Karana forgave and try to be like her and forgive too.