06
04
2009
The Last Safe Place on Earth by Richard Peck (Eng 9 – 2009)
Posted by: muldowney in 9-3 20099th Grade Book Project
IF WORKING WITH A PARTNER
Divide book into 5 sections. Come up with 5 questions and answers for each section. Partners should rotate (every other section) between who is providing the questions and answers.
IF READING ALONE
Divide book into 5 sections. Create a blog discussing each section of the book.
Due Dates
4/1 – Setting/Plot
4/8 – Characterization/Conflict
4/21 – Symbolism/Irony
4/27 – Theme
5/1 – Reaction/Recommendation
**You will also be creating a presentation for class. We will be scheduling them to begin in class the first week in May.**
Link to the Blog: http://muldowney.edublogs.org
Entries (RSS)
April 7th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
In the beginning of this book they introduce Todd Tobin who is going to be the narrator of the story. The story first takes place in Walden Woods, around Halloween. They start the story by introducing Todd’s family and who is involved in his life. They explain his “love life” and then they explain his cousin who is actually known as his sister. Todd’s family is very complex and his life in high school is just starting. The story is based around a lot of deaths. I can already notice some symbolism that is taking place because Todd is reading a book and it always mentions something that is going to happen in the future. This symbolism I think will be seen throughout this book.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Some of the characters that have been introduced so far includes Todd Tobin, Laurel Kellerman, Diane, Marnie, Todd’s Dad, Todd’s Mother, and C.E. Todd Tobin is an average kid that is going through changes (or puberty) in high school. He has many feelings for this girl named Laurel Kellerman. Laurel Kellerman babysits Marnie who is the younger sister of Todd. Marnie is a little girl that enjoys her childhood and loves to hang out with older people. She looks up to Laurel because she babysits her. Marnie also likes to go trick-or-treating with her dad. Todd’s dad is a very serious person who works for a bank and loves to decorate for Halloween. Todd’s mother is a very nice, fragile woman. She is usually really busy so she likes her children doing chores for her. The last person mentioned is C.E. He is the friend of Todd. They have gone to the same school since about 7th grade. They have many classes together, they hang out, and most importantly he knows Laurel which makes Todd very happy.
The plot of the story is very complex so far. The book seems to skip around and talks about random things. This book started out with a lot of symbolism. In the book several people have died because of car crashes. Todd, who is the main character, has a big crush on this girl Laurel. Laurel is only seen a few times in school but she babysits his sister Marnie. For this, he is very excited and he really wishes he can get together with her. He walks her home almost everyday. One day, Marnie wanted Laurel so they went to pick her up. Her parents were very surprised but let her go with Todd.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:32 pm
In my book so far there have been many things that have shown symbolism and irony. Some things that have been seen is that in the book that Todd reads, it mentions many death sentences. These sentences explain events that have happened in the book. Something else that happens in the book is that Marnie, the daughter, changed her ways of liking things. Like she used to go trick-or-treating with her dad but skipped because she wanted to be with Laurel. Some irony would be that Laurel was known to be such a great influence on Marnie and that she was a very nice, beautiful, young lady that the Tobin’s loved. But they find out that she feels that the world is evil and that Halloween brings the evil in people. That is why Marnie destroyed the decorations that her dad put up. Laurel is brainwashing Marnie because Laurel’s mother brainwashed her. One problem with this is that Todd still likes Laurel although she is not allowed in their house anymore. He doesnt know what to do but will learn as time goes by.