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Given the nature of the 2011 summer reading program, you had significant autonomy in selecting the books you would read. While you were responsible for completing a proposal, you were not given other assignments to complete over the summer. As indicated on your proposal form, you are required to write a letter to your 2011-12 Language Arts teacher that demonstrates your thoughtful reading of your book. We have chosen to break this down further into three focused "Power Paragraphs" for two reasons, one, to introduce you to the idea of a power paragraph, and two, to assist you in covering all aspects of the assignment.

__ Prompt for Paragraph One - A Reflection of Your Choice __

Last year when I made my selection of books to read over the summer, I made my choices based on the suggestions I received from my friends instead of on my own interests. When beginning my original choice I did not feel an urge to continue reading. I knew I would be much more eager to read a book I enjoyed, so I picked up //Vanishing Acts// by Jodi Picoult. Jodi Picoult's style, writing from a different characters perspective each chapter, gives a fresh look on reading "[A] fascinating character study framed by a complex, gripping story" (//Booklist //). I was intrigued by the unique plot and surprise ending, I am glad I made the switch. Good job working with the power paragraph structure. Take a look at your response again, can you tighten up your language a bit? __ Prompt for Paragraph Two - A Discussion of What You Gained by Reading Your Book __

Ruthann, a Hopi tribal woman, who brought a whole new perspective of life to the table, was my favorite character in //Vanishing Acts//by Jodi Picoult and empowered me with the ability to understand two different views. Throughout the book she was a character who remained mysterious and quiet about her personal life, holding back the fact that she had cancer and knew she would soon pass. “Ruthann’s family, who wants her alive, will not be the one to lose hair from drugs, to have surgery to remove her breast, to die by degrees”, (Picoult 278 ). Ruthann made the decision to commit suicide because she believed the quality of life was more important than the length. I am not saying I agree with the decision to end one’s life (this is not a suicide note ), but when I read this point of view, it stuck with me because she didn’t kill herself because she hated her life, she did it because she loved her life.

Picoult, Jodi. //Vanashing Acts//. New York: Atria Books, 2005. Your topic sentence should be a clear response to the prompt and set the stage for the rest of the paragraph. You have a strong point toward the end when you explain that Ruthann made her choice out of love for life, not hopelessness.

__ Prompt for Paragraph Three - What to do With it... __ When it seems as if all young adults are allowed to read about is falling in love, Jodi Picoult saves the day, with a suspenseful book for readers sick of love stories and ready to read about the real world. //Vanishing Acts// takes four lovable and relatable characters and places them in a plot about parental kidnapping, which leaves you questioning if the people sitting in the next room have been lying to you your whole life. “’Your father told you your mother was dead, Delia,’ I say bluntly. ‘And then he brought you to New Hampshire’” (Picoult 37). With a unique story line free of vampires and fairytale romance, //Vanishing Acts// is a book I would recommend to anyone ready to step into reality. And what is wrong with vampires??? J.K. :) Good job making a sophisticated observation about who would enjoy this book.
 * Scoring: Your three paragraphs will be given one overall grade, and the timeliness of your posts will be reflected in your "timeliness" grade. **

// An outstanding response to the prompts will include the following: //
 * A strong topic sentence that clearly establishes the focus on the prompt
 * Evidence that clearly supports the topic sentence
 * Correct use of internal citations and a properly formatted MLA citation for your book (put this citation at the end of paragraph one)
 * Strict adherence to the Power Paragraph format
 * Mechanics are clean and do not detract from meaning