• For Monday, read to page 104 in Serendib and answer the following on other paper (handwritten is fine):

1. The writing itself:
   • Write down 2 sentences or passages that you like and, briefly, why you like them. If there are sentences that you don’t like, write them down and comment on their weakness.
   • Write down 2 similes and comment on whether they are any good.
   • Write down a few instances where single words are used in an interesting way, maybe in a way that surprises you.
   • Is there one moment when the language sounds poetic?

2. Setting:
   • How well does the author evoke a sense of place? Can you point to a specific passage that demonstrates where it is done well or poorly, and then explain what precise things make it work (or not)? In answering this, keep in mind the use of senses (all five!) and the use of naming things, of being specific.

3. Character:
   • Citing the one major character and one minor character, comment on how well the author makes each of them distinctive—in speech, in attitude, in gestures, in clothes and appearance, in possessions.
   • Dialogue: Comment on whether it sounds believable to you?

4. Suspense / Tension:
   • Do you find yourself wanting to turn the pages and read on? If so, what is it that is pulling you along?
   • How well does the author create tension with the military presence?

5. Humor:
   • Do you find any parts of this book funny? If so, point to them and comment on how the humor is created.

6. Questions:
   • What’s one question you’d like to ask the author—if you were ever lucky enough to meet him?
   • What’s one question you’d like to ask John Toner, the father in the book?
   • What’s one discussion question for the whole class?

Also, today I’ll introduce the idea of you writing your own memoir. Start on this over the weekend. My advice is to just get words down on paper and worry about editing later on.