Assignment 5

Gregor The Overlander

Collins, S. (2004). Gregor the overlander.
NY: Scholastic.

 

Textbook Assignment 5:

Readers will connect with Gregor because the main character is an eleven year old boy who seeks adventures.  In one adventure he falls into an Underland city that is underneath the earth’s surface.  He also has a sister named Boots, and they discover an Underland world that is made up of gigantic cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats. At first he wants to return home but then decides to stay and fight these “monsters.”  This city is called the Kingdom of Regalia and it is inhabited by pale-skinned, violet-eyed humans called the Underlanders.  Gregor's  presence initiates a war between the Underlanders and the rats.  He sacrifices himself and becomes the warrior.  However, when he learns that his missing father has been kept prisoner by the rats for over two years, Gregor takes it upon himself to save his father and the Underlanders.   By the end of the story brave Gregor and his family return to the surface.

 

Evaluative Criteria:

Setting: The setting in this story was exquisite that provided readers with enough description to be able to visualize the Kingdom of Regalia and its surroundings.

Plot:  The plot in this story involved the journey Gregor needed to take in order to come back to Earth with his family and was consistent throughout the majority of the story which will enable readers to proof that it is fantasy.  

 

The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book.
NY: HarperCollins.

 

Textbook Assignment 5:

Readers will find this story to be riveting and suspenseful.  Bod Owens is not your typical average boy. Owens family was murdered and he was left in a cemetery in which ghosts would become their main caregivers.   Bod was brought up in a very peculiar place which is a graveyard to be exact.  This particular setting influences how he perceives life. When someone comes along and threatens his life, he must fight alongside his dead buddies to keep it. Bod has always wondered about the life beyond the gates and he eventually leaves the graveyard to explore the unknown world.

Evaluative Criteria:

Setting & Characters:  The setting in this story is crucial in understanding the main characters lives.  They would be spending the majority of their time in the graveyard. The characterization in this story will allow readers to connect with the conflicts that shape the plot structure of the story.

Rapunzel’s Revenge

Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge.
NY: Bloomsbury.

 

Textbook Assignment 5:

 

This graphic novel tells the story of Rapunzel but, not the typical classical “Rapunzel.”  Rapunzel at a very young age was taken by Mother Gothel and had been warned never to look over the wall that surrounded their home. Rapunzel refused to comply and found her real mother.  Because of her disobedience towards Mother Gothel’s wishes she gets locked away in a tree for four years. Eventually Rapunzel escapes and takes Mother Gothel's magic and returns it to the righteous land where it belongs.

Evaluative Criteria:

 

Rapunzel’s plot consistency was seen throughout the story when she seeks and carries out her revenge for everything Mother Gothel has done to her family.  The theme in this story as well helps the reader understand Rapunzel's choices and affirms the common fantasy stories which are good is more powerful than evil. 

Comic Squad:  Recess!

 

Holm, J. (2014). Comic squad: recess!
NY: Random House.

Textbook Assignment 5:

 

Comics Squad: Recess! is a graphic novel that consists of eight small popular comics. The characters have various adventures with one thing in common-they all occur during recess.  From the lunch lady attacking a monster pizza, to a cupcake and her junk food friends they take on the Green Gang of healthy fruits and veggies.

Evaluative Criteria:
The colorful choice of style that the authors choose to use with this novel make the pencil & pen work, watercolor, and digital art appropriate with this particular fantasy unique style. The setting in this story is crucial in allowing readers to understand that the story takes place during recess. 

 

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landry, D. (2007). Skulduggery pleasant.
 NY: HarperCollins.

Textbook Assignment 5:

Readers will find Stephanie’s fantasy world to be thrown back by a Skullduggery detective because he is a skeleton.  Skullduggery detective work is put to work when Stephanie’s uncle leaves her with a difficult problem to solve.  Stephanie and Skullduggery will do whatever it takes to be safe. 

 

Evaluative Criteria: 
Skullduggery’s Pleasant plot will allow readers to connect with Stephanie and Skullduggery when they go on their journey to locate the scepter.  The characters in this story will enable readers to believe that Skullduggery is a typical detective and not a made up living skeleton.

Crenshaw

Applegate, K. (2015). Crenshaw.

NY: Feiwel and Friends.

  Textbook Assignment 5

Readers will be able to connect with Jackson and his family because all families have gone through money concerns one time or another.  Jackson and his family do not have much money for their rent or food, either.  Jackson’s family which consists of his parents, little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan.  Jackson has an imaginary friend and he is the only one who can see this imaginary large outspoken cat named Crenshaw.  Readers will be able to realize that his imaginary cat comes into Jackson’s life when Jackson is passing through a difficult time.  Crenshaw will help Jackson save his family from losing everything.  

 Evaluative Criteria:

The theme in this story is crucial in understanding how friendship can make a difference in people’s lives.  The characters also in this story are made up of your typical family going through difficult times but, then it becomes fantasy when the character and his imaginary cat friend relationship set the stage for the conflicts that shape the plot.