APPENDIX C

READING JOURNAL

Reading great books — Students should read a novel, play, or a collection of short stories or poems every five lessons. Ideally, students will complete ten reading journal entries like the one below.

Date:

Name of book: Watership Down Name of author: Richard Adams

Publisher: Scribners Copyright date: 1972

I. Briefly describe:

Protagonist — Hazel — Hazel is a charismatic leader who recognizes and employs the skills of his fellow bucks to great success.

Antagonist — General Woundwort — He is a mean, vicious, cunning foe.

Other characters used to develop protagonist: Fiver, Bigwig, et al.

Do any of the characters remind me of a Bible character? Who? Why? — Hazel is a Christ-like character.

II. Setting: English rabbit warrens

III. Point of view: Circle or underline one

First person, Third person, Third Person Omniscient

IV. Brief summary of the plot: It is a heroic fantasy novel about a small group of rabbits. These are special rabbits — they possess their own culture, language, and mythology. Evoking epic themes, the novel recounts the rabbits’ odyssey as they escape the destruction of their warren to seek a place in which to establish a new home, encountering innumerable perils along the way.

V. Theme (the quintessential meaning or purpose of the book in one or two sentences): This novel celebrates loyalty and perseverance as these rabbits preserve tradition and move forward into new homes. There is a strong journey motif.

VI. Author’s worldview: Clearly the author celebrates Judeo-Christian morality, including justice, forgiveness, and loyalty.

How do you know this? What behaviors does the character manifest that lead you to this conclusion? The protagonist is essentially a Christ-like character.

VII. Why did you like or dislike this book? I really liked Watership Down. Not only was it entertaining, but it also offered a well-developed plot and a life-sustaining message.

VIII. List at least five new vocabulary words from this book. Define and use in a sentence.

Buoyant: (adj.) — light, floating; shrewd: (adj.) — clever. There was a shrewd, buoyant air about him as he sat up, looked around and rubbed both front paws over his nose.

Wearily: (adv.) — with fatigue and carefulness; troublesome: (adj.) — problematic; perplexity: (n.) — consternation, confusion. Hazel realized wearily that Bigwig was probably going to be troublesome. . . . To him, perplexity was worse than danger. . . . He thought of the Threarah and his wily courtesy.

IX. Name of next book I will read:

Signature of parent(s)