Overview of the 2008 Guerrilla Season Book Blog Project

What is Guerrilla Season?

Guerrilla Season is a historical novel by Pat Hughes. The book describes Clay County at the start of the Civil War. Liberty is mentioned several times during the book. Most of the characters in the novel are actual people who lived in this area in the mid 1800’s.

Why is this called a “Book Blog Project”?

Since this book will be read by over 300 students at South Valley Jr. High along with parents, community members, students from around the country and people participating from other countries – we need a place to virtually meet to discuss the book. To do this we will be “meeting” online at a blog. A blog is sort of like an online journal with the newest content always at the top of the page. We will be using the blog to post questions, have discussions with the author, check out links for additional information and display student work about the project. The address for the site is : www.guerrillaseason2008.blogspot.com

How many pages of the novel are we to read each week?

We will be reading the novel over the next 4 weeks. (Our spring break week is in the middle of this project and is not included in the 4 weeks). Each week you will be responsible for reading roughly 80 pages. Here is the reading schedule for the project:

Week 1 - March 3 – March 9 - Read pages 1 through 76

Week 2 - March 10 – March 16 - Read pages 77 through 155
(March 17 – March 24 - Spring Break – No School)

Week 3 - March 24 – March 30 - Read pages 156 through 242

Week 4 - March 31 – April 4 - Read pages 243 through 326

Besides reading the book what I am required to do for this project?

You will be asked to comment to the blog at least twice during the project, create a final project and take a test over the novel. The entire project is worth 100 possible points and is broken down in this manner : posting two comments (25 points), final project (25 points) and the end of novel test (50 points).

How do I post a comment to the blog about the novel?

At the bottom of each post on the blog you will see a link that says “comments”. You will click on that link and then type your comment or question followed by your “pen name”. Your teacher will be recording your pen name. Then select “Anonymous ”. Your comment will be sent to your teacher for approval. Once it has been approved it will be posted on the site. Inappropriate comments will not be posted to the blog. Correct spelling and grammar are required for your post. You are required to post a minimum of two comments during the four week project.

What options do I have for the final project?

At the end of the Guerrilla Season book blog project we are asking each student participant to complete one of the following options as a final project. There are six options which should appeal to a variety of learning styles. Please choose a minimum of one - if you wish to do more than one that would be awesome. Your project is worth 25 possible points. These projects will be due on Friday - April 4, 2008. We will be posting some examples of student projects on the blog so we encourage you to turn in a digital copy of your work (graphic, word document, MP3 file, etc.) to the following e-mail: bookblogproject@gmail.com

Option #1 - Design a Book Cover
Imagine that Pat Hughes has contacted you to design a new cover for the paperback version of Guerrilla Season. The cover should include the name of the novel and the name of the author. You decide what images you want on the cover that represent the novel. The image should fit on a standard sheet of paper – around 8” by 10”. The image needs to be in full color and send as an image to the e-mail address.

Option #2 - Write an Alternate Ending to the Novel
Here is your chance to write a different ending to the novel Guerrilla Season. You can change the last couple of pages or just simply add on to the current ending. Your alternate ending should be at least 200 words.

Option #3 - Interview a Character
Sit down and conduct an interview with any of the characters from Guerrilla Season. Your interview should be a minimum of 5 questions. You can turn in a typed paper copy of your interview or record the interview in audio format using the Audacity program and then turn in the MP3 file as your final project.

Option #4 - Comic Book Scene
Take a favorite scene from the novel and create a 9 panel comic strip depicting the scene. You can use makers or colored pencils. Be sure to include some text on the comic strip and include a short description of the scene you are depicting in your comic.

Option #5 - Poem
Write a poem inspired from the novel. You can focus on a character, an event, an emotion or a feeling. You are free to use any format you wish for your poem. You may turn in a typed copy of your poem or turn in an audio version recorded with the Audacity program.