Create a pair of collages that compares you and a character in the book in physical and personality traits.  Label your collages generously so viewers understand your thinking. You must have at least 10 different items/collage. (Computer generated or by hand with clippings.)

Interview a key character from the book to find out what lessons he/she thinks we should learn from the events in the book.  Write feature article in a Q and A format. Ask at least 20 questions.

Write a journal of ten poems from the perspective of Ponyboy Curtis or Johnny Cade.  The poems must be handwritten and bound in a hand-created journal.  

A character in the book is being written up in the paper 20 years after the novel ends.  Write the piece. Where has life taken him/her? Why? Now, do the same for yourself, 20 years from now.  Make sure both pieces are interesting feature-type articles.

Paint and/or draw a poetic card that invites us into the scenery and mood of an important part in the book.  Be sure the verse (located on the inside) helps us understand what is important in the scene and why.

Make a model or a map of a key place in the novel. Attach a written description of the model and why the setting is significant in the novel.

Design a book jacket in which you illustrate a new cover, write a short summary about the author (located on inside flap) and write a book review expressing your opinion of the novel (located on back).

Design a t-shirt based on the theme of the novel.  Your shirt should include:

·          Picture relating to the novel.

·          Quote from the novel.

·          Theme of novel.

Using books of proverbs, quotes, or words of wisdom, find at least 6-8 that you feel reflects what’s important about the novel’s theme.  Creatively display them and explain your choices. (PPT, poster, Scrapbook, etc.)

Write a friendly letter to the author asking her questions, commenting on the novel, and relating it to your own life. (Three separate content paragraphs.)

Find several songs you think reflect an important message from the book. Prepare an audio collage (burn a CD). Write an exhibit card that helps your listener understand how you think these songs express the book’s meaning.

Create a PowerPoint marketing the book to schools as a good book to read with students. Make sure you have valid claims on what the book teaches students and support it with evidence from the text.