TheFreakObserver.Caldwell




 * APA citation ** – Woolston, B (2010) //The Freak Observer//. Carolrhoda Books ISBN 0761362126
 * Award ** – 2011 Morris Award
 * Summary ** – Containing rich family issues, the vast world of theoretical physics and the odd Loa Lindgren, //The Freak Observer// is a bizarre adventure into the chaotic collapse of Loa’s universe. The death of Loa’s sister and then her friend Esther push her over the edge and she finds herself beset by all manner of mental maladies. She finds that when she keeps her thoughts occupied and eyes open the nightmares and panic attacks grow less frequent. Loa uses her problem solving skills combined with physics and computer programming in an effort to break free from her shattered state.
 * What I liked/disliked ** – While I do generally enjoy fiction, I found this book to be disturbing and weird. Astrophysics aside, I just did not like this book, it was too bloody real.
 * Curriculum Connection ** – Reading Standards for Literature 6-12; Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity. Read and Comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently
 * Genre ** - Fiction

Activity/Strategy: Strategy 7, Paired Reading: A collaborative approach for developing deep reading fluency Prior to reading: select material, develop background knowledge and initialize discussion of problematic words During Reading: Read silently, teacher monitors and gives assistance when needed. After Reading: Student-led discussion on targeted words and related meanings, turns reading in pairs with partner offering help as they read, and again the teacher monitors. <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Given the astrophysical and scientific terms used in this book, this strategy would help the students gain better understanding of the language used in the book and build their over-all vocabulary.