Andrew Lost in Time- J.C.Greenburg

Andrew and his friend Judy must save Andrew's Uncle Al from an evil doctor. The doctor kidnapped Uncle Al by taking him away in a time machine. Andrew has his own time machine but it does not always work as planned. Andrew and Judy end up traveling to the beginning of the universe. Now they have to fix the time machine in time to save Uncle Al.

The features of this text that make it science fiction are the futuristic inventions such as the time machine that allows them to travel through space. The book has some drama in it because the characters must race to fix the time machine and save a family member from an evil doctor. I think this book is interesting enough to grab students’ attention and keep them interested throughout the story while they are learning about space and science. 

The Bride of Frankenstein Doesn't Bake Cookies- Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Frank runs the snack bar at the ice skating rink where Melody, Liza and Howie like to hang out. The children have suspicions that Frank is actually the Frankenstein Monster. When Frank is not feeling well, Electra takes over for Frank at the snack bar. The children believe Electra would be the perfect bride for Frank.

The features of this book that categorize it as science fiction are the characters. The children believe Frank is actually Frankenstein and his boss at the skating rink is actually a scientist that created Frank. The book has a bit of romance in it because the children try to set up Frank and Electra. They think Electra looks like the bride of Frankenstein and the two would make a great couple. I thought this was a very cute book and perfect to read with a class around this time to get into the Halloween spirit. 

What is Science Fiction?

Science fiction is a very imaginative genre. Texts that are classified as science fiction often take place in the future, somewhere new and undiscovered. However, this genre does not have stories that are very surreal because that would fall under the genre of fantasy (Readwritethink.org). Many science fiction books feature technological advances that we do not currently have. These advances could be based on current science or technology (Treitel). Some authors create an entirely new world but keep some realities within the plot to make it believable. Some books are difficult to classify in this genre because it borders so closely to fantasy. The realistic and believe elements of a book and its plot is what determines if the book is science fiction or not. Reading this genre can help a young student explore new thoughts and ideas while expanding their imaginations.  

Sources:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson927/SciFiDefinition.pdf

http://www.treitel.org/Richard/sf/sf.html

My readerly identity

As a reader I am very imaginative. I like to get lost in a text and create my own images in my head from the words the author has written. When reading for pleasure I like to relax and let my thoughts take a break from anything too serious. I notice that I am really not interested in books about history or non-fiction books. This thought concerned me a bit because I would get more useful information from these genres so why do I run from them? I think it could be because those fall into the category of books that I am “forced” to read for a class or project. When I am told I have to read a book and make myself absorb its information I will likely do that and then forget what I read once the assignment is complete. I like to read texts for my own reasons and form my own opinions about them. I admit I have fallen prey to reading popular books that everyone would talk about such as the Twilight Series or Fifty Shades of Grey. But I find that many of these super popular book series actually (forgive my language) SUCK! I am not a perfect writer but come on, who edits these books? How did they get published? There is just horrible writing in many of these books. The other issue with these series is that the authors all allow them to become movies! This takes away from any image I would create about the book because I wouldn’t be able to get the actors and setting that a director created out of my head. It just ruins my personal interest and excitement in reading fiction.

So.. this is what I know about myself as a reader so far…