3rd+meeting-+Keeping+the+Moon+HandS

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Hyein Won Shannon Rodenberg

Snack- Muffins // Madeleines

1. What interests did the main characters share? 2. What were similar traits of the characters? 3. Main differences between the characters?
 * Comparison Questions:**

1. What are the difficulties that the main characters face in both books? Compare their process of overcoming the difficulties. 2. Compare two people who affected the main characters of Keeping the Moon and Dreamland greatly in the books. 3. What are the similarities and differences of personalities between Colie in Keeping the Moon and Caitlin in Dreamland?

1. Since the main characters in both books are teens, they had similar interests in love, friendship, and family. Especially, they were interested in seeking their identities and finding their own dreams. 2. Both of them had some problems in communicating with their family. Colie in Keeping the Moon felt lonely because her mom traveled all over the world for her own life, and Caitlin in Dreamland did not have anyone to open her mind because her parents only cared her disappeared sister, Cass, and her only sister ran away. They were lonely but had some hope to overcome their situations. 3. Caitlin had trouble with her boyfriend, Rogerson. Her true story began when she was beat by him and she tried to stand on her own feet without depending on him. However, Colie did not have boyfriend because she was afraid of opening her mind to anyone. Colie, unlike Caitlin, cured the wound in her mind when she finally accepted her love with a man named Norman.
 * Answers:**

1. Both characters faced the fear of acceptance. With some efforts to try and change themselves, they realized time away from the problem, gave them a clear mind to see things better; fixing things more appropriately. 2. In dream land, Caitlyn's sister and in Keeping the moon, Aunt Mira both affected the main characters in a similar manner. Caitlyn's sister allowed the main character to see what NOT to do in Dream land; In keeping the moon, Aunt Mira, showed Colie, the main character what life could be; the brighter side of things. 3. Both girls are quiet, considered outsiders and different; differences: They see problems in a different manner; visually verses physically.


 * Summaries:**

__Shannons:__ - Throughout the third meeting, Hyein and I discussed the differences and similarities throughout the books. We were able to understand Sarah Dessen's writing style as well as learn things about ourselves. Within her books, it is quite easy, for you to imagine yourself as the main character- Sarah Dessen does a great job of allowing the read to "fit in" the book. The common theme throughout her books follows different abuse stories through families, friends and many more people. Reading through her books, the reader can find different ways of handling similar situations.

__Hyein:__ - Today was the last meeting of independent reading. Since we read two books during the past two weeks, we decided to compare those two books for this week. We talked a lot about similarities and differences of main characters of the books and answered questions asking their comparing traits. The common theme of both books was friendship, family and growth. Sarah Dessen described the sorrow and hope of two girls, Colie and Caitlin in those two books with vivid images and descriptions of their feelings. Reading her books, we saw ourselves from the main characters and were encouraged to overcome any difficulties we have faced in the past and might face in the future.