Third Quarter the Maze Runner by James Dashner

Griffins Book Club – ACA grades 6-8

Third Quarter – The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Read the book and choose one essential question to answer (below) by submitting a project to your advisory teacher by Wednesday, March 18th, 2015. Some possible project ideas are:

 Create a multimedia presentation (e.g., video, Powerpoint, Prezi, slideshow, etc.)

 Write a series of journal entries or essay from a particular point of view

 Construct a diorama

 Illustrate a comic book or book jacket

 Research an outside topic that is connected to a theme in the book

 Design a poster or advertisement

 Create an mock interview of a character in the book

 Demonstrate your understanding using multiple Thinking Maps

The focus of the Griffin’s Book Club is answering an Essential Question, not necessarily designing or creating the prettiest project. Projects that do not answer an essential question will be returned to the student with feedback to be resubmitted by Friday, March 20 th , 2015. All students that submitted a project that answered an essential question will be invited to a celebration a week or so after the due date. Essential Questions

1. The Maze Runner is often compared by critics to The Hunger Games. What similarities did you see between the two books? How were they different? Which book did you prefer?

2. The author gives readers information about life in the Glade very slowly and in small bits, keeping readers in the dark for much of the book. Why do you think Dashner chose to tell the story this way? Were you frustrated by the lack of information?

3. Draw your interpretation of a character from the novel. Artistic ability is not important, but your drawings must reflect the narrator’s description to some extent. How does your drawing reveal aspects of the character’s personality?

4. There is an emerging trend of dystopian literature featuring young adults or even kids as the protagonists. How would this story be different if the main characters were adults? Would it be just as compelling? Provide examples to support your answer.

5. What were the Creators hoping to accomplish with the experiment? Were their actions justified by the circumstances caused by the Flares? Explain and defend your position.

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