English Arts Festival

Discussion Board: The Doom Stone

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 31-Jan-2003 15:15:28 Author: Rauschenberg, Jane <jrauschenberg@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: Setting  I personally liked this book better than Reef of Death because of the richness of the setting. I love Stonehenge lore, and I remember going there as a young child, back in the days when you could still walk among the stones and touch them. This book brought back some great memories for me. I think the Stonehenge setting opens a great door for us to introduce some great "cultural literacy" to our students, looking not only at Stonehenge and its lore but also at our local equivalent sites -- Serpent Mound, for instance. This gives us a good opening to talk about the importance of setting--would this story have worked as well if it were not set at Stonehenge? If it were set in the plains of, say, Indiana, instead of the Salisbury plain?

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 31-Jan-2003 15:20:27 Author: Pinkstock, Theresa <terrip@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Setting  I agree! I think this was a perfect setting for this story. In order to create the "scary" mood as the story requires, it needed a setting which influenced such a mood.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 31-Jan-2003 19:29:22 Author: Little, Christine <MA-TCLITTLE@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Setting  I loved the setting because I was able to do some background work with my students. They are reluctant readers and struggling students in general, so the opportunity to have a story take place in a REAL place was great. We did some background reading on Stonehenge and discussed the landforms (or lack thereof) that are actually in the area. We marveled at how far the stones were transported. We even walked off 40 feet in the hallway and speculated how humans were able to put the stones upright. This has contributed to my students' enthusiasm and awareness to references in the novel. They often come into class and tell me of something they have seen on TV about Stonehenge. I'm having a blast!

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 10:36:47 Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Setting  It worked so well because of this choice of setting. Stonehenge is a place that is mysterious and we still do not have the complete answers as to why it is there. This book gives its view as to why it is here with a lot of action and adventure. There are many facts as well presented in this book to make it somewhat believable. I too enjoyed it more than The Reef of Death.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 18:01:46 Author: Henderly, Elaine A. <elaineh@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Setting  I envy the fact that you actually have been to Stonehenge. I think this might be a great setting for the students to research BEFORE even starting the book. An activity which I found on the Ohio Reading Center website suggested handing out pictures (of Stonehenge) and allowing the students to guess the significance of the "monuments". (i.e., cultural, politial, economical, or ecological connections). This anticipatory activity might peak the students' curiosity for the book.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 11:58:14 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Setting  I also liked this book better then the Reef because it was more realistic and not as obvious are far fetched as the Reef.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 07-Feb-2003 08:34:25 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Setting  Although, I too like the idea of Stonehinge, I know that my students are very interested in the Coral Reef off of the Australian coast. I also found an interactive site in which they could make a dive to the reef themselves. Unfortunately, I do not have the name of the site, or I'd give it to you. I think that Zindel has picked wonderous places as his settings for a reason. I think this places were picked intentionally to get our interest in the book immeidately.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 31-Jan-2003 15:34:48 Author: Pinkstock, Theresa <terrip@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Will girls like this book?  I loved this story, and I am a girl! I think girls that enjoy reading horror novels/ mystery novels will love this story. I don't agree that your gender influences the types of books you read. I feel that is a stereotype! If that were the case, I would probably enjoy reading romance novels-- which I do not! I can recall, in high school, being required to read Lord of the Rings. I really enjoyed reading that story because of how intense/scary it was. I decided, then, that I enjoyed horror novels. Ever since then, I read every mystery/horror novel I can get.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 31-Jan-2003 19:35:50 Author: Little, Christine <MA-TCLITTLE@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Will girls like this book?  I, a girl, liked this book. :) I can only speculate that female students will as well based on their love of the novel Rats!. We read the book to a class several years ago and we did not realize a gender based preference. Everyone loved it! By the way...we did this in a class I co-teach and my partner exagerated my initial dislike of the gore. She frequently reminded the students that they had to option of leaving the room if things got too bad for them or if they were uncomfortable "like Mrs. Little." As you can guess, this made them love it all the more! What fun!

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 10:40:43 Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Will girls like this book?  I too liked this book as well. I am glad that I was required to read it because it would not have been a book I would have chosen on my own. I have many students, boy and girl, that would enjoy this book as well.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 18:10:06 Author: Henderly, Elaine A. <elaineh@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Will girls like this book?  I agree that this book will be enjoyed by girls. I think they might like the "friendship (or is it more?)" that begins to develop between Jackson and Alma. I have found, however, that it's easier to get girls involved in stories with a male protagonist compared to getting boys involved if the protagonist is a female.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 03-Feb-2003 08:27:22 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Will girls like this book?  I agree that girls will enjoy this book. I am not usually into this type of book, but I found myself wanting to continue to read to find out what was going to happen. I also think the character Alma will keep the girls' interest. The relationship between she and Jackson will also keep some of them wanting to read on to find out what happens.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 07-Feb-2003 08:52:50 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Will girls like this book?  I have enjoyed reading this book. The suspense of not knowing what this animal is and the military being involved adds to this story. I think both boys and girls could connect more to this story than the Reef of Death.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 10-Feb-2003 06:38:08 Author: Wilson, Sandra <SWi3548332@aol.com> Subject: Re: Will girls like this book?  I beive that both boys and girls can enjoy the horror and science fiction genres. If a book is good it doesn't matter what genre it is. I do think that sometimes girls are put off because they're not "supposed to" like gore and violence and boys aren't "supposed to" like the mushy stuff. I've found that most of the time if a book is a good read, both sexes like it. An example is a book we're reading now, Ender's Game. It's a science fiction book about a young boy, but both boys and girls enjoy it. Sandra

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 31-Jan-2003 15:36:56 Author: Hayden, Kellie <khayden@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: Suspense, Action, and Love interest  Girls might not go for this book at first. It is definitely a "guy book", but there is romance with Alma and lightning fast action and suspense. I do think that with a little persuasion, this could be a good book for girls as well. Girls will like Alma and her dog as well as the good looking American boy in a "strange land." The two of them being thrown together and left to fight for their lives is very exciting. So far, this has been my favorite Zindel book, and I am girl. What do you think?

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 12:32:12 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Suspense, Action, and Love interest  I liked Doomstone for the suspense and mystery of the novel. I was constantly trying to figure out what the monster looked like, where it hid, and why it attacked the people. I think girls would like this book if they enjoy sci-fi/ action books.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 10:45:29 Author: Essman, Wendy <wjessman@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: My view  I think it is very interesting to think about Zindel and all of his books we have read so far. Each of his books contains a male with a female companion except for The Gamma Rays book in which he was a female. Also, each book has had a female character in a powerful role whether for good or for evil purposes. What do you think?

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 18:17:12 Author: Henderly, Elaine A. <elaineh@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: My view  I am glad to see that Zindel did not project any negative aspects in his female characters in this book. I liked the positive, intelligent Aunt Sarah. I thought the part was humorous when she underwent a personality change in the hospital and started drawing on the walls.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 21:02:02 Author: Rauschenberg, Jane <jrauschenberg@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: My view  I thought she was more positive than the last couple adult females, but she did sort of turn into a monster....

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 12:33:24 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: My view  I also noticed this feature. I wonder if he is basing this on his own experience with a girl being his best friend?

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 05-Feb-2003 13:35:42 Author: Sharp-Arnett, Robin <robins@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: My view  I also thought about her turning into a monster and wondered if that was his way of reflecting on his experiences. Up until that point it had surprised me of how positive he had made her.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 18:24:30 Author: Henderly, Elaine A. <elaineh@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Research Prior to Reading?  What prior/background knowledge might be helpful for students to have before reading this book? (i.e., crematorium, night-vision goggles, etc.) Should the research come BEFORE reading the book or when students' interests are peaked while reading the book?

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 12:36:59 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Research Prior to Reading?  I think they need to know where and how Stonehenges originated. This way they have a visual and some background. As for the rest I think they should do the research once they are into the book.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 15:36:14 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Research Prior to Reading?  I agree with Connie. I believe a little prior knowledge about Stonehenge would be very helpful in reading this novel. I would like to have known a little more about Stonehenge. I think it would have given a little more meaning to the book for me. I would cover the other problems of vocabulary as they arise in the reading of the novel.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 15:36:47 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Research Prior to Reading?  I agree with Connie. I believe a little prior knowledge about Stonehenge would be very helpful in reading this novel. I would like to have known a little more about Stonehenge. I think it would have given a little more meaning to the book for me. I would cover the other problems of vocabulary as they arise in the reading of the novel.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 07-Feb-2003 08:58:01 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Research Prior to Reading?  I would begin by presenting my student with where the book takes place and research the mystery involved with Stonehenge. I would then begin reading the book, and discuss things like the night vision goggles, the doom buggy, etc. as we read further into the book. I think the students would be intrigued by all the gadgets. I also think you could link science into this by having students create their own gadget that could have been useful to one of the characters in the book.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 02-Feb-2003 18:32:30 Author: Henderly, Elaine A. <elaineh@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Springboard Ending  I thought the ending was a great springboard for a writing activity. Would your students like to write an epilogue which takes place years later when the next creature evolves and terrorizes the community? Would Jackson be the anthropologist involved?

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 12:38:13 Author: Frazier, Connie <frazier30@juno.com> Subject: Re: Springboard Ending  Great idea! You could have them write another series with everyone contributing.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 15:46:50 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Springboard Ending  The ending certainly does leave you hanging. Students would love to write about what will happen in the next 19 years.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 03-Feb-2003 07:58:09 Author: King, Rodney <tl_rking@seovec.org> Subject: girls/doomstone  Girls in general get into this book..........no. Yes, more today than 10 years ago. We have crossed those gender categories and girls have been delving into science fiction/ action books. Go to these movies and see lots of girls. This book had many parallels to the reef book(now I understand the sequencing). Rodney

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 15:44:30 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: How do you feel about Zindel always having a young male and female character as friends?  I think Zindel must have been very lonely for friendship as a child. His family was so dysfunctional that he probably was afraid to develop friendships or perhaps he didn't know how to form friendships. He always seems to have a girl character along with a male protagonist.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 07-Feb-2003 08:26:54 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: How do you feel about Zindel always having a young male and female character as friends?  I have noticed this myself. It makes me wonder why he chooses a female every time instead of a male. Is it to get both boys and girls interested in reading the book, or is it because he experienced such negative female support in his own life that he longed for this so much he put them in his books? I think it may be both reasons.

Current Forum: Doomstone Date: 04-Feb-2003 15:44:38 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: How do you feel about Zindel always having a young male and female character as friends?  I think Zindel must have been very lonely for friendship as a child. His family was so dysfunctional that he probably was afraid to develop friendships or perhaps he didn't know how to form friendships. He always seems to have a girl character along with a male protagonist.