Independent+Novel+Study

http://shorto.edu.glogster.com/independent-novel-study/

__Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life__

Date: December 2, 2011

Journal Entry 1: Chapters 1-4

Questions:

__1. Why did you select this novel?__

It seemed like an easy but enjoyable read, simple enough to be fun to read, yet with a deeper meaning behind it. Since the kids in the book are not much younger than I am, I figured I could relate to them.

__3. What has happened before the novel began?__

Jeremy, who turns 13 during the summer in which the book takes place, has been best friends with Lizzy his whole life. They live in the same building, with apartments next to each other. Jeremy's parents believed in recycling so much so that nearly everything they owned was secondhand and often rather quirky. When Jeremy and Lizzy were 8, Jeremy's father died. He had been told by a fortune teller at a young age that he would die at 40, though he actually died at 39. Since he somewhat believed this, he had prepared for his death. He had a box with instructions to have Jeremy open it on his 13th birthday. It supposedly contained the meaning of life.

__4. What's going on as the story begins?__

Jeremy received the mysterious box a month before his birthday. It wasn't like any other box. It had four holes that required keys to open the box. Jeremy also discovered that there was a thin layer of metal inside the box, meaning it was impossible to open without the keys or without destroying the contents. The person who had been looking after it for his mother had lost the keys. Jeremy and Lizzy embark on a quest to find a way to open the box. Naturally, after a few different attempts to open the box or find keys that would work, they ended up at a flea market, where Jeremy's family had attained the majority of their possessions.

__Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life__

Date: December 9, 2011

Journal Entry 2: Chapters 5-8

Questions:

__5. Who is telling the story? How does this person’s perspective effect the way the story is told?__

It is told by Jeremy Fink. Because he is only 12, it is told from a child's point of view. Sometimes he misjudges things, such as a reaction he anticipates from someone. He thinks his mum will be really mad at him for opening a box that was meant for him. He is also nervous about being independent; he doesn't want to take the subway without an adult. The story is coloured by an anxiousness that might not be there had it been told by an adult. Jeremy tends to overreact when asked questions, like when he is asked if Lizzy is his girlfriend. His side of the story often comes form an immature and slightly irrational point of view.

__6. What is the setting of the novel? Is the setting important or could the novel be happening anywhere? Why?__

It takes place in a smaller neighbourhood in New York. It is fairly average, with little stores, houses, apartments, and access to the subway. It is modern times in the book. The mood and conflict of the book are rather unusual though. Not many books are about a boy looking for keys to open an extraordinary box their dad left them, with the meaning of life in it, because he expected an early death. I believe the story could take place in another location, and possibly another time.

__7. What is the initial or first problem faced by the main character?__

The first minor conflict Jeremy faces is when he finds out the mailman has a box for his mother. He really wants to get the box before his mum gets home, and succeeds. Then he must decide whether he will open it before she returns, or wait for her. He is too curious and opens it right away, though he expects major consequences. He then must figure out how to handle the situation when his mum arrives, to avoid an uncomfortable or angry confrontation.

__Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life__

Date: December 15, 2011

Journal Entry 2: Chapters 9-12

Questions:

__8. How does the author get you to read on or hold your interest?__

The fact that this box is supposed to contain the meaning of life is interesting enough to make you want to continue reading. Not only do you want to find out what's in the box, you want to find out how they open it. Do they find the keys that the person who was looking after the box lost? Do they find other keys that work? Is there another way to open it? It's also interesting seeing Jeremy mature and face his fears of independence. You want to read on to find out where Jeremy and Lizzy's journey will take you.

__9. What new things are added to the original problem as the novel progresses?__

The main conflict of the book is that Jeremy's box from his dad, containing the meaning of life, cannot be opened. The keys were lost and the metal lining does not allow the box to be opened without ruining the contents unless you have the keys. Once it is clear that they must search for the keys, they proceed to the flea market. They encounter many interesting people, with many types of keys, and have many adventures, yet they still cannot open the box. An old man even gives them a gift of one of his beloved keys, and a padded bag. Then Lizzy tells Jeremy she knows where the keys are........

__11. Comment on the style of the novel. Is it easy or hard to follow the events?__

The book is very clear and easily to follow. The events are linear and the feelings of the characters are usually quite obvious. Throughout some chaotic times in the book, it is still almost always extremely easy to follow the events.

__Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life__

Date: January 6, 2012

Journal Entry 2: Chapters 13-16

Questions:

__20. Is the novel believable?__

Though there may be small details that aren't completely realistic, I think the novel as a whole is believable. It takes place in modern times, in a realistic place, with normal people. The lives of the people in the book could very well happen in real life. The people that the main characters encounter seem believable. So in those ways, the novel is believable. As for such things as the emotions in the novel, those seem believable, too. People's reactions and feelings seem expected for the circumstances. They don't react in odd ways or do particularly odd things.

__21. Why would you (or why wouldn't you) recommend this novel to a friend?__

I would recommend this book because it's a fun read. It's suspenseful to some extent, without being over-the-top. The main conflict (the meaning of life in a box which cannot be opened without the missing keys) seems rather unique, as are the general circumstances surrounding it (the father making the box for his son to open on his thirteenth birthday, because the father expected to die young, which he did, etc.). This novel is often quite funny, too.

__22. Why did (or didn't) the novel meet your expectations?__

The novel met my expectations because it is interesting and makes you want to continue reading. It's not a fantasy by any means, but still allows you to live in a different world in a way; the lives of the people in the book are so different from my own. It's a simple read, yet has complex concepts within it. The meaning of life is probably the most commonly pondered philosophical question.

__Title: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life__

Date: January 13, 2012

Journal Entry 2: Chapters 17-20

Questions:

__19. What message did you get from the novel? How was this message conveyed?__

I got many messages from the different characters. From Mrs. Billingsly we learned not to risk friendship. Love of all types is important and you should not give it up. She lost her best friend, and never fixed their friendship. She always considered friendship the most important thing in life, and yet she didn't work on her friendship with the best friend she upset. From Mr. Rudolph we learned that it is the simple things in life that are important. Material items are a luxury. He grew up with money, and made lots of his own, but he lives a simple, happy life. From Dr. Grady we learned that the real reason we are here is because we're here. We're a miracle. Any number of things could've gone wrong, and we wouldn't exist. Evolution could have created something completely different. I believe the general message, especially from Jeremy's father, is as I stated under the question below.

__14. Is there a message or main theme emerging in the book? How is it shown?__

I believe the message of the book is something like, "Everyone interprets life differently. It's important to love everyone around you and express that love frequently. Hold those you care about close to you. Your life is just a series of memories, and it is all your own. Live life to the fullest, live everyday like it's your last, and regret nothing." That is what I think Jeremy's father wanted him to learn through meeting people and talking to them about life, and from reading the letter in the box.

__16. What is the climax of the novel?__

There are a few points in the novel at which you find yourself thinking, "This has got to be the climax!" The actual climax is part way through Chapter 20, when Mr. Oswald explains the story of the box and the journey to open it to Jeremy. It turns out it was all planned out, and everyone had a part in it. Each little bump in the road was plotted out by Jeremy's father. Many people worked together to bring the whole plan together, and were ready to nudge things along if Jeremy and Lizzy did not do what they expected. However everything went along without a glitch, and Jeremy and Lizzy had no idea that everything wasn't just a coincidence. The journey to find a way to open the box taught them as much as the actual contents of the box itself.

__Focus Assignment: Characterization of Jeremy Fink__

Jeremy is 12 (nearly 13) throughout most of the book. He is tall for his age and rather skinny. Jeremy was shaped a lot by his father, who sadly died when he was younger. Jeremy felt very close to him, and shared many interests with him. Jeremy's parents loved flea markets. They filled their apartment with used items. His father loved to collect things like stamps. Jeremy took over his quest to find a specific stamp that he needed to complete the collection. He himself has a collection of mutant candy. He can't go long without candy, or at least sweets in general. Jeremy really doesn't eat many different foods. He doesn't like to experiment with food, as much as his mum tries to convince him to. Jeremy prefers to play it safe, whether it's dinner, or some genius plan his best friend, Lizzy, came up with. Lizzy lives in his building and they spend all their time together. Jeremy is much more reserved than she is, but is willing to trust her. He feels a need to find the meaning of life, to find a deeper reason for his existence than just the fact that he is on this earth. He is a genuinely nice, and quite shy, person.