Book Cover Activity
Today you will create a new book cover for The Rag and Bone Shop. You should create a cover that
reflects both the plot and themes of the book. Consider the ideas of power, ambition, and manipulation as
you determine the themes of the novel. You will also include a summary of the book on the back of your
cover. Be sure to draw the reader in, but don’t give away the ending. Your summary should be 7 to 10
sentences long. You can use the markers and crayons in the crates on the shelf under the t.v. Below is the
rubric I will use in grading your cover.
Cover
Summary
Neat, creative, reflect themes of
the novel, includes title and
author’s name
Neatly written in complete
sentences, accurately explains
basic plot of the book, engages
the reader, at least 7 sentences
long
Teacher comments:
25 points
25 points
Total score:
What Happens Next?
Write the next chapter to The Rag and Bone Shop. What ultimately happens to Jason Dorrant, Trent,
Braxton and Sarah Downes? Does Jason leave the house with that knife and go after BoBo Kelton? You
become the author and determine what comes next. You final chapter should be a minimum of two pages
long. Be sure you describe the scene, use dialogue, and reveal the thoughts of the characters. Below is the
rubric I will use to score your work:
Content
Correctness
Creative and thoughtful narrative
that stays true to the original
story.
Work is neatly written with
correct grammar, spelling, and
punctuation.
Teacher comments:
25 points
25 points
Total score:
Character Mandala
Create a character mandala for any of the major characters in the short stories we’ve read. Directions are
on the back of this sheet. There are some great examples of mandalas on the back bulletin board. These
don’t go with our short stories, but they give you a good sense of how to approach mandalas.
 Completion of brainstorming list –10 points
 Neat, thoughtful artwork – 10 points
 Mandala includes the following
o Sunnyside and shadow side – 10 points
o Quotes from the story – 10 points
o Information from each of the brainstorming questions – 10 points
Post Mortem of a Character
Complete at least 5 of the following body parts for the post reading autopsy for Trent, Jason, Alicia, or
Sarah Downs. Place these strategically on the body outline. Write a sentence/claim that describes that
particular aspect of the character, and then place a quote to support your assertion. Below the quote, write
warrant (an explanation of how your quote supports the claim you made about the character. Use the
example of Patrick Maloney to guide you as you work.
Head – Intellectual side of the character—
What are his dreams? Visions?
Philosophies he keeps inside?
Nose – Smelling through the character’s
nose—What smells affect him? How?
Hands – The practical side of the
character—What conflicts does he or she
deal with? How?
Legs – The playful side of the character—
What does he or she do for fun?
Eyes – Seeing through the character’s
eyes—What memorable sights affect him?
How?
Mouth—The character’s
communication—What philosophy does
the character believe? What
arguments/debates? What song would
characterize the character’s philosophy of
life?
Heart – The emotional side of the
character—What does he or she love?
Hate? Whom? How?
Feet-The character’s mobility—Where
has he or she been? How has he or she
been affected by travel or setting?
Ears – Hearing through the character’s
ears—What does he notice and remember
others saying to him? How is he affected?
Arms –Working—What is the character’s
relationship to work in general? To
specific work?
Torso – The instinctive side of the
character—What doesn’t he or she like
about himself or herself? What does he or
she hide? What brings the character pain?
What does he or she fear?
Wings – The character’s future—Where is
he or she going?
Correct and complete body parts – All components for each part are finished! - 10 points each