My agent won't allow me to publish my homework until the movie deal is finalized.

Charlotte, the lovely novelist who kindly decided to move upstairs so I could rock out in the best.apartment.ever has found her way out of her blog's bermuda triangle and has blogged once again. It may take a while but when she does post, she really pulls it out.

This time it's about 91 ways to respond to literature or as she put it:

"designed to enliven the good old book report, and to disguise the fact that public school English text selections are porridgey and boring."

Suddenly grade 4 and the book report (one of many) I was forced to write about "Jacob Two- Two Meets the Hooded Fang" just came rushing back.



As I peruse the 91 ideas to enliven the literary response, I came across a few "wish I could have done that assignement instead" items. For example:

#22.MAKE LIFE-SIZED PAPER-STUFFED ANIMALS, PEOPLE, OR OBJECTS FOUND IN A BOOK. Yes I would have enjoyed a giant hooded fang in my bedroom.

#42.COOK A FOOD MENTIONED IN YOUR BOOK. The article kindly says "It is always fun to share something to eat. Please cook your recipe at home." Or what, I would have brought a giant pot with gruel to school?

This one is really great

57.RETURN TO THE FUTURE. As Jacob at 25 years years old haunted with nerosi from run ins with a make believe demon. I would ahve enjoyed that as well.

If only I was allowed this level of creativity as a child, the book diaramas I dreaded and the hand written book reports where I AGONIZED over making sure I had the required 300 words and 1 inch margins, would not be a part of my repitore of childhood memories that make me physically wince and shudder.

By the way Charlotte, if you read this, take a look this gem of a website when you might need a handy reason why not.