PQP Memo to the Author: Darren Shan; The Thin Executioner

To: Darren Shan
From: Katherine C
Date: February 23, 2011
Re: The Thin Executioner

I really liked the book because it had a very original story, and it took place in a really interesting and amazing sounding world. I could really imagine Jebel on his quest, and the image I got in my head of Sabbah Eid was amazing! When she killed the Um Biyara, I loved the description of “They shrieked and thrashed around the cave as their skin bubbled away and their bones turned black…”

When I read the book, I wondered why no one had figured out the actual secret of Sabbah Eid. Even if she did only keep alive those who she thought were true of heart and deserved her gift, she said that they could tell their families, and their families might not have been so trustworthy, and might have told others. Eventually, everyone would have logically found out. I also wondered why Jebel wasn’t nicer to Tel Hassani; Tel Hassani would eventually be killed for Sabbah Eid, and no one else would ever know. And, he could be a decent person to Tel Hassani, because it would be the right thing to do.

The thing that I would change about the book is that I would have Jebel and Tal Hassani split up at one point, whether through Tel Hassani dying or being captured. I think it would have added a lot more conflict to the book if Jebel had to go through part of his journey alone without help. For the most part, Jebel could always have Tel Hassani to help him or protect him.

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

1. Could you use Voki before starting this assignment? yes___ no_x_

2. Would you be able to use Voki independently in another assignment? yes_x_ no___

3. Do you understand how Voki can be used to show your learning in any subject? yes _x_ no___

4. Did you use the social networking feature of Voki ethically and responsibly? yes_x_ no___

5. When you didn't know how to work something on Voki (e.g. getting an account, logging in, adding text, adding special effects ect.) were you able to work through your problem(s) on your own?
yes_x_ no___

6. After completing the "I Love to Read" assignment, did you find any books featured on your classmates' vokis that you might be interested in reading? yes_x_ no___