Connecting the Story to Your Life

Think about how a story is like something that happened to you.

When you read, your own life can help you understand. A connection is when a story reminds you of something you have felt or done. Read: 'Noah's tooth was loose. He wiggled it all day and couldn't stop thinking about it.

' Maybe you remember having a loose tooth. You know how it feels: a little weird, a little exciting. That connection helps you understand why Noah keeps wiggling it.

But be careful: a connection should help you understand the story, not pull you away from it. Ask: how does this help me understand the character?

• 1A connection links the story to your life.
• 2It helps you understand how characters feel.
• 3Good connections help you understand the story.