Story+Elements

The "Elements" page gives an overall gist of what the book is about. As you read, you begin to gather the elements. The elements you will need to have on this page are:
 * Title and author of your Book Club book (It is a good idea to link both the book and the author's name)
 * The setting of the book
 * [|conflict] (major problem) of the story
 * The genre
 * characters and their characteristics
 * Point of View
 * Theme (The author's central idea or message)

=Example:=

__**Book title**__: If I Stay __**Written by**__ Gayle Forman

__**Setting:**__ The actual location of the story is in Portland, Oregon. However, much of the story takes place within the walls of an intensive care unit in the hospital, but the story consists of several flashback moments taking place within and outside of Maya's home and school.

__**Conflict:**__ Maya's family has been in a terrible car accident. She discovers very early on that her parents are dead, as is her younger brother. Maya herself is on the verge of death and barely hanging on. She seems to be stuck somewhere between life and death and the reader is left wondering if Maya survives her injuries, if she actually has the choice of living or dying.

__**Genre:**__ The genre is fiction, but it is also very much a "coming of age" book. This typically means a story that tells of a person's transition from one life-stage to the next. A "coming of age" book often shares a tale of growth, wisdom, or insight.

__**Characters and Characteristics:**__
 * Maya:** Maya is //shy//, yet //confiden//t in who she is. She is //artistic// as a very //talented// cellist. The read learns that she is often //silent//, but definitely //strong//
 * Maya's Parents**: //Liberal// people who are //open-minded//. They are //trusting// and instilled a strong family bond among their children
 * Adam:** //Mature// and //loving//. He is a believer that Maya can feel his presence and can overcome her coma status. He is also //persistent, thoughtful// and crazy in love.
 * Kim:** Maya's best friend is a //strong-headed// girl. Her and Maya are former enemies who discovered that they were actually more alike than they thought. Kim is //smart// and recognizes that her and Adam are different people, but she is //mature// enough to recognize there is enough Maya to share between them.

__**Point of View:**__ The story is told by Maya in a limbo state of life. She is in a coma, but shares what she is seeing around her lifeless body. She also gives background knowledge to the reader by examining continuous flashbacks on her life.

__**Theme:**__ The theme of this story can be a number of things, depending on the individual reader. Some themes recognized are:
 * Love can conquer all
 * The mind is the most powerful part of the body
 * Giving up isn't always an easy choice
 * Living might be harder than dying