In an extension of his podcast of the same name, novelist John Green analyzes and reviews a wide variety of items, from the everyday, to the rare and unheard-of. The “Anthropocene” is the current geologic age in which we are living, and Green’s thesis is that humans have had an untold impact on the planet, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. In a series of essays, Green uses the popular “5-star” rating scale to dissect the relative importance of everything from staphylococcus aureus (the bacteria that causes staph infections - spoiler alert: it’s rated 1-star) to Diet Dr. Pepper to cave paintings estimated to be 20,000 years old. Part history lesson, part memoir, part observational musing, the book features Green’s signature dry wit and will make you stop and think about just what it means to be human.
OPTION 1: YOUR LIFE, REVIEWED
All of the topics in the book are pulled, in some way, from Green’s own life experiences. He is then, in a way, rating his own life and the various external influences that have affected it, however large or small. Therefore, for Option 1, you do the same. Pick something in your life, rate it, and make a page about it. The rating can be anywhere: the title, the journaling, or even just some stars colored in below the photos. Do, however, take the time to give a brief explanation as to why you’ve rated it as you have.
Sample for Option 1, where I rated gifts I had been given by some of my students - 5 stars for both!
OPTION 2: THE TOP TEN
Because Green is drawing from his own life for the essays in this book, the topics are largely very specific and highly personal to him. However, most of them have universal themes that anyone can relate to. I have picked the ten I think are the most adaptable and listed them below with a more general topic in parenthesis. For Option 2, pick one, and make a page about it. You don’t have to rate it; just make the topic the subject of your page and think about its importance to you. If you happen to share an experience with one of John Green’s specific topics, that’s great! Go for it! Otherwise, you can adapt your topic and use the more generalized version written in parenthesis. Just be sure to list which topic you’re focusing on when you post your layout.
- Scratch n’ Sniff Stickers (a toy/game from your childhood)
- Diet Dr Pepper (favorite drink)
- Academic Decathlon (any academic success)
- Sunsets (or sunrises)
- Harvey (favorite movie)
- Indy 500 (any PROFESSIONAL sporting event)
- Monopoly (family game night)
- Viral Meningitis (illness/injury/surgery)
- Wintry Mix (favorite season)
- The Mountain Goats (favorite band/concert you attended)
Sample for Option 2, #10 Concert I Attended, about my daughter and I seeing Maroon 5 in concert.
Another sample for Option 2, #3 Academic Success, of my Battle of the Books team coming in first place during our COVID school year.
The Fine Print:
1. HAVE FUN MAKING YOUR PROJECT!
2. Entries open to new projects - paper, digital, & card making.
3. May be combined with one other challenge that allows it.
4. Due September 30th, at 11:59 PM.
5. One lucky winner, chosen at random, will receive a $5 ACOT gift card from me!
6. Up to 3 entries permitted per month.
7. A RAK is awarded to a second winner if there are more than 15 unique entries (not including bonuses) during the month.
Participants:
1. traveler
2. aheatfan
3. wendycrowe
4. karen c.
5. MTCanuk
6. Breauxlabs
7. Retiree3
8. CarrieG
9. ScrappyRN74
10. joannie
11. joannie
12. QueenBee89
13. oceanbreezes423
14. Amy Jo
15. karen c.
16. Sharman Paulus .
17. CelesteB
18. CelesteB
19. emmapaige
20. Berta R.
21. Cynthia Corbett
22. Teresa I
Kristin 
Trisha
