This page includes some children’s literature resources as well as activities for a composition classroom following a genre studies or CHAT model. These texts were created for my students, but they are also available for use by anyone interested in texts for children and/or critical approaches to literature and writing.
Children’s and Adolescent Literature Reading Guides
To correspond with all class readings, these guides provide students with context and background information, critical resources, possible avenues for further consideration, and suggested enrichment activities. Sharing these resources offers students the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning, while also providing guidance on possible approaches to the study of children’s texts.
Dare to Disappoint Reading Guide
Early Reader Series Reading Guide
Alex Gino’s Melissa Reading Guide
How I Became a Ghost Reading Guide
If I Ever Get Out of Here Guide
Long Walk to Water Reading Guide
Becoming Naomi Leon Reading Guide
Brown Girl Dreaming Reading Guide
Flora and Ulysses Reading Guide
Fortunately the Milk Reading Guide
Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This Reading Guide
Inside Out and Back Again Reading Guide
Lightning Dreamer Reading Guide
Mighty Miss Malone Reading Guide
One and Only Ivan Reading Guide
The Chocolate War Reading Guide
Watsons Go To Birmingham Reading Guide
Other Children’s Literature Resources
Aboltionist Teaching Quotes for Discussion: Bettina Love
Introduction to Adolescence Lecture
Michelle Martin’s Brown Gold Overview
Fish Stories Summary: Considering Ideology with Karen Coats
Children’s Historical Fiction Terms
Mirrors, Windows, and Ambassadors to Children’s Literature
Latinx and Immigration Critical Perspectives in PBs
Word-Picture Interaction Terminology
Unsettling Representation Notes/Summary: E. Sybil Durand and Marilisa Jimenez-Garcia
Adaptation Overview and Key Critical Voices
Tough Topics, AKA Radical Children’s Literature Now Lecture
Critical Race Theory, Disney, and Voice Acting: Children’s Film and Representation Lecture
Disability in Children’s Lit Article Roundup- Curwood and Wheeler
Embodiment and the Self in YA Literature Lecture
Genre, Censorship, Awards Information
Multicultural Children’s Literature Considerations
Purpose and Development of Children’s Literature Lecture (RCL)
Intro to Ideology and Binaries in Children’s and YA Literature
Binaries in YA Literature- Theory Backdrop
Double Voice Discourse Lecture
Dark Fantastic- Ebony Thomas Summary and Quotes for Discussion
Representation in Literature for Young People- History Recap/Review
Censorship, Selection, and WeNeedDiverseBooks Discussion
Questions to Help You Think About Critical Thinking
Children’s Literature Synthesis Questions
Fairy Tales- History and Criticism Lecture
Complications of Appropriateness Lecture
Example of Close Reading- The Giver
Children’s Literature History Lecture (RCL)
Children’s Nonfiction and Historical Fiction Lecture (RCL)
Composition and Writing Research Resources
Possible Questions to Interrogate Genre
Little Scientist Research Activity
Categories of Categories Genre Activity
Genre of the Arch Villain Activity
Producer and Receiver Persuasion Activity
Interviewing About Genre- Advice
Second Star to the Right 