An article from National Public Radio (USA) about how the 'Magic Treehouse' fiction series by Mary Pope Osborne inspires readers and connects them to the wider world of reading.
Here is a great NRP article in wihch Lois Lowry talks about the inspiration behind writing her modern classic for young adults, 'The Giver'. The article is useful for teachers but might also inspire students in a Literature Circle.
Here is a great article from the BBC about the secret hidden messages authors include in their writing for children. Asking the students what is the Determining Importance (secret message/lesson/theme) is an important Thinking Skill. But there is often a much deeper level of subtext and meaning, and we find it as we return to texts and gain experiences in life that chance our perspectives. In short, don't underestimate children's fiction! A great and highly popular TED talk from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about the danger of having libraries, book corners and general reading resources only showing one single culture or ethnicity. The world is so diverse; does our reading reflect this?
A great TED talk by J. J. Krosocka, telling the story of how he was inspired as a boy to a writer and an artist. Now he is sucessful at both!
Here is a great promotional video of B.J. Novak reading his 'The Book With No Words' to young children. The resulting hilarity proves that having fun with reading is the most important thing you can model.
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Life's greatest skill?
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