# data[].attributes.body
It's interesting to see that so many of us have the same taste and have picked the same books.  For example, The Lord of Flies, Romeo and Juliet, The Hanger Games, Great Expectations, In the Heat of the Night, American Born Chinese, etc, are a few of the most popular selections on our list. Some other books are very popular too, i.e., Holes, Of Mice and Men, The Book Thief, etc. I am going to try to teach Holes to my ELL students.  Maybe it suits Level 4 students. What do you think?

# data[].attributes.headline
LITERARY CANON TEXTHinton, S. E. (1967). The OutsidersAccording to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he's always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of socs for the sake of his fellow greasers--until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder gets under Ponyboy's skin, causing his bifurcated world to crumble and teaching him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser. This classic, written by S. E. Hinton when she was 16 years old, is as profound today as it was when it was first published in 1967. - http://www.sehinton.com/books/outsiders.htmlI love this text because it was written by a teenager for teens. Not only does it invite critical thinking about real issues, it is a clear demonstration that what kids have to say matters.CONTEMPORARY LITERATURESachar, Louis (1998). HolesStanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption. - http://www.louissachar.com/holes.htmlI can’t say enough about this book. It has incredible value as a tool for teaching reading strategies, exploring literary devices and techniques, and expanding vocabulary. I have used this book with ELLs in secondary and intermediate with great success! I would recommend it highly!CULTURAL DIVERSITYSerrano, Sonia (2012). The Revolution of Evelyn SerranoThere are two secrets Evelyn Serrano is keeping from her Mami and Papo? her true feelings about growing up in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and her attitude about Abuela, her sassy grandmother who's come from Puerto Rico to live with them. Then, like an urgent ticking clock, events erupt that change everything. The Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group, dump garbage in the street and set it on fire, igniting a powerful protest. When Abuela steps in to take charge, Evelyn is thrust into the action. Tempers flare, loyalties are tested. Through it all, Evelyn learns important truths about her Latino heritage and the history makers who shaped a nation. Infused with actual news accounts from the time period, Sonia Manzano has crafted a gripping work of fiction based on her own life growing up during a fiery, unforgettable time in America, when young Latinos took control of their destinies. - https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/the-revolution-of-evelyn-serrano-9780545325066.htmlI just came across this novel; although it was published in 2012, it takes place in the late 1960s and is a coming-of-age story. It is about a young girl’s struggle to find her place and identify as a Puerto-Rican teenager in America. It’s an easy read, so accessible to my ELLs; I can see it as a great starting-off place for sharing their own struggles with how to navigate the world of identity as an immigrant. It brought back my own struggles trying to find my own way, often rejecting my own language and culture as I sought to figure out who I was. GRAPHIC NOVEL1. Hinds, Gareth (2013). The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet This graphic novel is adapted from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It tells the story of the romance of Romeo and Juliet, the ill-fated lovers who end up dying together. As in the original story, Romeo and Juliet come from rival families, the Montagues and Capulets who do what they can to stop the romance and marriage of their children. As a result, each family loses a beloved child. All the main characters are in this book; however, the illustrations and simplified, adapted text render the story accessible to readers who may be overwhelmed by the language of Shakespeare. We used this graphic novel to support our ELL students who were taking English 10; this text allowed them to engage in the discussion of story, themes, and characters. - https://www.tutato.com/production/most-excellent-and-lamentable-tragedy-romeo-and-julietAs I cannot even make sense of comic strips, graphic novels have held little appeal for me. In schools, I find that teachers tend to refer reluctant readers to graphic novels as something simpler… I would like to explore graphic novels to find the literary value so that I can use them effectively in my classroom. So I explored this series...2. QuinRose (Author), Mamenosuke Fujimaru (Illustrator), Cheshire Cat Waltz series (2012-2015).This is a fun series based on Alice in Wonderland!.  After I figured out how to read the text (it reads from right to left, back to front). I was left with the challenge of inferring the story with minimal text to draw on to do so; me, who begs, “Don’t show me a picture; I need words!” when confronted with a picture-only sign. This could also be included in the cultural diversity category, as many of our ELL students’ first languages also read from right to left.YOUNG ADULT FICTIONAnderson, Laurie Halse (2011). Speak The first ten lies they tell you in high school."Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back, refuses to be silent, and thereby achieves a measure of vindication. In Laurie Halse Anderson's powerful novel, an utterly believable heroine with a bitterly ironic voice delivers a blow to the hypocritical world of high school. She speaks for many a disenfranchised teenager while demonstrating the importance of speaking up for oneself. From U.S. Macmillan.com“Speak” turned 15 in 2014, and CNN interviewed the author. The article begins:During 15 years of talking to high school students about sex and bullying, Laurie Halse Anderson has continued to get the same questions from boys: Why was the main character in her book, “Speak,” so upset about what happened to her? Didn’t she want the attention of one of the popular boys? And why was the impact so traumatic? (https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/text-to-text-speak-and-waking-up-to-the-enduring-memory-of-rape/?_r=0)This book is particularly relevant today, as we struggle as a society to define and redefine gender equality. For secondary students, the coming-of-age story is raw and real and challenges them to rethink who they are and how they related to others. 

# data[].attributes.subject
LITERARY CANON TEXTHinton, S. E. (1967). The OutsidersAccording to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he's always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of socs for the sake of his fellow greasers--until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder gets under Ponyboy's skin, causing his bifurcated world to crumble and teaching him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser. This classic, written by S. E. Hinton when she was 16 years old, is as profound today as it was when it was first published in 1967. - http://www.sehinton.com/books/outsiders.htmlI love this text because it was written by a teenager for teens. Not only does it invite critical thinking about real issues, it is a clear demonstration that what kids have to say matters.CONTEMPORARY LITERATURESachar, Louis (1998). HolesStanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize there’s more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. But what could be buried under a dried-up lake? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption. - http://www.louissachar.com/holes.htmlI can’t say enough about this book. It has incredible value as a tool for teaching reading strategies, exploring literary devices and techniques, and expanding vocabulary. I have used this book with ELLs in secondary and intermediate with great success! I would recommend it highly!CULTURAL DIVERSITYSerrano, Sonia (2012). The Revolution of Evelyn SerranoThere are two secrets Evelyn Serrano is keeping from her Mami and Papo? her true feelings about growing up in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and her attitude about Abuela, her sassy grandmother who's come from Puerto Rico to live with them. Then, like an urgent ticking clock, events erupt that change everything. The Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group, dump garbage in the street and set it on fire, igniting a powerful protest. When Abuela steps in to take charge, Evelyn is thrust into the action. Tempers flare, loyalties are tested. Through it all, Evelyn learns important truths about her Latino heritage and the history makers who shaped a nation. Infused with actual news accounts from the time period, Sonia Manzano has crafted a gripping work of fiction based on her own life growing up during a fiery, unforgettable time in America, when young Latinos took control of their destinies. - https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/the-revolution-of-evelyn-serrano-9780545325066.htmlI just came across this novel; although it was published in 2012, it takes place in the late 1960s and is a coming-of-age story. It is about a young girl’s struggle to find her place and identify as a Puerto-Rican teenager in America. It’s an easy read, so accessible to my ELLs; I can see it as a great starting-off place for sharing their own struggles with how to navigate the world of identity as an immigrant. It brought back my own struggles trying to find my own way, often rejecting my own language and culture as I sought to figure out who I was. GRAPHIC NOVEL1. Hinds, Gareth (2013). The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet This graphic novel is adapted from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It tells the story of the romance of Romeo and Juliet, the ill-fated lovers who end up dying together. As in the original story, Romeo and Juliet come from rival families, the Montagues and Capulets who do what they can to stop the romance and marriage of their children. As a result, each family loses a beloved child. All the main characters are in this book; however, the illustrations and simplified, adapted text render the story accessible to readers who may be overwhelmed by the language of Shakespeare. We used this graphic novel to support our ELL students who were taking English 10; this text allowed them to engage in the discussion of story, themes, and characters. - https://www.tutato.com/production/most-excellent-and-lamentable-tragedy-romeo-and-julietAs I cannot even make sense of comic strips, graphic novels have held little appeal for me. In schools, I find that teachers tend to refer reluctant readers to graphic novels as something simpler… I would like to explore graphic novels to find the literary value so that I can use them effectively in my classroom. So I explored this series...2. QuinRose (Author), Mamenosuke Fujimaru (Illustrator), Cheshire Cat Waltz series (2012-2015).This is a fun series based on Alice in Wonderland!.  After I figured out how to read the text (it reads from right to left, back to front). I was left with the challenge of inferring the story with minimal text to draw on to do so; me, who begs, “Don’t show me a picture; I need words!” when confronted with a picture-only sign. This could also be included in the cultural diversity category, as many of our ELL students’ first languages also read from right to left.YOUNG ADULT FICTIONAnderson, Laurie Halse (2011). Speak The first ten lies they tell you in high school."Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back, refuses to be silent, and thereby achieves a measure of vindication. In Laurie Halse Anderson's powerful novel, an utterly believable heroine with a bitterly ironic voice delivers a blow to the hypocritical world of high school. She speaks for many a disenfranchised teenager while demonstrating the importance of speaking up for oneself. From U.S. Macmillan.com“Speak” turned 15 in 2014, and CNN interviewed the author. The article begins:During 15 years of talking to high school students about sex and bullying, Laurie Halse Anderson has continued to get the same questions from boys: Why was the main character in her book, “Speak,” so upset about what happened to her? Didn’t she want the attention of one of the popular boys? And why was the impact so traumatic? (https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/text-to-text-speak-and-waking-up-to-the-enduring-memory-of-rape/?_r=0)This book is particularly relevant today, as we struggle as a society to define and redefine gender equality. For secondary students, the coming-of-age story is raw and real and challenges them to rethink who they are and how they related to others. 

# data[].attributes.body
Loretta Dyck

# data[].attributes.body
Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” would be a great book choice leading up to the holiday season.  It can be used to foster the giving spirit in students and the class could create a community project to help those in need in their local community during the holiday season.  Students can also explore the holiday traditions of other cultures alongside the text.  Skype's “Christmas Around the World Project,” could be a tech platform used to do this.
-Janelle

# data[].attributes.body
Literacy canon
Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare

"In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a world of violence and generational conflict in which two young people fall in love and die because of that love. The story is rather extraordinary in that the normal problems faced by young lovers are here so very large. It is not simply that the families of Romeo and Juliet disapprove of the lover's affection for each other; rather, the Montagues and the Capulets are on opposite sides in a blood feud and are trying to kill each other on the streets of Verona. Every time a member of one of the two families dies in the fight, his relatives demand the blood of his killer. Because of the feud, if Romeo is discovered with Juliet by her family, he will be killed. Once Romeo is banished, the only way that Juliet can avoid being married to someone else is to take a potion that apparently kills her, so that she is burried with the bodies of her slain relatives. In this violent, death-filled world, the movement of the story from love at first sight to the union of the lovers in death seems almost inevitable." - goodreads.com

The authoritative edition of Romeo and Juliet from The Folger Shakespeare Library provides the original text with an annotation that explains difficult words and constructs for students alongside the original text.
Students can relate to the teenage characters in this text, begin to develop an understanding of Shakespearean themes and learn about the literacy influences and conventions of Shakespearean writing.  They can also explore modern day renditions of this classical text.

Contemporary Literature
I'll Give You the Sun, by Jandy Nelson

"At first, Jude and her twin brother Noah, are inseparable. Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude wears red-red lipstick, cliff-dives, and does all the talking for both of them.
Years later, they are barely speaking. Something has happened to change the twins in different yet equally devastating ways [their mother dies]  . . . but then Jude meets an intriguing, irresistible boy and a mysterious new mentor.
The early years are Noah’s to tell; the later years are Jude’s. But they each have only half the story, and if they can only find their way back to one another, they’ll have a chance to remake their world."

This novel won the 2015 Pintz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults. Chapters alternate between the voice of an artistic 13 year old Noah and his daredevil twin sister Jude,  at the age of 16. The novel includes love stories, devotion to art, the loss of a family member, betrayal, remorse and forgiveness.  The two narratives unfold in  revelatory ways.

Culturally Diverse Novel
Reading the Bones, by Peggy Henderson

"Due to circumstances beyond her control, 12-year-old Peggy Henderson has to move to the quiet town of Crescent Beach, British Columbia, to live with her aunt and uncle. Without a father and separated from her mother, who's looking for work, Peggy feels her unhappiness increasing until the day she and her uncle start digging a pond in the backyard and she realizes the rock she's been trying to pry from the ground is really a human skull. Peggy eventually learns that her home and the entire seaside town were built on top of a 5000-year-old Coast Salish fishing village. With the help of an elderly archaeologist, a woman named Eddy, Peggy comes to know the ancient storyteller buried in her yard in a way that few others can -- by reading the bones. As life with her aunt becomes more and more unbearable, Peggy looks to the old Salish man from the past for help and answers." - goodreads.com

This novel is told through two perspectives, Peggy and the Coast Salish man whose bones are discovered.  By reading this book students learn about the Aboriginal way of life and the archaeology process of removing bones from the ground and "reading" what the bones tell us about a person and their way of life.  Since the novel explores the archaeology process, students can be asked to think critically about the Aboriginal perspective in regards to uprooting an ancient burial site.

Graphic Novel
Drama, by Raina Telgemier

"This graphic novel humorously showcases the trials and tribulations of a group of high school students as they prepare for an upcoming drama production. The main character, Callie, serves as set designer, but also supports her peers as they encounter snags in their personal relationships and fight to come to terms with their individual identities. This award-winning book for a teen audience deals with typical high school relationships and issues teens navigate as they mature, and mimics the feelings of confusion teenagers experience as they develop their sense of self." - BCERAC.ca

This graphic novel is one that an intermediate audience would be able to relate to as it is set in high school.  It opens up topics for discussion such as peer relationships, teamwork and identity.

Young Adult Fiction
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

"Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist – books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbours during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul." - goodreads.com

This historical fiction novel explores the themes of personal sacrifice, heroism, friendship and courage. By reading this novel students explore the issue of humanity and the will of the human spirit to persevere during extreme hardship.

# data[].attributes.body
The Percy Jackson series was a big hit with my Grade 7 students while we were doing a Greek Mythology unit in ELA. I like how the books use humour and creativity to blend classical myths with modern times.  The fantasy and adventure elements also appeal to young adolescent readers.
-Janelle

# data[].attributes.body
I like your suggestion of using a graphic novel to read the classical text "Great Expectations."  This is a great way to present a traditional text using a modern format. The visuals would also help students develop their understanding of the time period, setting and characters.
-Janelle

# data[].attributes.headline
I had such a horrible time with the Hunger Games. I couldn't get past the notion of using children to kill children. I never did use this resource :(

# data[].attributes.subject
I had such a horrible time with the Hunger Games. I couldn't get past the notion of using children to kill children. I never did use this resource :(

# data[].attributes.body
--Sherry

# data[].attributes.body
Literary Canon Text

Lord of the Flies, William Golding

“Lord of the Flies , William Golding's classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island, is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, "the boy with fair hair," and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: "He forgot his words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet." (taken from Amazon.ca, 2017)

This book is written in easy-to-understand English, making it accessible for most intermediate readers to connect with the characters portrayed in the novel. The ages displayed in the novel are similar to the ages of the readers in middle/high school, therefore fostering and increasing the comprehension of the sensitive subject matters of the text.

Contemporary Literature Text

The Hunger Games (2008), Suzanne Collins

“The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unspecified future time, in the dystopian, post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, located in North America.[7] The country consists of a wealthy Capitol city, located in the Rocky Mountains,[8] surrounded by twelve (originally thirteen) poorer districts ruled by the Capitol. The Capitol is lavishly rich and technologically advanced, but the districts are in varying states of poverty. The trilogy's narrator and protagonist Katniss Everdeen, lives in District 12, the poorest region of Panem, located in Appalachia,[8] where people regularly die of starvation. As punishment for a past rebellion against the Capitol (called the "Dark Days"), in which District 13 was supposedly destroyed, one boy and one girl from each of the twelve remaining districts, between the ages of 12 and 18, are selected by lottery to compete in an annual pageant called the Hunger Games. The Games are a televised event in which the participants, called "tributes", are forced to fight to the death in a dangerous public arena. The winning tribute and his/her home district are then rewarded with food, supplies, and riches. The purposes of the Hunger Games are to provide entertainment for the Capitol and to remind the districts of the Capitol's power and lack of remorse, forgetfulness, and forgiveness for the failed rebellion of the current competitors' ancestors.” (taken from Wikipedia, 2017)

This contemporary piece touches upon many current themes including: women in a protagonist position, the influence of the media on mass populations, conflicts between oppressor and oppressed, government control and suppression, and differing values and beliefs.

Literature that Supports Cultural Diversity

In the Heat of the Night, John Ball

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.

This piece of literature touches upon the social issues in rural America during the times of unrest between white Americans and African-Americans. Bigotry, racism, and other social norms are current issues in today’s society, making the novel a relevant and engaging read.

Graphic Novel

Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

“In this unflaggingly suspenseful story of aspirations and moral redemption, humble, orphaned Pip, a ward of his short-tempered older sister and her husband, Joe, is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman. And, indeed, it seems as though that dream is destined to come to pass — because one day, under sudden and enigmatic circumstances, he finds himself in possession of "great expectations." In telling Pip's story, Dickens traces a boy's path from a hardscrabble rural life to the teeming streets of 19th-century London, unfolding a gripping tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward, and love and loss. Its compelling characters include Magwitch, the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella, whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham, an eccentric jilted bride.” (taken from Amazon.ca, 2017)

The graphic format of this novel makes it easy for young readers to connect to the story, the characters, the setting, and the plot in order to unravel and explore the underlying themes.

Young Adult Fiction T

The Chrysalids, John Wyndham

“David Strorm’s father doesn’t approve of Angus Morton’s unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. Little does he realize that his own son, his niece Rosalind and their friends, have their own secret aberration which would label them as mutants. But as David and Rosalind grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badlands” (taken from Amazon.ca, 2017)

One of my favourite books, as it connects readers with a potential future aftermath of a nuclear war, and the impact on the environment, causing genetic changes within people, and creating a divide between the unaltered humans, and those that were genetically affected.

# data[].attributes.body
Literary Canon Text

Lord of the Flies, William Golding

“Lord of the Flies , William Golding's classic tale about a group of English schoolboys who are plane-wrecked on a deserted island, is just as chilling and relevant today as when it was first published in 1954. At first, the stranded boys cooperate, attempting to gather food, make shelters, and maintain signal fires. Overseeing their efforts are Ralph, "the boy with fair hair," and Piggy, Ralph's chubby, wisdom-dispensing sidekick whose thick spectacles come in handy for lighting fires. Although Ralph tries to impose order and delegate responsibility, there are many in their number who would rather swim, play, or hunt the island's wild pig population. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored or challenged outright. His fiercest antagonist is Jack, the redheaded leader of the pig hunters, who manages to lure away many of the boys to join his band of painted savages. The situation deteriorates as the trappings of civilization continue to fall away, until Ralph discovers that instead of being hunters, he and Piggy have become the hunted: "He forgot his words, his hunger and thirst, and became fear; hopeless fear on flying feet." (taken from Amazon.ca, 2017)

This book is written in easy-to-understand English, making it accessible for most intermediate readers to connect with the characters portrayed in the novel. The ages displayed in the novel are similar to the ages of the readers in middle/high school, therefore fostering and increasing the comprehension of the sensitive subject matters of the text.

Contemporary Literature Text

The Hunger Games (2008), Suzanne Collins

“The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unspecified future time, in the dystopian, post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, located in North America.[7] The country consists of a wealthy Capitol city, located in the Rocky Mountains,[8] surrounded by twelve (originally thirteen) poorer districts ruled by the Capitol. The Capitol is lavishly rich and technologically advanced, but the districts are in varying states of poverty. The trilogy's narrator and protagonist Katniss Everdeen, lives in District 12, the poorest region of Panem, located in Appalachia,[8] where people regularly die of starvation. As punishment for a past rebellion against the Capitol (called the "Dark Days"), in which District 13 was supposedly destroyed, one boy and one girl from each of the twelve remaining districts, between the ages of 12 and 18, are selected by lottery to compete in an annual pageant called the Hunger Games. The Games are a televised event in which the participants, called "tributes", are forced to fight to the death in a dangerous public arena. The winning tribute and his/her home district are then rewarded with food, supplies, and riches. The purposes of the Hunger Games are to provide entertainment for the Capitol and to remind the districts of the Capitol's power and lack of remorse, forgetfulness, and forgiveness for the failed rebellion of the current competitors' ancestors.” (taken from Wikipedia, 2017)

This contemporary piece touches upon many current themes including: women in a protagonist position, the influence of the media on mass populations, conflicts between oppressor and oppressed, government control and suppression, and differing values and beliefs.

Literature that Supports Cultural Diversity

In the Heat of the Night, John Ball

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.

This piece of literature touches upon the social issues in rural America during the times of unrest between white Americans and African-Americans. Bigotry, racism, and other social norms are current issues in today’s society, making the novel a relevant and engaging read.

Graphic Novel

Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

“In this unflaggingly suspenseful story of aspirations and moral redemption, humble, orphaned Pip, a ward of his short-tempered older sister and her husband, Joe, is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman. And, indeed, it seems as though that dream is destined to come to pass — because one day, under sudden and enigmatic circumstances, he finds himself in possession of "great expectations." In telling Pip's story, Dickens traces a boy's path from a hardscrabble rural life to the teeming streets of 19th-century London, unfolding a gripping tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward, and love and loss. Its compelling characters include Magwitch, the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella, whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham, an eccentric jilted bride.” (taken from Amazon.ca, 2017)

The graphic format of this novel makes it easy for young readers to connect to the story, the characters, the setting, and the plot in order to unravel and explore the underlying themes.

Young Adult Fiction T

The Chrysalids, John Wyndham

“David Strorm’s father doesn’t approve of Angus Morton’s unusually large horses, calling them blasphemies against nature. Little does he realize that his own son, his niece Rosalind and their friends, have their own secret aberration which would label them as mutants. But as David and Rosalind grow older it becomes more difficult to conceal their differences from the village elders. Soon they face a choice: wait for eventual discovery or flee to the terrifying and mutable Badlands” (taken from Amazon.ca, 2017)

One of my favourite books, as it connects readers with a potential future aftermath of a nuclear war, and the impact on the environment, causing genetic changes within people, and creating a divide between the unaltered humans, and those that were genetically affected.

# data[].attributes.headline
Thank you for sharing the story "Dorothy Must Die".  I feel like that could prepare the students to write their own "fractured fairytale"; an activity most students enjoy, as they get to express their own creativity.  

# data[].attributes.subject
Thank you for sharing the story "Dorothy Must Die".  I feel like that could prepare the students to write their own "fractured fairytale"; an activity most students enjoy, as they get to express their own creativity.  

# data[].attributes.headline
The Breadwinner seems like a good text to add to my cluster with the novel I chose, "A Different Kind of Daughter"

# data[].attributes.subject
The Breadwinner seems like a good text to add to my cluster with the novel I chose, "A Different Kind of Daughter"

# data[].attributes.headline
The American Born Chinese graphic novel seems like a great combination of both a historical tale and modern day/school kid story.  I feel like the students could easily find a connection to the classical literature in this format. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The American Born Chinese graphic novel seems like a great combination of both a historical tale and modern day/school kid story.  I feel like the students could easily find a connection to the classical literature in this format. 

# data[].attributes.body
Literary Canon

Of Mice and Menby John Steinbeck, 1937

Drifters in search of work, George and his simple-minded friend Lennie have nothing in the world except each other and a dream that one day they will have some land of their own. Eventually they find work on a ranch in California’s Salinas Valley, but their hopes are doomed as Lennie, struggling against extreme cruelty, misunderstanding and feelings of jealousy, becomes a victim of his own strength. Tackling universal themes such as the friendship of a shared vision, and giving voice to America’s lonely and dispossessed, Of Mice and Men has proved one of Steinbeck’s most popular works, achieving success as a novel, a Broadway play and three acclaimed films.

Contemporary Literature

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige, 2014

This book is the beginning of a series, of a girl named Amy Gumm who is described as “the other girl from Kansas.” She has been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked and been trained to fight. She has been given a mission: Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage. And—Dorothy must die.

Cultural Diversity

The Middle of Everywhereby Monique Polak, 2009

I have not read this novel, however, it is rated very highly on Goodreads. It is described as:

This story of a 15-year old boy moving from Montreal to Nunavik to live with his father provides a very informative but easy to understand and compelling look at modern Inuit life. Told from Noah's perspective, the reader learns about storytelling (including the story of Kajataijug), sled-dogs, hunting, winter camping, catching Arctic Char, even shopping at the Northern Store. The reader also learns some of the history of Nunavik, such as the RCMP killing of the sled dogs, residential schools, and why the town looks so "new". By the end, both Noah and the reader have a much better understanding of and respect for this place that isn't in the "middle of nowhere", but rather of everywhere. I finished the book wishing there was more to read. Recommended novel study. [review by Chandra Hildebrand]

Graphic Novel

This one Summerby Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

I have not read this novel, however, t is rated very highly on Goodreads. It is describes as:

“Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It's their getaway, their refuge. Rosie's friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. It's a summer of secrets and sorrow and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.

In This One Summer two stellar creators redefine the teen graphic novel. Cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, the team behind Skim, have collaborated on this gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story about a girl on the cusp of her teen age — a story of renewal and revelation.”

Young Adult Fiction

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, 2013

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. They face problems at home and at school, learning to speak up for themselves and for other, and who they are as individuals.

# data[].attributes.headline
I think "Lord of the Flies" is timeless. I remember reading it and finding it difficult, but human behaviour is still so similar today... 

# data[].attributes.subject
I think "Lord of the Flies" is timeless. I remember reading it and finding it difficult, but human behaviour is still so similar today... 

# data[].attributes.body
Graphic Novel:
The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi

·        entire series consistently rated high on GoodReads.com

·        creative, fictional, relatable

·        rich vocabulary, storyline is engaging, characters have depth
Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.
After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Young Adult Fiction:
History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

·        Includes the LGBQT community

·        Has emotions all students will be able to connect with

·        Approachable vocabulary makes it an easy read, but intensity makes it difficult at the same time!
When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course.

To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. He’s losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he’s been keeping are tearing him apart.
If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.

Cultural Contrast:
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

·        We all face a conflict of some sort- grass-is-always-greener… sort of thing so the story is relatable to all (not just minorities)

·        “This book is the perfect antidote to the "graphic novels aren't real books" crowd's poison. it takes full advantage of the medium (lgm with the local boy scout troops), and just runs with it. this story could not have been told as well or as broadly using a more traditional narrative structure. and at the end, there is a perfect collapse - the three storylines streamline so perfectly into one message about cultural acclimatization and race-shame.” (Karen’s rating on GoodReads.com)
All Jin Wang wants is to fit in. When his family moves to a new neighborhood, he suddenly finds that he's the only Chinese American student at his school. Jocks and bullies pick on him constantly, and he has hardly any friends. Then, to make matters worse, he falls in love with an all-American girl...
Born to rule over all the monkeys in the world, the story of the Monkey King is one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables. Adored by his subjects, master of the arts of kung-fu, he is the most powerful monkey on earth. But the Monkey King doesn't want to be a monkey. He wants to be hailed as a god...
Chin-Kee is the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, and he's ruining his cousin Danny's life. Danny's a popular kid at school, but every year Chin-Kee comes to visit, and every year Danny has to transfer to a new school to escape the shame. This year, though, things quickly go from bad to worse...
These three apparently unrelated tales come together with an unexpected twist, in a modern fable that is hilarious, poignant and action-packed. American Born Chinese is an amazing rise, all the way up to the astonishing climax--and confirms what a growing number of readers already know: Gene Yang is a major talent.

Contemporary Literature:
Esperanza Rising (McDougal Littell Library) (2016) by Pam Muñoz Ryan

·        Vividly descriptive writing that is both approachable and rich in vocabulary

·        Teaches one to work for what one wants

·        Appreciation of family and friends
Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.

Literary Canon:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

·        It’s controversial so it inspires deep, rich, thoughtful participation

·        Presents an opportunity for insight and reflection on past shames

·        Presents an opportunity to compare/ contrast Canada’s ugly
The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior - to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

# data[].attributes.headline
hi Angel, I read the Lord of the Flies, which I also included on my list in grades 8 or 9.  I found it to be disturbing as a student, but looking back, I think it was very thought provoking, because as you say, imagine what behaviour would look like without adult supervision, etc.  vera

# data[].attributes.subject
hi Angel, I read the Lord of the Flies, which I also included on my list in grades 8 or 9.  I found it to be disturbing as a student, but looking back, I think it was very thought provoking, because as you say, imagine what behaviour would look like without adult supervision, etc.  vera

# data[].attributes.body
Intermediate fiction, grade 7ish Vera

# data[].attributes.body
Literary canon text:

Orwell, George. (1996) Animal Farm: a fairy story.  New York, NY: Signet Classics,

Animals in Mr. Jones’ Manor Farm are assembled to have a meeting by an old pig who has had a dream about a perfect and happy paradise without human beings to oppress or control them.  Animals are excited about living in this paradise.  Soon after the meeting, the old pig dies, and three young pigs, Snowball, Napoleon, and Squealer form a philosophy called Animalism.  One night, the animals defeat the farm owner, Mr. Jones in a rebellion and take over the farm. They renamed the property Animal Farm and try to build their own paradise to achieve the old pig’s dream. At first, Animal Farm prospers.

However, after a while, Snowball and Napoleon have a power struggle with each other. During a meeting discussing whether to construct a windmill, Snowball is attacked and chased off the farm by nine dogs controlled by Napoleon and the Animal Farm is taken over by Napoleon, a dictator.  There are no more meetings to discuss the farm business and the pigs alone make all of the decisions. Napoleon sleeps in Mr. Jones’ bed and does business with other human farmers.  All pigs walk on their hind legs and wear human clothes.  They eat plenty of food, and drink alcohol while other animals are cold, hungry and overworked. Napoleon kills animals who he suspects are opposed to him with the teeth of vicious dogs in front of all the other animals. They keep changing the Commandments to excuse themselves: "All Animals Are Equal” is changed to “All animals Are Equal / But Some Are More Equal Than Others" and "No animals shall drink alcohol" is changed to, "No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."  He rewrites history to blame Snowball for the harsh lives of animals. He sells the Boxer, a very loyal, devoted and long-suffering hardworking horse, who is now wounded and sick, for whisky. However, Squealer, Napoleon’s propagandist, cheats animals by telling them that Boxer was taken to the hospital and died in peace in bed. Napoleon also changes the name of the farm back to “Manor Farm”. Everything is back as in olden times and animals cannot tell the pigs from the humans.

Personally I like this book very much and it reminds me of the communist country that I came from. History is repeating itself over and over.

Contemporary literature text

Golding, William, 1911-1993.  (1954). Lord of the Flies. New York: Perigee,

Lord of the Flies was written by Nobel Prize-winner and English author William Golding. The book describes a story of a group of boys who are trying to survive on a deserted island after a shipwreck.  The group of boys is led by Ralph, an attractive boy. Ralph and other boys set up a fire with a pair of glasses belonging to a boy, whose nick name is Piggy.  Ralph emphasizes the importance of maintaining the fire and building shelters, but some boys, led by Jack, think hunting is more fun.  When the hunting group is looking for pigs to kill, they fail to look after the fire. The fire goes out and a ship passes by without noticing the smoke. Ralph confronts Jack and they have a fight.  Pig is hit by Jack during the fight. The group of boys is starting to fall apart.  During the night, a dead parachutist lands on the island, and boys mistake it for a beast. Jack is defiant to Ralph’s leadership and demands that Ralph quits the leadership position. Without much support, Jack angrily takes some boys away with him and goes to the other side of island. Jack and his group go hunting for and eventually they kill a pig and mount its head on a stick as a sacrifice for the beast. They paint their faces and enact bizarre rites.  They cook the pig, and lure and recruit other boys from Ralph’s group to join the feast.  During the ritual and feast, another boy, Simon, who discovers that the “beast” is actually a dead parachutist rushes down the mountain to tell the other boys. When he appears from the forest, the wild and crazy boys mistake him as the beast and kill him savagely, just like they kill the pig. After the incident, one night, Jack leads his tribe to raid Ralph’s camp and steal Piggy’s glasses, the only thing that can set a fire. Ralph, Piggy and two twin boys go to Jack’s place to demand Piggy’s glasses back. During the argument, the twin boys are tied up as prisoners, and Piggy is killed by a boulder dropped by one of Jack’s boys. Ralph is able to escape and hide, but Jack’s group continues to hunt for him. Jack orders boys to set the forest on fire to force Ralph to come out.  Running for his life, Ralph collapses on the beach. When he wakes up, he is greeted by a British naval officer who is alerted by the fire on the island. At that moment, the rest of the group chases Ralph to the beach. The officer is shocked to learn what has happened on the island. Ralph bursts into tears and so do other boys. They are back to being boys again.

The author digs deep into human nature and impulses and discovers that people are driven naturally towards savagery and cruelty under certain circumstances, but under the laws of civilization, these human nature will be contained and minimized.

Can you imagine what our school students would behave like if there were no rules to regulate them?

Piece of literature that supports cultural diversity

Tan, Amy (1989). The Joy Luck Club. New York: Putnam’s,

The Joy Luck Club is the name of a mah-jong club formed by four immigrant mothers. The book contains sixteen interwoven stories about conflicts between Chinese mothers and their American-born daughters. With different worldviews, histories and values, the mothers and daughters don’t always see eye-to-eye. They are struggling with generational gaps and cultural differences at the same time.  Mothers try to raise their daughters in the traditional Chinese way, but daughters try to be more “American”.  The book starts from Jing-mei who has taken her mother’s place to play mah-jong in a weekly gathering in the Joy Luck Club after her mother had passed away. The other three old ladies tell Jing-mei that her mother’s long lost twin daughters, Jing-mei’s half-sisters, had been located in China just before her mother died. They urge Jing-mei to visit her half-sisters and tell them about their mother.  However, Jing-mei confesses that she never understood her mother and she wonders if she is capable of telling her mother’s story. The other three mothers fear that their own daughters, just like Jing-mei, may not understand or appreciate their mother’s loves and sacrifices.

The individual stories are grouped into four sections, each focuses on different themes; for example, sacrifice and loss in the first section, uncertainty, anger, or fear in the middle two sections and hope and love in the last section. At the end of the book, Jing-mei flies to China to meet her half-sisters and once they see each other, they instantly hug and cry. Jing-mei feels that she has understood her mother. The journey is a reconciliation between the past and present, between two generations and between two cultures.

I’m sure that my students with Chinese backgrounds will easily connect to the book. They might have experienced the same struggles as those daughters and cannot fully understand their parents’ sacrifices, worries, concerns, interventions and over protections.

Graphic novel

Yang, Gene Luen., and lark Pien.(2006). American Born Chinese. New York: First Second,

I have never read any graphic novels. I chose this one because of the school aged characters with Chinese backgrounds. Here is the summary from Goodreads website:

All Jin Wang wants is to fit in. When his family moves to a new neighborhood, he suddenly finds that he's the only Chinese American student at his school. Jocks and bullies pick on him constantly, and he has hardly any friends. Then, to make matters worse, he falls in love with an all-American girl...

Born to rule over all the monkeys in the world, the story of the Monkey King is one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables. Adored by his subjects, master of the art of kung-fu, he is the most powerful monkey on earth. But the Monkey King doesn't want to be a monkey. He wants to be hailed as a god...

Chin-Kee is the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, and he's ruining his cousin, Danny's life. Danny's a popular kid at school, but every year Chin-Kee comes to visit, and every year Danny has to transfer to a new school to escape the shame. This year, though, things quickly go from bad to worse...

These three apparently unrelated tales come together with an unexpected twist, in a modern fable that is hilarious, poignant and action-packed. American Born Chinese is an amazing read, all the way up to the astonishing climax--and confirms what a growing number of readers already know: Gene Yang is a major talent.

Young adult fiction text

Henegan, James, 1930-. (1994). Torn Away. New York, N.Y.,U.S.A.: Viking,

This book won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Mystery.  The story is about a thirteen-year old boy who has been torn away from his native soil of Ireland after his mother, father, and sister had been killed on the streets of Belfast. He is forced to live in Canada with his uncle’s family. Driven by revenge for his family’s murderers, the boy manages to escape and causes plenty of trouble.  The new friends, new home and the peaceful life gradually easies his anger and leads him to re-examine his perspective of courage and heroism.

The story is full of fast-paced action and is easy to read with vivid descriptions and a sense of reality. It’s suitable for intermediate English classes.

References:

The Joy Luck Club, retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/joyluck/summary.html

Goodreads, retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/118944.American_Born_Chinese

# data[].attributes.body
Create an annotated bibliography of five novels that would be well-suited for the Intermediate reader. Include one of each of the following in your annotated bibliography:

literary canon text

contemporary literature text

piece of literature that supports cultural diversity

graphic novel

young adult fiction text

Annotated bibliographies must contain the following components:

title, author

a brief summary of the plot

a brief explanation as to why the selected text would be appropriate for the Intermediate reader

This is an opportunity to collaborate and produce a comprehensive annotated bibliography. Your instructor has set up five categories—one for each of the five novel types you are recommending. Post one suggestion to each category.
Once the task is complete, you will be able to download all the suggestions at once.
Respond to at least three posts on Padlet. Ask a question, comment (especially if you have used the novel already), or add relevant information.