Bradbury, Ray, “
Chrysalis,” S is for Space.
New York: Bantam Books, 1966. A wonderful and engaging fantasy about a man who is mistaken for being dead, but is actually undergoing a metamorphosis, Students enjoy the suspense and intrigue that build to its end. It is a marvelous example of vivid, and sound description. A good tool for exploring setting, conflict, characterization, point of view, and writers’ intentions.
Romtvedt, David, “Blind,” “Custom,” “Innovative Assignment,” and “Kept After School,”
Free and Compulsory For All.
Washington: Graywolf Press, 1984. These short stories tell of difficult, comical, and absurd situations faced by teachers and students. They are not elaborate, yet are full of meaning and emotion. A good tool for introducing point of view, conflict, and exploring writers’ intentions.
Silverstein, Shel,
The Missing Piece
. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1976. A children’s book bound to be enjoyed by the young adult. It is a simply and touchingly written fable about relationships, which “gently probes the nature of quest and fulfillment,” (Inside Cover.) Ideal for exploring writers’ intentions, internal and external conflict, as well as characterization.
Silverstein, Shel,
The Missing Piece Meets the Big O.
Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1981. Also a children’s book. It speaks of relationships as well, exploring the desire to belong and reaching deep within the heart to probe self-reliance. Ideal for exploring writers’ intentions, internal and external conflict, as well as characterization,.