Is it possible to create a true utopian society? Lois Lowry’s novel The Giver explores the dangers of sacrificing joy in order to eliminate the evil. When the main character, Jonas, receives the memories, good and bad, from the Giver, he has a hard time keeping the truth hidden and accepting a...
Thanhha Lai’s Inside Out & Back Again is the story of a young Vietnamese refugee girl, Ha, and her family’s escape from Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam War. While this novel is fictional, its historical and cultural content are very real. Lai’s own life experience shines through in creating an...
High School is one of the most memorable times in our lives but it can also be a very stressful time. Many adolescents have a hard time balancing their school work, social life and family relationships. These years can be overwhelming when students do not have a clear, organized plan. Along...
60 years after the publication of Lord of the Flies students are still fascinated with William Golding's story of survival. These lesson plan ideas will help teachers engage students on a daily basis.
The issues featured in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak can be viewed as controversial for classroom subject. However, this is an important piece of literature that realistically portrays some common issues adolescents face in school today. As with any text, teachers should completely familiarize...
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida is a must-see attraction for HP fans, as well as those discovering J.K. Rowling's magical world for the first time.