Unit Plan
The Best Notes

The Best Notes: The Giver by Lois Lowry

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an online study guide/notes for the young-adult dystopian novel The Giver by Lois Lowry Free including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis.
Unit Plan
The Best Notes

The Best Notes: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an online study guide/notes for the young adult novel Twilight by Stephenie Meyer including author information, literary elements, chapter-by-chapter summaries/notes, study questions, and analysis.
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Karen Hesse's Biography

For Students 3rd - 8th
Find out more about the Newbery awardwinning author Karen Hesse when you explore this resource. Provides a biographical description, a booklist and an interview transcript.
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Jerry Spinelli

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
If your looking for a biography on author Jerry Spinelli, you've come to the right place at Scholastic.com. The site also offers student reviews of his books and an interview transcript. Fun facts for kids.
Website
Other

Goodreads.com: Popular Contemporary Literature Books

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of popular adult and young adult contemporary literature books with links to more information about each book including a brief summary and purchase information. Links to biographical information about the authors are also available.
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Joan Lowery Nixon

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Explore the life and work of the author Joan Lowery Nixon when you visit this site. This resource features several links to more information on this author and her work.
Website
Other

Children's Storybooks Online: "Tiger Son"

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated online story based on a Chinese tale written 300 years ago. "Tiger Son" is the story of a tiger cub adopted by an old woman and the relationship they form. You'll also find biographical information on Po Chung-ling, the...
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Teachers: Photos From Great Depression: Jacob Have I Loved

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A collection of images from the period of the Great Depression to World War II provide students with visual references as they read and examine Katherine Paterson's novel, "Jacob Have I Loved." Lesson encourages critical thinking about...
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Robert Cormier

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site features information on the life and work of the author Robert Cormier. Links to sites focused on specific books and a bibliography are found within this resource.
Website
Other

Joan Aiken: Wolves and Alternate Worlds

For Students 6th - 8th
This is short biography & an excerpt of an interview with children's author Joan Aiken. She speaks about her influences, ideas, and future writings.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Tucket's Ride" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher guide for "Tucket's Ride" features note to teachers from author, brief author biographical sketch, list of themes, and ideas for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Guts" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
"Guts" teacher guide includes note to teachers from author, brief synopsis, author biographical sketch, list of themes, and tips for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Sarny" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
"Sarny" teacher guide features short synopsis, background information from author, and biographical sketch of author. Includes great ideas for thematic discussion and interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "A Day No Pigs Would Die" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher guide for "A Day No Pigs Would Die" features brief synopsis, author biographical sketch, list of themes, and ideas for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Ties That Bind, Ties That Break" t.g.

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher guide for "Ties That Bind, Ties That Break" features brief synopsis and author biographical sketch as well as list of themes and ideas for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Tucket's Gold" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
"Tucket's Gold" teacher guide also features "Mr. Tucket," "Call Me Francis Tucket," and "Tucket's Ride." Includes note to teachers from author, list of themes, and ideas for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Soldier's Heart" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher guide for "Soldier's Heart" features brief synopsis, informative author biographical sketch, pre-reading activities, themes, and discussion questions. Also includes activities for "The Red Badge of Courage," "The Last Mission,"...
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Nightjohn" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
"Nightjohn" teacher guide includes meaningful note from author brief synopsis. Features ideas for thematic discussion and great methods for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "The River" Teacher Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th
"The River" teacher guide features excellent background and author information. Also included are thematic activities as well as tips for interdisciplinary connections.
Unit Plan
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "Stargirl" Reader's Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
Reader's guide for "Stargirl" includes brief synopsis, questions, discussion topics, and author information.
Website
Penguin Publishing

Penguin Random House: "The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963" t.g.

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher guide for "The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963" features note to teachers from author, brief synopsis, list of themes, and ideas for interdisciplinary connections.
Website
Kent State University

Virginia Hamilton Conference

For Students 6th - 8th
This resource provides information about the annual Virginia Hamilton Conference, which is all about multicultural literature for children. There is also a link to biographical information on Virginia Hamilton.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Book Files: Sounder

For Students 9th - 10th
Newbery Award Winner, "Sounder", by William H. Armstrong, is about a sharecropping family and their hunting dog, Sounder. Overarching themes of this novel are courage, family, racial injustice, the importance of education, and hope. Make...
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Gary Paulsen

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This resource provides an overview of the life of Gary Paulsen. It also includes a transcript to an interview conducted with Paulsen and book reviews done by students.