CCBC-Net Archives
Books and Behavior, Chris Crutcher & American Plague
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Cappiello, Maryann <mcappiel_at_lesley.edu>
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:48:43 +0000
When working with teens, few books do a better job of calling attention to "behavior" than Chris Crutcher's novels. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes and W hale Talk are both exceptional books that show us the best and the worst th at we have within us, sometimes at the same time. I've used them time and again with kids and teachers.
Additionally, I think that Jim Murphy's American Plague allows us to discus s behaviors in a larger context -- the kinds of cycles of history, informat ion and misinformation informing public policy, the connection between scie ntific understandings and public policy, etc. In writing about 1793, Murphy gives students a great opportunity to talk about the ways that we have fac ed crises recently (like Hurricane Katrina, swine flu, the weather disaster s around the nation this year, etc.). I may be stretching the discussion of behaviors with this one, but I do think it's important to think about how nonfiction can serve as models for behavior as much as nonfiction. Given th e vitriolic public discourse right now regarding the role of government, I think this book offers students an entry into a more civilized discussion, rooted in the distance of the past and the making of this nation.
Mary Ann Cappiello, Ed.D. Associate Professor, Language & Literacy Division Coordinator, Collaborative Internship Partnerships Graduate School of Education Lesley University
www.classroombookshelf.blogspot.com
(617) 349-8603
Office Address: 2-054 University Hall
Mailing Address: 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138
"The creative impulse, like love, can be killed, but it cannot be taught. W hat a teacher or librarian or parent can do, in working with children, is t o give the flame enough oxygen so that it can burn. As far as I'm concerned , this providing of oxygen is one of the noblest of all vocations." - Madel eine L'Engle
Received on Mon 19 Sep 2011 01:48:43 PM CDT
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:48:43 +0000
When working with teens, few books do a better job of calling attention to "behavior" than Chris Crutcher's novels. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes and W hale Talk are both exceptional books that show us the best and the worst th at we have within us, sometimes at the same time. I've used them time and again with kids and teachers.
Additionally, I think that Jim Murphy's American Plague allows us to discus s behaviors in a larger context -- the kinds of cycles of history, informat ion and misinformation informing public policy, the connection between scie ntific understandings and public policy, etc. In writing about 1793, Murphy gives students a great opportunity to talk about the ways that we have fac ed crises recently (like Hurricane Katrina, swine flu, the weather disaster s around the nation this year, etc.). I may be stretching the discussion of behaviors with this one, but I do think it's important to think about how nonfiction can serve as models for behavior as much as nonfiction. Given th e vitriolic public discourse right now regarding the role of government, I think this book offers students an entry into a more civilized discussion, rooted in the distance of the past and the making of this nation.
Mary Ann Cappiello, Ed.D. Associate Professor, Language & Literacy Division Coordinator, Collaborative Internship Partnerships Graduate School of Education Lesley University
www.classroombookshelf.blogspot.com
(617) 349-8603
Office Address: 2-054 University Hall
Mailing Address: 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138
"The creative impulse, like love, can be killed, but it cannot be taught. W hat a teacher or librarian or parent can do, in working with children, is t o give the flame enough oxygen so that it can burn. As far as I'm concerned , this providing of oxygen is one of the noblest of all vocations." - Madel eine L'Engle
Received on Mon 19 Sep 2011 01:48:43 PM CDT
