Author Study

We all have favorite authors. Something about the characters, style, setting or plot keeps us coming back for more. In an author study, children get the opportunity to read a variety of books by one author, discuss the stories, and find what makes a particular author unique. Closer inspection of the characters, setting (time and place), author’s point of view, and/or style allows students to develop a new appreciation for the stories and comprehend texts on a deeper level. We look for the message, theme, or lesson of the storyline. We compare similarities and differences between books. We can also compare authors to others we know and love.

Some of the questions we try to answer are:

Ø What type of books does this author write?

Ø Who are the characters? Are the main characters the same/different in the books that you found/read?

Ø Is the setting similar in all or some of the books? If so, why did the author chose this one?

Ø Is there a single message that the author wants to send?

Ø What are the lessons the author wants you to learn?

Ø How has the author’s own childhood or adulthood shaped his/her writings or illustrations?

Ø Are all the stories in the same genre, or is there a variety?

Ø What do the author’s books tell you about the author’s culture?

Ø This year, during our read aloud time, I hope to explore books by Kevin Henkes, Marc Brown, Ruth Heller, Shirley Climo, and Tomie DePaola.