The first semester focuses on two main units. The first looks at the evolution of classic mystery elements. We start with Agatha Christie's And Then Were None and follow it with Gretchen McNeil's Ten. Our second unit is our true crime unit. We study actual crimes, examine the evidence, and create theories based off of the information we have. This unit finishes with true crime presentations.

The second semester focuses on Sherlock Holmes and detective fiction. We read some of the classic stories, see how he has been transformed in pop culture through the years, and see how the techniques are represented in modern YA literature. During this unit, students also study a classroom crime scene and create a short story based on the clues they find.

This year, I am also excited to announce two new novels that I will be working into my curriculum: One of Us is Lying and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder!

Some texts that could be covered include:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Sherlock Holmes Short Stories  by Sherlock Holmes

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson