Summary: A serious story written in a unique style, lyrically, which focuses on a young boy who has lost his parents to a car accident.

Author’s Purpose: To allow young readers to have a story that directly addresses an example of the hardest moments in life while giving a youthful perspective on this life circumstance.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

Music: Ask students to work in small groups to form a playlist of songs that may mirror the tone of this story as it progresses.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by j. k. rowling

Summary: The story presents Harry Potter, an orphan who lived with his aunt and uncle, who turns out to be the most famous wizard world. On the way to the new school, he befriends Ron and Hermione, who will e with him as they uncover the mystery of who stole the Sorcerer’s Stone. In this adventure, he learns about Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard that killed his parents and tried to kill him but failed. At school, he makes friends and enemies while discovering the attack on a unicorn in the forest, the troll who was loose in the school, and who stole the stone. It is a very entertaining book that keeps you on the edge, easy read for low-level students in grade 7th.

Author’s Purpose: The author writes the book with mystery and suspense. The story is about the entertaining adventures that Harry Potter encounters as he arrives at Hogwarts as the most famous wizard.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. Students will consider writing about how they made friends at the new school (new town, new neighborhood, etc.). What did they feel like, what was challenging, what discoveries did they have?

2. Play a game of ‘Who’s famous?’ Secretly decide on a student to be the most famous of the day. You set up clues that students need to discover and identify the famous student.

Reference:

Rowling, J. K., & GrandPré, M. (1998). Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone. Scholastic.

Summary: The Crossover tells the story of a 12-year old boy called Josh and his identical twin brother JB. It is narrated in verses by Josh and recounts various significant events during his seventh-grade year. Josh is passionate about basketball and spends most of his time playing with his brother JB and trying to emulate his dad, Chuck, a professional basketball player. However, when JB gets a girlfriend, he starts to drift away from Josh and spend less time with him. This causes Josh much frustration and anger and results in various conflicts between the two brothers. Chuck also suffers multiple heart attacks and eventually passes away during this time. Sadly, their father’s death helps the brothers reunite and strengthen their friendship once again.

Author’s Purpose: The prime purpose of this book is to entertain the reader and provide insight into the personal conflicts and challenges of the main characters.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. The Crossover is written in verse. The students are challenged to think of a conflict or difficult situation they have faced and write a spoken word poem about it. After receiving feedback, the students are invited to perform their spoken word poems in front of the class.

Reference:

Alexander, K. (2014). The crossover. Houghton Mifflin.