Literature (4)

Text: Download Lesson; Image: Book cover of The Black Friend by Frederick Joseph

Black History Month: The Friend You Need

In just the past few weeks, I’ve seen two friends post on social media about their spirit animals. 

Neither of them is Native American.

Recently, State Farm ran a commercial where Aaron Rodgers claimed to have a spirit animal. 

He’s not Native American either. 

Text: Watch Now; Image: Architecture, Design & Structure in Literature promo with Brandon Abdon

Architecture, Design & Structure in Literature

Ernest Hemingway once famously said that “Prose is architecture. It’s not interior design.” Well-known for the sparsity and tight structure of his prose, this is no surprise. That said, there are a number of other writers (and readers) who would no doubt argue with this. Where would most poems be...

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Dear Son,

On December 20, four days after his semester finished, my youngest son flew home for Christmas break. On December 29, he flew back—19 days before his new semester started.

Text: Download Lesson; Image: Let's Get Lost book cover

New Beginnings: Let's Get Lost

Adi Alsaid has released many young adult books since his first title, Let’s Get Lost, but I can promise you, this one blazes through as just as good, if not better than the rest. A new beginning can start at any time, declared by the person who needs one. In this story, the main character, Leila,...

Text: Download Lesson; Image: Some Girls Do book cover

New Beginnings: Some Girls Do

Many students endure the (not-so-fun) ritual of moving schools mid-year. In Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan, this is the reality of one of the two main characters, Morgan, as she is forced to transfer schools. Morgan is an elite track star at her Catholic private high school, but is kicked out...

Text: Download Lesson; New Beginnings; Image: Girl painting coral color over white

New Beginnings

The most beautiful part of January isn’t the snow or the magical lighted displays around town, but instead it’s the chance for a new beginning. January is a refresh button and a new starting line. And as an educator, I feel the need to begin again around this time of year with a clear mind and some...