|
|
|
| back | | Authors Enrich Middle School Experience | | |  Seventh grade students had a conversation via skype with Alan Silberberg, author of Milo:Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze. Silberberg, who lives in Canada, skyped with the entire class assembled in the Explore Room. The students asked the author a wide range of questions involving inspiration, character development, plot ideas and the life of a writer. The students’ insightful, knowledgeable questions facilitated a lively exchange.
Silberberg contacted NCS in June to thank teacher Julie Hastings for using his novel as a summer reading assignment. When she invited him to speak with students, he responded enthusiastically, relishing the opportunity to converse with his target audience.
These types of interactions help bring literature to life for students and deepen comprehension of the writing process. The enthusiasm it helped generate is evident as our students are now eagerly anticipating the publication of his next novel. We express a sincere thanks to Mr. Silberberg for sharing his time and insights to benefit our students.
We look forward to meeting our next author, Christina Gonzalez on Tuesday, Oct. 18, when she will share her perspective on young adult reading. All middle school students are participating in a group read of her novel, The Red Umbrella, which chronicles experiences of a fourteen year old girl sent to America to escape the communist revolution.
According to a review:
“…This well-written novel has a thoroughly believable protagonist and well-chosen period details...Few readers will recognize the polemics driving this convincing story, but as an introduction to the history and politics of the Cuban-exile community, it could generate some excellent classroom discussions.” — Rhona Campbell, Washington, DC Public Library
Ms. Gonzalez will be preceded by a special guest, Mr. Rene Perez-Lopez, grandfather of Nick Rosenbaum, class of 2012. Mr. Perez-Lopez will speak to the middle school on Monday, September 26 about his experience as one of the children evacuated from Cuba when Castro took control. As a college level political science teacher he will weave relevant political dynamics of the time into his talk. | | back | |
|