Animal stories, mysteries, sports stories,
-
Upload
krishna-ponce -
Category
Documents
-
view
243 -
download
1
Transcript of Animal stories, mysteries, sports stories,
In traditional literature & modern fantasy, animals talk & act like people or
have other magical powers.
When evaluating realistic animal stories, you must consider the following questions:
1. Does the author portray animals objectively, without giving them human thoughts or motives?
2. Does the behavior of the animal characters agree with information provided by knowledgeable observers of animals & authorities on animal behavior?
3. Does the story encourage children to respond to the needs of animals or the need of people to love animals without being too sentimental or melodramatic?
Some authors use animal-against-society or animal-against-person conflicts to
advocate protection of animals.
Theodore Taylor’s The Trouble with
Tuck
• Emphasizes determination, loyalty, and self-confidence that may develop because of animal and human interaction.
Phyllis Reynolds
Naylor’s Shiloh
• Use several techniques to develop the theme that cruelty to animals is wrong.
Jack London’s Call of the
Wild
• A notable dog
• Story depicts life in the Klondike during the Alaska gold rush
They also suggest that children themselves-if they are
observant, creative, & imaginative-can solve
mysteries.
Donald J. Sobol’sEncyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down
• Lercy solves the case of missing ambassador by reviewing the gifts presented to him at a birthday party.
Many stories deal with the ideal of fair play, the values of
sports, the overcoming of conflicts between fathers &
sons, and the overcoming fears connected with sports.
Karen Raugust (1997) reports a merger between major league sports teams & the publishing of sports-
related books.
According to a quote by the director of marketing for the National Hockey League:
“The sport depends on the long-term development of fans.
Publishing helps to support all of the other fan development
programs.”
The emphasis of these books is on the role that baseball can play in
helping children overcome problems at home, develop new
friendships, face physical disabilities, or feel accomplishments.
Matt Christopher’s The Fox Steals
Home• Tells the story of
troubled Bobby Canfield, who is facing his parents’ divorce & the prospect of his father’s taking job far from home.
Alfred Slote’sHang Tough, Paul Mather
• About a leukemia victim whose greatest interest is baseball.
Slote’sThe Trading
Game
• About a ten-year-old boy who matures during his interactions with his grandfather, which is a former baseball player.
Matt Christopher’s
Football Fugitive
• Larry Shope loves football & longs for his father to leave his law practice long enough to watch Larry play.
Betsy Byar’sCoast to Coast
• A strong grandfather & granddaughter relationship.
• It shows that girls can be just as adventurous as boys.
Authors who write about humorous situations that could happen to real people, allow children to understand that life can be highly entertaining and that it is not always serious.
Betsy Byar’sThe Cybil
War• An entertaining story
about a fifth-grade boy who has a crush on a girl
• The war develops as Cybil Ackerman responds in various ways to Simon’s advances, which are intentionally misinterpreted by his best friend.
Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby,
Age 8
• Uses a twist on the words of a familiar television commercial to create a funny incident
Judy Delton’s Angel’s Mother’s
Wedding
• Develops both humor and vivid characters by describing Angel’s worries and imaginings.
Anne Fine’s Alias Madame
Doubtfire
• Occurs when an ex-husband disguises himself as a cleaning woman & baby sitter in his ex-wife’s house.
Joan Bauer’s
Squashed
• Occur when a girl tries to grow the largest pumpkin for the Rock River Weigh-In