AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
Fired
when she was a teenager from her library job for "reading too much," Kathleen
Krull went on to grow up to be a highly successful children's book editor, reviewer,
and author. Her curiosity about subjects that passionately interest her, like
music, people, nightmares, World War II, and other aspects of American history
led her to create the "Lives of. . ." books, among other significant works
in children's literature. Kathleen Krull married her next-door neighbor and they
currently live in San Diego, California. Krull may be reached by e-mail at kkrull1@san.rr.com
or visit her website kathleenkrull.com
WRITERS INCLUDED:
Shikibu  Cervantes Shakespeare Austen Anderson Poe Dickens Brontë Dickinson Alcott Twain Burnett Stevenson London Sandburg White Hurston Hughes Singer
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 The
twenty poets, playwrights, and novelists heard on The Lives of the Writers contributed seminal works of literature during their lifetimes. Students will
go to the library and create a display of each author's works as noted in "Bookmarks." Using a long vertical roll of paper, the students will write their favorite first
lines, title of book, author's name, and their name. Display on the wall near
the exhibit.
Students
will develop a writing center in the classroom. The center might comprise writing
implements (pens and pencils, paper, journals, word processors), comfortable table,
chairs, pillows, area rug, display bulletin board, books, audiotapes and music,
audio players with headsets, age-appropriate dictionaries, thesauri, style manuals,
and a file system for work-in-progress.
What
inspires an author to write? A quiet place, a meaningful song, a feeling, a powerful
book, a poem, a movie, and many other experiences influence the writing process.
Ask the students to write a paragraph about what motivates them to write. Collate
the responses and place in a binder in the writing center as inspiration for other
budding writers.
Organize
an "Author's Day." Students will assume the author's persona as heard in Kathleen
Krull's Lives of the Writers. Personal appearance, dress, setting, and
unique eccentricities can be reenacted as informal vignettes. Students must be
animated and convey the author's foibles. When applicable, incorporate humor in
to the presentation. Perform at a school assembly or as a special event sponsored
by the school library.
As
a year-end literary project, organize a Young Writers' Conference. Have
each class focus on one type of writing, such as poetry, plays, memoirs, journalism,
biography, autobiography, short story, mystery, and others. Hold the literary
event in the school gym. Incorporate student storytelling, recitation, and book
making. As the culminating experience, invite at least two speakers: a local writer
and a storyteller.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
Children's
Literature Web Guide
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/new.html
The excellent Web site, developed by a librarian, provides information about
children's and young adult books and Internet resources in the field. Link to
the "Authors Online" for a easy-to-navigate selection of authors' personal websites
and those maintained by scholars, readers, and enthusiasts.
MidLink
Magazine: The Digital Magazine for Kids
http://www.cs.ucf.edu/~MidLink/
The nonprofit electronic magazine publishes creative writing by students
from classrooms around the globe. Students, ranging from age eight to eighteen,
submit writing based on a thematic topic. Terrific links to teacher resources,
best web sites, and schools that are already on-line and available to work on
collaborative projects.
Jean
Craighead George: Writing
http://www.jeancraigheadgeorge.com/writing.html
This Newbery award-winning author offers a simple writing model for a
child learning to create his or her own story.
Horn Book Magazine
http://www.hbook.com/
Find a wealth of children's
literature information at this Web site: superb lists of recommended books, a
fascinating virtual history exhibit featuring children's literature memorabilia,
noteworthy correspondence, articles, and recordings gleaned from the seventy-five
year old archives of The Horn Book Magazine.
FOR FURTHER LISTENING AND READING:
 STORIES
by Zora Neale Hurston. The powerful narration features a collection of six short
stories by this preeminent American writer. UNABRIDGED AUDIO available from Audio
Bookshelf.
 THE
MAN WHO WAS POE by Avi. Discover the fine line between reality and fiction in
this suspenseful mystery by the versatile and popular author, Avi. UNABRIDGED
AUDIO and book available from Audio Bookshelf.
WHITE
ON WHITE: SELECTIONS FROM THE WORKS OF E. B. WHITE. Selected essays, letters,
and poems penned by the renowned writer, poet, and storyteller are introduced
and read by his son Joel White. UNABRIDGED AUDIO available from Audio Bookshelf
A
Brilliant Streak: The Making of Mark Twain (Harcourt, 1998) by Kathryn Lasky
Glass
Town: The Secret World of the Brontë Children (Atheneum, 1997) by Michael
Bedard, illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson
William
Shakespeare and the Globe (HarperCollins, 1999) by Aliki
What
Do Authors Do? (Clarion Books, 1995) by Eileen Christelow
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