AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
Known
for his divergently creative style, Avi has crafted dozens of children's books
that young readers - even the most reluctant of them - love. Born on December
23, 1937, in New York City, Avi Wortis comes from a family where writing and reading
were celebrated often. Extended family member professions included a poet, playwright,
novelist, and dramatist, among others. As a child, Avi read independently and
incessantly; his tastes ranged from comic books to the classics. Twice awarded
the Newbery Honor Medal, Avi still strongly believes in the tenet: "Watching,
listening, reading: the natural education of a writer." Avi's range of books include
picture books, early readers, contemporary realism, historical fiction, adventure
novels, and animal fantasies. His inimitable body of work places him steadfastly
as one of the most gifted, respected, and popular writers in the field of children's
literature. If you'd like more opportunity to get to know Avi, spend some time
browsing his delightful Web site:
Avi's
Home Page
http://www.avi-writer.com/
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 Launch
a yearlong author study of Avi by having the entire class listen to THE MAN WHO
WAS POE. Avi's unique ability to write critically acclaimed and popular
books across many genres makes him - and his superb books - the ideal candidate
for such a study. Small groups of students will be assigned several of Avi's books;
some might be asked to read only one, while other groups may read more than one,
depending on the length and complexity of the titles. Because so many of Avi's
books stand as sterling choices for the study, teachers will find it difficult
when deciding which books to leave out. Must-reads include True Confessions
of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel, The Barn, What
Do Fish Have To Do With Anything?, Poppy, Poppy and Rye, The Fighting Ground,
S.O.R. Losers, Something Upstairs, Wolf Rider, and Perloo the Bold.
Celebrate
mystery stories in the classroom. Begin with Poe's own "The Murders in the Rue
Morgue," which critics tout as the world's very first detective story. Avi's character
in THE MAN WHO WAS POE, Auguste Dupin, borrows the name from Poe's story. Read
other mystery stories, too; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Roald
Dahl have written such stories that are well-suited for this activity. Have students
chart common elements, characteristics, techniques, and components of superb mysteries.
Using these findings as guidelines, students will write their own mystery stories.
Stories may be reproduced into one big volume for the all-school library collection.
Have students vote on their favorite story, and accord the author the "Edgar Award," the eponymous prize given annually for the best mystery story.
Celebrate
horror fiction - another Edgar Allan Poe creation - in the classroom, too. Begin
with touchstones such as "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Black Cat," "The
Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Pit and the Pendulum," Poe's masterpieces of the macabre.
Have each student select a well-known ghost story, spooky folktale, or a frightful
poem to retell or recite for a special event. On or near Halloween, host a "Scary
Storytelling Night;" invite students and their families to come and enjoy an evening
of retellings of ghost and terror stories or recitations of poetry. Turn down
the lights, gather around, and brace yourself for an evening of hair-raising entertainment.
As
a child, Avi spent hours listening to programs on the radio, and many of his books
lend themselves to dramatic presentation "on the air." Divide whole class into
three smaller groups; utilizing Readers' Theatre, each group will present for
the entire school a selection of THE MAN WHO WAS POE. Rehearse and practice until
the three scripted pieces are polished and refined. Then, using the school's PA
system, perform the Readers' Theatre for the rest of the school to enjoy.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
 The
Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond Virginia
http://www.poemuseum.org/
Browsers will find excerpts of some of Poe's classical pieces and biographical
information, especially about the time Poe spent in Richmond. This site is extremely
educational and entertaining.
CyberTour
Edgar Allan Poe
http://dcls.org/x/archives/poe.html
This is among the best Web sites for a plethora of information about Poe,
as well as sharing a host of invaluable links to sites related to Poe, his life,
and his work. Will appeal to teachers and students alike.
FOR FURTHER LISTENING AND READING:
 Back
of Beyond: Stories of the Supernatural by Sarah Ellis (McElderry, 1997)
The
Case of the Firecrackers by Laurence Yep (HarperCollins, 1999)
Detective
Stories edited by Philip Pullman (Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, 1998)
Here
There Be Ghosts by Jane Yolen (Harcourt Brace, 1998)
The
House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton (Aladdin, 1984)
 LIVES
OF THE WRITERS: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) Listeners
get an earful of gossipy knowledge of well-known authors that goes far beyond
the titles of their famous books. Kathleen Krull's informal, conversational tone
makes for titillating eavesdropping. Among the writers the unique biographer features:
Edgar Allen Poe.
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