Young Adult Novel- The Catcher in the Rye

Part One

Book Information: Salinger, J. D. (1951). The catcher in the rye. Boston: Little, Brown.
Genre:  young adult
Grade Level: 9-12 I would recommend this book for older students in their teen years. The books themes, events, and language are for a mature audience.

Part Two 

Thoughts about Issues Raised in the Book: This book has been considered very controversial. The book was censored and banned from many schools for decades. Although, it has become one of the most taught books in public schools. The issue of Holden being a bad role model is one of the main reasons for its bane. The main character does not promote a positive teenage life. The issue of moral codes, family values, and rebellion make the reader question themselves and the novel. Overall, the issued raised in the book are ones that teenagers can relate to in some way and learn from. 

Part Three         

Critique: This book raises some thoughtful and complex questions about life. The main character is very intricate and easily misunderstood. J. D. Salinger does a good job showing teenage angst that teens reading can identify with. Some of the events that take place in the book may be shocking for some students. The relationship's the main character has with other people is a key elements of this book. Overall, the novel is controversial and gripping at the same time.

Part Four
Lesson Sketch:
Grade: 10th
Lesson Objective:
          Students will be able to:
               - read, interpret., and analyze the story(including characters, plot, and issues raised)
               - explain their own personal connections/interpretation to the story
       *  lesson is based on the Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.2 , CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.3
Lesson Outline: 

1.  Students will read in class or assigned readings at home
2. Teacher will prompt student questioning and interpretation when reading the novel
3. Students will write in a journal after each reading assignment responding to a prompt or their interpretation of the chapters read or their own personal feelings/struggles 

 Discussion Questions: 
          1. How does your experiences affect your observations of the world around you?
          2. How does Holden connect or not connect to the world?
          3. Where is a place you feel the most comfortable?
          4. How does Holden connect with people vs. how do you connect with people?
          5. What are some of Holden's values? Your values?

 Links to Outside Resources: 

•  Here is a link to a lesson plan that includes some very good questions based on each chapter that would be very helpful for teachers preparing a lesson based on this book http://www.walden.org/documents/file/annmarie%20dull%20complete.pdf
• Here is an article about what the book can teach you about life. This may be a good article for students to read before and after they read the novel.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/01/catcher-in-the-rye_n_4524045.html
• This is a movie preview that a student made for a school project. This would be fun to show to students and maybe use the idea of creating a movie trailer in the lesson.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVEwfJ4s8kc

Batchelder Book- A Game For Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return

Part One

Book Information: Abirached, Z. (2007). A game for swallows:to die,to leave,to return. New York,     New York: Graphic Universe
Genre: graphic novel/autobiography/comic book  
Grade Level: 6-8 (young adult/adult) I would recommend this book be read by older grade levels, young adults and even adults. The content of the story is more complex and requires a higher reading skill. The subject of the story is also for a mature audience.  

Part Two

Thoughts About Craft: I found the illustrations in this book to be very interesting. The only colors that are used in the entire book are black and white. The illustrations look like the figures and shapes were carved out of the background color. The book's illustrations have a comic book quality to them that is very intriguing to the reader. There is many different patterns throughout the book that ass an extra element to the seeming simple black and white pictures. The font that the story is written in matches the story perfectly. 

Part Three

Critique: When I began to read the introduction, I was not sure I was going to like the book. Then the first few pages with the images of the city, I was pretty convinced I was not going to like the story. But, I soon was hooked. I find it difficult to criticize autobiography's, because the story took place in real life. As I was reading I could not imagine being in the authors shoes and living like she did. Zeina makes the reader invested in all the characters that are in the story, probably because she was so connected/invested in them in her real life. War stories are normally very intense, and sometimes do not end happily. But, I was happy to see that this story had a happy ending.

Part Four
Lesson Sketch: 
Grade: 7th
Lesson Objective:
            Students will be able to:
                  - analyze the elements of the story
                  - write a five paragraph paper describing the interaction between the elements of the story and  
                    their relationship with a character or the plot.
           * Lesson is based on the Common Core standard CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.5 and CCSS ELA-Literacy. W.7.1a and 1d
Lesson Outline:

1. Student will read A Game for Swallows: To Die, T Leave, To Return
2. Teacher will lead a class discussion on the elements(i.e. setting) that affects the characters and the evolution of the plot
3. Students will then write a five paragraph essay, including an introduction and conclusion paragraph, describing the elements affects.

Questions: 

1. How do you think the author(Zeina) felt during the night in which the story takes place?
2. Do you take having electricity, a safe country, or even a dial tone for granted?
3. Have you ever been scared that you or someone you know would be hurt?
4. Did you like the black and white pictures?
5. If you were the author, would you have chosen to have the pictures the way they are? 

Links to Outside Resources:

•  Here is a short video of the author describing the book in her own words. This could be shown to students before reading the book to give them an idea of what it is about. http://frenchculture.org/books/interviews/interview-zeina-abirached
• This website can be a resource for the teacher who may not know much about the war that is refereed to in the book.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/world/meast/beirut-marine-barracks-bombing-fast-facts/
• Here is a fun video about creating a comic book story, which could be used if the lesson was changed/adapted include students creating their own comic book. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N15fXcqcHW0