The School Story through the Eyes of a Tween
The School Story by Andrew Clements is an engaging story, with relatable characters, and the potential to teach valuable lessons about the writing process. It is a great book to use in your classroom or homeschool for a whole class novel study, small book groups, or individual book studies.
Andrew Clements has a special knack for treating his readers with respect by writing tween characters as intelligent, witty, and clever. This technique has worked well and has made him one of the most popular tween authors of our time. In The School Story, he uses this talent well in writing about two smart and determined female protagonists.
Why Should You Use The School Story in Your Classroom?
- Is an Engaging Story: The School Story is a story about a young girl named Natalie who decides to write a novel and get it published. Along the way, she faces several obstacles, including convincing her friend and editor, Zoe, to help her and navigating the world of publishing. The story is well-paced, with plenty of exciting moments and a satisfying conclusion.
- Has Relatable Characters: One of the strengths of The School Story is its relatable characters. Natalie and Zoe are both well-drawn and interesting, and readers are likely to see themselves in one or both of them. Natalie is determined and ambitious, while Zoe is cautious and practical. Together, they make a great team and their friendship is a key part of the story.
- Shares Valuable Writing Process Lessons: In addition to being an entertaining read, The School Story also has the potential to teach valuable lessons about the writing process. As Natalie works on her novel and navigates the world of publishing, readers will learn about the importance of perseverance, the value of feedback and editing, and the challenges of getting published. These lessons are presented in a way that is both informative and engaging, making them easy to remember and apply.
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Students will quickly empathize with and relate to the main character, Natalie, who works through the grief of losing her father in a car accident by writing. Students will also admire Natalie for wanting to succeed on her own merits and not by favors through connections with her Mom’s employer. With the help of a good friend and a trusted teacher, Natalie perseveres, making her a great role model for tween students to emulate.
The School Story by Andrew Clements is a great choice for a novel study. Its engaging story, relatable characters, and valuable lessons make it an enjoyable and educational read for students.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany The School Story for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
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