Bridging the Gap: Reading Critically and Writing Meaningfully to Get to the Core

One of the most popular literary genres, memoir can provide literary and literacy access to reluctant adolescent readers and writers, and help bridge the achievement gap by motivating students to read more critically and write more meaningfully about what matters most to them. The introspective nature of memoir helps students learn about themselves and connect with their environment or community, while also meeting a variety of Common Core standards.

In this way, memoirs and creative nonfiction can provide a bridge between

• fiction and nonfiction reading,
• narrative and informative writing,
• reading and writing, and
• can afford a “way in” to literacy for all adolescents.

Special features of the book:

• examples of multiple mentor texts in each chapter
• teacher examples with think-aloud exercises
• a variety of student samples from diverse learners
• activities to engage all learners
• an appendix of teacher resources
• a reference list of over 150 full-length memoirs for grades 5-12 for whole-class, book club, or independent reading
• a list of writing resources for students and teachers
• 12 full-size reproducible materials for teacher and student use
• a variety of reading, writing, speaking, and listening strategies and activities
• across-disciplines applications and adaptations for diverse learners
• daily writing focus lessons in gradual-release-responsibility format
• Common Core State Standard connections at the end of each chapter