This year I plan to read all the GA Book Award Nominees and provide a “one stop” resource for teachers who would like to use these books in their classrooms. I will be posting links to author Web sites, teacher’s guides, and related Web links. I hope to make this an unbiased resource, so I will not be providing my own review of the books, other than recommending it as a read aloud (or not)
Storytelle
Summary: Jack, a seventeen-year-old storyteller, goes to the royal city seeking his fortune and soon attracts the attention of the grief-stricken king, his beautiful eldest daughter, and his cruel young son, and he attempts to help them–and the entire kingdom–through his stories.
Author Web Site: http://www.edwardmyers.com
Teacher’s Guide: Currently None Available
Booktalk: http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/myers_storyteller.htm
Related Resources: Castles
Medieval Castles
http://www.iol.ie/~sligogrm/index.htm
World of Castles
http://library.thinkquest.org/12132/
Related Resources: Storytelling (Oral Traditions)
The Call of Story: The History of Storytelling
http://www.callofstory.org/en/storytelling/history.asp
The Moonlit Road: Strange Tales of the American South
http://www.themoonlitroad.com
Story Arts: Storytelling in the Classroom
http://www.storyarts.org/classroom/index.html
The Wren’s Nest Museum
http://www.wrensnestonline.com
Read Aloud Recommendation: While this story is not as fast paced as some of the other nominees, Jack’s stories and adventures should hold students’ attention. This would be a good selection to use when discussing oral traditions.