Building Character Through Literature: A Guide for Middle School Readers

By Margaret Rizzo and Rosann Jweid

The recurring incidences of school violence have prompted society to ask several questions. Why is this happening? Who is responsible? What can we do to educate children to eliminate the violence? Character education has become a hot topic for parents, educators, and politicians. Building Character through Literature is not a treatise on character education, but a literary guide for parents and educators who have embraced the concept.

The book's primary purpose is to introduce novels that show strength of character. It offers guidance for opening a dialogue about character issues through the included texts. While looking for books with strong character traits the authors also sought to include award-winning titles from authors whose general bodies of work have been acclaimed. They include classics such as The Secret Garden, A Wrinkle in Time, and Animal Farm as well as newly acclaimed fiction like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The titles are arranged in alphabetical order and each entry includes awards, author information, and notable vocabulary. The sections involving Character, Setting, and Plot provide an overview of the novel and assist in evaluating its appropriateness for different age groups. Readers will also find stimulating discussion questions and helpful project suggestions. This book is useful for Librarians working with individual children and groups, for teachers leading class exercises or working together, and for parents who want to encourage their children to read.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810839512
• ISBN13: 9780810839519
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 12 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 8