Using Author Studies in Children's Literature to Explore Social Justice Issues
An author-study approach to children's literature provides students with a criticial tool for text analysis. When students analyze an author's biography, interviews, and collection of work, they see writing as a powerful tool of personal expression. In this article, the author presents a week-to-week plan for analyzing multiple texts from one author and then comparing this author's voice to that of another author. Students are encouraged to use writing to express their own values and beliefs. These activities provide an opportunity for teachers and students to discuss prejudice and social justice.