Lesson Plan: Sharing the Power of Books

• Have your students read the article “Sharing the Power of Books” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students take turns reading the three sections out loud (The Inspiration, The Action, The Outcome). 
• After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?
• Next, have your students answer the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, either working in small groups or independently.

Close-Reading Questions
The following questions can be shared in printable or interactive form from the Resources tab. 

1. Why didn’t Sidney love reading when he was younger?
2. How did a visit to a bookstore in St. Louis, Missouri change his feelings about reading?

Critical-Thinking Questions

1. How could a lack of diversity in literature impact a child’s feelings about reading, and how might this potentially affect them later in life?

2. What might prevent some kids and teens from having access to stories with characters they can identify with?

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

In MY MIRROR STORY, have students share a short presentation about a book or a story that reflects a key aspect of their identity and that has made an impact in their life. Then, have them reflect on the importance of kids being able to “see themselves” in literature. Teacher note: Your students may not necessarily use racial identity as the basis for this activity. Guide them to consider a range of aspects, such as having divorced parents, loving a certain sport, or living in a certain city.