Each Friday I share the first chapter of a favorite book for middle schoolers. Today I’ll be reading aloud the first two chapters of The Assignment by Wisconsin and Jewish author, Liza Wiemer. Stick around afterward to listen in on an interview with the author! (Questions posted below.)
Book Blurb: Would you defend the indefensible? That's what seniors Logan March and Cade Crawford are asked to do when a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution--the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand, and soon their actions draw the attention of the student body, the administration, and the community at large. But not everyone feels as Logan and Cade do--after all, isn't a school debate just a school debate? It's not long before the situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. Based on true events, The Assignment asks: What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail?
Interactive Student Engagement Worksheets for the entire First Chapter Friday Video Series - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Student-Engagement-Worksheets-Full-Year-7158141
Grab your copy of The Assignment from Boswell Books (https://www.boswellbooks.com/opening-letter-0) or this link: https://amzn.to/3bfnLi8
Interview Questions
1. This novel is about a very hard topic. And I know, for you, rooted very close to home. Was it difficult to write or therapeutic? Unearthing horrible things and bringing them to light so they do not happen again is important work. How do you balance your personal sanity/safety/emotional health while doing this work?
2. This story is told from multiple character's points of view. And of those, some are in first person and some are in third person. As a writer I'm curious about this choice. Can you tell us a bit about how you arrived at this format?
3. As a fellow Wisconsin girl, I loved the little snippets of Wisconsin life you snuck into the story, like Culvers!! Did your big city editors and publishers meet those details with any confusion or give you any push back on including these details?
4. I appreciated the back matter in this book. The additional resources and discussion questions will be helpful for those wanting to learn more and dig deeper. Have you been able to do any school visits about this book or have educators reached out about including it in their curriculum? What advice/resources can you recommend to educators as they plan lessons around difficult topics?
Check out this educational resource to help you teach this novel: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Assignment-by-Liza-Wiemer-Novel-Guide-Google-Classroom--5958904?st=b8b0f42aa3c2fd0a00fb68fde24e0f2b
Grab a FREE motivational quote poster set for your classroom here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
And finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more great videos from the Word Nerd!
Book Blurb: Would you defend the indefensible? That's what seniors Logan March and Cade Crawford are asked to do when a favorite teacher instructs a group of students to argue for the Final Solution--the Nazi plan for the genocide of the Jewish people. Logan and Cade decide they must take a stand, and soon their actions draw the attention of the student body, the administration, and the community at large. But not everyone feels as Logan and Cade do--after all, isn't a school debate just a school debate? It's not long before the situation explodes, and acrimony and anger result. Based on true events, The Assignment asks: What does it take for tolerance, justice, and love to prevail?
Interactive Student Engagement Worksheets for the entire First Chapter Friday Video Series - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Student-Engagement-Worksheets-Full-Year-7158141
Grab your copy of The Assignment from Boswell Books (https://www.boswellbooks.com/opening-letter-0) or this link: https://amzn.to/3bfnLi8
Interview Questions
1. This novel is about a very hard topic. And I know, for you, rooted very close to home. Was it difficult to write or therapeutic? Unearthing horrible things and bringing them to light so they do not happen again is important work. How do you balance your personal sanity/safety/emotional health while doing this work?
2. This story is told from multiple character's points of view. And of those, some are in first person and some are in third person. As a writer I'm curious about this choice. Can you tell us a bit about how you arrived at this format?
3. As a fellow Wisconsin girl, I loved the little snippets of Wisconsin life you snuck into the story, like Culvers!! Did your big city editors and publishers meet those details with any confusion or give you any push back on including these details?
4. I appreciated the back matter in this book. The additional resources and discussion questions will be helpful for those wanting to learn more and dig deeper. Have you been able to do any school visits about this book or have educators reached out about including it in their curriculum? What advice/resources can you recommend to educators as they plan lessons around difficult topics?
Check out this educational resource to help you teach this novel: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Assignment-by-Liza-Wiemer-Novel-Guide-Google-Classroom--5958904?st=b8b0f42aa3c2fd0a00fb68fde24e0f2b
Grab a FREE motivational quote poster set for your classroom here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
And finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more great videos from the Word Nerd!