Questions from readers #1

My suggestions for ditching Hatchet, Playing Beatie Bow, and The Outsiders from your booklists, and turning to more updated, engaging texts instead.

Right around now, educators are working on their booklists for next year. For English teachers out there, I know that means the challeging task of deciding which texts are going to appeal to your kids, and be enjoyable for you to teach.

I actually haven’t received any questions from newsletter readers yet (send them through any time!) but here are some emails I’ve had in the past few weeks from teachers, and my answers. I tend to get heaps of these requests at this time of the year and I’m always happy to help!

*Please note: I have edited these emails slightly for anonymity and brevity.

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I'm trying to revamp a couple of texts that seem to have been cemented into place on the Year 7 curriculum:

• Hatchet

• Playing Beatie Bow

Some of our English teachers are very invested in these works. Partly because of the rich language and depth of ideas but also (I suspect) because they have lots of resources available. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

I'd be very pleased to help you replace those two very outdated texts! Time for something fresh, for sure…

Here are some things that I'd recommend that are similar in theme and language, but more contemporary and much, much better: