Author Guides
The Author's Guide to Surviving Hitler, Orphan Train Rider, and We Rode the Orphan Trains
When I created these two guides several years ago, schools were focusing in on the new Common Core State Standards, and classroom teachers were learning how to apply them.
While the Standards did not exist when I wrote Surviving Hitler, Orphan Train Rider, and We Rode the Orphan Trains, I quickly realized that because I had been a middle and high school teacher for over a decade, I had crafted my stories in such a way that they actually met all the standards. And because I knew my books better than anyone else, I decided I could assist teachers by showing how the books met the Standards’ for critical thinking, reading, writing, and listening / speaking skills.
The guides are filled with background information on how my books came to be, how I researched them, conducted interviews with the main characters, found the best photos to illustrate the text, and then wrote the books. Included are lots of ideas for student assignments, and lists of reflective questions.
The standards aside, I think you’ll find these guides useful. They are available at online booksellers.