This teaching blog is shaped by a clear conviction: the books and stories we choose for our students matter deeply. Every text, story, and film I write about is the result of a personal and thoughtful choice — selected from what I have personally read, studied, loved, and found significant, profound, and enduring.
Here you will find reflections, analyses, and ideas for middle and high school classrooms. Analysis becomes discovery, and stories become encounters. They are not chosen simply because they fit a syllabus; they are rich in beauty, depth, and human insight — and students deserve what is most beautiful, most challenging, and most significant in storytelling. This teaching blog is where that search begins.
Latest Posts
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Allegory: Understanding C.S. Lewis’s Intent
Read more: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Allegory: Understanding C.S. Lewis’s IntentExplore whether The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a true allegory or a rich imaginative supposal by C.S. Lewis, and learn how this distinction can deepen students’ understanding of Aslan and the novel’s themes of redemption, sacrifice, and moral growth.
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The Magician’s Nephew and the Bible: An Intertextual Comparison
Read more: The Magician’s Nephew and the Bible: An Intertextual ComparisonWhen I read The Magician’s Nephew with my students, they almost always notice echoes of the biblical creation story — and they’re right. In this article, I explore how these parallels — from Aslan’s song to Digory’s moral choices — can spark rich classroom discussions and invite reflection on literature, faith, and responsibility.
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Narnia Reading Order for the Classroom: Publication Order vs Chronological Order
Read more: Narnia Reading Order for the Classroom: Publication Order vs Chronological OrderIn The Magician’s Nephew, C. S. Lewis crafted Narnia’s origins — yet the novel was not written first. Does this have implications for teaching the series? Absolutely. This article explores The Magician’s Nephew’s role as a Narnia prequel and why the difference between publication and chronological order matters in the classroom.
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When History Needs a Story: Why Imperium Is a great Historical Fiction About Cicero for Students
Read more: When History Needs a Story: Why Imperium Is a great Historical Fiction About Cicero for StudentsCicero comes alive in the streets and Forum of ancient Rome—his speeches, ambitions, and moral challenges unfolding in real time. In Robert Harris’ Imperium, students encounter the drama, tension, and intrigue of the Roman Republic in a way that captivates even those usually reluctant to read novels.
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What Makes a Character Relatable to Middle School Students?
Read more: What Makes a Character Relatable to Middle School Students?Why do some literary characters stay with students long after the last page is turned? This article explores vulnerability, inner conflict, and personal growth as key elements that help middle school readers connect deeply with stories across classic and modern literature.
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What Timshel Means in East of Eden: Choice, Freedom, and Moral Responsibility
Read more: What Timshel Means in East of Eden: Choice, Freedom, and Moral ResponsibilityIn East of Eden, John Steinbeck introduces the Hebrew word timshel — “thou mayest” — as a lens for understanding human choice, moral responsibility, and freedom. This reflection explores how the concept resonates not only for characters like Cal but also for educators navigating the classroom.
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