Dear Parents,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you may know, this term your 7th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading Among the Hidden<\/em> by Margaret Haddix. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American young adult literature. We\u2019d like to give you some background about the novel, mention the benefits and challenges from the students\u2019 point of view, and also make suggestions for how you could help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading in any language expands the mind and helps us explore vital topics and real-life situations, all the while allowing students to develop their comprehension skills, critical thinking capabilities and complexity of thought both in general and also in that specific language. Indeed, research indicates that reading skills directly relate to future academic and professional success. It can help students gain a deeper understanding of context and why characters \u2013 and people \u2013 make the choices they do. Reading also helps build independence and self-confidence and has a positive effect on the development of empathy as well as concentration. Finally, reading is a major resource for using and understanding language \u2013 including grammatical structure, lexical knowledge and writing skills. Not only can students pick up new words, but reading them in an authentic context can also help students understand the subtle nuances of the lexis that was chosen by the author. The same is true when we process the plot and character development through the linguistic structures employed by the author \u2013 helping students understand a variety of uses \u201cin the linguistic wild\u201d, as it were. All in all, reading in any language develops skills that are essential for each student\u2019s continuing studies and life in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Margaret Peterson Haddix has been writing young adult fiction for over a decade. Her novels focus on dystopian futures that make her young readers think and question their own choices and the choices of those around them. In many ways her novels help young people analyze their own history, their own world, and develop the ability to think critically about their own beliefs and those of others.\u00a0Among the Hidden<\/em>\u00a0was given the American Library Association award for Best Book for Young Adults in 2000 and is the first novel in the author\u2019s series of seven called\u00a0Shadow Children<\/em>. We have found that students are sometimes inspired after reading\u00a0Among the Hidden<\/em>\u00a0to go on with the other books in the series and expand their reading range in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout this novel our main character\u2019s very existence is challenged by the world in which he lives. Luke has been born a \u201cthird child\u201d in a future where families are only allowed two children. He is hidden away for fear he will be found by the powers that be. He learns that there are more like him who are fighting for change. These impossible circumstances teach him how to deal with difficult situations and how to stand up for what\u2019s right. The ideas in this novel force students to recognize that what is popular may not always be right. It also encourages students to think for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haddix\u2019s use of this dystopian setting forces students to imagine this new and not very pleasant alternative world or future. This can be a difficult task at times. Many of the topics presented require students to take some time to think to truly understand the motivations of the characters. There is also a variety of new vocabulary and uses of familiar words in unfamiliar contexts, so your son or daughter will be asked to think more broadly about the way in which words are used and why they have been chosen by the author. Please help them at home by keeping up with assignments and talking to them about the issues that are popping up throughout. The more they are able to discuss the topics that come up in the novel, the more easily they can develop their own opinions and learn how to encounter other, similar texts and situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please let us know if you have further questions. We would like to thank you for your support in helping your son or daughter keep up with his or her chapter-by-chapter reading assignments at home. Finally, we hope your child learns from this novel and, most importantly, enjoys reading it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best regards: Anthony Laudadio, Head of Education \u2013 Primary & High Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Parents, As you may know, this term your 7th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American young adult literature. We\u2019d like to give you some background about the novel, mention the benefits […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7383","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy is it important for my child to read in English?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why was this novel chosen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the benefits of this novel?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are some of the challenges? \/ How can I as a parent help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n