English

Dragonwings

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Moon Shadow is eight when he sails from China to join his father, Windrider, in America. Windrider lives in San Francisco’s Chinatown and works in a laundry. Moon Shadow has never seen him.

Moon Shadow soon loves and respects this father, a man of genius, a man with a fabulous dream. With Moon Shadows help, Windrider is willing to endure the mockery of the other Chinese, the poverty, and longing for his own country to make his dream come true.

A Long Walk to Water

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In 1985 southern Sudan is ravaged by war. Rebels and government forces battle for control, with ordinary people... people like the boy, Salva Dut... caught in the middle. When Salva's village is attacked, he must embark on a harrowing journey that will propel him through horror and heartbreak, across a harsh desert, and into a strange new life.

Author:

Linda Sue Park

Grade Level:

Middle

High

Lexile:

720L

Length:

02:41

Lord of the Flies

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Under the direction of Peter Brook, William Golding's fable about a swarm of young boys who, without adult supervision, devolve into chaos after crash-landing on a remote island during wartime becomes an unforgettable vision of cinematic horror. Shot with almost vérité camera work, Lord of the Flies takes a radical approach to Golding's allegory, grounding it in a terrifying reality.

Director:

Peter Brook

Grade Level:

High

Length:

01:30

Eleven: A Mystery

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Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack's room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He's desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he's haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat.

Author:

Patricia Reilly Giff

Grade Level:

Middle

Lexile:

600L

Length:

03:21

Shakespeare in Our Time

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This award-winning film introduces students to Shakespeare and his time. Featuring excerpts from more than 30 Shakespeare films and theatrical productions, it presents historical and literary background in an irresistibly enjoyable way.

Grade Level:

High

Length:

00:25

Why Shakespeare? (2012)

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The 20-minute video Why Shakespeare? asks what Shakespeare means to different people. This short documentary features students as well as actors including Tom Hanks, Martin Sheen, Christina Applegate, and Michael Richards reciting favorite Shakespearean passages and speaking about the impact of theater and Shakespeare on their lives.

Grade Level:

High

Length:

00:20

My Side of the Mountain

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My Side of the Mountain, based on the book by Jean George, is the unique adventure of thirteen-year-old Sam Gribley. Sam's hero is naturalist poet Henry David Thoreau, so Sam writes a note for his folks, packs up and leaves home for the challenge of wilderness living. Realizing his dream, Sam feeds himself, builds a makeshift home and learns to live in harmony with nature - miles from civilization.

Director:

James B. Clark

Grade Level:

Elementary

Middle

Length:

01:40