Fall 2022      Volume 50, Number 4


Finding Common Ground: Understanding Ourselves and the World Through Literature:
Cross-Curricular Connections that Engage and Inspire Readers

By Jung Kim and Deborah Augsburger

Document: Column 

Introductory Paragraph:  No one questions the power of authentic literature to capture the attention and imagination of youth. Rarely do we hear from students reading a children’s or young adult book, “When am I ever going to need this?!” From wondering about the stars and what sets them ablaze to speculating what a peaceful and conflict-free world might look like, literature provides a window into better understanding the world and all within it. This issue’s column provides a wealth of books that provide opportunities for cross-curricular connections but also inspire readers to bend toward justice. These books explore the lives of imaginary and real-life heroes and how their curiosity about the world and how it can be made better moves them to action regularly. We hope they inspire you and your students as well.

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.33600/IRCJ.50.4.2022.49

Page Numbers:   49-54

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