Reading Rural YAL

In this episode, I embark on a new feature of RRYAL – talking about trade books! Teaching English in Rural Communities is a book I wish I would’ve had when I was a rural English teacher. Here I provide a summary and reading of the first few pages. I hope this is helpful to all Continue reading "Trade Book Talks – Teaching English in Rural Communities Episode 1"

In this bonus episode of Reading Rural YAL, Dr. Jenn Sanders, one of the co-founders of the Whippoorwill Award for Rural Young Adult Literature discusses how and why the award got started, how winners are selected, and what she hopes the Whippoorwill does for rural teachers and students. To see past winners and learn more, Continue reading "Interview: Jenn Sanders, Co-Founder of The Whippoorwill A...

In this episode, Christopher Barzak and I cover *a lot* of ground. Because of our shared rural Midwestern experiences, we spend quite a bit of time talking about aspects of rural culture that we both recognize and have experienced. We also talk about his experiences in the global rural through his time living and teaching Continue reading "Author Talk: Christopher Barzak"

In this episode I discuss possibilities for trauma-based teaching THE GONE AWAY PLACE. Not only are they trauma-based, but they’re arts-integrated to boot!

In this episode, I talk about how The Gone Away Place helped me think about the way trauma and loss affect rural towns. I share how it connects to some of the (un)processed traumas I experienced while living in my 800 or so person hometown.

In this episode, I talk about how the physical location and the natural damage to the landscape shape the story and readers’ experience and understanding of it.

In this episode, I give a brief summary of Christopher Barzak’s Whippoorwill Award Winning book, The Gone Away Place, and give a reading of the first pages. Wanna learn more about the Whippoorwill Award? Visit https://whippoorwillaward.weebly.com

In this episode, I talk with Pedro Brown Hoffmeister about so many things! To say this was a great conversation is a massive understatement. Pedro is such an insightful human being and excellent storyteller. This one is definitely a can’t-miss conversation. If you enjoy it even half as much as I did, I would appreciate Continue reading "Author Talk: Pedro Brown Hoffmeister"

In this episode, I outline a lesson focused on human/environment interactions in which students complete a mutligenre project for authentic audiences.

In this episode, I discuss my reactions to the text as a rural reader. Related texts discussed in this episode: Townes Van Zandt songs to check out: “Tecumseh Valley” “Waiting’ Around to Die” “If I Needed You” Ash Beckham TED Talk: “Owning Your Duality”

In this episode, I discuss the way that place, wilderness, and ecology shape and function in the novel.

In this episode, I give a summary of the novel and read the first few pages. Interested in learning more about the UNLV YA Summit here. Visit Dr. Bickmore’s YA Wednesday

In this episode, Heath and I discuss everything from her rural background, farm and horse injuries, creating the world of a book while not living there, advice for young writers, and more. Follow her – On Twitter: @carlylheath On Instagram: @carlylynheath On the Web: https://www.carlyheathauthor.com Pick up the book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/668136/the-reckless-kind-by-carly-...

In this episode, I give a brief description of a research project students could do and present to their own communities inspired by The Reckless Kind.

In this episode, I discuss the aspects of Heath’s novel that were connections and disconnections for me and what I learned from them.

In this video, Melissa Wyatt and I cover a lot of ground. Here are some of the major things we talk about: 01:25: Where she’s from 04:05 Defining rural 07:12 Becoming a writer 08:24 Crafting people and places that aren’t where you’re from 10:14 Who gets to write rural stories 14:31 Disrupting and nuancing dominant Continue reading "RRYAL: Author Talk – Melissa Wyatt"

This episode discusses how I would teach Funny How Things Change and the way it layers place and class.

In this episode, I discuss my personal reaction to FUNNY HOW THINGS CHANGE as a rural (out-migrant) reader. I read some of my favorite quotes and discuss how the book deals with complexities of rural folks leaving their hometowns.

In this episode, I talk about how place functions in the text – the complex connections to and opinions of the mountains held by both community insiders and outsides.

In this episode, I provide a summary of Wyatt’s novel as well as read the first few pages. I’m really excited to talk about this text because of the way the narrative of leaving a rural place sits in conversation with that of Zentner’s In the Wild Light. Check out Wyatt’s Twitter thread mentioned in Continue reading "RRYAL: Melissa Wyatt’s Funny How Things Change Epis...

In this episode, Jeff and I talk about everything from genetic memory of place to why he became a writer and his advice for aspiring writers out there. Here are the time codes: 01:44 His background and connections to rural people and places 03:58 Genetic memory and place 07:24 Why he became a writer and Continue reading "RRYAL: Author Talk – Jeff Zentner"

During this episode, I outline a possible assignment that uses embodied knowledge and a chosen passage from In the Wild Light to inform students’ writing. Students visit places in the community they love, take pictures, create Wordles, and ultimately write place-connected pieces that they then invite the community to view.

In this episode, I detail my reaction to Zentner’s text as a rural out-migrant and hillbilly reader. I discuss how IN THE WILD LIGHT raises questions about the experiences of rural out-migrants as well as the hero narrative attributed to rural folks who choose to leave their hometowns to pursue higher education.

For this episode, I discuss how Cash and Delaney’s out-migration helps us think about how place shapes the way we see and understand ourselves as well as how others see and understand us.

In this episode, I provide a brief summary of IN THE WILD LIGHT by Jeff Zentner and read from the first pages of the book.