Core Texts: Animal Farm – George Orwell The Book Thief – Markus Zusak The Glory Field – Walter Dean Myers A Separate Peace – John Knowles Weeks 1–4: Allegory & Argument – Animal Farm Week 1: Introduce allegory, symbolism, and Orwell’s use of animals to critique power. Discuss historical parallels. Week 2: Analyze persuasive language in the text. Begin drafting an argumentative essay on whether Animal Farm successfully critiques human society. Week 3: Explore rhetorical techniques (ethos, pathos, logos). Revise argumentative writing for logic and clarity. Week 4: Peer review and finalize essay. Write a short satirical paragraph in Orwellian style. Weeks 5–8: Literary Style & Point of View – The Book Thief Week 5: Explore narrative voice and structure—Death as narrator, non-linear timeline, tone, and imagery. Week 6: Write a short scene or moment from the book from a different character’s POV. Week 7: Discuss theme (love, loss, resilience). Begin theme-based literary essay with supporting quotes. Week 8: Revise and finalize theme essay. Reflect on how voice and format influence reader emotion. Weeks 9–12: Historical & Multi-Generational Narrative – The Glory Field Week 9: Explore Myers’ use of multiple time periods and generations to trace a family’s history. Analyze narrative structure and shifting perspectives. Week 10: Write a historical fiction scene inspired by one era from the book, incorporating authentic details. Week 11: Revise for historical accuracy, character depth, and descriptive detail. Add dialogue and pacing for engagement. Week 12: Compile and polish historical fiction piece. Optional: present as a dramatic reading or submit to a youth publication. Weeks 13–16: Psychological Fiction & Character Analysis – A Separate Peace Week 13: Introduce the novel’s setting, historical context (WWII era), and themes of friendship, rivalry, and identity. Begin character journals. Week 14: Analyze unreliable narration and internal conflict. Draft a character study essay focusing on motivations and transformations. Week 15: Explore symbolism (tree, war, seasons) and how it reflects emotional and thematic shifts. Revise character analysis with textual evidence. Week 16: Finalize character analysis. Reflect on connections between the novel’s themes and modern adolescence.