Author studies help students develop their reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills as well as establish a stronger community of readers. Author studies can expose kids to different literary voices and styles and are easily integrated across the curriculum. And they’re fun!
Get started planning a classroom project using our step-by-step guide. We’ve also included a sample author study, featuring Patricia Polacco and her books.
Whether individually, in small groups, or as a class, students can:
- Critically evaluate an author’s themes, characters, and writing style
- Make connections between the author’s life and work
- Make personal connections between their own experiences and those of the author and his/her characters
In addition to reading several works by an author, key components of an author study include discussion, research, and a final project.
The Reading Rockets Author Study Toolkit will help you create a unit tailored to your instructional goals, as well as your students’ interests and abilities.