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Teenage Experience Choice Book Unit

This unit was for my 10 Intensified students. I wanted to do a unit where the kids could read a choice book that connected to one of the core texts that we studied.


For this unit, I gave the kids an assignment sheet and lots of time to read in class, and they submitted some really great projects at the end. I definitely recommend building in some time to let students read a choice book in some capacity.







Core Texts & "Teenage Experience" Books That Connect to Them



Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart is the story of what happens when colonialism takes over in Nigeria.


Essential question: What is the danger of the “single story”?


Book choices:

  • The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver-In The Bean Trees, the main characters leaves her home in Kentucky in order to make a better life for herself. She drives until her car breaks down and starts to build a life where she stops.


  • Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi-In Purple Hibiscus, Kambili and her brother must live under the strict rules of their wealthy, religious, and abusive father.