Layton/Grim Fairy Tales & Gory Stories
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A 6 page reaction paper to an essay by Aviva Layton, "Grim Fairy Tales and Gory Stories." Historical scholarship shows that children reading fairy tales (and similarly violent tales) has been considered controversial since around 1800 (Should children). There is a tendency for adults to want to protected children from what is deemed "ugly, illogical, violent or frightening" (Should children). In a well-reasoned and persuasive essay, Avina Layton counters this tendency and argues that fairy tales provide a necessary and psychologically constructive outlet for the subliminal needs of human beings, which includes children. Rather than protest against the violence in fairy tales, Layton protests against mediocrity and the misplaced protectionism of adults that would shield children from worthwhile children's literature. Examination of Layton's essay shows her argument to be sound, as it coincides with what is readily observable in popular culture and childhood behavior. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: khlayton.rtf

Life lessons in Harry Potter
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A paper which looks at the life lessons one can find in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, with regard to Harry's personal development and his interaction with the other characters. Bibliography lists 3 sources
Filename: JLhpot.rtf

Literary Analysis of Lois Lowry’s “The Giver”
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A 6 page paper which examines the novel’s theme, setting, character, and considers whether or not the book should be recommended, and if so, to whom. No additional sources are used.
Filename: TGgiver.rtf

Lois Lowry
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A 4 page paper which examines the life and work of the author Lois Lowry. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: RAllowry.rtf

Lois Lowry's "The Giver"
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A five page paper reviewing Lois Lowry's dystopian novel for young adults. The paper explains the significance of the story's theme, the relationship of love, suffering, and responsibility. A one-page sentence outline of the paper is appended. Bibliography lists two sources.
Filename: KBlowry.wps

Lois W. Johnson/Trouble at Wild River
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A 3 page book review of a juvenile novel. Trouble at Wild River by Lois W. Johnson is a thrilling, suspense novel geared toward pre-teen readers. The suspenseful narrative propels the novel, as the young people, Kate and Anders, endeavor to discover who has been changing the ownership markings on the logs that farmers will be sending down river. However, the novel has a broader appeal than that of a simply mystery, as it addresses how Kate is adapting to her new family. Her mother has recently married Anders’s father. Also there are familial issues with her mother’s brother Ben. As this suggests, the volatile emotions of a pre-teen girl are addressed within the framework offered by the mystery. No additional sources cited.
Filename: khlwjwld.rtf

Melinda Sordino and Maya Angelou
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This 4 page paper discusses the similarities between the fictional character Melinda Sordino from the book “Speak” and the celebrated poet, activist, author and performer, Maya Angelou. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: HVSorAng.rtf

Mikaelsen's Red Midnight
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This 4 page paper provides a basic book report about characterization, message of the author and so forth, written in simple language and suitable for the young student. Some quotes are included. No additional sources cited.
Filename: SA536RM.rtf

Mother Goose and the Cheshire Cat -- Charles Perrault and Lewis Carroll
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This 5 page report discusses two of the Western world’s great story tellers -- Charles Perrault and Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll). “At the time it all seemed quite natural,” Lewis Carroll wrote in the scene in which the White Rabbit first appears to Alice. Likewise, Cinderella does not seemed amazed when her godmother, who also happened to be a fairy, sent her to the garden for a pumpkin that promptly became a gilded coach. It is important for readers, both those of the 21st century and those that were contemporaries of the authors, to understand that neither piece of literature is “just” a children’s story. Each offers any number of ways of unfolding as a fabric of symbols, psychological, political, and otherwise. No additional sources.
Filename: BWperrau.wps

Mr. Pipes Comes to America
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This 3 page paper discusses the book Mr. Pipes Comes to America by Douglas Bond. Bibliography lists 3 sources
Filename: HVPipes.rtf

Myths and Fairy Tales in Real Life
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This 6 page paper provides two essays, one on fairy tales and children and the other on myths in daily life. The works of Bettelheim and Campbell are discussed. The usefulness of fantasy as teachers is a primary themes throughout. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: SA018Fry.rtf

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Effect On Literature For Children
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5 pages in length. Nathaniel Hawthorne understood the inner workings of his fellow man, rising to the challenge on many occasions to point out flaws, vulnerabilities and shortcomings inherent to being human. While this approach comprised a significant portion of his writings, there was still enough room for the celebrated author to infuse a bit of literary cheer into the hearts of children through two publications: Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys and Tanglewood Tales. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: TLCNatHawChld.rtf