Categories
1946-1999 All CEFR B1 High school (grades 9+) Medium Length (up to 8 hrs) Novel Print

Howl’s Moving Castle

After unwittingly incurring the wrath of the Witch of the Waste, 18-year-old Sophie is cursed to live the rest of her life as an old woman. She sets off in search of heartless Howl, a wizard who presides in his ever-moving castle in the hills. Her journey to breaking the spell is also one of self-discovery. Sophie becomes more and more entangled with Howl, bargains with a fire demon and finally goes head to head with the Witch of the Waste.

Year of Release: 1986

Author(s): Diana Wynne Jones

Preview: https://preview.aer.io/Howls_Moving_Castle-ODU0MTY=?social=0&retail=0&emailcap=0

Further information (link): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6294.Howl_s_Moving_Castle

ISBN: 9780061478789 (2007 edition)

ebook URL: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/howls-moving-castle-diana-wynne-jones

Audiobook URL:

Online text:

Extract and usage suggestions for teaching:

Further comments for teachers:

The book was made into a film in 2004 by Studio Ghibli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howl%27s_Moving_Castle_(film) – Students could compare the book with the film.

This book is part of the World of Howl series, which may interest students who want to find out more about Howl.

Categories
2000-2009 All CEFR B1 Extracts - Well Suited for Teaching With Extracts High school (grades 9+) Medium Length (up to 8 hrs) Novel Print

Just a Little Run Around the World: 5 Years, 3 Packs of Wolves and 53 Pairs of Shoes

After her partner dies of cancer, Rosie, heartbroken, sets off from Wales to run around the world. In what would become a five-year adventure, she faces harsh climates, packs of wolves, serious illnesses and faces many other challenges. This extraordinary journey helps her overcome her grief and find new joy in life.

Year of Release:

Author(s): Rosie Swale Pope

Preview:

Further information (link): https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780007306206/just-a-little-run-around-the-world/

ISBN: 978-0-007306206

ebook URL:

Audiobook URL:

Online text:

Extract and usage suggestions for teaching:

Instead of reading the whole book, chapters could be grouped by region (e.g. pages 121-172 for Russia, pages 173-235 for Alaska, pages 236-276 for Canada and USA). Different students read different groups of chapters and then process this in some way (e.g. presenting to the others verbally or via a digital story).



Further comments for teachers:

While reading the book from beginning to end, students can try to record and reconstruct an approximate timeline and locations and plot them on a world map. It will not always be possible to pin down exact places, but students can try to approximate locations as best as possible.

Categories
2010-2019 All Audiobook CEFR B1 eBook Extracts - Well Suited for Teaching With Extracts High school (grades 9+) Medium Length (up to 8 hrs) Novel Print

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom

Yeonmi Park tells her story of living as a young girl in North Korea and how she eventually managed to flee. The book gives insights into North Korean life, her escape from there and the ordeals and pains Park had to endure “in order to live”.

Year of Release:

Author(s): Yeonmi Park, Maryanne Vollers

Preview: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318940/in-order-to-live-by-yeonmi-park-with-maryanne-vollers/

Further information (link): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24611623-in-order-to-live

ISBN: 978-0-241-97303-5

ebook URL: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318940/in-order-to-live-by-yeonmi-park-with-maryanne-vollers/

Audiobook URL: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318940/in-order-to-live-by-yeonmi-park-with-maryanne-vollers/

Online text:

Extract and usage suggestions for teaching:

Pages 1-6: Prologue

Pages 9-121: Part One takes take place in North Korea.

Pages 125-198: Part Two focuses on the journey through China

Pages 201-267: Part Three covers life in South Korea



Further comments for teachers:

While reading the book from beginning to end, students can try to record and reconstruct an approximate timeline and locations and plot them on a map (such as the one in the book). It will not always be possible to pin down exact places, which is a fact which can also be used for discussions.

Large digital version for the map in the book: http://ebookassets.penguinrandomhouse.com/ebookassets/features/inordertolive/IOTL_Map.pdf