Secondary Catalogue

English


Pam Munoz Ryan

Pam Munoz Ryan

Authors that Changed America

Author of groundbreaking novels like “Esperanza Rising" and "Echo", Pam Muñoz Ryan has made literature more representative by expertly mining her own rich Mexican-American heritage.
Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson

Authors that Changed America

For author Laurie Halse Anderson, a survivor of trauma, putting pen to paper allowed her to make sense of the world. Discover how the acclaimed Young Adult author has connected with readers across the globe.
Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle

Authors that Changed America

For Madeleine L’Engle, the starry night sky sparked profound questions about life, the universe, and her place in it. Inspired by science and spirituality, her extraordinary works of fiction have captured the hearts and minds of millions.
Gary Soto

Gary Soto

Authors that Changed America

Gary Soto, a Mexican-American author and poet, captures the essence of youth and Chicano experiences in his stories, blending humor and the magic of everyday life.
Julia Alvarez

Julia Alvarez

Authors that Changed America

Julia Alvarez's remarkable contributions to Hispanic literature explore immigrant experiences, cultural identity, and resistance against injustice.
Tommy Orange

Tommy Orange

Authors that Changed America

Tommy Orange, a groundbreaking Indigenous American author, illuminates urban Indigenous experiences with a unique narrative.
Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde

Authors that Changed America

Audre Lorde, a trailblazing Black feminist, poet, and essayist, passionately explored intersectionality, identity, and activism, leaving an enduring impact on literature and social justice.
Octavia Butler

Octavia Butler

Authors that Changed America

First popularized as a genre of literature in the 1920s, for decades science fiction was dominated by white male authors. That is until Octavia Butler, an African American woman, rewrote the script.
Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury

Authors that Changed America

Awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation, recognizing a lifetime of influential literary works, Ray Bradbury wrote from a desire to “live forever”. Through sci fi, fantasy, horror and mystery to themes of death, loneliness and the dark side...Show More
Richard Wright

Richard Wright

Authors that Changed America

At a time when Jim Crow laws made racial segregation legal across much of the United States, author Richard Wright gave voice to a struggle – as the first African American author to achieve widespread critical and commercial success.
Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros

Authors that Changed America

A trailblazer in more ways than one, Sandra Cisneros was the first Mexican-American woman to be published by a mainstream publisher. Her work brought Hispanic culture to a wider audience of readers.
Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson

Authors that Changed America

A master of the macabre, Shirley Jackson explores the creepy underbelly of domestic life, with a sharp focus on the challenges that women face.
Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Hansberry

Authors that Changed America

The first African-American woman to have a play staged on Broadway, Lorraine Hansberry broke new ground in more ways than one. Through her provocative works, such as A Raisin in the Sun, she blazed a trail and left an indelible mark on literature
Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead

Authors that Changed America

The first ever author ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for two consecutive novels, Colson Whitehead is one of the United States’ most versatile writers. Let’s learn more about his personal story, his groundbreaking novels and the impact he had...Show More
Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Brooks

Authors that Changed America

The first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, Gwendolyn Brooks wrote about the hardship and struggles of ordinary people.
Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman

Authors that Changed America

The youngest inaugural poet in history, Amanda Gorman introduced a new generation to the lyrical power of poetry. As a young Black woman who writes about a range of themes and issues, she has become a modern-day icon.
Alice Walker

Alice Walker

Authors that Changed America

As the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Alice Walker helped to bring the Black experience to readers across the globe. A true trailblazer, her work continues to entertain and enlighten.
Mark Twain

Mark Twain

Authors that Changed America

Known as the Father of American Literature, Mark Twain used satire and a sharp wit to explore and reveal the realities of US society in the 19th century. In doing so he developed an all-new “American style” of writing.
Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry

Authors that Changed America

Being a teenager isn’t always easy – but sometimes, books can provide the comfort and guidance we need. And few authors capture the adolescent experience better than YA author Lois Lowry.
Nonfiction Text Structures

Nonfiction Text Structures

English Literature: Skills

Understand nonfiction texts with these five essential text structures. From chronological narratives to cause and effect explanations, problem-solving essays, compare and contrast articles, and descriptive lists, once you know these structures,...Show More
Greek and Latin Roots

Greek and Latin Roots

English Literature: Skills

Lots of the words that we use everyday have their roots in the ancient languages of Latin and Greek. Let's explore some examples and learn how language is constantly evolving.
Summarizing Texts

Summarizing Texts

English Literature: Skills

Nonfiction texts can be complex and dense. But anyone can summarize their contents by following our four simple steps. It's as easy as explaining what you have read to a friend.
Analysis of Text

Analysis of Text

English Literature: Skills

Anaylsis of text is an important skill that helps readers to understand the true meaning of a text. Let's explore what clues to look for to analyze any text.
Symbolism

Symbolism

English Literature: Skills

Symbolism is a literary tool that lots of authors use to make complex ideas more accessible to readers. Let's explore how writers use objects, characters and events as symbols in their work.
Annotating

Annotating

English Literature: Skills

Annotations are notes that a reader makes to a text. They help you familiarize yourself with both the content and organization of what you read. Let's discover ways you can annotate a text.