Jane Austen for Kids

December 15, 2018
Grades 5-8 Introducing Jane Austen to young people who may not have read her novels, Sanders begins with Austen's birth, explains her family's position in society, introduces her relatives, and traces her life, both as a child and an adult within a large family that faced difficulties and as a novelist in a period when few women wrote books. The volume's 21 activities vary from crafty ideas ( Design a Coat of Arms, Sew a Reticule, Make a Top Hat ) to writing-�related projects ( Say It with Satire, Self-Publish a Book ) and knowledge-based lessons ( Learn Social Etiquette among the Gentry, Master the Rules of Cricket ). Sidebars and full-page articles comment on relevant historical topics, profile individuals that Austen knew, and introduce each of her novels. Two-color design elements enhance the look of the pages, while the many black-and-white illustrations include period portraits, prints, and drawings as well as photos of sites and artifacts. Well researched and clearly written, this wide-format volume offers a good deal of pertinent information as well as activities for readers intrigued by Austen and her work.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)