Cinder by Marissa Meyer This story is of the Dystopian genre which is very popular among teens right now. It is also a version of the Cinderella fairytale so finding parallels between the two is an important implication for instruction as well as examining the symbolism of objects and events that take place in both stories, such as the glass slipper, the pumpkin carriage, and the ball. There are several important aspects of the story to be further explored through extentions such as discussion, writing assignments, or other more creative ways. A fun extension topic would be: What Cyborg skill would you like to have today and why? Some of the special skills of Cyborgs include the ability to detect lies, the ability to overlay one’s sight with helpful diagrams, and the ability to download information directly into one’s head. Propaganda is used throughout the story and connections can be made to times throughout real-world history when propaganda has been used. Questions to consider with students are: When is it justified for a government or institution to use propaganda? and When should the people of a society question what information they’re given? Discussion of propaganda and dystopian societies may even bring up connections to other books that are used for teen literacy instruction such as 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
This story is of the Dystopian genre which is very popular among teens right now. It is also a version of the Cinderella fairytale so finding parallels between the two is an important implication for instruction as well as examining the symbolism of objects and events that take place in both stories, such as the glass slipper, the pumpkin carriage, and the ball. There are several important aspects of the story to be further explored through extentions such as discussion, writing assignments, or other more creative ways. A fun extension topic would be: What Cyborg skill would you like to have today and why? Some of the special skills of Cyborgs include the ability to detect lies, the ability to overlay one’s sight with helpful diagrams, and the ability to download information directly into one’s head.
Propaganda is used throughout the story and connections can be made to times throughout real-world history when propaganda has been used. Questions to consider with students are: When is it justified for a government or institution to use propaganda? and When should the people of a society question what information they’re given? Discussion of propaganda and dystopian societies may even bring up connections to other books that are used for teen literacy instruction such as 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.