ages 12-18
Hosted by volunteer Laura Hershey, this monthly workshop is designed to teach teens the fundamentals of writing and literary analysis in a fun, interactive setting. Participants will read, analyze and interpret a selection of notable works of literature, including short stories, poetry, dramatic works, speeches, and music lyrics, among others. Each meeting will include an exploration of the author or work in focus, a reading and analysis of the work, as well as identifying the literary period, literary devices and literary features which make the work or works special. Meetings will include group discussions, videos, quizzes, and multimedia.
Participants are encouraged to attend monthly so as to better contribute to discussion. Attendance will be noted so that teens who complete a majority of the 10 2019-2020 meetings will receive a certificate of partici(pation.
(CANCELLED) On 7 March, the group will focus on “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Romantic poet or rock star? With a life full of drugs, women and poetry, heavy metal band Iron Maiden clearly thought so, and put “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” to music. Today, we have Coleridge to thank for the metaphor of having an albatross around one’s neck, or a troublesome burden. Likewise, Coleridge’s brooding celebrity friend, Lord Byron was instrumental in pushing him to publish the poem “Kubla Khan”. Join us as we explore both works as well as Coleridge’s role as a founder of the Romantic Movement.
(CANCELLED) On 4 April, the group will focus on “The Red-Headed League” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The second of 56 Sherlock Holmes stories published by Scottish crime fiction writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, “The Red-Headed League” is a mystery that leaves readers guessing until the end. Join us as we step back in time to central London, circa 1891, to follow the famous Victorian Detective Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson as they confront an entirely peculiar and unique case. We will also explore Doyle’s life and career, including his interests in spiritualism and freemasonry.
On 30 May, the group will focus on the work of Gwendolyn Brooks. Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the most highly regarded, influential, and widely read poets of 20th-century American poetry. She was a much-honored poet, even in her lifetime, with the distinction of being the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize. Several of her poems reflect the civil rights activism of that period. Join us as we learn about her life and works.
About Laura: Laura is a Canadian specializing in policy writing and marketing & communications. She has worked for the federal governments of Canada and Bermuda as well as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. She is the mother of two bilingual children attending high school in the French public school system and she is passionate about ensuring that children develop literary skills to enhance their love of reading and writing.
Advance registration is required for this event (sign-up HERE to reserve a spot for all three spring dates: 4 April and 30 May). Participation in teen events is free for Library members and 10€ for non-members, and each teen attending must have a valid Library card or purchase a day pass. Send an email to Celeste, our Children’s and Teens’ Services Manager, with questions about this event or any of our teen programs: celeste@americanlibraryinparis.org.
