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Carla Gunn
Author Website: www.carlagunn.ca, and also on Facebook
I have created material to accompany the book, such as a list of real websites that the protagonist visits and a Readers' Guide. These can be found on the Facebook page (you do not need to be a member of Facebook to access this material).
Presentations: . Along with taking part in 15-20 min Q&A sessions led by students, I would be happy to participate in longer sessions, addressing, for instance, how this novel links to high school curriculum:
Language Arts: The novel was a three year process from start to finish. I could talk about the writing process and include a discussion of characters, plot, setting and themes as well as various literary devices, such as: point of view, foreshadowing, irony, hyperbole, pathos, symbolism, thematic patterning, side story and unreliable narrator. I also love to talk to children about the importance of writing and how to keep a writer's journal.
Psychology and/or Family Studies: There are numerous introductory psychology topics at work in the novel: social relationships (e.g., bullying, aggression), family dynamics (e.g., divorce, death, relationships with grandparent), Freud’s defense mechanisms, psychological disorders, social influence, compliance/conformity/obedience etc.
Biology/Environmental Studies: The novel is full of information about animals and the environment. Along with a discussion of environmental issues, animal behaviour and various other information Phin presents, children could be introduced to some of the sites he visits in the book -- such as Pete’s Pond webcam in South Africa. (I have compiled a list of these sites for book club discussions and it is available through my website or could be a handout for children.)
Health: Phin is experiencing a lot of anxiety in the book. He had various ways of coping with his frustrations – some healthy and some not. As I teach psychology, I can lead children through a discussion about how to best respond to stress and how Phin’s responses at the end of the novel are much more adaptive than those earlier on.
World Issues: Environmental problems are global issues. There is much in Amphibian that emphasizes this – from varying attitudes toward animals to climate change to deforestation. A discussion of the four main worldviews (which I teach as part of my consulting work) and how Phin’s own worldview is strongly reflected in the novel could ensue.
Audiences: Adult/YA: schools, writing groups, book clubs, environmental/social justice organizations -- basically anyone over the age of 12. Suitable for high school students. See www.carlagunn.ca for reviews, including one from Edge of Seventeen that explores how this novel is relevant and appropriate for teens.
Available Times: flexible -- as long as it's not my 'middle-of-the-night'. I'm in New Brunswick, Canada and in the Atlantic time zone.
No Cost Meet the Author Visit: 15-20 minutes
In-Depth Visit Length: 45-60 minutes
In-Depth Visit Cost: To be discussed/commensurate with your school's writers-in-schools program allowance.
Prerequisites: It would be best if participants were at least somewhat familiar with the novel.
Contact Information: Please email me at cgunn@nb.sympatico.ca
Affiliations:
Writers' Federation of New Brunswick, Canada
Writers' Union of Canada
Conservation Council of New Brunswick
Canadian Parks and Wilderness New Brunswick
St. Thomas University, Fredericton, N.B., Canada
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, N.B., Canada
Qualifications
B.A. and M.A. psychology
In addition to having participated in many public reading events (such as literary events), I have lots of teaching experience as a psychology instructor at a university, and also as a workshop facilitator for my psychology-based consulting business, Cogent Inc. My teaching approach is largely participatory, with much discussion and interaction .
cgunn |
Latest page update: made by cgunn
, Sep 3 2009, 4:48 PM EDT
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Keyword tags:
amphibians
anxiety
bullying
divorce
endangered species
environment
grandparents
mother-child relationship
More Info: links to this page
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| cgunn | Where to find this book? | 0 | Sep 2 2009, 1:22 PM EDT by cgunn | ||
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Thread started: Sep 2 2009, 1:22 PM EDT
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Amphibian can be ordered by your independent bookstore seller or online through, for instance, Amazon.com. Alternately, copies can be purchased directly from the publishing house at www.chbooks.com.
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