Children’s Literature Portal (List View)

Terry Pratchett said that Tiffany Aching "...started with a girl lying down by a river, on the first page of The Wee Free Men". With the character of Tiffany, a witch-in-training with initially only a frying pan and her common sense to help her, Pratchett said that he wanted to "restate" the purpose of magic on the Discworld and the relationship between wizards, witches, and others. He included ideas of responsibility and "guarding your society" as he felt it drew closer to the reality of a witch – that is, "the village herbalist, the midwife, the person who knew things". Pratchett chose a young protagonist because when you're young "you have to learn," and he chose the name "Tiffany" because it evoked anything but a powerful witch. Throughout the series, Tiffany grows both as a young girl and woman and as a witch. In this course, we will follow the arc of Tiffany’s progress from naïve young girl to a powerful witch in her own right, who takes over from Granny Weatherwax, is hailed by the Nac Mac Feagle as their new ‘hag o’ the hills,’ and whose name, in their language, is Tir-far-thóinn or "Land Under Wave." Access to the listed texts is desirable. Prior knowledge of at least the majority of the listed texts will be assumed. [show less]

Dive into the enchanting world of Alan Garner's The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, a foundational work of British fantasy by an author described by Philip Pullman as "the most important British writer of fantasy since Tolkien." This course examines Garner's masterful integration of ancient British folklore with the real landscape of Alderley Edge in Cheshire, where two children—Colin and Susan—become the unexpected guardians of a magical jewel coveted by dark forces. Through close reading, we'll explore how Garner uses the tension between the mundane and magical to create a narrative where real English places become imbued with mythic significance, transforming ordinary landscapes into sites of extraordinary adventure and ancient power. Our discussions will uncover the deeper themes that make this work resonate with readers of all ages: the timeless battle between good and evil, the power of friendship against overwhelming odds, and the profound connection between humans and their landscapes. We'll examine how Garner's unique approach to "re-enchanting modern life by presenting it as a thin skin concealing ancient folklore" not only created a beloved children's classic but established a distinctive voice in fantasy literature that continues to influence writers today. Join us for a fantastical journey that reveals how this seemingly simple adventure story operates as a complex parable about place, identity, and the persistence of magic in the modern world. [show less]

"I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light." Thus begins Cartoon Saloon's The Secret of Kells (2010). This animated film retells the origins of the Book of Kells through the perspective of Brendan, a young boy whose cloistered life suddenly expands when he is tasked to venture from his isolated outpost to gather resources for the Book's final pages. Against a backdrop of encroaching Viking raids and magical beasts, Brendan's quest weaves a tale of imagination, courage, and what it means to foster beauty in the face of horrific uncertainty. In this module, we will watch The Secret of Kells and discuss topics related to the film, including Irish folklore, manuscript culture, and the story of Pangur Bán using Jo Ellen Bogart's picture book The White Cat and the Monk: A Retelling of the Poem Pangur Bán (2016). [show less]

Sudying fairy tales takes us back to a time when stories where passed from culture to culture. These stories, replicated around the world, deal with fears and axieties, but they also give us hope as it is the smallest and most vulnerable the one who usually triumphs. In these modules, we will explore different authors and fairy tales from around the world. Students will have the opportunity to read and re-read the Grimm brothers, Hans Christian Andersen, Andrew Lang, Oscar Wilde and fairy tales from differnet cultures such as Russia, and Japan. Each month, our preceptors will survey the group using to see which text students are most interested in exploring next. We offer the following Fairy Tales Studies modules: • Fairy Tales: An Adventure from the Writer's Perspective • Fairy Tales: From Apples to Bears • Fairy Tales: Rats, Mice, and Birds • Fairy Tales: Tricksters, Fools, and Villains • Introduction to Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales • Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: A House of Pomegranates • Introduction to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales: The Happy Prince and Other Tales • Japanese Fairy Tales and Children's Literature • Russian Fairy Tales: Journeys, Quests, and Chicken Legs • Yōkai and Legends: Exploring the Weird in Japanese and Latin American Cultures • Encountering the Japanese Weird through Lafcadio Hearn's Kwaidan • Exploring Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham • Fairy Tales: Beauty and the Beast Note: Each module stands on its own and no previous knowledge is required. The idea is to read and discuss these stories, their themes, imagery, and see how we respond to them. [show less]

Let's get together to discuss the eight Harry Potter films. Across one month, we'll get together to discuss each film in turn. What adaptation choices did the creators make and why? What works and what doesn't? What are the major themes of the films? And why did this film series become a phenomenon in its own right? This module combines the warmth of our cosy book club with the magic of film appreciation. [show less]

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Note: Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites. [show less]

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites. • Module 1: His Dark Materials in Context: The Golden Compass (a.k.a. Northern Lights) (October 2023) • Module 2: His Dark Materials in Context: The Subtle Knife (December 2023) • Module 3: His Dark Materials in Context: The Amber Spyglass (January 2023) [show less]

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites. [show less]

Sir Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is widely regarded as a modern classic, has been described by The New Statesman as “the most ambitious work since The Lord of the Rings,” and has been adapted onto stage, radio, and screen. The series is also deep and complex, drawing from a rich array of literary, philosophical, and theological ideas. In this three-module series we will read, successively, the three novels in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, juxtaposing each with selected materials that will allow us to read Pullman’s work both on its own and in conversation with other works. Students can join one, two, or all three modules. There are no prerequisites. • Module 1: His Dark Materials in Context: The Golden Compass (a.k.a. Northern Lights) (October 2023) • Module 2: His Dark Materials in Context: The Subtle Knife (December 2023) • Module 3: His Dark Materials in Context: The Amber Spyglass (January 2023) [show less]

C.S. Lewis is one of the most prolific and influential writers of the 20th century. And yet, in his early career as an Oxford don, he viewed himself as a failed poet. Moreover, his most canonical and transformational writing happened during the most stress-filled periods of his life. This short course allows students to peek into the writing life of C.S. Lewis. Our goal is to see through the lines of printed text by visiting the letters and archival remains of Lewis in a virtual setting. Most of C.S. Lewis's papers remain undigitized and unpublished, available only locally at archives in North America and England. As Professor Brenton Dickieson has visited these archives, he is able to invite students to appreciate C.S. Lewis's writing life by looking at the way that he consciously and unconsciously built his literary career. This course is for writers who are developing their own habits and literary life-prints, as well as folks who are curious about C.S. Lewis's life beyond the biographies and bestselling books. We are not doing text close readings, but looking at the “paratextual” information available to us: writing drafts, letters, diary entries, manuscripts and typescripts, title, and the like. Week 1: Lewis: Pen, Ink, Paper • C.S. Lewis’s Single-jointed Self-Conception as a Writer • What Lewis Says about his Writing Habits • Legendary Bonfires, Stuffed Dolls, and American Suckers: A Story of Lewis’s Papers and Manuscripts • The Screwtape MS. Story: Part 1 Week 2: Leaves, Bombs, Stains • The Screwtape MS. Story: Part 2 • “Villainous Handwriting”: Charlie Starr’s Lewis Handwriting and Rough Draft vs. Fair Draft • Reconsidering the Lindskoog Affair with Manuscript Evidence of “The Dark Tower” Week 3: Joy, Theft, Death • “The Quest of Bleheris”: Lewis’s Teenage Novel Week 4: • Is it True that Lewis Wrote in a Single Draft? • A Grief Observed • Tumbling Through the Wardrobe: The Discovery of Narnia • Arthurian Torso • A New Sketch of Lewis’s Writing Process(es) Note: This course includes a significant amount of visual material on the screen. Please contact the SPACE team if you have visual accessibility requirements and we will do everything we can to accommodate. [show less]

Poignant, hilarious, ironic, sad, beautiful, Oscar Wilde’s literary fairy tales evoke vivid and intense imagery and discuss topics such as social status, wealth, and Christianity. In these modules, we will read and discuss Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales. We will talk about the plot, characters, specific nuances of the language, use of irony, and symbolism. We will also discuss stories that influenced some of the tales, especially Andersen’s tales such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Shadow,” “The Darning Needle,” and others. This module is part of a two-module series, but each one stands alone and is independent from the other. In the first module, we will talk about the fairy tales from The Happy Prince and Other Tales, and in the second module we will discuss A House of Pomegranates. [show less]

Poignant, hilarious, ironic, sad, beautiful, Oscar Wilde’s literary fairy tales evoke vivid and intense imagery and discuss topics such as social status, wealth, and Christianity. In these modules, we will read and discuss Oscar Wilde’s fairy tales. We will talk about the plot, characters, specific nuances of the language, use of irony, and symbolism. We will also discuss stories that influenced some of the tales, especially Andersen’s tales such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Shadow,” “The Darning Needle,” and others. This module is part of a two-module series, but each one stands alone and is independent from the other. In the first module, we will talk about the fairy tales from The Happy Prince and Other Tales, and in the second module we will discuss A House of Pomegranates. [show less]

Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series. [show less]

This present module is for Module 1 of the Earthsea Series, exploring A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series. [show less]

This present module is for Module 2 of the Earthsea Series, exploring_The Farthest Shore_ and Tehanu. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series. [show less]

This present module is for Module 3 of the Earthsea Series, exploring_The Other Wind_ and Tales from Earthsea. Ursula K. Le Guin explores themes of power, love, nature, gender, art, politics, and more through her richly-developed world of Earthsea, drawing upon literary, philosophical, religious, and anthropological interests in doing so. We will walk on the islands of Earthsea and dive into its waters as we discover beloved, and maybe hidden or controversial, aspects of Le Guin’s masterpiece. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Earthsea Series consists of 3 modules exploring a different Cycle of Le Guin's expansive work: • Module 1 explores A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan, • Module 2 explores The Farthest Shore and Tehanu, and • Module 3 explores The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• NOTE: Students can jump in at any month/part of the Series. [show less]

Explore the craft, impact, and meaning of literature through a personalized tutorial in Literature & Storytelling. Whether you're analyzing a classic novel, developing a comparative study of myths and epics, or researching contemporary fiction, our preceptors will help you deepen your understanding of narrative, genre, theme, and interpretation. Tutorials can focus on literary analysis, theory, close reading, or creative-critical intersections. Whether you’re preparing for graduate school, crafting a paper, or simply diving deeper into your favorite texts, this tutorial invites you to read widely, think critically, and grow as a literary thinker. [show less]

The Horned God, alongside being modern paganism's most popular deity, enjoys a rich heritage in speculative fiction and popular culture. In this module, we will explore his ancient (and modern) origins, his appearances in both esoteric and popular literature, and his surprising role as an environmental figure. Throughout the module, students will gain familiarity with the four core figures that make up the Horned God (Pan, Cernunnos, the Sorcerer of Trois Freres, and Herne the Hunter), and key narratives associated with him. They will also have an opportunity to ponder the complex web of influences between modern paganism and speculative fiction. This module builds on the work of Margaret Murray and the module 'The Witch-Cult Hypothesis', but does not require prior knowledge of the material covered there. [show less]

The Muppet Lord of the Rings adaptation developed at Sunshine Moot 2025 was a runaway success, generating millions at the box office and garnering accolades from critics and fans alike. Big Name Studios was so impressed by Signum Studio’s creativity and short production schedule, that they’ve asked us to do it again! There’s a catch though- the Signum Studios Creative Team must generate a new adaptation as soon as possible in order to build on the success of the first movie. “We’re so excited about the possibility of even more opportunities to explore Muppet and LoTR mashups!” Addison Bigbucks, president of Big Name Studios said in a recent interview. “We can’t wait to see what the Signum Studios Creative Team will come up with next!” In this SPACE course, the Creative Team will lead interactive discussions and breakout sessions to discuss human and Muppet casting choices, art direction, and narrative themes. Knowledge of the following Jim Henson productions will be useful but not required: The Muppet Show (1976-1981), : The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), : Muppet Treasure Island (1996), and the : Muppet Movie (2011). No homework outside of class is required, but ongoing discussions on Signum’s Discord channel will be enthusiastically encouraged. Can the Creative Team at Signum Studios achieve the same success as their Sunshine Moot predecessors? What decisions will appeal to both the die-hard Tolkien fans, Muppet aficionados, and the casual movie-going public? Don’t worry, the Creative Team will have help including a guest lecture from Maggie Parke, Director of Signum Studios, two producers who will keep us on budget and on time, and several Bigwig Studio Executives who will offer advice on creating the next blockbuster hit. [show less]

In this module we will join the madness, adventure and melancholy of three famous Nordic authors: Hans Christian Andersen, Astrid Lindgren, and Tove Jansson. From the tragic unrequited love of a snowman to the crazy adventures of Pippi Longstocking and the Moomins, this module is a rollercoaster of emotions and beautiful imagery. You will need two books: Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson. [show less]

This module provides a broad survey of Oz's remarkable longevity as a franchise over the 20th and 21st centuries. We will discuss how Oz operates as a quintessentially American fairy tale that, like all fairy tales, is ripe for reinterpretation by each new generation. Session 1: Introduction to L. Frank Baum and the Oz franchise/The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900) Session 2: Bringing Oz to the big screen — The Wizard of Oz (dir. Victor Fleming, 1939) Section 3: Ozas 1970s Musical Extravaganza -- The Wiz (dir. Sidney Lumet, 1978) Section 4: Ozas 1980s Dark Fantasy -- iReturn to Oz (dir. Walter Murch, 1985) Session 5: Ozas Literary Fiction -- Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire Session 6: OzReinterpreted for the 21st Century: Wicked — Part One (dir. John Chu, 2024) Session 7: OzReinterpreted for the 21st Century, continued: Wicked — For Good (dir. John Chu, 2025) Session 8: Ozas American mythology — screening clips of other Ozadaptations not previously covered, as we discuss the question "What makes Oz so pervasive in American culture?" [show less]

This course will be offered for the first time this October 2023 (Anne’s favourite month) Within weeks of its 1908 publication, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables became a bestseller. Over the years, this charming orphan story put Montgomery and her imaginative Prince Edward Island on a global map. Despite the fact that Anne of Green Gables is Canada’s bestselling novel throughout the world—or because of it—Montgomery was ignored by the literati and scholarship. Montgomery was a public intellectual, the first female Canadian fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and invested Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Still she was dismissed as “just” a children’s writer, a regionalist, or a woman. It was 25 years after Montgomery’s death before children’s literature and feminist scholars began to recover her work as worthy of study. While there is a robust field of Montgomery scholarship, there are areas where our focus is sometimes too narrow. One of these is the category of “realistic” fiction. While there is a kind of verisimilitude about everyday life in the late Victorian era in her work, the realism is pressed to the margins of definition as Montgomery romanticizes the worlds she creates. And can we disagree that there is something magical about Anne herself? By changing our way of approach and by looking at Anne of Green Gables as a fantasy novel, what can we unveil in this classic novel? Native Prince Edward Islander and Montgomery scholar Brenton Dickieson will lead students through a rereading of Anne of Green Gables using the lenses we use to study fantasy and speculative fiction with the goal of allowing one of the greatest living children’s books to live in new ways. [show less]

In this module we will explore some of the most important Russian fairy tales, their archetypal characters, and beautiful imagery. We will travel magical lands and meet incredible characters, even a talking pancake, and a flying wooden eagle! We will relate these tales with stories from the Grimm brothers, Hans Christian Andersen, and the unforgettable Arabian Nights. Module Outline Session 1: Intro to Russian Folklore and Fairy Tales Session 2: Tales of Magic Session 3: Animals Helpers Session 4: Fables and Everyday Stories Session 5: Stories of Brave Heroes – Part 1 Session 6: Stories of Brave Heroes – Part 2 Session 7: Journeys and Marvels Session 8: On Pushkin’s Fairy Tales [show less]

“She’s coming! Strike up, Beth! Open the door, Amy! Three cheers for Marmee!” cried Jo, prancing about, while Meg went to conduct her mother to the seat of honor. This quote gives us a perfect glimpse of the March sisters and their mother: nurturing Meg, tomboy fiery Jo, gentle Beth, and ambitious Amy. The lives of the four March sisters have inspired several movies and continue to be popular. A beloved classic and based largely on autobiographical information, Little Women has never been out of print since it was published in 1868. Louisa May Alcott’s novel is more than a cozy tale of 19th-century family life; it’s a surprisingly sharp study of character and the role of women. This module focuses on Part 1 where the March sisters grapple with poverty, society’s expectations, and their own turbulent desires. We’ll move beyond nostalgia to examine the novel’s active tensions: Jo’s fierce independence, Meg’s longing for luxury, Beth’s selfless contentment, and Amy’s social ambition. We’ll also discuss how Alcott’s classic poses a question still relevant today: How do we forge our own path while staying true to the ones we love? [show less]

“Seeing is not believing—it is only seeing.” The first modern novels to take place entirely in an imaginary world, George MacDonald’s fantasies were formative in the imaginations of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In this module, we’ll read MacDonald's children’s novels, as well as his essay, "The Fantastic Imagination." Eight-year-old Princess Irene is forbidden from exploring her father’s castle. Little does she suspect that hordes of goblins dwell beneath her feet, scheming to overrun the kingdom. Soon, a chance encounter with heroic miner (and occasional poet) Curdie sweeps Irene into an adventure of which she never dreamed. Enter a world where legends rise from a labyrinth under the earth and immortal grandmothers bestow magic rings from above, where rhymes drive back monsters and belief reveals the path home. [show less]

In Ghost Hawk, Susan Cooper turns her lyrical storytelling toward the early years of colonial America, weaving a tale that bridges worlds divided by culture, history, and loss. The story begins with Little Hawk, a young member of the Wampanoag people, who must face a solitary test of survival that will mark his passage into adulthood. When tragedy strikes, his path becomes bound to that of John Wakely, an English settler boy, and together their intertwined lives reveal both the possibilities of friendship and the devastating consequences of misunderstanding and conquest. Over eight sessions, we will read and discuss Ghost Hawk as both historical fiction and spiritual reflection, exploring Cooper’s portrayal of contact between Native and English worlds and her meditation on memory, belonging, and the legacies of colonization. We will situate the novel within its historical context—the early seventeenth century in New England—and examine how Cooper uses elements of myth and the supernatural to confront enduring questions of justice, identity, and reconciliation. Through guided discussion and close reading, we’ll consider howGhost Hawk challenges us to listen to the voices of the past and to think deeply about the stories a landscape holds. [show less]

In King of Shadows, Susan Cooper weaves together time travel, theatre, and history to create a powerful story about loss, belonging, and the transformative power of art. When young American actor Nat Field joins a troupe performing "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the newly rebuilt Globe Theatre, he is mysteriously transported to Elizabethan London, where he finds himself acting alongside none other than William Shakespeare. As Nat navigates the dangers and wonders of sixteenth-century England, he begins to discover what connects him—across time and grief—to the playwright and to the play itself. Over the course of this month-long, eight-session class, we will read and discuss Cooper’s novel in depth, exploring its key themes of identity, friendship, healing, and the endurance of creativity. We will also consider the historical and theatrical context of Elizabethan London, Shakespeare’s world and works, and the way Cooper blends fantasy and realism to bridge centuries. Through guided discussions and close reading, we’ll reflect on how King of Shadows speaks to both the past and the present, and why the story continues to resonate with readers today. [show less]

Join Dr. Sara Brown and Sparrow Alden as they read their way through the winners and nominees of the Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction. How do these books speak to their special audience? What do they reflect about changing society? How do they build or break down their readers' connection to modern culture? How do they use heritage and world mythology to bring their stories to life? Each time this module is presented, we will choose two different Norton Award novels to read, enjoy, discuss, and analyze with various critical tools. Mostly we're going to read great books and have fun working to understand them at deeper and deeper levels. [show less]

This is the landing page for Dr. Sara Brown's series on The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper. Using the links on this page, you can explore each member of this series by going to its associated module page for more details. Note that students can jump in at any month/part of the series. There are no prerequisites. Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions. [show less]

Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions. In this book, the third of the series, we return to Cornwall with the Drew children and encounter more of the Cornish folklore and traditions we first saw inn Over Sea, Under Stone. Like the previous books in the series, this is an atmospheric and eerie story, steeped in magic and ancient folklore. The ‘Greenwitch’ of the title is a giant effigy made of sticks in the form of a woman, constructed by the women of Trewissick and sacrificed to the sea in a yearly ritual – not just an inanimate object, but a living being, with a mind of her own. This is ‘Wild Magic’, or the magic of nature, another element in the ongoing battle between Light and Dark. The Greenwitch holds the key to understanding the Grail, but the children will have to persuade her to give up her secrets before the agents of the Dark get there first. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century. [show less]

Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions. In this book, the first of the series, Cooper introduces us to the folklore of Cornwall, interweaving ancient customs with a modern confrontation against forces of evil. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century. [show less]

Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions. “‘Until the Lady comes,’ Merriman said. ‘And she will help you to the finding of the sword of the Pendragon, the crystal sword by which the final magic of the light shall be achieved, and the Dark put at last to flight. And there will be five to help you, for from the beginning it was known that six altogether, and six only, must accomplish this long matter. Six creatures more and less of the earth, aided by the six Signs.’” In this book, the fifth and final of the series, we return to Wales where Will Stanton, the Drew children, and the mysterious Bran must find the Lady who will enable them to complete their quest. All the Arthurian elements that have been evident in the previous four books now come together as the Six of the Light battle back the Dark to save the world. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century. [show less]

Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions. In this book, the second of the series, we are introduced to Will Stanton, who is approaching his 11th birthday. On Midwinter’s Eve, the day before his birthday, there is an atmosphere of fear that pervades the otherwise familiar countryside around him, but is the day itself that will be a birthday like no other. On that day, Will discovers that he has the power of the Old Ones, and that he must embark on a quest to vanquish the terrifyingly evil magic of the Dark. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century. [show less]

Susan Cooper’s classic fantasy series takes us into a world where the forces of the Light battle against those of the Dark, but these are also coming-of-age stories in which children are at the forefront of the conflict. Deeply rooted in the folklore of the British landscape, the narratives are often set in spaces encoded in ancient wisdom and traditions and employ, as Tolkien did in his legendarium, songs and verse that pass on those traditions. In this book, the fourth of the series, we are back with Will Stanton, who has been dangerously ill and has been sent to his aunt’s farm in Wales to recuperate. During Will’s illness, he has forgotten the details of the quest begun in the previous novels, but as his memories slowly return, he remembers that his next task is to find the golden harp that will awaken six sleepers who will join the final battle between Dark and Light. The villain this time is the Brenin Llwyd, or the ‘Grey King’, an ancient and powerful Lord of the Dark who lives high in the mountains, his breath forming a ragged grey mist that can be seen for miles around. In this class, we will explore all the themes and ideas in the story and consider what it still has to say to us in the 21st century. [show less]

What did the creators of Middle-earth, Narnia, a philosophy of consciousness, and spiritual shockers have in common? Answer: they were all part of a group called The Inklings who met in Oxford between the 1930s and 60s to discuss their ideas and work. We will spend a week on each of the four main members of The Inklings, discussing samples of their work and the ways their imaginations and ideas overlapped. By the end of the course, we will understand how this group of writers influenced each other and helped create the genre of fantasy literature. [show less]

When one thinks of ancient, pre-classical civilisations, one thinks of Sumerians, Egyptians, Hittites, and, not least, Minoans. The Minoan civilisation, discovered around 1900 by English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, has often been styled as the first major European civilisation, equally proficient in technology and the arts, with a sea empire spanning across the Eastern Aegean. But how much of what we imagine about the Minoans is truthful and how much is modern mythmaking? In this module, we will examine the immense impact which the discovery of Minoan Crete and its integration with the classical myths of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth has had on literature, movies, the arts, and even computer games. We will examine the works of Sir Arthur Evans, Pablo Picasso, Nikos Kazantzakis, Robert Graves, Mary Renault, Poul Anderson, and Stephen King, among others. In so doing, we will explore such key 'Minoan' concepts and phenomena as: the sublime, utopianism, feminism, irrationality and the unconscious, mythmaking, and European identity. [show less]

The witch is one of the most contentious figures of the present day: from victim of persecution to stock character to magical practitioner the witch embodies our fears and desires. In the Anglosphere, the witch has been actively reimagined since at least the late nineteenth century. This module tackles some popular myths associated with the witch, explores their origins, and ask how these myths are used today. Are witches always female? Why do they fly on broomsticks and wear pointy hats? And where does a witch’s magic come from? The module answers these and other questions using a mix of historical, esoteric, literary and critical texts that get to the crux of how witches are depicted in fiction and history, and what witches themselves have to say about that. [show less]

Inviting students to share their delight in, and deepen their appreciation of, video games, we will discuss examples of the art, music, gameplay, and story from a range of influential titles. We will introduce and experiment with some of the theoretical frameworks that have been applied to video games as media objects and cultural artifacts. But mostly, we will enjoy learning more about the medium and the games we already love. Aside from links and selections shared throughout the module, Gabrielle Zevin's novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. will be the only required reading. [show less]

Boarding schools have become a staple in fantasy, but Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children specializes in children that have stumbled into and then out of portals and haven't quite managed to adjust to being back from their adventures. There are three rules at Eleanor West's: No Solicitations, No Visitors, and No Quests. [show less]

It's a sometimes inconvenient fact that characters have bodies, and sometimes, those bodies directly affect the stories we write about them. Writing characters who live in bodies that do not perform according to the cultural standard is a skill like any other part of the writer's craft. In this course, we will look at examples from literature of how authors have dealt with what we usually call disabilities. Some have done well, others have materially harmed people with their writing. We will also work with one another to hone our craft as writers who are telling stories so that we can find the new and inspirational, while leaving behind the worn-out clichés that make the lives of people like your preceptor materially harder. Note: Texts will be provided by the preceptor. Note: For more information about the Collaborative Feedback Method in SPACE, please check out our video here. [show less]