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Avi (1937- )

Avi was born in New York City on December 23, 1937. His birth name is Edward Irving Wortis. His sister gave him the nickname Avi. He began his writing career as a playwright. He began writing books for children and young adults after he became a father. His novels The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth are Newbery Honor Books. His novel Crispin: The Cross of Lead, was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2003. Other titles by the author include: Emily Upham's Revenge; History of Helpless Harry; The Man Who was Poe; No More Magic; Wolf Rider; Man From The Sky; Smuggler's Island; No More Magic; City of Light/City of Dark; The Barn; History of Helpless Harry; Beyond the Western Sea; The Fighting Ground; Encounter At Easton; and Finding Providence.

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Articles

Images

Video

Audio

Interactives

Teaching Resources

Websites

Avi
You'll find biographical information, book information, tip for writing, and discussion guides on the author's site. Source: Avi Intended Audience: Students/General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Avi
Avi believesthat the only way to teach writing effectively in schools is to break writing down into its parts. Learn more about the author and his views on reading and writing at this site that features a video discussion and transcript, a biography of the author, and a list of some of his books. Source: Reading Rockets Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

Avi
When he was in high school, Avi dreamed of becoming an aircraft designer. Learn more in this profile. Source: Scholastic Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

Avi
Learn more about the author's Poppy Stories - Ragweed, Poppy, Poppy and Rye, Ereth’s Birthday, Poppy’s Return, and Poppy and Ereth. Source: Harper Collins Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

EBMA Top 100 Authors
Avi was a librarian for 25 years. Learn more in this profile that includes reviews of some ofhis books. . Source: Educational Book and Media Association Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Avi
Avi's hobby is photography. Learn more in this 1996 interview. Source: IPL2 for Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Avi
The author talks about some of his works and how he researches them Source: Kids Bookshelf Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Avi
Avi believes that reading is the key to writing. Learn more in this interview. Source: Kids Reads Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: Yes

Meet the Author: Avi
Avi suffered from dysgraphia when hewas a boy. Find out more about the author in this profile. Source: Houghton Mifflin Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

The Challenges of Writing Historical Fiction
Why can't a 14th-century character cannot steel himself to meet a challenge? Find out in this blog post by the author discussing the challenges of writing historical fiction. Source: Teaching Books Intended Audience: Teachers Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: N/A Searchable: No

Author Chat with Avi

Katherine Paterson, Bob Cormier, and Kenneth Graham are among Avi's favorite writers for young adults. Learnmore about the author in this transcript from a live event. Source: NY Public Library Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Crispin: The Cross of Lead Quiz
How well do you know the story? Source: Fun Trivia

Nothing But the Truth Quiz
Test your knowledge! Source: Fun Trivia

Websites
Online Video
Lesson Plans
Games and Interactives

Online Video

Nothing But the Truth Digital Book Talk
Learn more about the novel with this engaging one minute booktalk. Source: Digital Booktalk

Avi-The Poppy Books
Avi talks about his Poppy series of books. Source: You Tube

Avi
The author talks about his works and writing and reading. Source: You Tube

Avi Interview
An interview with the author from the American Library Association. Source: You Tube

Avi
Learn more about the author and his views on reading and writing. Source: Reading Rockets

Lesson Plans

Avi Was Born December 23, 1937
A collection of activities, lesson plans, interactives and resources to help your class celebrate Avi. Source: Read Write Think

The Barn
Discussion guide for Avi's novel, The Barn. Source: Multnomah County Library

Beyond the Western Sea
PDF discussion guide. Source: Nancy Polette

Crispin: The Cross of Lead
Discussion guide for Avi's novel, Crispin: The Cross of Lead.Source: Multnomah County Library

The End of the Beginning
Discussion guide for Avi's novel, The End of the Beginning. Source: Multnomah County Library

The Fighting Ground
Book review and related resources. Source: University of Texas at Austin

The Mayor of Central Park
Discussion guide for Avi's novel, The Mayor of Central Park. Source: Multnomah County Library

Midnight Magic
Discussion guide for Avi's novel, Midnight Magic. Source: Multnomah County Library

Midnight Magic
Discussion guide for the novel Midnight Magic. Source: Scholastic Canada

Never Mind! A Twin Novel
Discussion questions and activitiesfor the novel by Avi and Rachel Vail. Source: William Allen White Children's Book Awards

Nothing but the Truth - Gr. 7-8
Novel guide focused around the theme of fighting for the truth with activitiesand extension ideas. Source: McDougal Littell

Nothing but the Truth
Novel guide with activitiesand extension ideas. Includes a journaling activitiy. Source: Least Tern

Nothing But the Truth
PDF novel guide that includes chapter-by-chapter breakdowns. Source: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston

Nothing But the Truth
Review and suggested activities for Avi's novel Nothing But the Truth. Source: Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site

Exploring Free Speech and Persuasion with Nothing But the Truth - Gr. 6-8
Students read Avi’s Nothing But the Truth and examine the First Amendment and student rights, and then decide whether the rights of the novel's protagonist, Philip, are violated. Source: Read Write Think

The Poppy Stories
PDF teaching guide to Avi's Poppy stories. Source: Harper Collins

The Secret School
Discussion questions and activitiesfor the novel The Secret School Source: William Allen White Children's Book Awards

The Seer of Shadows
A PDF reading guide to The Seer of Shadows with questions and suggested activities. Source: Harper Collins

Something Upstairs Novel Unit
Scroll down for worksheets and lesson plans for Avi's Something Upstairs. Source: St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church and School

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - Gr. 7-8
Novel guide focused on the theme of breaking out of traditional gender roles
with activitiesand extension ideas. Source: McDougal Littell

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Discussion guide for Avi's novel, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Source: Multnomah County Library

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Brief overview of the novel and PDF study guide. Source: Glencoe Literature

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
PDF discussion guide. Source: Nancy Polette

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
PDF literature guide. Source: Nancy Polette

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Layered Curriculum
Series of activities for students to choose while reading the novel The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Source: Help4Teachers

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Novel Unit
Scroll down for worksheets and lesson plans for Avi's The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Source: St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church and School

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?"
Review of the book along with booktalks and activities.Source: Children's Literature Web Guide

Alter Egos and More with Avi’s "Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?" -Gr. 3-5
After reading Avi’s novel "Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?", students create an alter ego for themselves and use it to write their own radio show, modeled after the book. Source: Read Write Think