Dystopia Book Clubs: A How-To Guide

Let's talk about dystopia book clubs, a compelling unit option for ELA.

I taught my first dystopian fiction, 1984, to tenth graders in Bulgaria. They had very strong reactions to the way Orwell portrayed communism, since Communist rule had existed in their family's living memories. For some, Orwell nailed it. Others, outraged, clearly thought he was slandering their country's history. For everyone, the line between fiction and fact in the text felt blurry. Perhaps because of its intensity, its emotional nature, its closeness to actual events, they found it didn't read as fiction.

Thinking back, I'd now say they felt it was fiction with an agenda. Fiction with a clear argument that used evidence like characterization, setting, tone, and mood to drive home its thesis.

That experience has flavored the way I've read all the dystopia I've picked up since - Fahrenheit 451, The Hunger Games, Scythe, Dry...

And I think it leads to fascinating questions to bring to kids. How does dystopia wield its influence? Where is the line between art and propaganda? What do dystopian authors have in their writing arsenal that other authors don't?

Today I hope to convince you that dystopian book clubs are worth your time, and give you the building blocks to design your unit. We're going to talk texts, activities, and assessment possibilities.

Links Mentioned: 

1984 Apple Commercial

Motorola Empower the People Commercial

Dismaland (Maddox Gallery Writeup)

Dismaland Video Tour

WWI Posters from the Library of Congress

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