This is a ten day novel unit plan is based on the novel, What I Was by Meg Rosoff. The
novel is not a Young Adult novel, but still appeals to a Young Adult audience.
It would be most appropriate to teach to Eleventh Grade Honor
Students, because of the controversial issues presented. Ideally, the class would be composed of twenty students and the novel will be read during one of the
last units of the year.
Students
should be looking at this novel, in the sense that the main character, “H”,
could have been a fellow classmate, companion, or even themselves. “H” is a
confused adolescence who is not sure of himself or his surroundings, and needs to
express himself by making decisions throughout the novel. Meg Rosoff is an
interesting author who plays with language to entertain her readers into a relationship which she creates in her writing. I hook
the students into her work by creating fun and smart lessons which spark
creativity and interpretation throughout the unit. Enjoy!
