JosephCounty
County Public
Public Library
St. St.
Joseph
Library
“One
Book,One
One Michiana”
Michiana” 2016
“One
Book,
2016
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“The course of true love never did run smooth.”
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April 1-30, 2016
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
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by William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night's Dream is perhaps Shakespeare's most popular play, particularly as a
first introduction to Shakespeare for children--filled as it is with a marvelous mixture of
aristocrats, workers, and fairies. Simple and engaging on the surface, it is none the less a
highly original and sophisticated work, remarkable for both its literary and its theatrical
mastery. It is one of the very few of Shakespeare's plays which do not draw on narrative
sources, which suggests that it reflects his deepest imaginative concerns to an unusual
degree.
Reading Level: 8.7 | Lexile: NP640L | Interest Level: Grades 9-12
SJCPL Contact: Trish Coleman, [email protected] or 574.282.4613
Web Resources: These sites have resources to help educators build a curriculum around themes from A Midsummer
Night’s Dream:
Folger Shakespeare Library website: http://www.folger.edu/
Shakespeare’s Globe website: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
Shakespeare in American Communities website: http://www.shakespeareinamericancommunities.org/
Just a few of the many related titles:
Ideas for Teachers, Librarians and Schools
1. Consider companion titles for appropriate age groups.
2. Expand the scope and include topics such as: love, dreams, forests, magic, stage acting, fairies,
illusions, Elizabethan theater, fantasy, play writing.
3. Put up a display. SJCPL will provide posters, booklets, bookmarks and fliers.
4. Create a read-alike/view-alike bookmarks for students. There will be a list of suggested books and
DVDs on the SJCPL website.
5. Give a book talk.
6. Host a book discussion or view-alike film screening followed by a discussion. SJCPL may be able
to provide a facilitator.
7. Encourage students to attend outside events – discussions, theater, films, etc.
8. Provide extra credit for attending any One Book-related event at the library or another site.
9. Promote the book across disciplines – English, science, history, music and art.
10. Talk it up – at staff meetings, in book groups, in e-mails to colleagues.
11. Encourage participate in One Book contests:
l SJCPL’s Create-a-Bookmark Contest: Special category for A Midsummer Night’s
Dream-inspired artwork; prizes; winning submissions printed on bookmarks and displayed
at SJCPL’s main library.
l ND Hammes Bookstore Arts and Writing Contest: Prizes for winners and winning entries
will be displayed in the bookstore lobby (grades 6-12).
12. Have a related program/project/speaker at your school. SJCPL may be able to help locate a
speaker or help with ideas.
13. Promote One Book on an outdoor sign or inside with a banner or poster.
14. Explore other Shakespearian plays or poems or branch out with modern comedic stories and
plays. Have students write entertaining plays or hold a writing contest.
15. Be an “Elizabethan for a day” – help students explore the world of Elizabethan England, including
arts and culture, daily life and period clothing.
16. Stage a reader’s theater, one-act play or comedy show.
www.libraryforlife.org