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Library     Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference     Paired Texts

Paired Texts > Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference

by Barrett Smith

2017

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Malala Yousafzai: A Normal Yet Powerful Girl

Malala Yousafzai: A Normal Yet Powerful Girl

NPR Staff

Malala Yousafzai (born 1997) is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Malala is from the Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban has banned girls from attending school. Malala, whose family ran a chain of local schools, publicly stood against the Taliban's actions and launched an international movement, surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban on October 9th, 2012. The article discusses this incredible young woman and her continuing advocation for universal women's education.

Pair “Malala Yousafzai: A Normal Yet Powerful Girl” with “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” and ask students to discuss how both young girls created important change. How do the movements that Malala Yousafzai and Marley Dias lead compare? Ask students to discuss how both texts encourage young people to engage in social activism.

6th Grade Informational Text 820L
The Story of Ida B. Wells

The Story of Ida B. Wells

Shannon Moreau

This is a short biography of Ida B. Wells and the personal tragedy she experienced that pushed her to raise national awareness about violence and discrimination against African Americans.

Pair “The Story of Ida B. Wells” with “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” and ask students to discuss how Wells and Dias are both influential activists. In what ways is Dias continuing Wells’ legacy? How do you think Wells would react to what Dias has accomplished, especially at such a young age?

8th Grade Informational Text 940L
The Many and the Few

The Many and the Few

J. Patrick Lewis

In J. Patrick Lewis' poem "The Many and the Few," a speaker describes the historic moment when Rosa Parks refused to give her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

Pair “The Many and the Few” with “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” and ask students to discuss how the “Many” and the “Few” are represented in “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference”? How does Marley Dias prove that the actions of one person can create important change? How do both texts explore the power of social activism?

5th Grade Poem
I'm the Library Lady

I'm the Library Lady

J. Patrick Lewis

In J. Patrick Lewis' poem "I'm the Library Lady" the speaker describes the books that readers can find at the library.

Pair “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” with “I’m the Library Lady” and ask students to discuss the diversity present in and literature and how it needs to improve. What kinds of books does Marley Dias want to read and why doesn’t she have easy access to them? Why is it important for people to have access to books from different genres and with different characters?

5th Grade Poem
Money Tells a Story

Money Tells a Story

Carol Baldwin

In the informational text "Money Tells a Story," Carol Baldwin discusses John Jones' discovery of Confederate bills with images of slaves happily working.

Pair “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” with “Money Tells a Story” and ask students to discuss how Marley Dias and John Jones help create change. How are both Dias and Jones exposing something that is unjust? Do students consider art a form of activism? Why or why not?

4th Grade Informational Text 750L
Daisy Low Grows the Girl Scouts

Daisy Low Grows the Girl Scouts

Natasha Wing

In the informational text "Daisy Low Grows the Girl Scouts," Natasha Wing discusses how Daisy Low founded the Girl Scouts and contributed to their success.

Pair “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” with “Daisy Low Grows the Girl Scouts” and ask students to discuss how Marley and Daisy both created important change. Why did Marley decide to start the campaign #100blackgirlbooks? How does this compare to Daisy’s decision to start the Girl Scouts in America? How did both Marley and Daisy impact young girls’ lives?

6th Grade Informational Text 950L
Making Books in Braille

Making Books in Braille

Sara Matson

In the article "Making Books in Braille," Sara Matson discusses Laurie Lower's job transcribing books into braille for people with vision loss.

Pair “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” with “Making Books in Braille” and ask students to compare Marley Dias and Laurie Lower’s actions. How do students think readers were affected by having limited books in braille or with female black characters? How are Dias and Lower improving people’s access and interest in books?

3rd Grade Informational Text 740L
Girls of the Crescent: Meet the Two Teenagers Fighting for Better Representation in Books

Girls of the Crescent: Meet the Two Teenagers Fighting for Better Representation in Books

Girls of the Crescent

After discovering the importance of making books with female Muslim available in schools and libraries, two girls living in Michigan create a non-profit organization to pursue their mission.

Pair “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made a Difference” with “Girls of the Crescent: Meet the Two Teenagers Fighting for Better Representation in Books” to provide students with information about activist Marley Dias. Dias started the campaign #1000blackgirlbooks. How are the experiences of the three girls similar? What does Dias’ campaign have in common with Mena and Zena’s work? What beliefs do Dias, Mena and Zena share? Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

5th Grade Essay 1150L
Marley Dias: la escritora de trece años que produjo un cambio

Marley Dias: la escritora de trece años que produjo un cambio

Barrett Smith

This text is available in both English and Spanish. Click here to view this text in the other language.

6th Grade Informational Text 950L
Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges

Kio Herrera

In "Ruby Bridges," a brave six-year-old girl overcomes hatred and challenges when she integrates a school in Louisiana.

Pair “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made A Difference” with “Ruby Bridges” and ask students to discuss how both young girls created important change. How does the movement that Marley Dias from “Marley Dias: The 13-Year-Old Author Who Made A Difference” compare to the movement that Ruby Bridges became the face of?

5th Grade Informational Text 970L
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