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Spooky Stories for Teens in Pretty Monsters

Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

Monsters, ghosts, aliens, wizards, and magical librarians all make an appearance in Pretty Monsters, a multi-genre book of short stories by local Northampton author, Kelly Link. In her first book written specifically for a young adult audience, Link demonstrates her ability to blend elements of fantasy, magical realism, and horror together. The overarching thread of this enchanting collection is Link’s skillful voice. The author’s writing seems to be strongly influenced by fairy tales, a factor which gives her unique narratives a sense of familiarity even as they dazzle readers with imaginative twists and turns.

Category: Contributing Writer, Emily Butler, Hilltown Families Tags: Fantasy, Halloween, horror, magical realism, Northampton, Short Stories, Young Adult Fiction, young adult literature

Learning Landscapes: Summer Creativity Challenge

”Stone age painting” is an opportunity for all, regardless of age, to use and value local resources, celebrate creativity, inquisitiveness and innovation as well as strengthen community throughout the summer and beyond as part of the Summer Creativity Challenge.

Category: Community Based Education, Jen Mendez Tags: Creative Free Play, Fantasy, Fantasy Play, Imagination, Permaculture, place-based education, Storytelling, Sustainable Education

Learning Landscapes: Re-Framing Creativity

There is a common fear that learning through fantasy leads to misunderstandings and misconceptions. It turns out this may also be, according to research, contradictory to the nature of child development. Integrating and valuing fantasy into the learning landscape cultivates a mindset of not either or, but both and more.

Category: Community Based Education, Jen Mendez Tags: Creative Free Play, Fantasy, Fantasy Play, Imagination, Permaculture, place-based education, Storytelling, Sustainable Education

Comics & Role-Playing Gaming Promote Creativity & Storytelling for Teens

Serving as a continuation of innate childhood creativity, comics and role-playing games offer maturing tweens and teens the opportunity to exercise imagination and creativity within complex structures. Comics challenge readers’ ability to combine textual and visual elements for understanding, while role-playing games challenge players by containing creative story-telling to a pre-existing structure. Families can utilize a handful of community resources to pursue these interests!