The Place of Story in a Time of Standardization

Keynote Speaker: Chris Crutcher

Chris Crutcher is author of Deadline, The Sledding Hill, Running Loose,
Whale Talk, Wild Horse, Ironman and Athletic Shorts, among many other
titles. Before becoming a controversial writer, Chris was a primary and
secondary teacher. His books feature teens dealing with difficult problems
of abuse, identity formation, prejudice, and disability. Because of their
earnest handling of difficult topics, Chris’s books have been banned as
too mature for their age group, even though the American Library
Association has named eight of his works “Best Books for Young Adults.”
He will talk about the place of stories in a time of standardization and
the intervention of teachers and texts in a time of high stakes testing,
standardizing student growth, and state-mandated canons.