Teacher Testimonials

The Whispering Rod by Nancy Kelley is a novel I have used with my 8th grade classes as part of an interdisciplinary unit with the social studies teacher. The 8th graders study United States history and the novel is an excellent tie-in with their curriculum. The Whispering Rod gives a factual description of life in colonial Boston. It also deals with the intolerance of Quakers by the Puritans who came to the New World for religious freedom. The subject of acceptance of people who are different from us is one that needs to be explored in schools. Diversity in schools' populations is part of our culture. Examining this subject helps students realize the tremendous costs of intolerance.

Joanne Folan, Teacher
8th Grade, Reading

...There are also universal themes with which adolescents can identify. The struggles between the father and the daughter mirror the experiences of many adolescents. Hannah's love interest, Will, captivates the girls and draws them into the story. The writing is very descriptive and enhances students' vocabularies as they read. I highly recommend The Whispering Rod to be used as a novel in an English or social studies classroom. It is a wonderful example of historical fiction. I look forward to other novels that this author writes. I think her first novel is oustanding.

Elizabeth Sarno, Teacher
7th Grade, Reading