GRADE LEVEL: Middle and High School

Identity shapes how we see ourselves and others, yet it can be hard to recognize and articulate what makes up our own sense of self. Books can serve as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, helping students value diverse stories, build empathy across difference, and gain the language and confidence to express their own identities.

In this activity, students will be able to:

  • Explore the concepts of Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors as they relate to literature and identity. 
  • Identify and analyze examples of books that serve as Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors based on their own reading experiences. 
  • Reflect on their own identity and story through creative writing and art.

Seeing Ourselves, Seeing Others: Identity and the Books That Reflect Us