Hatrack River Forum: Fantasy and the Internet

This is topic Fantasy and the Internet in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

Hatrack Link Wizards! I summon you!

I am compiling a list of websites for 7th graders to look up about fantasy.

I need them to be collected into the following categories: A is for students recently exposed to Fantasy; B is for students with a little familiarity; C is for students who already know a lot about fantasy

The sites should be easy to navigate and be free from sexual themes/innuendoes, offensive language, and gore. But I'd like to expose the kids to the good writers in the genre and get them excited about reading their works. A few gaming and fan sites are ok, too.

Any suggestions?

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

Jenny!!!

[Group Hug]

Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :

When I saw the title of this thread and the name of its author, I had a totally different idea what this thread would be about.

And I still opened it.

Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

[Laugh]

Papa Moose. [Kiss]

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

Yikes - I guess you mean sword-n-sorcery kinds of fantasy.

Um...hmmm..

The official Harry Potter site

The grand-daddy of fantasy rpgs:

Dungeons and Dragons

I'll have to do some more digging because I don't think any of this really comes close.

-Trevor

Posted by Mabus (Member # 6320) on :

I haven't seen a lot of fantasy sites per se, but Pyramid is chock-full of articles about fantasy, ranging from the philosophical questions of what the genre is good for to suggestions about innovative ways of writing it. I dunno if that'd be exactly what you're looking for, though, and you have to subscribe to read much.

Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :

For any LOTR fans you might encounter, The Encyclopedia of Arda is an amazing site! [Eek!]

Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

More literature. Make sure it's school-appropriate, so I don't get in trouble!

And thank you! These are great. Keep 'em coming!

[ September 12, 2004, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Jenny Gardener ]

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

That's the catch Jenny - I can't think of any websites that really serve as an introduction to the concepts of fantasy for an audience of that particular age group.

Mostly because I don't know if they can really comprehend the nuance of fantasy from another type of fiction or even literature in general.

-Trevor

Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

TMedina, that's a different lesson! This is just supposed to be an exposure to what's out there. Any fantasy author's websites or fansites are probably going to be great.

The "worksheet" goes something like this:

Internet Quest

Students, you are about to embark upon a quest to the fantasy worlds dwelling within the land of Internet. As you journey, be sure to record your experiences here.

This being the journal of ______________________, on this ______ day of

______________in the year __________. Today I travel to the site called

_____________________________________________________________.

Upon my arrival, I seek the creators of this world. They are _______________________.

They have created this website in order to _____________________________________.

Following is a description of this site, and what you might find there:

As I explored this world, I felt _____________________________ because __________

_______________________________________________________________________.

I learned ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On the reverse are more of my ruminations.
Some of the fantasy works I know are (list books, films, games, etc.) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Some people who write or create fantasy are (list authors, film producers, artists, etc.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Consider the following questions. You may use the remaining space to jot down your thoughts, or you may wish to use your journal.

· Why do many people enjoy fantasy literature?
· What makes a person a “fan”? Why do some people become fans of a particular fantasy world?
· Why are some people opposed to fantasy literature?

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

Guide to Pyrdain

Incomplete, but a good reference if you enjoy Lloyd Alexander's work.

Redwall website for Martin fans

An activity page for Redwall fans

-Trevor

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

Advise them never, never, ever search the word fantasy on a search engine. They will not find books. In the far distant mists of time, I did this.

Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :

www.tolkienonline.com

Posted by JaimeBenlevy (Member # 6222) on :

www.hatrack.com

Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :

www.annemccaffrey.org

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

You'd be amazed at what search words will bring up what websites.

I assume the school computers have a monitoring system in place to ensure no pornographic or otherwise unsuitable websites crop up.

In addition to the diligent, caring efforts of their committed teacher, naturally. [Big Grin]

-Trevor

Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :

http://www.terrygoodkind.com/

You can find quite a bit of info on his books, and also about the philosophy that he bases his books off of

Though, I don't think his books are the best for kids...we keep the website very clean.

[ September 13, 2004, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: Lupus ]

Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :

http://www.sheroescentral.com/

I'm not positive it's clean, but it's mostly pretten girls, so it can't be too bad.

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

It's too long on modem to visit, so you might want to check it first 'cause I have not spent much time, but it should be great -

Deryni Destination

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

Goodkind? Goodkind? He is so not a writer for kids.

Shudder.

-Trevor

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

I don't recommend the Goodkind site for teens...the site is clean, but the books ae horible and graphic, and you don't want to introduce them to his books through a school project, adn have pissed parents because of it....

Kwea

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

No kidding, I'm a technical adult and I found his books distasteful.

Although I know the writer does have a fanbase, so take my dislike with a grain of salt.

-Trevor

Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :

as I said in my post...I don't think the books themselves are good for kids...but I thought the information mixing fantasy with philosophy might be interesting.

Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

Thanks everyone! I'm a little nervous about LOTR sites, just because of the risk some kid will stumble on a link to slash fiction!

To avoid the inevitable "surprise" search, I'm making a list of websites. The students will ONLY be able to click on approved websites.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

I know, lupas, I read what you said...but I still wouldn't want them to get interested in his books and read them.

That is what the purpose of this is, right? To show them what is out there?

The Deryni link is a good one, and the books were reletivly clean.

Also, any link to Susan Cooper would be age

Susan Cooper's home site. appropreate....wait a sec...

Here is a good one to a Llyod Alexander page... Prydian

Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :

Ok, my two cents worth. I am suggesting Terry Pratchett. www.terrypratchettbooks.com
My kids love the Disc World books and they've even won awards. There is nothing inappropriate (at least in my view) and his books give a tongue-in-cheek view of fantasy writing.

In otherwords, they will laugh their tales off!

It sounds like you're having fun, Jenny. More power to you!

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

Yeah, Terry Prachett is Great for this stuff....and fun as an adult too, although I have to pace him out a bit...I get bored if i try to read several of his books back to back.... [Big Grin]

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

I love Pratchett, but the writing would probably elude most youngsters.

-Trevor

Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :

quote:
Goodkind? Goodkind? He is so not a writer for kids.

5 words:

Robert Jordan for Young Adults

Posted by ae (Member # 3291) on :

I'm afraid I can't think of any good fantasy writers or sites free of offensive language and sexual themes. [Frown]

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

Uh...Blac?

I'm either intrigued or terrified - I can't make up my mind which. [Big Grin]

-Trevor

Posted by dabbler (Member # 6443) on :

Baen Free Library, which offers a selection of their books for free online.