$5.95
Are you looking for a new fantastic short story to teach theme with- The Paper Menagerie is just what you need! This product is a wonderful intro into Magical Realism and thematic analysis with the short story “The Paper Menagerie” by Ken Lui.
This product is no-prep and ready to go with a PDF of the short story, an introduction to Magical Realism Power Point, and beautifully designed PDF handouts to guide your students through a thoughtful thematic analysis of this award winning coming-of-age story.
⭐ Included in this product:
You can use this as an introductory activity to the genre before reading longer texts such as Big Fish, A Monster Calls, and Night Circus. It can also stand alone as a solitary activity.
Students will consider literary devices used, point of view, and quote analysis that all help lead them to their thematic analysis of the story. The final page of this handout set is breakdown of their thematic statement on the story as well as evidence to support. This can serve as a quick check for understanding or the outline of a larger essay.
Related Products
• Neil Gaiman’s “Chivalry” and Magical Realism Combo
• Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” Close Reads and Thematic Analysis
• Short Story Bundle | Back to School
Would you like to see a blog post with more details on how I use this in the classroom? Check out the post here!
What other teachers like you have said:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very satisfied- Melissa M.
“I really love this story. I found the assignment that went with it was good. I think it is great to use it as a conversation starter and learn how to dive deep into a text and analyze it. A great tool to consider breaking down a great story!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extremely satisfied- Veronica A.
My kids were in tears! Such a powerful story and wonderful resource.
Copyright © Around the World With Mrs. C.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
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Hey there! I’m Julia from Around the World With Mrs. C, and I’m so glad you’re here! If you teach high school English, especially World Literature or Mythology, you’re in the right place. My resources are designed to save you time while keeping your students engaged, thinking deeply, and making real-world connections to what they read. I create lessons, projects, and close reading activities that spark meaningful discussions — the kind that remind you why you started teaching in the first place. My goal? To help you spend less time planning and more time doing what you love — teaching. I started creating these resources because I know how overwhelming it can be to juggle grading, curriculum demands, and trying to keep students interested in classic texts. I wanted to make it easier for teachers to bring stories from around the world to life in their classrooms. If that sounds like what you need, I’d love for you to join my email list so you can stay in the loop with freebies, updates, and new product releases. Thanks so much for stopping by — I can’t wait to help you make literature come alive for your students!
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