The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative
- Genre: Nonfiction; autobiography
- Originally Published: 2003
- Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
- Structure/Length: 5 chapters; approx. 184 pages
- Central Concern: The author explores how storytelling plays a role in the Native American tradition, his own life, and throughout the world.
Thomas King, Author
- Bio: Born in California in 1943; lives in Canada; graduated from Chico State University and the University of Utah; worked as an English professor at the University of Guelph; delivered Canada’s prestigious Massey Lectures in 2003
- Other Works: One Good Story, That One: Stories (2013); Medicine River (1989)
- Awards: The Trillium Award (Canada, 2003)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:
- The Power of Stories
- The Struggle Between Image and Reality
- The Fluid Nature of Stories and Truth
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:
- Develop an understanding of the oral tradition and Native American storytelling traditions and apply this understanding to their reading of The Truth About Stories.
- Read/study short paired texts and other resources to deepen understanding of themes related to narrative: The Power of Stories, The Struggle Between Image and Reality, and The Fluid Nature of Stories and Truth.
- Demonstrate their understanding of key ideas in King’s text through a series of photographs that tell differing stories about the same subject.