Grades 6–8
Narrative
VideosMayra Cuevas is the award-winning author of books for readers of all ages. Her young adult novel Does My Body Offend You? (co-written with Marie Marquardt) was long-listed for the PEN/Faulkner Award, named a 2023 Book All Young Georgians Should Read and appeared in multiple “Best Books” lists. In 2023, she was named Georgia Author of the Year (YA category). Mayra’s debut picture book My Abuela is a Bruja earned three starred reviews and released to wide critical acclaim. Her debut adult romance How to Fake a Southern Gentleman (co-written with Marie Marquardt) releases in 2026. Mayra is also the author of the teen foodie romcom Salty, Bitter, Sweet, and the short story “Resilient,” published as part of the anthology Foreshadow: The Magic of Reading and Writing YA. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Mayra is a former award-winning CNN producer, and now a creative writing professor. She also co-founded the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival and its Latinx Storytellers Conference.
Students will learn how to write a question that hooks the reader.
STEP 1
First, watch the video. Then, answer this question in your writing journal:
STEP 2
Different types of writing are called genres. Romance, mystery, and fantasy are three examples of genres. In your writing journal, take 1-2 minutes to make a list of other genres you can think of.
Each genre typically shares a similar dramatic question, which often influences the way stories in that genre are told or structured. Romance stories, for example, often pose the question “Will they or won’t they?” to readers early on in the text.
On page 1 of the Dramatic Questions with Mayra Cuevas — Handout, explore different dramatic questions by genre in...
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