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.