The Hawthorne Legacy

The Hawthorne Legacy 

• Genre: Fiction; young adult mystery/thriller 
• Originally Published: 2021 
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 9-12 
• Structure/Length: 90 chapters; approximately 358 pages; approximately 10 hours, 24 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Avery Grambs, who, after inheriting a fortune from a billionaire she never met, must solve riddles and uncover secrets about her benefactor’s family, the Hawthornes. The central conflict involves unraveling the mysteries surrounding the Hawthorne family and Avery’s unexpected connections to them while navigating danger and deception.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Family secrets and conflict; intrigue; mild romantic elements; exploration of wealth and privilege dynamics; death; gore; kidnapping; violence, including gun violence; cyberbullying; sexual content; profanity; use of alcohol and drugs

Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Author 

• Bio: Born 1984; American author specializing in young adult fiction; known for her mystery and thriller novels characterized by fast pace and complex plots; often incorporates elements of suspense, romance, and family dynamics
• Other Works: The Naturals series (2013-2016); The Fixer series (2015-2016); Little White Lies (2018); The Inheritance Games (2020)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Coming of Age: Becoming a Player in Your Own Game
• Romantic Relationships
• Class Disparities and Classism

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Explore background information on audience engagement with the mystery and thriller genres as well as the techniques used to promote this engagement to increase their interest in and understanding of The Hawthorne Legacy.
• Read/study paired texts and other brief resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to Coming of Age: Becoming a Player in Your Own Game, Romantic Relationships, and Class Disparities and Classism.
• Demonstrate their understanding of the important clues and red herrings in The Hawthorne Legacy by creating an interactive text adventure based on the novel.
• Analyze the significance of various elements of the text, such as irony, juxtaposition, characterization, and language; construct structured essay responses regarding family secrets, romantic relationships, the novel’s setting, and other topics.