Video Description: Justin Cronin’s hit novel “The Passage” is a breathtaking tale of catastrophe and survival. This mesmerizing work of sacrifice and hope, tells an epic story of a girl given the chance to save humanity. Award-winning and acclaimed author Justin Cronin’s ambitious vision and powerful prose combine and create the perfect summer read. Stephen King says, “Read this book and the ordinary world disappears.” Watch Justin Cronin speak about the inspiration behind his work and read a key passage from the novel about an important character. This presentation is part of the Maryville Talks Books series, which is co-sponsored by Left Bank Books, Maryville University, HEC-TV, and St. Louis Public Radio.

• Provide the video for students who like books by this author.
• Use the video in a flipped learning activity and have students come to class prepared to share two insights gained by watching the video and two questions they’d like answered through their own or class research.
• Use the video as inspiration/example for an activity that has your students interview each other on writing they have done. Use the video to show interview styles, types of questions, and how a finished interview video could be edited together.