Reading

Fantasy:

The City of Ember -- Book & Movie

The story is about Ember, an underground city that is slowly running out of power and supplies due to its aging infrastructure. The young protagonist, Lina Mayfleet, and her friend, Doon Harrow, manage to decode a message and follow clues left behind by the original builders of the City of Ember that would lead them to safety in the outside world.

Historical Fiction:

The Watson's Go to Birmingmam--1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

This story is narrated by 10 year old Kenny about his family and their lives as a black family living in Flint, Michigan.

This humorous story takes us through their daily lives & their journey as they travel south the Birmingham, Alabama where life is much different and often tragic.

Gathering evidence from the text to figure out the setting -- time & place

Discussion include why the author wrote this story and how he wrote it to provide us with important information about our country's history through a fictitious family.

Fantasy

The Thief of Always

Revolutionary War: Historical Fiction

Toliver's Secret

I used this novel to support our Social Studies theme about the American Revolution. Toliver's Secret is about a timid girl who is asked to help the Patriots by delivering a secret message, hidden in a loaf of bread, to a courier. As the simple plan becomes complicated, she learns to be more self-confident and to believe in herself. Even though the story is set in the past, young readers can relate to her emotions in a timeless manner. I would use this book again to enhance discussion about the American Revolution and to learn about the importance of overcoming fears that get in the way of accomplishments.