Looking for an engaging way to bring early American history and archaeology into the classroom? Our Luna the Cat Book Study Bundle is designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking in students while introducing them to themes of resilience, adaptation, and personal growth. Aligned with literacy, social studies, and SEL connections, this free resource supports cross-curricular learning in a fun and meaningful way.

Based on real archaeological discoveries from the 1559 Spanish settlement of Pensacola, Florida, predating Jamestown by nearly 50 years, Luna the Cat blends history and storytelling to explore one of America’s earliest colonial attempts. Written by a professional archaeologist and a historian with decades of classroom and museum education experience, the book follows Luna, a young cat swept aboard a 16th-century Spanish galleon. Through shipboard adventures, storms at sea, encounters with new cultures, and the challenges of survival, students discover history through the lens of the Hero’s Journey.

The Book Study Bundle, available on our Teachers Pay Teachers store, provides ready-to-use resources for reading comprehension, classroom discussion, and enrichment activities. It’s the perfect companion for educators who want to weave archaeology, history, and storytelling together in ways that resonate with middle-grade readers.

This free bundle is part of the Tales from the Trowel series, which brings the past to life through the eyes of animal protagonists inspired by real archaeological finds. With Luna the Cat, students learn that even the smallest creatures can make a lasting mark on history- while building their own understanding of courage, resilience, and identity.