Pick two of Gratz's books in different genres and compare them. Discuss his writing style and whether or not it changes when he writes in different genres.
Pick a favorite Gratz book and research the events it is based on. Analyze how closely the facts of the event match the story.
In this compelling companion to New York Times bestseller AMAL UNBOUND, Amal’s friend Omar must contend with being treated like a second-class citizen when he gets a scholarship to an elite boarding school.
Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him—the son of a servant—with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can’t wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science club and hopefully the soccer team; but when he arrives, his hopes are dashed. First-year scholarship students aren’t allowed to join clubs or teams—and not only that, they have to earn their keep doing menial chores. At first Omar is dejected—but then he gets angry when he learns something even worse—the school deliberately “weeds out” kids like him by requiring them to get significantly higher grades than kids who can pay tuition, making it nearly impossible for scholarship students to graduate. It’s a good thing that in his favorite class, he’s learned the importance of being stubbornly optimistic. So with the help of his tightknit new group of friends—and with the threat of expulsion looming over him—he sets out to do what seems impossible: change a rigged system.
Have students complete a character analysis of Omar and define his main character traits
Research Pakistan's history and culture
Examine the cover art of the book and look at the different versions the illustrator created (see the instagram link in this blog post). Discuss how the cover art represents the story.
Have students list items that they would choose to represent them (similar to the items in the cover art). Have students create their own image.
A clever young girl looking for adventure gets more than she bargained for when she stumbles into a nest of robbers in this tale baked with magic, fun, and friendship!
Evie Baker is a great story-teller, an avid prankster, and a fantastic baker. And while she loves her parent's bakery, she has no plans to stay in their small town and become stuffy or static. Evie wants to go on adventures and she knows just what she needs to do it!
With her best friend, Cecily, by her side, Evie sets off into the Old Forest to find one of the Fel, a group of crow-like magical creatures who can't lie. She is sure her family's irresistible raspberry tart and a carefully crafted deal will get them to take her on a magical adventure--without getting her eaten or worse. But the forest hides many dangers and when they finally find their Fel, they also discover a nest of robbers!
Having seen the Robber Lord's face, Evie is whisked away into hiding for her own protection. But even in the queen's own city, trouble has a way of finding her...
YA novelist Caitlin Sangster makes her middle-grade debut in this fun fairytale filled with adventure, friendship, baking, and the power of a tale well-told.
Define fairytales. Discuss what fairytale elements the author used in the story.
Create a recipe and write out the steps a baker/cook would have to follow to make it.
Discuss how the choices the main character makes in the story. Which decisions helped or hurt other people and what could she have done differently?
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the finale of Kwame Mbalia's trilogy, in which Tristan Strong faces off with his archenemy, King Cotton, once and for all.
Imagine if you combined Anansi the Spider, John Henry, and Marvel into, like, one book.--New York Times best-selling author and Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander
After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan's hometown of Chicago. It's going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan's inner strength to deliver justice once and for all.
Shocking twists, glorious triumphs, and a cast of unforgettable characters make this series conclusion as satisfying as it is entertaining.
Read original folktales featuring characters in the story. Compare the two versions of the characters.
Compare and analyze how Tristan changes throughout the series.
Create a map of Tristan's adventures from one of the books.
Research quilting and jts importance in African American history and heritage.
Research how music lyrics were used to send messages between enslaved people, choose a song to analyze the lyrics.
Research a food, like rice, that is used in recipes across cultures and compare how it is prepared.
Research the best way to fix a damaged phone (does putting it in rice really work?).
Discuss how characters and communities in the series experience and deal with trauma.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind graphic novel about a half-witch who has just discovered the truth about herself, her family, and her town and is doing her best to survive middle school now that she knows everything!
Magic is harder than it looks.
Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself.
In this spellbinding graphic novel debut, Emma Steinkellner spins a story packed with humor and heart about the weird and wonderful adventures of a witch-in-progress.
Discuss the elements of fantasy and graphic novel genres
Write a diary entry from Moth's point of view about her experiences as she discovers her magical powers
Explore the Greensboro History Museum and learn about the founding of the city
Create a class exhibit about important events or people in the history of the city
Create a timeline of events that Moth's mother experienced throughout history then research the real events that the author based them on
Research the Salem Witch Trials and write a comic about the history or one of the main figures involved
Books about the Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials by Kekla Magoon
The Salem Witch Trials by Michael Martin
Construct a model set for the Founders play
Discuss how relationships between Moth and the other characters in the books change as she learns to accept herself
Thirteen chilling short stories to keep you up at night--but only if you dare.
You never know what's out to get you. Though you might think you're safe from monsters and menaces, everyday objects can turn against you, too. A mysterious microwave. A threatening board game. A snowman that refuses to melt. Even your own heartbeat has its secrets. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. When you stop to listen, each beat sounds more menacing than the last.
Master storyteller Josh Allen brings thirteen nightmare scenarios to life in this page-turning collection that's perfect for budding horror junkies. In his wondrous world, danger waits behind every doorway . . . even in the most ordinary places.
Eerie illustrations by award-winning artist Sarah Coleman accompany the stories, packaged in a stunning hardcover edition complete with glow-in-the-dark jacket. Readers will sleep with one eye open!
Discuss elements of Horror genre
Write a scary short story
Research monster myths from different cultures
Some of the stories in the book deal with a technology that invades people's lives. Research current technologies, like cell phones and smart homes, and their pros and cons.
Discuss how people overcome fears.