The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day
by Chrisopher Edge
Embedded Files
A CLIP Carnegie Medal Children's Book Award Nominee
Copyright: April 9th, 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Grade level: 4-7
Reading age: 9-12
Summary
Maisie, brimming with excitement on her birthday, eagerly anticipates her parents' gift, hoping it might be the components for her dream project: constructing her own nuclear reactor. Convinced of its safety and appropriateness for a "gifted" ten-year-old, she eagerly embraces the notion. Equally thrilling is the prospect of turning ten, as she recalls Pythagoras' assertion that the number holds the key to universal understanding. However, her excitement turns to bewilderment when she descends the stairs to find her home deserted. Upon opening the front door, her shock intensifies as she is met not by her familiar surroundings, but by an endless expanse of empty blackness devoid of any semblance of civilization.
Sci-Fi Brilliance Adventure Independence Magical Philosophy Physics Suprises Space Travel
ELA Standard: RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
ELA Standard: W.5.3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
Suggested Delivery: Independent Read, Read Aloud
Key Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Nuclear Reactor: The main job of a reactor is to house and control nuclear fission—a process where atoms split and release energy.
Black Hole: A region in space having a gravitational fi eld so strong that nothing can escape.
Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element.
Entropy: a measure of how much atoms can spread out, move around, and arrange themselves in random ways.
Sun: The star around which the earth orbits
Earth: The planet on which we live (the world)
Gravity: The force that attracts a body towards the center of the earth
Galaxy: A system of millions or billions of stars held together by gravity
Dark Matter: The name for roughly 80% of the mass of the universe, made up of things scientists cannot see.
Reading Strategies
Reading Strategies
Before Reading:
Prior to reading "The Infinite Lives of Maise Day," engage students in a whole class discussion on their first impressions of the book:
What does the title make you think about?
Consider the title in separate words, what do you notice?
What can you notice about the cover? Characters? Scenery? Font type?
During Reading:
Effective visualization during reading can enhance comprehension. Encourage students to engage their imagination, forming mental images of the text's descriptions, characters, settings, and events throughout the course of the reading. Model for them on how to create vivid pictures in their minds, paying attention to details such as colors, shapes, and spatial relationships. Visualizing helps students connect more deeply with the text, making abstract concepts more concrete and facilitating recall and understanding. Instruct them to use all their senses to create a rich mental landscape that brings the text to life.
After Reading:
The purpose of a one pager is giving students the opportunity to show their comprehension of the novel as well as giving them the opportunity to show off their creative side.
Writing Activity
Writing Activity
Young writers are empowered to unleash their imaginations and explore a variety of engaging prompts. With FOUR options to choose from, each student can select the writing activty that most inspires them.
"A suspenseful yet poignant science fiction novel that deftly weaves scientific theories with the equally complex relationship between two very different sisters." —School Library Journal
"A creepy blend of reality, concepts of an infinite universe, and black holes . . . . What's real, and what's not? . . . this mystery will leave readers pondering Maisie's ultimate fate and what lies beyond this world." —Booklist
“Gripping, terrifying and eye-poppingly original. Grabs hold of your brain—then tugs at your heart.” —Jonathan Stroud, author of the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy
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