Mixed-Up

By Kami Garcia

Informational Resources:

Author Information:

Kami Garcia’s website
https://kamigarcia.com/ 

Activities & Resources:

Mixed-Up teaching notes (Scholastic)
https://resource.scholastic.com.au/ResourceFiles/100142450_130134.pdf 

How is a graphic novel made? explained by Raina Telgemeier

https://goraina.com/how 

Board Game Remix: Take a text-heavy board game and challenge students to redesign the instructions using only the symbols and icons or pictures.

Create your own graphic novel scenes and panels using Storyboard That.
https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator 

Witchlins Fan Club Posters. Stella and her friends are Witchlins number 1 fans! Have students create “fandom” posters for their favorite show or characters.

Dyslexia

Understanding Dyslexia (1:36)
https://youtu.be/BOn4DWBNdOU?si=rlg-MOhAuwurt_e1 

What is it like to have dyslexia? (3:14)
https://youtu.be/sLWBqz_GrRQ?si=yDVgrv_IFFAZKbUQ 

The book is printed in Dyslexie, a font designed to make reading easier for people with dyslexia. Print the same paragraph in Times New Roman, Comic Sans, and Dyslexie Font. Have students “race” to read them and discuss which feels “calmer” for their eyes.

Friendship

Hula Hoop Pass (0:20)
https://youtu.be/zljjXedszWE?si=3MVRiwi3YTCTuDCO 

M&M get to know each other game
https://www.shescraftycrafty.com/2013/07/get-to-know-you-games.html 

Make Friendship Pins
https://www.kitchencounterchronicle.com/how-to-make-friendship-pins-craft-for-tweens/ 

Make pony and letter bead friendship bracelets
https://damasklove.com/how-to-make-beaded-bracelets-with-elastic/

MakerSpace Activities:

How to make easy Kumihimo Bracelets for Elementary Kids  (10:09)
https://you-tu.be/ySxKLqPGsEc?si=_k74gUt2ktAQBDP0 

Make potions inspired by “Witchlins” (2:03)
https://youtu.be/tpeYsb5vsR0?si=bvj7z3kjB_4J4Qr2  

Make a DIY sketchbook like Stella uses in the story (0:44)
https://youtube.com/shorts/0ZVMp7P7bAU?si=zNdr7wae665EYRC5 

Positive Affirmation River Stones. Stella struggles with self-doubt in the story. Have students paint smooth river stones with “power words” (resilient, artist, friend, etc) using acrylic paint markers or paint.
https://youtube.com/shorts/FV-YRAkg3D8?si=StgRYl58wE5WHjbz 

Discussion Questions:

What do we learn about Stella at the very beginning of the story?

How does Stella feel about reading and school at the start? What clues show this?

What is something Stella is really good at? How does that make her feel?

Why does Stella enjoy playing video games?

What problem does Stella start to notice when she has to read in class?

How does Stella feel when she compares herself to other kids in her class?

What happens that makes Stella feel confused or frustrated about learning?

How do Stella’s friends treat her when she is struggling?

Why is the game guide so important to Stella?

What makes the game guide hard for her to use?

How does Stella try to hide or deal with her reading struggles?

Who helps Stella begin to understand that her brain works differently?

How does learning about dyslexia change the way Stella feels about herself?

What is one strategy Stella learns that helps her with reading or schoolwork?

How does Stella’s attitude toward school start to change?

What does Stella learn about asking for help?

How do Stella’s strengths help her solve problems by the end of the story?

How do the pictures in the graphic novel help you understand Stella’s feelings?

What is one message the author wants readers to learn from this book?

How can Stella’s story help kids who feel “mixed-up” about learning?

Book Talk Teasers:

Read the reader’s theater for Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia.

Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.

Read Alikes: 

Bagley, Jessixa. Dear Jackie. Jackie and her friend Milo deal with all the pressures of other kids and everyday life as they begin middle school. (NoveList Plus)

Larson, Hope. Very Bad at Math. Student body president Verity Nelson can do it all, except math, until a teacher helps her discover she has a learning disability that causes her to mix up the numbers and this knowledge gives her a new perspective. (NoveList Plus)

Ormsbee, Kathryn. Growing Pangs. After her so-called BFF ditches her during summer camp, Katie returns home and cannot stop worrying about everything--friends, the sixth grade, getting braces--and feels that no one will like her due to her anxiety. (NoveList Plus)

Steinke, Aron Nels. Speechless. Middle schooler Mira is struggling to speak in class and has found solace in making videos for her secret stop-motion animation channel, but she's horrified to learn Chloe, her former-best-friend-turned-enemy, will be staying with them. (NoveList Plus)

Wasserman, Cassidy. On Guard!. 12 year-old Katie is having trouble adapting to a new school year after her parents separate and her best friend is no longer her best friend, but maybe the fencing club will give her a place to be herself. (NoveList Plus)