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Zeke the alien is on his way to his first day of school, feeling down because he has to start over again on a new planet, as his scientist parents constantly move to wherever their research takes them. When he gets to school, no one seems to notice anything strange or different about him except Harris, a kid obsessed with science fiction and aliens. Harris sees Zeke doing extraordinary things but can't convince anyone, least of all his best friend, Roxy, that Zeke might be an alien. Roxy just thinks Harris is jealous that she's becoming friends with Zeke. But when Roxy invites Zeke over to Harris's house, will Harris find a way to prove that he's right?
Your task as you read the book-The Alien Next Door Diorama
Dear Families,
This summer, your child will read The Alien Next Door by A.I. Newton. As part of their summer reading, students will create a shoebox diorama showing a part of the story that stood out to them.
Project Directions
Using a shoebox-sized box, your child should:
Choose one scene or moment from the book.
Recreate that scene inside the box using simple materials.
Be ready to explain:
What is happening in the scene.
How it connects to their own life.
We have included a rubric to clearly outline expectations and support your child as they work toward successfully completing this assignment.
Due Date: August 19, 2026
This does not need to be fancy.
Simple materials like paper, crayons, and recycled items work perfectly.
The goal is understanding the story, not artistic perfection.
Please allow your child to take the lead.
We look forward to hearing how your child connects the story to their own experiences as we begin our new school year together.
Andrese Howard, M.Ed | Secondary Literacy Specialist
Curriculum & Instruction Department
Warrensville Heights City School District
E: andrese.howard@whcsd.org
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