Embedded Files
Meet Caleb and Bobby Gene, two brothers embarking on a madcap, heartwarming, one-thing-leads-to-another adventure in which friendships are forged, loyalties are tested . . . and miracles just might happen.
Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene are excited to have adventures in the woods behind their house. But Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town.
Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. Styx promises the brothers that together, the three of them can pull off the Great Escalator Trade--exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. Styx has secrets--secrets so big they could ruin everything.
Your task as your read the book-Operation Swap It Out: The Ultimate Trade-Up Challenge
📚 Task Overview
Students will step into the role of Styx Malone and create their own “Great Escalator Trade” journey, inspired by the novel. Instead of retelling the story, they will apply the novel’s themes (risk, identity, growth, choices) to design and justify their own series of trades.
🎯 Essential Question: How do our choices shape who we become?
🧠 Student Task
Students will design a modern-day “trade-up” journey, starting with a small, ordinary item and trading up step by step to something meaningful or valuable.
They must:
1. Create at least 5 trades
2. Explain why each trade makes sense
3. Connect their journey to Styx Malone’s influence and themes in the novel
🧾 Final Product Options (Student Choice)
Give your students voice and choice (you always do this well 👏):
Option A: 📓 Visual Storyboard
● Comic-style or slide-based
● Includes illustrations + captions
● Each trade is shown visually
Option B: 🎥 Video or Vlog
● “Follow my trade journey” style
● Students narrate each trade decision
Option C: 🧳 “Trade-Up Portfolio”
● Written + visual hybrid
● Includes artifacts (drawings, mock screenshots, “receipts”)
Option D: 🎤 Pitch Presentation
● Shark Tank-style
● Students defend why their trade journey would succeed
🧩 Required Components
1. Trade Map (Core Component)
● Starting item (something realistic—ex: pencil, old phone, book)
● 5+ trade steps
● Final “big trade” item
2. Reasoning for Each Trade
Students must explain:
● Why someone would accept the trade
● How value increases each time
● Risks involved
3. Theme Connection (Critical Thinking 🔥)
Students must connect their journey to at least 2 themes from the novel:
● Identity
● Belonging
● Risk-taking
● Honesty vs. manipulation
● Growth
4. Styx Malone Reflection
Students respond:
● Would Styx approve of your trades? Why or why not?
● Are your trades honest or manipulative?
● How are you similar to or different from Styx?
✍ Writing Component (Aligned to W.6.1 & W.6.2)
Students must include:
● A clear claim about their trade strategy
● Evidence from the novel (Styx’s actions, decisions, consequences)
● Explanation connecting their journey to the text
Andrese Howard, M.Ed | Secondary Literacy Specialist
Curriculum & Instruction Department
Warrensville Heights City School District
E: andrese.howard@whcsd.org
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