Our podcast episode was titled “Unleashing Young Readers,” I’m assuming as an homage to this blog, and we shared what literacy instruction looks like at our school, both in the podcast and the companion write up:
5 Worlds #3: The Red Maze Author: Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel
Illustrator: Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, Boya Sun
Published May 7th, 2019 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Summary: In book 3, Oona Lee is determined to light Moon Yatta’s beacon and continue her quest to save the galaxy. But reaching the red beacon means navigating an impossible maze of pipes and facing devious enemies at every turn. Luckily, her friend Jax Amboy has returned from his adventures transformed! Now he must confront the owner of his former starball team, a ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to get his best player back on the field . . . and who can grant them access to the beacon. Meanwhile, Oona and An Tzu find a mysterious rebel leader and release a surprising power within Oona’s magic. Will they make it in time to stop the evil force seeking to rule the 5 Worlds?
About the Creators:
Praise:
Review:
If you have not read the first two books in this series, stop reading. Go get them. And read them. Then come back. 🙂 It is worth it I promise! Here’s my review of book one: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13265.
As for book 3, The Red Maze, it starts off with a bang as we learn what happened to Jax as he recaps for Oona and An Tzu. The trio are on their way to Moon Yatta to complete their mission of lighting the red beacon. It jumps right into where book 2 left off.
Like the others, the story is full of adventure, battles, betrayal, surprises,
I love the underdog trio that are fighting to save the world. They are fearless and so empathetic, putting their lives on the line to save all. An Tzu is especially interesting as we are still looking for a reason for his rare disappearing illness.
Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Use The Red Maze to ask some very deep analysis and reflective questions to your students (see below). The story can also be easily connected to significant historical events.
Discussion Questions:
How do you truly destroy evil?
What can you compare the corporation takeover on Moon Yatta to here in America?
How does the removal of laws protecting the environment affect the world?
What can you compare the shapeshifters being banned to in history?
What would you be willing to do to save the world?
How can pressure affect performance?
What makes something alive?
What are examples of people ignoring evil to help reach their own wants in history like what happened in The Red Maze?
Flagged Passages:
First, view these amazing animation test for the series:
These definitely show the brilliance of the creators!
Read This If You Love: The first 5 Worlds books, the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi, Mighty Jack series by Ben Hatke, Zita the Spacegirl series by Ben Hatke, The Time Museum series by Matthew Loux
Recommended For:
**Thank you to Mark Siegel and Random House for providing a copy for reivew**
The best way to learn what kids are thinking & feeling is by listening to them, so I am happy to share my students’ voices!
Why Teachers Should Let Students Read Manga by Luis, 8th Grade
Mrs. Moye let me read manga for most of the year. I read a huge variety of awesome mangas, but some teachers don’t like manga for different reasons. But I feel like I have the right to read whatever I want. Manga isn’t just fighting cartoons, some of them have a better plot than books. For example, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure has a better vampire plot than other vampire books out there. Some have great love stories or more realistic action. Manga is truly something that teachers should let their students read and enjoy. And who knows–they may even learn Japanese!
Why 6th Graders Should Be Allowed to Read More Mature Books If They Want by Star, 6th Grade
I believe 6th graders should be allowed to read more mature books. It allows the kids to venture into a world they still have a while to actually enter. They allow kids to feel more emotions, such as sadness in love. For example, in the book The Fault in our Stars by John Green, Hazel and Augustus express such love for each other despite their differences. And when something sad happens at the end of the book, it causes the reader to be sad. Another reason 6th graders should be allowed to read more mature books is because they get kids into more real world situations before they have to experience it themselves. For example, in the book Orbiting Jupiter the author throws the reader into a real life situation.
Why We Shouldn’t Ban Books by Paola & Amy, 7th Grade
Book banning: The horrible act of taking a book deemed “inappropriate” for students and then restricting access to that book. This has been done for years and many people actually think that this helps keep children from certain material. While it actually causes problems.
It Keeps Important Topics Away From Kids
The biggest problem with banning books is that most of the banned books talk about very important social topics. While many people think that exposing kids to these topics will hurt them, the opposite can actually be said. The more kids learn about these topics, the better educated they are. They could then form their own opinions and even come up with ideas to help other people. Additionally, by keeping these materials away from teens and kids, they might make bad decisions because they’ve never thought about it. And by banning the books, people are making the topics more intriguing.
Why I Like Books About Social Justice by Alex, 8th Grade
I think that social justice books are the best to read for multiple reaasons. One big reason is that social justice is a very relevant topic that goes on daily, whether between a cop and an unarmed man or people of different races experiencing racial tension. I think that no matter what the situation is, it’s always interesting to see it unfold. After reading a book that deals with heavy teantion, I like to put myself in that persn’s shoes and think about how I would have handled the situation. Another reason why I believe that social justice books are interesting is because I have never had to deal with much oppression in my life which is why I think it is good to learn about other people that have dealt with oppression beacuse it makes me feel like I am not ignorant about the situations in our society. Just because I don’t deal with them, doesn’t mean I should know about them.
My top social justice books:
Ghost by Jason Renolds
I Am Alfonso Jones
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Yummy by G. Neri
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Why I Like K.A. Holt Books by Maya, 6th Grade
My first ever K.A. Holt book that I read was House Arrest, and ever since then, I have fallen in love with her writing. After I read House Arrest, I read Knockout, Redwood & Ponytail, and Rhyme Schemer. I love how her books are written like a verse of a poem because not many authors write the way she does and it captures emotions. I also love how in House Arrest she wrote the book over weeks to follow along. Also, I love that House Arrest, Knockout, and Redwood & Ponytail are in a series but you don’t have to read them in a certain order. Redwood & Ponytail was an amazing book to me; it has an important message which is never be afraid to show who you are no matter what others think. Thank you, K.A. Holt, for writing amazing books!
Reasons Why I Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Axel, 6th Grade
I like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series because it is fun to know how Greg lives his life and learn about him. It also includes comedy which makes me laugh time to time while reading it. Greg’s family is really funny and weird and sometimes do embarrassing things which is fun to read about. Greg and Rowley do funny things too–usually activities for their own purposes that always end up as a disaster because Greg tries to imagine how to make everything perfect for him and when he tries to make it perfect, something goes wrong. All of these are why I like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series. Oh! And every year a new book comes out, and so far each one I’ve read is great!
Book Stereotypes That Are NOT TRUE! by Cooper & Jacob, 6th Grade and Mrs. Moye
There are girl and boy books.
This stereotype has lasted for many years and is still believed vy people. There is no such thing as a girl or a boy book.
Long books are boring
Long books are not boring because a long book just has more action and fun in it.
Graphic novels are for children.
Graphic novels are for everyone. They have life lessons and the images bring it all together.
Books are the same as movies.
Movies have to cut things out because of time. To get the full story, you have to read the book.
Cool kids don’t read/Only nerds read.
Smart people read.
Judge books by their cover.
The cover isn’t even chosen by the author and sometimes covers are so misleading!
Non-fiction books are boring.
Then you aren’t reading the right nonfiction books for you! Try a different kind.
“I don’t have time to read.”
Yes you do. You aren’t making time to read. Just 20 minutes a day can impact your life in such a positive way!
Children’s books aren’t good.
Any children’s book will prove this wrong because they have a huge impact on the reader.
Independent reading doesn’t help you learn anything./Books are a waste of money.
Books can help the reader learn! Instead of playing and buying video games, buy books!
This year, I reread more books than any previous year. I am not including the billions of pictures books that I reread to my children in that statistic, either. 🙂 But for this list, I am focusing on my favorite reads of 2018. These are books that will stick to my bones for years to come!
Favorite Books Marketed Toward Young Adults
#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale
Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi
The Astonishing Color of After by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Mary’s Monster by Lita Judge
Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
Favorite Books Marketed Toward Upper Elementary and Middle Grade
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya
I had one of my best reading years ever! My GoodReads goal was 300 which I exceeded!
I read 415 books this year! (Though I will admit GoodReads adding the ability to add rereads really helped with the total; however, I was quite inconsistent with it– I marked re-reads sometimes and other times I didn’t, so I don’t know how accurate the count is, specifically picture books…)
It was almost exactly split between picture books and non-picture books with my novel, etc. total being a bit over 200. My average rating for the year is 4.2 and my top shelves were: realistic fiction, nonfiction, Unleashing Readers, Trent 4-5 years, middle grade, audiobook, mg-ya picture books, picture book, and read to Trent.
Today, I want to highlight my favorite reads from the year by sharing my 5 star reads from 2018 (the visual includes all while the list includes only newly read in 2018 books):
Click on the photo above to see my 2018 Goodreads shelf to learn about any of these titles. If I’ve reviewed the book on Unleashing Readers, I’ve also hyperlinked it in the list.
Picture Books & Early Readers (nonfiction & fiction)
American Street by Ibi Zoboi Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner Fresh Ink: An Anthology edited by Lamar Giles Tyler Johnson was Here by Jay Coles Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro What Girls are Made of by Elana K. Arnold Sadie by Courtney Summers Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy Here to Stay by Sara Farizan One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills Internment by Samira Ahmed Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills Odd One Out by Nic Stone Dry by Neal Shusterman Another Day by David Levithan
Graphic Novels
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang The Divided Earth by Erin Faith Hicks I Am Ghandi: A Graphic Biography of a Hero edited by Brad Meltzer Illegal by Eoin Colfer Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka Monsters Beware by Jorge Aguirre Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens by John Green HiLo #4: Waking the Monsters by Judd Winick Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable Peter & Ernesto: The Lost Sloths by Graham Annable Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol Fox & Chick: The Party and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier
Hazardous Tales: Raid of No Return
Author and Illustrator: Nathan Hale
Published November 7th, 2017 by Abrams Books
Summary: A top secret mission needs volunteers.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States joined World War II. And soon after that, young pilots were recruited fro a very secret – and very dangerous – raid on Japan. No one in the armed forced had done anything like this raid before, and none of the volunteers expected to escape with their lives. But this was a war unlike any other before, which called for creative thinking as well as bravery.
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales are graphic novels that tell the thrilling, shocking, gruesome, and TRUE stories of American history. Read them all – if you dare!
About the Author: Nathan Hale is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales. He also wrote and illustrated the graphic novel One Trick Pony. Hale lives in Provo, Utah. Learn more at hazardoustales.com.
Praise: “Harrowing and no detail is left out . . . Hale’s tendency to incorporate character commentary, infographics, and fun facts will draw readers. Give this title to readers interested in action-packed graphic novels.” — School Library Journal
Review:The Hazardous Tales series is the series I use when kids say that nonfiction is boring AND when teachers say that graphic novels aren’t complex because this series, and this book, is complex, interesting, well crafted, funny, and just everything you’d want from any book, much less a nonfiction graphic novel.
And I am so happy to have a World War II Tale because so many students ask for it, and this is a new story for me, so I know it’ll be new for my students as well. Also, I think this specific mission will lead to many discussions because the idea of volunteering for a deadly mission is something that so many of my students struggle to understand because it isn’t something that they need to even consider, so to look at these men’s decision-making and willingness to fight for their country.
Hazardous Tales tip: I recommend starting with the first book, One Dead Spy, then you can read any of the others in any order.
Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I’ve written in the past how I would incorporate this series as well as written a teaching guide for the first six books, but I wanted to allow another voice to share the brilliance of Hazardous Tales, so today my colleague, Kaleigh Gill who teaches 8th grade U.S. history, who started reading the series this summer and has read almost the whole series! I wanted to let her share why she loves the series and how she pictures it being part of her classroom:
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales opens up a world of American stories that are often overlooked. With multiple books focusing on big topics, like the Revolution, Civil War, Alamo and Westward Expansion, Hale is able to give students (and teachers!) an engaging and realistic depiction of the experiences of American heroes and villains. With his humorous and relatable characters, he is able to connect with young readers on an unprecedented level in regards to nonfiction novels.
One of my favorite attributes of Hale’s series is the way he inserts side stories filled with background information and informative detail on corresponding events and individuals. He has the ability to make these often dull stories, come alive with his animated and entertaining illustrations. His stories are sure to captivate readers of all ages and interests.
Every history teacher in the United States should read this series! Even if you feel you wouldn’t have enough time to teach the entire book, it would be a great visual to provide students when discussing certain topics or figures. Some excerpts in this series would only take about 5-10 minutes to read aloud and discuss with your students, but would definitely leave a lasting impact! This series has even inspired me to design lessons based around historical texts for young readers and has also ignited my love of history again. Leaving these books to simply sit in my classroom library, would be a huge waste for my curriculum and more importantly, my students. Not only will it give insight into little known stories of America’s major events to enhance instruction, but it will intrigue students to dive deeper into historical texts that they would typically overlook.
Fox + Chick: The Party and Other Stories Author and Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier Published April 17th, 2018 by Chronicle Books
Summary: Fox and Chick don’t always agree. But Fox and Chick are always friends. With sly humor and companionable warmth, Sergio Ruzzier deftly captures the adventures of these two seemingly opposite friends. The luminous watercolor images showcased in comic-book panel form will entice emerging readers, while the spare text and airiness of the images make this early chapter book accessible to a picture book audience as well.
Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Activities for The Party and Other Stories include:
How to Read a Graphic Novel
Reading a graphic novel differs from reading prose text because readers must infer everything outside of the dialogue they are given and what is presented in the illustrations.
First, using Fox + Chick discuss the differences with your class between a picture book, a chapter book, and a graphic novel. Make sure to point out the parts of a graphic novel like speech bubbles show what the characters are saying, panels (each square), and the gutter (the space between panels). Then discuss how to read a graphic novel (typically read left to right, top to bottom).
Extension activity: Discuss with students why an author would choose to write their story as a graphic novel versus a chapter book or picture book.
Then, to show how inferences have to be made between panels, use pages 2/3 to page 4. As a reader you can infer that Chick continued walking to the house shown on page 2/3 even though the illustrations don’t show each little step. Also, between the first two panels on page 4, the reader can infer that Chick had to wait a bit even though the panels don’t show it.
After reading the story, have students show how they use inferring to comprehend the story by:
K-1st: Retell the story including inferences made between panels and what the illustrations show.
2nd-3rd: Rewrite the story as a narrative including inferences made between panels and what the illustrations show.
Conflict and Resolution
Conflict is the problem with a story or part of a story while the resolution is how that problem is solved. In each of the chapters in Fox + Chick, there is a conflict and a resolution. Each chapter gives an opportunity to learn these narrative elements.
For chapter 1, “The Party,” as a class, determine the conflict and the resolution.
For chapter 2, “Good Soup,” have students determine the conflict and resolution in pairs.
For chapter 3, “Sit Still,” have students determine the conflict and resolution independently.
Character Traits
Character traits are all the aspects of a character’s behavior from how they act to what they think.
Before reading: As a class, list the character traits the students assume a fox and a chick are going to have. How will they act? What type of personality will they have? How are they going to interact with each other?
After reading: Independently or as a class, have students complete a character trait activity on each character. Have students answer the following questions then place their answers into a graphic organizer:
How did the character act in the story?
What feelings did the character portray in the story?
What words would you use to describe the character’s personality?
See the Teaching Guide Created by me (Kellee) for even more activities and discussion questions!
You can also access the teaching guide through Chronicle’s website here.
