39 Clues: The Maze of Bones - Module 9

39 Clues

The Maze of Bones

By Rick Riordan

Published by Scholastic Press (2008)

ISBN: 978-0545060394 (hardcover)
Grades: 4-6

Tale

In this first book of the series, as their beloved grandmother passes away, orphans Amy (14) and Dan (11) realize that their family tree holds more than traditions; it is surrounded in secrecy, mysteries, disappearances…and that no one can be trusted. The two children and all the Cahills invited, need to choose between a million dollar “no questions asked” inheritance or fighting with the other family members to discover all 39 clues that will reveal the family’s secret; and that may lead them to what is supposed to be the most valuable treasure in existence (If they survive all the ordeals)! In the second scenario, only one team will win and the others will be given nothing. Amy and Dan decided to take the challenge. They travel the world chasing for the 39 clues, they discover the power of their family, meet the famous relatives, and discover the dangers of belonging to one of the four branches of the Cahill family.

Thoughts

The book is a blast of hide-and-seek experiences, explosions, excitement, and mystery; but is also an enjoyable lesson on geography and history. The series’ readers are taken around the world in search of the clues, and clues for clues. They visit world-famous monuments and institutions, and learn about historical personalities such as Amadeus Mozart and Benjamin Franklin, which all happen to be Cahill relatives. Literature and math topics are also present throughout the chapters.

The fun goes beyond the book’s pages as readers have access to online games, activities, and webcasted events at http://www.the39clues.com/. This website also provide a comprehensive support for educators such as lesson plans, classroom activities suggestions, and detailed literature comprehension and content overviews for each volume. 

About the Author

Rick Riordan was born in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 1964. He started writing short stories at young age. Although he became famous for his adult mysteries, the idea of writing a juvenile fiction never died. It was from a bedtime story he wrote for his older son that his first children’s book arose—Percy Jackson was born! Recently Riordan became a full-time writer, but he uses much of his time visiting schools and other educational institutions.

“I think kids want the same thing from a book that adults want—a fast-paced story, characters worth caring about, humor, surprises, and mystery.”

Click here to visit “the online world of Rick Riordan”.

Review

From School Library Journal

"Starred Review. Grade 4–7—When their beloved Aunt Grace dies, Dan, 11, and Amy, 14—along with other Cahill descendants—are faced with an unusual choice: inherit one million dollars or participate in a perilous treasure hunt. Cahills have determined the course of history for centuries, and this quest's outcome will bring the victors untoward power and affect all of humankind. Against the wishes of nasty Aunt Beatrice, their reluctant guardian since their parents' deaths, Dan and Amy accept the challenge, convincing their college-age au pair to serve as designated adult. Pitted against other Cahill teams, who will stop at nothing to win, the siblings decipher the first of 39 clues and are soon hot on the historical trail of family member Ben Franklin to unearth the next secret. Adeptly incorporating a genuine kids' perspective, the narrative unfolds like a boulder rolling downhill and keeps readers glued to the pages. As the siblings work together to solve puzzles and survive dangers, they develop into well-drawn individuals with their own strengths and personalities. Supporting Cahill cast members come across as intentionally exaggerated caricatures, adding to the tale's breathless fun. The book dazzles with suspense, plot twists, and snappy humor, but the real treasure may very well be the historical tidbits buried in the story. Part of a multimedia launch including a Web site, collectable game cards, and a 10-title series (penned by different authors), this novel stands solidly on its own feet and will satisfy while whetting appetites for more.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. "

Activity

Based on a teacher activity suggestion found on the official 39 Clues website at http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=37926

Geography:

"Grace Cahill kept a map of the world with pushpins in her secret library. Help your students track their journey around the world by displaying a world map in your classroom. Track their locations with pushpins like Grace!”

Mark each one of the pushpins with numbers in descending order. As the numbers are added to the map, students will discuss and write in their “travel journal” which places they visit, who they found, which historical personage they met, and what clues they have discovered.

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment - Module 8

Maximum Ride

The Angel Experiment

By James Patterson

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2005)

ISBN 978-0316155564 (hardcover)

Grades: 7 Up

 Tale

Maximum Ride, or simply Max, is a strong 14 year-old girl. She takes care of her younger (not blood related) ‘siblings’: Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and little Angel. Without parents or any adults around, she is responsible for “the flock”. As a result of modifying laboratory experiments, they are children with wings—their 2% bird genes allow their 98% child bodies to fly. They ran away from the lab in which they were raised in small cages and cannot trust anyone. Living in secrecy in the Colorado Mountains, they run away again when discovered by the Erasers: half man/half wolf genetic experiments created in the same lab. Their lives are always in danger as these sanguinary mutants are always hunting for them, wherever they go. With a single light kiss, a slight element of romance is added to the story, probably to be developed in one of the book’s sequels.

Thoughts

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is the first in a series of seven books. It appeals to a broad spectrum of readers as it has characters of all ages, genders, personalities, and nature. It offers suspense, surprise, fantasy, science labs, fights, romance, and many other elements that may appeal to readers. Apart of the fantastic nature of being scientific mutants, the characters are mainly normal children that are fighting for their freedom. The contrast between the day light and the peaceful sound of the wind under their wings, against the dark, dirty, and noisy world they endure when hiding underground between the train tracks and the lab, add to the suspense.

Grade 7 up.

About the Author

Born in Newburgh, New York, on March 22, 1947, author James Patterson is well-known for many of his works and charismatic characters in a wide range of genres, especially thriller and suspense. He writes for various ages and reading levels and many of his works have been adapted for TV and to the big screen. The Thomas Berryman Number, published in 1976, was the first of several novels. He has written over seventy novels and many of them have appeared on best-seller lists around the world. He is listed in the “Guinness World Records,” as the author with the most New York Times best sellers (NYTimes, 2010). Today, Patterson lives with his wife and his son in Palm Beach, Florida.

Click here to visit James Patterson official website.

Review

Horn Book Guide Reviews 2006 Spring

Website: http://www.hbook.com

Max Ride and five other human-avian genetic hybrids fly (literally) from the lab where they were created as experiments and forge a new life in hiding. When six-year-old Angel is captured, Max leads her makeshift family in a rescue attempt, raising questions about their origins and destiny. Smart-mouthed, sympathetic characters and copious butt-kicking make this fast read pure escapist pleasure. Copyright 2006 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Activity

From Maximum Ride official website

Click here to visit the website for more activity ideas.

“Science—Unfortunately for Max and her Flock, the scientists experimenting with genomics use their knowledge to harm rather than aid society. But genomic research can be used for useful purposes: developing new energy sources, insect-and drought-resistant crops, and hardier livestock. Assign students a partner and ask them to select one of the above fields to research. Each pair should make a brochure explaining the field of genomic research, detailing both its positive and negative impact. The brochures should be presented to the class and displayed in the classroom.”

Because of Winn-Dixie - Module 7

Because of Winn-Dixie

By Kate DiCamillo

Newbery Honor Book 2001

Published by Candlewick Press (2000)
Grades: 4-6

TALE

Opal is only a 10-year-old girl, but she feels the pressure of being the Preacher’s child, being raised without a mother, moving to a city where everybody is a stranger and nobody is a friend, and of being bullied by other children. Then, she meets Winn Dixie, a stray dog with a beautiful smile. Winn Dixie becomes part of the family and Opal’s great friend. Together they begin to learn about the neighborhood and their neighbors.

THOUGH

Because of Winn-Dixie is a sweet story about a very smart dog with a big sense of humor and a great smile (literally). He makes friends easily with anybody and because of him Opal has new friends, better understands her father’s feelings, learns more about her absent mother, and most important, she gives herself a chance to enjoy all of it!

Kate DiCamilo: “Opal’s story is about loss and love and friendship and forgiveness and community and hope. In short, it is about life.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

From http://www.katedicamillo.com/

“I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, raised in Clermont, Florida, and currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I write for both children and adults and I like to think of myself as a storyteller.

Here are a few more facts about me: I am short. And loud. I hate to cook and love to eat. I am single and childless, but I have lots of friends and I am an aunt to three lovely children (Luke, Roxanne, and Max) and one not so lovely dog (Henry).I think of myself as an enormously lucky person: I get to tell stories for a living.”

REVIEW

From SLJ Reviews 2000 June
Website: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Gr 4-6-India Opal Buloni, 10, finds a big, ugly, funny dog in the produce department of a Winn-Dixie grocery store. She names him accordingly and takes him home to meet her father, a preacher. Her daddy has always told her to help those less fortunate, and surely Winn-Dixie is in need of a friend. Opal needs one, too. Since moving to Naomi, FL, she has been lonely and has been missing her mother more than usual. When she asks her father to tell her 10 things about her mother, who left the family when Opal was three, she learns that they both have red hair, freckles, and swift running ability. And, like her mother, Opal likes stories. She collects tales to tell her mother, hoping that she'll have a chance to share them with her one day. These stories are lovingly offered one after another as rare and polished gems and are sure to touch readers' hearts. They are told in the voice of this likable Southern girl as she relates her day-to-day adventures in her new town with her beloved dog. Do libraries need another girl-and-her-dog story? Absolutely, if the protagonist is as spirited and endearing as Opal and the dog as lovable and charming as Winn-Dixie. This well-crafted, realistic, and heartwarming story will be read and reread as a new favorite deserving a long-term place on library shelves.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

ACTIVITY

Just as the Preacher tells Opal 10 things about her mother, students will think and list 10 things about Winn-Dixie.            

If I Stay - Module 7

if i stay

by Gayle Forman

Published by Dutton (2009)
ISBN 9780142415436
Grades: 9 Up.

Book trailer

Tale

Mia is only 17 but she needs to make the hardest decision she will ever face in her life. Between life and death after a car accident which killed her entire family, Mia finds herself outside her body, which is lying in a hospital bed, in coma, surrounded by tubes, wires and machines. It is up to Mia the decision to endure life without her loving and caring parents and her beloved younger brother or never experience Adam’s kiss or the sound of her cello again. Mia tries to understand what is happening to her and how to get out of such a weird and emotionally painful situation. Although Mia cannot feel any sensation or pain, she narrates many events of her life with her family, her best friend Kin, her boyfriend Adam, and talks of her passion for classic music and her cello.

Click here for a detailed summary by Terry Miller Shannon (Teen Reads).

Thought 

If I Stay impresses on the reader the difficult reality of how things can change in an instant, for better or for worse. The day starts with an unexpected snow school holiday and the promise of a nice little ride with her beloved family, but ends in a situation nobody would wish for. It is a well written, beautiful and touching story permeated by family bonds, friendship, and love. In her flashbacks, Mia recounts moments all teenagers can identify with; choosing friends, deciding on a career, and falling in love for the first time. The music is a constant element and the contrasting genres of classical and rock n’roll find a way to complement each other, as described between generations and genders. The struggle Mia faces is deciding if life without her family is worthwhile and if death without becoming a professional cellist, a wife, and all other common events we all expect to experience in life is bearable. This decision becomes our own and is heartbreaking. Teens and adult readers will admire and care for this strong teenager; hoping she will make the right decision between unbearable choices. The novel has been published in 30 countries around the world.

If I Stay sequel Where She Went is coming in April 2011.

About the author

Gayle Forman started her career working for Seventeen magazine as a journalist interested in young adult issues. Later she became a freelance journalist writing for various magazines. Her first work as a writer, the travel memoir You Can’t Get There From Here: A Year on the Fringes of a Shrinking World, was produced after a yearlong trip with her husband around the world. Back at home, with a baby to take care of, she discovered the pleasure of traveling through imagined stories. Forman had targeted an audience to be between the ages of 12 and 20. Published in 2007, Sisters in Sanity was her first young-adult novel.

Gayle Forman official website: click here

Interview with the author: click here

Literary awards

British Fantasy Award (2010),

An ALA/YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2010),

South Carolina Book Award Nominee for Young Adult Book Award (2011),

TAYSHAS High School Reading List (2010),

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2009) ...more

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction (2009),

ALA Teens' Top Ten (2010),

Milwaukee County Teen Book Award Nominee (2010),

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award YA Nominee (2011),

Florida Teens Read Nominee (2010)

Review

Publishers Weekly

"The last normal moment that Mia, a talented cellist, can remember is being in the car with her family. Then she is standing outside her body beside their mangled Buick and her parents' corpses, watching herself and her little brother being tended by paramedics. As she ponders her state ("Am I dead?I actually have to ask myself this"), Mia is whisked away to a hospital, where, her body in a coma, she reflects on the past and tries to decide whether to fight to live. Via Mia's thoughts and flashbacks, Forman (Sisters in Sanity) expertly explores the teenager's life, her passion for classical music and her strong relationships with her family, friends and boyfriend, Adam. Mia's singular perspective (which will recall Alice Sebold's adult novel, The Lovely Bones) also allows for powerful portraits of her friends and family as they cope: "Please don't die. If you die, there's going to be one of those cheesy Princess Diana memorials at school," prays Mia's friend Kim. "I know you'd hate that kind of thing." Intensely moving, the novel will force readers to take stock of their lives and the people and things that make them worth living. Ages 14-up. (Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

Activity
In groups, students discuss Mia’s decision. They will come up with their decision as a group and justify their reasoning. The decision needs to be unanimous, so group members need to be persuasive in their points of view.