Author/Illustrator: Susan Schade and Jon Buller(husband and wife team)Plot Summary: In a world now primarily populated by talking animals, the book explores the legend of the talking humans who made themselves extinct.
Comments: A combination of prose and graphic novel make for interesting visuals and an engaging story. Although not for every student, this book presents science fiction in an accessible manner. This first book will make readers want to finish the trilogy. Especially recommended for brainier second, third and fourth graders.
Extensions:
1. A digital format of this book would be interesting to use as a read aloud in that the pictures could be shown on the screen. The class could follow along by viewing the pictures, as well as listening to the story line. In this way, some of the important topics of the book could be discussed and further explored - pollution, taking care of the environment, and vegetarianism; as well as having students predict what they think will happen next.
2. This book would be a good choice for a Literature Circle for students who would choose to read it and discuss. Questions related to the above-mentioned issues could be raised and discussed by the group. Predictions could be made as the group worked their way through the trilogy.
3. A Lunch Bunch Literature Circle could be organized with the Media Specialist and in the Media Center on a weekly basis. The genre would alternate but this would be a good choice for a science fiction title.
Themes/keywords: Chipmunks, animals, adventure and adventurers, science fiction
Age/Reading Level: 3 - 6; ATOS/Follett - 3.6; Lexile - 530
Standards:
ELA2R2 The student demonstrates the ability to read orally with speed, accuracy, and expression.
ELA2R4 The student uses a variety of strategies to gain meaning from grade-level text.
ELA2W1 The student begins to demonstrate competency in the writing process.
ELA2W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature.
ELA3R3 The student uses a variety of strategies to gain meaning from grade-level text.
ELA3W1 The student demonstrates competency in the writing process.
ELA3W2 The student writes in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature.
ELA4LSV2 The student listens to and views various forms of text and media in
order to gather and share information, persuade others, and express and understand ideas.
ELA4LSV1 The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student,
and group verbal interactions.
ELA4C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of
the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application
of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats.
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ELA4R2 The student consistently reads at least twenty-five books or book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) each year. The materials should include traditional and contemporary literature (both fiction and non-fiction) as well as magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and electronic material. Such reading should represent a diverse collection of material from at least three different literary forms and from at least five different writers.
ELA4R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
Publisher's Info: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York. 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0-689-87685-1
ISBN-10: 0-689-87685-8
Awards/Review Sources:
School Library Journal 07/01/06 | Book Links (A.L.A.) 09/01/07 |
| Publishers Weekly 08/21/06 | Booklist 04/15/06 |
Genre/Dewey: Fiction
Websites:
Author and Illustrator website
Notes for Booktalk: Book #1 in the three part "Fog Mound" trilogy. Other books in the series include Simon's Dream and Faradawn.
Vocabulary:
Comments