LibGuides: Resources to Meet Standards: Grade 7

Standard Info

KAS RL.7.1

KAS RL.7.2

KAS RL.7.3.

KAS RL 7.4

KAS RL 7.5

KAS RL 7.6

KAS RL 7.7

KAS RL.7.9

KAS RL.7.10

KAS RI.7.1

KAS RI 7.2

KAS RI.7.3

KAS RI.7.4

KAS RI.7.5

KAS RI.7.6

KAS RI.7.7

KAS RI.7.8

KAS RI.7.9

KAS RI.7.10

KAS Standard RL.7.1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

AASL Standard:

I.B.1: Learners engage with new knowledge by following a process that includes: Using evidence to investigate questions.

Sky's End by Marc J. Gregson
ISBN: 9781682635766

Publication Date: 2024-01-02

An instant New York Times bestseller with three starred reviews--now under development as a feature film franchise! Plummet into a kill-or-be-killed competition where a scrappy underdog hell-bent on revenge must battle colossal monstrosities and claw his way to the top in this fast-paced, breakout sensation from YA fantasy author Marc J Gregson. Exiled to live as a Low under the merciless rule of the Meritocracy, sixteen-year-old Conrad refuses to become heir to his murderous uncle. But when behemoth sky serpents attack the floating island of Holmstead and devour Conrad's ailing mother, Conrad cuts a deal to save the only family he has left. To rescue his sister from his uncle's clutches, Conrad must enter the Selection of the Twelve Trades. Freshly recruited into Hunter, the deadliest of all the Trades, Conrad endures rigorous training, manipulative peers, and the Gauntlet--a brutal final challenge that pits Conrad's skyship crew against the very terrors that orphaned him. As Conrad competes in the lowest of stations, he overhears whispers of rebellion in the dark. Conrad had never known anything existed below the toxic black clouds of the Skylands . . . until now. Grab your copy of Book One of the Above the Black trilogy and immerse yourself in a richly detailed dystopia, where failing to rise will most certainly mean your fall. Chock-full with epic, edge-of-your-seat battles, nail-biting twists, and bonds of brotherhood, this action-packed series starter is reminiscent of Attack on Titan and will appeal to fans of Red Rising. A captivatingly wild ride to keep you up late at night as you race toward the finish! A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book; A Kids' Indie Next List Selection; A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year; A BookPage Best Book of the Year; A Reactor Most Anticipated Young Adult SFF/H; A Goodreads Most Anticipated Young Adult Book; A Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nominee; A Utah Beehive Award Nominee; Shortlisted for MPIBA's Reading the West Book; Nominated for the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award.
1. Common conflicts in stories include: Character vs. Self, Character vs. Character; Character vs. Society,
and Character vs. Nature. Explain how each type of
conflict is present in Sky’s End. Cite specific evidence to support your thoughts.

2. Figurative language is used throughout the novel to create certain images in the mind of the reader. Explain the following simile: “Entire neighborhoods
are missing. Flattened. Pillars of wood rise from the earth like the ribs of a corpse” (p. 27). Find other examples of simile in the novel.

KAS Standard 7.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

AASL Standard:

II.C.2: Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by: Contributing to discussions in which multiple viewpoints on a topic are expressed.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
ISBN: 9781984836038

Publication Date: 2022-02-01

#1 New York Times Bestseller and winner of the Carnegie Medal! A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray. Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe.

Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren't free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceauescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He's left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves--or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe. Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom? Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit.

1. Consider the theme of betrayal in the novel. Who betrays whom? What are the reasons and advantages/disadvantages of the different betrayals in the novel. What do you think the author is saying about betrayal?

2. There was a great amount of symbolism displayed throughout I Must Betray You. Many of the characters sold out
their family and friends without knowing that their close circles were equally guilty of the same betrayals. Was
it justifiable for the characters who were informers to feel hurt and betrayed even though they were performing
similar acts?

KAS Standard RL 7.3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).

AASL Standard:

III.B.2: Learners work productively with others to solve problems by: Involving diverse perspectives in their own inquiry processes.

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga
ISBN: 9780062956705

Publication Date: 2024-09-10

From the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of A Rover's Story and Other Words for Home comes an extraordinary story about two friends, a ghost, a missing painting, and a turtle named Agatha. The perfect next read for fans of The Swifts, Kate DiCamillo, and Erin Entrada Kelly. A painting has been stolen...! When Rami sees a floating girl in the museum, he knows he has seen her somewhere before. Then he realizes: She looks just like the girl in the painting that has gone missing. But how does her appearance connect to the theft? Agatha the turtle knows--she has been watching from the garden. But she can't exactly tell anyone...can she? Will Rami, with the help of his classmate, Veda, be able to solve the mystery? The clues are all around them, but they'll have to be brave enough to really look. This is a whimsical, moving story about the universal desire to be seen and understood and how art can help us find connection, even when we are at our loneliest.

1. Rami feels alone in middle school. If you were his classmate, how would you reach out to him and help him with his loneliness? Do you ever feel lonely in middle school? When is feeling lonely normal, and when is it a cause for concern and action?
2. How does the setting influence the plot of the novel?

KAS Standard RL.7.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of

AASL Standard:

I.B.1: Learners engage with new knowledge by following a process that includes: Using evidence to investigate questions.

And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps
ISBN: 9780593406328

Publication Date: 2024-05-07

A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can't be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets "the itch," and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books-superheroes have a lot of "and then, boom" moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn't tell anyone he's on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out-bills are piling up, the electricity's been shut off, and the school year's about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He's never felt so alone-until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home-and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.

1. In many superhero comics, the words "And then, Boom!" indicate that a big change will be happening to the superhero. Analyze how this phrase shapes the plot of this novel-in-verse.
2. A storm/tornado reshapes Joe's life. What are some of the other "storms" that he has experienced and survived? How have these contributed to his resilience and independence?

KAS Standard RL.7.5: Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.

AASL Standard:

I.D.3: Learners participate in an ongoing inquiry-based process by: Enacting new understanding through real-world connections.

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
ISBN: 9781536229097

Publication Date: 2024-03-19

A New York Times bestseller! A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book. Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia--and self-expression as an act of survival--in the New York Times bestseller wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse. But another voice inside me says, We need help. We're going to die. Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books--the weird one, the outsider--and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author's experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love.

1. Why does Jake listen to the Voice and refuse to eat enough? What are some other ways in which listening to our inner "voice" can help and hurt us?

2. Trusting others is a central idea in Louder Than Hunger. Why is Jake reluctant to trust others? What makes you trust other people? How do you gain and develop trust in yourself?

KAS Standard 7.6: Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

AASL Standards:

II.B.2: Learners adjust their awareness of the global learning community by: Evaluating a variety of perspectives during learning activities.

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly
ISBN: 9780062747303

Publication Date: 2020-05-05

A Newbery Honor Book * BookPage Best Books * Chicago Public Library Best Fiction * Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee * Horn Book Fanfare * New York Times Notable Children's Book * School Library Journal Best Book * Today Show Pick * An ALA Notable Book "A 10 out of 10 . . . Anyone interested in science, sibling relationships, and friendships will enjoy reading We Dream of Space."--Time for Kids

Newbery Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly transports readers to 1986 and introduces them to the unforgettable Cash, Fitch, and Bird Nelson Thomas in this pitch-perfect middle grade novel about family, friendship, science, and exploration. This acclaimed Newbery Honor Book is a great choice for readers of Kate DiCamillo, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Rebecca Stead. Cash, Fitch, and Bird Nelson Thomas are three siblings in seventh grade together in Park, Delaware. In 1986, as the country waits expectantly for the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, they each struggle with their own personal anxieties. Cash, who loves basketball but has a newly broken wrist, is in danger of failing seventh grade for the second time. Fitch spends every afternoon playing Major Havoc at the arcade on Main and wrestles with an explosive temper that he doesn't understand. And Bird, his twelve-year-old twin, dreams of being NASA's first female shuttle commander, but feels like she's disappearing.
The Nelson Thomas children exist in their own orbits, circling a tense and unpredictable household, with little in common except an enthusiastic science teacher named Ms. Salonga. As the launch of the Challenger approaches, Ms. Salonga gives her students a project--they are separated into spacecraft crews and must create and complete a mission. When the fated day finally arrives, it changes all of their lives and brings them together in unexpected ways. Told in three alternating points of view, We Dream of Space is an unforgettable and thematically rich novel for middle grade readers. We Dream of Space is illustrated throughout by the author.

1. Compare and contrast the different point of view of the three siblings about the dysfunction in their household. How does each react to/cope with the dysfunction?
2. How does the Challenger disaster change each of the siblings' view of their family?

KAS Standard RL.7.7: Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film)

AASL Standard:

III.B.1: Learners participate in personal, social, and intellectual networks by: Using a variety of communication tools and resources.

Eagle Drums by Nasugaraq Rainey Hopson (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781250750655

Publication Date: 2023-09-12

**A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK** A magical middle grade debut about the origin story of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Arctic tradition. With beautifully hand-drawn full color art throughout! As his family prepares for winter, a young, skilled hunter must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping--the same mountain where his two older brothers died. When he reaches the mountaintop, he is immediately confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik. Savik gives the boy a choice: follow me or die like your brothers. What comes next is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods and unexpected lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us. Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson is part cultural folklore, part origin myth about the Messenger's Feast - which is still celebrated in times of bounty among the Iñupiaq. It's the story of how Iñupiaq people were given the gift of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition. Hopson's full-page illustrations and spot art, rendered in colored pencil, accompany this powerful story.

1. Dance, song, and ceremony play a big role in
this story. Why do you think these rituals are so
important to the Iñupiaq people? Do any of the
songs and ceremonies in the book remind you of
traditions from your own or other cultures?
2. How did hearing the audiobook version of this novel contribute to your learning experience and appreciation of the indigenous culture? Compare and contrast the audiobook with reading the text to yourself.

Audiobook link: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Eagle-Drums/dp/B0C2F2FPK2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=287WV1VUQ9NKE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OMUiTs90tlGjcGcDg8Q93g.KZyJh06skJSenkG65JJa5heha4RF3_y533sYQelIk8c&dib_tag=se&keywords=eagle+drums+audiobook&qid=1748882788&s=books&sprefix=eagle+drums+audiobook%2Cstripbooks%2C85&sr=1-1

KAS Standard RL.7.9: Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and an historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.

AASL Standard:

II.C.2. Learners exhibit empathy with and tolerance for diverse ideas by: Contributing to discussions in which multiple viewpoints on a topic are expressed.

Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen
ISBN: 9780823453788

Publication Date: 2024-03-05

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. "A HOME RUN."--School Library Journal, starred review "NOT TO BE MISSED."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Narrated by twelve-year-old Cato, this intense and evocative story of racial unrest in prewar North Carolina ends with a dramatic match between white and Black little league teams. 1935. Twelve-year-old Cato wants nothing more than to play baseball, perfect his pitch, and meet Mr. Satchel Paige--the best pitcher in Negro League baseball. But when he and his teammates "trespass" on their town's whites-only baseball field for a practice, the resulting racial outrage burns like a brushfire through the entire community, threatening Cato, his family, and every one of his friends. There's only one way this can end without violence: It has to be settled on the mound, between the white team and the Black. Winner takes all. Written in first person with a rich, convincing voice, Warrior on the Mound is about the experience of segregation; about the tinderbox environment of the prewar South; about having a dream; about injustice, and, finally, about dialogue. Back matter includes an author's note, historical background, biographical information about Negro League players, and more.

1. Setting is the time and place a story occurs. How does knowing the setting of this story contribute to your understanding of the plot and characters?
2. Use Gale database to research the Negro League Baseball. Why did the League exist, who were some famous players, and what is the legacy of the Negro League Baseball?

KAS Standard RL.7.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

AASL Standard:

I.D.3: Learners participate in an ongoing inquiry-based process by: Enacting new understanding through real-world connections.

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
ISBN: 9781368099585

Publication Date: 2024-09-03

NEWBERY HONOR AWARD. Simon O'Keeffe's biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he'd do anything to forget- the one starring Simon as a famous survivor of gun violence at school. Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone-the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who's determined to give the scientists what they're looking for, he'll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell. Simon Sort of Says, the Newbery Honor-winning novel by Erin Bow, is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

1. Does Simon want to be normal, or does he want to be happy? How do you define normal? How do you define happy?
2. Examine the use of humor in the novel. What humor do you find in Simon's parents' occupations? How does Simon use humor to help him cope with moving to a new school in the middle of the school year? What advice would you give him to help him cope with this change?

KAS Standard RI.7.1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

AASL Standard:

III.B.2: Learners participate in personal, social, and intellectual networks by: Establishing connections with other learners to build on their own prior knowledge and create new knowledge.

The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb (Scholastic Focus) by Candace Fleming
ISBN: 9781338596618

Publication Date: 2021-09-07

A Junior Library Guild choice. Award-winning and critically acclaimed author Candace Fleming presents the edge-of-your-seat true story of the search for Tutankhamun's tomb, the Western public's belief that the dig was cursed, and the battle for ownership of the treasures within. During the reign of the New Kingdom of Egypt, the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled and died tragically young. In order to send him on his way into the afterlife, his tomb was filled with every treasure he would need after death. And then, it was lost to time, buried in the sands of the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was also said to be cursed. Centuries later, as Egypt-mania gripped Europe, two Brits -- a rich earl with a habit for gambling and a disreputable, determined archeologist -- worked for years to rediscover and open Tutankhamun's tomb. But once it was uncovered, would ancient powers take their revenge for disturbing and even looting the pharaoh's resting place? What else could explain the mysterious illnesses, accidents, and deaths that began once it was found?

1. What evidence do you find to indicate that Tutankhamun's tomb is cursed?
2. What inferences did the public (and now, you) draw from the events that happened following the tomb's opening? How did these events contribute to the belief that the tomb is cursed?

KAS Standard RI.7.2: Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

AASL Standard:

II.B.2. Learners adjust their awareness of the global learning community by: Evaluating a variety of perspectives during learning activities.

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol
ISBN: 9781250314857

Publication Date: 2024-05-07

On ALA's 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List. An instant classic graphic novel that flips every fairy-tale you know on its head, and shows one girl's crusade for the only thing that matters--her own independence. Jane is incredibly plain. Everyone says so: her parents, the villagers, and her horrible cousin who kicks her out of her own house. Determined to get some semblance of independence, Jane prepares to propose to the princely Peter, who might just say yes to get away from his father. It's a good plan! Or it would've been, if he wasn't kidnapped by a mermaid. With her last shot at happiness lost in the deep blue sea, Jane must venture to the world underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancé. But the depths of the ocean hold beautiful mysteries and dangerous creatures. What good can a plain Jane do?

1. The author/illustrator explores the idea of inner beauty vs. outer beauty. What message does she give the reader about the different types of beauty?
2. Compare/contrast this graphic fairy tale with traditional fairy tales. How are the heroines alike and different? How is Plain Jane a relevant heroine for today's teens?

KAS Standard RI.7.3: Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).

AASL Standard:

IV.B.2: Learners gather information appropriate to the task by: Collecting information representing diverse perspectives.

Picturing a Nation: the Great Depression's Finest Photographers Introduce America to Itself by Martin W. Sandler
ISBN: 9781536215250

Publication Date: 2021-11-23

A National Book Award winner mines photographic gold to show--and tell--the story of the Great Depression. In an exquisitely curated volume of 140 full-color and black-and-white photographs, Martin W. Sandler unpacks the United States Farm Security Administration's sweeping visual record of the Great Depression. In 1935, with the nation bent under unprecedented unemployment and economic hardship, the FSA sent ten photographers, including Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Gordon Parks, on the road trip of a lifetime. The images they logged revealed the daily lives of Southern sharecroppers, Dust Bowl farmers in the Midwest, Western migrant workers, and families scraping by in Northeast cities. Using their cameras as weapons against poverty and racism--and in service of hope, courage, and human dignity--these talented photographers created not only a collective work of art, but a national treasure. Grouped into four geographical regions and locked in focus by rich historical commentary, these images--many now iconic--are history at its most powerful and immediate. Extensive back matter includes photographer profiles and a bibliography.

1. Use Gale Resources to research one of the following: causes of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, or one of the following federal agencies established to help Americans through the Great Depression: FERA, CCC, or PWA.
2. Use your school library's OPAC to find fiction books on the Great Depression. Choose one to read and determine how accurately the fiction author depicted the setting of the novel.

KAS Standard RI.7.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

AASL Standard:

III.B.2: Learners participate in personal, social, and intellectual networks by: Establishing connections with other learners to build on their own prior knowledge and create new knowledge.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
ISBN: 9780062882776

Publication Date: 2022-07-05

In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives. Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people... In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance--and Papi's secrets--the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

1. “My father was the one who always threw the get-togethers, & even in death, he brings us all home” (pg. 134). How does their father’s death bring everyone “home”? What does the word "home" mean to the various characters in the book, and how does the connotation of that word change as the half-sisters begin to form a relationship?

2. Why do you think the author chose the title "Clap When You Land"? What is the meaning of this title?

KAS Standard RI.7.5: Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.

AASL Standard:

III.A.1: Learners identify collaborative opportunities by: Demonstrating their desire to broaden and deepen understandings.

Amazing Immortals by Dinah Williams
ISBN: 9781419761904

Publication Date: 2024-04-02

A culturally diverse, fact-filled, and gorgeously illustrated introduction to over 80 gods and goddesses from around the world--a perfect introduction to mythology for young readers. With heroic deeds, family drama, pulse-pounding battles, and shape-shifting magic, mythology fascinates us all. But even the biggest enthusiasts find it hard to keep track of who's who! Packed with facts and full-color, lush illustrations, Dinah Williams's Amazing Immortals is a fascinating introduction to these larger-than-life gods and goddesses, highlighting their big personalities, famous adventures, formidable powers, family trees, animal companions, and appearances in pop culture. Organized by theme--from gods of creation to gods of death and the underworld; from gods of water to gods of fire; from gods of love to gods of war--this diverse encyclopedia features both familiar and underrepresented deities. Filled with betrayal, intrigue, romance, and impossible feats, their captivating stories entertain us, explain our world, and help answer some of life's biggest questions. Includes gods and goddesses from 30 pantheons: Akan * Annang *Aztec * Babylonian * Bushongo * Canaanite * Celtic * Chinese * Efik * Egyptian * Finnish * Greek * Hawai'ian * Hindu * Hittite * Hopi * Ibibio * Incan * Inuit * Korean * Lithuanian * Māori * Mayan * Navajo * Norse * Pueblo * Roman * Shinto * Sumerian * Yoruba

1. As you read through this book, what organizational pattern do you notice?

2. What themes are explored in this book? Compare/contrast the gods/goddesses in each section? Which are familiar to you? Which are not?

KAS Standard RI.7.7: Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium's portrayof the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words).

AASL Standard:

III.B.1: Learners participate in personal, social, and intellectual networks by: Using a variety of communication tools and resources.

History Smashers: the Titanic by Kate Messner; Matt Aytch Taylor (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780593120446

Publication Date: 2021-04-06

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the sinking of the Titanic with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. On April 15, 1912 an "unsinkable" ship called the Titanic unexpectedly hit an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic. Right? Wrong! Nobody was really talking about the Titanic being unsinkable until after it sank. The truth is, four different ships wired the Titanic to report icebergs and field ice in the area. But the Titanic never slowed down. In fact, when the Californian warned that it was trapped in ice, the Titanic's wireless operator was so busy sending outgoing messages that he replied, "Shut up!" No joke.

Audiobook link: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/history-smashers-the-titanic/574556?srsltid=AfmBOopwSSt8W6tCVldVF6hQkN4afAiwTzmz-nwsscsvW39uE239q748

1. Much has been written about the sinking of the Titanic. Why do you think this tragedy has captured the imaginations and interest of so many? Why are you interested in the Titanic?
2. How is the experience of listening to the audiobook different from reading the text? Which media do you prefer, and why?

KAS Standard RI.7.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.

AASL Standards:

II.A.2: Learners contribute a balanced perspective when participating in a learning community by: Adopting a discerning stance toward points of view and opinions expressed in information resources and learning products.

Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries by Ammi-Joan Paquette; Laurie Ann Thompson
ISBN: 9780062418876

Publication Date: 2019-05-21

Crazy-but-true stories about history, geography, and human achievement make this acclaimed nonfiction series perfect for fans of curiosities and wonders. A fun way for middle graders to explore ways to separate fact from fiction. Did you know that a young girl once saved an entire beach community from a devastating tsunami thanks to something she learned in her fourth-grade geography lesson? Or that there is a person alive today who generates her own magnetic field? Or how about the fact that Benjamin Franklin once challenged the Royal Academy of Brussels to devise a way to make farts smell good? Welcome to Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries! You know the game: Every story in this book is strange and astounding, but one out of every three is an outright lie. Can you guess which stories are the facts and which are the fakes? It's not going to be easy. Some false stories are based on truth, and some of the true stories are just plain unbelievable! Don't be fooled by the photos that accompany each story--it's going to take all your smarts and some clever research to root out the alternative facts. From a train that transported dead people to antique photos of real fairies to a dog who was elected mayor, the stories in this book will amaze you! Just don't believe everything you read.

1. In every single chapter, two of the stories are true and one is a lie. Your job is to use your critical thinking and research skills to tell the difference.
2. What resources will you use to determine which are truths and which is the lie?. . .

KAS Standard RI.7.9: Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.

AASL Standard:

VI.B.2: Learners gather information appropriate to the task by: Collecting information representing diverse perspectives.

Remember This by Monique Polak; Valéry Goulet (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781459834125

Publication Date: 2024-03-12

"The writing is fluid and easy to read, perfect for the middle school set...Polak's text explores memory from numerous angles and adapts its tone accordingly, from humorous to respectful and solemn when needed. The real-life examples are fascinating, and readers will come away with in-depth knowledge on the mind...A must-have title for libraries." -- School Library Journal Uncover the science of memory and how important it is to our daily lives. We all make memories, and memories make us who we are. Remember This explores the science of memory, how and why we remember what we do and what happens when we start forgetting. From working memory to flashbulb memory, young readers are introduced to the field of neuroscience. It also looks at the role memory plays in our daily lives and collective history, and how major global events get imprinted in our minds. You will also find out how memory can work for you. Have you ever met Roy G. Biv? (He helps you remember the colors of the spectrum.) How come you can't forget the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? (Because it's set to music.) Why don't elephants ever forget? (They've got a great sense of smell.) Discover more tips and tricks to train your brain to remember. Young or old, let's start making memories.

1. What strategies do you use to remember important information? Give some examples.
2. What are the neurological reasons why people begin losing their memories? Why is memory loss such an important issue for senior adults and those who care for them?

KAS Standard RI.7.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

AASL Standard:

II.D.3: Learners demonstrate empathy and equity in knowledge building within the global learning community by: Reflecting on their own place within the global learning community.

Chinese Menu by Grace Lin
ISBN: 9780316486002

Publication Date: 2023-09-12

The perfect gift book for anyone who loves good food--and an even better story! Newbery and Caldecott honoree and New York Times bestselling author Grace Lin delivers a groundbreaking, lushly illustrated, and beautifully written full-color book that explores the whimsical myths and stories behind your favorite American Chinese food. A New York Times bestseller! An ALA Notable Book A BookPage Best Book of the Year! A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023! From fried dumplings to fortune cookies, here are the tales behind your favorite foods. Do you know the stories behind delectable dishes--like the fun connection between scallion pancakes and pizza? Or how dumplings cured a village's frostbitten ears? Or how wonton soup tells about the creation of the world? Separated into courses like a Chinese menu, these tales--based in real history and folklore--are filled with squabbling dragons, magical fruits, and hungry monks. This book will bring you to far-off times and marvelous places, all while making your mouth water. And, along the way, you might just discover a deeper understanding of the resilience and triumph behind this food, and what makes it undeniably American. Award-winning and bestselling author Grace Lin provides a visual and storytelling feast as she gives insight on the history, legends, and myths behind your favorite American Chinese dishes.

1. Turn to a classmate and share one of your memorable food experiences: a holiday meal, the first time you tried a new food, etc.
2. How does food define a culture? Since the United States is a melting pot of many cultures, which foods do you think are uniquely American? Use Gale Resources to research the history of American foods and food manufacturers, such as Henry J. Heinz and Ettore "Hector" Boiardi, among others.