Blog Post #5
Unicorn Rescue Society
In The Book:
What is this book about? A new kid, Elliot was nervous about starting a new school. His anxiety compounded once he realized that his first day, was also field trip day. On the bus he quickly befriended a girl named Uchenna. They were in for quite an adventure as they traveled through the Pine Barrens escorted by a strange man, Professor Fauna. On their journey, they encountered a mythical creature called a Jersey Devil. They thought they got rid of the Jersey Devil on the trail but soon discovered it had followed them back to the bus. After losing it, they were forced to ask Professor Fauna for help. At the end of the book Professor Fauna reveals that he is the head of a secret organization designed to protect mythical creatures. He invites Elliot and Uchenna to join the organization an experience the adventure of a lifetime!
Who's telling the story? Narrator
What does the author want me to know? The author wants me to know that the Pine Barrens are a place of great mystery and adventure, that the two main characters are just beginning to scratch the surface of.
Your Head:
What surprised me?
I was surprised that the author found a way to weave in the history of some of different cultures that have come to call America their home. The books talked about Quakers, Tories (wanted America to be loyal to the king of England), American Indians, slaves, etc.
What did I notice? I noticed how intentional the author was about including characters of all different racial/ethnic backgrounds and touching on the experiences of multiple cultures throughout the story. It's clear that this author places importance on exposing children to value that diversity brings to our lives. For example, page 72 reads, "The Founding Fathers thought that they were inventing America. But we were the ones And do you know what America looks like? It looks like me."
In Your Heart:
What did I learn about me? What did you learn from making these connections?It has been awhile since I've read a fiction/fantasy book. In my mind, I always seemed to think that I don't care for these types of books, but this one was so enjoyable. Reading this book was a great reminder for me to be more open-minded when I consider what types of books I read for personal enjoyment.
How will this help me to be better? Page 59 reads, "People are different all over the world. Also, they are the same. This is what makes the world such a wondrous and wonderful place. Wondrous for the differences. Wondrous for the sameness." This will help me to be better at teaching students about valuing our differences and highlighting our sameness. I don't believe in teaching children to be color blind. It isn't something they need to be blinded from. It's part of what makes each of us special. While sharing the human experience makes us all the same. This has given me a new way to explain/open up discussions with students about diversity/ differences.
How would you use this in other reading?This can be used with other reading to guide/framework for students through how to think more deeply about texts. Beers and Probst suggest that"reading is about growing, about changing who we are, about helping us see ourselves in the world from a slightly different perspective" (p. 69). If what our students read doesn't connect with their hearts , there's no purpose in it. Finding the heart of a text and finding your own heart in a text may not come naturally for all students, so having a framework like this helps to make it clear and take the guess work out it.
In The Book:
What is this book about? A new kid, Elliot was nervous about starting a new school. His anxiety compounded once he realized that his first day, was also field trip day. On the bus he quickly befriended a girl named Uchenna. They were in for quite an adventure as they traveled through the Pine Barrens escorted by a strange man, Professor Fauna. On their journey, they encountered a mythical creature called a Jersey Devil. They thought they got rid of the Jersey Devil on the trail but soon discovered it had followed them back to the bus. After losing it, they were forced to ask Professor Fauna for help. At the end of the book Professor Fauna reveals that he is the head of a secret organization designed to protect mythical creatures. He invites Elliot and Uchenna to join the organization an experience the adventure of a lifetime!
Who's telling the story? Narrator
What does the author want me to know? The author wants me to know that the Pine Barrens are a place of great mystery and adventure, that the two main characters are just beginning to scratch the surface of.
Your Head:
What surprised me?
I was surprised that the author found a way to weave in the history of some of different cultures that have come to call America their home. The books talked about Quakers, Tories (wanted America to be loyal to the king of England), American Indians, slaves, etc.
What did I notice? I noticed how intentional the author was about including characters of all different racial/ethnic backgrounds and touching on the experiences of multiple cultures throughout the story. It's clear that this author places importance on exposing children to value that diversity brings to our lives. For example, page 72 reads, "The Founding Fathers thought that they were inventing America. But we were the ones And do you know what America looks like? It looks like me."
In Your Heart:
What did I learn about me? What did you learn from making these connections?It has been awhile since I've read a fiction/fantasy book. In my mind, I always seemed to think that I don't care for these types of books, but this one was so enjoyable. Reading this book was a great reminder for me to be more open-minded when I consider what types of books I read for personal enjoyment.
How will this help me to be better? Page 59 reads, "People are different all over the world. Also, they are the same. This is what makes the world such a wondrous and wonderful place. Wondrous for the differences. Wondrous for the sameness." This will help me to be better at teaching students about valuing our differences and highlighting our sameness. I don't believe in teaching children to be color blind. It isn't something they need to be blinded from. It's part of what makes each of us special. While sharing the human experience makes us all the same. This has given me a new way to explain/open up discussions with students about diversity/ differences.
How would you use this in other reading?This can be used with other reading to guide/framework for students through how to think more deeply about texts. Beers and Probst suggest that"reading is about growing, about changing who we are, about helping us see ourselves in the world from a slightly different perspective" (p. 69). If what our students read doesn't connect with their hearts , there's no purpose in it. Finding the heart of a text and finding your own heart in a text may not come naturally for all students, so having a framework like this helps to make it clear and take the guess work out it.
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