Fantastic Reads

 

Animal Farm by George Orwell

  

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Reading Level: High School

Introduction: Ever wonder what would happen if animals ruled the world? Animal Farm provides a small glimpse into what would happen in a society run by farm animals. 

Discussion Questions: How does the society in Animal Farm closely mirror governments seen throughout recent history?

Can you imagine yourself among one of the groups of animals? Why?

Activity: Readers' Theatre

 

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

 

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Reading Level:

 Middle School

Awards: 

 John Newbery Medal

Introduction: 

This book is about a pig who learns what true friendship is. The animals talk to each other, but the humans cannot understand them, except for Fern; although she cannot understand the animals, she knows they communicate with each other. 

Discussion Questions: 

 If you could spin a web with a word in it that described you, what would the word be, and why?

Activity:

 Have everyone write something that they gleaned from the book on a long, thin strip of paper, and then lay the strips together like a web on a flat surface, making a story web.

Students can also "Web What's on Their Mind" in this way.

 

     

My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

 

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Reading Level:

Elementary

Introduction:

How would you like to be the hero who saves a dragon using candy and other everyday things? That is what the boy in this story gets to do! The narrator of the story claims to be the son of this special hero. 

Discussion Questions:

 Why does the boy follow the advice of the cat? 

What do you like or dislike about the boy's treatment of the hostile animals?

Activity: 

Have students choose a variety of objects from their surroundings and school supplies to use in their adventures.

 

 

 

Oh The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

 

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Reading Level:

Elementary

Introduction:

Anyone want to go on an adventure? This book tells of a journey that you all will embark on someday! 

Discussion Questions:

If you could travel anywhere in the whole world, where would you go and why?

What would you do when you got there?

If you could take anyone with you, who would it be?

(Online) Activity:

Students can research real places online. (Providing a list of places that include both urban and rural areas may be helpful.) Ask them to e-mail you or post on a certain social network the images of a location where they would like to go. As extra credit, they can try to make a rhyme or two that describes their feelings about the place.

 

 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

 

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Reading Level:

 Grade School

Introduction: 

 This book is about a poor boy who wins the chance of a lifetime to go to a special chocolate factory owned by Mr. Willy Wonka! He sees many strange things and ends up with something that will change his entire life!

Discussion Questions:

What made Charlie stand out from all the other contestants and ultimately win the competition? How do you think Charlie's family felt after hearing the news of winning the chocolate factory and why?

Activity:

Have the students draw what they think different rooms of the factory contain and come up with a challenge for each room.

 

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

 

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Reading Level:

 Middle School and High School

Introduction:

 If you like to read about magic, then this is a fun book to read. The story follows a boy and girl as they try to save both their world and the world of talking animals they have come to love. 

Discussion Question:

 What analogies did you notice?

Do you have a favorite part of the story or a least favorite? Why is that part your favorite, or why did you not like that part? 

How and why did certain characters change when Aslan gave them new roles?

Activity:

Have students practice "Post-ful Thinking," posting sticky notes with a brief annotations as they read. It could also be helpful to map the symbols or signs that show the heart/mind of a particular character or to make a flowchart of how certain characters' actions create certain consequences.

 

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