Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli
Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.
Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.
Breath of a Ghost by Anita Horrocks
Ever since his little brother died, Darien has been practically invisible to his parents. Their pain echoes his, but the only one who notices is Darien's dog, Ringo. The loss of Jeri is hard enough, but then there is the recurring nightmare, always terrifying, always the same - until now. Now it has begun happening while Darien is awake and the dangers are real. But even at the most horrible moments a presence, familiar yet strange, comforting yet disturbing, is with him. It comes on the wind and smells like toothpaste and peanut butter. It smells like Jeri and it is here to save him.
Ever since his little brother died, Darien has been practically invisible to his parents. Their pain echoes his, but the only one who notices is Darien's dog, Ringo. The loss of Jeri is hard enough, but then there is the recurring nightmare, always terrifying, always the same - until now. Now it has begun happening while Darien is awake and the dangers are real. But even at the most horrible moments a presence, familiar yet strange, comforting yet disturbing, is with him. It comes on the wind and smells like toothpaste and peanut butter. It smells like Jeri and it is here to save him.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian SelznickOrphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks — like the gears of the clocks he keeps — with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. With more than three hundred pages of original drawings, and combining elements of picture book, graphic novel, and film, Brian Selznick breaks open the novel form to create an entirely new reading experience. Here is a stunning, cinematic tour de force from a boldly innovative storyteller, artist, and bookmaker.
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen
Brian Robertson, sole passenger on a Cessna 406, is on his way to visit his father when the tiny bush plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. With nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present, Brian finds himself completely alone.
Challenged by his fear and despair -- and plagued with the weight of a dreadful secret he's been keeping since his parent's divorce -- Brian must tame his inner demons in order to survive. It will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed.
Brian Robertson, sole passenger on a Cessna 406, is on his way to visit his father when the tiny bush plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. With nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present, Brian finds himself completely alone.
Challenged by his fear and despair -- and plagued with the weight of a dreadful secret he's been keeping since his parent's divorce -- Brian must tame his inner demons in order to survive. It will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed.
Every story has certain common elements. Back in grade three, we aimed at creating stories with clearly detectable beginnings, middles and endings.
In grade six, we aim in each story we write to clearly establish a setting, introduce and develop our characters, create and develop a plot with a main conflict, invent a satisfying resolution to that conflict, and finish with a pleasing denouement. We will practice planning and writing stories from visual prompts.
In grade six, we aim in each story we write to clearly establish a setting, introduce and develop our characters, create and develop a plot with a main conflict, invent a satisfying resolution to that conflict, and finish with a pleasing denouement. We will practice planning and writing stories from visual prompts.
Newspapers may soon be a thing of the past, but newspaper writing is here to stay. People want information at their fingertips and a well organized newspaper article gives them the info they need, as they need it. We strive to write newspaper articles with headlines that catch your eye and demand to be read, followed by information written in a style that keeps you reading to the very end.