Literature Super Pack: Term 1
Purchase one term (16 weeks, Sep-Jan) of literature classes for only $10.25/session! This includes:
Mystery (4 weeks)
Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick:
Orphan, 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 with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the 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.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi:
Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is excited to return home from her school in England to her family in Rhode Island in the summer of 1832. But when the two families she was supposed to travel with mysteriously cancel their trips, Charlotte finds herself the lone passenger on a long sea voyage with a cruel captain and a mutinous crew. Worse yet, soon after stepping aboard the ship, she becomes enmeshed in a conflict between them! What begins as an eagerly anticipated ocean crossing turns into a harrowing journey, where Charlotte gains a villainous enemy... and is put on trial for murder!
What do Hugo and Charlotte (and their stories) have in common? That’s for us to figure out. Throughout these stories, discover the secret of automatons, sailor law, and the critical clue to solving mysteries. Don’t miss this thrilling adventure!
Runaway Adventure (4 weeks)
Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster:
For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!
The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Pene du Bois:
Professor William Waterman Sherman intends to fly across the Pacific Ocean. But through a twist of fate, he lands on Krakatoa and discovers a world of unimaginable wealth, eccentric inhabitants, and incredible balloon inventions. "William Pene du Bois combines his rich imagination, scientific tastes, and brilliant artistry to tell a story that has no age limit."—The Horn Book
Without intending to, Milo and Professor William Waterman Sherman end up a part of two very different runaway adventures! From lives of monotony and routine, they are thrown into worlds just about opposite from the normal day-to-day occurrences they are used to. Hang on for this wild ride, as we uncover the importance of Rhyme and Reason and the possibilities behind the Krakatoa volcanic eruption through these two runaway adventures!
Horse Escapades (4 weeks)
The Good Master, by Kate Seredy:
Jancsi is overjoyed to hear that his cousin from Budapest is coming to spend the summer on his father’s ranch on the Hungarian plains. But their summer proves more adventurous than he had hoped when headstrong Kate arrives, as together they share horseback races across the plains, country fairs and festivals, and a dangerous run-in with the gypsies.
Justin Morgan Had A Horse, by Marguerite Henry:
Joel Goss knows that Little Bub is a special colt, even though he's a runt. And when schoolteacher Justin Morgan asks Joel to break the colt in, Joel is thrilled! Soon word about Little Bub has spread throughout the entire Northeast—this spirited colt can pull heavier loads than a pair of oxen and run faster than thoroughbreds!
What do Jancsi and Joel have in common? They both have and love horses, and their adventures are in two fantastic books. Students will discover how to break a colt in, the history of gypsies, and several literary skills (without even knowing it). Equally deserving of the title of man’s best friend, horses teach incredible lessons to their riders.
Courage (4 weeks)
Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson:
In an evocative and fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island, an orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe and save the world from evil.
This riveting adventure takes listeners on a journey from a harsh orphanage in old England to a treacherous sea in a decrepit old tub. Aboard the Never Land is a trunk that holds a magical substance with the power to change the fate of the world—just a sprinkle and wounds heal; just a dusting and people can fly. Towering seas and a violent storm are the backdrop for battles at sea. Bone-crushing waves eventually land our characters on Mollusk Island - where the action really heats up.
Dive into this twist on J.M. Berry’s Peter Pan, changing it into a wholly different adventure. Familiar characters changed, though not entirely, echo Berry’s classic story. Peter and the Starcatchers is brimming with richly developed characters, from the scary but somehow familiar Black Stache and the ferocious Mister Grin to the sweet but sophisticated Molly and the fearless Peter. In the end, how does one demonstrate courage?
- Day and Time: Thursdays, 12:45-1:45 PM ET
- Bundle Duration: 16 Weeks
- Dates: September 14, 2023 - February 1, 2024
- Fall Break: November 20 - 24
- Winter Break: December 11, 2023 - January 7, 2024
- Teacher: Eve Babb
- Required Materials:
Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster
The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Pene du Bois
The Good Master, by Kate Seredy
Justin Morgan Had A Horse, by Marguerite Henry
Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
See more literature classes: thethinkingkid.org/literature
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