Case Closed?

Author: Susan Hughes

Illustrator: Michael Wandelmaier

Copyright: 2010

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Ages: 9-12 and up

Reading Levels:

Fountas & Pinnell - X Nonfiction

Lexile – 1000

Pages: 88 (hardcover)

Genre: Nonfiction/Science/Technology

“The nine cases will certainly capture the imagination of readers who like mysteries and the variety of ways in which mysteries can be solved using the processes of science and technological tools, both ancient and modern." -from Barbara McMillan's review in CM Magazine, Nov 26, 2010, gave 4 out of 4 stars to Case Closed?

                                                                                          

Suggested delivery: Read aloud, small group/paired reading, independent read

Links:

·         Publisher’s website

http://www.kidscanpress.com/us/Case-Closed-P3184.aspx

·         Author’s Website

http://www.susanhughes.ca/books/caseclosed.php  

3 teaching suggestions - using the book with students in grades 4-6

1. Jigsaw – one group “investigates” and learns about each mystery
2. Biography research - one of the missing people featured and present it
3. Make a timeline placing each mystery in order along with a written summary

Key Vocabulary:

1.   archeologist

2.   historians

3.   investigators

4.   anthropology

5.   glaciology

6.   dendrochronology

7.   innovative

8.   caravans

9.   flourishes

10. doggedly

11.  sleuths

12. descent

13. regent

14.  sarcophagus

15.  royal wet nurse

16.  embalmed

17.  speculation

18.  vessel

 

Before Reading Strategy: Think – Pair- Share/ Vocabulary Self-Awareness/Read-Aloud

During Reading Strategy:  Teach Sticky Notes reading strategy with a graphic organizer to fully comprehend informational text

After Reading Strategy:     Exit Slip, Summarizing

A writing activity that requires the students to respond to the text to demonstrate inferential comprehension - Choose an investigator job (archeologist, anthropologist…) for the day (from the book) and explain why you choose that job and what would you like to uncover next if you could?

Awards, Review or Mentions:

o   2011 Winner - Outstanding Science Trade Book, NSTA

o   2011 Finalist - Norma Fleck Award for Canadian children’s non-fiction

o   2012 Nominee for the Utah Beehive Award - Informational Category, The Children’s Literature Association of Utah, shortlist

Other Books by the Author:

Fiction:

o   Virginia

o   Earth to Audrey

o   The Not-Quite World Famous Scientist

Wild Paw Series:

o   Bobcat Rescue

o   Lonely Wolf Pup

o   Bunnies in Trouble

o   Orphaned Beluga

o   Cubs All Alone

Nonfiction:

o   Off to Class

o   Canada's Birds

o   Canadian Sports

o   Canadian Festivals

o   No Girls Allowed: Tales of Daring Women Dressed as Men for Love, Freedom and Adventure

o   Raise Your Voice, Lend A Hand, Change The World

o   Lester B. Pearson

o   Let's Call it Canada

o   Coming to Canada

o   Canada Invents

Topics from book: Science as Inquiry, science & technology, investigators, tools, techniques, researchers, archeology, anthropology, glaciology, dendrochronology, historical files…