Author: Gary PaulsenCopyright: 2009
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books –imprint of Random House, Inc.
Age Level: 9-12 and up
Reading Levels:
o Fountas & Pinnell – T Fiction
o Lexile – NC 1080
o Accelerated Reader – 6.3
Pages: 96 (paperback)
Genre: Fiction /Realistic Fiction/Mysteries
“This is the principal. Would the custodian please report to the faculty restroom with a plunger… no, wait… a shovel and a plunger? And has anybody seen the gerbil from room two oh six?”
– from Mudshark
Suggested delivery: Read aloud or an independent read
Links:
· Publisher’s Website
- Publisher’s Website for teachers and educators
- http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers
· Author’s Website
3 teaching suggestions - using the book with students in grades 4-6
1. Character Mapping
2. Write a persuasive story about having a class pet or not and state at least two reasons.
3. Study about different art forms that inspired Bill, the custodian, by having centers: art paintings, ballet, and classical music.
3. Study about different art forms that inspired Bill, the custodian, by having centers: art paintings, ballet, and classical music.
Key Vocabulary:
2. restrictions and prohibitions...
3. inhalation and ingestion of copious
4. agility
5. honed
6. exponentially
7. gurgling
8. surge protector
9. kibble
10. astrophysics
Before Reading Strategy: Make predictions about the story by looking at the book cover.
During Reading Strategy: Have a popcorn review about what has happened so far in the story and ask if their predictions were right.
After Reading Strategy: Ask students to write/or tell orally about their favorite character or happening or mishap from the story.
A writing activity that requires the students to respond to the text to demonstrate inferential comprehension – Write a newspaper style report on the book with illustrations and written text
Awards, Reviews, Honors or Mentions: "A master of lively, highly accessible prose, Paulsen offers much in this short read, from kooky characters to stringent satire."- from Review, Family Fun, June 2009
- Nominee 2011 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Master List
- Nominee 2011 Hawaii Nene Master List
- Nominee 2011 Indiana Young Hoosier Master List
- Nominee 2010 Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Master List
Other Books by the Author or that may follow: Distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books.
o The Winter Room,
o Hatchet,
o Dogsong,
o The Haymeadow
o Lawn Boy
o The Legend of Bass Reeves
o Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day
o The Cookcamp
o ETC…
Topics from book: Mysteries, Detectives, Middle Grades, Boy book, Friendship, Humor
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