-Stark and thick-lined illustrations that nonetheless contain enormous detail

-Excitement turned to disappointment turned to satisfaction -- excellent emotional journey for young readers

-Demonstrates ambition and willingness to work to achieve goals

Write a story about what you think the moon is made of Draw a picture of the moon made of this substance

Share a time when you were disappointed -- how did it end?

With a partner/team, come up with a way to reach the moon

Bring your favorite drink to class and explain why you like it so much

Wiesner, David. Flotsam. New York: Clarion, 2006.

ISBN: 0618194576 1428702067, 39 pages, color illustrations, Caldecott Medal, ALA Notable, Quill Award, and others. Primary school/young readers.

A boy goes to the beach with investigation in mind. He examines each piece of flotsam that he finds washed up. His discovery of a camera with more secretes inside takes him further on a journey of personal and "scientific" discovery, making his day at the ocean especially memorable.

-Detailed illustrations tell the story almost without the need for text.

-Certain discoveries will challenge younger readers, yet remain engaging enough (especially with illustrations)

-Takes semi-ordinary events and reveals the magic and detail that lie just under the surface

Pick a piece of flotsam and write a story about how it ended up on the beach

The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic, 2007.
ISBN: 9780439813785 0439813786, 533 pages, illustrated, Caldecott Medal, Quill Award, ALA Notable, many others. Elementary and junior high school readers.

Hugo Cabret is an orphan, clock repairer, and thief. His meeting with a toy maker and the old man's goddaughter makes life take an interesting turn. A series of mysterious clues must be solved for Hugo to find his true place in the world.

-Abundant illustrations are at least as much a part of the story as the text.

-Reimagining of the novel form with elements of graphic novel, cinema, and fine art interspersed as part of the storytelling

-Stylistic impact of this expanded form might not prove pleasing to all readers

Write a one-page story about a mystery that is solved

Draw three illustrations to accompany the story's beginning middle, and end

Trade illustrations with a partner and write a new story based on their drawings

Research how mechanical clocks work and resent your findings to the class

Reflect on what is lost by the transfer from mechanical to digital items