|
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Last updated Friday, October 13, 2023
Author: Jessica Townsend
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 0316508888
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2023
Synopsis:
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks - and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.
But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.
It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each with an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.
| Note to readers: |
| • |
It might be fun to have the readers for all grades treat the event like a campfire reading - sitting in a circle on the floor, classroom lights out using flashlights to read. The last item could help with any challenging kids by having them hold the flashlights for the readers.
|
| • |
We recommend reading Chapter 1 pages 1 - 24, then skip Chapter 2 to page 48 and read Chapter 3 "Death Comes to Dinner". If possible read the first two pages of Chapter 4 - 65 & 66 and stop. This gives a setup to the story and all Morrigan's Family Members before she leaves for Nevermoor. The kids can read Chapter 2 when the book goes to their school library. Ending on page 66 is sort of a cliff hanger that hopefully will leave the kids wanting to know what happens next.
|
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
| • |
Have You Ever been blamed for something you didn't do?
|
| • |
Have you ever heard of a curse?
|
| • |
Can You imagine being Wrongfully Blamed for Everything Bad that Happens to Everyone in an Entire City? For Your entire Life?
Vocabulary:
|
| • |
Cursed - ill fated, doomed - a wish for some form of misfortune to befall or attach to one or more persons, a place or an object. (In Harry Potter a book, cup, ring, necklace, tiarra, snake and person. This could be a question for the kids who have read Harry Potter. How many of cursed objects can they name?)
|
| • |
Chancellor - the head of government in some European Countries, such as Germany
|
| • |
authoritative: commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed.
|
| • |
ceaseless: constant and unending.
|
| • |
pendant: a piece of jewelry worn around the neck, consisting of a long chain with an object hanging from it, or the object itself
|
| • |
wretched:of poor quality; very bad.
|
| • |
curse:a cause of harm or misery.
|
| • |
unease: anxiety or discontent.
|
| • |
Chronologists: person who studies chronology
|
| • |
Chronology: the study of historical records to establish the dates of past events
|
| • |
Parsnip: a member of the carrot family, although they taste like sweet potatoes
|
| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
| • |
Discussion during:
|
| • |
How do you think Morrigan feels having all the bad things in town be blamed on her?
|
| • |
How do you think Morrigan’s fathers mean words about her make her feel?
|
| • |
Why did Mr. Squall choose Morrigan?
|
| • |
Why did the mayor lie about the bids being a prank?
Discussion after:
|
| • |
Do you think Morrigan will die on her 12th birthday?
|
| Craft ideas: |
| • |
Create 3D Haunted Houses from construction paper. See https://www.paulsprehistoricpark.com/?p=7381 for photos!
|
| • |
Create paper bag signs that can be lit up from within. Scroll down the above link for photos (though we won't have any tee lights)
|
| • |
Draw and then cut out creepy crawly insects and snakes. See this picture and also this picture for examples of finished products
|
*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
|
