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The Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel (The Descendants)
Last updated Friday, May 3, 2024
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 1484720970
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2024
Synopsis:
Evil tree. Bad Apple?
Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost - a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world.
Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon's Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the Dragon's Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good isn't so bad.
| Note to readers: |
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Recommend starting at Ch 22 for the sake of time (& to skip scenes featuring a caretaker smoking, overt bullying).
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Preface reading by framing story as a tale of meeting parental expectations & forging relationships as Disney villain progeny.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you ever written your own fan-fiction?
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What story/character universe would you be interested in continuing or expanding?
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Do you have a favorite Disney villain?
Vocabulary
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Pseudopod (p. 132) - An organism that uses protrusions to move and feed.
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Stymied (p. 178) - Hindered or blocked.
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Lilting (p. 183) - The creation of a pleasant cadence in voice when singing or speaking.
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Vale (p. 188) - A valley.
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Phalanx (p. 277) - A group of citizens, troops, or police officers moving in formation.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Do you think that being included creates a sense of belonging? Why or why not?
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If you had to explore an island, where would you go first and what would you do?
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Try to solve a riddle (like the gargoyles' riddles) - Riddle: I have a tail and a head, but
no body. What am I? Answer: A coin.
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| Craft ideas: |
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Make a sampaguita paper flower crown, lei, or corsage in honor of the month's theme and author's heritage (Melissa De La Cruz is from Manila, Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 1985).
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Create a Mother's Day card featuring the sampaguita or a flower of your choice.
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Make a Filipino parol lantern.
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Pinterest Board with ideas: https://www.pinterest.ca/tanyacarabio/rtk-may-2024-draft-board/
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| Special activities: |
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Listen to "El Collar de Sampaguita" by famous Filipina composer Dolores Paterno made popular in 1879 and was the subject of the danza song, "La Flor de Manila".
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Play musical chairs utilizing the above media (search for video on YouTube).
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*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!
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