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Mia Marcotte and the Robot
Last updated Monday, December 21, 2020
Author: Jeanne Wald
Illustrator: Saliha Caliskan
Date of Publication: 2019
ISBN: 2956857320
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2020
Synopsis:
Mia Marcotte has a secret dream - to be an astronaut and fly to Mars. So when a field trip to the space center is promised for a successful participation in the school science fair, Mia is thrilled. The only problem: her attempt to build a mini-rocket in her backyard ends in a flop. But it also leads her to an extraordinary encounter - with Aizek, a curious robot who wants to learn imagination. Will Mia and her new friend be able to help each other get closer to their dreams?
| Note to readers: |
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This book has a humanoid robot - it looks like a kid, and it talks comfortably at a kid level. There are some cute robot illustrations in the book(cover, page 37, page 41), that you might want to share before you start reading the book aloud. Also, decide with your fellow reader(s), how you are going to pronounce the robot's name, Aizek.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Have you met an astronaut? Who wants to be an astronaut? Who wants to go to Mars?
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Who has seen a robot? What did it look like? If you had a robot, what would you want it to look like, how would you want it to act, what would you want it to do?
Vocabulary
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Science fairs - what are they? Do science fairs still exist in local schools? If so, have any of the kids ever participated?
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What kind of experiments do the kids like to do? (at Esperanza, I think they plant native plants and maybe experiment with them?)
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If you were in Mia's position, what would you make for the science fair?
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At page 34, would you open the door to the cabinet, when you've already been told to stay out of the room?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Draw the Solar System (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune - and maybe Pluto). This could spark a discussion of what it takes to be a planet, since Pluto is no longer an "official" planet.
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Draw your personal robot. What would it look like? Or make one from a toilet paper roll.
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If you want, you could demonstrate the vinegar and baking soda and balloon experiment on camera for the kids.
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Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/july-2020-the-wonders-of-science-and-technology/
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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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