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The Peculiar Incident of Shady Street
Last updated Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Author: Lindsay Currie
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 1481477048
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2022
Synopsis:
Tessa Woodward isn't exactly thrilled to move to rainy, cold Chicago from her home in sunny Florida. But homesickness turns to icy fear when unexplainable things start happening in her new house. Things like flickering lights, mysterious drawings appearing out of nowhere, and a crackling noise she can feel in her bones.
When her little brother's doll starts crying real tears, Tessa realizes that someone - or something - is trying to communicate with her. And it involves a secret that's been shrouded in mystery for more than one hundred years.
With the help of three new friends, Tessa begins unraveling the mystery of what happened in the house on Shady Street - and more importantly, what it has to do with her!
| Note to readers: |
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This story is creepy and is a ghost story, so be prepared to be a little scared (but it's made-up, so it's okay!).
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We're having a magic show today at 11:15am at the lunch tables, so bring the kids back at 11:10am.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Do you like spooky stories?
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Are there any spooky stories your family or friends like to tell?
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The main character likes to draw using pastels. Do you like to draw? Have you ever used pastels? What's your favorite tool to draw/make art with?
Vocabulary:
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Peculiar - strange, odd, or unusual.
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Evacuate - to leave or be removed from a place of danger.
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Ginormous - extremely large; enormous.
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Bizarre - very strange or unusual, causing interest or amusement (synonym with peculiar!)
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Right from the very beginning, what words and details about the setting and action set the scene that this is going to be a creepy/spooky story?
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What hints tell you what kind of story it is before things get truly creepy?
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What are some of the first clues Tessa has about the house being strange in the opening chapters?
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| Craft ideas: |
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The main character, Tessa, loves to draw. Draw a spooky house like the one from the cover. Add a title for your drawing - use an inspiring or curious phrase that might go in the family's "adventure jar." (For example, "Be brave and enter here" or "Dare to adventure")
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Make a spooky three-dimensional house out of paper. Make sure to cut out a door and windows.
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Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/october-2022-halloween-magic-monsters/
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| Special activities: |
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The family in the book has an "adventure jar" filled with new experiences they'd like to have. What's an adventure you'd like to go on? This could be as simple as reading a different kind of book, eating something you don't normally eat, or watching a scary movie. Or what about bigger adventures—what do you dream of doing?
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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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