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The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell
Last updated Friday, May 3, 2024
Author: Chris Colfer
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 031620157X
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2024
Synopsis:
Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales.
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.
| Note to readers: |
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This is the first in a series of books about 11-year-old twins, Alex and Conner Bailey who will find themselves in the land of fairy tales. But first, the past year has been really hard on them. Their father was killed in a car crash and his beloved bookstore went bankrupt. Then they lost their home in foreclosure to the bank. Their mother tried to keep up with the bills working extra shifts as a nurse at the local children’s hospital. Now she has to work on their 12th birthday. Their grandmother, their father’s mom, makes a surprise visit to help celebrate. She gives them a special book – The Land of Stories – treasured by their father and grandmother.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Do you like reading fairy tales, myths or stories about super heroes? What are your favorites?
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READER: I suggest reading the “Note to Readers”. It covers the first 3 chapters of the book. Begin reading Chapter 4 and try to get through Chapter 5 at least.
Vocabulary
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insomnia: an inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or get enough sleep. Can cause person to be irritable, forgetful and clumsy.
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Mesopotamia: a region of the ancient Middle East, now mostly the country of Iraq.
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Bronze Age: period of ancient history after the Stone Age and before the Iron Age (from about 33500 BCE to 1200 BCE). The time where the stories of Greek mythology come from.
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hysterical: an uncontrolled emotional state.
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asylum: an institution for the care of orphans, mentally ill and those needing special care.
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portal: a door, gate or entrance to another place.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Do you have any siblings? What kind and how old are they? Do you get along with them?
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If you had a chance, would you like to visit and fairy tale, myth or a super hero story? Which one? Why?
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| Craft ideas: |
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This book concentrates on fairy tales from Northern and Western Europe. Write a story about a fairy tale or myth from you own culture.
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Sunday, May12th is Mother’s Day. Make a greeting card for you mother, grandmother. Or if you have an older sibling, cousin or aunt who has had a baby recently, make one for them.
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Draw a picture of your favorite character from a fairy tale, super hero movie or other myth-like story (Star Wars).
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| Special activities: |
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Do the word search.
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Pay the Disney Princess game. Separate sheet.
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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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