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Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion (The Questioneers)



Last updated Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 1419736922
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2020

Synopsis: Iggy Peck is an architect at his very core: When he’s not making houses out of food, his head is up in the clouds, dreaming of design. So he’s totally blown away when Ada Twist’s Aunt Bernice inherits an old house from ice-cream mogul Herbert Sherbert that is filled with countless rooms from all his favorite architectural periods. But something’s not quite right . . . Everyone says the house is haunted, and it seems that a number of priceless antiques - which were supposed to help Aunt Bernice pay for the house’s upkeep - have gone missing. If they can’t find those antiques, Aunt Bernice might lose the house forever. It will take all of Iggy’s knowledge of architecture and the help of the other Questioneers - Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Sofia Valdez - to solve the mystery and find the treasure!

Note to readers:
•  The 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic sets the backdrop for this story. The book can be used to help reassure kids that we have experienced terrible events throughout history and we have come through them.
•  Hear and see the first 6 chapters of this book read aloud on YouTube by three of our volunteers, including a craft at the end!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Is there a “haunted house” in your neighborhood? Can you tell us the story behind why this house or place is considered haunted?

Vocabulary

•  Antique: an object like art, furniture, or jewelry that was made during an earlier period, style, or fashion and is often valuable
•  Marble: a kind of stone that is often polished and used in buildings and statues
•  Abandoned: left without protection or care, given up
•  Architecture: a method or style of building
•  Gothic: a style of architecture popular in Europe during the 12-­‐16th centuries, characterized by pointed towers and arches, large windows, thin and tall walls:. The word “Gothic” is also used to describe strange and frightening events

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you think there may be any hidden antiques in your house?
•  The 4 friends in this story each have their own special talent. Iggy is passionate about architecture. Ada is always asking questions and going on fact finding missions. Rosie likes to invent things and has perseverance. Sofia is a brave and kind. What special skills and interests do you have that can help this group to solve the mystery of the mansion?
•  Aunt Bernice asks “Have you ever met a house you didn’t love?” How do you think your parents would feel about inheriting a spooky house?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a haunted house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdioPRt1gt0
•  o There are pictures of 4 doors showing different architectural styles on page 48.
•  Here are 2 craft ideas using doors and Halloween.
•  o Let’s pick a door and decorate it for Halloween. See attached sheet for ideas
•  o Draw a door illusion using trick art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HwXFt1RPDU
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/october-2020-halloween-magic-and-monsters/

Special activities:
•  The author says that she always has 3 things on her desk when she is writing: a blue pen, a spiral notebook and a Rhyming Dictionary to help her find new directions for the story.
•  Let’s take the last word from the Part 1 pdf : SHADOW and find some rhyming words to see if we can write our own Part 2 for what might happen next.
•  o https://www.poetry4kids.com/rhymes/
•  o SHADOW: Presto, Potato, Tomato, Amigo, Tip Toe, Crow, Snow, Borrow, Window

*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!