Runaway Twin

2010 Children's Choice List Book

Author: Peg Kehret

Copyright: Peg Kehret, 2009

Publisher: Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

Reading Level:

     Ages: 10 and up

     Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7

     Lexile Measure: 740L

5 Keywords/Phrases to describe the book:

Suspenseful, adoption, heart-wrenching, perseverance, determination

Suggested Delivery: Individual read

Summary: Sunny Skyland has been in and out of foster homes since age 3. When her Grandma and Mama died in a car accident, Sunny and her twin sister, Starr, were separated, and have not seen each other since. Longing to find and reconnect with her Twin, and with her only clue being an old photograph from days before the accident, Sunny leaves the best foster home she has ever been placed in to complete a cross-country journey to find her twin. Sunny endures an intense trip, all to find her twin sister who she misses very much. Is it all worth it when she reaches her destination? Students will love this suspenseful book, and won't stop talking about the ending that shocks everyone.

Vocabulary:
1) Foster family (page 4)
2) Relished (page 5)
3) Uncanny (page 16)
4) Inconspicuous (page 24)
5) Arbitrarily (page 46)
6) Rural (page 56)
7) Dilapidated (page 64)
8) Desolate (page 83)
9) Intangibles (page 103)
10) Pseudonym (page 106)
11) Apprehensive (page 169)
12) Fraternal twins (page 173)
13) Affidavit (page 178)
14) Scathing (page 190)

Electronic Resources:
Tornado Simulation - This is a short video that shows what would happen if a tornado came through an area next to a house. In the story, Sunny narrowly survives a tornado by hiding next to a tree in an open field. Students may not understand how amazing it is that Sunny survived simply by reading the text. This simulation takes the viewers through the different stages a tornado can be, and shows what would happen to a house and a car if that strong of a tornado went by these objects. This visual may give students a better idea of what Sunny endured to survive.

Book Trailer - This YouTube video is the book trailer for Runaway Twin. It can be used to introduce students to the book, and make them want to read it. The storyline itself is already engaging and draws readers in; but adding this book trailer will only make them more interested to read the book. It's two minutes long yet provides the reader with just enough information to be intrigued.

Peg Kehret - This is the author's official website that can be used for many purposes. Peg provides many resources for both students and teachers. Students can find the other books she's written, view photos, and see what's new and upcoming from Peg. She also provides resources for teachers to use with her books, such as discussion questions and teacher guides. Additionally, she provides a link to her blog, for those who are interested in her life and what she has to say. 

Comprehension Strategies:
Before: Have students look at the front cover of the book and use the Think-Pair-Share strategy to predict what the book will be about. Give students a few minutes to think to themselves while looking at the front cover; then have students pair up with a partner and share what they think the book will be about. Finally, have partnerships come up with a prediction they agree upon, and share it with the class. Record class predictions on a sheet of large paper to look back on after reading.

During: Throughout the story, Sunny encounters plenty of challenges and obstacles - both before and after finding her sister. Have students keep a running list in their writing journals of the obstacles and challenges Sunny has to overcome along her journey. This will give students insight into how dedicated Sunny is to find her twin.

After: Have a group discussion with the class centered around the questions: if you were Sunny, would you try to contact Starr again? Why or why not? How would you feel if you got the reaction that Sunny got from Starr? What is the meaning of the symbolism at the end of the book? (When Sunny writes a story called Runaway Twin)
Also, have students reflect on their initial predictions and comment on what was right or wrong about their predictions.

Writing: Have students respond to the following questions in their writing journals, directly after their list of the obstacles and challenges that Sunny had to overcome throughout the story: Considering all that Sunny went through, was the reaction she got from Starr "worth it" in the end? Explain.

Citation:
Kehret, P. (2009). Runaway twin. New York: Puffin Books.

Red Thread Sisters

Diversity Book
Author: Carol Antoinette Peacock
Copyright: Carol Antoinette Peacock, 2012
Publisher: The Penguin Group

Reading Level:
     Ages: 11-13
     Grade Level Equivalent: 5.0
     Lexile Measure: 700L

Five keywords/phrases to describe the book:
Friendship, love, acceptance, adoption, determination

Suggested Delivery: Small group read

Summary: After being abandoned at an orphanage in China by her mother, Wen finds comfort in her best friend at the orphanage, Shu Ling. They make a promise to each other that if one of them gets adopted, they will find an American family for the other to come live with as well. To Wen's surprise, she is the first to get adopted, and has a hard time adjusting to her new life in America, especially without Shu Ling around. Wen makes it her personal mission to find a family to adopt Shu Ling so they can both live the American life. Planning to ask her own family to adopt one more child for Shu Ling's sake, Wen feels like everything is falling into place. That is, until her father loses his job, and money becomes tight. On top of that, Wen is informed that once Shu Ling reaches age 14, she will no longer be adoptable by Chinese law. This gives Wen a little over 5 weeks to find Shu Ling a home in America. Students will love the suspense of wondering if Wen is able to find Shu Ling a family in time.

Vocabulary:
1) Gully (page 4)
2) Empress (page 27)
3) Interspersed (page 28)
4) Peonies (page 31)
5) Gratitude (page 44)
6) Billowing (page 80)
7) Loot (page 99)
8) Thermostat ( page 110)
9) Grimaced (page 136)
10) Forlorn (page 146)
11) Sallow (page 146)
12) Malnourished (page 156)
13) Murky (page 158)
14) Disposition (page 160)
15) Lilt (page 175)
16) Advocate (page 187)
17) Admonished (page 205)

Electronic Resources:
Book Trailer - This is a short, one minute book trailer for this novel. It explains the Chinese myth of the red thread and gives students a quick preview of what the book is about. This book trailer would be a great tool to use to spark students' interest in reading the book and get them engaged and hooked right away.

Carol Antoinette Peacock - This is the author's personal website that students, or teachers, can go to in order to learn more about the author and her work. Exploration of this website includes other books the author has written, the author's biography, pictures, events she will be appearing at, and how to contact her. Those who enjoyed reading Red Thread Sisters could use this site to find other works by this author that may also be interesting to them. They can also find out where Carol will be presenting, if they are interested in seeing her speak.

Comprehension Strategies:
Before: Write the word "sister" on the board and ask students what it means to them to be a "sister." Make sure students are considering what qualities and characteristics a "sister" would have. For those students who do not have a sister or are an only child, emphasize that they should be listing things they would ideally want in a sister if they had one.

During: Throughout the novel, Wen experiences many different emotions that are sometimes overwhelming, and often don't last long due to a new emotion surfacing. Have students keep a feelings journal of Wen's feelings. When Wen experiences a new feeling, have students write it down in their feelings journal and what caused this emotion. At the end of the book, students will be able to look back at the emotional journey that Wen experienced and may be able to "put themselves in Wen's shoes."

After: Have students fill out an exit slip with the question, "When they were in the airport at the end of the novel, Wen saw that Shu Ling used a red thread to tie her braid back. What is the symbolism behind Shu Ling using a red thread?" Once all students have completed their exit slip, have a brief class discussion to ensure that all students understood this symbolism.

Writing: After Wen is adopted and is settled in her American home, she writes letters to Shu Ling, who is still in China. Have students put themselves in Wen's shoes, and write a letter to a friend or family member that they miss dearly. They should include all the parts of a letter and fill this person in on what has been happening in their own lives.

Citation:
Peacock, C. A. (2012). Red thread sisters. New York: The Penguin Group.