Each Friday I share the first chapter of a book perfect for middle school readers. Today’s title is one of my favorite reads of the year — a brand-new release from New York Times bestselling author Dan Gemeinhart, who also wrote The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise! Any guesses? It’s Busted!
Stick around for the full video to catch this wild, heartfelt, and hilarious opening chapter — and keep an eye out for the mystery quote, revealed one word at a time! Plus, if you’ve ever dreamed about writing your own stories filled with adventure and heart, I’ve got a little author motivation waiting for you at the end in the form of an interview with Dan Gemeinhart!
About the Book: Twelve-year-old Oscar Aberdeen may be the youngest resident of the Sunny Days retirement home, but he’s also its most determined. When his grandpa’s threatened with eviction, Oscar decides he’ll do anything to save their home. He just didn’t expect “anything” to include… theft, gambling, a police chase, and maybe even a little grand theft auto. Alongside a shady sidekick named Jimmy Deluca and one surprise stowaway, Oscar sets off on a laugh-out-loud, big-hearted adventure that proves sometimes the best family you find is the one you fight for.
“A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!” — Chris Grabenstein
Want to boost student engagement?
Try my First Chapter Friday Response Worksheets!
Includes both generic and novel-specific pages, plus a Book Cover Examination Worksheet to get students predicting, inferring, and analyzing before you even start reading! Grab the full resource here → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Bundle
📚 Get your copy of Busted at your school library, local indie bookstore, or right here → https://amzn.to/3K50p4r
🎥 Check out all my other First Chapter Friday videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB
✨ Grab a FREE First Chapter Friday Start Up Kit here → www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
and …then explore the Word Nerd Collaborative, my membership jam packed with engaging ELA resources → www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
☕ Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making these (and many other!) free classroom resources → https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
And finally… don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more First Chapter Friday videos, teacher tips, and bookish fun! 📺 Click here → https://bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube
These videos were created to:
✨ help teachers and students discover high-quality, engaging books
✨ promote incredible authors and celebrate stories
✨ inspire a lifelong love of reading
Huge thanks to Dan for sending me a copy of this book! Videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA.
#WordNerd #FirstChapterFriday #DanGemeinhart #Busted #CoyoteSunrise #MGLit #ReadingRecommendations #AmandaZieba #Teachertube #MiddleGradeBooks #RealisticFiction #FunnyBooksForKids #AdventureBooks #MiddleSchoolELA #ReadersGonnaRead #BookTalk #ReadAloud #ClassroomReadAloud #BookTube #MGReads
Stick around for the full video to catch this wild, heartfelt, and hilarious opening chapter — and keep an eye out for the mystery quote, revealed one word at a time! Plus, if you’ve ever dreamed about writing your own stories filled with adventure and heart, I’ve got a little author motivation waiting for you at the end in the form of an interview with Dan Gemeinhart!
About the Book: Twelve-year-old Oscar Aberdeen may be the youngest resident of the Sunny Days retirement home, but he’s also its most determined. When his grandpa’s threatened with eviction, Oscar decides he’ll do anything to save their home. He just didn’t expect “anything” to include… theft, gambling, a police chase, and maybe even a little grand theft auto. Alongside a shady sidekick named Jimmy Deluca and one surprise stowaway, Oscar sets off on a laugh-out-loud, big-hearted adventure that proves sometimes the best family you find is the one you fight for.
“A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!” — Chris Grabenstein
Want to boost student engagement?
Try my First Chapter Friday Response Worksheets!
Includes both generic and novel-specific pages, plus a Book Cover Examination Worksheet to get students predicting, inferring, and analyzing before you even start reading! Grab the full resource here → https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Bundle
📚 Get your copy of Busted at your school library, local indie bookstore, or right here → https://amzn.to/3K50p4r
🎥 Check out all my other First Chapter Friday videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB
✨ Grab a FREE First Chapter Friday Start Up Kit here → www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
and …then explore the Word Nerd Collaborative, my membership jam packed with engaging ELA resources → www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
☕ Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making these (and many other!) free classroom resources → https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
And finally… don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more First Chapter Friday videos, teacher tips, and bookish fun! 📺 Click here → https://bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube
These videos were created to:
✨ help teachers and students discover high-quality, engaging books
✨ promote incredible authors and celebrate stories
✨ inspire a lifelong love of reading
Huge thanks to Dan for sending me a copy of this book! Videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA.
#WordNerd #FirstChapterFriday #DanGemeinhart #Busted #CoyoteSunrise #MGLit #ReadingRecommendations #AmandaZieba #Teachertube #MiddleGradeBooks #RealisticFiction #FunnyBooksForKids #AdventureBooks #MiddleSchoolELA #ReadersGonnaRead #BookTalk #ReadAloud #ClassroomReadAloud #BookTube #MGReads