Hold onto your compass, because this week’s First Chapter Friday is a wild literary adventure! I’m reading aloud the stunning opening of The Explorer by Katherine Rundell—a survival story packed with danger, mystery, and heart. If you love stories where kids are tested by the wild and rise to the challenge, this is your next read.
About the Book:
Fred, Con, Lila, and Max are flying back to England from the Amazon jungle when their plane crashes—and the pilot dies upon landing. Stranded, scared, and totally alone, they must rely on their instincts, courage, and each other to survive. When Fred finds a mysterious map, it leads them not just to a hidden ruin… but to a secret that could change everything.
This is one of my favorite middle grade books of all time—a masterfully written, high-stakes survival story with deep emotional threads and an unforgettable setting. Trust me, you’ll be hooked from the first page.
Perfect for:
Middle school ELA classrooms and book clubs
First Chapter Friday read-alouds
Readers who love survival stories (Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins)
Students fascinated by maps, history, and the Amazon rainforest
SEL conversations around bravery, leadership, and resilience
Pair it with my Read With Me in the Jungle video for the full experience!
→ https://youtu.be/ofJEBZvGOdA
First Chapter Friday Student Engagement Worksheets:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2025-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-14351512
📚 Grab your copy of The Explorer (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3KjIo1S
📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more First Chapter Friday videos, author interviews, and classroom-ready content!
☕ Like this video? Fuel more free classroom content by buying me a virtual coffee: https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories.
Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **
#FirstChapterFriday #TheExplorer #KatherineRundell #MiddleGradeAdventure #BooksFor6thGrade #SurvivalStory #ReadAloud #ClassroomReadAlouds #BooksSetInTheAmazon #MiddleSchoolELA #BooksForKidsWhoLoveAdventure #BookHook #ReadingAmbiance #SELBooks #MGReads #WordNerdReads #amandazieba #wordnerd #survivalstories
About the Book:
Fred, Con, Lila, and Max are flying back to England from the Amazon jungle when their plane crashes—and the pilot dies upon landing. Stranded, scared, and totally alone, they must rely on their instincts, courage, and each other to survive. When Fred finds a mysterious map, it leads them not just to a hidden ruin… but to a secret that could change everything.
This is one of my favorite middle grade books of all time—a masterfully written, high-stakes survival story with deep emotional threads and an unforgettable setting. Trust me, you’ll be hooked from the first page.
Perfect for:
Middle school ELA classrooms and book clubs
First Chapter Friday read-alouds
Readers who love survival stories (Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins)
Students fascinated by maps, history, and the Amazon rainforest
SEL conversations around bravery, leadership, and resilience
Pair it with my Read With Me in the Jungle video for the full experience!
→ https://youtu.be/ofJEBZvGOdA
First Chapter Friday Student Engagement Worksheets:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2025-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-14351512
📚 Grab your copy of The Explorer (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3KjIo1S
📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more First Chapter Friday videos, author interviews, and classroom-ready content!
☕ Like this video? Fuel more free classroom content by buying me a virtual coffee: https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories.
Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **
#FirstChapterFriday #TheExplorer #KatherineRundell #MiddleGradeAdventure #BooksFor6thGrade #SurvivalStory #ReadAloud #ClassroomReadAlouds #BooksSetInTheAmazon #MiddleSchoolELA #BooksForKidsWhoLoveAdventure #BookHook #ReadingAmbiance #SELBooks #MGReads #WordNerdReads #amandazieba #wordnerd #survivalstories