Each Friday I share the first chapter of a favorite book for middle schoolers. Today I’ll be reading aloud the first chapter of Shadow on the Mountain by Newbery Honor Winning author Margi Preus. Stick around afterward to listen in on an interview with the author as I ask her the below questions.
Book Blurb: Shadow on the Mountain recounts the adventures of a 14-year-old Norwegian boy named Espen during World War II. After Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and his friends are swept up in the Norwegian resistance movement. Espen gets his start by delivering illegal newspapers, then graduates to the role of courier and finally becomes a spy, dodging the Gestapo along the way. During five years under the Nazi regime, he gains―and loses―friends, falls in love, and makes one small mistake that threatens to catch up with him as he sets out to escape on skis over the mountains to Sweden.
** 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. **
Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
Interactive Student Engagement Worksheets for the entire First Chapter Friday Video Series - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Student-Engagement-Worksheets-Full-Year-7158141
Grab your copy of Shadow on the Mountain here (Aff. link): https://amzn.to/30snzqI
Head to Wendelin’s website for a free Wild Bird Discussion Guide: http://www.wendelinvand.com/stand-alone-novels-mg--ya.html
Awards
VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers 2012 list
2013 Notable Books for a Global Society
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award
Interview Questions
1. Many WWII books take place in Germany. How and why did you decide to set this story in Norway?
2. Cross Country Skiing plays a large role in this story. Do you ski? Is there a connection in your life that made you want to include this topic in the story?
3. I know that you did a lot of research for this book. Many times people assume "research" means books and the internet and the library, but did you use any unique research strategies for this book like interviewing or a research trip (or others)?
4. Kids in this book are not bystanders. They step up and take action. Even though WWII happened along time ago, this message is still very relevant today. What would you like modern readers to learn and take away from this story that they can apply to their own lives?
5. Would you say Historical Fiction is your favorite genre? Why do you feel pulled to write stories in this genre and tell these stories?
Grab a FREE motivational quote poster set for your classroom here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
And finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more great videos from the Word Nerd!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJjkZzqcclLzpFjTnVK8U6w?sub_confirmation
Book Blurb: Shadow on the Mountain recounts the adventures of a 14-year-old Norwegian boy named Espen during World War II. After Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and his friends are swept up in the Norwegian resistance movement. Espen gets his start by delivering illegal newspapers, then graduates to the role of courier and finally becomes a spy, dodging the Gestapo along the way. During five years under the Nazi regime, he gains―and loses―friends, falls in love, and makes one small mistake that threatens to catch up with him as he sets out to escape on skis over the mountains to Sweden.
** 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. **
Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
Interactive Student Engagement Worksheets for the entire First Chapter Friday Video Series - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Student-Engagement-Worksheets-Full-Year-7158141
Grab your copy of Shadow on the Mountain here (Aff. link): https://amzn.to/30snzqI
Head to Wendelin’s website for a free Wild Bird Discussion Guide: http://www.wendelinvand.com/stand-alone-novels-mg--ya.html
Awards
VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers 2012 list
2013 Notable Books for a Global Society
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award
Interview Questions
1. Many WWII books take place in Germany. How and why did you decide to set this story in Norway?
2. Cross Country Skiing plays a large role in this story. Do you ski? Is there a connection in your life that made you want to include this topic in the story?
3. I know that you did a lot of research for this book. Many times people assume "research" means books and the internet and the library, but did you use any unique research strategies for this book like interviewing or a research trip (or others)?
4. Kids in this book are not bystanders. They step up and take action. Even though WWII happened along time ago, this message is still very relevant today. What would you like modern readers to learn and take away from this story that they can apply to their own lives?
5. Would you say Historical Fiction is your favorite genre? Why do you feel pulled to write stories in this genre and tell these stories?
Grab a FREE motivational quote poster set for your classroom here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
And finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more great videos from the Word Nerd!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJjkZzqcclLzpFjTnVK8U6w?sub_confirmation