Collaborating Teachers discussion

There are such vivid descriptions of historical settings in this book. Anybody have some ideas for visual activities/art activities that would touch on this?

I've made a chapter quilt with students before. Each child illustrates a chapter on a square piece of paper and then assemble as a quilt.

That's an awesome idea!

I ordered the book on Amazon and can't wait to read it. What about stained glass window panel art with a window created for each main character?

That would also be a cool project to undertake, especially with these characters who are different in so many ways yet similar in one trait and that's what brings them together on quite the journey!

What I love most about this book is how the author has tackled prejudice and racism in a way that students I'd say as young as Grade 5 could understand and think critically about it and at a time when it is so important to be discussing it! He manages to tackle this in a way that readers get to enjoy a wild adventure that is humorous and entertaining but also rich with historical facts! He literally brings to life what it was like to live in this time period in France. At the end of the story he explains how he came up with the plot, what is fact and legend and what is completely made up and then leaves us with a carefully annotated bibliography for further research. I could definitely see this book fit in perfectly with a Social Studies topic in Grade 7/8 as well.

My copy arrived today- I'm set for the evening.

And it's a stormy night, perfect for staying in and reading! I'm anxious to hear your first thoughts. I love how the story unfolds through so many different voices.

Thanks for introducing me to this great read! I wish I had been around when I was involved in co-teaching Grade 8 social studies. This would be so perfect. I loved the multiple narrators and the artwork. I think students would be able to see themselves in the characters and be ready to tackle the complexity of the themes.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I was introduced to it by Pernille Ripp so I'll give her the credit. I enjoyed Jeanne, William and Jacob's distinct personalities and loved how Gidwitz had these characters from Very different backgrounds come together and form a strong friendship. So important in relation to our world today. I was curious as to your thoughts on the religious aspect of the book. I feel like it is just an accurate depiction of the time period but can't help but wonder if it's focus on religion would be a concern in public school classrooms?

On a side note, I was not familiar with Adam Gidwitz writing but I enjoyed this one so much I looked into him and found out he also wrote a couple other books inspired by Grimm's fairytales. I've borrowed "A Tale Dark and Grimm" by Gidwitz and am excited to read it.

Some places have a protocol to follow if you have a sensitive topic. I felt that it was reflecting the historical truth and would think that the background material in MB Grade 8 Social Studies would help inform a teacher who wanted some more information about the connections between belief systems and history. I will definitely read his other titles.

I'm interested in checking out this book especially since I teach grade 8 social studies. It sounds like there are some good connections to be made.

I have the book. Now I must read it! Too many on the TBR list!

I passed the book on to one of my librarian friends who knew students who would love it. I did listen to Adam Gidwitz on a podcast recently. Pretty sure it was on The Yarn. He talked about writing The Inquisitors Tale.