Every once in a while, I read a book that I grabs all of my attention and screams to be used for fun with kids. I love taking those books and turning them into fun unit studies for educational purposes, and Elise Broach’s new book The Wolf Keepers is just such a book.
A high-stakes middle grade historical adventure through Yosemite National Park by the New York Times-bestselling author of Masterpiece.
Twelve-year-old Lizzie Durango and her dad have always had a zoo to call their home. Lizzie spends her days watching the animals and taking note of their various behaviors. Though the zoo makes for a unique home, it’s a hard place for Lizzie to make lasting friends. But all this changes one afternoon when she finds Tyler Briggs, a runaway who has secretly made the zoo his makeshift home. The two become friends and, just as quickly, stumble into a covert investigation involving the zoo wolves who are suddenly dying. Little do they know, this mystery will draw them into a high-stakes historical adventure involving the legend of John Muir as they try to navigate safely while lost in Yosemite National Park.
Elise Broach has written a fantastic novel around the real life story of John Muir! I love the approach she takes with his mystery, and she deepens the story by adding layers upon layers of moral dilemmas. While the story is suspenseful, it stays upbeat, even when there are large things afoot, making it the perfect book to carry deep, yet kid-friendly discussions.
So what will you find in a unit study for The Wolf Keepers?
- a vocabulary puzzle with answer key
- discussion/comprehension questions by chapter
- creative and expository writing prompts
- research projects for history, science, math, and biographies
- poetry and literature activities
- art projects
- a recipe
This work can be done individually or cooperatively. You could assign all of it or just certain projects. Students can work at their own pace, and safe links are provided to ensure a safe Internet experience.
The Wolf Keepers would make a fantastic book club book, as well!
If you want to grab a copy of this unit study, you’ll find it here.
Happy reading!
