This year I plan to read all the GA Book Award Nominees and provide a “one stop” resource for teachers who would like to use these books in their classrooms. I will be posting links to author Web sites, teacher’s guides, and related Web links. I hope to make this an unbiased resource, so I will not be providing my own review of the books–other than recommending it as a read aloud (or not).
Leepike Ridge
by N.D. Wilson
Summary: While his widowed mother continues to search for him, eleven-year-old Tom, presumed dead after drifting away down a river, finds himself trapped in a series of underground caves with another survivor and a dog, and pursued by murderous treasure-hunters.
Teacher’s Guide: Teacher’s Guide @ Random House
Related Links: Archaeology
China Highlights: The Terracotta Army Museum at the Tomb of Qin Shihuang
Encyclopedia Britannica: Qin Tomb (Archaeological Site, China)
National Geographic: Mysteries of the the Ancient World
National Geographic: Who Were the Phoenicians?
National Geographic for Kids: Ten Cool Archaeology Sites
Phoenician Treasures (Phoenician Encyclopedia)
Related Links: Caves
Caves.org: Science Topics (Bats, Cave Biology, Cave Archeology, etc.)
National Caves Association: http://cavern.com
National Geographic Kids: Cave Exploration (Photos)
National Park Service: Caves and Karst Program
Nova: Mysterious Life of Caves
Related Links: Chinese Mythology
Encyclopedia Britannica: Fu Xi (referred to in the story as Fu Hsi, tamer of animals)
JAARS Museum of the Alphabet: Fu Hsi
Related Links: Geology
Geo-Mysteries @ The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Related Links: Maritime Exploration
Related Links: Speleology
Showcaves.com (Speleology: River Cave)
Related Links: Subterranean Rivers
Puerto Princesa, Phillipines (Be sure to check out the videos in the multimedia section!)
World’s Longest Underground River
Read Aloud Recommendation: Great Choice! This book is filled with fast paced adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seat.