About This Lesson
Based on the book 'Lost Lives' by Leysa Henderson
Six planned units of work based on the book. Genres covered are diary entries, poetry, instructional text, information text, persuasive text, presentation and book review. Each unit includes the internet resources (YouTube and websites), a progression of lessons, key features and most of the resources needed to deliver them. There are either modelled examples provided or you are directed to where good quality examples can be found.
The book is about a young girl Megan who finds a magic atlas which transports her to another world. Here she meets the Manyak tribe and finds out why their land is being destroyed and why the orangutans are under threat of extinction. She learns that she can talk to animals and how to use her new magical powers to take revenge. The book highlights the environmental issues in Borneo when vast swathes of land are deforested and then planted with palm oil.
The book uses the National Curriculum standards and expectations where possible - sometimes, for literary effect, I needed to stray from the confinements of the curriculum. It introduces pupils to new vocabulary and is short enough to be able to finish within half a term (approximately 120 pages including sketch drawings). The book will be published in September 2017 and can be purchased from Amazon or Waterstones. Or contact me at [email protected] to be added to the ever-growing list for further information.
I asked an extremely honest 9-year-old to review it and was very clear that I wanted her candid opinion. This was her feedback.
‘I think you should definitely publish your book. I finished it last week and I thoroughly enjoyed it and you left a lot of curious cliffhangers and I always wanted to read on... you have used lots of brilliant grown-up words. This book was easy to understand and so addictive I could not stop reading!
It has made me think differently about the things I buy in the shops.
My favourite character is Megan because she is kind, helpful, adventurous and curious. I'm similar to her in the way that we both care about animals, we always try to help in tricky situations, we're both adventurous...and we're both scared of spiders!!! The only difference is that I haven't been on such an amazing adventure as Megan. Not only do I like the way Megan has the power to turn a negative into a positive thing but also the way she can control objects without touching them like Roald Dahl's Matilda. You've mixed magic, emotions, reality and extreme curiosity to make an amazing book that no-one could fail to enjoy. I would give it 10 out of 10 and recommend it to 7+. This book has inspired me to be a better person by caring more about our environment and wildlife.
This book has now proved to be my favourite book.’
