Mystery

Criteria for Quality Selection
Mystery text is when the plot involves a crime or a similar event that is puzzling and leaves the reader thinking. The most important criterion to consider when selecting a text is organization of the text. The text needs to have an organization that students are able to follow. If the organization of the text is consuming for students they will have a hard time following the text. The second criterion I would consider when reading this genre is appeal. The mystery needs to be appealing to students. Students are more likely to read the text is they have interest in the mystery.

Use in the Classroom
I would incorporate this text into my classroom to encourage students to be reading in the classroom. Exposing students to this genre will expose them to texts that get them thinking and leaves readers wanting to read more. I will use mystery texts in my classroom for shared reading and read aloud. I will also have a wide variety of these text available in my classroom library for students to refer to on their own time.

Award Links:
http://stopyourekillingme.com/Awards/
http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html

Text and Author Links:
http://www.camjansen.com
http://www.theodoreboone.com

General Genre Links:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/exploring-mystery-genre
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/hound/tg_mystery.html

Teaching Ideas for Students:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson299.shtml
http://www.mysterynet.com/learn/

Cam Jansen and the Millionaire Mystery
Adler, D., & Allen, J. (2012). Cam Jansen and the millionaire mystery. New York: Viking.

Reference Information for Accessing the Text:

ISBN: 0142427470

Complex Text Level:
4th & 5th grade

Grade Level Span Reading Aloud:
3rd & 4th grade

Major Themes:

• Mystery 
• Multi-generational 

Worthy Qualities of Writing:

• Use of descriptive details helps readers understand what the characters are thinking
• The use of words makes readers want to continue reading the text

Connections to Authentic Local, National, and Global Issues:

• Helping out at charity events
• When something gets stolen

Difficulties for Students:

• Understanding why people steal from each other
• Understanding how you solve a mystery 

Support Needed:

• Pre-teaching of complex vocabulary words 
• Pre-teaching of what it means to have photographic memory

Theadore Boone: Kid lawyer 
Grisham, J. (2010). Theodore Boone, kid lawyer. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

Reference Information for Accessing the Text:

ISBN:978- 0142417225

Complex Text Level:
4th & 5th grade

Grade Level Span Reading Aloud:
3rd & 4th grade

Major Themes:

• Mystery 
• Lawyer
• Judicial process

Worthy Qualities of Writing:

• Intriguing plot that makes readers want to continue reading 
• Describing how the judicial process works

Connections to Authentic Local, National, and Global Issues:

• Having to use a lawyer to deal with legal issues
• How the judge, policeman, and count clerk affect the law 

Difficulties for Students:

• Understanding the duties of a lawyer
• Understanding how the court system works 

Support Needed:

• Pre-teaching of what the job of a lawyer entails
• Pre-teaching of the judicial process
• Pre-teaching of the complex vocabulary used throughout the text