Mechanics & Literature: December 2023
December’s Dart, Arrow, Boomerang, and Slingshot selections are packed with awesome adventures. Literary allusions, historical context, plot twists, and resounding resolution await you as your family explores:
- writing,
- mechanics,
- and literary devices.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s this month’s Quill—Superheroes & Heroes! Spot bravery, ingenuity, and compassion in action! Collect sound effects and design superhero trading cards and capes with us!
Superheroes & Heroes
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the December issue of the Quill!
In the Brave Writer Book Shop, you’ll find books about superheroes and heroes that we adore! These are not required (you can use any books about these topics that you have in your stacks or discover at your library), but we find it’s helpful to have a list to get you started.
In this Quill, we’ll:
- make a ruckus with supersonic sound effects;
- gather an array of words that describe heroic figures;
- create a superhero trading card;
- build fine motor skills by giving an everyday hero a fabulous cape;
- roll a die that adds up to a rescue;
- and we’ll search for some sensational shapes!
Get the Quill.
Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game by Chris Grabenstein
Meet PUZZLE-obsessed Luigi Lemoncello and world famous Professor Marvelmous for fun and games!
This month’s literary device focuses on Portmanteau.
In this Dart, we’ll also:
- make a ruckus with onomatopoeia;
- notice nouns that also can be verbs;
- appreciate adjectives;
- investigate apostrophes;
- time travel with verbs;
- experience an epiphany; and so much more!
Get the Dart.
A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga
Meet Resilience, a Mars Rover on a big adventure!
December’s literary device is Anthropomorphism.
In this Arrow, we’ll also:
- appraise the effects of alliteration;
- see how specific nouns add power to writing;
- examine the versatile em dash;
- connect with coordinating conjunctions;
- analyze acronyms ASAP;
- see how distinct colors make images pop; and so much more!
Get the Arrow.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This first installment of Rick Riordan’s best-selling series based on Greek mythology is an action-packed thrill ride that keeps teens turning the pages!
In this Boomerang, we’ll:
- talk about conversation style;
- investigate genre;
- muse about myths;
- wonder and work out if it’s who or whom;
- embark on a dramatic Hero’s Journey;
- discuss dialogue with an authoritative author; and so much more.
Get the Boomerang.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Among the most widely-read fables of all time, this satirical novella will give your family lots to talk about!
In this Slingshot, we’ll
- mull over a monologue manifesto;
- ruminate on rhetorical questions;
- probe personal maxims;
- spot symbols and forecast with foreshadowing;
- dissect dialogue;
- pore over propaganda; and much more.
A note about content: Animal Farm is an allegory reflecting the overthrow of monarchy and rise of communism in Russia, which was characterized by violence and death as well as propaganda and disinformation. We encourage parents to read ahead in order to be prepared for deep conversations with your teens.
Get the Slingshot.
