My students love Fantasy and Science Fiction but unfortunately there isn’t a single language reader of that genre in my classroom library. This is how this project was born. After a year of hard but thrilling work, I am so excited – and nervous- to present my first graphic novel for Novice language learners: “The Gray Planet”. Available in French, German, Spanish, Latin, and English.
SYNOPSIS
Tea and her big sister Issa live in a hostile desert. Not only is it hard to find water, but the Racas, a ruthless group of bandits, are also roaming the desert in search of the precious liquid. Several years ago, the Racas kidnapped the girls’ mother because she has a special power: the ability to sense water. Tea, determined to find her mother, embarks on an adventure full of dangerous twists and turns.
READING LEVEL
The graphic novel is 20 pages long, with only 100-120 headwords and lots of cognates. The story is remarkably engaging and supported by beautiful illustrations and a full glossary. It can be used as a Novice class novel or as an addition to your classroom library. Additionally, the font is big (15+) for a dyslexia-friendly read.
Here are samples for you to read in order to decide if the language/story is appropriate for you and/or your students:
PRAISE FOR THE GRAY PLANET
FREE RESOURCES
At the end of the book, you will find several guiding questions for students to reflect on the story and its unique characters, as well as a full glossary for the French, German, and Spanish versions.
The English version contains a word list ELL teachers may turn into a glossary if needed. Please get in touch with me to receive the word list electronically.
Also, here are book trailers you can use to get your students excited about reading!
FOR SPANISH AND FRENCH TEACHERS:
When you buy a class set of books, please get in touch with me with your proof of purchase and I will send you a folder with free lesson plans and resources to use the book as a Novice class novel!!!
[…] and Language Acquisition Department Head at Woodbury School, shares how her entire school read The Gray Planet in German, French, Latin, and Spanish, and how the students engaged in cross-language projects […]