James Patterson is an acclaimed American author known for his successful series of books, including his "Witch & Wizard" series. This popular young adult series is co-written by Gabrielle Charbonnet and features a thrilling mix of fantasy, adventure, and suspense. The "Witch & Wizard" series is set in a dystopian world where society is controlled by an oppressive government called the New Order. The government suppresses individuality and creativity, targeting anyone who exhibits magical powers or questions their authority. The story follows the journey of two siblings, Whit and Wisty Allgood, who discover they possess magical abilities and are labeled as witches and wizards. They are torn away from their family and imprisoned by the government.
They are torn away from their family and imprisoned by the government. Determined to survive and fight back, Whit and Wisty embark on a dangerous adventure to defeat the New Order and restore freedom to their world. Throughout the series, James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet explore themes like power, oppression, corruption, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Teaching Theme With The Magic of Friendship Snow
Making friends can sometimes be difficult for children and even adults. This beautiful book The Magic of Friendship Snow, conveys how friendships are magical, unique and special; just like a snowflake. This beautifully illustrated book sends a message about kindness, acceptance, and challenges in society.
I'm joining my friends from The Reading Crew for a Winter Linkup. We're sharing some of our favorite winter books and lessons to go along with each book.
A few weeks ago, Austin had its first snow in 10 years. All of our neighborhood children were outside playing together and making snowmen. When I came across this sweet book, I immediately thought about our short-lived snowfall and the magical snowflakes.
About the Book
Jojo is a little girl who longs for a friend. As she looks around, everyone has a friend but her. She has all of these emotions of feeling sad and lonely, because she didn't know how to make a friend. Then, Jojo meets Puddles the snowman who is made of "magic" snow. Puddles becomes her friend and teaches her how to be a friend to others.
Before Reading
Before reading the book, meet your students where they are. Ask them questions that would make the book connect with their own lives. During the pandemic, children are longing for new friendships and connecting with fellow classmates.
- What are the qualities of a friend?
- Have you ever struggled in making friends? How did it make you feel?
- What do you do to be a good friend?
In this sweet book, your students will discover how Jojo learns how to be a friend through the The Magic of Snowflake Snow. Her new friend Puddles teaches becomes her friend and how to be a friend to others.
Teaching Theme
Theme is the central, underlying idea or message the author wants to get across in the story that can apply to your own life. The theme of the story is different from the main idea. The main idea is what the story is about. It's usually summarized in one sentence. The theme is inferred and not stated in the story. Click HERE for a list of common literary themes. Quizizz has extra practice activities in finding the theme.
Questions to ask in determining the theme:- What is the problem the main character is facing? How did the main character overcome the obstacles?
- What lesson did the main character learn in the story? How did the main character change or grow?
- What life lesson did you take away from the story?
Author's Purpose
In order to determine the theme of the story, students need to understand other elements of the story like the characters, setting, plot, conflict, and then theme. The theme is evident throughout the story. There can also be several themes in a story.
An author's purpose is to give readers a message that can apply to their everyday lives. In doing this, readers gain a deeper understanding of the story. Andi Cann did a wonderful job of teaching life lessons that children can connect with. Friendship is a universal theme that can apply to everyone's life.
Learning to be a friend can be difficult. Jojo will reassure children that friendship can be learned." - Andi Cann
The Resource Includes:
- Character traits of Jojo
- Questions to ask to narrow down the theme
- Words of friendship to remind Jojo that she is a good friend
- Literary themes found in the story with text evidence
- Making connections writing activity
- Friendship snow activity with poetry
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Making friends can sometimes be difficult for children and even adults. This beautiful book The Magic of Friendship Snow, conveys how friendships are magical, unique and special; just like a snowflake. This beautifully illustrated book sends a message about kindness, acceptance, and challenges in society.
The books are fast-paced and filled with action, making them engaging reads for both young adults and fans of fantasy. The "Witch & Wizard" series consists of several books, including "Witch & Wizard" (2010), "The Gift" (2010), "The Fire" (2011), "The Kiss" (2013), and "The Lost" (2014). These books have gained a large fan following and have been praised for their captivating plot, well-developed characters, and imaginative world-building. Overall, James Patterson's "Witch & Wizard" series is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that combines elements of magic, adventure, and rebellion. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys young adult novels and fantastical storytelling..
Reviews for "James Patterson's Witch and Wizard: A Journey through a Magical Universe"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I really didn't enjoy the "Witch and Wizard" books by James Patterson. I found the writing to be very simplistic and juvenile, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The plot felt rushed and lacked depth, and the magical elements were not well-explained or developed. Overall, I found the books to be a disappointment and would not recommend them to anyone looking for a compelling and well-crafted fantasy series.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with the "Witch and Wizard" series by James Patterson. While the concept of a dystopian world ruled by an oppressive government and persecuted magic-users sounded intriguing, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was uneven, with parts of the story dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters were underdeveloped, and I struggled to connect with them or feel invested in their journey. Additionally, the writing style felt juvenile and lacked depth. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this series and wouldn't recommend it to fans of the fantasy genre.