Science Fiction

Divergent takes place in the future. The city that it takes place in has been split into five different factions. The five factions are Abnegation, Candor, Amity, Dauntless, and Erudite. The narrator in this book is a girl named Beatrice. She is sixteen years old and she is from Abnegation. In the beginning of the book, Beatrice is worried about the aptitude test, that every sixteen year old has to take, that shows which faction they are best for. After the test is complete, they get to choose whether they want to stay in their faction with their families or if they want to go to a different faction. After Beatrice completes the aptitude test, she finds out that is what is known as a Divergent, meaning that she is suited for multiple factions. The lady who administered the test warns Beatrice not to tell anyone, not even her family. Both Beatrice and her brother, Caleb, choose to go to different factions. While on the train to her new faction, Beatrice meets Christina and Will, who become her friends. Throughout the book, the friends face challenges and go through initiation tests. 

I would definitely use this book for high school students. I would like to have the students write about which faction they would choose and why they would choose it. The students would share this with the class. It might also be fun to have the students say if they agree with the choices of their peers and why or why not (as long as it is not mean). I found a site that has a unit plan for this book: 

http://gthompsonportfolio.weebly.com/divergent-unit.html

After Harry's parents were murdered by Lord Voldemort, a killing curse was put on Harry when he was a baby. The curse ended up being reversed, which led to the defeat of Voldemort and also the lightening bolt on Harry's forehead. After the defeat of Voldemort, Harry is left on his aunt and uncles' doorstep. Harry lived with his aunt, uncle, and cousin for ten years before being invited to go to school at Hogwarts. While at Hogwarts, Harry finds out that he is a wizard. Not only is he a wizard, but he is a famous wizard! Also, while at Hogwarts, Harry meets his two best friends. Their names are Ron and Hermione. Harry also meets his first enemy, Draco. Harry finds a book in the part of the library where he is not supposed to be. While looking in this book, he finds that the Sorcerer's Stone makes the Elixir of Life. This means that the drinker gets immortality. Harry figures out that Voldemort might be after the stone. He also finds out that his mother transferred protection from Voldemort to him before she died. This protection helps Harry keep the stone from Voldemort.

This book could be used for middle to high school students. Personally, I am not a fan of the Harry Potter series, but I still think that it could be used in the classroom. I found multiple links that contain activities for the Harry Potter Series. 

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collections/teaching-content/harry-potter/

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/harry-potter-crafts-and-activities/

Questions to Consider: 

Is this a genre that you enjoy personally?

What's "too much" in science fiction or fantasy adventure books? Do you have guidelines for what books you would use in your classroom as required reading?