Graphic Novel Series Classroom Guide
About this guide: THIS CLASSROOM GUIDE CONTAINS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, A WRITE-YOUR-OWN HILDA COMIC ACTIVITY, CREATIVE PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS, AND FURTHER READING RECOMMENDATIONS.
2018 copyright Flying Eye Books and Luke Pearson
www.flyingeyebooks.com
www.hildabooks.com
About the Books Hilda and the Troll (Book 1) PB ISBN: 9781909263789 HC ISBN: 9781909263147 Lexile: GN250L F&P (Guided Reading Level): S CCSS Instructional Strands: RL.4.1,2,3,4,6,7,10 RL.5.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 Hilda can never sit still for long without setting off on another adventure. She can’t resist exploring her enchanting world—a place where trolls walk, crows speak, and mountains move. The magic and folklore of the wild, windswept North come alive in this book about a bold little girl and her habit of befriending anything, no matter how curious it might seem.
Hilda and the Midnight Giant (Book 2) PB ISBN: 9781909263796 HC ISBN: 9781909263178 Lexile: GN260L F&P (Guided Reading Level): S CCSS Instructional Strands: RL.4.1,2,3,4,6,7,10 RL.5.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 Hilda finds her world turned upside down as she faces the prospect of having to leave her snow-capped birthplace for the hum of the megalopolis of Trolberg. But why do the “Hidden Elves” want her to leave? Why is it that only she can see them? And who is the giant that turns up in the night?
Hilda and the Bird Parade (Book 3) PB ISBN: 9781911171027 HC ISBN: 9781909263062 Lexile: GN200L F&P (Guided Reading Level): S CCSS Instructional Strands: RL.4.1,2,3,4,6,7,10 RL.5.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 Getting used to life in the big city is proving difficult for Hilda. The diminutive explorer is still missing the enchanted valleys and magical friends that surrounded her home in the fjords. But tonight is somehow different. It is the night of the mysterious Bird Parade. Finding herself lost on the streets of Trolberg, Hilda befriends a talking raven. Together they encounter all manner of bizarre creatures from outcast Trolls to ferocious Salt Lions and deadly Rat Kings—maybe the city isn’t so boring after all.
2018 copyright Flying Eye Books and Luke Pearson
www.flyingeyebooks.com
www.hildabooks.com
About the Books Hilda and the Black Hound (Book 4) PB ISBN: 9781911171072 HC ISBN: 9781909263185 Lexile: GN380L F&P (Guided Reading Level): R CCSS Instructional Strands: W.4.4,8,9,9a,10 SL.4.1,1b,1d,2,4
RF.4.3,3a,4,4a,4c RL.4.1,3,4,6,7,9,10 L.4.3,3a,4,4a,5
In this adventure, Hilda meets the Nisse: a mischievous but charismatic bunch of misfits who occupy a world beside—but also somehow within—our own, and where the rules of physics don’t quite match up. Meanwhile, on the streets of Trolberg, a dark specter looms.
Hilda and the Stone Forest (Book 5) PB ISBN: 9781911171713 HC ISBN: 9781909263741 Lexile: GN230L F&P (Guided Reading Level): Q CCSS Instructional Strands: RL.4.1,2,3,4,6,7,9,10 L.4.3,3a,4,4a,4b,5,6
RF.4.3,3a,4,4a,4c SL.4.1,2,4 W.4.3,3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,4,9,9a,10
Hilda may be grounded, but that won’t stop her from heading off on another daring adventure! Everything is thrown off course when her mother catches her and is dragged along for the ride. Furious with each other, the bickering pair find themselves lost in the land of the trolls, forced to embark on a dangerous journey to make their way home to make matters even more difficult, Hilda has to do so as a troll! Buckle your seatbelts for a crazy adventure!
About the author Luke Pearson is the creator of the Hilda graphic novel series, garnering rave reviews from The New York Times, The New Yorker, and many others. He was nominated for the Eisner Award’s Best Publication for Kids and Best Writer/Artist in 2013, and recently worked as a storyboard artist on the cult classic TV series Adventure Time.
2018 copyright Flying Eye Books and Luke Pearson
www.flyingeyebooks.com
www.hildabooks.com
Discussion Questions Pre-reading discussion questions for your students before they have read the Hilda books: • Look at the illustrations on the Hilda book covers. What do you think is going to happen? • What genre do you think this book fits into? • What do you notice about the cover of this book? • Does it remind you of other books you’ve read? • Why is it important to have strong protagonists?
Post-reading questions for your students after they have read the Hilda books: • Pick three words that you would use to describe Hilda. Discuss. • Do you identify with any of the characters? Why? • List the main theme of every book (e.g. one of the main themes of Hilda and the Troll is dealing with misunderstandings). • For Hilda and the Troll: Did anything surprise you about the Troll? • For Hilda and the Midnight Giant: Did you see any similarities between the Hidden People and Hilda’s situation in life? • For Hilda and the Bird Parade: What are some challenges that we face when we encounter new places? • For Hilda and the Black Hound: How does Hilda demonstrate courage and kindness in this adventure? • For Hilda and the Stone Forest: What lessons do Hilda and her mom learn about each other? How does this strengthen their relationship?
Why Graphic Novels Are Great for the Classroom Many educators enjoy using graphic novels as fun and engaging teaching tools. We have highlighted these four important reasons for educators to bring graphic novels into their classrooms.
1. The low word count and fast-paced action creates a gateway into reading for reluctant readers. 2. The accessibility of graphic novels can boost confidence in early readers and serve as an entry point to traditional novel reading. 3. Graphic novels help provide the tools necessary to navigate our world by teaching visual literacy and critical thinking at an early age. 4. For kids accustomed to experiencing words and images via gaming, TV, and movies, graphic novels make a tempting alternative to screens.
2018 copyright Flying Eye Books and Luke Pearson
www.flyingeyebooks.com
www.hildabooks.com
2018 copyright Flying Eye Books and Luke Pearson
Write your own Hilda comic!