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The
Neptune Project
by Polly Holyoke
TLA BluebonnetSM
Nominee
2014 Kids Wings® Award Book
It is
well into the future. Global drought has reduced food production to dangerously
low levels, and an overreaching government equipped with deadly weapons
cruelly manipulates the surviving population. Smugglers control available
resources and their prices, but everyone knows that it is the greedy government
officials who patronize the smuggling operations. Although the fisherpeople
on the coastlines live off of the sea, they are now being ordered to move
inland to aid in crop production for the country.
In the
midst of these problems, Nere is concerned with her worsening shortness
of breath and weak eyes. She is only comfortable when she is swimming
with the dolphins. Hearing that she will have to move inland is devastating
to her. How can she survive there? She lost her father two years earlier
in a storm at sea, and her older brother who was having trouble in school,
disappeared after that. Now it just her mother, a research scientist,
and her, but her mother is beginning to act strange.
Finally,
the time has come. Her mother explains to Nere that before her birth,
she and other children were genetically engineered to be able to breathe
underwater in order that they might survive in the ocean. Frantic, Nere
rebels and peppers her mother with questions. What does that mean? How
can she possibly breathe under water? How will she be able to communicate
underwater? What will keep her warm? What will she eat? Will her mother
come, too? Before she can even ask her questions, receive answers, or
understand what is happening, government agents begin to comb their town
to forcefully move the population. Nere's mother gives her, another girl,
and a young boy quick injections that begin their final, painful transformations.
Then, they join other kids of The Neptune Project, kids whose parents
have chosen hope of life in the ocean rather than certain death inland.
The
Neptune kids must to join together and travel over a thousand miles to
a safe haven with only dolphins, their own gifts, and each other for support
and protection. On the way they will encounter horrifying sea creatures,
evil govenment agents intent on catching or killing them, and a vast array
of other situations that threaten their survival. You will need to hold
on to your seahorses in this unique, action-packed undersea adventure
that finds the Neptune kids drawn into brutal battles, life-threatening
encounters, and courageous escapes.
In The
Neptune Project,
you will find yourself submerged in a breathtaking underwater world with
beauty and horror in equal portions. You will experience the Neptune kids'
problem solving, their growing cooperation, and their recognitions of
their emerging abilities that are necessary for their survival. Related
themes of genetic engineering, oceanic animal and plant life, environmental
themes, ecology, ocean health, social problems, and career-related studies
present unique opportunities for research growing out of this overpowering
dystopian science fiction adventure. The
Neptune Project could provide the hub of an exciting, productive year
of study.
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Research
Links for
The
Neptune Project
by Polly Holyoke
Author's
Home Page
Book
Trailer
The
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Dolphin
Sonar (video)
Fun
Dolphin Facts (Science Kids)
National
Geographic Kids: Bottle-nosed Dolphins
Defenders
of Wildlife: Basic Facts About Dolphins
Do
Dolphins Sleep?
Research
on Dolphins Understanding Language
YouTube:
Art Ala Carte: How to Draw a Dolhin, 9 min. lesson
Draw a Dolphin,
Step by Step
Training
Dolphins
DracoArt
Giant
Squid
Smithsonian NMNH Giant Squid
Squid World
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The
Kids Wings literature guide PLUS interactive Jeopardy-type game, perfect
for lesson plans, handouts, or projection on your SmartBoard for The
Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke is
now available!
This
Kids Wings Activity Guide Includes:
Pre-Reading Discussion Cards
Preparing Your Intellectual Tools, Dialectical Journal
Become a Character
Creative Mapping
12 Active, Personalized Character Studies
3-Page Readers Theater Script
3 Research Guides with Big 6 Sequence
Graphic Organizer: Chart the Story's Progress
Chapter Vocabulary Lists and Predict-Read-Confirm Chapter Questions
Multiple Choice and Short-Answer Chapter Questions
Visualization: Story Comprehension Through Art
Crossword Puzzle
Neptune Kids and Dolphins: A Logic Puzzle
Illustrate
an Event from Chapters 16-20
Visualizing the Story
Character Cards for 10-Chapter Groups
Create a NEPTUNE Acronym
Create a DESIGN Acronym
Discussion and Writing Prompts
Answer Pages
Plus, a BONUS Interactive Jeopardy-type Game
and MORE
********************************
The
Neptune Project is included
in the Kids Wings Trials and Courage Collection
of literature guides for award-winning novels and intermediate-level
picture books all on one convenient CD. Included are 848
pages of activities in 22 titles
PLUS 18 "Jeopardy-type"
games!
You can purchase a literature guide individually for around $12.95,
but if you order Trials and Courage Collection,
you can get 29 literature guides for only $25, or less than $1 each!
This is probably the greatest bargain in the USA, as long as quantities
last!
********************************
Related
Literature: Middle School Adventures
More
Award-Winning Books for 2014-2015
Buy
The
Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke
NOW!
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The links here have been scrutinized for their grade and age appropriateness;
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It is advisable that teachers and parents review all links before allowing
student use. Please contact us immediately
if you find any inappropriate links.
Disclaimer:
Texas Bluebonnet AwardSM
is a service mark of the Texas Library Association,
which is in no way affiliated with Kids' Wings or Suzy Red. Use of the
Texas Bluebonnet Award mark in these materials does not imply any endorsement
of any kind on behalf of the Texas Library Association.
The
Texas BluebonnetSM
Book Master List was selected by the Texas BluebonnetSM
Award Committee of the Texas Library
Association.
© 2014, Suzy
Red, Lockhart, Texas
All Rights Reserved
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