We curate a selection of books for each of our themed camps to get students of various interests, and reading levels, excited and turning to books to learn more. We use a variety of books, including fiction and graphic novels, to show students how science is interwoven into their daily lives.
Here are some of our picks for our popular Choose-your-own-Adventure Zombie Apocalypse Summer Camp.
The Last Kids on Earth Series
By Max Brallier
The Story
This fictional series describe a zombie apocalypse in funny, not-so-scary way describing what happens when all of the parents and authority figures flee and it’s up to a group of kids to face a series of zombies and strange creatures in this post-apocalyptic world.
Why we like it
The books incorporate visual literacy, with graphics comical drawings, breaking up the straight text. It keeps the story fast-paced, and it’s a good way for reluctant readers to become more excited about reading.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Also comes as a Graphic Novel)
By Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith
The Story
This parody mash-up novel connects the classic Jane Austin story, following the original text of the novel, adding in zombie and ninja elements. A zombie plague is spreading across the country in early 19th century England. While Mrs. Bennet is preparing her daughters to marry wealthy, high-status husbands, Mr. Bennet is simultaneously training them to become zombie fighters.
Why we like it
Creativity is combining things that seem to have no connection, then helping other people see that connection in a natural way. We like that this book compares two completely different things: young women in early 19th century England and zombie fighting. Showing students these types of creative connections helps students boost their own creative connections.
So Now You’re a Zombie: A Handbook for the Newly Undead
By John Austin
The Story
This “handbook for the newly undead” helps the newly zombified understand how to navigate living as a zombie. Filled with pictures and diagrams, it uses easy-to-read snippets to explain the history of zombies, zombie anatomy, and how to deal with your enemy (humans).
Why we like it
This book changes the whole perspective of a zombie apocalypse, making the zombie the protagonist. When we see a zombie apocalypse through the lens of a zombie, it opens students to more creative possibilities and the ability to recognize perspectives beyond our own.
Science Comics: The Brain: The Ultimate Thinking Machine
By Tory Woollcott
The Story
This book, from the Science Comics series, is a graphic novel that uses a fictional story to learn about the brain. When Fahama is kidnapped by a mad scientist, she needs to learn about the brain in order to escape. The book presents varying aspects of the parts of the brain and how the brain really works within the fictional story.
Why we like it
It includes a lot of facts and definitions in a relatable way. The book uses a lot of vocabulary and concepts that become relatable through the drawings and graphic novel format.
Wall Chart Human Anatomy
By Thomas McCraken and Martin Griffiths
Teach anatomy at a zombie science camp