Book Scavenger

Book Scavenger

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade mystery/adventure
• Originally Published: 2015
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 810L; grades 6-8
• Structure/Length: 42 chapters; approx. 367 pages; approx. 8 hours, 17 minutes on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: Twelve-year-old Emily Crane and friend James Lee discover mystery and adventure playing Book Scavenger, an internet puzzle game that leads them to explore San Francisco landmarks as they search for books hidden around the city. 

Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, Author

• Bio: Grew up in the San Francisco area; earned a creative writing Master of Fine Arts degree from St. Mary’s College; established a career in book publishing; writes middle grade novels and picture books; currently lives in Colorado
• Other Works: The Unbreakable Code (2017); The Alcatraz Escape (2018); Sisterhood of Sleuths (2022)
• Awards: Indie Next Top Ten pick; a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year; an NCTE Notable Book in the Language Arts (2016); Junior Library Guild Selection

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Stability Versus Adventure
• How to Be a Good Friend
• Winning at All Costs

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Reflect on the costs and benefits of pursuing goals and interests overzealously to increase their engagement with and comprehension of Book Scavenger’s characters and themes.
• Read/study short paired texts and other resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to Stability Versus Adventure, How to Be a Good Friend, and Winning at All Costs.