Because of Mr. Terupt 

2013 Nutmeg Book Award Nominee 

Author: Rob Buyea

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, copy write 2010

Page Count: 288

Lexile: 560L

Overview: 

"It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . . Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in; Alexia, a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next; Peter, class prankster and troublemaker; Luke, the brain; Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shy Anna, whose home situation makes her an outcast; and Jeffrey, who hates school.  Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone. "--Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Individual/ Group Reading

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Forgiveness

2. Friends and Enemies

3. Everyone has a story

4. Differences in people

5. Having Faith

Electronic Resources:

1. Conversations with the Author

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E_yhjSN_aw
This link is a youtube video of a conversation between Rob Buyea and John Irving regarding the story, characters, and development of the book.

2. Book Bites
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOI3InzleE4
This video introduces students to five different books which they may be interested in reading.  One featured one is Because of Mr. Terupt.

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Coma

2. Concoction 

3. Likelihood

4. Collaborative

5. Ostracized 

6. Overwhelmed

Reading Strategies:

Before: Teachers can introduce the book by asking the students to share about a time they felt they had a teacher who went out of their way to help the students.  This discussion can lead into an introduction of the book.

During: Students should keep a graphic organizer with space for each character in order to fill in details and events regarding each character to help remember them through out the story.

After: This story is full of emotion.  Each student comes from a unique background, the accident brings out sadness, and the ending of the story is lighthearted and full of life.  In small groups, have a teacher led discussion regarding how the sad emotions through out the story help the ending to be such a positive feeling.

Writing Activity:  Imagine you are one of the students in the book.  Write a diary entry regarding your feelings about finding out Mr. Terupt will be your teacher again next year.  Use examples from the book to explain your feelings.     

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Because of Mr. Terupt. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/because-of-mr-terupt-rob-buyea/1019626278?ean=9780375858246

Buyea, R. (2010). Because of Mr. Terupt. New York: Delacorte Press. 

Nutmeg Book Award, . (2012, June 10). In 2013 Intermediate Nominees. Retrieved September 29, 2012, from http://www.nutmegaward.org/93343/index.html

Story Snoops, . (n.d.). In Book detail. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.storysnoops.com/detail.php?id=857