The Extincts: Flight of the Mammoth
#2 in Extincts Series
on Goodreads (38)
What’s inside...
In 'The Extincts: Flight of the Mammoth,' a captivating middle-grade adventure, a group of resourceful children discover a hidden world home to thriving extinct animals. Led by protagonist Max, the children encounter a secret portal to a valley where mammoths and other ancient creatures exist. However, their discovery is threatened by a billionaire who aims to exploit the mammoths for profit. Together with a young woolly mammoth named Wooly and other prehistoric friends, they embark on a perilous journey to protect the creatures, learning valuable lessons about teamwork and conservation. Author Scott Magoon crafts a tale of action, wonder, and heartfelt themes, where past and present converge, and the survival of these magnificent animals is at stake. In the second installment of the action-packed graphic novel series, now in paperback, a team of genetically enhanced extinct animals face new challenges. After thwarting Dr. Z’s evil scheme and saving a unicorn horn, the Extincts open a zoo to educate the public on environmental awareness, though team member Lug is skeptical of its impact. A dangerous incident prompts Lug to join smoke jumpers fighting wildfires in California, but suspicions arise that the fires might be arson. The Extincts must reunite to unveil the truth and prevent disaster. This thrilling narrative by New York Times bestselling author Scott Magoon features intense action, humor, and a resonant environmental message. The book also includes educational back matter about wildfire safety, smokejumpers, and DIY telescope building.
Discussion points
What do you think inspired George to embark on an adventure with the extinct creatures?
How do the characters in the book show teamwork? Can you think of a time when you worked as a team?
If you could meet any of the extinct creatures from the book, which one would you choose and why?
What lessons did you learn from the challenges the characters faced?
How does the journey of the characters change the way you think about friendship and bravery?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters and their adventures to life, making the story more engaging for your child.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story to encourage active involvement and critical thinking.
Relate the themes of the book, such as bravery and teamwork, to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss why they made that choice, further exploring their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Create a fun quiz for your child based on the book to reinforce their comprehension and recall of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Extincts: Flight of the Mammoth,' characters of varying backgrounds and skills come together to achieve a common goal. Through their adventures, they demonstrate the power of working as a team.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities or school projects, learning to value the importance of cooperation and combining strengths to accomplish objectives.
Example Lesson: Courage and Overcoming Fears
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face numerous challenges and dangerous situations that test their bravery. Their journey teaches children about facing their fears and the growth that comes from stepping out of their comfort zones.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to facing new challenges such as trying out for a sports team, standing up in class for a presentation, or even standing up against bullying.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: The narrative showcases the protagonists’ continuous efforts to overcome obstacles, no matter how daunting they appear. This persistence highlights the virtue of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that setbacks are a part of life and that persistence and resilience are key to achieving goals, useful when dealing with academic challenges or personal setbacks.
Example Lesson: Importance of Knowledge and Learning
Explanation: The characters often use knowledge and historical facts as tools to navigate their quests and solve problems. This underscores the importance of learning and staying curious.
Real-World Application: This encourages kids to be curious, ask questions, and seek knowledge, understanding that learning can also be an exciting adventure and a valuable tool.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the characters encounter various extinct creatures with different stories and backgrounds, they learn to understand and empathize with their situations, fostering a sense of compassion.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to empathize with peers from different backgrounds and cultures, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their everyday interactions.